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znaeb · 5 years ago

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heyy!can you do an imagine in which reader visits the boys on tour and has to share a bunk with one of them?surprise me with the pairing ;) p.s.love your writing style!!

Poor Planning // N.M.

You were so excited to visit your best friend Brandon, a giddy feeling bubbling up inside of you as the plane landed. You grabbed your carryon from the overhead compartment and made your way through the airport to find the group of boys who were picking you up.

you looked around the airport for them, smiling when you saw Zion’s head peeking out over the top of a small group of people.

“Guys!” you called towards them, waving when they heard your voice and turned towards you. You both rushed forward, immediately being engulfed in a big hug from Austin. Zion was quick to follow, but Edwin and Brandon hung back.

“Hey, B… Ed?” you smiled and furrowed your eyebrows, “um, is everything okay?”

“I–,” Brandon accidentally cut himself off with a sneeze and then a weird half-sneeze-half-cough, “I’m pretty sure i have the flu…” he sighed and looked upset.

“and I’m pretty sure he gave me the flu…” Edwin shook his head and crossed his arms.

“Yeah, they’re supposed to be resting, but Brandon he just had to come with us to get you.” Zion rolled his eyes playfully.

“Aw, I’m so sorry, B.” you frowned and quickly squeezed his shoulder.

As you all walked towards the car parked outside you and Brandon stayed slightly behind as the other three walked ahead.

“Where’s Nick?” you questioned.

“He was busy,” Brandon answered nonchalantly.

You nodded, unsurprised. You and Nick had never gotten along well. Your interactions were rarely pleasant, both of you taking every opportunity to land a good zinger and make the other mad. It was one of the reasons you were hesitant to visit the boys while they were on tour, you didn’t want to spend the whole trip frustrated and arguing with Nick.

on the drive home, you had so much fun talking with the boys, even stopping at taco bell to grab some food. when the car arrived back at the lot where the bus was parked you all spilled out and rushed towards the tour-bus to play Super Smash Bros. Feeling the need to reclaim your title as queen of the game when Zion claimed that he could beat you.

When you walked in Nick was sitting on the couch on his phone, already seeming annoyed by your presence, rolling his eyes when you said ‘hi’ to him.

“Oh, we brought you taco bell,” you said as kindly as you could and handed him the takeaway bag. smiling smugly at the surprised expression on his face.

“Thanks,” he said curtly and nodded in your direction.

the tension was impossible to miss and the other boys stood there in awkward silence until Austin spoke up saying, “well then, let’s play smash bros.”

Nick left the room as you began to play and your blood boiled, you were so confused and annoyed by his behavior. you’d never done anything to him.

—-

later that night you ran into a problem… you didn’t know where you were supposed to sleep. Brandon and Edwin were obviously out because you weren’t down to catch the flu, and Zion and Austin were both too large to share their tiny bunks.

you brought the problem to Brandon and his suggestion was simple, “I’ll ask Nick if you can share with him.” he shrugged and stood up, obviously he didn’t fully understand the deep-seated issues between you and Nick. you protested but he was adamant that he could get Nick to act reasonably. needless to say, you did not share his certainty.

you stayed in the main area of the bus and waited as he went to talk to Nick, cringing as you imagined the conversation that was about to ensue.

Nick stormed out from the bunk area holding a pillow and blanket, looking at you with annoyance painted all over his face before throwing his things down on the small seating area, which could barely be considered a couch, and saying, “my bunk’s the middle one on the left.”

“I didn’t tell Brandon to ask you. I’ll sleep out here, you don’t have to.” you apologized sincerely, never wanting to kick him out of his own bed.

“Just take it, I really don’t feel like pissing off Brandon.” he rolled his eyes at you and laid down, pulling out his phone.

“thank you, Nick.” you tried to show your appreciation, but you were practically ignored. you mumbled a ‘goodnight’ before walking into the bunk area.

—-

on the third night you turned in early, Brandon and Edwin were slowly recovering but very worn out from performing and afraid that they could still be contagious.

you’d been laying in bed for a while and you were hovering right on the edge of sleep when the bunk curtain was pulled back and your shoulder was nudged repeatedly.

“Hey, scoot the fuck over,” Nick spoke gruffly, rubbing his eyes.

“Nick? what time is it?” you asked offhandedly and began to move to the side.

“it’s one AM and my back fucking hurts,” he said rudely as he climbed into the bunk and sighed in relief at the soft mattress under his body.

“I told you I’d sleep in there,” you said defensively and looked over at him.

“I don’t even care, just let me sleep please.” he groaned and rolled onto his side, facing your direction but still a reasonable distance from you. you didn’t respond, trying to avoid more unnecessary conflict.

you looked at him for a moment. he was shirtless, only wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and a small gold chain around his neck. his hair was messy and his closed eyelids fluttered every now and then.

you’d always thought that Nick was very attractive, you even had a small crush on him when you first met– before you realized how unpleasant he was. you huffed and rolled onto your side to face away from him, wrapping your blanket around yourself and closing your eyes to sleep.

—-

you woke up at around four AM. you were comfortable, but something was off. it wasn’t until you began to roll onto your back that you felt the arm wrapped around your middle, the legs intertwined with yours, and the head nestled in the crook of your neck. your eyes snapped open and you looked down to see a sleeping Nick practically wrapped around you.

you didn’t know how to react. on the one hand, this was very weird and unexpected… but on the other, you didn’t want to wake him up and cause awkwardness where you didn’t have to.

one of your arms was trapped underneath his neck and the other was wrapped around his shoulder. he began to stir so, flustered, you closed your eyes and pretended to be asleep. you felt him lift his head and do the same thing you were just doing– trying to figure out what the fuck was going on.

he began to pull away and you thought that this weird situation was over, but instead, you heard the bunk curtain be pulled closed and then felt his arms come back to wrap tightly around your body.

you hated to admit it to yourself, but this made you very happy. his skin was warm against yours and his strong arms held you perfectly. with one hand, his fingers played with the ends of your hair and the other spread across your lower back, holding you to him comfortably.

you both fell back asleep after a while and when you woke up the next morning you were separated, both your backs turned towards the other.

—-

although neither of you acknowledged what had happened– as far as you knew he didn’t even know that you were awake, the tone changed in your relationship. you didn’t become best friends by any means, but there were no more rude remarks or jabs, he even helped you climb down from the bunk when you got up since your legs couldn’t reach the floor.

the other boys noticed and were understandably confused. at one point Brandon mentioned it and you and Nick shared a look before shrugging and continuing to eat your breakfast, leaving him even more confused than before.

Brandon and Edwin had a doctor’s appointment and the other three boys went to practice the choreography for their show so you were alone on the bus for a little while.

you used the opportunity to take a quick shower, then got dressed in a comfy oversized tee shirt and small athletic shorts and started to head out to the main area of the bus. you stopped in your tracks when you saw Nick sitting at the small booth in the main area, elbows leaned on the table.

you made brief eye contact with him as you entered but looked away quickly and went to the kitchenette to get a snack. in your peripheral vision, you saw him stand, but you didn’t look over even when you felt him getting closer to you.

you jumped when his hands softly landed on your hips, your whole body stiffening.

“I know you were awake last night,” he said softly in your ear, his breath hot against your neck.

“W-what?” you stuttered, feigning confusion.

one of his hands wrapped further around you and pulled your back into his front, the other hand moved a piece of your hair to give him room to place his chin on your shoulder.

“I felt your heartbeat speed up when i held you… i felt your breathing speed up,” he said, turning his head to look at the side of your face and waiting for you to respond.

“I…” you sighed and looked around the room, trying to gather your thoughts, “i was nervous…”

“Why?” the question was impossible to answer seeing as you had no idea why you were nervous.

“I don’t know.” you shook your head, you could feel your cheeks heating up and you turned your face away so that he couldn’t see you blush.

“Look at me,” he said sternly, his deep voice somehow making you listen. you turned your face to look at him and were met with kind eyes, tugging your bottom lip between your teeth.

“What?” you questioned anxiously.

“I liked it…” he said quietly, his hand playing with the bottom of your shirt.

“you… liked it? what?” you scoffed in disbelief.

“yeah,” he spoke calmly, “i liked it.”

he then pulled away and looked at you as he stepped towards the door of the bus, he then turned fully and left. leaving you feeling flustered, your mind racing.

a few moments later Brandon and Edwin arrived back from their appointment and you had to pretend like everything was normal.

—-

as you watched their show that night, you couldn’t keep your eyes from drifting over to Nick. thankfully, because of the intense lights they had shining on him, he wasn’t able to see you well enough to notice.

you wouldn’t say that you were looking forward to going to bed tonight, but you were certainly curious if he would try something. your interaction earlier that day had jarred you and you weren’t sure how to proceed.

after the show, you all went out and got drinks. you ended up getting back to the bus late, all of the boys pretty drunk. you giggled at them as they stumbled around the bus looking for different things.

you got ready for bed quickly, putting on a big tee shirt and boyshorts then washing your face and brushing your teeth. you migrated back to the bunk area, peeking your head into the main room to say goodnight to the boys on the way.

when you got to Nick’s bunk you climbed in and covered yourself with the blanket, then pulled out your phone and began scrolling through Instagram and checking in with your friends at home. you looked over when you heard someone in the hallway next to the bunk, peeking through the small gap between the wall and the curtain and saw Nick slipping on a shirt, hair wet from the shower.

you watched carefully as he pulled back the curtain and climbed into bed, shutting off your phone and placing it to the side. he laid facing you, arms crossed in front of his chest. at that moment you wanted nothing more than to lean forward and bury your face in his chest and feel the fabric of his soft, dark green tee shirt against your skin.

you lifted your hand and played with the fabric on the sleeve of his shirt, his eyes stayed glued to your face as he considered his next move. he sighed, throwing caution to the wind, placing a hand on your hip and pulling you into him. you wrapped your arms around his neck and sighed in contentment. he buried his head in your neck and ran his hand up and down your back.

“Hi.” you smiled and played with the hair at the back of his head.

“Hi there,” he whispered back, smiling against your shoulder. you scratched his back gently as he did the same to you.

you giggled when he wrapped his hand around the back of your thigh and pulled it to drape over his waist, his hand then resting on top of it, thumb caressing your skin.

“Hey, Nick?” you whispered softly, unable to keep yourself from questioning this whole situation.

“Hm?” he responded sleepily, hand moving to rest on your side.

“What does this… mean?” you struggled to find the proper words to ask him.

“I’m not sure,” he answered truthfully and then moved his head to look at you, “But i know that I don’t want it to stop.”

you looked at him for a moment before asking the question that had been on the tip of your tongue, “Why were you always so mean to me?” you asked earnestly, hoping that the answer isn’t hurtful.

“Because Brandon liked you… so i couldn’t like you too because that would make me a bad friend,” he said, looking into your eyes and nodding his head once to make his point, “then after that, i didn’t know how to change the dynamic so i just let it stay the same.”

“But Brandon has a girlfriend.” you shook your head, not fully buying his answer.

“He didn’t two years ago when he introduced you to us,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Shit…” you stared at his face as you realized that what he was saying was true. you knew that Brandon had feelings for you at one time, but you didn’t know about them until after they were long gone.

“Yeah.” he chuckled at you and then bit his lip, “I’m sorry about all that by the way,” he said honestly.

“I’m not upset about it… i wasn’t too kind either.” you cringed as you thought back to some of your past conversations with him, wishing you could reclaim your words.

“I’m not worried about it.” he smiled and shifted slightly closer to you, the tip of his nose brushing against yours.

“Okay.” you smiled and played with the collar of his shirt, pulling at a loose thread and then looking back to meet his eyes.

you fell asleep like that, wrapped up in each other’s embrace. both of you uncertain about the future, but excited by it at the same time.

****

This is a long one guys! idk why but this request just sent me, man. it’s like purely fluff, but lemme know if you want me to write a part 2 that goes in a different direction or one that keeps going in a similar direction to this :P Thanks for the fun request @prettydamnmuchinlove !

#nick mara #nick mara imagines #prettymuch #prettymuch imagines #imagines #imagine #fanfiction #fanfic #fluff #tour #request

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swanslieutenant · 5 years ago

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an extravagance of candy hearts (1/1)

Happy Valentine’s Day! My turn for posting for the @csrolereversal, with the art by @kmomof4. Hope you all enjoy this short fic for Valentine’s Day, set in the six weeks of peace during S4.

