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savemefromanepicoftimewasted · 2 years ago

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It's the Little Things

Joel Miller X Fem!Reader

Joel hadn't pictured himself a dad to an orphan not after losing his only daughter in a car crash, but when a dear friend is dying of cancer what is he to do but take her in? A/N:this is an AU where the apocalypse does not happen, but Joel is still older than the reader(think upper 40's Joel whereas the reader is late 20's, early 30's)and is a surrogate dad to Ellie, if you do read please leave some feedback! warnings:none really, Joel being grumpy because he's old

This wasn’t the life Joel thought he would have for himself, he’d always thought it would be him and Sarah against the world, before the car accident happened. Now Joel didn’t blame anyone but himself for that happening, even when they were the ones t-boned by an oncoming semi, he should’ve looked both ways twice before turning. Except that wasn’t the case, and now he was being asked to take in his friend’s daughter because she was also dying. It wasn’t fucking fair, and at the rate he was going Joel was sure he’d be completely gray by the end of the year. Ellie was a good kid though, stayed out of trouble when it mattered most. Of course that wasn’t to say Marlene didn’t sneak her out of the house when his back was turned. She always came back in one piece though, and for that he was grateful.

“C’mon, don’t start trying to give me that look, you know damn well the answer is still going to be no,” Ellie had been begging Joel to take her to a concert, claiming she deserved to see what all the hype was about.

Joel on the other hand thought they were too loud and downright obnoxious, they weren’t even playing actual music on the radio anymore, it was just noise. So he dug his heels in and refused no matter how much she begged, or pleaded. Ellie knew he’d eventually give in, it would just take a ton of convincing for him to do so first.

“What if we see a band you like?” Joel simply stared over at the young girl, lips pulled into a frown as he started to consider what she was saying.

It would be a great bonding experience, and Joel wouldn’t have to endure some pop artist he couldn’t even pronounce the name of. If it finally got Ellie off his back for a little while, maybe it wouldn’t be such a terrible idea.

“Fine, but after this you don’t ask for anything until your birthday, alright?” Granted her birthday was only three months away, which meant Joel was in for a whole heap of trouble with her.

Ellie was ecstatic, this was absolutely perfect! There was no way Joel could say no if Ellie just so happened to invite Marlene’s friend along with them, it would be so rude if he did. Plus Joel really needed someone by his side, man was grumpier than anyone else she’d ever met. Shit, but what if Joel actually gets upset though? That’s gonna derail the entire plan, and make for a very rough few months.

“What’re you planning over there?” Joel raised a brow at Ellie, waiting to see what was going on in the teenager's mind.

“Just thinking about who we could go and see,” Okay it wasn’t her best lie, but she was working on it.

Joel didn’t pay her much attention, heading off into the kitchen to start prepping everything for dinner. Ellie knew you had planned on stopping by, needing to “drop something off” according to Joel, he wouldn’t say as to why when she asked. He always seemed to get flustered whenever you walked into their house, stumbling over his words like he was a teenager with a crush.

“Holy shit!” That explained everything! No wonder Joel wasn’t willing to go on any date that Marlene tried to set him up on.

“What?! What’s going on?” Joel ran into the room, chef's knife clutched tight in his right hand.

Ellie stared at him dumbfounded, unsure she was willing to blow his cover.

“Nothing, thought I saw a spider but it was just a dust bunny,” Smooth Ellie, real smooth.

Joel’s posture relaxed, shaking his head before going back into the kitchen to continue doing what he was before Ellie had nearly given him a heart attack. Now all she had to do was convince you to go to the concert, wherever it was, when they decided on a band.

“Hello! Anyone home?” Your voice echoed throughout the house as you stepped inside, bag clutched tight in your right hand, cake balancing in your left hand. “Kitchen!” Joel’s voice was booming, much louder than your own, but a clear indicator of where the man was.

You smiled to yourself, making your way to the kitchen with your goodies. Joel had praised your cakes every time you brought one over, so why not indulge the man? It was a recipe you held near and dear to your heart, especially since it was the first dessert you ever made for him.

“Hey there good looking,” You snickered when Joel threw a glare your way, it was all in good fun.

Ellie practically threw herself into you, wrapping her arms around your waist in a tight hug, she was another reason you’d loved coming over. You hugged her back, being careful not to jostle the food that was in your hands.

“Hello to you too miss, why don’t you go hang out in the living room while your dad and I get dinner made,” You wanted to talk with Joel a little more privately, get everything off your chest.

“Did you bring the cake?” Ellie looked more excited about the cake than Joel did, which wasn't too surprising considering the sweet tooth the kid had.

You held the plate up a little higher, showing that you did indeed bring the oh so famous chocolate cake for the two Miller’s. She squealed excitedly, clapping before running off back into the living room. Joel was keeping himself busy cutting vegetables, keeping an eye on the steaks browning in the pan on the stove.

“Don’t worry, I don’t think she can tell,” You set the cake down on the table, turning to face the older man with a brow raised.

“I don’t think Ellie would know if it smacked her directly in the face,” Joel was trying to figure out the best way to break the news to her.

He hadn’t dated since Sarah had passed away, it felt wrong to worry about himself when there were so many other things going on. And then once Ellie came into the picture Joel put all of his focus into helping her settle into the home. Meeting you had been a blessing in disguise, one he’d been thankful for for the last few years you’d known one another.

“Joel, don’t be mean, she needs to focus her energy on something,” You couldn’t help but giggle when Joel rolled his eyes.

“She needs to stay out of my personal business is what she needs to do,” Joel was surprised Ellie hadn’t caught on sooner, she’d been watching him like a hawk lately.

The two of you worked in tandem, helping Joel prep the dinner he’d offer to cook to finally break the news to Ellie. Would it be weird telling her that you’d been together for nearly six months, keeping the secret from almost everyone you knew? Tommy had his suspicions, though it sounded like Maria was entirely sure Joel had someone special in his life.

“She called me dad last week, don’t think she noticed though,” Joel smiled fondly at the memory, stirring the vegetables around to make sure they didn’t burn.

“Oh Joel, that's so sweet!” You’d known all about Joel’s fears that he wasn’t being enough of a parent to Ellie, she hadn’t hit her rebellious years and the two of you were thankful for that.

Joel peaked around to make sure Ellie wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, something she tended to do way more than he was happy with. He’d nearly told Tommy about you before noticing the tip of Ellie’s shoe sticking out in the doorway. She played it off acting like she wasn’t trying to listen in on what Joel had to say. He was going to finally admit it to her tonight, tell the truth that was starting to weigh on him so heavily.

“Ellie! Dinner’s ready!” You had started to plate up the food, sliding behind Joel to grab enough silverware for the three of you.

Ellie came running into the room, taking the plate from you so she could finish plating her food. You grabbed a plate for Joel, piling the food up higher than you would for your own, the man could eat his body weight and food and still be ready for more.

“Go sit and eat, I can make my own plate,” Joel nudged you towards the dining table, fingertips lingering on the fabric of your shirt.

“I’ll sit down when you do,” You giggled when he rolled his eyes, grabbing your own plate of food and joining Ellie.

The three of you ate in silence, the sounds of forks and knives scraping against plates. Luna, the cat Ellie had insisted Joel get, was sitting by your feet. Joel was struggling to find the perfect time to bring up your relationship, how he was thinking of having you move into his home. He’d been debating it for a while, unsure of how you’d feel about moving with him.

“Hey, Ellie?” It was now or never, he was either going to tell his adoptive daughter that you were together, or he would continue to chicken out.

“Mmm?” She looked over at him, cheeks stuffed with food while he forced himself not to say anything.

He glanced at you for a brief moment, taking a deep breath to calm the nerves that were beginning to fray at the seams.

“I just wanted to let you know that Y/N and I are together. We’ve been dating since Tommy’s birthday,” There it was all out in the open and therefore no longer a burden on Joel’s shoulders.

Ellie’s eyes widened to the size of saucers, jaw dropping open to show the half chewed food still sitting in her mouth. Joel was ready to scold her, there was nothing more inappropriate than having food fall out of your mouth.

“I knew it!” Ellie leaped off the chair, chewing and swallowing the food that was in her mouth. “What?” Joel was confused, how the hell could she have known?

“You get so giddy whenever she’s around, I just figured it was nothing more than a crush,” Ellie shrugged, laughing at the stunned look on Joel’s face.

You weren’t surprised the teenager had figured out, she had almost caught on during the first month of your relationship when she’d knocked on Joel’s door and nearly caught you in bed together. Sliding under his bed definitely hadn’t been your proudest moment, but neither of you were ready to announce your relationship.

“Wait, so who knows if you’re just now telling me?” She had a put out look on her face, arms crossed over her chest.

“No one besides you knows, and no you will not be spilling the beans to Maria before I can say something to Tommy,” Maria and Ellie were thick as thieves together, getting into trouble when both Joel and Tommy had their backs turned.

“You told me before your brother?” Ellie’s voice was soft, quieter than either Joel or you had ever heard her before.

Had this meant more than they realized? Getting to be in on the big secret about the man who’d become her father. He was going to have to tell Tommy and Maria sooner rather than later anyway, lest they find out through the grapevine and get upset for being out of the loop. You held your arms open, gesturing for Ellie to join your embrace. She didn’t hesitate to run over, arms wrapped tight around your ribs as she sniffled. Joel was thankful that she wasn’t upset they hadn’t told her, there was nothing worse than a pissed off teenager.

“Wait, does that mean you’re staying over?” Ellie pulled back so quickly from your embrace you were afraid the poor girl gave herself whiplash.

“Yes I am, as long as Joel’s alright with it,” You’d never try and overstay your welcome, no matter how much Joel would beg at times.

Before Joel could answer for himself Ellie piped up with a quick “who cares what he wants? We can have a sleepover!” It was adorable how much the teenager adored you, something Joel had been nervous about. He hadn’t brought anyone that wasn’t family, until you came into his life, around her before. The two of you had clicked as if you’d known Ellie her entire life, and not the two hours you’d first spent together. Joel had started heading over to your apartment more often after that, not wanting to be too affectionate around the teenager and give away his secrets. Now that the cat was out of the bag he could breathe easier, until it came time to tell his brother and sister-in-law. Nothing more exciting than telling your family you’ve been seeing someone nearly ten years after you lost your daughter, at least in Joel’s case.

A knock at the door caught everyone’s attention, you were already here so it definitely wasn’t you arriving late, so who the hell would it be?

“Joel! Open the damn door!” Why the fuck was Tommy here?

“Alright! Give me a damn minute,” Joel abandoned you and Ellie in the kitchen, going to unlock the front door to see what was so important.

Tommy all but shoved past Joel, complaining the weather outside was too damn cold for making him stand outside in it. God did he hope you and Ellie stayed in the damn kitchen while he dealt with his brother.

“Can I ask what you’re doing in my house without letting me know you were coming over?” Had he and Maria gotten into an argument? Nah, Tommy knew better than to piss off Maria to the point she kicked him out.

“Ellie texted me, said there was some kind of emergency and that I should come right over,” Oh he was going to strangle that girl until she was blue in the face.

Joel turned and headed right towards the kitchen, not stopping until he came face to face with you, Ellie was doing her best to use you as a personal shield.

“You are dead, you hear me?” Joel reached around you towards Ellie, fingers barely grazing the hoodie she had on.

“You were going to tell him anyway, just rip the bandaid off!” She was doing everything she could to avoid Joel’s grasp, slipping under his arm to run into the living room.

Joel groaned lowly, Ellie was going to tell Tommy before he could even open his mouth and say a single word himself.

“Let’s go tell him together, okay?” You laced your fingers together, leading Joel out to the living room so he could finally face his brother.

Tommy and Ellie were having a heated discussion about what sounded very close to dinosaurs, that was a small win.

“Ellie called you over here because she wanted me to tell you, and if Maria had been here too, that I’ve got a girlfriend,” It felt weird admitting to his younger brother that he was dating someone, let alone someone as gorgeous as you.

Tommy stared dumbfounded for a brief moment before bursting into a full belly laugh that left Joel more confused than anything. Was it really that surprising he was dating someone that everyone felt the need to laugh at him? Ellie shrugged at him, unsure as to why Tommy was laughing.

“C’mon Tommy, don’t be mean to dad, he’s old and fragile,” Tommy was still laughing though much quieter.

You and Joel were stunned, it was the first time in the almost two years that Joel had that Ellie had said anything of the sort. He didn’t want to make it awkward though, there was nothing worse than making her feel uncomfortable.

“I am not being mean to him at all, stop being dramatic, if anything you’re the one calling him old and fragile” Tommy pointed a finger at her, catching the comment she’d made about Joel.

“Well it’s true, even Y/N agrees with me, isn’t that right?” All eyes were suddenly on you, leaving you flustered and unsure whether you wanted to answer truthfully.

You threw your hands up in surrender, not willing to answer the question that Ellie had so gladly thrown your way. That wasn’t to say you hadn’t made plenty of old man jokes with Joel before, he was forty-eight which in his eyes meant he was ancient. Ellie knew you were younger which explained why she never seemed suspicious of you and Joel spending time together.

“Really? You think I’m old and fragile there darling?” Joel stepped closer to you, quickly closing the space that separated the two of you.

“I mean I may have made a joke once or twice,” You backed away slowly, reaching blindly behind you to make sure you wouldn’t fall over and hurt yourself.

“I’ll show you old,” Joel lunged forward, fingers barely grazing your arm as you turned and ran towards the front door.

The sound of your combined laughter echoed throughout the house, the two of you running around in the front yard. The neighbors had seen the two of you running around like fools in the past, so this was nothing new to them. You knew better than to let Joel win though, he would hold it above your head for weeks and would brag if that happened.

“Should we get them back inside?” Tommy looked over at Ellie, watching as the couple tussled outside.

“Nope, Joel will eventually catch her and they’ll probably say a bunch of cheesy shit before coming back inside. Y/N brought her famous chocolate cake and there’s no way dad’s going to miss out on that,” Ellie would fight someone for a slice of that cake, it was earth shatteringly good.

Tommy thought better than to ask anymore questions, he’d gotten an answer already and would wait to see what all the fuss was about. A loud squeal echoed before the two of you hit the ground, Joel reigning victorious. Luna was sitting in the doorway watching the pair, she’d been patiently waiting to be fed her dinner and this was another thing holding everything up.

“Wait, you’re saying that like they’ve done something like this before, but you just found out they’re dating,” Tommy was suspicious now, had Ellie secretly known about the relationship?

“I did just find out, but they’re like a couple of kids whenever they’re around each other. I swear I’ve never seen him so happy before, damn how did I miss all the signs?” Ellie muttered the last few words to herself, thinking back on all the time Joel came home late, claiming he’d been working with Tommy when in reality he’d been on a date with you.

It didn’t hurt, finding out that Joel had kept something like this hidden for so long, he was more worried about raising Ellie without pushing his own beliefs onto her. She was a kid with a personality, and thoughts, Joel wanted to give her a chance to figure out who she was. You and Joel headed back inside a few minutes later, grass stains covering most of your clothes as you laughed together.

“Can we have dessert please?” Ellie was ready to beg, the cake was whispering things and damnit she was hungry.

“Yes, we can have cake,” You pressed a kiss to Joel’s cheek before rushing off to cut a slice of cake for everyone.

Tommy could see the lovesick smile on his brother's face, the way it radiated through his body like a beacon of life. It was sickeningly sweet. Ignoring his brother in favor of eating some cake Tommy made his way out to the kitchen with Ellie. Joel headed into the pantry to get food for Luna so she wouldn’t scream at them all night for being fed a little later than usual. Once everyone was sat down at the dining table you handed out plates and forks, settling close to Joel’s right side.

The cake was fluffy and delicious, the icing just sweet enough without being overbearing, it was truly a slice of heaven. Were you a baker that Joel had been keeping hidden, or was this something you just did on the side for the people you liked?

“I might have you bake a cake for my wife’s birthday, this is amazing,” Tommy would have to introduce the two of you first of course, but once she’d taste a slice of the cake Maria would surely be won over.

“Well if you two are free this saturday we could do a double date so she can meet Y/N, Ellie will be fine at home by herself,” Joel had stuffed the last piece of cake into his mouth, groaning happily at the taste.

Ellie was ecstatic, Joel only left her home alone if he was working late to make sure nothing went wrong with any of his contractors, this would be so different. Tommy nodded in agreement, it wouldn’t be hard to get his wife to agree to a date night, she liked Joel well enough that spending a few hours with him and his girlfriend didn’t sound like a chore.

“Sure, I’ll ask her when I go home tonight,” The night had started out a little strange, having to drive over to his brother's house because of Ellie’s panic, but now it just felt right.

You offered to cut a slice for Tommy’s wife, saying that there’s no way the three of you could eat anymore cake. Joel protested immediately, stating that he could eat nearly half the cake himself before he would need to stop. Ignoring the man you’d fallen in love with, you sliced a hefty piece of cake and set it into a container for Tommy to take home.

“This way she can see if she might want me to bake a cake for her birthday,” You playfully glared over at Joel as he tried to protest once more, huffing and crossing his arms as you all but shoved the container into Tommy’s arms.

The three of you said goodbye as he left, saying he would ask Maria about the double date to make sure she didn’t already have plans. You waited patiently for Ellie to say something, or even Joel as you all stood in the living room together.

“Alright, it’s late, you need to get to bed and I need to take a shower so time to get a move on,” It was barely past eight, but Joel liked to stick to a regimen.

For once Ellie didn’t put up much of a fuss about having to get ready for bed, or getting ready to relax for the night. Normally she’d complain and say that “well I’m not a baby, I don’t need to go to bed at eight” and Joel would brush it off. Now though? He was shocked as she all but ran up the stairs to head into her own bathroom and shower. Joel turned to look at you, raising a brow in silent question. You knew exactly what it entailed, happily following him up to his bedroom and into the ensuite.

Joel’s touch was always so gentle, whether the two of you were simply cuddling with a movie on, or were engaged in more intimate moments. Right now he was being careful not to irritate your skin, noticing that when you tackled one another you’d both manage to get a slight turf burn. It wasn’t anything serious, nothing worse than explaining to your coworkers why your arms had burns from spending the night with your boyfriend. Maybe you could steal one of Joel’s flannels so no one would ask questions.

While Joel washed your front, you spent that time scrubbing any dirt and grass that had managed to get in his hair. He was ready to melt in with the water that washed down the drain, your hands always felt so good.

“Don’t fall asleep on me Miller, we have to get into bed first,” You smiled watching the way he grumbled, claiming he wasn’t about to fall asleep on you.

It took a few more minutes, the two of you enjoying a quiet moment under the scalding spray from the shower head. Joel had redone both bathrooms by himself when he moved in, complaining the people before him had been stuck in the seventies. It was more modern, but with a comforting touch about it, that was partially due to you. Sarah had once occupied the room Ellie was in, updating it with her interests the older she got. It was Ellie’s turn now, the walls covered in posters of different musicians and some of her favorite comics covering the dresser and nightstand.

“I’m stealing your clothes, need something comfy to sleep in,” You had clothes hidden away in some of Joel’s drawers, mainly so Ellie hadn’t seen them, but his clothes just felt better.

“That’s alright hun, take whatever you want,” Joel grabbed his own pajamas, giving you some privacy to get dressed.

Most people were shocked to hear that you and Joel weren’t getting freaky nearly all the time, but it wasn’t at the forefront of your mind all the time, plus with Ellie not knowing about the relationship that made things more difficult. It wasn’t as if you didn’t want to, there were definitely times you wanted to jump his bones, but you behaved. Joel crawled into bed first, pulling the blanket back to help you settle in.

“I was thinking, I want you to move in,” Joel was terrified. What if you said no and broke things off with him because he was moving too fast?

“Oh you’re lucky my lease is about to run out Miller,” You cuddled into his chest wrapping an arm around his waist.

“Is that a yes?” His heart felt as if it stopped, there was no way in hell you were actually agreeing to move in, he was obviously dreaming.

“It’s a yes, but you get to help me move any of my furniture out that you don’t want to keep,” Granted you had planned on donating almost all of it, except for your mattress since it was nearly as old as Ellie.

Joel chuckled to himself, tightening his arm around you to pull you flush to his side, tonight went better than expected. Ellie had welcomed you with open arms, and now you were going to be living with him permanently. He laid back against the pillows, listening to your soft slow breathing as you succumbed to sleep.

“I love you so much darling, sweet dreams,” Joel pressed a kiss to your hair before falling asleep himself.

And if you had all of your things moved in that weekend, well that was no one’s business besides yours and Joel’s.

#joel miller #joel miller fic #joel miller au #joel miller x reader #joel miller x y/n #joel miller x you #joel miller imagine #the last of us hbo #the last of us #hbo the last of us #tlou hbo #tlou #ellie williams #tommy miller #pedro pascal

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alirhi · 3 years ago

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10 Sebastian roles as boyfriends

Because... I'm bored and I feel like it. 😂 Probably some spoilers for, like... everything? So yeah... That.

Putting it under here for easy scrolling:

10: Chase Collins

Who doesn't love a goofball? In the first half of the movie, Chase is basically perfect. He's sweet, funny, not all caught up in his ego, and actually pays attention to what the girls around him are saying, not just to what he wants to hear. If not for the whole... it was all an act to get close to Caleb and try to steal his magic thing, Chase would actually be a damn good high school boyfriend. He's adorable and would be a fun date, but he's also only 18 so best not to start making long-term plans lol. Also, y'know... the whole psycho revenge/power grab thing.

9 Jack Benjamin

Y'all. Y'all. Words cannot describe how much I love Jack. Pretty sure I've made this clear. As a person/character in general, he's absolutely in my Top 3 - not just of Sebastian's characters, but any character ever. ❤ But as a boyfriend? Boy's got baggage. It's what makes me so protective of him, but seeing as how he's trapped in the closet thanks to his overbearing homophobic family and the insane expectations heaped on him, as the show left him, he can't handle an honest relationship. He's too easily influenced by all the wrong people, poor babe.

8 Chris (Destroyer)

On paper, undercover cop sounds cool and exciting, but even if you ignore the fact that he, y'know, dies... Chris got in too deep and kinda lost the mission, so to speak. Best case scenario, you're his sexy partner and in on it all with him and end up on the lam for the rest of your lives. Worst case, this man lies for a living, so can you even trust him? And... yeah. The whole dead thing. Chris is hot af but getting involved with him is a recipe for disaster.

7 Ben

Min and Hathor have mercy, I love Ben! He's smart, he's snarky, he's caring and loyal... he's an absolute disaster. He's another one who seems allergic to honesty, until his lying and avoiding nearly kill his girlfriend. Not exactly relationship goals lol. Everything before totally was, though! Ben's adorable, and I love how he stayed up all night to protect his girlfriend (from a ghost/demon thing... with a baseball bat. I said he was smart, not perfect, okay? XD points for effort lol)

6 Mickey Henry

I. LOVE. MICKEY. Oml I love Mickey. He's a spazz and - even more so than Ben - an absolute disaster of a human being, but I love him. Pros for dating Mickey Henry: he's fun, he's carefree, he'll cook for you even though he's kinda bad at it lol, he loves his son and wants to be a good dad, he wants his partner to be happy and to love life as much as he does. Cons, and the reason he's not higher on the list: He's a pushover; easily influenced by the toxic people in his life, and it gets him into a lot of trouble. Being easily influenced by toxic dumpster fire of a human being Chloe almost lost him the partial custody of his son that he barely even had. He's an absolute sweetheart, but he's a complete man-child, and dating him would often feel more like raising him.

5 Frank "Suffer Buddy"

Come on! You know he and Mickey had to be back-to-back - they're practically the same character! 😂 Frank is Mickey... slightly more grown up. He's still a disaster, but he's respectful of boundaries, he's caring, he's funny in a dry, witty way that I just adore, and hoo lordy that man is a giver! 🥴🥵 Honestly, if he didn't smoke and didn't ditch Daphne in the middle of a party hours away from everything familiar to her surrounded by strangers to go do drugs, I'd call Frank perfect. He listened, he respected her wishes, he tried to keep some distance between them when he found out she'd gone on a date with his best friend (it failed utterly and brought us to the "damn that man's good with his mouth" portion of the movie lmao but still)... I don't have a whole lot of experience with men who actually give a shit, okay? So Frank is like a goddamn unicorn to me lmao. But that drug thing... That keeps him at the bottom of the Top 5 for me. Sorry, bb

4 Bucky

I can already hear everyone on here raging at me for placing Bucky so low on this list, but hear me out: I love this man. I love all four iterations of this man. Flirty 40s Bucky was a doll (fun date, not commitment material). Post-POW camp 40s Bucky had a fire to him that set me on fire. The Winter Soldier can choke me any damn day. Unf. And TFATWS Bucky... Oh, lady above, 2023 Bucky is a gem! He's sweet, snarky, and broken. He feels utterly, wretchedly alone in the world, and everyone around him, including his only friend, is telling him to "man up" and "make amends" for shit that was never his fault to begin with, rather than helping him come to terms with all that he's suffered and all that he's survived. Bucky needs and deserves love. A relationship with him would be so solid, if he found the right person... But it would take a fuck ton of work. He needs someone strong, patient, and more stubborn than he is to prod him until he finds a better therapist and actually opens up, and to keep him on track because even good therapy comes with homework. He does have to "do the work," Sam was right about that much, but he was way off base with what that "work" is. Bucky needs help and understanding, and he would be an amazing boyfriend... if he found someone with the strength to help him weather his nightmares and flashbacks, and help pull him out of this PTSD pit he's been in since 1943.

3 Chris Beck

Big brains turn me on, okay? 😂This man is an astronaut and a surgeon! Yes, please! Come here, you sexy genius! He's smart, he's funny - pretty sure Sebastian is incapable of playing anyone who's not delightfully snarky lol. He's pragmatic when he needs to be but there's also nothing he wouldn't do or risk for the ones he loves. This man is husband material and I cannot be convinced otherwise! So why isn't he #1? Cuz of the whole... spending years in space, thing. Super cool job and I'd be his biggest fan on the ground, but god damn, I would miss him while he's away!

2 TJ Hammond

Look, I'm gender fluid and he's a little bit bi 😂😂😂 Let me have my fantasy, okay? TJ's definitely got a lot of shit to work through, but love brings out the best in him. Before that fucking closeted shitbag broke his heart and stomped on it for good measure, TJ was clean and sober for months, he was happy, he was playing piano again, he was pulling himself together. Not only would he be an amazing boyfriend, but his partner would get the extra joy of getting to watch their love and devotion to him be the thing that saves this beautiful man's life. It's not healthy overall to tie your self worth and will to live to a relationship, but if he found the right person who would be there for him through all of life's shit and stick it out, I think he'd be okay. Even after his lowest point and without the support of his family, TJ still had a dream and he still chased it. He's not just the sweetest person to ever grace our screens, but he's ambitious and business-savvy, too. Keep him off drugs and watch this man take over the world, I'm telling you!

So why is TJ only #2? Well, besides the fact that he's like 99% gay and I have no bits he'd be interested in lmao, there's also the fact that this guy owns my heart:

1 Will Franklyn

And not just because we get to see him wet and mostly naked lol. Will is fucking perfect. I would die for this man... because he's already shown that he would die for his love. He almost fucking did, and they weren't even together yet! He's smart and very aware, he's a writer so we'd get to bond/geek out over books together, he's not all full of himself (self-deprecating humor ftw!) and he's willing to help a total stranger despite actual mortal peril, just because it's the right thing to do. Fierce, intelligent, sassy, strong-willed, and a flawless moral compass? YESYESYESYESYES! Forget boyfriend - let me MARRY this man! 😍🥰

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razieltwelve · 3 years ago

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Super Villain (Final Rose)

Citrine was not an especially outgoing girl. Her mother had a healing Semblance and worked at the hospital all the time, and her father was a doctor. She spent a lot of time with babysitters or with her neighbours, a kindly elderly couple. But when the elderly couple moved away to be with one of their children who could take care of them because of their faltering health, she didn’t really have anyone to take care of her.

Instead, her parents sent her to before-school care and after-school care during the week. When they were home on the weekends, they were often too tired to do anything, and she didn’t want to make them tireder, so she stayed in her room and played with the dolls they bought her. She liked dolls, and she could take them anywhere. Her favourite were the Gary-brand plush toys. She even brought one to school. She wasn’t supposed to, but she kept it hidden in her bag and only took it out during break times when she knew nobody could see her since she usually found a quiet place to hide. The other kids were loud, and she didn’t really know how to get along with them.

One day, some of the older kids founds her. They made fun of her doll and were going to take it from her when a little kid walked over. She was in the same grade as Citrine, but they weren’t in the same class. But Citrine knew who she was. Everyone did.

“You should give that plush toy back,” Victoria said. Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes weren’t.

The two older girls were a lot bigger, but they were trembling. Victoria kept smiling, and some other big kids showed up. They nodded at Victoria and stepped forward menacingly. The girls hurriedly gave the plush toy back to Citrine, and Victoria grinned at the big kids before handing each of them a can of Gary-brand cola.

“Are you okay? Us Gary fans have to stick together.”

“What... what was that?” Citrine asked quietly. She wrapped her arms around the plush toy.

“That was those two being jerks because they forgot who runs this place. As for the big kids... they work for me, and I make sure they get plenty of cola and sweets since their parents apparently hate sugar in all its forms. Sure, they can only eat those things at school, but I make sure they don’t have to go without.” Victoria rolled her eyes. “Honestly, it’s one thing to moderate sugar intake, but just banning all sugar from the house is a great way to get your kids addicted to the stuff. At least this way, they’ll have enough experience with sugar to not just binge on it when they get old enough to buy it for themselves.”

“Um... okay?” Citrine knew a lot about sugar and how it could be good or bad, but she’d never heard another kid talk about it like that before. Then again, everyone said Victoria was super smart. In fact, her parents were always grumbling because although Citrine got excellent grades, Victoria didn’t even have to do the tests because they were far too easy for her. “Do... do I have to pay you or something?”

Victoria looked at her - really looked at her - and Citrine paled. It was like having one of the big tigers at the zoo stare at her. And then Victoria’s gaze softened. “It must suck not having friends, right?”

“I...”

“I never see you hanging out with the other kids, and none of the other kids ever mention you either. Plus, you’re always in before-school care and after-school care. Your parents are early to drop you off and late to pick you up quite often too.”

Citrine sniffled. “They’re doing their best. They’re really busy. They work at the hospital and...”

“My Grandaunt Vanille does a whole heap of super-important things every day. She’s probably the smartest person who has ever lived, but she always made time for her kids. I can guarantee that she never made any of them sad the way your parents make you sad.”

“I don’t want to trouble them.” Citrine looked down.

“Hmm...” Victoria scowled, and Citrine quailed. “You’re pretty smart and you like Gary. There’s no reason you should have to be alone all the time.”

“I... I don’t really know how to get along with people.”

“Well, yeah, but that’s not your fault. When were you supposed to learn? Your parents obviously never bothered to teach you, and it’s not like the other kids are going to take the time out of their day to teach you either.” Victoria smirked. “But, hey, I like taking on a tough project every now and then, and my mother always says that you never know what sort or person someone might grow into if they just get a little help.”

“...” Citrine blinked. “What do you mean?”

“Starting today, Citrine, I’m going to teach you how to handle people, make friends, and survive.” Victoria had to reach up to put one arm around Citrine’s shoulders. She was tiny despite them being the same age. “Stick with me, and you’ll have no problems fitting in.”

X X X

Despite how crazy it was, Victoria was true to her word, and at school, Victoria’s word was law. Nobody messed with Citrine anymore, and the teasing stopped entirely. It was like magic.

But the real magic were the lessons. During break time, Citrine would sit with Victoria and her other friends, and it was like the other girl was holding court. She had kids in all the grades who could keep an eye on other kids, teachers, and even the maintenance staff. At the same time, she helped people with their homework, gave advice about how to avoid being grounded, and even talked about Gary, other cartoons, books, and video games.

“Pay attention,” Victoria told her. “Watch, listen, and learn. When you feel confident, talk.”

Citrine took the words to heart. It took her a while, but she eventually found the confidence to begin contributing to the conversations. It was awkward at first, but she slowly gained confidence once she realised that no matter how badly she did, Victoria would make sure that it never got out of hand.

It wasn’t easy, but she gradually got better at making conversation. It helped that she was smart. In exchange for helping the others in her class with their homework and assignments, they taught her how to sound more normal and even what sort of things she should talk about if she wanted to make friends. Just being around people did wonders since she was finally able to interact without constantly worrying that she was going to get ostracised for making a mistake.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” Victoria said to her one day. “Most of the kids here are my minions, not my friends. They do what I say because they know I can get them what they want.”

“That... that seems kind of sad,” Citrine murmured. They were watching some of the other kids play tag. Victoria usually didn’t play since she was so much better at it than everyone else. In fact, there were a lot of things Victoria didn’t do because of how much better she was at them than everyone else.

“Meh.” Victoria shrugged. “That’s how life is. Not everybody is out to be your friend, and you should never forget that. But most people will be happy to work with you if it benefits them. Don’t forget that either.” She grinned toothily. “Besides, most of the other kids will never be able to learn everything I have to teach. They don’t have the brains for it.” She chuckled at Citrine’s horrified expression. “Hey, I’m not being mean about it. It’s just a fact that not everybody has the same level of intelligence, which means that not everybody is going to be able to do the things I do.”

“I guess...”

“But I think you could learn a lot of what I have to teach,” Victoria said. “So I think we should hang out more.”

And they did start hanging out more.

When the next year rolled around, Citrine found herself in the same class as Victoria. She didn’t have to ask. She already knew that the other girl must have engineered that somehow.

Apart from that, Victoria also convinced her parents to let Citrine come over after school. Instead of going to after-school care, Citrine would go to Victoria’s house to hang out before getting dropped off at her house later. Victoria’s family was certainly interesting. Her parents were all so famous and really nice although Victoria’s mother, Jahne, seemed to find something about their friendship very amusing.

“Don’t worry about my mother,” Victoria said. “She’s not going to do anything to you. She just think it’s funny.”

“What’s funny?”

“That I’m helping someone who’s so quiet get out of their shell, so to speak.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t think too hard about it. You’ll drive yourself crazy.”

As the year went on, Citrine found herself learning more and more about how people thought and acted from Victoria. They would walk around the schoolyard during break, and Victoria would point things out and explain how she could tell what people were thinking or about to do. Citrine had an excellent memory, and she learned quickly, so it wasn’t long before she started being able to pick up on those things too.

“It’s almost like a game,” Victoria said to her. “Once you know how the system works, it gets really easy to exploit it.”

In an awful way, Victoria was right. Nobody had ever paid much attention to Citrine before, but now that she knew what to say and how to act, it was easy to get people to pay attention to her. One day she even tried it out on her parents, and she had to go to her room later and cry because of how differently they treated her.

“It’s because they like the pretend you more than the real you,” Victoria had told her after Citrine had tearfully explained the situation after school the next day.

Citrine nodded. “Yeah.” She paused and looked at Victoria. “How... how much of the you I see is the real you?”

Victoria reached up to pat her pet snake. Count Strangula was a very friendly snake, albeit with slightly pointier teeth than was normal for a grass snake. “Citrine, I can say this. I will never lie to you. There are things I can’t say or won’t tell you, but anything I tell you is the truth. That goes for everything I’ve said in the past too.” She smirked. “Most of the kids at school are my minions, but you’re my friend, and I take care of my friends.”

“Oh.” Citrine wiped away her tears. “You’re my friend too. I think you’re the first friend I’ve ever had, and my best one as well.”

“Heh. Stick with me, and who knows how far you’ll go?”

X X X

Citrine made it all the way to Beacon Junior Academy before realising that Victoria was a real life super villain.

She finally put the pieces together when she watched Victoria go after someone who’d beaten her in a spar. It wasn’t the fact that she’d lost that had gotten Victoria truly mad in a way Citrine had never seen her before, it was how she’d lost.

Citrine was a middling fighter, but she was an exceptional healer who had, over the course of the years since meeting Victoria, developed a knack for combining her healing Semblance with modern medicine to vastly increase her capabilities. Moreover, she’d even developed a knack for helping people deal with psychological problems. She would likely never be the greatest huntress, but she was shaping up to be an incredible physician and psychologist who specialised in treating hunters.

While Victoria was gone on a mission, one of the other highly-ranked students had gotten it into her head to go after Citrine as a way of attacking Victoria. Everyone knew how close they were. The fight had not been quick. Instead, it had been slow, humiliating, and utterly crushing. In the past, Citrine would have bawled her eyes out and hid away. Instead, she refused to be cowed, doggedly fighting on until the instructor supervising them called a stop to the fight.

She could see that the instructor wasn’t at all happy about the way that fight had gone, but instead of reprimanding the other girl, he’d simply said to her:

“You do realise what you’ve done, right? Don’t expect any help.”

Victoria had returned from her mission the next day. When she’d found out, her face had gone completely blank. It was so different from the usual smirk or grin that she normally wore that Citrine had been genuinely concerned.

“I see.” Victoria stood up and left the room. “I have a few things to organise. I’ll be back in an hour.”

Victoria had returned an hour later, and she’d been all smiles as usual. They’d spent the rest of the afternoon talking about their plans for the Senior Academy and discussing the latest series of Gary.

The next day, Victoria and the other girl had squared up in a challenge. The fight started, and Citrine half-expected to see Victoria tear into the other girl like a berserker. Instead, Victoria simply walked up to her and started whispering into her ear.

After ten seconds, the girl was crying. By the thirty second mark, she was down on her knees. After a minute, she was curled up into a ball and weeping inconsolably. Victoria knelt down to say something else, and Professor Farron rushed out of the crowd to grab her.

“Victoria, that’s enough.” Serah Farron’s voice brooked no disobedience.

“I have no idea what you mean, Grandaunt Serah.” Victoria’s lack of care dripped from every syllable. “I was simply discussing the rules of our spar with my friend there. Isn’t that right?” The reply from the girl on the ground came in the form of a broken, wailing sob.

“All of you get out of here,” Professor Farron said, shooing away the other students. “Victoria, go to my office now. We will be discussing this, and I will be speaking to your parents.”

As Victoria all but skipped toward Professor Farron’s office, Citrine hurried after her.

“What did you say to her?” she asked.

“Because I care about you, I’m not going to tell you,” Victoria replied without missing a beat. “Anyway, I don’t think you have to worry about anyone doing something like that to you again.”

“Victoria... you didn’t need to go so far.”

Victoria stopped. “Yeah, I did.”

“But...”

“You know what sort of person I am, right?” Victoria asked.

“A super villain?” Citrine said, only half joking.

“Pretty much. You know what I’m capable of too, don’t you?”

“I do.” Over the years, Citrine had seen more than enough to know, and she’d applied all the lessons she’d learned about how to understand people to Victoria. She was... complex... and quite possibly the most potentially terrifying person that Citrine had ever met.

“And are you afraid of me?”

Citrine didn’t have to think about it. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Because we’re friends.” Despite what Victoria was capable of, it had never occurred to Citrine that Victoria might turn against her. She knew Victoria. She was like a dragon. If you were her enemy, she was the worst enemy in the world. But if you were her friend, you never had to worry about a thing. She’d take care of you and keep you safe from whatever the world tried to throw at you.

“You know,” Victoria drawled. “When most people get to know me - really know me - they get scared. You’re one of the few who truly understands me and isn’t afraid.” She grinned. “That makes you special. The only way someone hurts you is over my dead body, and I am very, very hard to kill.”

“Oh.”

“Anyway, can you do me a favour and tell Xanthe not to worry. She’ll probably hear about this and assume I’m going to be horribly punished, which I probably will be. Oh well. I can handle it, but I’d prefer she not worry.”

“I’ll tell her.”

“Thanks.”

X X X

Author’s Notes

Victoria shares the same sort of moral complexity as Jahne and Jihl but with a possibly unhealthy helping of the Farron possessiveness and general insanity to go with it. She most likely just helped Citrine because she found her interesting, but then Citrine just kept on getting more interesting since she had the intellectual firepower to actually learn what Victoria was teaching and keep up reasonably well. That interest would then have evolved to genuine friendship, at which point Citrine gets added to the metaphorical dragon’s hoard.

#final rose #fanfiction #victoria #citrine #serah farron

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gossip-girl-of-middleearth · 4 years ago

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A Leap of Faith (Fellowship x Reader)

This is the result of binging macha tea, Lilo and Stitch and Brooklyn 99 simultaneously. Another crackpost. Enjoy.

Pairings: Legolas x Reader—if you squint, and consider pulling on his pigtails as “romantic”, which I, personally, do. Some nice paternal! Aragorn x Reader energy going on in there too, for your comfort.

“Cartography” is the study of maps, btw.

Peering eyes and stolen glances, both riddled with skepticism and doubt—that was all to be found among Aragorn and Gandalf.

They each sat on a log, and warily observed the Fellowship as a whole. Both were situated within the dimmed forest by the glowing and flickering campfire.

Each of the eight fanatic Fellowship members before their eyes all naively gallivanted about in their usual bickering antics—nothing short of tomfoolery.

Merry and Pippin snickered loudly, as they each used their smoking pipe's spouts to press in a snoring Gimli's nostrils. He abruptly woke with a snort, and a Dwarvish shout of anger.

As Merry and Pippin each ran away with boyish giggles—a stumbling and yelling Gimli hot on their tails—Sam and Frodo were sat against the thick trunk of a tree.

The raven-haired Hobbit wistfully sighed, and spoke of the Shire, whilst Sam adamantly comforted the sentimental Ring-bearer.

Y/n and Legolas stood by the crackling fire, bickering, as usual.

The girl held out a dirty worm towards the recoiling prince, who shouted at her to stay back. Thoughts of germs and his hygiene were on the forefront of his alarmed mind.

As Y/n grinned and continued handing the wriggling, pink worm out towards a disgusted Legolas, Boromir bemusedly watched on.

"It's just a mere worm!" Y/n chuckled, eyes alight, and brows raised.

"Stop touching me! Stay back!" Legolas squealed.

He promptly brought his closed fists in close to his chest, as he trained his wild eyes on the wriggling worm.

"I'm not touching you!" Y/n childishly countered, moving the worm closer and closer towards the prince's chest.

Fanatically gesturing both hands out at Y/n, Legolas pleadingly turned to a staring Boromir, and shouted in alarm.

"She's touching me! She's TOUCHING me!"

"I'm not touching you!" Y/n laughed, waggling the worm back and forth.

"AH! TOUCHING ME!" Legolas yelped in alarm, pointing one finger, held above the worm, down in gesture.

"NOT touching!" Y/n corrected in a taunting tone.

"TOUCHING ME!" Legolas adamantly replied.

"It's free air!" Y/n countered, throwing the wriggling worm at a gasping Legolas' chest.

The prince frantically swiped at his tunic with both hands, before he snapped his enraged eyes back to Y/n. He then took to chasing after her with a large stick—promptly leaving behind a guffawing Boromir.

Aragorn and Gandalf both winced their eyes, and curled their lips in disdain.

These were the comrades they were tasked with to the save the world? They might've quit and let Sauron win right then and there, just to save the headaches alone.

"It is as apparent as the hidden conditioner within Legolas' satchel," Gandalf began to muse, capturing Aragorn's idle attention, "that not all among us, though I'd much prefer to believe otherwise, can be trusted on this journey."

With a prolonged sigh past his nose, Aragorn lowered the spout of his wooden smoking pipe from his mouth, and responded. As he did so, he continuously dragged his wearied eyes along each and every member of the Fellowship—each one now a suspect.

"You are worried one of them will try to take the Ring," Aragorn lulled, his voice more knowing than curious.

"Worried? Indeed," Gandalf drew out, paying particular attention to Boromir. "I cannot dismiss the warning in my heart, or that of Elrond's."