Read on AO3

Summary: As Killian's first Valentine's Day in Storybrooke approaches, Ruby and Henry take it upon themselves to make sure that both he and Emma have an incredible, extravagant time they won't forget.

Emma and Killian walk hand in hand down the main street of Storybrooke, headed towards Granny’s diner. It’s a quiet Saturday in early February; in fact, it’s been peaceful since Elsa and Anna returned to their land and since Gold was banished from Storybrooke. The absence of the Dark One seems to have lifted a cloud over the small town, freeing it from the darkness lurking in every corner and in the now shuttered pawn shop.

While Emma has returned to her day-to-day activities as sheriff, Killian spends most of his time trying to help Belle in figuring out a way to rescue the fairies from the Sorcerer’s Hat. It’s frustrating and fruitless work, and so when Emma had dropped in to take him to Granny’s for lunch, he was only too happy to oblige.

Just outside of Granny’s, Leroy and one of the other former dwarves (whose name escapes Killian’s mind) are in the midst of a shouting match.

Emma sighs as they approach, shaking her head in irritation. “Best go and see what that is about,” she mutters, before stepping on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “See you in a minute. Order me a grilled cheese, yeah?”

He nods, and steps away while Emma moves to confront the arguing duo. Inside, it’s the end of the lunch rush, most of the tables littered with used plates and cups instead of patrons. Instead of cleaning up the tables, however, Ruby is perched precariously on a tilted chair at one of the front windows. A string of scarlet cartoon hearts dangles from one edge of the window as she leans over to pin it up on the other side. From the centre heart hangs a strange looking blonde baby on a string, a bow and heart-tipped arrow clenched in its hammy fists.

“What the devil is that?” Killian blurts out, unable to stop himself at the sight the monstrosity.

“It’s a cupid,” Ruby replies, pressing the string firmly into place with a pin. She hops down to admire her work, and chuckles at Killian’s expression. “It’s for Valentine’s Day.”

She says it as if it’s obvious, but as with many of the parts of Storybrooke – cellphones, cars, the internet – the words are empty to him. “What’s Valentine’s Day?”

He glances around the rest of the diner, and realizes that it’s not only the front window decorated with the strange little cupids. Ruby has been busy – strings of hearts adorn the bar’s overhang, large heart decorations and cupid babies are splattered on the windows leading to the kitchen, the white napkins at each table have been swapped for scarlet, and the tables are covered with plastic tablecloths instead of their bare tops. Even the usual plain pastries have been replaced by ones with pink icing and colourful sprinkles.

“It’s a day for lovers,” Ruby explains, and at that Killian’s interest is piqued. A day for lovers, is it?

“Indeed?” he says slowly, his tone of voice making Ruby laugh and swat at him with a cleaning rag as she steps behind the counter.

“Get your mind out of the gutter. There’s more to it than that; it’s all about love and romance and sweetheart candy and mushy valentines’ cards. You give your partner something cute and romantic like chocolates or a piece of jewellery that they’d like, and then go for dinner or do something fun that you both like. It’s every February 14th.”

“Hmm,” Killian replies, thoughtfully. He glances out the window, where he can see Emma’s cascading blonde curls down her back, still dealing with the arguing dwarves. Is she going to be expecting something from him on this day?

“Is that something… everyone does in this realm?”

“Oh yes,” Ruby says earnestly, her eyes sparkling. “If you’ve got a significant other, it’s a must. It’s like New Year’s or Halloween or July 4th, something that everyone celebrates.”

Killian doesn’t know what those other things are either, but he nods. He’s trying to adapt to this world the best he can … if this is something they always do, then he’ll participate too.

“Right. Okay. What day is it again?”

“It’s the 14th,” Ruby replies, grinning before twirling away to pick up a new order of food. She returns a few minutes later after delivering it to the next customer, chatting more about Valentine’s Day and what it is, while Killian takes a seat at the bar, ordering himself and Emma lunch and coffee in the moments Ruby takes a breath.

As he waits for the food and listens to Ruby about the romantic day, half-watching Emma outside to see if she is almost done, his eyes drift back to the hanging hearts and the ugly baby Ruby had called a cupid. He’s not sure what a demented flying baby has to do with a holiday supposed to be for lovers … unless it’s a warning to be careful with the long-lasting consequences of a romantic night.

“And Ruby? What does that thing have to do with this Valentine’s Day?”

She follows his eyesight, and through a laugh, does her best to explain to him what a cupid is. As far as Killian understands it, the little babies with wings are a bastardization of ancient mythology about a god of love who shot arrows at people to make them fall in love with each other. Emma often mentions how strange and foreign she finds the Enchanted Forest, with its ogres and chimera meat, but he must say – her land is just as strange as she claims his is.

The door to Granny’s swings open then, a tinkling bell ringing out to announce someone’s entrance, but instead of Emma, it’s Henry instead, bounding in with a wide grin.

“Hi Killian,” he says, swinging into the bar seat beside Killian. “My mom said you were in here. She’s still trying to figure out what Leroy is so mad about, but said she’d be here as soon as she can.”

Killian sighs, and shakes his head. Typical dwarves.

Ruby, who had stepped away to fetch the coffee, returns and grins at Henry, winking conspiratorially at Killian.

“I was just telling Killian about Valentine’s Day, Henry.”

“Right! It’s your first Valentine’s Day with my mom, right?” Killian nods, before noting that it’s his first Valentine’s Day ever, and Henry’s grin widens. “I’ll help you get some things for my mom! I bet she hasn’t had a good Valentine’s Day in a while.”

“You’ll help?” questions Killian, abruptly. He doesn’t think Valentine’s Day is very appropriate for a child – a day for lovers, hadn’t Ruby said?

But Henry nods eagerly. “We celebrate Valentine’s Day at school,” he replies, oblivious to Killian’s train of thought. “So I know what I’m doing. And plus, I know my mom – I know exactly what type of candy and treats she likes too.”

At that, Ruby and Henry begin listing off different items that he absolutely needs to get for Emma at rapid fire pace, so quick that Killian can barely keep up. Chocolates, all different types. Candy hearts with words printed on them like sweetie and love and romance. An expensive bottle of wine. Red and pink flowers, with loose rose petals to scatter around. Candles that smell sweet and strong, a delicate gold or silver piece jewellery in the shape of a heart, small teddy bears holding hearts or their arms open for a hug. They’ll have to make sure his ship is appropriately decorated too, with heart and cupid decorations, glittery and bright.

He opens his mouth, ready to cut them off – they are not hanging a cupid up anywhere on his ship if that’s the last thing he does. But before he can speak, the doors open again, and Emma finally steps in.

Her face is flushed with annoyance, and she marches over to them, blowing out a hard breath of air. “If I have to hear Leroy’s voice for one more minute today, I will lose my mind,” she mutters. She pauses, taking in Killian’s expression (which he is sure one of pure bewilderment) and then the grins on Ruby and Henry’s face, and frowns. “What are you all talking about?”

“Nothing,” Ruby and Henry say quickly.

“Just getting your lunch ready,” Ruby adds. “Killian knows your order by heart now.”

Emma smiles at him, the tension between her brow easing and her eyes softening. “Thanks.”

“Of course, love.”

Grinning, Ruby flitters away to get their food. As she brings it back and they start to eat, Killian enjoys his lunch with Emma, as he always does. Henry and Ruby retreat to the other end of the diner, and Killian can’t help but notice their grins and the list they are starting to make between them. He may not know a thing about this Valentine’s Day, but Killian is sure about one thing – he is going to regret getting Ruby and Henry involved in it.

xxxx

The night of February 14th, Emma finishes her shift at the sheriff station and heads over to Granny’s to pick up some takeout. She and Killian have settled into a routine in the last couple of weeks of having dinner together Thursday nights on his ship. She ducks Granny’s, a takeaway bag in her fist, waving in departure to Ruby’s wink and suggestive comment to have fun with Killian tonight.

Before reaching the docks, Emma makes a short stop at the corner store to grab some snacks for after dinner. She’s made it her mission to introduce Killian to the food of this world, and that, of course, includes junk food. His palate is still mostly rooted in salted fish and hard bread, and there are some processed sweets that absolutely do not agree with him. But they have found a few things that both of them can agree on other than Granny’s takeout, which seems to satisfy the taste buds of anyone from any realm.

Emma picks up some chips and a bag of cheddar popcorn – a new favourite for Killian, they’ve discovered – and then heads to the front desk to pay. However, she pauses by the greeting card section, bright red cards for Valentine’s catching her eye.

At breakfast this morning with Henry, he had reminded her, in his blunt and not so subtle way, that it was Valentine’s Day today and had she gotten Killian anything yet? She’d laughed and ruffled his hair, telling him to mind his own business, though it had gotten her thinking.

She hasn’t got him anything, because, well, she’s never had anyone to buy a Valentine’s Day card for before. It just wasn’t on her mind as something she should do. She’s only been in one serious relationship during the month February before, and her and Neal weren’t really the couple to get each other mushy cards with funny animal puns or an elaborate poem that would take up multiple paragraphs.

Besides, she doubts Killian has any idea what Valentine’s Day is or that they even had an equivalent in the Enchanted Forest. She’s noticed him staring at the decorations around town, his brow furrowed, and she keeps forgetting to explain it to him.

(Okay, that’s not quite true; Emma has thought about explaining it, but she doesn’t know how to, not when it’s a day about romance and that could mean mentioning the word love or feelings or something along those lines and Emma does not want to go there.)

Emma turns away from the cards, but then pauses, Henry’s words echoing in her mind.

Have you got anything for Killian yet? It is Valentine’s Day, Mom! He is your boyfriend, right?

Well … she supposes he’s got a point. While Henry’s idea of Valentine’s Day is still mired in innocence, mostly of candy and mandatory valentines’ cards exchanged between classmates, the sentiment behind the holiday finally feels like something she can get behind. Getting something for some you lo-care about, a day to show how much someone means to you? Alright, fine. She can do that.

Especially seeing as he almost died a few weeks ago … nothing like a brush with death to put things into perspective.

So, with her arms full of chips and popcorn and praying no one like Regina or her parents pop in to see her and make some knowing or snide comment, Emma turns back to the greeting card section.

The Valentine’s Day cards are the most prominent given the current date; the cards are mostly glittery and pink and truly revolting if she’s being honest with herself, but she forces herself to look through them, searching for the least offensive card she can find. There are many that make her anxiety soar or cringe with second hand embarrassment �� no cards with the word love, she thinks firmly, or ones that profess undying devotion (nothing with the word dying either, not after the incident with Gold and Killian’s heart a few weeks ago).

Finally, one catches her eye. It’s pale pink, devoid of glitter or the dreaded L-word. Emblazoned on the front is a boat floating through a sea of crimson hearts, the inscription inside reading You Float My Boat underneath a picture of the same ship, its sails unfurled to that the main sail is a bright red heart.

She snorts, but it’s perfect. Not too cheesy (compared to the some of the others, at least), maritime related, no mention of anything too serious, and if anything, hopefully something will make Killian laugh.

After paying for her items, and borrowing the clerk’s pen to sign her name on the card and write Killian’s name on the envelope, Emma heads out to the docks. It’s a cool evening, and as she approaches the ship, all is quiet on deck.

“Killian?” she calls as she boards. “Are you here?”

“Down below, Swan!”

She slips the card into her jacket’s large inner pocket before she moves to join him in his cabin. As she climbs down the ladder, unable to see the cabin until her head clears the deck, she says, “I got us some chips, and that cheddar popcorn you like – what the hell happened in here?”

The cabin is utterly unrecognizable. The lighting is dim, as usual, but instead of being lit by lanterns, there are countless candles around the cabin, low and flickering. The neat collection of maps and books on the centre table has been replaced by several bouquets of scarlet and pale pink roses, bowl upon bowl of candy hearts, a stack of chocolate boxes, and several bottles of wine. There are more flowers and rose petals around the entire cabin, with heart streamers wrapped around the chairs and taped to the bookcases. It looks more like a cabin you’d see in one of those cheesy love cruises than the sleeping quarters of a dreaded pirate captain.

“What – what is all this?”