As Aragorn slowly ran his calculating eyes along the Fellowship, paying particular attention to his apprentice, Y/n (of whom still cackled loudly with a fleeing Merry and Pippin—both an angry Elf and Dwarf hot on their tails, as they ran rings around the fire) he took a moment to respond.

"What would you have me do?"

Inhaling in a wearied manner, Gandalf lowly spoke. He threw a heedful glance down at the ranger sat beside him, who in turn met his urging stare.

"We are to conduct an investigation," Gandalf began to declare. “In my stead, you shall thoroughly examine each and every member."

"Every member?" Aragorn repeated, raising his brows, before his conflicted gaze ran on over towards Y/n.

Catching the ranger's torn visage and trusting eyes, as he studied his younger cartography apprentice, Gandalf flickered his own attention on over towards Y/n.

She was now barricading herself behind a log with Merry and Pippin, laughing, as she and the two Hobbits threw worm after worm at a shouting Legolas and Gimli.

"Well..." Gandalf lulled in amusement, "perhaps not all are to be investigated."

"Perhaps not all, indeed," Aragorn gently smiled, huffing in amusement, as he studied the girl's questionable antics.

Slowly studying Pippin next, who bore similar qualities to the chuckling girl sat beside him, Aragorn quirked a brow up in Gandalf's direction, and spoke in a slightly bemused tone.

"If we are following that logic, then Pippin, too, should be exempt from the investigation."

"No, absolutely not. I want him thoroughly investigated. In fact, examine him first."

A few grueling weeks had passed the Fellowship by, and a few more taxing days afterwards had since also passed. This was all following the harrowing ordeal within the Mines of Moria, of course.

Gandalf was now gone, which left a wearied Aragorn alone to conduct the investigation.

As the Fellowship trekked in a silent line through the thick, mossy forest, Aragorn spotted a small clearing up ahead.

The meadow in question allowed sunlight to finally stream down in open rays—a much needed privilege for the wearied Fellowship.

It was also the perfect location to thoroughly examine each and every member of the Fellowship.

After Aragorn had pushed the Fellowship a little further, so that they all emerged into the grassy, wild flower-strewn clearing, he had called for them all to stop and take a rest.

In response, Boromir and Gimli seized the chance to light a small fire, and prepare a stew.

As the Hobbits all collapsed onto the ground in a sighing heap—relieved to grant their shorter legs a break—Y/n, too, made a move to join them on the floor.

"Not you, Y/n," Aragorn gently instructed, inspecting his sword within the glinting sunlight.

Sharing a glance with the Hobbits, Y/n knitted her brows. She nonetheless obediently rose once more, and walker across the grass to meet with the ranger—her teacher.

"You're in trouble..." Legolas teasingly sung out.

"I know where you sleep at night," Y/n, in turn, sung back, mimicking his melodic tune.

As she strutted by the Elf, whose face contorted in fear, she steadily made her way on over towards Aragorn.

"What is it?" Y/n questioned him. She now stood a few yards away from the rest of the curious Fellowship.

Sheathing his sword, Aragorn placed a hand in the small of Y/n's back. She was the only person there he trusted above all else, as he and her had stood the test of time together—the ranger having been training the young cartographer since she were merely ten.

With their backs now turned to the indiscreetly glancing Fellowship behind, Aragorn quietly spoke to Y/n.

"It has come to my attention that someone within our company is not to be trusted with the Ring," he warily began, paying a skeptical glance backwards at the seven curious members. “They could be leaking information to Sauron. The entire Fellowship is under investigation."

Knitting her brows, Y/n lightly recoiled her head, responding. "That's ludicrous! No one here is a traitor!"

"Do not take this the wrong way," Aragorn began in a wince, half over what he had to say, and half over the girl's louder than necessary voice, "but you are a cartographer...what makes you so sure of their intent?"

"Ah!" Y/n started, holding up one finger. “But it is BECAUSE I am a cartographer that I am so sure!"

Knitting his brows dubiously, Aragorn took a moment to respond. He was quite used to her antics.

"I don't like where this is going—"

"You see," Y/n interjected brightly, "because I am good at reading maps—”

"Please don't finish that sentence-"

"I know how to find my way into someone's heart!" she finished, drawing a love-heart with her fingers.

Aragorn winced his eyes shut, taking in a deep breath.

Studying his mannerisms, Y/n pressed on—panning and open hand out behind her at every Fellowship member.

"Look, what I'm trying to say," she began defending herself and her friends, "is that I know these gentlemen—I know everything about them."

Seizing the moment to teach his apprentice a valuable lesson in the ways of being a survivalist ranger, Aragorn threw on his lecturing face—one she knew all too well.

"Well, you're a poor ranger if you don't think that people can surprise you," Aragorn tutored.

"Not these people!" Y/n affirmed.

Finding that Aragorn merely, and rather doubtfully, quirked a brow, Y/n tutted her tongue. She turned to the side, so that she once again faced the Fellowship.

They, in turn, quickly averted their eyes—some striking up lazy conversations, and others idly whistling.

"Here, watch this," Y/n started again, scanning her eyes along the Fellowship, causing Aragorn to do the same. “I know what EVERYONE is going to do tonight."

As the Fellowship warily glanced between each other—concerned over their nightly antics being exposed aloud—Y/n began gesturing towards each and every member, demonstrating that she indeed did know her friends quite well.

"Frodo is going to go to sleep early, so that he can wake up first," Y/n began rattling off, raising her brows at a gulping Frodo. “Simply because he enjoys having five minutes alone."

As Frodo lolled his head from side to side, considering her words—ultimately deciding that she was correct with a hum—Y/n pointed at Sam, promptly continuing on.

"Sam is going to count each strand of rosemary within his herb container, as a way to fall asleep," she pressed on, earning a slow nod of concord from Sam. “Reminds him of home.”

Dragging her hand across to Merry and Pippin, Y/n spoke again.

"Merry and Pippin are going to whisper weird things into Gimli's ears, because they're trying to subliminally teach him to give them both piggyback rides—”

"I'm sorry, what?" Gimli interjected. He snapped his glare across at a sheepish Merry and Pippin, who each rubbed a hand at the back of their necks.

"AND Gimli will say he's going to take the nightwatch, but promptly fall asleep," Y/n pressed on, dragging her pointed finger away from Gimli to land on a very wary Legolas.

"Legolas is going to sneak off, and crack open his conditioner he thinks we all don't know about," Y/n exposed, causing the prince's gaze to widen. “And then he's going to douse all his locks in it to collect moisture overnight."

Humming in begrudging agreement, Legolas flickered his gaze up towards the sky in loving thought of his fragrant conditioner—nodding his head once in admittance.

"That is correct," Legolas shamelessly confessed.

As Boromir stoked the fire, he began lifting a silver pot of stew from the ground, so that he could place it over the fire on the suspended wooden spit.

"AND," Y/n brightly began in conclusion, pointing at a preoccupied Boromir, "if I run, and leap at Boromir, he will most certainly catch me in his arms."

Before anyone within the temporary camp could comprehend the girl's words, she had immediately begun sprinting on over towards Boromir, who still held the pot of soup in his hands.

"COMING IN!" Y/n hastily announced, darting towards an alarmed Boromir with fast movements.

"NO, I'M HOLDING THE STEW—”

With a crash and a clatter of the stew falling to the grass, Y/n had promptly leapt from the ground, and landed in Boromir’s arms, bridal-style.

Grinning, as Boromir stumbled backwards, Y/n sent her beam on over towards Aragorn.

"See?” Y/n began in glee. “I told you! I know each and EVERY member inside and out!"

As Aragorn bit down on his lower lip, Y/n patted Boromir on the chest thrice.

"Nothing to worry about at all! This Fellowship is legitimate!"

Promptly scurrying out from Boromir's arms, like a skittish cat, Y/n met the ground below again with a soft thud. She dusted off her hands, ignoring the sighs from her mentor.

Possessing all the confidence in the world, Y/n placed her hands on her hips and spoke one more time.

"We're going to be just fine!"

If only her words remained true.

#i needed to exercise my brain before writing an essay #boom #this is the result #legolas x reader #lord of the rings x reader #lotr x reader #fellowship x reader #lotr imagine #lotr fanfic #x reader #boromir x reader #middle earth x reader #lotr crack #lotr shitpost #hobbit x reader #legolas greenleaf #legolas #aragorn x reader

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carlosxhook · 4 years ago

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The Law Of Total Madness ~ H.H

Pairing: Harry Hook x Reader (yes I wrote Got7 into this sue me) + (please don’t I’m broke 🤦‍♀️)

Y/N’s P.O.V

Being Chad Charming’s twin sister was an interesting occurrence, Ben being your best friend for your whole life and growing up around Chad expectation of the perfect sister was exhausting this was where you found your love for singing and dancing thanks to Ben. He also introduced you to your other best friend prince Yugyeom originally from Jypnation and 6 other his friends who made music together the 8 of you were always glued together, you stuck together and turns out it was good for you to get away from Chad he may of been your brother and yes you loved him but god was he unbearable! Even better the 8 of you talk in korean to confuse anyone trying to ease drop Princess love to be some nosey bitches, you were a hip hop dancing, princess role breaking rebellious free soul and Chad HATED that. Perhaps the icing on the cake was that you were secretly dating a Scottish pirate, the only son of Captain Hook, the love of your life Harry Hook. It happened when you and Ben were kidnapped with Ben after convincing him you should go with him for “protection” when really you just wanted to wag chemistry class they kept you and Ben seperate and you and Harry ended up in a long make out session about 15 minutes before the most epic battle you’d ever witnessed, Ben announced that after 6 months since Dizzy, The Twins and Celia came to auradon that 3 more vks would be coming over! Hoping it would be Harry, Uma and Gil you talked to Gil while ‘kidnapped’ you two were close it was nice he seemed genuinely like a good guy, it was nice that he’s loyal to his crew and today was the day they were to arrive. Ben, Chad, Mal, Carlos, Jay, Evie, Doug and I were all gathered around waiting for them to show them around and such, the limo pulls up and all three vks get out my chest gets tight thinking about seeing him again yeah we starting “being a thing” very quickly but I liked him a lot I knew that much “Welcome to Auradon” Ben smiles “Try not to break anything” Chad snarls and I smack him over the head earning a deep chuckle from Harry as he smirks at me “it’s very colourful here” Gil smiles he’s too pure omg “well I would love too stay and help but I promised NaNa I’d be at practice 10 minutes ago, it was lovely too see you all again.” I wave before running off towards the school dance hall and quickly issuing magic to get changed into a red crop top and some high waisted black shorts with black converse, damn I was too cute for my own good sometimes, poor Chad never got any magic my parents had me enchanted when I was little so I could protect myself.

Harry’s P.O.V

“I apologise for Princess Y/N’s departure she’s preparing for a very important event and competition as a representative for Auradon, if any of you need her she’s typically in the dance hall!” Ben hints looking towards me it’s not like her and I were seriously anyways, yeah I liked her, a lot but I’d barely say I thought about her. That’s a lie everyday that stupidly gorgeous girl plagued my mind and she just runs off before I can have her in my arms again, how selfish? Does she even still care about me, about us, we had a connection fuck I knew feelings and l..l...lov that l word made you weak, how pathetic I thought I had a happily ever after.

We go through the entire of auadorn and finally reach the Dance Hall we hear loud music coming from within and I peek in seeing Y/N practicing “let’s watch!” Ben opens the door and we stand at the back my eyes fixated on the gorgeous girl dancing her heart out, “she’s gonna win” Chad laughs at Gils proud statement “please who does she think she is this isn’t the isle she should be in a castle or locked in a tower” Chad snorts “I’m sorry say that again Princey” I growl “cool it” I hear Uma whisper “you wanna get found out huh” she follows. “He’s an ass” I mutter focusing back on the events in front of me Y/N walking towards us with a big smile “what did you think?” She asks as her sparkling eyes meet mine before Chad can even open his mouth I reply “Ye did very good indeed” winking at the now blushing princess “anyways” she chirps “we need 3 more female dancers to back up Yugyeom and I’s duo for the competition, because as much as I’d love too see Jackson, Mark and BamBam in skirts with wigs and heels... I don’t wanna frighten the audience” she giggles looking behind her at the 7 boys now making their way over once they reach us the throw Y/N a questioning look before speaking in what I can only assume in another fucking language.

Y/N’s P.O.V

I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss Harry I did and as much as I wanted to run into his arms and breathe in his scent and glory I know I can’t, I lean over to Uma to get closer to Harry “Hey Uma, I don’t know if ben told you but we are sharing a room, I’m barely ever in my dorm so don’t worry I won’t bother you!” I smile and she just scoffs she’s not the biggest fan of me I mean she did kidnap Ben and I after all, I couldn’t blame her though the Isle was shocking I would wanna get out too I am kinda thankful cause of it I found Harry. That was if he still even liked me, I heard from Mal he’s a player and no good that he flirted with anything that moved I mean one of the old exchange students Nana did that too, and he was harmless I was just hoping Harry’s flirting was too.

“Yugyeom, can we finish I wanna show em to the dorms?” I smile to the fluffy haired boy sweat dripping down his white shirt making it slightly see through “only this once ya, usually I’m the one to try cut practice shorty” he laughs “sweet, don’t forget we go all day tomorrow with the boys!” I point to our 6 other friends and wave shooting them a wink before turning around seeing everyone but the pirates had left “well I’ll shall show you to your rooms I guess” I lead the way to the dorms it’s a bit awkward and the silence burns.

“So Y/N” Gil cuts the air “what’s this competition?” He smiles coming and placing an arm around me I hear Harry growl but I just let Gil rest his arm on me “well it’s a multi-kingdom performance competition, we must sing and dance and the winner’s kingdom hosts a massive party and a heap of important musical performers come for all necks of the woods too play and come watch!” I smile getting excited just thinking about it “Yugyeom and I have a duo, I have a solo and so does he, then a boy group performance and then a girl group performance if we win 3/5 of the categories Auradon will host its first ever K fest, it’ll be amazing!” I stop abruptly “our duo performance is gonna be the best we’ve ever done, and we’ve done a lot” I chuckle “anyways this is the boys dorm 701 Gil and Harry are here and then just down the all at 690 is where Uma will be if y’all need her. Your belongings will be inside for you if you need anything please don’t hesitate to ask” I turn around and walk to my room Uma in tow “so Y/N, been a while huh?” She laughs “indeed it has, how’re you feeling about all this?” I ask pointing around “it’s where I’ve always wanted to get my crew, I got Gil and Harry here, now I need to work on the rest” I see a glint of sadness in her eyes “I’m only really here because I care about those boys and they don’t deserve to rot on an island, yeah they’re dicks and trouble but they’re loyal to me so I am loyal to them, they fight for me so I fight for them. Always!” I was shocked Uma was really caring I didn’t expect this side of her “I’m only telling you this because I know you and Harry are a thing” she pays my back “wait we still are?” I ask hopeful “yeah, the moment he gets you alone he’ll be all over you like a hungry wolf, watch ya back” she laughs I take a deep breath “thank you Uma I wasn’t sure he even still knew me” I lay on my bed and my stomach grubmles “girl you’re so busy dancing you don’t eat” Uma scolds “come on” she grads my hand “were getting you some food!” Running out the door she takes me too the kitchen and starts making food “I used to have make chips all the time at the shop, so hopefully Auradon sir makes them taste better than the grubby isle ones” she scoffs “Uma, can I ask something?” I nervously fiddle “sure princess what’s up?” She says cutting up potatos “Did Harry’s father ever abuse him?” She seems taken aback “it’s just I remember telling Harry I’d stay behind he just had to pretend he had me at sword point, and he said he’d never even pretend to do such a thing because he wasn’t his father.” I wipe a few tears I was confused was Harry harmful “Harry gets his father’s temper or therefore lack of, he had outbursts, I’m sure he’ll still have them, yes to put it shortly his father before he was in the crew would often abuse him. But it wasn’t uncommon, not in the isle love is a weakness.” “Then am I weak for loving him no matter what Uma” why was I even opening up to her “no because I think you could be good for him, just don’t turn him” she jokes “or I’ll use this” she holds her shell out “yes captain!” We laugh. “Maybe finally having a roommate won’t be so bad aye” I smile as she cooks Uma might actually be a really great friend and she knows more about Harry than anyone else maybe Hook and I could work.

*The Next Day*

“Those boys I swear are always late” I mutter to no one in particular “now what’s a gorgeous girl like you doing standing ‘ere all alone?” My heart jumps hearing his voice again “Hi Harry” I turn around smiling “ye know isle got boring without a princess to kiss” she smirks “is that so, awe Harry did you miss me” I joke about he moves closer “believe me or not love, I actually did. Let’s say you left a bit of a mark on me so to speak” I giggle “now come here babe” I pull him in for a long and heated kiss “Lovely doing business with ye princess” he smirks spinning around and walking out. What the actual fuck was that, what is he playing at I’m not just some toy, I turn on the music and start dancing to Bonnie & Clyde by Dean nothing can distract me not even Harry.

Harry’s P.O.V

I fucked it up I panicked and played fuck boy player again the confident fascade is what I’m know by I must keep it up, show no emotion, no weakness. Sorry princess. It’s just how I am.

I walk to uma’s room and knock on the door “yeah what” I hear her shout “it’s me” and like that the door flies open “Where’s Gil?” She questions “running round with Jay apparently they’re besties or whatever I’m just letting the dog loose” I plop myself down on the princess’ bed “geez Auradon beds are comfy” I sigh “I don’t think your little girlfriend would appreciate your smelly leather and metal scent over her sheets” Uma jokes “not me girlfriend” I point out “I’d watch it if I were you then, she gushed on about that Yugyeom boy for a very long time, of she ain’t yours surely she’ll be his I mean they’re never not together.” As if on cue in walks Y/N “Hey Uma did you see where I put my tablets, the ones with the orange jar, I’ve got a massive headache.” She rubs her head still unaware I’m laying on her bed “yeah left hand side of the bathroom counter top” she smiles did I miss something what are they all of a sudden so... friendly...

“Thank you so much oh and by the way I’ll be back late tonight so don’t wait up I’ll sneak in, Yugyeom and I have to rehearse til late cause Ben wants to come watch us and make sure it’s all good” I watch as she leaves then I close my eyes and drift off too sleep surprisingly.

“Harry wake up omg” I hear as I open my eyes too see Uma standing above me “what?” I ask rubbing me eyes then picking up me hook “get off of Y/N’s bed and wake up she’s gonna be here soon” she scoffs “surely she wouldn’t mind a handsome looking lad in her bed waiting for ‘er” I laugh.

Y/N’s P.O.V

“Ben I don’t really understand?” I question “you want us... to kiss?” I point between Yugyeom and I “yes the chemistry is there I’m telling you it’s the winning touch, the performance is so dynamic it just needs the big ending, it’ll leave everyone shocked, stunned and more importantly it shows how well you work together.” The king smiles “are you sure this is a good idea?” He’s gone crazy completely mad oh this is not going to end well “let’s call it a day you two need to eat and back again tomorrow for more practice” Ben smiles holding the door open for us both, “he’s not serious right Y/N” Yugyeom whispers “I hope he’s not, but something tells me he is, it’s fine gyu we are the best this is nothing!” I smile placing a hand on his shoulder “what about that boy?” He asks in a small voice “we aren’t dating he made that very clear, who cares this is our dream we are so close!” I smile side hugging him and briefly laying my head on his “fighting!!” I smile before grabbing his hand and walking to my dorm he always walks me to the door of my room when we practice late “Thanks Yugyeom!” I smile “let’s work hard tomorrow!” I hug him really tightly saying goodbye and open the door to find Uma working on something and Harry asleep on my bed “I don’t remember ordering a strange man in my bed, Uma I think this ones for you.” I point to the pirate passed out on my bed “he’s been like that for hours, I don’t think he’s sleeping at night” Uma shrugs “I’ll be back I have to go try round up Gil watch the scot” I laugh before going to change clothes in the bathroom I walk out no more than 10 minutes later and he’s still there snoring away. “Harry I told you if you were struggling to come find me” I play with his hair and carefully remove the hook placing it right next to my bed I grab the spare blanket from the cupboard and put it over him and when I go to walk away I hear “Please, just stay with me love” he says almost way too soft “I’ll explain later just please” I notice he’s shaking must be nightmares or ptsd “it’s okay Harry I’m right here, I’m always gonna be okay” I smile placing a soft kiss on his forehead and jumping into the free slither of bed he’s left much for my surprise he moves and pulls me close with his arm around my stomach before I know it I’m fast asleep.

Harry’s P.O.V

I woke up and there she was in my arms and it felt right, it felt like nothing could ruin this moment until once again I panicked I’m not used to feeling this I grab my hook and leave her all alone, pangs if guilt hit me but I ignore them I’m a pirate the best one I don’t need feelings they make you weak and I will never be weak. I will make my father proud he will call me his son and I’ll finally have a family, I don’t need some stupid princess to distract me.

Y/N’s P.O.V

I woke up alone in my bed with nothing left but the memory and slight scent of metal and the ocean, or was it leather? Doesn’t matter now he used me again and I let him, I need to watch myself no distractions that would discredit all of Yugyeom and I’d hard work I’m letting Harry ruin this for me. That being said another day another practice T-minus 1 week until we gotta rock this competition he’s obviously gotta work himself else I ain’t here for his amusement ugh, today there’s a big school meeting where we perform some songs as a taster for the school and our sister school (team) Ateez High are sending over their recruits to perform, I can’t wait we have had these prepared forever so we got this in the bag.

{Might do a series on this one, kinda proud my first imagine for Harry Hook x Y/N reader I had to add something kpop okay just bear with me! Got a few requests so I’ll be getting right into them⚡️🤍}

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cicada-bones · 4 years ago

Text

The Warrior and the Wildfire

Chapter 2: Foreboding

Im hoping to get a bunch of updates out before i have to get back to school - So here we go! Second chapter already! This one is a little short, but it was the only place that made sense to end it, so I hope you will forgive me.

word count: 2885

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There was once a male gifted by Hellas. He was born into nothing, was born into dirt and ash and squalor. He ate when he was hungry, took what he wanted, fought, stole, and whored.

Until a queen of darkness found him.

She raised him up from the slums, and turned him into a weapon of war. He gave up everything to serve her, pledged himself to her always. Even loved her.

She scorned him, but the male endured it. For he would lay down his life for her, had already given her his freedom. And what was his dignity by comparison?

The years passed, and time started to become meaningless. Courts rose and fell, warriors grew into power and others’ names were lost to time. The male built a company of soldiers to rival any throughout the land. They suffered loss, betrayal, and battles too numerous to count. But they stood strong through it all.

Until a princess of fire sailed in from across the sea, and stole his brother away.

Now his queen was lost, was blinded by her own desire for power. And for the first time in his long life, the male was unsure of the way.

A choice lay before him, two paths diverged. And time was running short for the decision to be made.

The male closed his eyes, letting his tense shoulders drop.

Both roads were fraught with darkness and difficulty. One would take him across the sea, and label him a betrayer, an oath-breaker. The other would chain him in place, to a throne whose foundation he was worried had already begun to crack. One would take him from his queen forever, but might save her from herself. The other would allow him to stay by her side, but only to watch as her greed slowly destroyed her.

One breath in, one breath out. Slow and even.

Lorcan Salvaterre opened his eyes to examine the golden ring in his palm, those two paths appearing before him, closer than ever.

And he had no more idea of his decision than he had from the beginning.

His feet shifted on the floor, rasping slightly on the stone. The sound was quiet, but it was just enough to cause his queen, asleep across the room, to stir.

Lorcan’s breath caught in his throat.

The moment stretched, twisting and pulling under the pressure. And he knew that his time had come.

But which? Which? Which?

The bedcovers ruffled, a slow sigh escaping his queen’s pink lips. Her face was clear, relaxed. And she was just as beautiful as the first moment he had beheld her. A dark majesty, like black cliffs of stone overlooking the sea, like the violence of dark water tossing itself at their feet.

Lorcan breathed deep, closing the golden ring in his fist.

And he darted from his queen’s chamber, slipping into a run. The fastest of his life.

···

Rowan lifted a spoonful of stew, then let it drip back into the wooden bowl, its soft trickling echoing between his ears.

He had been sitting in the kitchens for what felt like hours, but by the movements of the sun, it couldn’t have been more than a quarter–, or maybe half an hour. If he was being generous. And he was not in a particularly generous mood.

Rowan was exhausted.

Not, in-need-of-a-few-hours-sleep-and-then-he-would-be-fine exhausted. More fall-asleep-standing-up exhausted. Sleep-for-three-days-straight exhausted. And it was only made worse by the fact that he knew he wouldn’t be sleeping well anytime soon.

Today had been a quarry day, and after his morning run, Rowan had spent hours under the baking Wendlyn sun, slowly coaxing rock from the earth. His magic had helped, as with it, he could make blades of ice to cut into the stone, shaping it like clay. It was far quicker, but it was just as exhausting as doing it the normal way, with arms and back and legs.

It had gotten to the point that Rowan was desperately catching minutes of rest here and there, lying awake for hours begging for sleep to come. But the nightmares just wouldn’t leave him be. And both the source of all the trouble and its only antidote was now over a month away. Even if he left that very moment.

He was too tired to even be properly angry with her.

Rowan raised the stew to his lips, swallowing the mouthful somewhat gingerly. It had gone cold. He just sighed, and swallowed another.

It had now been ten days and over two hours since he had last seen Aelin.

Luca rushed into the kitchen, knocking over a chair and causing Rowan to slosh soup all over the wooden table. The boy just grabbed something from the storage area beneath the sinks, and then rushed right out again. Rowan frowned at him.

It took him quite a bit longer than he would’ve ever been willing to admit, but eventually he realized that Emrys, who was scrubbing the stove clean at the other side of the room, was smothering a fit of laughter at his expense. And failing.

Rowan’s frown deepened as he wiped up the mess. Emrys started laughing even louder.

At least the room was nearly empty.

But honestly, he was past caring.

Rowan was patting at his damp shirt when Emrys walked over to him, bearing a washcloth and a fresh bowl of stew, steaming slightly in the light from the open door.

“Here,” he said, already walking back over to the stove. Rowan held in a sigh as he mopped himself up, then gratefully started spooning the warm stew into his mouth.

Rowan and Emrys were the only two people remaining in the kitchen. Now that the rainy season was over, Emrys’ evening storytelling was getting more and more rare. Demi-Fae now spent their evenings out of doors, taking walks through the woods and eating below the stars.

Though he didn’t miss the wet weather, Rowan couldn’t say that he didn’t miss the evenings spent with everyone sprawled in front of the hearth, listening and laughing and crying as Emrys spun his tales. It reminded him of listening to his mother, curled up next to her in bed. The sound of her voice lulling him to sleep.

Something he desperately needed now.

A clatter sounded from the front of the room, startling Rowan from his trance. It was only Emrys, who had now moved on to the dishes, and had dropped a bowl when moving them to their cabinet to be ready for breakfast in the morning.

Once again, the old male didn’t miss Rowan’s reaction. But he didn’t say anything, instead moving to wipe down the counters and tabletops. Another moment passed while Rowan finished his stew, then stood to wash his bowl and put it away with the others.

But Rowan knew Emrys’ silence wasn’t going to last.

And sure enough, just as Rowan put the bowl in the cupboard, the old male spoke up.

“Luca told me he liked training with you the other day.”

The statement was tentative, probing. Rowan didn’t say anything.

Emrys pursed his lips, even as he continued rifling in the store cupboard for some hard-to-reach item. Another breath, then, “He said that you talked about Bas.”

Still, Rowan kept silent.

Emrys sighed. “In the weeks after the battle, Luca…” he trailed off, eyeing the bags of potatoes and onions he was supposed to be counting. “He retreated into himself. He wouldn’t talk to us, to me or Malakai. I know that we aren’t his parents, that we have no right to him. But Luca doesn’t have anyone else. His mortal parents abandoned him, and he never knew his Fae parentage…” he trailed off again.

Rowan found himself nodding to fill the silence. “You care for him,” he said softly. “Anyone could see that.”

Emrys’ eyes met his for a moment, then turned back to the potatoes. “He has become a part of our family. And to have him hide from us in that way…it was hard.”

Rowan nodded again, his brow furrowing as his thoughts began to twist. Where was Emrys going with this?

The male seemed to rally himself. “So I need to know, what happened to Bas? Was – was he really the one who betrayed us to the soldiers?”

Rowan frowned. “Luca didn’t say?”

Emrys scowled. “You weren’t here for those weeks after the battle, you didn’t see. At first, the whole fortress was in chaos, so wrapped up in healing and recovery and relief. And you – you had other things you were paying more attention to.”

Rowan’s face twisted in acknowledgement. He wasn’t sure he’d spent more than five minutes away from Aelin that week.

Emrys continued. “But then, once everything began to calm, Luca went silent. He wouldn’t eat, wasn’t sleeping. Eventually he just came back, like nothing had happened. But it was too delicate. We were afraid to ask him, to push it.”

Rowan nodded. Emrys looked at him expectantly. “What happened to him?”

Rowan steadied himself, then began to explain. By the time he was done, Emrys’ eyes were lined with silver.

“So he killed him?” the male’s voice was soft, heartbroken.

Rowan nodded, and Emrys turned back to the onions and potatoes, cutting off the growths that had sprouted, and tossing away those that looked close to rot. Distracting himself.

“To think, a few months ago I never would’ve thought that I would see you so calm.” Emrys said, almost sardonically. “The state that girl was in this spring – and you two fighting like alley cats. Always at each other’s throats.”

He stood, hauling the discarded vegetables to the compost heap, and moved on to the case of fresher vegetables that had been carted in a few days ago from a nearby farm. “And yet by the end, I thought you two inseparable.”

Rowan averted his gaze just as Emrys glanced up, his eyes sharp. Rowan knew that there was a question there, one that he had no intention of answering.

Emrys voiced it anyways. “And when do you think we will be seeing her again?”

Rowan gritted his teeth. Emrys seemed to sense an uphill battle.

“I – I need to know that she is alright. That she’s going to be alright.”

“No one can know that.”

Emrys frowned. “What will she be facing in Adarlan? Does she seek to confront the king – ”

Rowan cut him off. “Elentiya, has not shared her plans with me. Nor would she have a reason to. I serve another. She is on her own.”

Emrys’ face tightened, but he took it with grace. They were silent for another long moment, or at least until Emrys began tossing sweet peas and lettuce and leeks into a pile, murmuring about old greens and dishonest farmers.

But before Rowan could escape back to his rooms, to see if perhaps he could finally get some rest, Emrys stopped him once again. “In that case, how long do you think you will be with us, Prince?”

Rowan sighed, stalling in the doorway. He’d been avoiding this question too. “I’m not sure.”

Emrys raised his eyebrows. “Won’t your queen be summoning you soon? Now that your training with the girl is done?”

Rowan gritted his teeth. He couldn’t say anything to the old male, no matter how trustworthy he might seem. “Our Queen has ordered me to stay and assist with the repairs around the fortress, and I will stay until she orders me otherwise.”

“And you have no idea when that will be?”

“None.”

“So…” Emrys started, “While you are here…would you consider training Luca?”

Now it was Rowan’s turn to scowl. He should have known that this was where Emrys was heading. And for some reason, the offer set a wave of melancholy though him. Strong enough to take him by surprise.

“I know that the boy is not up to your standard, but when he came back from his run with you yesterday – he was different. Lighter.” When Rowan didn’t say anything, Emrys continued. “You helped him.”

Rowan shook his head, “I didn’t do anything that anybody couldn’t have.”

“Maybe so, but – ” Emrys dusted off his pant legs, making to stand. "You’ve made yourself one of the finest instructors I’ve ever seen come through here. You made that girl into what she is. And Luca was always talking about how much he wanted to go to Doranelle, to escape, and become a great warrior of the land.”

Emrys’ eyes twinkled. Rowan was still shaking his head.

“Just – please consider it. For Luca’s sake.” Emrys threw the remaining vegetable scraps onto the compost heap. “We only want him to be happy.”

“I know, but – ”

“But what, Prince?” Emrys’ eyes seemed to bore into him. “What is keeping you? If you must stay here, might you not be useful, as more than just a workhorse in the quarry?”

Rowan’s breath was tight in this chest. He wanted to say that Luca deserved someone better than him. To say that he would only disappoint, that he could never give the boy what he really wanted. Particularly since he so obviously looked up to Rowan.

But the real reason he was so reticent was because it was exactly what he wanted. In a different time, and in a different place. To settle, and build a home. To rebuild and teach and heal, from a lifetime of hurting.

It was so close.

But there was a massive, impassable cavern between here and there. Because Aelin was not with him. And the world around this fortress was far from peaceful.

War not only threatened, but snapped at their heels. Waiting to strike. Rowan could feel in it his bones. There were far too many storms to weather, and enemies to defeat, before that future could possibly be his.

So Rowan only said, “I will think on it, Emrys. And I will agree to spend time with him in the mornings. But just remember, I have no idea when I might be called away. It could be tomorrow or months from now. I can’t make any promises.”

Emrys nodded. “I didn’t really expect you to, Prince.” And he turned back to the storage cupboards, sealing things up for the night.

Rowan turned to leave, but then paused. “And Emrys – you could see about trying to talk to the boy again. Im not sure – but I think he might this time.”

Emrys gave him a small, but warm, smile. “Thank you, Prince.” And Rowan walked out.

···

Rowan jerked from sleep, his body shuddering uncontrollably. This time, the dream had been different. Had been worse.

Instead of him torturing Aelin, and listening to Lyria’s screaming, he had to watch as Aelin gave up. As she let the grief and pain overwhelm her, and she retreated into that shell of a person she had been when they first met.

Maeve threatened to have Cairn whip him, a punishment he had borne numerous times. Pain that, under the circumstances, he would take gladly. That he would take and be grateful.

But Aelin could not take it.

When Maeve threatened to whip Rowan, Aelin gave in. And she handed over the Wyrdkeys.

And Rowan could only watch as the dark queen laughed and laughed and laughed. And destroyed everything in the world that he loved.

It was knowledge that Rowan kept locked up so tight it could only come out in his dreams. The knowledge that Aelin would hand over the Wyrdkeys for him. It was their greatest weakness, their bond. But Rowan couldn’t see what he could do about it.

They were both weaker, and stronger, together. It was a problem he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to solve.

Rowan breathed, calming his wracked body, then stood up and began pulling on fresh clothes and strapping on his many blades. He shifted, then tore out the window and into the waiting sky.

It had been a few days since his conversation with Emrys, each of them longer than the last. It was like he was walking upstream, fighting against the rushing current. Time flowed around him like molasses, sticky and slow and uncomfortable as all hell. But pass it did.

It had now been nearly two weeks since he had last seen Aelin. It felt like a year.

Each of the past three mornings, Rowan had trained with Luca. Guiding him through the bare bones of his morning routine. Even though it had only been a few days, Rowan could already spot marked improvement in the boy’s endurance and speed. In quiet moments, when laboring around the fortress, Rowan even caught himself planning lessons for the boy. Figuring out what would suit him best.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake the sadness that filled him whenever he corrected the boy’s stance, or reminded him to keep his core muscles tense. Nor could he escape the increasing feeling of foreboding whenever he thought about the future.

This tense peace was not going to last much longer, he was sure of it.

And as he shifted his wings to turn back towards Mistward, Rowan’s conviction was all but confirmed.

For wafting towards him on the western wind, was the unmistakable scent of Lorcan Salvaterre.

···

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#warrior and the wildfire #rowaelin #rowan pov #rpov #rowaelin fanfiction

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wu-sisyphus-gang · 4 years ago

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Motion Sickness Chapter 38

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"How long are you going to follow me, you mute bitch?" With her teleportation and illusions there wasn't much I could do about it. We both knew if it came down to it I'd win, though. I'd shown that earlier. But she could escape anytime she wanted so I couldn't chase after her and end it. I could activate my semblance and smash her around with my strength or speed and win by standing still.

But only by standing still.

I walked past a billboard proclaiming Mercury Black, Emerald Sustrai, Cinder Fall, Hazel Rainart, and the Scorpion as wanted. My friends lived. I'd go spy on them later, when Neapolitan wasn't watching. Just to check up on them. Then I'd head my separate way.

She rapidly poked one finger through a loop in the other hand. "Fuck," I interpreted. She pointed at me. "Myself."

She clapped her hands giddily in her approval and her eyes switched colors.

"I need money," I muttered. "And a new scroll. I don't suppose you have any ideas."

She reached out into an illusion and retrieved a red brimmed hat.

"Ones that don't involve Ruby. I really seriously don't know where she is."

She looked like she didn't believe me, eyebrows furrowed.

"Well tough shit. Unless you want to go another round." She rubbed her chest where I hit her. "I'd be all for that."

She just frowned.

"Fair enough," I said. "Why do you even want to find Ruby?"

She drew a line over her throat and fondled the red and black hat.

"You want revenge for Roman Torchwick."

She nodded.

"Ruby didn't kill your boss." I dropped the harsh news on her.

She cocked her head sideways at me as we walked together through Mistral. It was… it was actually nice to have someone to talk to. Talk at, even. Otherwise I'd be alone with my thoughts and that just wouldn't be good for me. I was still wishy-washy on ending my own life.

I deserved it too. I wanted to die for what I'd done to my friends. I was the culprit, the thief in the night who robbed them of the opportunity of ever being 'together, together.'

At least they were together in death, now.

"A Grimm got him," she frowned up at me at that. "You can't even get revenge." I laughed. "You poor bitch. Not that I'm any better." Who was I supposed to kill in my hunt for vengeance now? Me. And believe me I was thinking of ways of getting to that son of a bitch. Unfortunately he was running out of friends.

An alien goddess had control over my mind. I was little more than a puppet under the right circumstances. I suppose if I had been like a puppet, all uncoordinated, Ren and Nora might have had a chance at subduing me. Instead I'd acted more or less fluid. That was a little scarier. Or a lot.

She smashed one fist into the other.

"If you were going to kill me you would have done it back at the bar. Don't act. You can't pull it off. Not while I'm awake and I assure you I'll be on my guard while sleeping. You won't get it done then either, not with my aura level."

She gave me an adorable pout. Her pink lips pressed together and out. Her pink and brown hair flowing over her shoulders.

"I know how you feel. I need revenge against Cinder. You know her? Cinder Fall?"

Her grin stretched.

"Don't tell me you want to kill her too? Did she get your boss killed? Set him up?"

She nodded.

"That's as good as killing him, I suppose. I think we may be able to help each other. Ruby really didn't kill him. Ruby doesn't have it in her to kill somebody. She always goes out of her way to avoid it."

She frowned and pointed at me.

"She's not like me. I'm a murderous asshole."

She shook her head indicating I'd guessed wrong and pointed at me again.

"What about me?"

She rotated one finger next to her head.

"I am crazy. Don't even get me started. If nothing else I'm suicidally insane. And that doesn't even get to these bugs in my eyes."

She pantomimed doing a line of hyper. Pinching one side of her nose and breathing in.

"I'm not on anything. I'm just fucked up."

She touched the tips of opposite forefingers together.

"What's that mean? It's not the same thing."

We walked in two-sided silence for a few minutes down a rainy street.

"You know where somebody with a loose moral compass can make some money around here relatively fast?"

She pointed a thumb over her shoulder back at Malachite's bar.

"Yeah, I sorta burned that bridge. And it can't involve Don Corneo. I had him tortured. Killed a bunch of his men, too."

Her smile widened looking up at me.

"Oh is that how you get your jollies?"

She just grinned up at me.

"Well I suppose we could just do official huntsman work. That's always lucrative."

She pointed a finger between us.

"Yeah I thought you were following me. That makes it an us. Keep up. Plus I just might be your best shot at murdering Fall. I almost fuckin' had her. And I might know where she's headed next."

She looked at me in surprise.

"Yep. Her and Black, too. Fought them relatively recently."

She put a hand to her mouth and silently laughed at me.

"Yeah they lived. Go ahead and giggle. Next time I'll get one of them. At least one of them. Well, Cinder has the powers of the spring maiden now. It might be even harder than before."

She gave me a confused look. Hell, who was she going to tell? She was… easy to talk to besides. I wasn't sure if it was the muteness but it might be.

"It's a whole thing. Ancient powers passed along person to person. Myths and legends. It's fucking bullshit is what it is. Girls only club. So maybe you could get in on that action."

She silently snorted, full of doubt. A little air escaping her nose.

"It's true. You can be the one to fight her and find out the hard way or you can take my word for it. She's even more dangerous now. And she was already a heaping pile of it before. I surprised her yesterday and I'm only getting stronger from what I've seen but she just added a big helping of power to herself."

She pointed at herself then smashed one fist into her open palm to indicate violence.

"Could you beat her?"

She nodded. Letting me know I'd guessed right.

"Maybe. Maybe before but probably not now. You'd be in serious trouble. I'd be in serious trouble." I let that sink in, I was able to beat this ice-cream girl and if I was not able to beat Cinder that only meant she wouldn't be able to either.

She made a complicated series of gestures.

"I didn't get that. But it doesn't matter, does it?"

She just frowned at me and I strode forward. She was practically jogging to keep up and I had no intention of slowing down.

The relic jingled by my side as I walked.

"You know maybe it can involve Don Corneo. You up for stealing from a mob boss? It might involve torture and death. I could use someone with your talents."

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Some broken limbs and I learned the news (Neapolitan had clapped at that). Don Corneo was holed up in his mansion with a whole lot of guards and probably a whole lot of money. Evidently he hadn't taken being tortured very well.

Go figure.

Neapolitan or just Neo was working beside me and honestly it felt good to have somebody watching my back, even if they were criminal scum. Which, I mean, beggars couldn't be choosers from their glass houses.

I needed a pseudonym. I could hardly keep calling myself Jaune Arc even though my weapon and face would be recognizable. I needed a haircut and makeover and a new name. I had to hide from my friends as much as it bit at me.

I was lucky they hadn't reported me to the police. The wounds on Nora and Ren's bodies would be unmistakable as coming from my weapon.

More importantly I needed the money to do all that. I was a long ways away from hopping on a horse and riding out to Merlot's laboratory, as much as I may want to. Instead I needed to stay in the city for a while.

That meant laying low and coming up with a heist. I needed money. Enough that I didn't have to worry about it for a long time.

I was struggling to come up with a new name for myself. That was always the hardest part. Names. I thought that as I broke one of Don Corneo's lackeys' fingers.

Neo and I had him tied down in a hotel room on the lower levels. It was dirt cheap and nobody would ask any questions. Especially if we left no body behind.

He screamed into a gag and it came out muffled. Nickel was the name we managed to get out of him.

"Shshsh." I told him. "You're going to tell me the security details on Don Corneo's mansion or I'm going to break every last bone in your body. If you scream I'll hurt you even more than that. Are we clear? Everything goes well and you get to walk on out of here. You might have to find a new boss but that doesn't really matter compared to your life, does it?"

He seemed to realize I was actually waiting for a response and gave a slow shake of his head. I nodded at Neo and she pulled out the gag.

"Now, what's the security look like?"

"He's going to kill you for this, he's going to-"

Neo gave a lecherous grin and stabbed him through the foot. Who was this guy fooling? He didn't even have aura. There was no way the Don cared about him a Lien. Not that we cared considering we were planning to rob him blind. She covered his mouth with the other hand, not that we really needed to down here per se, and looked him in the eye.

Her gaze flickered out like a hungry lizard's tongue to meet his eyes and devour all of the pain therein.

"Boy you don't even have aura. I can fix that for you. Unlock your aura and make it all go away." He was older than me, probably by a few years. Might be twenty-one, twenty-two. I watched him consider it. Aura was a game changer. A kid like him had to know what it meant, what it could mean. It'd mean a pay raise if nothing else. It meant increased survivability. It meant the power to fight back against those dastardly huntsmen.