Killian, who is standing at the bottom of the stairs, extends his hook to help her down the last few steps of the ladder. In the dim light it’s hard to see his expression, but when he speaks his voice is tinged with embarrassment.

“I was told this is the norm for Valentine’s Day in your land, but now I see that Henry and Ruby have certainly taken advantage of my naivety surrounding your realm’s holidays …”

At once, it all falls into place. That day at the diner, Henry and Ruby’s strange behaviour then and today, Killian’s bewilderment. She should’ve known that they were up to something, especially with Henry’s pressure this morning. It’s a little over the top, and she can definitely see Ruby and Henry’s influence in this, but the fact that Killian allowed the pair of them to bring all this stuff into his ship and make it up in this way, without knowing anything about the holiday, well … it’s seriously one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for her.

Killian is still talking, something about how Ruby and Henry are responsible for all this and he’s sorry if it’s too much, when Emma steps forward, interrupting his rambles by pressing a firm kiss to his lips. She drops the chips as she wraps her arms around him, hugging him tightly to her as he does the same.

“I love it,” she says against his mouth, and then pulls away to look at it all again. They move towards the table together, admiring the chocolates and the candy, and Killian’s expression shifts into one of mischief, his eyes dancing.

“Even the extravagance of candy hearts?” he asks teasingly, gesturing to the numerous bowls. “I must confess, I had one earlier and nearly broke a tooth.”

Emma laughs and presses a kiss to his cheek, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Even the rock-hard candy hearts.”

He grins, and then picks up one of the loose roses from the table and hands it to her, bowing his head slightly in reverence. “For you, love. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

She takes it from him, smiling at the memory of when he’d last given her a flower, at their first date, and then pulls the envelope from her jacket pocket, thankful that she listened to Henry and got him something too. It’s far less than all this, but she hopes he’ll love it anyways.

“I have something for you too. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Killian’s eyes brighten, and he quickly opens the card, delicately ripping the top of the envelope with his hook. He laughs as he sees it, delighted, and he kisses her again.

“Thank you, love. I take it ‘float my boat’ is a good thing?”

Emma grins and nods. “The best.”

They wrap their arms around each other, and Emma glances back to the cluttered table, grinning, her earlier apprehensions around Valentine’s Day and what it means and feelings and all that put to rest – maybe this holiday isn’t so bad after all.

#captain swan #cs role reversal #captain swan role reversal #cs ff #cs ff one shot #valentine's day fic

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rocinawanda · 5 years ago

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Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Novelisations

I have many thoughts from reading through these the past few days and comparing them to the films mainly to see what was added and I loved many little touches and insights we get into the characters’ thoughts thats why novelisations are so great.

I’ll mainly be talking about Rey and Ben but I have to mention how much I loved in all three books how they gave paragraphs and even whole chapters to characters containing scenes that we didn’t get in the films like Leia, of which I was so grateful, Rose, BB-8, Lando and even Hux which hilariously provided us with their thoughts on everything going on. I specifically loved the perspective of General Pryde thinking Kylo looked ‘beautiful’ whilst killing on Mustafar and Hux not being able to disagree with how mesmerising he was.

Onto Rey and Ben who I already know I will alternate by calling him Kylo as well.

From TFA book, little things were added like the extension of their meeting on Takodana which I adored as Kylo knew there was something special about Rey from the moment he saw her which was confirmed later in the interrogation room. I loved getting his thoughts in that scene from him unshackling her at first (which was different from the film) to how shaken he was outside the room after she entered his mind.

Even earlier back on Takodana when Kylo first lands and is walking across the battlefield, Rey sees him and feels that she knows him, “She had seen this man before, in a daydream. In a nightmare”. Then after on the surface of Starkiller when Anakins lightsaber called to her and he said “It is you” as if he knew way more about her than he let on and how important she is to the story.

Onto TLJ novelisation, the main takeaway for me from this is how much the story pushed them together and their reluctance turned willingness to have each other in their presence. Like ah, I cannot forget little things like Kylo smiling as Rey arrived on the ship “The stormtroopers behind him stood ready, but he just smiled at the sight of Rey crammed into the pod’s tight confines.” Adorable. Hilarious. Plus just how snarky they are towards each other not only in this but in TROS too its almost a game where they attempt to speak civilly but almost cannot help but make sarcastic or taunting comments to each other.

I loved getting Rey’s thoughts on the force bond conversations because from the films, Kylo is pretty vocal about what he wants but Rey is pretty confused and that’s highlighted even more in the novelisations. Even revealing the initial depth of their bond from their first force bond phone call where Kylo was getting his face repaired and Rey thought “It was almost as if she felt something pulling at her own cheek, tracing a line up from her jaw.” which, combined with the rain transferring from her to his glove later on shows how deep the connection was at the beginning.

ALSO bits of key information like the fact that it mentioned how from that first moment Rey entered his mind in the interrogation room, his training had become hers and she knew many ways that he accessed his powers. Plus in the TROS book, how force healing/giving life is more taxing than it appeared in the films “Her breath came fast, her very bones ached with weariness, and unaccountably, her hand stung. Healing the vexis had felt so normal and natural and right. But it had cost her.” These are things that obviously cannot come across in the films unless there is narration.

Okay pause. I could go on and on about so many things in the novelisations but I will hit the tumblr word limit (Yes there is one) so I’m gonna re-focus and mention things that were so important to me.

Not wanting to kill each other. I mean it was obvious from the moment Kylo killed Snoke that killing Rey was not going to happen. In TROS, getting into their thoughts this gets murky for both of them where Kylo‘s rage causes him to believe running Rey over with his TIE will end his pain, and Rey being adamant that one of them must die in the fight on Kef Bir.

Nevertheless, they both come to the conclusion that they don’t want the other dead after the whole Rey jumping his TIE in Pasaana thing as with Rey, “She hoped he was dead. No, she didn’t. She hoped ... she didn’t know what she hoped.” and with Kylo, “[...] In his blind rage he had succumbed to the temptation, not pausing to consider that maybe she had a plan. With this realization came another certainty, even more gut wrenching: He was relieved he hadn’t killed her.”

From this comes another point. Rey is Ben’s light. I feel this comes hand in hand with the fact that he felt not convincing Rey to join his side was his ‘second-greatest failure’. But the realisation that even after Snoke called her his equal in the light, she turns out to actually be his light. The remaining light within him. “He finally understood. Han Solo was his past. But Rey was his light.” Perhaps this explains why he’s so determined to have her by his side as he thinks many times in the TROS book “But the ambition that cut into his being, was the thought of reigning side by side with her.”

Moving onto the effect they have on each other which turns me into a melting pot of trash. From, “It did something strange to her, to hear her name on his lips.” to “Kylo considered it a small price to pay to encounter Rey again, to provoke her into a rage, to say the word dyad and watch the truth of it wash over her lovely face.” AND “He hardly paid attention. He kept seeing her face, the way her lips had parted with surprise, the way her body canted toward him.” EXCUSE ME. How am I to survive? I dropped the book whilst reading that last line because whew.

Okay finally, onto the part which I find both happy and sad. Rey’s relief, no regrets and Rey’s grief. In both TLJ and TROS novelisations there are moments where Rey feels relief at feeling Ben with her. Firstly after leaving the dark mirror cave on Ahch-to “She had closed her eyes, opened them, and found Kylo Ren there- right next to where she sat on the stone bench. As if she could actually reach out and touch his hand, his face, his hair. At the sight of him she’d felt relief surge through her.” and again when facing Palpatine, “Something tingled at the base of his skull, a familiar awareness... Rey! She sensed him. She understood that he was Ben again. He caught a wave of relief from her, of joy.”

I mentioned earlier about how the reluctance to accept their force bond became a willingness and even wanting throughout their story and I love it so much. That their bond and the dyad in the end felt like coming home that it had been right all along. Then comes the horrible sadness and pain where half of it is ripped away. From Rey wanting to scream as Palpatine threw Ben down into the abyss but she could barely breathe, to her repeatedly reaching out in the force to find him. To Ben clutching Reys body to his chest not being able to believe that she was really gone after he had just found her.

But then “He knew exactly what Rey would do, in his place. It was the easiest decision he’d ever made.” It still breaks me. Destroys me. Especially because earlier when talking to Ghost!Luke, Rey said “I gave him some of my life. In that moment I would have given him all of it ... died if I had to.” and in exact fashion, “Ben Solo had no regrets as he collapsed to the ground”. He sacrificed his life for her thinking that giving Rey back to the galaxy was all he could do.

Then for Rey, she did mourn him. She mourned Ben Solo and the loss of the dyad. Half of her was missing and its beyond tragic. “A voice came to her through the Force, clear and strong. I will always be with you, Ben said. She smiled. Let the truth of it wash over her.” It may not be enough for some but it forced me to yet again put the book down and start crying. He is with her, always. I still believe in my unconfirmed canon that “That incredible oneness” is now officially one. That Rey and Ben are now one with their life forces joining. Even after, on Tattooine as she reminisces about surviving the Emperor, she reminds herself about Ben.

This post is ridiculously long, and it could have been longer but all I can say is that I love this story. Many aren’t fans of the sequel trilogy and many fans of the sequel trilogy hate the ending but I’m one of the few who love it all. Faults? Sure. Misses? You bet. Sadness? Guaranteed. But especially the introduction, manifestation and eventual power of Rey and Ben’s dyad is enough to keep me going.

If you read all of this post wow, thank you!

#star wars #the force awakens #the last jedi #the rise of skywalker #tfa #tlj #tros #reylo #rey #ben solo #kylo ren #novelisations #force dyad #sequel trilogy #i love the force dyad #long post #tldr: love the books love the story reylo forever need the insights

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amarabliss · 5 years ago

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Oaths and Hearts...- 4 (Ignis Scientia/Reader)

So this is a crossover between FFXV and Dragon Age Inquisition.

You fell through a rift into the fade fighting the demons you swore to protect your world from. When you popped out you were no longer in the lands of Ferelden instead trapped in Insomnia. The gracious king allowed you to say recognizing power when he saw it. One thing led to another and now you were part of the procession of the prince to his wedding years later. Before the final battle, after years of fighting, losses, and love…your friend…your king…Noctis has asked you to change it all…

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Ignis reached for his jacket quietly slipping it on as he glanced over once more to your sleeping form. He felt himself smile before stepping over leaning down over you gently giving you a kiss on your temple. Your eyes open as you turned your head looking at him, “Sorry…I didn’t want you to wake up without me here. I’m returning to the others to check in. Get some rest, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Sneak back in if you’d like.” You murmured to him reaching up grazing his cheek with your fingers. He leaned into your touch kissing your hand.

“Do not tempt me…” He smiled at you giving you one last kiss before walking away knowing if he didn’t, he’d end up next to you rest of the night.

He stepped out into the hall looking both ways. He was attempting to arrive at the boy’s room quietly to not cause too much of a stir. Of course, he knew it was a far cry that his absence would go unnoticed.

He cleared his throat before entering their room down the hall from yours, “Evening gentleman.”

They all looked up at him. They were playing cards. It was Gladio who broke the awkward silence, “Everything okay? You didn’t answer our messages?”

“Yes, everything is fine.” He told them taking a seat, “I apologize your majesty, I hope Y/N and I didn’t worry you too much.”

“I wasn’t worried.” Noct smiled at him, “I kept telling them that you both were fine.”

“Fine, maybe…” Gladio stared at Ignis across the small table, “But very unlike you.”

“I’m in a beautiful place and was escorting a Lady through it’s streets…” Ignis began to explain.

“It is the perfect setting for a romantic walk.” Prompto piped in with a big smile.

Ignis could feel his ears beginning to burn, “Quite…”

“So…” Gladio leaned forward putting his elbows on his knees as he grinned, “You just walked around the city with Y/N?”

Ignis was not a good liar and Gladio knew it. He took in a deep breath looking at his friend, “No.”

Gladio smirked leaning back in his chair, “…we brought you both back something to eat…it’s in the fridge.”

“Thank you.” Ignis got up nodding to them all as he walked over to the small fridge.

“If you want to warm that up, I can bring the other to Y/N.” Prompto offered.

“No, that won’t be necessary.” Ignis looked back at them all again, “I…Y/N said she was tired. With her recent bout of illness, I recommended sleep.”