"I can make the pain go away too. It'll heal you right up, even your broken fingers." They were tied behind his back. Nice and easy within snapping distance. "What's it going to be, my man."

"Fuck you, I ain't your man."

I broke another one of his fingers. Neo stuffed the gag back in his mouth while he screamed.

"We're not making much headway with this one. Might have to kill him and grab a fresh one. Start over." I said it clinically to Neo. Her eyes went wide at the thought of the violence. I even thought maybe the tips of her breasts were protruding more than before from the excitement. She gave a silent laugh and I hoped it was just my imagination. For my part I didn't have a carnage boner.

A murder erection I distinctly did not have. I wasn't a sadist. Just a pragmatist.

I had to admit there was a bit of an endorphin rush at the thought of snapping this guy's neck, though. With Neo's semblance we'd just walked up and grabbed him from the mansion and we'd walked away, under the cover of an illusion.

Suddenly I had some symptoms come at me and I blinked hard at the tactile sensation of bugs in my eyes until they stopped. Nerves firing which shouldn't have been.

"I'm thinking maybe we just hammer the place. Go all in and kill everyone in our way," I said. "Your thoughts, Neapolitan?"

She stamped a foot.

"Beg your pardon, I meant Neo." I hadn't but she seemed content to insist on it now that I'd figured it out. I took it as a good sign.

"M-m-m. M-m-m." Came from under the gag.

"Sorry, do you have friends in there? Some buddies perhaps?"

Neo pulled the gag out of his mouth. Nickel spat on the floor, very much not in our directions. He didn't want another broken finger was what that told me.

"You'll never make it like that. The Don has a safe room. A panic vault. You'll never get in and get what you want that way."

"And you've telling us this now because…"

"I want a cut. He's got millions stashed away. A-and I want my aura unlocked... And I walk free."

So that's how it is. Money talks, money talks. Apparently louder than broken bones could.

"Tell me about this panic room."

"It's got Titania walls and big electric locks."

"What kind?"

"The fuck should I know? It's like you see in bank vaults though. His office is in there. Or at least it is now they moved it from the second floor. He's been paranoid. There's been talk."

"Talk about how somebody got to him." I nodded. I put my face in his. "Somebody did. I'm going to do it again."

"It was you. It was you at the Honey Bee Inn." His brown eyes went wide.

"Maybe. Tell me about the mansion."

"It's built with choke points in mind. And places we're supposed to go to to lay down fire if there's an assault. It's all built around this central courtyard, too. It has mines in the walls, explosives at every corridor. They can be remotely activated by the Don. The whole place is booby-trapped. It’s supposed to be huntsman proof.”

“Nothing is actually huntsman proof."

He shrugged but the fact he was panting hard ruined the illusion of calm. "Couldn't say."

"Talk to me about the patrols you were on.”

“They’re fairly strict about it. Somebody will have noticed I’m gone, even. Every hour on the hour and through the center courtyard. Around the building, too.”

“How many?”

“A hundred of us at a given time, maybe."

A hundred could be a problem. Especially if they had proper choke points and the right hardware. Hard light weapons or magnetically accelerated rifles were huntsman level. There were also electric weapons which I was sure could find Neo, invisible or not. I'd seen Neptune use one. An explosion could also take me down. Limit was good but I wasn't invincible.

"Aura?"

"Some of us have it, some of us don't. The Don hasn't been in a position to be picky about his men. Not with his empire crumbling under pressure to the Malachites."

I leaned back and folded my arms. I exchanged looks with Neo. She flickered in and out of the visible spectrum and warbled a hand.

"Might be too many to just walk in to. Plus the explosives. They gonna be a problem for you?"

She waved her hand again.

"Samesies," I grunted.

I had him walk me through the layout of the place in enough detail that I was able to draw a map of the first and second floor. The panic office was on the bottom floor. A big, heavy thing like that couldn't be above ground.

Neo gave me a pleading look and I nodded. She walked behind Nickel and she bent down like she was going to untie him. Giving him one last shred of hope before she snapped up and slit his throat. I watched her take extreme pleasure in doing it.

She shuddered with the living corpse as his lifeblood drained soundlessly onto the floor. She looked ecstatic in the company of death. A low narrow smile on her lips.

It was clear to me. I just needed to give her lots of targets. It seemed like it had been a long time since she was able to indulge in such things. Heists. Murder. All of it. Money must trickle. The blood must flow.

Most importantly I needed to keep her focused on Cinder rather than Ruby. I think the message was starting to sink in but she could relapse. Besides, I wanted Cinder to die and another body wouldn't hurt.

I just needed to make sure she didn't run out of her little pleasures and it seemed to me like I'd have a loyal ally. Underneath it all it seemed like she was just lonely and scared. Especially without her boss. I think there was a part of her that liked taking orders.

And weren't we all like all that? I was like that without Ruby for one. I wasn't sure she would approve of this but she probably didn't approve of me murdering our friends either so there was that.

Neo didn't seem so bad. A bit of a sadist but hey, me too. There was a part of me that took sick pleasure in bringing ruin to my enemies. There was a sideways joy in delivering a boot to their faces.

And my friends… if I ever saw them again they'd have to understand. I did what I had to to find out about Merlot… this… my father. I had so many memories. Like visiting Shion. We're they all fake? I had to learn more about myself. If I had to shake hands with a few demons to make it happen then big fucking whoop.

Neo looked at the blood on her stiletto and wiped it off on the Nickel's clothes.

I could work with this. I could live with this. I just needed to throw away my pride.

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-WG

#neapolitan #Jaune Arc #Rwby #ff7 #ffvii #motion sickness #war of the roses #white rose #whiterose #whiteknight #white knight #lancaster #ruby rose x jaune arc x weiss schnee

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elizabethemerald · 4 years ago

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Best role in a fantasy world? Beloved Shopkeeper

Ok, the best job in a fantasy land has got to be beloved shopkeeper for an adventuring party. Like, imagine: you’ve owned this small enchanting shop/ potion shop for years. It was your dream to run just such a shop ever since you were a little girl.

One day, a new group of “Adventurers” wander in. You’ve seen adventurers, mercenaries, local toughs of all kinds come in through your doors claiming to be hot stuff. They want your finest healing potions and to peruse your enchanted items. Turns out they aren’t as flush as they think they are and have to beg for a discount, even then they have to scrap together every copper to afford it.

You roll your eyes internally, but give them a small discount. Sometimes its nice to help a new adventuring group get on their feet. A little kindness early on could help shape their whole journey.

And you can definitely tell they have only just gotten together. Half of them look like, up until very recently, they were homeless and they all wear their trust issues like a uniform. Still they have some coin and you’re more than happy to take it from them, expecting to never see them again.

Except they come back. The next time they come through your door there is the jingle of gold in the coin pouches. They come to you and immediately purchase some of the enchanted goods they couldn’t get before, restock their potions and head for the road again.

And they keep coming back. They buy out your stock of healing potions every time they come through town. They commission spells or scrolls. They refill their magical components at your store even though they have probably come across cheaper options during their travels.

Each time they come to see you, you can tell they are about to head off another grand adventure. They come in request a helm of water breathing. The next time they trade the helm for your entire stock of potions of fire resistance. They still smell like smoke and ash the next time they drop by ready to sell a dragon’s horn, and a large handful of red dragon scales.

As they grow as adventurers they grow to become your close friends. You keep an ear to the ground for any gossip they might be interested in the next time they come in. They keep an eye out for interesting potion components or enchanted items they don’t need that you could sell.

One time, they dash in, grab a single potion of strength and throw some coin on the counter and run out before you can even greet them. When you count the coin you find its short the cost of the potion. You dismiss the difference as a best friend’s discount. However you are surprised when they return the next day to pay the difference plus more.

“We can’t be shorting our favorite shop keep!” They say.

You smile as they leave. This is the first group of adventurers who had done that. It warms your heart.

Another time they come in and you’re tired but you try and put on a good face. The quiet one in the back notices and asks you whats wrong. Eventually you tell her that a local criminal element is threatening you. They want to extort protection payments, or they’ll destroy your work. You tell your friends that you fear they are being funded by one of your rival enchanters.

She asks you some pointed questions, this may be the longest conversation you’ve had with her. Normally she’s completely silent when she visits your shop. The party leaves with an oddly serious air. You feel better for having a chance to complain about the threats. Hopefully the Watch will catch the culprits soon.

The next week the miscreants are in chains, brought before the law master. Your competitor has fled town after rumors spread of his involvement with the slave trade. Your favorite adventurers come in shortly after. The quiet one assures you that you will not be bothered like that again.

Once they leave on their next adventure, you close the shop early and sit against the closed doors sweat pouring from your brow. You hadn’t asked them to go after the criminals, much less to expose your competitor. They took the chance themselves because of your close friendship.

As time goes by, you watch them grow. They are quickly out growing what you are capable of making them. Yet they continue to shop with you, mostly just to enjoy your company it seems. Now they are selling back to you items they had to scrape together every coin for when they first bought it. The rings of water walking are being traded out for rings of protection, or even more powerful items that they are digging out of dragon hoards or lich dens.

Eventually powerful folk begin entering your shop with the names of your friends on their lips. Some are interested in purchasing their own enchanted items or potions, mentioning the party’s recommendation. Others are interested in business arrangements, saying your friends thought you would work well together. And still others...come with worse offers.

You stare at the heaping pile of gold and platinum. Create an item with a hidden curse. That will trip your friends in a dire moment, leave them open to attack when they most need their strength. You have your morals. As a shopkeeper, as an enchanter, and most importantly as a friend. You proudly cross your arms and turn down their offer, a smirk on your face, this fool thinking your loyalty can be bought like this.

The next offer is more serious. Create the cursed object, or die, burning in your own shop. You sweat. You are many things, skilled in many ways, but you haven’t faced death like your friends are. You’re terrified. You try to rebuff this person, who wants you to hurt your friends, and they make you regret it.

You create the cursed piece. When your friends return you try and dissuade them from buying it by pricing it exorbitantly. You know they won’t be able to resist it, you know them so well, the enchanted item is exactly up their alley. You however didn’t expect them to put down the money gladly, laughing and cheering after their successful raid on a dragon turtle’s lair and the horde they found within.

The quiet one, who always notices so much, who always stopped the rogue from stealing from you, who assured you that you wouldn’t be troubled again, notices your fear. She pulls you into the back room. With spells of warding against scrying and other magical spying cast she gets the truth out of you. The truth of the offer, and the threat, and the trap hidden under your enchantment.

The faces of the party are stern. Maybe you think they are angry with you for what you’ve done. However they say that no one should dare threaten their favorite shop keep. You can’t help your relief that they don’t hate you.

As quickly as you can you shove what items you can into a bag of holding. Your wand and tools of your trade. They stand guard around you, ready to kill anyone who would try and enact their threat.

You are snuck out of the city that very night. It takes you days to hear about the explosion. Your shop, your life’s work. Destroyed. Nothing was left after the flames were extinguished. You are now presumed dead.

You cry in her arms. The quiet one. Who had been so loud, so ardent that her companions would protect you. You cry yourself to sleep, while she watches over you, a silent sentinel.

The party agrees that the threat to you, by this powerful enemy of theirs cannot stand. They march to the door of their enemy’s tower, and with flying spells and powerful blows, rend that door to splinters. You can only watch, jaw agape as the battle unfolds. You hadn’t truly realized how powerful they had become. Or maybe it was just that they fought harder and more ruthlessly because someone had dared to threaten you.

After the battle, you and the quiet one find a side chamber of the tower and she absolutely rails you.

The party sets you up with a new establishment near their residence. A new shop, where you can once again weave your spells, and work your craft. They are more powerful than even your strongest enchantments, and so are no longer your most loyal customers. Instead they sell their old equipment and other artifacts they find on their adventuring to you and you turn a tidy profit selling them in turn to the next generation of young adventurers.

Each time they leave you on the path to a new adventure, a new monster to hunt or mystery to explore you wave goodbye from your shop door. You Watch them ride away, watch them vanish into a teleportation circle, watch them take off into the air. And you wait for them. You wait for them to return. For her to return.

And they do. And she does. Each time they return, battered and bruised but alive and triumphant and more importantly alive, you are there to greet them. You buy their excess treasure, tell them of the news and rumors in town. And with lingering eyes, lingering hands, and lingering lips welcome her home.

Eventually a fight comes that could be the end of the world. It could be the end of the party of adventurers. It could be the end of you and her.

They all buckle on their armor. Ready their weapons. You give them any potion or enchantment you have. Anything to bring them back to you.

She finds you in the press of her friends. She pulls you aside for a quiet moment, just the two of you. She presses a ring into your hands. Its a simple thing, especially in comparison to the magical rings she’s been trading in in recent years. There’s not a scrap of magic to it.

“Keep this safe for me?” She asks. Its her mother’s ring. She’s carried it on a silver chain around her neck since her first days on the road. You hold the ring on its chain tightly in your hand, and hold her just as tightly. You press a ring of your own into her hands.

“Keep yourself safe for me?” You ask. The ring has the most powerful protective spells on it that you are capable of casting. She smiles and nods, tears in her eyes. And she turns away from you with out another word.

You drag any civilians into a local shelter while the battle rages over head. You can hear the crash and din of combat, louder than any thunder and the earth shakes like the entire world will be torn asunder. You do your best to keep those around you protected from the rubble that falls down. Until suddenly, everything grows still and quiet.

Trepidatiously you lead the others out of the shelter. Tears jump to your eyes as you see your merry band of heroes triumphant. They did not escape the cataclysm without damage but they are here, and slowly it is setting in for them that they survived, that they won. Laughs and cheers slowly began to echo around.

You are smiling so wide your face hurts as you are looking in between them for her. Where is she? You are looking for any glimpse of her hair or the shine of her armor. But you can’t find her. The smile dies on your face and tears spring again to your eyes. They run down your cheeks as your despair grows. You are gripping her mother’s ring so tightly you are afraid you might break it, the stone is cutting into your palm.

Then you hear it. The laugh. Her laugh. For someone so reserved she has the most beautiful laugh. It is a laugh that is exclusively heard by her closest friends. Her closest friends, and you. You turn and see her there in the crowd of people starting to celebrate a new day they never thought they would see.

She wraps you in the tightest hug. She kisses away your tears.

“Did it help?” You ask. Pointing at your ring on her finger.

She smiles past her tears. And she nods. You try to offer her mother’s ring back.

“Keep it?” She asks. “For our children?”

You nod and she puts the ring on your finger. And she kisses you in a way you’ve never been kissed before.

Years down the line, you two are living together. She is, mostly, retired from adventuring. You are still running your shop, though you no longer need the money and are doing it mostly for something to keep you busy. You children have her eyes. You have her ring on your finger.

The two of you wonder which mother your children will take after. Will one of them take over the shop when you are ready to retire? Will the call of adventure be to strong to resist for one? Who is to say. You certainly don’t know. Children need to forge their own paths in life. Though their story is one for another time.

Please reblog if you like! Let me know what you think of this story!

#Dungeons and Dragons #stories #adventurers #shopkeep #writing emerald #i was blushing while I wrote this #its so so so gay #and I love it so much

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poisongirl18 · 5 years ago

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Broken Hearts

Thanks @daintyvikingprincess for the request! Sorry it’s so late but I hope you enjoy! If anyone else is looking for SOA or Supernatural request message me! Enjoy!

Rosalyn didn’t understand the instant rage she had every time she saw Jax Teller, it was like her heart caught a flame that wouldn’t be put out until he had left the building.

It had only been a few short months since Jax broke things off with her, telling her that she was nothing but a good fuck.

Rosalyn knew better though, she knew that Jax had caught feelings so fast that it made his head spin and it scared him. Scared him so bad that he had no other choice then to go back to Tara.

Tara who broke his heart leaving Rosalyn to pick up the pieces, putting the man back together only to let him tailspin out of control and go back to the she-devil.

“You look like you need this.”

Rosalyn jumped at Juice’s voice, taking her out of her deep thoughts and bringing her back to the real reason why she was here.

Juice, her best friend, was the one to take care of her after Jax left her, admitting that he had always had feelings for ever since he first saw her and that she deserved so much better.

These words were ones that Rosalyn had never heard before, and it brought warmth to her broken heart.

Juice, although happy to have the girl of his dreams in his arms, knew that her feelings would never stray from Jax.

Rosalyn took the beer bottle from her best friend’s hands and set it down on the bar. “No, Juicy I think I have another idea.” She grinned wickedly making the man groan.

“Again?” He complained as he rubbed a calloused hand over his face.

“Oh yeah, nothing better than doing it when I’m made.” She winked. “I gotta grab a few things and get ready. Meet you at my place?”

Juice let out a sigh before nodding. “I’ll meet you there.”

Rosalyn moved to place a friendly kiss on Juice’s cheek before moving towards the door, not even looking in Jax’s direction as she passed him.

But he was looking at her.

Jax couldn’t help but watch Rosalyn’s plump little ass shake with every step she took. He also noticed that Juice was watching as well.

After making sure Tara was distracted talking to some old ladies around the club, he made his way over to Juice who looked slightly nervous at his presence.

“What’s up with her?” Jax asked immediately nodding his head towards the door.

Juice bit his lip and shrugged. “I don’t know man; you know how she is.”

“You’re right, I do.” Jax shifted on his feet, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I also know that she wouldn’t leave a party without saying goodbye to anyone.” He nodded.

“Maybe she was in a rush. I don’t know.” Juice went off, intimidated by Jax.

“She was talking to you before she left. Come to think of it, she’s always talking to you.” Jax tried to play it cool and not let his jealousy show.

“And that’s such a bad thing?” Juice raised a brow, suddenly getting defensive.

Jax knew that Juice always had a thing for Rosalyn. Even back when she and Jax were dating he always caught the longing stares that the man would give his girl.

He never thought that Juice had a chance, but apparently, he was wrong.

“I just want to make sure you’re not getting her into trouble is all.” Jax shrugged, grabbing the pack of smokes from his pocket and taking one.

Juice couldn’t help but snort. “Me get her in trouble. Since when you care Jax?”

Jax raised a brow and wanted to shout at the man for questioning him, but he kept it back and instead shook his head. “You’re right. I shouldn’t care after everything I put her through, but I can threaten.” He said getting dangerously close to Juice. “I can threaten your life if anything happens to her.”

Juice visibly swallowed before shaking his head. “I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Jax eyed his fellow brother before taking a step back to light his cigarette, flicking the lighter a few times before it caught spark. “You take care of her.” He spoke in a peaceful tone before turning and heading back to Tara, the girl who couldn’t make his heart whole.

Rosalyn waited for Juice outside of her house, fully dressed in her workout gear ready for practice. This was there thing ever since she had received threats from another gang.

She had never lived an easy life, had never known what it was like to go anywhere without looking over her shoulder. When she met Jax she thought she was finally safe, that he would protect her from everything, but he left her alone and to fend for herself.

Rosalyn didn’t like to tell people that she was on the run because it made her seem weak, and that was something she didn’t want to be viewed as.

She had grown up in a gang outside of town run by her stepfather. He was a cruel and vicious man but managed to draw her mother in like moth to a flame, little did she know that he had a side to him, a side that when brought to the surface would land her and Rosalyn in a serious of bruises and broken bones. That was until one day when he decided he had enough of the married life and put a bullet in her mother’s head. Rosalyn was sprayed in her blood as he made her watch as her mother’s dead body fell into a heap on the floor. He had warned Rosalyn that if she had not kept her mouth shut and do what she was told she would end up with the same fate.

That was when she decided to run.

She had run into Charming and met Gemma who had felt for the now homeless girl and brought her in with open arms.

That had happened about a year ago now, and while the town of Charming had grown to love Rosalyn, her past life was still in the back of her mind.

She hadn’t heard anything from her stepfather for that whole year, that was up until a few weeks ago when she received a letter in the mail.

The letter had no words, but instead a drawn picture of a snake in blood.

Rosalyn panicked, not knowing what to do nor who to go, until Juice showed up at her door admitting his feelings for her.

Juice had promised to protect her with everything he had, but it wasn’t protection that she wanted but to learn how to defend herself.

He refused at first, but with a flutter of her eyelashes and countless moments of begging, he agreed, and they began their training.

Rosalyn adjusted her gym bag on her shoulder as she waited for Juice to show up, not knowing why it was taking so long.

She watched as the cars passed before she finally pulled out her phone to call Juice and to demand to know where he was.

Rosalyn wasn’t paying attention when the black van slowed in front of her house or when a man in a black ski mask pulled out his gun and pulled the trigger.

The world slowed around Rosalyn as she felt the bullet go through her abdomen the searing pain causing her breath to quicken until she collapsed in her own front yard.

In the background she heard the sound of a motorcycle as it sped through the street until it came to a screeching halt nearby.

“No! No!” Juice screamed in horror when he found Rosalyn on the ground, bleeding profusely. “Rosalyn! Stay with me!” He cried as he held her in his arms, trying to stop the bleeding.

He looked in utter fear as he looked down at his bloody hands not knowing what to do or how to keep Rosalyn alive.

He reached into his pocket with a blood-stained hand and dialed for help.

Jax had his arm around Tara when his phone buzzed in his pocket, he easily undid his arm from around his girlfriend’s waist to pull it out of his pocket.

“Yeah?” He answered only to receive the sound of harsh breathing on the other end. “Hello?” Jax called again, getting fed up with the bullshit on the other line.

“J-Jax.” Juice let out sounding panicked.

“Juice?” Jax raised a brow as he stepped away from the group that was talking. “What’s up man?” He asked. “Everything good?”

“Jax it’s – it’s Rosalyn.”

Jax’s blood went cold as his grip on the phone tightened. “What happened?” He gritted out.

“Man, she was- she was shot. We’re at the hospital.”

Juice didn’t need to say anymore.

Jax hung up the phone before taking off out the door, not caring when Tara called his name over and over again from the clubhouse.

He hopped on his bike, letting it roar to life before speeding off towards the hospital. He didn’t know how fast he was going, and he simply didn’t care. He wasn’t thinking about anything other than Rosalyn and how she was hurt.