“When one is tired it makes sense to sleep, yes.” Noct smirked at him a little.

Ignis scowled turning to the microwave reheating his meal. Once it was finished, he retired to the balcony to escape the insistent teasing of Noct and Prompto. He was only a few bites in when he lost his appetite. He sighed setting the takeaway on the railing.

“Not hungry?” He looked over at Gladio coming to join him.

“I thought I was, but it seems not.” Ignis looked down at the well-prepared food, “It is good though, I don’t think Y/N will enjoy it.”

“Well good thing we didn’t get that for her.” Gladio leaned on the railing, “We got her some soup instead. The…what’s it called one…kinda fruity…”

“Apple barley stew…” Ignis smiled a little remembering the first time you tried it at the Citadel.

“Mmm…” He watched as you shut your eyes spoon still in your mouth, “This…is…good.”

“I am glad you like it.” He smiled setting down his coffee and opened his journal. You’d been in Insomnia for six months and every day you found something new to enjoy. It was positively a delight to watch you, “Now, you were telling me about the court of Orlais…”

“Mmm…please do not sour this delicious dish by bringing up that dreadful place.” You frowned a little as you stirred your stew to cool it off.

He chuckled a little. When King Regis appointed him to find out more about you and the world you hailed from, he thought it would be a dry gig and that you would be uncooperative. Instead you revealed a fascinating world and wonderful company and were happy to do so, “I’m sorry, I only wanted to keep with progression. If you have something more pleasant to discuss while eating…I am open to listen.”

“Let’s see…” You smiled thinking for a moment, “I don’t think I’ve told you about home yet…”

“You’ve mentioned it, the Free Marches, right?” Ignis set his pen to his journal.

“Yes…” You smiled taking another bite, “Most people would think it’s the ass end of the world…A few cities crying out ‘independence’. Away from the games of the rest of the world…home…rolling green hills, thick lush forest and swamps…My home was called Ostwick…”

He listened to you describe the terrain, it’s people, your family’s role. He found himself enraptured on your every word. When you finished you looked down to your hands, “I wish I could have gone back one more time…”

“That’s not where you came from?” He had stopped taking notes a long time ago.

“No…no I was high up in the mountains of the Western Approach…I haven’t been home since I was fourteen.” Your face flushed when you said that. There was a story behind those words.

“I’m sorry…I’ve upset you today.” He shut his journal setting on the table.

“No, it’s not you.” You smiled at him before you sniffed clearing away some oncoming tears, “I loved Ostwick, and I miss it terribly, but the rules of the land didn’t allow me to stay.”

“Rules of the land?” He leaned forward trying to understand.

“Mages…what I am…born with magic, we’re not allowed to be free people.” Your face reddened a little as you looked down in your soup.

“They enslaved you?” Ignis frowned.

“In most ways…My father had to…regretfully, send me to the Ostwick Circle.” You swallowed a little before looking up to him with a small smile, “Um…I’d like to talk about that a different day…if that’s alright?”

“Of course.”

You eventually would tell him all about the horrible conditions of the circle and the uprising that pushed you to becoming Inquisitor. You attempted to mend the relationship of the entire world with mages. You lived an extraordinary life and were given the mantle of responsibility that no one should have to bear alone.

“It’s about time, by the way…” Ignis looked at Gladio when he spoke pulling him from his thoughts.

“Whatever do you mean?” Ignis looked out over the city allowing himself some time to give a more gentlemanly answer.

“You know exactly what I mean. You and Y/N…you’re a good match for each other.” Gladio smiled looking at his friend, “It took you long enough to ask her out…then we got this mission to deliver Noct and everything just rolled out of control. It’s not fair for you two to put everything on hold.”

“Hm…” Ignis took in a deep breath, “We had talked about it before we set out. We thought it would be better if we distance ourselves…it was a good theory until…as you said…everything rolled out of control…”

“And it took all the way to Altissia for you two to find time for one another.” Gladio grinned watching Ignis carefully as silent fell between the pair.

“What?” Ignis finally looked at him when his friend kept staring at him.

Gladio took in a deep breath, “Iggy, I’m the Shield of the King. Noct comes first. So, I need to know…”

“You have nothing to worry about. My duty to Noctis will always come first.” Ignis told him quickly.

“Good.” Gladio sighed making it obvious that he didn’t like asking those questions, “So how many dates did you guys go on before we left?”

“Several actually…over the course of a year.” Ignis smiled briefly, “Though we didn’t really need to go on dates. We got to know each other very well over the years because of King Regis’ interest in her. We had a great friendship.”

“But you wanted more then just friendship?” Gladio watched Ignis run a hand through his hair, “You’re not the first person to fall for someone in the workplace. Why didn’t you ask her sooner?”

“Hm…I thought her interest lay elsewhere.” Ignis sighed a little, “While I was the investigator…Nyx was her protector. I saw the way she was with him…and he was good man. They too would have been a good match.”

“Nyx? Really?” Galdio shook his head, “I don’t see it. He was too full of himself.”

“Yes, he was, but…You didn’t see what I saw…” Ignis trailed off.

“My Lady?” Nyx bowed dramatically when you approached him. Ignis had decided to escort you to the main floor after their meeting.

“Stop…” You flicked him in the forehead before turning to Ignis. “Thank you for lunch today…it was delightful. One day you’re going to have to teach me your culinary ways.”

“It was my pleasure, and I’d be happy to show you around the kitchen.” Ignis smiled giving you small bow, “Same time on Thursday?”

“Yes…I look forward to it.” You smiled at him before turning back to Nyx who was making quite the face as he rubbed his forehead.

“Damn that hurt…” He grumbled.

“Oh stop…” You pushed his hand away pulling his head down to inspect it, “It’s not even welting…”

Ignis watched you both be so comfortable around another. Nyx smiled at you when you leaned up a little giving him a kiss where you flicked him, “Well hot damn…you can flick me any time if you do that!”

“See…you ruin things when you open your mouth!” You pushed his face away with your hand.

Ignis watched you both push each other around like couples would. He envied Nyx and his ability to be so forward and wondered if he’d ever get to that point with someone.

“I am going to ask her to marry me.” Ignis told him quietly.

Gladio’s eyes widened looking to his friend, “You serious?”

“As a heart attack.” Ignis smiled at him, “She makes me happy…so happy and I’m nervous around her, something I rarely feel. Yet, she never rushes me into anything. She is just so…I have no words.”

“When she got that headache…my heart nearly leapt from me in fear. I could nothing for her but worry. But I knew, Gladio… I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.” He grasped the railing tightly shutting his eyes.

“You were pretty insistent…” Gladio nodded, “and it was alarming. I don’t blame you for worrying.”

“Ah!”

“Y/N, are you okay?” Ignis’ eyes flashed to the rearview mirror when hearing Noct question you. He could see only Noct and Galdio looking at you with great concern, “Ignis pull over!”

Ignis wasted no time pulling the Regalia off the road. Thrusting it into park he turned in his seat, “Y/N, what’s wrong?”

You were clutching the sides of your head bent over in your seat letting out painful grunts as your knuckles whitened. All four of them waited as you kept your head down. Ignis ordered Prompto for some water as you lifted your head slowly as your labored breathing began to worry him further. Blood trickled down from your nose as you looked at him through tears.

“Sweet Shiva…” Ignis looked at you feeling his chest tighten, “Y/N…”

“I’m…I’m alright…” You began to nod slowly accepting the water bottle from Prompto, “I’m okay…it just a really bad headache.”

“I’ve never seen a headache like that…” Gladio looked at the others concern evident as they watched you take a sip, “Noct’s was a god…and he didn’t have a nosebleed…”

“Well…I strive to be different.” You leaned back face flushed taking in slow deep breaths.

“You need a doctor.” Ignis told you quickly pulling out his phone to begin searching for one, “We can head back to Lestallum if need be.”

“No…I’ll be alright…” You told him quietly, “We can’t go back…”

“I’m afraid I’m not giving you an option. Your symptoms bare resemblance to serious conditions.” He rattled off misspelling words in his search, “Dammit…”

“…okay…” His eyes lifted up to the mirror seeing you resign to his care. The way you stared at him tears trickling down your face was alarming. He could only recall seeing your cry twice. The first, was when you closed your rift, closing off any chance of going home. The second time, he found you in a hallway by yourself…he never found out what had troubled you that day…but he knew then he just wanted to protect you.

This time wasn’t like either of those…your eyes seemed full of hope…

“I’m happy for you…” Gladio put a hand on his shoulder giving it a good squeeze, “When are you going to pop the question?”

“I was going to wait until after the wedding…but at this rate who knows when that will happen.” Ignis hung his head a little.

“Hey, cheer up. We’re in a beautiful city…and word is Luna will be arriving in two days. Noct got another visit from Ombre tonight.” Ignis looked at Gladio as he spoke, “I have to believe things are happening for the good this time.”

“I hope you’re right.” Ignis looked back at the glittering lights reflecting off the water, “For all our sakes.”

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deathfrisbeeinthetardis · 5 years ago

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Typing is surprisingly difficult when you can’t see through your tears Anon. Looking at you too @helloitsvehere

Trigger warning: main character death, attempted suicide

“Hey Ryan?” Shane’s hand grips tighter around the sharp lines of the spirit box, his fingers whitening where they pressed against the hard plastic. Pain spikes down his forearms, but Shane ignores it.

There’s a little breeze going around to combat the scorching California heat, the few clouds are light fluffy masses that are perfect for shape-guessing. An almost flawless day really.

The cemetery looks so different in the sun.

“I’m gonna turn this on, you can use it to talk to me okay? It-well, you know all this already.” A switch flips, noise blares from the speaker in a roar. “Fuck,” Shane winces, almost dropping the takeaway cup, the condensation making the icy sides slick against his fingers.

“I always forget how loud this thing is. I almost hoped–who am I kidding, I always hate the spirit box sessions you make us do.” He pauses, a half-formed smile hanging off the edge of his mouth, bracing himself for that smart-alec remark that usually comes, should be coming, any time now. The one thing he can always rely on is Ryan’s everlasting urge to win every argument with him. He’s had years and years to experiment with that, and the hypothesis has always held true. It shouldn’t fail him now.

But there’s only static.

Shane swallows, he can work with this.

“You’re the one that believed in all this right? It should make it easier for you to-to–"

He really can. It must be hard enough for Ryan as it is, without him messing up how to speak like a normal human. He’s just gotta compose himself for a little bit, let the typical calm wash over him like they’re just on another shoot for the show. Yeah, that’s it. Just another shoot Madej, get a grip.

But there’s no one by his side this time, no one to be calm for.

"I would have brought your little bear, just for the uh, spiritual connection I guess. God you love the thing way too much Ry."

And Shane can almost see it, the soft smile the other man always gets when his eyes land on the Paddington plushie, the curve to his eyes when he had demonstrated his affection to the bear with the tenderest hug Shane’s ever seen Ryan give. That last time was specially designed to spite him, Shane is sure, the fluttering eyelashes were definitely not necessary. The thought twists his lips, in which direction he’s not sure.

"But your stuff is all at your mom’s, and I just didn’t want to, you know.” Shane blows out a breath, “So I uh, brought you this.” His eyes catch on the date etched into the smooth rock, set a week ago, numbers forever blazed into Shane’s mind.

The cup of iced coffee lands on the dirt, and so does Shane, his knees giving out mid-squat. Shane can feel each beat of his heart in his head, the off-kilter rhythm too fast. Breathe Shane, isn’t that what the doctor said? No use patching him up again if he keeps messing up his blood pressure.

Trembling fingers reach out, hesitating, and finally settle on the gently curved stone. It’s sturdy, about shoulder thick. Shane squeezes his eyes shut. It’s easier this way, almost like talking on the phone. Isn’t that what the spirit box is anyway? Some kind of interdimensional game of telephone.

“You know what? You win. If you can say something to me right now, or-or if that’s too much, then just give me a sign. Do that and I, Shane Madej will believe in ghosts."

His eyes are filling beneath closed lids, cool lines rushing down his face in their hurry to reach the ground. His voice is getting thick too, Shane just hopes it won’t mess with the signal.

"Imagine that Ry. The original Shaniac himself, bowing in defeat. Just do that one thing for me ‘kay?"

Closer to the ground now, he can see an insect clambering through the miniature hills, beady little eyes darting around.

"Hey, it’s got your eyes.” He jokes, but no one laughs. The spirit box spits out a few seconds from some song station that doesn’t make any sense.

None of it fucking does.

Anger surges up in him, and he’s mad, oh yes. Shane’s so fucking mad. He’s mad at the overloaded truck, at physics, at the darkness of the night and broken headlights. He’s mad at himself for volunteering to drive, at the human instinct to swerve, at perfectly fractured phone screens that won’t light up.

He’s mad at his brother, at his family’s tears, at the paramedics that pulled him back a second time.

“I tried to kill myself, how’s that?”

His face is still wet, and Shane wipes at it furiously, feeling rough bits of dirt scrape against his cheeks. “You got something to say about that Ryan? Why don’t you come fucking scream at me through the spirit box huh?”

He’s yelling, but the graveyard’s empty, a place of bygone times. It’s almost fitting for Ryan to be here, with his determined belief in spirits of the past.

And just like that, the emotion drains out of him, such a hollowness in his chest that Shane digs a hand into the red-spotted bandages, chasing after that pain, the long lines of fire he drew across the insides of his wrists just three days ago.

At least it was better than the ache in his heart, the one pills can’t take away.

“I didn’t–none of this is your fault. God you’re probably so fucking disappointed in me right now,” He breathes, leaning forward until his forehead touched the stone, sun-kissed and warm. He really tries to listen, to pick words out of the nonsensical mix of soundbites the little box spits out. His next breath chokes off in a sob.

“I couldn’t take it Ry. I figured if, if I–” died, but he can’t say it, because that would make it true. Truer than the beautiful granite stone and the damning carvings on it, the freshly turned earth beneath his knees. “went,” he settles, “I’d be where you are huh? Makes sense right?”

It might still work, Shane thinks. He believes, for Ryan he will.

“Maybe, now that I’ve been close, it’ll be easier on you you know? Like, I beat the defender and I’m passing the ball to you buddy. You gotta go the rest of the way and get that point for us yeah?”

The sun bears down fiery hot on his exposed neck, the wind swings by and Shane shakes with it, because the only person who had made this whole damn State amazing is gone.

“Just say something, please.”

“Please.” The spirit box echoes.

#alex writes #*bangs spoon on pan* come get y’all ANGST #i didn't know how to write that anon prompt until last night #i was thinking of star's post and just. BAM. hit in the face with a fucking wall of angst #so yeah #angsty drabble #tw: death #tw: attempted suicide #tw: suicide #also sorry to shit on California but #also I just realized that I wrote it not with Ryan #sorry anon #alex rants in the tags #pre slash #Unrealized shyan

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blogger360ncislarules · 4 years ago

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For the first and last time simultaneously, The 100 actually gave its main characters a (sort of) happy ending.

By the end of the series finale, "The Last War," Clarke (Eliza Taylor), Raven (Lindsey Morgan), Murphy (Richard Harmon), and the rest of the (few) remaining juvenile delinquents who were sent down to Earth in the very first episode finally found themselves together, alive, and with no more wars to fight. As the music swelled in the background, everyone hugged and smiled. But since this is The 100, that "happy ending" also included the rest of the human race basically ceasing to exist. This show still has to stay on brand!

So how did we get here? Clarke killed Cadogan (John Pyper-Ferguson) while he was taking the "test" to see if the human race was ready for transcendence (aka the next step of evolution/joining a higher state of consciousness), and the test couldn't be stopped once it started. So the judge of the test, who was in the form of Cadogan's daughter Callie (Iola Evans, reprising her role from the prequel episode), changed into the person Clarke loved the most: Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey). Clarke was then forced to finish the test on behalf of the human race to save them from extinction, but since she murdered someone during the test, the Lexa avatar told her that she failed.

With the human race on the verge of being wiped out as a result, Raven stepped in to appeal the decision as the judge changed into who she loved the most: Abby (Paige Turco). And with Octavia (Marie Avgeropoulos) giving an inspirational speech to the warring Grounders and Disciples, stopping the battle before it ended in massive losses, the judge decided the human race was ready, and reversed its decision and all humans transcended, meaning everyone became golden beams of light and found peace. Only the living could transcend, and so that meant even Madi (Lola Flannery) could get her happy ending despite what Cadogan did to her in the previous episode. In a cruel twist of fate, it also meant that Bellamy (Bob Morley), the only member of the 100 who actually believed in transcendence and who died at Clarke's hands just a few episodes ago, did not get to transcend.

The other person who couldn't transcend? Clarke. Because she had failed the test, and to show that her actions have consequences, she was left behind on an abandoned planet. All alone, facing the rest of her life without any other human beings to keep her company, she used the stones to travel back to Earth to make a new, lonely life for herself. But the Lexa avatar returned to explain that people have the choice of whether or not they transcend, and all her friends chose to stay behind on Earth with her so she wouldn't be alone. It meant they wouldn't be able to have any kids (because they're the last of the human race) and they would only have each other for the rest of their lives and they couldn't transcend after they die, but they were alive, together, and finally able to live in peace. They all decided that exchange was worth it for Clarke.

So before trading the last "may we meet again" now that the show is over, let The 100 creator Jason Rothenberg (who made his directorial debut with the series finale) breaks down what that ending means, why he wanted to end the show that way, all those shocking character returns, and more below.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What were you trying to say with that ending, as all our favorite characters choose to stay on Earth with Clarke instead of transcending?

JASON ROTHENBERG: We wanted the moral of the story to be, simply stated, "Until we stop fighting, we're doomed." Until we stop killing each other in the name of country or tribe or even family, we're doomed to keep repeating that cycle of violence. And once we do and we link arms and we realize we're all in this together, then we can get to whatever comes next. In this case, it's transcendence. That was the moral of the story. Clarke doesn't get the gift of transcendence because of her actions; her actions have a cost, as the Lexa avatar said to her on the beach. Like Moses not getting to go into the promised land, she's going to be alone – until she sees her friends. We thought that it was the most beautiful way to say found family is important. They know that Clarke sacrificed so much for them, gave up so much of herself for them, that they were not going to let her be by herself. They are foregoing whatever transcendence is, they're giving that up to be together. As dark as the show has been at times, I feel like the ending – and I always say I was not trying to make people feel good most of the time and the show is not a show that was supposed to bring you joy, it's supposed to move you and make you feel sad or angry even – but here we were definitely aiming for people walking away feeling uplifted.

Why have all the main characters make that choice except for Clarke's daughter Madi?

Lexa on the beach, she says that Madi knew that Clarke would not want her to come back and be the only child. They're not going to have children, this is the last generation, they can't have offspring. And so, as a mother, Clarke would have obviously preferred for her daughter to transcend and go to whatever the next journey/adventure/whatever it is, it's obviously something special and unique and beautiful, as opposed to staying on the ground with her. That choice was made easier for Madi by the fact that Clarke wasn't going to be alone.

Was this always your original idea for how to end the show?

I can't really remember that we ever had the details of an ending. I always wanted to have it have the moral of the story be told, which is what I just told you. So however that was going to manifest, that was going to be the takeaway. And of course, as the world expanded and we went to another planet and we met other characters and we started exploring the universe via the interstellar subway system of the stones, the details of how we got there obviously changed. But the point was always going to be that.

Now let’s talk about some of the returning faces we saw in the finale – Lexa, Abby, and Callie. Did you always know you were going to have them come back for cameos?

It happened organically, for sure. Once we settled on what the rules of the test were, the idea that the judge takes the form of a person's greatest love, greatest teacher, or greatest enemy, then it became clear that it was going to be Callie for Cadogan, Lexa was my first choice for Clarke, and fortunately, Alycia agreed to come back and do it, and Abby obviously would've been for Clarke as well if Alycia hadn't agreed to come back. But it also made perfect sense that when we knew Raven was going to be the one to come in and appeal the verdict once Clarke failed, that relationship was so important to Raven that there was a beauty to that being her person too. The decisions were dictated by who was going to face the judges and what the rules of the test are.

Were there any other characters you wanted back for the finale as well but it didn’t work out because of scheduling or other issues?

When we landed on what the rules were, it was about who those special people would be. We'd already played Dad [Chris Browning], we already had Monty [Christopher Larkin] come back in a really special way, we'd already played a few of those cards in a previous season. So no, there was never anybody that we wanted to come back and didn't come back.

What about Bellamy? After his shocking death a few episodes back, did you ever consider having him back in the finale as well?

For me, it was Lexa all the way. When that idea came up in the room, it was one of those moments where, it doesn't happen very often, there was unanimity of excitement. Then it was about getting her to agree to come back. And we couldn't have Bellamy return in the end, because the rules of transcendence were only the living shall transcend. And so, unfortunately, he died short of that finish line, so he couldn't be there in the end, which is another tragic realization for Octavia certainly in the finale.

So why did you want to kill Bellamy in the way that you did when the show was so close to giving all the characters some kind of a happy ending?

Bellamy's storyline changed hugely this season as a result of needing to give Bob time at the beginning of the season. Everything kind of downhill was affected by that, including the ending. You want the decisions to always be driven creatively, and certainly when it comes to character deaths. Sometimes unfortunately though we have to react to situations outside of the writing, outside of the creative. That's not necessarily the case for him, but definitely, over the course of seven years, lots of characters died, and sometimes it was out of our control and we made the best of it.

Now that The 100 is over, do you have any updates on the potential prequel series?

All I can really say about the prequel is that conversations are ongoing. I'm hoping to be able to continue this universe because I feel like it's so rich and there is so much story to tell. But the discussions are far, far above my pay grade at the moment. The same day you find out is when I’ll find out.

Where do you see Clarke and co. going in the future now that they’ve all reunited on Earth and are starting a new life for themselves?

We're leaving them together, making that choice to stay together and live out their days peacefully. There's no one left to fight with. Jokingly, I suppose I could see like 70-year-old Murphy and 70-year-old Clarke are in like a blood feud and everybody else is lined up one one side or the other, except they're too old to really do any damage to each other. [Laughs] But truthfully the ending is supposed to imply that it's not happily ever after, but it's certainly peacefully ever after.

What are you most proud of, looking back on the entire series?

The legacy of the show, that we were bold, we pulled no punches, we told big stories, we had kickass female characters, and one of the most diverse casts on television. I'm proud that the show will exist and that people can discover it now in streaming. Hopefully, when it's consumed in a binge all at once, some of the things that perhaps didn't work for people will work better for the audience as they're coming to it consuming the entire series in two weeks rather than over seven years. It's bittersweet to come to the ending of something that has occupied such a huge part of my life for as long as the show has. It's been a long ride, we rode it to the end, and that's great but it's sad at the same time.

#and didn't bow down to bitter haters #THAT I'm real proud of #7-16 #the 100 #thank you the 100

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jovialyouthmusic · 5 years ago

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Silver Service

A Royal Romance AU fanfic sequel to Protect and Serve

Bastien tells Sophia of the imminent arrival of a former lover

Word Count 3574

A/N I’m struggling a little with this fic right now - I have plans but I will probably be posting less often - probably twice a week at most NS*W no under 18s

5 Memories of another life

Bastien snapped out of his reverie, having remembered the first time he had met Damien Nazario, when he had worked for NYPD and Bastien had been chasing Prince Leo, long before he abdicated. The last time he had seen Damien, when he had been in the city for Liam’s bachelor party, he had hinted that he had moved on from the Police department, but kept his secrets, as Bastien did with his. His call to Damien had gone straight to voicemail, so he reinforced the urgency of his message by contacting Interpol and telling them he needed to talk to him as soon as possible.

He didn’t have long to wait, as his phone rang and Damien’s number came up.

‘Bas – where are you? I’m not in New York right now. How did you find out about my new job?’

‘I needed Interpol’s services and your name came up, so naturally I contacted you direct. I trust I didn’t interrupt anything important’

‘Luckily not. What do you need Interpol for?’

‘I’m interested in tracing someone who’s fled the country’ He heard Damien chuckle

‘I’m going to have to press you, Lykel. You never told me where you’re based – or who you work for.’

‘Tell me where you are and I’ll send transport for you. Interpol have cleared you from your present job. I can explain when we meet’ There was a short silence before he answered.