He arrived at the hospital and ran in looking for Juice who sat in the waiting room with his head in his hands.

Once Jax caught sight of his fellow brother, he pulled him up by his cut and slammed him against the wall. He was enraged and could only see red.

“I told you not to hurt her, I warned you Juice!” Jax yelled in his face earning looks from nurses and staff who wondered if they should intervene.

“I wasn’t there!” Juice cried, trying to push Jax off of him. “I showed up and she was on the ground.”

Jax shook his head and pushed Juice harder into the wall, letting his back dig against the cement wall. “You had one job! One fucking job!” He yelled. “To keep her safe!”

“You failed too!” Juice yelled back before pushing Jax completely off of him. “You left her! I picked up the pieces!” He panted, out of breath and full of anger.

Jax ran his fingers through his blonde locks out of frustration, knowing that he was right.

“Who would want to hurt her?” Jax let out with a pant.

Juice looked up at one of his close friends and shook his head. “She had received a note, one from her stepfather.”

“Her stepfather?” Jax asked confused.

“He has a gang outside of town.” Juice admitted, shaking his head. “He used to beat the shit out of her and killed her mother.”

“Fuck.” Jax cursed, rubbing a hand over his face roughly. “You know anything about them?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. I’ve been trying to find something, but I think they’re into some deep shit.”

“Great.” Jax spat before looking down the long hallway. “You see her yet?”

Juice paused before nodding. “Yeah, she was sleeping.” He admitted.

Jax let out a heavy sigh before taking a few steps down the hallway. “What room?” He called over his shoulder.

There was a beat of silence.

“105.”

Jax continued his way down the hall until he stopped in front of Rosalyn’s room, he twisted the knob gently before stepping in and shutting the door behind him gently.

He wanted to cry at the sight of his girl laying in the bed so lifelessly, he wasn’t even sure if she was breathing or not.

He took a couple of steps towards the bed, continuing to watch Rosalyn before deciding to sit next to her bed and hold her cold hand.

“Rosalyn,” Jax started, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” He let out and shook his head. “I shouldn’t have left you, shouldn’t have let you fend for yourself. I was just so scared.” He admitted for the first time. “So scared that if I pulled you close then I was just going to lose you.”

Rosalyn let out a groan of pain before her eyes fluttered open. “Jax?” She asked around the oxygen that was hooked in her nose.

“Yeah, I’m here.” He squeezed her hand.

“W-what are you doing here?” She swallowed the dryness in her throat.

“Juice called.” He nodded. “Told me what happened. Why didn’t you tell me you needed help?”

Rosalyn’s lips quivered in pain and sadness. “You wouldn’t even look at me Jax.” She let out softly. “How was I going to ask you for help when you wouldn’t even look at me.”

“That’s not true.” He let out softly, trying not to sound too tense.

“It is.” She forced out. “You were so caught up in Tara, that I was the last thing on your mind.” She shook her head against the pillow before finally opening her eyes to fully look at him. “I don’t blame you for this Jax, but I also don’t blame myself for not telling you.”

Jax let out a soft sigh before nodding. “I’m sorry for everything I put you through, I was just scared.”

“You pushed me away Jax, you broke my heart and caused me so much pain.” Her eyes filled with tears the more she spoke. “Yet I still can’t stand to watch you with Tara because I love you so much.”

Jax’s eyes widened at the words, his heart pounding in his chest like a machine. “You love me?” He asked softly.

“I’m sorry.” Rosalyn bit her lip. “I shouldn’t have said that when you are with Tara.”

“And you with Juice.” Jax breathed out.

She cracked a small smile before shaking her head. “I’m not with Juice.”

“You are always together.” Jax commented with a raised brow.

“He was teaching me how to fight, how to protect myself.” She nodded. “I told him that I couldn’t be with him, not when I love you.”

Jax ran his thumb along Rosalyn’s palm, creating small circles to ease her before speaking. “I don’t think things are working out with me and Tara.”

Rosalyn bit her lip, to try and hold back her excitement. “I’m sorry.” She let out instead.

Jax glanced up at her and smirked. “No, you’re not.”

“No, I’m not. She’s a bitch.” She let out with a smile.

Jax let out a chuckle and shook his head. “I think that we’re going to have to keep you somewhere safe when you get out of here.”

“Yeah? Where’s that?” She asked with a sigh, knowing that she was going to be kept in hiding at some random member’s house, possibly even Piney’s cabin.

“My house.” Jax smirked making her smile.

“I think I’d like that.” She let out, playing with the small tubing on her chest.

“I’m going to have someone look out for you at all times until we can find your stepfather.” Jax nodded. “I’m going to take care of it and you.” He leaned down to kiss the top of her head.

“I don’t want to be a bother.” She admitted with a pink tint in her cheeks.

“You,” Jax smiled, “will never be a bother.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I think we’re better together than we are apart.”

Rosalyn felt an awe come over her as she relaxed into her pillow. “I think so too.”

“Now you get some rest.” He spoked in a soft tone. “We’ll talk more tomorrow after you rested.”

“Wait, where are you going?” She asked in a panic.

He hushed her and ran his fingers through her hair again. “I need to make a few calls; I’ll be right outside of your door.”

Rosalyn felt her shoulders relax as her eyes drooped. “Okay.” She let out, too tired to argue.

Jax smiled down as Rosalyn’s eyes closed before sneaking outside of the room to make a few calls while his girl slept peacefully feeling the safest, she had felt in a long time.

#soa #sons of anarchy #sons of anarchy fanfiction #soa fanfiction #sons of anarchy fan #My writing #fanfiction #my fanfiction #Jax Teller #jax teller x reader #jax teller x oc #gang #love #romance #fanfic

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chain-unchained · 4 years ago

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December 12 - Part 3

This one’s long and dramatic. And it’s still not over. Longest. Day. *Ever*.

The elevator continued its descent; the rocky surfaces all around them began to shift in color, going from light muddy browns to burnt umber and musty reds.

“Holy shit, Ashe, how far have you been digging in here?” Sebastian could hardly speak, Sam was so tightly wound around his neck.

The farmer anxiously rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet. “Not far enough, honestly. And I can’t take all the credit for this,” he fiddled with the scarf around his neck, contemplating whether or not to remove it for the time being, “Percy’s been coming down here a lot lately too.”

“I think it’s cool.” Abigail reached out and let her fingers brush against the moving rockfaces. “You get to actually fight real monsters and stuff. Like looking at you, no one would think that you’re actually a badass warrior.”

“I-I’m not though, really. I try to avoid the monsters as much as I can.”

“Whaaaat? Okay, that’s kinda lame.”

Sebastian flicked her forehead. “Not everyone is as bloodthirsty as you are, y’know.”

“I’m not bloodthirsty!” Her cheeks puffed out in a puff as she rubbed the red spot left behind. “I’m just so bored of the quiet country lifestyle. You have to be bored of it too, right Ashe? You used to live in the city after all.”

“Actually,” he smiled bashfully, “I really like how peaceful it is here. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Her pout intensified. “Well—well, you’re just saying that cos you get to cheat and come kill monsters whenever you want. And your farm work keeps you super busy, too!” She pointed a finger at him. “You’re just a big cheater.”

“Uh—“ At a loss, he gave another awkward smile, “sorry?”

“Hmph.” She turned away and folded her arms across her chest. “Cheater.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes as the elevator came to a shuddering stop at the bottom of the mine shaft. “Okay Sam, we’ve stopped moving—you can stop suffocating me now.”

“We are? Oh thank Yoba—”

Both Sam and Abby fought to be the first ones off of the elevator. It was dark and warm where it let them off, dimly lit from the torches that Ashe had put up from his last visit.

“I’m never getting back on that death machine ever again,” Sam wheezed, knees buckling from the legitimate fear that had been gripping him.

“Well that sucks for you,” Sebastian jerked his thumb back towards the elevator, “cos that’s our only way out.”

“Noooooo…!” He dropped to the ground in a heap of despair. “I can’t, my heart can’t take anymore of that…!”

“It’ll be okay, Sam.” Ashe knelt down beside him and patted his shoulder gently. “We’ll distract you the whole time so you don’t have to think about it. Okay?”

“No, not okay,” he sniffed with a shake of his head, “but… okay.”

Ashe helped him back to his feet and brushed some of the dirt from his knees. “Alright. You guys all stay behind me, and stick close. There are some really nasty monsters roaming around down here.”

“Laaaame…” Abigail took her hand off of the hilt of her sword with a dramatic sigh. “You gotta at least let me get the first kill in. I need this.”

“Abby,” Sebastian put his hand on her shoulder, “you need to calm down.”

“More like you guys need to get more pumped up!” Despite what Ashe just said, she pushed her way to the front of the group. “C’mon, we’re exploring a real life monster-filled mine! And Ashe has been coming down here by himself all this time, why are we so freaked out when there’s four of us here?”

Ashe hesitated. “That’s… a good point, actually…”

“Right?” Abby fell back enough to walk beside him and flashed a wide grin. “We can take on anything that comes our way with the power of friendship! And anime! But not Yoba. That asshole can stay out of our way.”

“Pfft—” The last bit was enough to make Ashe dissolve into a fit of laughter. He didn’t realize just how badly he needed to laugh.

“There we go! That’s much more like it.” Her grin got even bigger as she began to walk backwards—it was easier to talk this way. “Seriously, you’ve been so down in the dumps lately that I thought you’d forgotten how to laugh.”

“Yeah, we noticed that too.” Sam wrapped an arm around the farmer’s shoulders. “What’s been on your mind?”

“N-Nothing—it’s nothing—oh no, I can’t breathe—” He had to stop walking, doubling over and hugging his stomach until the laughter began to subside. A few giggles lingered as he straightened up and wiped the tears from his eyes. “I-I don’t know why that got me so good… ahhh… I’m okay. I’m okay, really.”

“You sure about that, buddy?”

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “And really, nothing’s been on my mind lately. It’s just that winter’s a bad time for me.”

Abigail put her hand on her hip. “Because your mom died around this time, right?”

“Abby!” Sam and Sebastian were appalled. The smile faded from Ashe’s face.

“What?” She asked.

“You can’t just say that kind of shit.” Sebastian rubbed his face. “Have some goddamn tact or something.”

“Life’s too short and we could die down here, so what’s the point of beating around the bush?” She turned back to Ashe. “It’s not hard to put 2 and 2 together. Look, if you need someone to talk to about it, you can talk to us. Or Shane. That’s not the kind of shit that you should keep bottled up.”

“I-I don’t—”

“Like seriously, you should know this since you’re dating him and all. Isn’t this the kind of stuff that you had to beat into his head?”

“That’s not—”

“Just how long do you think you can keep going like this? You’re just going to get depressed next winter if you keep ignoring it like you have been—”

“Rrrr—CAN I PLEASE SAY SOMETHING?!”

Ashe didn’t mean to explode, but that was exactly what he did. His voice rose uncontrollably, bouncing off of the narrow corridor they stood in as his friends stared at him with wide eyes and slightly slack jaws.

“Uh… y-yeah, sure, go ahead.”

With shaking hands Ashe rubbed at the lower part of his face. “I don’t want to talk about it,” he said simply, his voice and chin quivering with each word. “I don’t—it’s still too painful.” His voice broke, and his eyes stung with tears desperately fought back as he whispered, “I d-don’t want anyone to see me cry…”

“Aww, Ashe…” Sam pulled him into a hug, and Sebastian shot Abby a dirty look. “C’mon, it’s okay. This is what friends are for, y’know.”

“N-No—please, I don’t—want—”

It was too late. The floodgates had been opened, and just as he had dissolved into laughter not five minutes ago he dissolved into sobs that were muffled by Sam’s shoulder. It was embarrassing. There was nothing that felt good about breaking down like this in front of others. But there was nothing that he could do to stop the tears, or the emotions that brought them on.

“That’s it, just let it all out.” Sam patted his back with a faint smile. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. Just know that we’re all here for you.”

It took everything Ashe had in him to eventually stop the tears, and a minute later he pulled back from Sam to rub at his reddened eyes with a sniff. “Sucks… S-Sorry, I tried so hard…”

“Hey, there’s nothing to apologize for.” Sebastian took a puff on the cigarette he’d lit. “Sometimes you just gotta cry.”

“Oh?” Abby elbowed him with a smirk. “That something you have a lot of experience with, Seb?”

“Fuck off.”

The exchange was enough to get a half-laugh, half sob from Ashe.

“Hey, there’s another laugh.” Abby’s smirk softened to a smile. “So do you feel any better now?”

“N-No, not really…” With a shuddering sigh, Ashe dried what was left of his tears on his sleeves and did his best to smile. “But I really don’t like to cry, so. I’m okay now.” He moved to the front of the group and unsheathed his trusty sword. “Besides, there’s no time to waste. We’ve got monsters to slay and loot to find! FOR THE G!”

“Hell yeah!” Abigail was right there beside him, her own sword drawn as they led the charge. Sam and Sebastian had to break into a brisk jog to keep up with them.

####

It wasn’t long before they ran into trouble. A few red-tinted slimes, some magma bats, nothing too major. It was largely disappointing for Abby, who stood off to the side pouting as the others dug into a fat gold vein.

“This sucks,” she huffed, “I was promised monsters and all I’ve gotten are weak level 1 mobs.”

“Y’know,” Sebastian grunted with the swing of his pickaxe, “most people wouldn’t be complaining about that.”

She flicked her hair over her shoulder. “Yeah, well, I’m not like most people.”

“’I’m so quirky, I’m not like other girls’,” Sam teased.

“Hey, that subreddit doesn’t apply to me because I’m actually not like other girls.”

“That’s what they all say, you know.”

Having fallen largely quiet in his concentration on mining, Ashe just sort of listened to them playfully argue. It was fun to just be a party to the conversation, and it helped with keeping his mind occupied.

‘This should be enough to trade for some better tools, I think.’ He picked up a few chunks of mined ore and inspected them with a hopeful glint in his eyes. It was more cost-efficient to trade materials like this for upgrades instead of paying for them outright. ‘Would be nice if we could hit a gem vein while we’re here—’

The conversation lulled, and in the brief moment of silence Ashe heard a strange noise in the distance. It was a noise that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

“Get down!”

Once more his voice reverberated around the space as he tackled his friends to the floor. Not a second later, a giant flaming fireball whizzed over their heads, ricocheting against the walls and bouncing all around before it exploded a few feet away.

“Holy—” Sam coughed as a thick smoke filled the air. “Where the hell did that come from?!”

“Keep your head down,” Ashe pushed him back down, straining his eyes to see through the smoke. He could faintly make out a round form hovering in the air at the far end of the tunnel. “Marlon calls them ‘squid kids’. It won’t notice us if we stay still.”

“Oh, to hell with that.”

Against his warnings, Abigail scrambled to her feet. With hand on the hilt of her sword again, she darted right towards the monster.

“Abby, don’t!!!”

Letting out a battle cry that would make any warrior proud, she drew the sword and cleanly cut the Squid Kid in two before it had a chance to get off another fireball. The three stared in stunned silence as she skidded to a stop, coolly sheathing her blade and turning to look back at them.

“C’mon, it was one mob. We’ve got the power of friendship and anime on our side, remember?”

Ashe let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding—only for his heart to stop in his chest again as a shadow moved behind her. He was on his feet in the blink of an eye, racing towards where she stood triumphant. There wasn’t time for him to yell out a warning. The others did it for him.

“Shit—look out!”

Sebastian and Sam scrambled to follow in his footsteps as the shadow fell over Abigail. Realization dawned on her face, and she turned to find a pair of angry beady eyes glaring down at her from within the amorphous blob that was Slime EX.

After a second, she turned to look back at the boys racing towards her. “Really, guys?” She asked, wholly unimpressed. “You’re panicking over a slime? What’s it gonna do, squish me to death?”

Almost as if her words caused the Slime deep offense, its entire body jiggled with a gurgly roar—the sound was enough to send dust crumbling from the ceiling above. The color started to drain from her face as it jumped, much higher than she thought it could.

There wasn’t enough time. The slime came down on top of her before any of them could reach her, absorbing her into its gelatinous center as they came to a screeching stop just a short distance away. It was horrific, watching her clutch at her own throat as the Slime’s insides slowly suffocated her.

But the Slime wasn’t content with just one meal, and its sights shifted to the three still standing before it. It leaped again, and they began to backpedal as quickly as they could—but it wasn’t fast enough. There wasn’t time. Sam grabbed hold of Ashe by the back of his shirt and hurtled him backwards, a split second before the Slime squished down on him and Sebastian too.

The throw was enough to send Ashe through the air, and he hit the ground in an unceremonious heap. “Oh my Yoba—GUYS!” He screamed, picking himself up in time to see them swallowed up.

With each jump, the Slime’s massive size had sent tremors throughout the mine. The second time, the quaking didn’t stop, sending chunks of the walls and ceiling tumbling down all around. The entire mine was starting to collapse.

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shireness-says · 5 years ago

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Wherever You’re Going (I’m Going Your Way) [5/6]

Summary: 1952. A lost boy without a home, Killian Jones rides America’s back roads on his motorcycle, searching for a purpose that’s just out of reach. This pit stop was only supposed to be a few days, a couple of weeks at most, but a pretty blonde waitress just might be his salvation. Is he brave enough to let her? Rated T for language. ~4.0K. Also on AO3. Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Ch. 3 Ch. 4

~~~~~

A/N: Last chapter of plot - next week is an epilogue. Thanks for reading - let me know what you think!

~~~~~

The days to come are a kind of blissful in-between: after the date and the kiss that changes everything, but before Killian’s tires have arrived and he’s back on the road again. The days are simultaneously too short and wonderfully long, the days too few and yet seemingly endless as Killian savors every moment together that he can. He makes a point to spend as much time with Emma as he can, knowing that their time will be far too short, taking her for ice cream and evening strolls and even letting Emma drag him down to the local bar and dance hall. He’d tensed as she’d pulled him onto the dance floor, far too aware of the many eyes around him — he’s far too aware that others think he’s trouble, and can only imagine what they think to see him arm in arm with the local golden girl — but the other townsfolk never show it. He thinks he might even see a few smiles among them, though that seems like it could be too much to ask for. As happy as he is to take Emma on the kind of dates she deserves, dancing and the like, he truthfully takes just as much pleasure in simply keeping her company during her late shifts at the diner, sitting in what is now his usual booth and flashing a smile just for her. There’s a gentle intimacy to this, being allowed to watch Emma in her own environment.

Still. As much he tries to revel in the moment, the future looms just ahead.

“I don’t know what to do, Belle,” Killian groans as softly as he can manage into the phone. Granny’s back hallway probably isn’t the best place for this conversation, but it begs having, and Killian isn’t willing to drive up David Nolan’s long distance bill. The downside of the public pay phone is that it’s not exactly private; other customers pass periodically, searching for the bathrooms or winding their way back through to the attached inn. It’s odd to even think, and Killian isn’t sure how it truly happened, but he seems to have earned some level of acceptance amongst the locals, just by virtue of becoming a regular face at the garage and at Granny’s in the last handful of weeks. Most even nod a greeting, or offer him a brief smile. It’s jarring, in the most pleasant way, to be met with a kind of amiable neutrality after growing so accustomed to distrust everywhere he goes.

That’s the benefit of staying in one place, he supposes: people come to know you, even just a little bit, even just enough to grow used to you and start to trust you. Those could be the seeds of a more settled life, if he wanted.

But that’s the whole problem — Killian isn’t sure he’s ready for that. Which brings him to this moment and this phone call, because it’s been nearly three weeks, and they’re expecting the replacement tires any day now, and Killian has a decision to make. Three weeks ago, there’d been no question — he’d be gone as soon as the tools were put down. Three weeks ago, however, he hadn’t yet met Emma — and Emma just might change everything.

The truth of the matter is that these last days with Emma have been the happiest that he’s lived in a long, long time, and he likes to think he makes her happy too. Her smiles and laughter and the way she chases after him for just one more kiss would suggest that to be the case. They went into this with open eyes, both knowing that whatever they became was subject to a ticking clock, but Killian still pauses when he thinks of leaving her behind. She deserves more than that; they both do.

At the same time, staying still isn’t an option. Killian’s great cross-country trek has, more than anything, been a search for a sense of self, a sense of purpose; finding someplace to call home is a far distant third on his list of concerns. Ghosts still haunt him, and though he knows the wind on his motorcycle can’t permanently blow them away, it helps. It’s nice to just not think for a few minutes. Even hours, if he’s lucky.

(Then again, kissing Emma achieves much the same effect, in a much more pleasurable fashion.)

“I can’t stay. I really… I don’t think I can stay,” Killian continues. “But how can I leave, either? What if I’m throwing away my one real chance to settle down, and be happy like that?”

“But is that really true happiness, convincing yourself into something because it’s the smart or honorable thing to do?” Belle asks. “Or is that just a compromise?”

Killian stays silent, letting her words run through his head. This is why he called Belle in the first place: she has a way of pointing out the real questions he needs to ask himself without any judgement or demands.

“You don’t need to have an answer now, and you don’t have to tell me when you do,” Belle continues, “but if you’re as taken with this girl as you tell me, it’s not fair to her if you stick around but constantly dream of leaving again. She doesn’t deserve that.”

“No, she doesn’t.” Killian can hear the soft tenderness in his own voice; no doubt Belle can as well. “And that’s the biggest reason I can’t stay. She deserves more than a man who would always wonder what he gave up. It’s not just places I want to see either, Belle. It’s… at the risk of sounding like some terrible cliche, I’ve felt like a shell of myself for a long time. The words shouldn’t be me, but they were an important part, and I lost them. Flying down the highway, seeing all the wonders this blasted place has to offer… that’s the only time it feels like the words might be in my reach again. I deserve the chance to figure out who I am after all this, even as Emma doesn’t deserve a man who will otherwise always be a little bit empty.” Killian sighs. “That doesn’t make it any easier to think about leaving her behind.”

“You could always ask her to come with.”