‘You must really pull some weight if you can get Interpol to get you to the top of my task list. I’m in Poland.’ Bastien tapped away on his desktop computer.

‘Tell me your nearest airport and make your way there, there will be a jet waiting for you in three hours’

‘Woah Bas, It will take me an hour just to get my stuff’

‘Soon as you can. Just go there and give your name to airport security and you’ll be pointed in the right direction’

‘Just give me a clue Lykel’

‘The flight takes two and a half to three hours. You’ll be going south.’ He rang off to call up the Royal Jet.

------

Later, as he sat eating dinner with Sophia in their quarters, he reached across the table to her.

‘Theá mou, there’s something I need to tell you’ Sophia raised her eyebrows as she put her knife and fork down, after finishing the main course. He followed suit, fixing her gaze solemnly.

‘It sounds like something important, agápe mou’ she answered, delicately wiping her lips with her napkin. He nodded

‘Come and join me on the sofa and I’ll tell you’ he replied. He went to sit on the couch and patted the seat beside him, putting his arm around her and drawing her into him, their contours matching as they always did, no matter what position they chose. He drew a deep breath ‘I had to call in someone from Interpol to help trace Justin. It turns out it’s a friend of mine – a lover…’

------

Damien climbed the stairs to his apartment in an attempt to make up for the weeks of being too busy – or too lazy – to go to the gym. The moment he got to his landing, his senses were on alert. There was something not quite right, and he paused before he opened the door into the lobby, head cocked, listening. Smelling. Oddly his acute sense of smell had gotten him out of – or rather, he had not gotten into – some dangerous situations.

But there was no scent, even though his hearing had caught a slight sound – breath, the scuff of a leather shoe on the cheap carpet?

He shook his head. He was tired, he was off his game, seeing things in the shadows that weren’t there. Something niggled at the back of his mind as he walked to his door and got his keys out. He remembered what it was a split second before someone swiftly and stealthily stepped out of the shadows and grabbed him around the neck. Instead of grabbing at his thumb to pry his arm off his neck, or stamping on his foot or pitching forward to throw his assailant, he went slack.

‘Lykel’ he said ‘What the hell are you doing here?’ He heard the bass rumble of Bastien’s laugh

‘You’re getting lazy, Nazario. You knew something was up and you still left yourself open’ He let go and Damien kept his back to him for a moment, hiding the stupid relieved grin spreading across his face.

‘Yeah well, I was tired and I’d still have beat anyone else’s ass. How you manage to not smell of anything is beyond me’ He turned and gripped his forearm and slapped his elbow.

‘Trade secret’ the older man said, a bare trace of a smile at the corners of his mouth. ‘If I told you I’d have to kill you’

‘Well you can keep your damn secret if that’s the option’ he grumbled. He let go of his arm and stood looking at him dumbly

‘Well are you going to let me in, or are we going to stand here all night?’

‘Uh sorry, must be more tired than I thought’ he said as he opened the door and led him in. He was dressed smartly as usual while he himself was shabby and down at heel. He’d not had the money to refresh his wardrobe in a while. Bastien unbuttoned his coat and hung it on the peg by the door.

‘Not too tired to catch up I hope’ he smiled.

‘What brings you here?’ he asked, changing the subject ‘Pampered clients needing a babysitter?’

‘You could say that’ he replied ‘It’s a bachelor party of sorts, and I need to keep them out of trouble. I have a free evening as I’ve done all the preparation and they aren’t arriving until tomorrow’

‘So you thought you’d spend a few idle hours with me’ he smiled. Bastien’s expression softened a little.

‘Indeed. You’re not busy I hope?’

‘Not at all. I hope you get well paid for this’ he said ‘You can’t have much personal time’

‘I don’t, so let’s not waste it. Have you eaten?’ Damien shook his head ‘I was going to order pizza’ Bastien laughed and reached out to pat his soft stomach.

‘You need to look after yourself, eat properly, get some exercise. Do you actually go to the gym any more?’

‘Okay you order then’ he said, rolling his eyes ‘I know you’re going to boss me around anyway so why not start there?’ Bastien gave him a smouldering look and took his hand, pulling up his shirt and placing Damien’s hand on his washboard flat stomach. He sucked his breath in in admiration. He already knew what good care the older man took of himself, but he was in the best shape he had ever seen him.

‘Jesus, Bas you must live in the gym’

‘I never set foot in one. I train karate, go for a run every other morning, go swimming. Treadmills bore me to tears, they’re for fitness tests, not exercise.’ He pulled away and wandered into the tiny kitchenette. The whole flat would fit comfortably in his office suite at the Palace. He looked in the fridge. ‘I see you’ve not been grocery shopping either. Do you live off takeaways?’

‘Stop lecturing me, Lykel. I see you what – twice a year if I’m lucky?’ Bastien scanned the kitchen for signs of cohabitation, finding none. Damien was bridling at the intrusion despite being glad to see him. Bastien turned back to him, concern on his face.

‘If you don’t have anyone else in your life you need to look after yourself – and if you don’t look after yourself you’re not going to find anyone who wants to share your life.’

‘If you were with anyone else you’d not be visiting me, and my love life is none of your business’ Damien pointed out testily

‘But the equation balances out for me – I look after myself’

‘Whatever. Are we just going to argue semantics?’ Bastien pulled his hand over his face and sighed heavily.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t come here to argue’

‘So why did you come?’ He asked defensively. Bastien winced.

‘You know how infrequently I’m here. I just wanted to see you, spend some time together’

‘Well here I am’ Damien replied. A silence descended on the two men, and Bastien broke it.

‘Well, if you’re hungry, why don’t we go out to eat? I’ll pay’ Damien thought for a moment

‘How about if I guess what sort of food you like, you pay – and if I get it wrong, I pay?’ he proposed.

‘Okay, let’s see how good your detective skills are, Nazario’ he replied

‘Well, you’re European though you’ve never told me exactly where you’re from… I’d say northern Mediterranean.’ He tapped his chin thoughtfully ‘So you’d go for – Greek, or Italian, I’m guessing’

‘You have to pick one, Mr Nazario’ he said drily ‘No cheating’

‘It’s a tough one. I pick Greek’

‘You had a fifty fifty chance – and you’re wrong, but I eat a lot of Italian food so Greek will make a nice change’ Damien shook his head in mock defeat.

‘It just so happens I know a nice little Greek restaurant not far away that owes me a favour or two, so we might just eat for free’

‘As long as it’s got its hygiene certificates’

‘Papa Megalos runs a tight ship’ Damien replied ‘I helped him out with some gangsters who were demanding protection money so we’re firm friends’

‘Okay, sounds good’ Damien nodded and picked up his keys and jacket.

------

Papa Megalos was pleased to see the New York detective and welcomed the two men in to the small restaurant, cozy and warm with red checked tablecloths, the walls and ceiling decorated with plastic grapevines, Greek music playing softly in the background. A flicker of a smile crossed Bastien’s face as if he felt at home.

‘Nazario! You honour me, come, sit – best table in the house’ Papa Megalos cried. Damien smiled.

‘You said the same last time – it was a different table’ he scolded

‘And tonight is a different night’ he shrugged ‘Who’s your friend here?’ he lifted his chin toward the other man.

‘Just a friend in the business – Papa Megalos, this is Bastien Lykel’ The rotund proprietor extended a plump hand and slapped palms with him before giving him a firm two handed handshake. Damien knew only too well how firm that was, but Bastien obviously gave as good as he got. He greeted Papa in fluent Greek, leaving Damien blinking in surprise. Papa Megalos was delighted and they held a rapid fire conversation for a minute or so, gesticulating and laughing before Bastien sat and Damien followed suit.

‘No paying tonight, and you get the house special’ Papa beamed, resting his meaty hand on Damien’s shoulder ‘I’ll get you a bottle of retsina’ Damien looked at his companion quizzically.

‘Well that’s a revelation’ he mused ‘Were you talking about me?’

‘I speak several languages fluently, Nazario. I only asked him not to reveal my country of origin – he recognised my dialect the moment I opened my mouth and we exchanged home villages’ A waiter brought a plate of mezze and olives and the two men sat and ate, sipping the aromatic retsina. After that, two plates of Pastitsio and Greek salad arrived. Bastien smiled and spoke in rapid Greek again. Damien frowned at him.

‘Next time we’re going to a tapas bar’ he grumbled ‘At least I’ll know what you’re talking about’

‘I’m sorry, I was just praising the cook and saying it’s one of my favourite dishes’ They ate in companionable silence, and when time came for dessert, Bastien leaned back and patted his stomach.

‘I’m good, but you can indulge if you like’

‘Are you the type to steal a taste?’ Damien asked sceptically. All the times they had spent together they had met at a bar and drunk until they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, like their first time. They had never eaten out, so he wasn’t sure.

‘No’ laughed Bastien ‘I eat what’s on my plate, I don’t steal’

‘How about others taking a taste from yours?’

‘I’ll share in that instance, as long as it’s not the last bite’ Damien thought for a moment.

‘I think I’ll pass, it’s too late to be overeating’

‘Good man. I recommend a glass of ouzo to settle the digestion’

‘You don’t want to go for a drink?’ Bastien made a face

‘I’d rather call it a night. Why don’t you come back to my hotel?’ he spread his hands out in a placatory gesture ‘No expectations, no presumptions, just see where the night takes us’

He looked at him intently, realising he had been avoiding his gaze for a while, not wanting to get drawn in. He recognised something in his expression that chimed with him – something they had in common due to their profession.

He was lonely. He simply wanted company, and what did it matter if they ended up in bed? Would it be so bad? Lykel must have a certain camaraderie with his men – he didn’t know the exact nature of his job but he was obviously in charge of a team. But being boss meant having to keep a certain distance. They had a lot in common although Damien wasn’t in charge of anyone else – he sometimes worked with a partner, sometimes alone, and he answered to his captain. He knew the other man had a high sex drive that he kept in check with his demanding profession. He sighed

‘Okay why not?’ Bastien smiled gratefully

‘Excellent. Should I call a cab or…’

‘This is New York, Lykel, all you have to do is step out and raise your hand’ Damien replied sardonically. They made their excuses to Papa Megalos, who insisted on giving them a box of baklava to take with them and made Bastien promise to return any time he was in New York. Damien rolled his eyes as they spoke rapidly in Greek and embraced before leaving.

The air outside was fresh and Damien was glad not to be making his way to a bar to befuddle his brain with alcohol. In seconds they were in a yellow cab and he grew wide eyed at their destination as they arrived on Fifth Avenue at the luxury Peninsula Hotel. He was speechless as the taxi swept past the front and around to the service entrance.

‘I’m sorry we can’t go in the front’ Bastien said ‘This is a covert operation after all’ he winked.

‘Covert operation?’ Damien asked ‘Are you sure you’re booked in and paid up? Am I going to be washing dishes for a month to pay it off?’ Bastien chuckled

‘Perks of the job’ he said ‘Part grateful clients, part diplomatic privilege. We get so many free reservations per year’

‘Exactly who do you work for?’ Damien asked. The older man had never offered the information and he had never asked.

‘Sorry that’s classified’ he replied ‘And if you try to find out – well, let’s say you won’t’ Damien swallowed

‘You mean my body will be found under Manhatten Bridge…’ Bastien interrupted and shook his head as they got out of the taxi and made their way to the service elevator.

‘Nothing as dramatic as that, you just won’t get anywhere if I’ve done my job properly’

‘Well that’s a relief’ They stood in silence as they made their way up, until they got out high up in the building. Bastien lead him to the stairwell and they went up another two floors.

‘Just in case’ he said, touching the side of his nose. The room they made for was only a door away from the stairwell, and Bastien produced a keycard from his jacket pocket ‘My employer’s suite is next to this, there’s a connecting door in case of emergencies, so we can take a look if you like’

The two men went into the main suite and Damien marvelled at the luxury. The huge bed was round and had a spectacular view of the city, Central Park spread out below them. The carpet was deep and pale, the en suite bathroom boasting both a sunken jacuzzi and a huge walk in shower. There was a third room that served as lounge and bar.

‘Jesus Bas’ Damien gasped ‘I know you’re not going to tell me who your employer is, but he – or she – must be loaded’ Bastien smiled and got a bottle of bourbon and two tumblers from the bar.

‘Well’ said Bastien ‘Sadly I don’t get to stay in this part – come through to my modest little cell’

The other room was bigger than Damien’s bedroom. It sported a couch and two easy chairs, and over by the window there was a desk and study chair and there was a small en suite bathroom. The couch converted into a double bed to make it a more versatile space. It had been made up as such and Bastien’s overnight bag had already been unpacked. The two men settled into the easy chairs and Bastien poured them each a finger of bourbon. They talked easily for a while.

‘Can I ask you something?’ Damien asked, and his companion nodded

‘I’ll try to answer as long as it’s not too revealing’ Damien chewed his cheek before he spoke

‘Okay, all these times we’ve been together, you’ve never mentioned any other relationships, but I can’t see you being celibate between visits. Is there anyone special for you?’ Bastien let out his breath.

‘I’ve never really had a long term committed relationship, it doesn’t fit with the job. I have a few relationships like ours, both male and female – that I pick up while travelling. I’ve had affairs at home, but never for very long.’ He paused, about to say something else, but didn’t.

‘Okay, I get that. I’ve had a couple of relationships that I thought might last, but it’s tough when you work like we do. Do you want anything else - anything more permanent?’ Bastien chewed his lip for a moment.

‘Honestly – I’ve never seen myself as the type to settle down, I expected my job to be my life – and quite possibly my death. I saw one of my predecessors shot in front of my eyes and I know how high risk my occupation is. I don’t want a lover or partner living in fear of my demise, I couldn’t ask that of anyone’ Damien nodded and got up to walk over to the window

‘I know what you mean. Sometimes you’re one split second away from a decision that could end or save someone’s life – or your own. That’s not easy to live with.’ Bastien stood to join him by the window, putting his glass down.

‘All the more reason to live for the moment’ he said, pressing him back against the cold glass of the window and sliding the flat of his hand over his belly to the buckle of his belt.

------

Sophia looked up at Bastien

‘So Damien is coming here – to work with you on tracing Justin. Where do you stand with him? Does it affect us – our relationship?’ He smiled and kissed the top of her head

‘I just wanted to be honest with you’ he said ‘The last time I saw him I had only just met you. I can assure you that you are all I want, and I’ll tell him so when he arrives. What I had with him was just casual, a way to pass the time when I was in New York – though it wasn’t as cold as that might sound. We got on well and I hope the non sexual side of our relationship can continue - but of course that’s up to you.’ Sophia sat and thought for a while, resting her head on his chest and taking his hand in hers, absentmindedly tracing her fingers over the back of his hand.

‘I’ll have to meet him before I decide’ she said ‘I’d say any friend of yours has to be a friend of mine- but if you were lovers it changes things a little. We could have him over for dinner’

‘I suggest we go somewhere neutral’ Bastien said ‘somewhere each of us can retreat if we need to, without it being awkward’ Sophia nodded

‘Will he be staying in the Manor?’

‘I thought that best, I may need to call on him at short notice and it will be easier for him to work on site’ He tightened his arm around her shoulders. ‘If you’re uncomfortable I’m sure he’d understand’

‘Hmm, I don’t know yet. Does he know about me?’

‘No, but then he doesn’t know where I come from or who I work for’

‘Wow’ she said ‘That’s some secret to keep’

‘I never asked about specifics and he never asked me. We shared stories but kept the details vague’

‘How do you think he will react when he finds out you work for royalty?’

‘He may not be entirely surprised, I really don’t know’

‘When does he arrive?’

‘Tomorrow, early if they allow the Royal Jet to fly overnight’ Sophia slipped her hand under his shirt to find the bare flesh of his toned abdomen.

‘Then we’d better make the most of our time alone’ she murmured, and he smiled, feeling himself harden.

Next chapter 6 Meeting Up

#protect and serve #silver service #bastien lykel #trr bastien #sophia x bastien #OC x Bastien #the royal romance au #royal romance fanfic #trr fanfic #trr au fanfic

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artificialqueens · 5 years ago

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Not Nineteen Forever (2) (Branjie/Scyvie)- Ortega

a/n: first off thank you to everyone who’s liked, reblogged, put something cute in their tags, dm’d or sent feedback to me/to AQ about this! it completely warms my heart and motivates me SO MUCH so thank you. in this chapter Scarlet gets a shock, someone gets a new groupchat nickname, and things are revealed during pres. as always send lovely things here or to my blog @artificialortega, and enjoy the quick updates while i’m still not at work!

Trigger Warning: alcohol. standard procedure xo

Summary: Brooke, Yvie and Nina are three flatmates who forged a friendship in their first year of university and picked up some other waifs and strays along the way. Now in their final year, there are feelings that need to be unravelled and confessions to be made whilst navigating drunk nights, hungover mornings, takeaways, group chats, library meetups, cafe gossiping, and the small matter of getting a degree.

***

Scarlet stood in the street, silent, breathing heavily, and absolutely frozen to the spot. She had felt the coin drop from her hand and hit the pavement, but whether that had been seconds ago or minutes ago she couldn’t tell. All that was running through her mind was one single thought, one single number, and no matter how much her eyes darted across the small rectangle of paper it didn’t seem to change.

Five thousand.

She looked again- top left hand corner, top middle, dead middle.

Five thousand.

Scarlet took one deep breath in then held it tightly in her chest before releasing it. Selfishly, she reminded herself that it wasn’t that much money, in the grand scheme of things. Some people would get paid that a month eventually in life. But Scarlet was a student- a philosophy student at that, who wouldn’t get paid shit when she graduated and had absolutely zero job prospects.

Five thousand was big.

She never bought scratchcards. It was a whimsical purchase, along with a granola bar and a bottle of chocolate milk on her way to a lecture, but there was no fucking way that was happening now, not while she had a card in her hand that entitled her to be the proud owner of five thousand whole pounds.

Part of her panicked. Part of her didn’t know what the hell to do with all this money. She completely and utterly was not in any way used to it. She was still thinking and in a complete daze when she walked back into the shop and handed the shopkeeper the card wordlessly. Confused, the man looked at it for a moment then laughed.

“I can’t cash that here,” he chuckled, handing it back to Scarlet. “Can only give you up to one hundred. You need to phone them.”

“Oh,” she laughed, uncomfortable and embarrassed, thanking the man as she took the card and left. Once outside, she turned it over, found the phone number she needed to call, and in a matter of minutes, her NatWest banking app now read: £4985.55 (she had previously been in her overdraft).

So what the hell did she do now?

As if on cue, her phone hummed in her jacket pocket. Bringing it out to look at, she saw the group chat already exploding with messages.

Dave the Laugh: anyone down for lunch near the lib in 5?

Cananana Canadada hey hey hey bingo: Yes please. Can we go Liezen?

Kim Kardashian-West: i’m eating the most disappointing sandwich of my life in a staffroom where no other teacher is talking to me! i <3 placement!

Plastique Bague: Nina :(

Plastique Bague: I’d be down for Liezen in 5! Me n Brooke will be there after this lecture

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE: Biiiiiitch so sad i’m missing this!!!!!! don’t have too much fun without me xo

Scarlet paused for a moment, her thumbs hovering over the phone screen. It would probably make her feel better, going to see the girls, and Yvie would be there too. Her heart gave a little jolt as she typed her own reply.

used Tampon: Can I come too??

There was a small pause in the chat, as if everybody was looking at each other with concern despite all being in separate places. Squeezing her eyes shut, Scarlet tried to push out the spiral of her thoughts to a secret, Scarlet-less group chat the girls had without her. It wasn’t that she felt insecure in her friendship group, it was just that sometimes she felt like the odd one out, that sometimes they were only friends with her for pity, that they secretly joked about her behind her back.

That was insecurity. She’d just defined insecurity.

Sighing, she looked down at her phone again and her heart soared.

Cananana Canadada hey hey hey bingo: No sorry it’s a No Scarlet Allowed event xo

Dave the Laugh: Brooke i’m evicting u

Dave the Laugh: ofc u can join, u don’t need to ask bitch!!

Brooke’s comment completely ignored, Scarlet cheerfully made her way through the park that separated all the city’s student-land flats and the main campus, where the cafe they visited so often lay just on the outside of. She didn’t care even if the others hadn’t wanted her to join- Yvie had, and that was what mattered.

Scarlet had a weird relationship with Yvie, different to ones that she had with the rest of her friends. Whenever she saw her, she always felt like she needed to look her best or be acting nonchalant and cool, despite the fact Scarlet couldn’t be either of those things to save herself. If Yvie’s body was having a rough day and was being particularly unkind to her, Scarlet would worry and fuss, and ask Yvie if she needed anything to the point where the other girl sometimes got annoyed at her. She couldn’t help herself- the thought of Yvie being in pain was so horrible to her, cutting through her and making her fret. Sometimes Scarlet felt she couldn’t respond to or take part in any of the friendly shade or roastings that Yvie threw her way, because maybe Yvie would see that as flirting, and that would be weird. They were just friends, after all, Scarlet reminded herself with a nod. It was just…a different type of friendship than the ones she had with the others. But it was still a friendship.

Arriving at the cafe, she scanned the room and found Yvie, Plastique and Brooke Lynn sitting around a booth. Scarlet found her heart giving a jump when she saw the seat next to Yvie was free and she walked towards the table happily, sliding into the free seat and greeting everyone.

“Hey, boo,” Yvie smiled, scooting up so that Scarlet had more room.

“Oh she’s here, guys. We need to stop talking about her now,” Brooke said dryly and sipped her coffee, her tone of voice giving absolutely nothing away. Scarlet’s mouth fell open, confused.

Plastique burst out laughing as Brooke winced in pain, Scarlet feeling the motion of a leg kicking out from beside her.

“She’s fucking with you, Scarlet, don’t worry,” Plastique smiled sweetly, Scarlet grateful for the sympathy. Brooke and Yvie appeared to be locked in an aggressive staring contest, so Scarlet spoke in an effort to break it.

“How’ve your days all been?” she asked lightly, picking up the menu and giving it a flippant scan before deciding she’d order what she always did.

“Boring. I got up and went to the gym, we had a 9am-” Plastique gestured between herself and Brooke. “- and then a tutorial, and now we’re here. We made a really good effort to get some work done in the library though. We spent a whole…what was it, ten? Five minutes in there?”

“Um sorry, I would’ve happily stayed and done work but Miss I-Need-Food-Or-I’ll-Die dragged me out here,” Brooke cast an incredulous glance at her friend. Plastique shrugged.

“Guilty,” she said, before sipping at an orange juice she had in front of her.

“How’s your day been, Scarlet?” Yvie asked, her head leaning on her hand in an effort to face her.

Scarlet considered her options as quickly as she could in the two second time gap she had in which to answer. She could tell the girls about the scratchcard, or she could just…not. As mean as it sounded, she’d heard about people’s friends changing when they’d had a lottery win, and not necessarily for the better. Okay, it was only five thousand (only? ONLY?) but it was still probably more money than any of them had ever had at uni, and Scarlet still didn’t really know what she was going to do with it all. Looking in Yvie’s eyes, she was struck with a pang of guilt for what she was about to say.

“Uh, alright. I got up kinda late. I’m actually supposed to have a lecture just now, but I blew it off. Balsamic tomatoes were calling me,” she shrugged, pleased when both Yvie and Brooke laughed. As the waiter arrived to take their order, Scarlet let out a sigh of relief she didn’t know she’d been holding. She hadn’t known lying would come this easily to her. Well- technically she hadn’t lied. She hadn’t not told them about the scratchcard. She just…happened to omit it from the recount of her day.

As the waiter moved away from their table, the conversation turned to a night out that Vanessa’s flat was apparently hosting pres for this evening. Scarlet felt a pang of envy. She wished she had the sort of flatmates that were all so close and hosted things together, but instead she was stuck in a two bed with a girl she’d found on SpareRooms who inexplicably hated her. She longed to be the flat that everyone would come to for chilled times, like Brooke, Yvie and Nina, or the flat that hosted crazy parties like Vanessa, Silky and Akeria. At the very least, she wished she had Plastique’s excuse to not host anything- her incredibly rich and successful Mum had simply bought her a beautiful flat in the nicest part of town, which she shared with her friend from school. Scarlet’s mouse-infested two bed was a million miles away.