Killian’s heart leaps in excitement at the very idea, but he quickly forces reason to tamp it down. “I couldn’t possibly.”

“Whyever not? I thought you said she had a bit of wanderlust herself.”

“Yes, but…” Killian struggles for an answer, feeling like his brain is tripping over itself. “Storybrooke is her home. She’s got a family here, people who love her and would miss her. I can’t take her away from all of that.”

“Maybe that’s a decision she gets to make,” Belle replies gently. “Maybe she’ll surprise you. Maybe she wants the same thing, a chance to see what else is out there. You won’t know unless you ask.”

“Maybe.” Even as Killian says it, he knows that it’s a dream too big. He’ll never risk it — and Belle probably knows that too.

“It’s up to you, Killian,” she concludes, “but think about what’s best for you, now and later, okay? You deserve to be happy just as much as she does.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Once Killian hangs up the payphone, he fights the urge to slide down the wall into a crumpled heap. Even after his talk with Belle, there’s still no good answers.

He’s got a lot to think about.

———

As long as Killian doesn’t think too closely about their looming, unknown deadline, he can luxuriate in the sheer quiet joy of spending time with Emma. It’s easy to get used to her kisses and easy affection and the way that she has a special smile just for him when he walks into the diner. It’s a beautiful respite he didn’t know he needed and is certain he doesn’t deserve.

But far too often and too quickly, good things must end.

The new tire arrives on Thursday. Killian does his utter best to ignore it. As eager as he was to get in and get out of this little nowhere town three weeks ago, that’s all changed because of Emma. The itch under his skin is as strong as ever — the desire to blow all the dreams and pain away upon the winds — but his attachment to Emma, though new and young, is deep. She’s a balm to all his lingering wounds, a bright spot in his days that he never thought he’d find again, and the idea of leaving her is near unbearable, even if the idea of staying is just as suffocating.

There’s only so long he can pretend to work off a debt he’s long since paid, though, and while David will never say anything, Killian sees the confused looks that the other man sends his way each day those tires continue to sit on a shelf.

“You know, you don’t have to leave if you don’t want to,” David mentions with an affected air of casualness as he works on the undercarriage of someone’s truck. Killian has been drafted to assist — though it seems to be just an excuse to trap him into conversation, considering that the only way he’s been helping is to hand over tools that David could just roll out and retrieve himself.

Killian braces himself against the truck’s bed, sighing heavily. He can’t help the exhalation; inside his head, all of Killian’s different desires war with each other — to stay with Emma, to leave for her own good, to leave for his own good. Underneath it all, though, is that same itch that’s driven him forward ever since he landed in this country, and it only grows stronger every day.

Staying was never really an option — not when he still needs wind whipping past his face to ground him every day.

“I know. But I can’t,” he finally replies, head bowed in a pointless instinct to hide his gaze from a man already obscured.

David rolls himself back out to the light. “Why not? Has anyone made you think you couldn’t? Besides Graham, I mean, and that really was just a misunderstanding —”

“No, it’s not that. I’ll have to disagree about the sheriff’s intentions, but you’ve all been… wonderful. You, and Mrs. Nolan, and… Emma.” Killian stutters for a moment over her name; though they both knew going in that this wouldn’t end in anything lasting, it had been easy to forget that in a week and a half of bliss, and she’s the one who stands to hurt the most. Still, he must press on. “Better than I deserve, really. And I know you’d welcome me with open arms should I choose to make your little hamlet home. But it’s… I’ve got this compulsion to keep moving. Chasing something, or running away from something, I don’t even know anymore. But one day… I hope I’ll figure it out, and that feeling will settle.”

David hums, taking the time to replace his tools. If Killian’s not mistaken, it’s a stalling tactic. “You know, Emma has this theory,” he finally says, “that home is the place that when you leave, you just miss it. She and Mary Margaret spent a week — not even a week in Portland shopping for wedding and household things. And that was it for her. She and Mary Margaret were still in this terrible little apartment, but I’ve never seen her happier to be there. Gave me the biggest hug when she saw me as I came to pick up Mary Margaret for a date.” David smiles fondly at the memory. “I suppose what I’m saying is… maybe it takes some distance to realize what you want. And we’ll always be happy to welcome you back, if you choose to return. You’ve got a job here if you decide that’s what you want.”

It’s a lot to offer him, Killian knows — more than he expected. This entire town and all the people in it — especially the Nolans, especially Emma — are all more than he ever expected. “Thank you,” he says softly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

David just nods before grabbing a different wrench and wheeling back under the body of the truck, but Killian thinks there’s an understanding there — that I can’t stay doesn’t mean not ever, just not now. There’s a time and a place for everything in life, and the place Killian’s at right now isn’t nearly settled enough for tranquil little Storybrooke.

He shouldn’t have counted on David keeping that information to himself, however. Half the reason he’d avoided the matter of the tire in the first place was his own uncertainty about how to broach the topic with Emma. She deserves to hear from him that he’s leaving again, but all attempts he makes to imagine that conversation feel inadequate — too flippant, too detached, too lame. Decidedly not what she deserves.

Trust his Swan, however, to bring it up all on her own.

“So,” she starts, arm linked through his as they walk down Main Street together, “what’s this I hear about a tire?”

Killian’s heart jumps into his throat; without even intending, he slows their pace to barely a shuffle. “So you heard about that, then.”

“David’s not great about keeping secrets from Mary Margaret, and Mary Margaret isn’t great about keeping secrets from… anyone, really.” Emma chuckles at her little quip, but it doesn’t hold the joy Killian’s grown accustomed to in the past weeks.

(God, when did he allow himself to become accustomed to that — or anything? He was never supposed to stay longer than a few weeks, and this only makes it harder.)

“I want to tell you, but…” Killian trails off. But what? He was scared? He was conflicted?

“It’s alright, Killian,” she smiles back, albeit weakly. “We always knew this was coming.” Emma gathers a deep breath as if to steel herself for what else she has to say. “So how much time do we have left, then? I know the road must be calling you again.”

But you are too, Killian doesn’t say.

“Two days,” he says instead. “Three at most. David and I got Mr. French’s delivery van settled today, so we’ll be able to put the bike back together tomorrow and I can hit the road the next day, or the one after.”

“That’s not much time,” Emma replies softly, looking down at their shuffling feet as if she can’t bear to meet his eyes.

“No.”

(You could always ask her to come with, whispers Belle’s voice in his head. He’s not nearly brave enough to listen to it.)

Killian feels Emma take a deep, strengthening breath before she lifts her gaze to meet his again. “Then we’d better make the most of it.”

———

The next evening, Killian takes Emma for a ride on the newly-functional motorcycle, trying the whole while not to think about how this feels like goodbye. He remembers how she’d asked, one of those first nights, flirting even though Killian couldn’t see it, didn’t want to see it. Emma had gasped in surprise and delight when Killian came to pick her up after her shift (an early one, today, that lets them take a little cruise as the sun sets before them), drawn out to the diner’s front windows by the putter of the engine.

“Are we going to go for a ride?” she practically demands. Not that Killian minds, as long as he gets to see the grin that splits her face from cheek to cheek.

“As far as you want,” he promises.

(It was only supposed to be a few days, a couple of weeks at most, but ask her to come with echoes louder and louder in his head with each passing hour.)

Killian helps Emma onto the bike as best he can while straddling the seat himself, but she doesn’t prove to need much assistance, still steady even as she swings a leg over the body. It takes some doing, but he manages to crane his body around far enough to press a lingering kiss to her lips.

(Not their last, not their last, his heart insists, but his brain still whirs in a panic of not enough time like another engine he’ll have to fix.)

“Are you ready, love?” he asks when they finally break apart. Emma nods enthusiastically. “Then hold on tight.”

It’s almost idyllic, cruising through Storybrooke’s back roads with Emma’s arms twined around his waist. She particularly seems to love the straight stretches of road where he can really test their speed. As the wind whips past their faces, Emma giggles and shrieks with glee behind him. Other women might have been nervous about the bike, or fretted about the number the wind will undoubtedly do to their hair, but not his Swan. It’s obvious she’s having the time of her life, and Killian feels grounded in a new way to feel her body perched behind his.

(Come with, come with, could come with…)

“God, I see why you love that so much,” she chuckles as they roll to a halt at the pier. Killian will never get back in the water, but there’s still something soothing about the endless horizon. “It’s exhilarating.”

And maybe it’s the joy in her voice, or the way she smiles as she swings off the bike again. More likely, it’s the result of the words that have been rattling around inside his skull ever since he talked to Belle. Whatever it is, it dissolves any filter between Killian’s brain and his mouth and the words come tumbling out before he can stop them. “You could come with me,” he blurts out in a rush, only to flush red as he realizes what he said. That was not remotely something he meant to say, but it’s out there in the world now, his heart dropped at her feet for her to pick up or kick aside.

Not that she’s done either, yet. Emma stands shocked and still in front of him, eyes wide like she can’t believe what she’s just heard. That’s a reasonable reaction; Killian certainly can’t believe that he just said it.

“What did you say?” she whispers.

“Nothing, Swan, don’t worry about it. I shouldn’t have said anything —”

“But you did,” Emma says, interrupting his backtracking. “Did you mean it?”

Killian sighs, sweeping his hand through his hair in yet another nervous tic. She probably knows all of them by now — the hand in the hair and the scratching behind his ear and all the rest of it. He’s a mess of a man, which makes him all the more certain that no matter what he might want, he can’t possibly deserve her. “Aye, I did,” he finally admits. “And I know it’s foolish, because I can’t possibly ask that of you, not when you’ve got a place like this to call home, with people who love you. Not when you’d have to put up with me. But it’s what I want.” He whispers it like a shameful secret. And maybe it is, a little bit — after all, he knows better than anyone that no matter how much he wants doesn’t mean it can ever happen.

“And why would you ever think that’s foolish?” Emma asks softly, stepping into his space to rest her hands on his shoulders.

“I mean —”

“I told you once that I wanted to be brave with you, and that it was my choice to make. I meant it then, and I mean it now, too.” As Emma pauses to stare into his eyes, Killian feels hope flutter in his chest, stronger and brighter than ever before, only to burst to glorious life as she finishes. “So ask me.”

It only takes a moment to swallow his nerves. “Come with me, Emma. Let me show you the world.”

Emma’s hands move to his face, stroking her thumbs along his cheeks to coax him into a smile to match her own. “Yes,” she says, softly, emphatically, lovingly.

And Killian finally allows his dreams to soar in flight.

———

Their goodbye is sad, even though Emma assures everyone that it’s not forever.

“I’ll be back, I promise,” she tells Mrs. Nolan, whose eyes brim with tears just waiting to fall. “We both will be.”

“I know that,” Mrs. Nolan insists. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t miss you! It won’t feel right, not seeing your face around town every day.”

“Promise me you’ll look after her,” David says quietly as Killian secures the saddlebags on the motorcycle. Emma has proved to travel light, just like him; she’d showed up with nothing more than a satchel, a tightly coiled bedroll, and a beaming smile. “Because Emma is special, and I don’t know what we’ll do if something happens to her. Or, more accurately, I don’t know what I’ll do to you if something happens to her,” he tries to joke, stretching a weak smile before falling back to something more serious. “She’s very precious to us — to all of us.”

“I know,” Killian replies, cracking a small smile as he watches Emma hug her friend. “She’s very precious to me, too. I promise that I’ll do everything in my power — everything and then some more — to watch over her and keep her safe.”

“Good.” David offers his hand to shake, and Killian grasps it firmly in return. Maybe it’s a sealing of the promise; maybe it’s a gesture of friendship; maybe it’s a little of both. Whatever the case, Killian feels something pass between himself and David: an understanding, almost a sort of peace.

Emma slides an arm around his waist, apparently done hugging and bidding farewell to her crowd of admirers. Killian could swear half the town turned up in front of the garage to send her off — Granny and Ruby, Sheriff Graham, Mrs. Nolan, and a whole slew of other people he only halfway recognizes. She’s obviously much loved; Killian could tell that even without David’s little speech.

“Ready to go?” she asks with a wide and happy smile. He’d understand if she was nervous, or scared, or sad, or anything else; that would be reasonable as she’s about to embark on a journey into the unknown with him. There’s only excitement in her gaze, however; it’s obvious she’s got a wanderer’s heart of her own.

“Whenever you are, love,” he smiles back.

It’s a matter of a moment to swing his leg over the body of the motorcycle and let Emma clamber on behind him with David’s help. As Killian starts the engine, the other man drops a kiss to Emma’s forehead that Killian pretends not to notice.

“Godspeed,” he murmurs, just loud enough for Killian to hear. “And you make sure to call and keep us posted, alright?” he concludes in a louder voice.

“Of course, dad.” Killian can practically hear her roll her eyes, but he can hear the fondness, too. In a last gesture, Emma leverages herself off of Killian’s shoulders to press a kiss on David’s cheek. “Love you.”

“I love you too.” Tears gleam at the corner of David’s eyes, but he plasters on a grin anyways. “Now go on, hit the road before the sun gets too hot!”

Killian doesn’t need to be told twice. In a flurry of waves from Emma and her crowd of well-wishers, they slowly cruise back down Main Street, picking up speed as it gives way to a country highway.

“Are you ready for an adventure, Swan?” he asks as she twines her arms tighter around his waist, craning his neck to meet her gaze.

“With you?” she smiles back. “Always.”

~~~~~

Tagging: @kmomof4, @aerica13, @thisonesatellite, @searchingwardrobes, @let-it-raines, @teamhook, @ohmightydevviepuu, @optomisticgirl, @winterbaby89, @spartanguard, @scientificapricot, @snowbellewells, @welllpthisishappening, @tiganasummertree, @captainswanbigbang, @snidgetsafan, @thejollyroger-writer, @profdanglaisstuff

#captain swan #cs ff #captain swan ff #csrt #Wherever You're Going (I'm Going Your Way)#50's au #my writing

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thespiralgrimoire · 5 years ago

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I. NEED. TO. LEARN. MORE. ABOUT. FERRO's. UNIVERSE. Like are you kidding me? Fuego and Leo pulled a coup and killed every non-vermillion??! that's, wow, that's rich!! What's the heck is wrong with /THAT/ timeline? What about Asta's story there? the elves? the devils? Fuego really killed everyone? including NOZEL? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!

OH MY GOD ANON YOU’VE MADE MY ENTIRE DAY

HONESTLY this AU is underdeveloped because of the way it came to fruition in the first place, so nothing would make me happier but to make it a collaborative fandom project but here’s everything I’ve got on it

Under a Read More because it might get lengthy

First, a disclaimer: This AU was born out of a dream. I had a dream about a plucky teenager participating in a Magic Knight’s exam that was designed more like The Hunger Games, and when I woke up, I said to myself, I gotta get in on that. So that’s why some of the details of this AU are a little fucky. Dream logic.

Now, the inciting event for this AU is twofold: First, Acier lives. SECOND, her sister, Kirsch and Mimosa’s mother, dies giving birth to Mimosa.

Sister’s death completely breaks down any bond between the Vermillions and the Silvas. It’s just. Messy. A lot of finger pointing, a lot of people not handling things well. Because while the Silvas were taught from a young age to bottle up their feelings, Vermillions tend to use their feelings as a weapon. And relations go south fast.

Acier has still been training Meoroleona. Nozel and Fuegoleon have still been rivals. But when this happens, everyone is forced to pick a side. Acier and Meoroleona don’t end their relationship on bad terms, but they do end it. Nozel and Fuegoleon’s relationship swiftly turns hostile. In hindsight, nobody is happy about the way things went down, but at this point there’s a No Man’s Land to civility that nobody is willing to cross, and nobody will cross it.

The Vermillions have the roughest time with this, but unlike the way the Silvas handled Noelle, nobody actually blames Mimosa for her mother’s death. They turn their grief into what they see as righteous fury and determine to turn this into a “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger” situation. This takes different forms over the years, but what basically happens is that everyone internalizes these feelings so deeply that while they all grow stronger, they also sort of grow apart.

Fuegoleon and Meoroleona have a blowout that completely shakes House Vermillion, and when Meoroleona leaves, she vows to never come back. No one believes that she would actually stay away, what with how close Fuego and Meoro were as kids, but when she leaves, she leaves. They see her once a year TOPS, and it’s never for a happy reason.

Fuegoleon, who has let his anger completely isolate him from the rest of his family, throws himself into being the Crimson Lion King, and while he’s incredibly successful, he loses parts of himself along the way. His ambitions override his caring nature and his inclination to share his strengths with others, and he becomes cold and determined, with a methodical outlook on relationships.

Leopold doesn’t become so callous-- he wasn’t old enough to remember his aunt’s death, he just had to grow up in the aftermath of it --but he follows in his brother’s footsteps, and while he’s not as mean about the way he does it, he’s not afraid to make some harsh decisions if it means being the best.

Kirsch and Mimosa decide that the best way to deal with this is to keep their heads down. Kirsch is fiercely protective of his little sister, because even though nobody is blaming Mimosa, he can’t shake the feeling that she may still have a target on her back. This makes Mimosa jumpy and clingy, never really developing the confidence to be her own person. While she can’t really nail down a particular reason for it, she’s scared of Fuegoleon and doesn’t trust Leopold. She can’t help but wonder how her cousins in House Silva are doing, but knows that all hell would break loose if she actually sought them out, so she feels constantly stuck between a rock and a hard place; the living embodiment of a schism between the royal houses.

The Silvas, on the other hand, go the other direction. Acier is still here, and she’s not letting her family rip itself apart like it did in canon. She remains the captain of the Silver Eagles and well-respected. Her kids have an even easier ride to the top with her still there to pave the way. She misses Meoroleona terribly. She knows that none of this was fair to any of them, and losing her sister AND her star pupil is a lot to work through. She keeps thinking that eventually she’ll get a letter or a surprise visit from the Undefeated Lioness, but she never does.

Nozel is genuinely heartbroken to have lost his rival and best friend, and, consequently, be left in the dust when he can’t keep up with Fuegoleon’s ambition, but he’s still got his mother and three little siblings, so they become his whole life. Without Fuegoleon’s rivalry to spur him on, he becomes good but not great, and is content to coast. He’s a mama’s boy, and as long as his mother is satisfied, he’d rather read and organize missions than go on them. On the bright side, he doesn’t deal with 90% of the stress he deals with in the canon universe. He’s actually pretty happy most of the time.

Nebra ends up being the classic middle sibling. Her magic is nothing special, but she’s a Silva, so she can go with the flow and still come out looking a little better than everyone else. While Nozel would rather spend time with books and Solid and Noelle would rather spend time with each other, she’s a drifter; she can hang with any of her siblings, or her mother, but she’s no one’s first pick. It doesn’t really bother her all that much unless she feels genuinely left out, and Mom never forgets about her, so it’s all good.

Solid and Noelle are thick as thieves, and the Silver Eagles’ superstars. They bring out the worst of each other and have a great time doing it. They’re a dynamic duo on the battle field and harbor unfathomable chaotic energy off of it. Getting sucked into their gravitational pull is dangerous, so Nebra, Nozel, and Acier tread lightly, lest they get dragged into, or end up the victim of their shenanigans. Of all combinations of Silva duos, they are by far the closest. Totally ride or die. That doesn’t mean that they don’t drive each other absolutely batshit crazy, and have some HUGE blowouts that waterlog half the castle, but that’s what siblings do. The nice thing about having each other is that neither of them end up in their siblings’ or mother’s shadows. The not nice thing about that is that they’re just. Little shits. Imagine Noelle acting the way she does in the beginning of the series, but being sincere about it. Imagine Solid acting the way he does, except he’s never checking to see if he’s got his siblings’ approval. Now imagine them patting each other on the back for acting like that. Yikes.

Then Ferro comes along. He’s the result of Solid knocking up his unnamed noble girlfriend when he’s 16-17. Acier is PISSED. All the other Silvas are scandalized. Solid is in big trouble. Acier suspends him from the Silver Eagles while she does damage control. What she eventually ends up doing is paying the girl off, and when the baby is born, she takes him into House Silva to raise him in secret. Nobody outside House Silva ever knows about him. He is House Silva’s best kept secret. This is an important detail.

The coup comes together. Fuegoleon has been working on this plan for a long time. Years. Leopold is on board, because Leopold would follow him off a cliff. But he’s also scared shitless. This is a much bigger deal than stepping on a few comrades to rise through the ranks. He slips a little. Kirsch catches wind of the plan. He gets in Leo’s and Fuego’s ear to remind them, hey, we’re Vermillions, too. So we’re cool, right?

Yeah, they’re cool. All they have to do is help their cousins kill everyone whose last name isn’t Vermillion. Kirsch thinks this is a pretty good deal to save him and his sister. Mimosa will later have her doubts, but we’ll burn that bridge when we come to it.

Meoroleona was invited, but never shows up.

We’re about at the beginning of the show when the coup begins. I don’t have a good reason that it goes off as smoothly as it does. But everyone in Houses Kira and Silva dies, except Acier and Ferro. Ferro, now two, manages to watch his entire family get bodied without getting a scratch on him, because no one anticipated him being there. Acier is only able to defend herself and him before sneaking away.

Acier and Ferro flee to the Forbidden Realm, to a little town in bumfuck nowhere, to hide. They are never discovered by the Vermillions.

Fuegoleon becomes the Clover King. As far as they can tell, the coup is 100% successful. But the thing about fire is that it’s super useful for making people really dead, but when people are dying in heaps and being burned to ash it’s kind of hard to count how many bodies you’ve got. They don’t realize that they’re one short. With no one to stand in their way, Fuegoleon crowns himself Clover King. He disbands the Silver Eagles, and within the next few years, will crown himself Wizard King. It actually becomes pretty easy after Julius nerfs himself, whoops.

Unfortunately, Fuegoleon is starting to unravel. He gained a LOT of enemies doing all this heinous shit, and he is not a beloved king. Leopold is now the head of the Crimson Lion Kings, and he’s reporting back a lot of hostility among the captains. Not that they didn’t expect that, but there’s no way to practice sleeping with one eye open. That’s not to mention that the people are scared and confused, and that doesn’t make for a peaceful kingdom.

Over the course of years, he puts greater and greater restrictions on magic. It starts as permits to use spells in public places and soon grows into a near-total ban on grimoires for anyone outside the magic knights. With absolute power, he can kick people out of the magic knights AND take their grimoires. These rules both ease and exacerbate his growing paranoia. Everyone is pissed, but effectively stripped of their power, there isn’t much they can do about it.

Meanwhile, Acier is raising her grandson as a peasant, but never forgets that they’re royals. She teaches Ferro all of their family history, even though they have to keep it a secret. That gets kind of tricky since Ferro has royal-level magic in the middle of a town of peasants, but, you know, who’s gonna call him on it?

When Ferro is ten, he get recruited by a mysterious hooded figure to train his magic in secret. 90% of his magic training happens in a location he is taken to by a spatial mage. He, along with about a dozen other kids, are trained by a small band of mages who claim to be the resistance. Their goal is simple: Train the next generation of mages to take out the king and restore order to the kingdom. Ferro thinks this is pretty cool, and the honor isn’t lost on him, but he’s mostly glad that he can learn to control his magic in a way that makes his grandmother proud.

By the time Ferro is 15, grimoire ceremonies have been almost completely outlawed, so it’s a big deal when the resistance throws their trainees a grimoire ceremony. Once they’ve received their grimoires, they begin the next leg of their journey: become magic knights.

The Magic Knights Entrance Exam has changed a LOT in the last 15 years. This exam is deadly. In many instances, the point is to kill or be killed. Magic knights are being trained as a military force first and foremost, and their most important feature must be that they take orders unblinkingly. This does not fly with Ferro. While he’s extremely qualified for the position in every other way, he’s too nice to let people die, let alone kill them. He fails the exam. However, some of the other kids he’s trained with make it in.

So he needs a new plan. Spurned on by his grandmother and his teachers through the resistance, he decides to travel the Clover Kingdom. In the midst of his travels, Acier dies. At 20 years old, he is now the last Silva.

This fact makes Ferro pretty fatalistic, and at this point he decides the only rational thing to do is to force an audience with King Fuegoleon. Surely this won’t end in disaster. Definitely won’t be his untimely end by flames.

So there are a lot of holes in this AU, because it sprang up around this one character I had a wild dream about. A few mores notes:

Noelle joined the Silver Eagles, if that wasn’t obvious

The Vermillion coup takes place 1-2 years after the start of the show, and I have no explanation for how those events could fit into this timeline. They would definitely look a LOT different, that’s for sure

My notes on this end where they do because at the point where Ferro breaks into the royal castle to force this audience with the king, he actually gets thrown out of this universe and into another. So I guess for all intents and purposes, the Silva line ends for good in this universe

I know exactly where Meoroleona is and what she’s doing

I don’t know where exactly Kirsch and Mimosa are and what they’re doing when they disappear

So that’s all I’ve got! This isn’t a super duper happy AU, and definitely not flattering for everyone, but I was forced to flesh it out because I was told, very emphatically, “Evil Vermillions sexy.” I don’t disagree.

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lumierelalune · 4 years ago

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@aryaxgendryweek day 2 ‘got your back’

If her family knew where she was, they would disown her.

Arya didn’t even mind the thought, in fact some nights it was all that kept her going. If her family disowned her that meant they were still alive to do so. It was a much better thought than her current reality. Currently the only family remaining to her was Sansa, hidden somewhere deep in King’s Landing, and Jon, who was somewhere North of the Wall last she’d heard. Both of them were so far away and the chance of seeing them again so scarce, they might as well have been dead too.

“Time to go.” a light kick to her boot drug Arya from her thoughts and she glared up (and up and up) at Gendry who offered her a hand to help her up. Arya took it begrudgingly before leaning down to scoop her musket and her pack up trying to ignore the flutter in her chest from Gendry’s touch. Now was not the time to start getting those swoopy romantic feelings Sansa had spent half their childhood going on about. Arya had always thought they sounded like rubbish; she had never been more horrified to learn that her sister hadn’t been making it up.

The timing couldn’t be any less inconvenient if it tried. First there was the fact that they were in the middle of a war. Second there was the fact that Arya had very illegally snuck into the army to fight in said war. Third there was the fact that like all of her other fellow soldiers, Gendry had no idea she was a girl.

She had known that joining the army was a risk. Not only would her remaining family likely disown her on principle, it was very likely the commanders would kill her or maim her for tricking them. No one, least of all men as Arya had learned, liked to be taken for a fool. All of it had seemed worth the risk to Arya, who had nowhere left to go and no reachable family left to turn to. She’d been living on the streets in the Riverlands for years when the war began and they called all fighting age men and boys to join them. It had been an easy decision to hack off her hair and join their ranks and it had been surprisingly easy since then to keep her gender a secret.

The men weren’t half bad, some of them at least. The main cook Hot-Pie, would often bring her leftovers or breads that got too burnt to serve any of the higher ups. Anguy taught her how to use a bow and arrow. Lommy sparred with her and only got mad at her the time she nearly broke his nose. The best of course was Gendry.

Tall, silent and stoic Arya had had no idea what to make of him the first few weeks they were marching. But then they fought their first battle and he was beside her the whole time. They fought well in tandem and his silence proved to be a good thing because they could now communicate without talking. He only spoke to her once that first battle, and never during any battles since. That first one she was reloading her musket when he suddenly grabbed her by the midsection and knocked her down flat. Arya’s heart was pounding in her throat, certain he’d felt something through the wrappings on her chest but Gendry was too focused on firing at the enemy. That was when Arya noticed the large chunk missing from the tree behind them, right around level where her head had been.

“Thanks.” she’d whispered in a brief moment when their muskets were loaded and no one was firing at them.

Gendry nodded and Arya had thought that would be the end of it but then he turned his eyes on her, the blue seeming even brighter with all the gore and dirt on his face. “I’ve got your back.”

For a long time, those were the only words he’d ever spoken to her.

War brought out the worst in most people but a few people thrived in it. Arya and Gendry were not those people.

Both of them retreated into themselves, going deeper and deeper each day until it was nearly impossible to get them out. Arya didn’t want to be there anymore. She wasn’t even sure what they were fighting for half the time. How would killing small folk help lower tax laws? The peasants didn’t make the laws, the Lords did. Her father had. His taxes had been fair and when people couldn’t pay due to a bad harvest or wolves getting into their sheep pens, he’d always worked with them to make sure their family was fed before the tax was paid. The Lords in the South did not work that way.

Gendry seemed to feel the same way she did about the war but he never questioned it vocally like she did sometimes when it was just the two of them. She felt like she could say anything to Gendry and he wouldn’t judge her, wouldn’t think her mad. After a while he began to return the favor and finally started to talk to her instead of just listening. It wasn’t long after that she began to notice how fast her heartbeat got when he was around.

Arya managed to ignore it with some difficulty and months continued to drag on in one endless loop of blood and mud and shit. Finally, they received word that the war was over. Her comrades began to cheer as their captain gleefully shouted out that they’d won but Arya didn’t join in on it. She just felt an overwhelming sense of relief and as she watched everyone begin to dig out their secret stashes of booze she slipped away into the darkness.

They’d passed a lake just before they made camp and Arya headed to it now, walking far enough from the camp that she could no longer hear the sounds of everyone’s merriment.

She felt desperate to be clean in a way she hadn’t felt since she’d joined the war. She stripped off her boots but waded into the water in her clothes, scrubbing the mud from them the best she could. She was glad it was summer, the night still held onto most of the day’s warmth.

Her clothes as clean as they were going to get Arya struggled out of them, wringing them and laying them flat on a rock that still felt warm to the touch. She waded back into the water until it reached her chest and then slipped underneath the surface, scrubbing mud from her short hair.

When she surfaced, she felt cleaner than she had in years. Turning back to the shore Arya nearly let out a yelp of surprise to see a figure on the shore.

“Gendry.” she breathed, crossing her arms over her chest under the water even though she knew she was far enough out that he couldn’t see anything.

“Can I join you?” Gendry asked.

Arya knew that she should say no, that this was way too dangerous, but she reminded herself the war was over. She was going to leave in the morning and disappear back North. She finally felt ready to face her ghosts. It didn’t matter if Gendry learned her secret now.

At her nod he stripped down and despite having seen naked men daily for the last two years Arya turned her head away until he waded into the water. She took a step back as he approached her and felt the slippery surface of the lake disappear. She had to move her hands off her chest to keep herself afloat as Gendry stopped a foot from her, the water barely halfway up his chest.

“What will you do now?” he asked curiously before splashing under the water as if giving her time to think. When he came up, he was behind her a few feet, and it seemed the lake’s surface was too far even for him as he moved his arms to the sides to stay above water.

“Going North.” Arya admitted softly. She wanted to say she was going home but it wasn’t home anymore. Not without her parents and her brothers and even her sister. Winterfell wouldn’t be home without them but maybe she could still make a life there. She was ready to stop running.

“You going alone?”

Arya nodded once, knowing they were close enough for him to see the motion. Gendry paused for a moment before saying hesitantly, “Long way to travel. Not safe for a girl on her own.”

She was so surprised she forgot to tread water and slipped under the surface. Spluttering she came back up and stared at Gendry in horror. He looked sheepish but not angry or upset.

“How long have you known?” she asked softly, the food they’d eaten for dinner turning in her stomach. If he reported her-

“Since the first week.” Gendry admitted sheepishly.

“You never said anything.” Arya said in surprise thinking back on what she could have done to have given herself away. Either Gendry was more observant than the other men or he’d walked in on her changing and she hadn’t realized it. She supposed it didn’t matter how he found out; he’d kept her secret all this time. If she’d been caught and it was revealed that he’d known as well he would have been in heaps of trouble as well.

“Told you,” Gendry flicked water at her, the moonlight reflecting the lake into his eyes and making them look like coals. “I’ve got your back.”

#gendrya #axgweek #gendrya fic #arya stark #gendry waters #my fics #i didn't finish this week and I'm a little disappointed in myself #might post stuff late this year

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prolestariwrites · 4 years ago

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The Wish [1]

Fandom: Devil May Cry Characters: Dante, Vergil, Nero, V, Lady, Eva, Sparda, OC Rating: General Tags: Family, Humor, Fluff, Angst, Typical demon hunting violence

Summary: A demon gives Dante the chance to have his greatest desires made real. When he finds himself in a seemingly idyllic life, all seems well until it starts to unravel. Will he sacrifice himself to save the family he lost, or will he choose to give them up for the truth?

A/N: Hooray for a new story! This story takes place sometime between DMC4 and DMC5. Thank you to @solynacea for reading and lending her OC for this fic. If you’re read Promise Me Forever you might recognize Lir, but she is completely different in this fic, so I hope you like it! I’ll be publishing about every week since I’m mostly finished. Your comments are always appreciated, and you can check this out on AO3 and FFNet too!

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Chapter 1: Be Careful What You Wish For

“Nero!” Dante’s voice echoes down the hallway as he peers through the rush of demons, swinging Rebellion as best as he is able as he scans for him. “You good?”

“Need help already?” The kid sounds nearby, but down a ways, and Dante snorts at the smart-aleck response. He bites back a response, remembering what it was like to be nineteen and feel invincible, to have power and stamina and enjoy the rush of killing demons.

It’s different now that he is older, the moves as familiar as breathing, the enemies mundane as paint drying. Meeting Nero and getting to know the kid, training him, especially with his suspicions all but confirmed, has breathed new life into the legendary devil hunter: but it’s still just a regular Friday night, clearing out another warehouse that houses another cell of demons for another client that’s just going to bitch about the holes left in the walls.

Dante continues pushing forward, slicing off arms and heads as he goes. There has to be a queen mother up ahead; no way this many slipped through a portal, these babies were bred. Maybe getting to the big bad will be interesting, and then he and Nero can stop before going into Fortuna to get a drink or six. Maybe he’ll even let Dante crash on the couch, now that he and Kyrie have set up in a house in town and have the room.

The drone of Red Queen suddenly cuts off, the lack of white noise catching his attention. “Nero?” he calls again, but this time instead of a snarky comment two shots ring out in response, followed by the entire building shaking as a roar goes up from inside. “Nero!” Dante shouts, slicing as he doubles his speed, actually trying now so he can find the kid and find out why the hell he needed his gun in such close quarters. Either he forgot one of Dante’s rules for demon hunting (“don’t shoot a gun in a tight space, dumbass”) or he’s in trouble.

Turns out it’s trouble—well, sort of. They are on the third floor, having been going methodically through each level to clear it out, and when Dante skids to a stop in the central part where the elevators are, he finds them gone. Instead, there is a huge hole where the elevators used to be, the concrete and iron in a heap below them where it had collapsed.

He looks up to see Nero on the other side of the giant hole, wiping his brow with his forearm. “You okay, kid?” Dante calls over.

“Yeah,” Nero shouts with a bit of a laugh. “I got them corralled but I guess the weight was too much. Just managed to jump out of the way.”

Dante shakes his head. “Stay there and I’ll come get you.”

“Nah, I got this. There’s gotta be a set of fire stairs at the end.” Nero points Red Queen towards the dark hallway behind him. “Let’s make sure that was the last of them. I’ll meet you at the bottom.”

“Yeah.” Dante sighs as he watches Nero go, and then looks around at where the floor and elevators had broken from the supports and given way. No way the weight made this happen; you could probably park a semi in here and it would hold. The building is structurally sound, supposed to be anyway, and it would take more than a few dozen demons to knock a hole in it. No, something made the floor collapse, and his gaze goes upwards, wondering where the queen bee could be hiding.

Dante doubles back and finds his staircase, taking the steps two at a time upwards. The hallways are eerily empty after the deluge in the bottom floors, and he stalks carefully through, checking each office. The damn place has a thousand places to hide, so there is no telling where the big bad could be.

On the top floor, lucky number seven, he hits the jackpot. The second he steps out from the stairwell Ebony and Ivory are drawn as he picks his way through the nest that covers the walls and floor and even ceiling. The emergency lights give a weird glow to everything, but his demon eyes can see clearly in the dim light as he listens carefully for movement.

He finds the demon in the corner office, thinking it has good taste and laughing at his own joke. At first he doesn’t see the queen, but a shift in the air catches his eye and he fires both guns into the dark, smiling at the sound of bullets making their impact.

With a wail it emerges from the shadow, clutching its chest. “What did you do that for?” the demon yells.

“Eviction notice, numbnuts,” he says. “Time to head back to wherever the fuck you came from.”

“I can’t,” the demon argues. “I have my eggs to hatch, my babies to look after—”

“Babies?” Dante chuckles, scratching his head as he places his other hand on his hip. “Sorry, I think I killed all of ‘em.”

The demon snarls. But instead of threatening him, Dante is surprised when it asks, “What do you want?”

“What?” he blinks.

“What do you want? To leave me alone?”

Dante huffs. “Don’t work like that, sweetheart.”

The demon moves closer and he aims his guns again. It starts to unfold itself from its spot, and Dante’s eyebrows go up to see it’s probably almost seventeen feet tall, completely squished into the office. “My name is Veguaniel,” it says. “I am the demon of fortune.”

“Good for you.”

“How much do you want?” the demon asks. “How much are you being paid to kill me? I can double it. Triple it even.”

“Are you serious?” he groans. “I don’t do this for the money.”

The demon looks him up and down. “That’s obvious.”

“Watch it.” He points the guns at its head, and the demon shrinks back a bit.

“I want to pay you! I can make you rich beyond your wildest dreams! You’d never have to slaughter the innocents like me again!” Dante snorts as it tilts its head. “You can’t possibly like doing this.”

He cocks the hammer on each gun. “Not about liking it. About paying the bills.”

The demon gives an annoyed huff. “This is what I’m saying. I can make you rich. I can buy you whatever you want. There’s got to be something you’d rather be doing than this. Would you like a mansion? A yacht? How about a palace?”

Dante chuckles to himself, but admits it’s almost tempting. Suppose this demon has some fortune granting power? He tries to think of himself as some fancy millionaire and fails. To be honest, all he would really want is a nice house and a nicer bike. Maybe work on engines, build things? Meet a pretty girl with a sharp wit and killer smile and settle down, like Nero and Kyrie have.

“This is stupid,” he says. “Not gonna happen.”

“So why do you do it?” it asks. “There must be something a god of fortune can give you for one tiny, little favor.”

Dante growls under his breath, his patience out. “I’m a devil hunter because I’ve been hunted by demons my whole life,” he snaps. “Ever since you fuckers came down on my house when I was a kid, killed my family, and then made my life miserable. Getting paid is just a bonus.”

“Hmmm.” A tentacle slithers out and taps on the demon’s cheek, as if it is thinking. “Did that make you sad?”

“What?”

“Did losing your family and all that make you sad?”

“What the hell? Of course it did!” Dante snaps. “But I don’t see why—”

“So you wouldn’t be a demon hunter if they hadn’t died, is that it?” The demon’s voice trails off, and Dante frowns. “I can grant you a fortune that has nothing to do with money. Would you like your family back?”

He grits his teeth, anger starting to bubble. “Shut the hell up.”

The demon bares its teeth in a grotesque smile. “Done.”

The floor gives way, and Dante shouts as he falls, firing upwards. He gets a glance of the demon waving to him just moments before he lands headfirst on the concrete and the world goes black.

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The squeak of the shower turning on wakes him. Dante opens his eyes and immediately regrets it, pain piercing his temples like an ice pick to the brain. “Damn it,” he sighs, reaching up to rub his forehead.

The ceiling is white, not the faded yellow of his place, so he figures he must be at Nero’s. Damn, did the kid have to find him and save his ass? He’ll never live this down, and as he stretches his stiff limbs he sighs and closes his eyes again.

He remembers the warehouse and the demons, and Nero getting separated. Then he had found the head at the top of the building and it had… asked him about his family? Dante frowns, pressing the heel of his hand against his eyes. Demons are getting fucking weirder by the day.

He enjoys the few minutes of quiet until the shower turns off. Dante sighs, moving to roll over and sit up. Either Nero or Kyrie are in there, so he figures he’ll go downstairs and give them privacy, but when he sits up he notices two things. First, he’s in just his boxers, which is weird because that means Nero undressed him. Also, he doesn’t own boxers, preferring to let his junk ride free, knowing the ladies liked how it looked in tight denim.

Second, their bedroom is way different than it was. He’s been there a few times but he helped Nero paint the house and their bedroom was definitely green. Dante remembers this because Nero had bitched about the color to him because he couldn’t to Kyrie. But the bedroom is now a soft shade of blue, and he wonders if the kid finally confessed that the color sage reminded him of puke.

The door to the bathroom opens and a woman walks out wrapped in a towel. He blinks when it’s immediately obvious it is not Kyrie: this one is shorter, slimmer, her platinum hair almost white like his and falling in a trendy bob style at her shoulders. The woman takes no notice of him, moving to a set of drawers and opening the top one.

“Uh, excuse me?” Dante says.

The woman looks over her shoulder. “Yeah?”

“Who are you?” he asks.

She rolls her eyes. “Har har, very funny.” She goes back to pulling out clothes and says, “I know I said I’d never work on a Saturday, but Jenny’s kid is sick and I didn’t have the heart to make her come in. But I promise it’s only a half shift, and I’ll be home by two.”

That doesn’t answer his question at all, but before he can point that out she drops the towel. Dante spins quickly, his heart pounding as he yanks the sheet up over his lap, hissing, “What are you doing?”

“I told you, I’m covering for Jenny. It’ll be easy enough for a Saturday. It’s a nice day out, nobody goes to the library when it’s sunny.” Dante peeks over to see her thankfully wearing a bra and panties, which he stares at for a moment before remembering he shouldn’t be staring. He looks down at his own lack of clothes and frowns, wondering if it’s her house he slept in. Does that mean they had sex? Maybe he and Nero made it to the bar after all and he got lucky?

Not bad, he thinks as he looks back to where she is shimmying on a pair of jeans. She’s cute enough at least, gorgeous even, although he wishes he could remember her name. “Hey, uh—”

“Don’t forget to be ready by five,” she says, rolling on deodorant. Then she glances over at him and frowns. “You okay?”

“No. Yes. Sorry, five?”

Dante frowns and she laughs. “Yes. Reservations are at five-thirty and you know if we’re a minute late your brother will start complaining.”

That gets his attention, and Dante feels the blood drain from his face. “My… brother?”

“Yes. It’s your parents’ anniversary. Remember?” Dressed now, she runs a brush through her hair as she sighs. “Please tell me you didn’t forget. This has been planned for weeks.”

Dante jumps up and stalks towards her, pulling the brush from her hand and grabbing her elbow to turn her. She only comes up to about his shoulders, and his expression goes menacing as he glares down at her surprised one. “What do you know about my parents?”

“Dante, what in the world? What is wrong with you?” The concern in her voice tempers him a bit, and she pulls her arm away to press a palm to his cheek. She examines his eyes closely as she asks, “Are you feeling okay? Did you hit your head or something? You look strange.”

“I…” I fell, he wants to say, but she brushes his jaw gently. “Why don’t you take it easy today? You’ll have the whole house to yourself. Get some coffee and just relax, and when I get home we’ll see how you feel, okay?”

Did losing your family and all that make you sad? Where did that come from? “What about my parents?” he asks again harshly.

She takes a steady breath. “It’s the thirteenth. Their fiftieth wedding anniversary. We’re all going out to dinner to celebrate.” Then she rubs his arm gently, and it’s then that he notices the band on her ring finger. His eyes go wide, and startled, he looks at his own left hand, where a matching gold band sits on his fourth finger.

His blood is pounding in his ears so loudly he barely hears her goodbye. “Just stay home and relax,” she says, and when she reaches up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek it pulls Dante back to the present.

He watches her walk through the room and grab her purse just as she reaches the door. Then he is left blinking as the door shuts, the sound of his raging heartbeat still thundering in his ears.

#dmc #devil may cry #dmc dante #dante sparda #dmc vergil #dmc nero #dmc fanfiction #fanfiction #the wish

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