“I don’t know, Yvie, we’ve only got three weeks until showcase,” Brooke sighed, hands around her cup of coffee. Yvie waved a dismissive hand.

“Shut up with these excuses already. Plastique, you’ll come because you can’t stop yourself from drinking anything with an alcohol content higher than 3% and Brooke, you’ll come because it’s Vanjie.”

“And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Brooke asked pointedly, fixing her gaze on Yvie. The other girl laughed.

“It means you want to bone,” Yvie explained, scrunching up her face with a laugh as she made a snipping motion with her fingers.

“BOOOOOOONE?!” Plastique impersonated, causing Scarlet and Yvie to burst out laughing.

“Fuck you all. It’s not like that at all,” Brooke rolled her eyes, unamused. Scarlet felt for the girl. In the time she’d been part of the friendship group, she knew that Brooke pined for Vanessa but also that Vanessa crushed on Brooke with exactly the same intensity, Vanessa often confiding things to Scarlet in the Philosophy lectures they were in together. Scarlet had told Yvie all of this, and Yvie, naturally, told Brooke time and time again how much Vanessa liked her, but never told Brooke how she knew (a gesture, Scarlet always thought, that was sweet of her as it protected her from any fallout of Vanessa finding out that Scarlet had told Yvie).

“I think it’s sweet,” Scarlet chimed in, her stomach spasming as Brooke fixed her with an unimpressed gaze. “You know. That you’re waiting to tell her until you’re sure she likes you too. I feel like I would do the same.”

To Scarlet’s relief, Brooke pulled a smug smile and gestured across the table to Scarlet. “See? She knows.”

Yvie frowned at Scarlet, drumming her fingers against the table. “So you would wait as long as she has to tell someone you liked them?”

Scarlet found her words catching in her throat. For some reason, Brooke laughed.

“Girl. Shut up.”

“What?!” Yvie exclaimed. “It’s just interesting!”

“Interesting in what way?” Plastique asked, her face expressionless and a quick knowing look passing between her and Brooke before the waiter arrived with their food (scrambled eggs, avocado and tomatoes with balsamic on sourdough for Scarlet, bacon roll for Yvie, raisin granola with strawberry jam for Plastique and a chocolate and hazelnut croissant for Brooke) and the conversation was forgotten about. The chat then turned into uni moaning, deadline stressing and tutor bitching, something Scarlet was glad about. She’d just completed her first Philosophy essay of the year and she desperately wanted to impress her tutor after achieving good marks last year, so she vented to the girls about her worries.

“None of you will believe the conversation we had with Silky when we were at the pub the other night,” Yvie began, Scarlet already laughing as she’d heard this story before. “So she got this essay back and her tutor gave her like…52 or fifty something, it was a low mark at least. And Silk starts going off like ‘Well! I know it was a good essay! It don’t matter! I’ll just do another one!’. Like…! I had to be like 'Well it kinda does matter, bitch, it’s your whole fucking degree!’”

The girls at the table howled with laughter, glad of a cautionary tale and a distraction from their own performance at uni.

“I worry about Silky sometimes,” Brooke frowned, peeling off a small bit of her croissant and eating it.

“Silky will be fine,” Plastique reassured her through her last mouthful of granola. “At the very least she’ll get a job for a local paper and she’ll get paid to write controversial opinion pieces all day.”

“Ugh, let’s not talk about grad jobs,” Scarlet sighed, the thought of having to find something to do once she finished uni making her heart palpitate. Yvie smiled, reaching out and taking Scarlet’s hand.

“You’ll be fine. It’s these two you’ve gotta worry about.”

“Oh, thanks so much,” Brooke Lynn folded her arms together and narrowed her eyes at her flatmate.

“Well. More Brooke than Plastique. She’s always got the option of living at home and getting spoiled for the rest of her life.”

“Getting suffocated, you mean,” Plastique pouted, leaning back in her seat.

“What are you going to do after you graduate?” Scarlet asked Yvie, at once interested. Yvie tilted her head and thought.

“Forensics. Or actually, I’d quite like to work at a mortuary. Something with dead bodies,” she shrugged, Plastique wrinkling her nose.

“You’re a spooky bitch,” she recoiled, Yvie laughing in that deep, Disney-Villan way that Scarlet secretly loved.

“And what, bitch? And what? Anyway,” she took a sip of her diet coke. “I don’t need to worry about jobs yet. That goes for all of us. We don’t need to think about that shit til January.”

“It’s already October!” Scarlet cried, her eyes wide and fearful. Yvie, she noted, had still not let go of her hand, as she gave it a squeeze and laughed.

“Guys, let’s not be dramatic, we will all be fine,” Brooke shook her head, finishing the last of her croissant. Her comment stung Scarlet a little and she shrank back in her chair, suddenly inhibited and self-conscious.

“Well, this was lovely but we’d better get to the lib,” Plastique shrugged, pulling out her purse. Scarlet had a sudden thought. Maybe the others would start to warm up to her if she took care of the financial aspect of friendship every now and then. A lunch here, a round of drinks there. If she started to show some generosity, then maybe the girls would start to like her more.

“Hey, I’ll treat us!” she smiled, causing all three girls to whip round and stare at Scarlet as if she had sprouted an extra head. She immediately regretted her decision. Was this too suspicious? She gave a fake laugh. “My Mum sent me some money earlier this week and said to treat me and some friends to dinner. It’s not dinner, but it’s close enough?”

To her relief, Brooke and Plastique raised their eyebrows and shrugged. Brooke sent her a warm smile from across the table. “Well lucky us! Thanks, Scarlet. That’s cute.”

Scarlet cast a glance to the girl beside her and saw Yvie looking at her with intrigue, her face deep in thought. Buoyed by Plastique and Brooke’s kindness, she stuck her tongue out at her.

“Well am I going halfers with you, then?”

Yvie relaxed, giving a laugh and pushing Scarlet a little. “Oh my God, no, I’ll take what I can get of course. Thanks, baby.”

Scarlet’s heart gave a little explosion. This was a pet name she hadn’t heard from Yvie before, and she would be lying if she said it didn’t make her skin prickle and her blood feel hot in her veins. She wished she could stop smiling, but found herself unable to.

Scarlet paid and the girls all filed out of the cafe, saying goodbye with tight hugs and cheek kisses and promises to see each other later at the pres that Vanjie was hosting. When Brooke and Plastique said goodbye to her, Scarlet could have sworn their smiles were wider than usual, and she was sure that Yvie had hugged her extra tight. Scarlet was so happy that she headed straight into town, treating herself to a new outfit for the night ahead from a shop she would never usually even set foot into. She was in the changing rooms trying it on when the group chat went off again.

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE: Mine tonight, who’s coming!

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: EXCUSE ME

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: OURS

Kim Kardashian-West: Me!!!!!! #tgif

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE: they know wtf i mean

Akeria Sainsburys Bag for Life: sorry i have other plans with more important friends who i don’t live with

Cananana Canadada hey hey hey bingo: My God your…so unfunny…it pains me physically

Kim Kardashian-West: *you’re

Akeria Sainsburys Bag for Life: *you’re

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: *YOU’RE

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE: IM DYING

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE: *you’re

Plastique Bague: i’m coming

Cananana Canadada hey hey hey bingo: I’m not coming any mose

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE: PLASTIQUE!!!!!! you ruined it lmao

Plastique Bague: fuck u too Brooke

Plastique Bague: oh lol sorry

Akeria Sainsburys Bag for Life: Who’s mose.

Kim Kardashian-West: Tell me why I find mose so funny

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: MOSE ADDFGGHLL

Plastique Bague: oh my god mose

Cananana Canadada hey hey hey bingo: guys oh my god a bitch makes a typo!!

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE: MOSE I CANT BREATHE

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE set the nickname for Brooke Lynn Hytes to mose.

mose: I hate you all so much

Plastique Bague: IM DYING

Kim Kardashian-West: VANJIE AHAHAHAHAHAAHAH

Akeria Sainsburys Bag for Life: actually fuck this has killed me off

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: VANJIE IM HAVING AN ASTHMA ATTACK!!!!!! MOSE!!!!!!

Dave the Laugh: mose lmao

Dave the Laugh: anyway i’m coming tonight

Dave the Laugh: Scarlet said she was coming at lunch

Akeria Sainsburys Bag for Life: Omg. does this mean we have a full squad?

Akeria Sainsburys Bag for Life: this NEVER happens

mose: I’m still not coming

mose: I’m being cyberbullied

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE: you are so coming bitchhhh

Scarlet noted the plethora of heart emojis Vanessa tacked on to the end of her message to Brooke before sending hers, still confident from her lunch with the girls and the short, gold dress she was looking at herself in the mirror in.

used Tampon: I’m coming so we OFFICIALLY have a full squad ladies!!

used Tampon: Well. If mose is coming xo

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: SCARLET HAHAHAHA

Akeria Sainsburys Bag for Life: Scarlet i swear that’s the funniest uv ever been

Plastique Bague: Ahahahaha WOOO!! Yaaaas to full squad!!

Kim Kardashian-West: Mose will be there if i have to drag her there!! Yay Scarlet!!!

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE: Brooky if u come i’ll give you a big cuddle!

Akeria Sainsburys Bag for Life: Anna ou-

mose: I don’t like that threat

mose: See you all later, I’ll be their

Plastique Bague: *there

used Tampon: *there

Akeria Sainsburys Bag for Life: *there

Kim Kardashian-West: *there

mose: FUCK YOU ALL!!!!!!

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: *THERE

FORD TRANSIT VANJIE: *there assddffghjkkl love u Brooke xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

After a little shopping trip, a nap, a small, solo getting-ready party and absolutely no uni work, Scarlet found herself in a taxi on her way to Vanessa’s flat, fiddling with the hem of her new dress that popped out from under her parka and wondering to herself if it was too short. She had bought the biggest bottle of gin she could find in the supermarket, not thinking twice about dropping £40 on it, and a small half bottle of tequila. Tonight would be a big one if she had anything to do with it. Scarlet was excited- she hated always being that person that had to borrow money for the entry fee, the only person who couldn’t buy drinks for everyone in the club, the person that got bought pity shots because she couldn’t afford a drink. Tonight, things would be different.

She arrived at the girls’ flat and pressed the buzzer, the music from Akeria’s room pouring out of the second-floor window already. Scarlet wasn’t that late- Vanessa had said 9 and it was only half past, but already she could hear the girls upstairs drunkenly singing along to Pitbull. There was suddenly a loud buzz from the intercom and Scarlet found the front door swinging open. She jogged up the stairs, taking them two at a time in her white trainers, and was greeted with a tight hug from Akeria, whose eyes were already considerably glassy. Scarlet was led through to Akeria’s huge, fairy-lights-and-mirrors covered room, where a huge cheer went up from the girls inside at her arrival. Plastique, Nina and Brooke Lynn were all sat on the edge of Akeria’s huge bed, and Silky and Vanessa were on the worn, purple carpet beside them, making a semicircle. Yvie was sat on the small sofa opposite the bed, dressed in a black lace jumpsuit that caused Scarlet’s pulse to race. Smiling and raising up the bottle of gin from her bag, Scarlet laughed as another cheer exploded in the room. She stepped carefully over the dwindling pack of cards that formed a circle around a pint glass full of a liquid that looked absolutely vile, and sat on the sofa beside Yvie, shrugging her jacket off.

“Hey,” Yvie smiled, flipping her septum piercing in and out of her nose absent-mindedly. “You look nice. I like this.”

Scarlet felt her cheeks heat up as Yvie momentarily touched her bare thigh, fiddling with the material at the hem of Scarlet’s dress. Scarlet rolled her shoulders back and flipped some of her hair over one. “Thanks! Just got it today. You look so good!”

“God, this old thing?” Yvie put a hand to her chest and laughed, Scarlet joining in until Akeria squashed herself down on the sofa beside her.

“Thanks for stealing my space,” she said unamused and giving Scarlet a quick once-over with her eyes. “Here, I got you a glass.”

Scarlet thanked her and poured herself out a measure of gin and lemonade which was approximately 40% gin and 60% mixer. She watched as Vanjie pulled out a card from the deck and a huge roar went up from the girls, a King staring back at the girl’s disappointed face.

“Aw, fuck my life!”

“Get it down, girl!” Yvie laughed, delighting in the other girl’s anguish.

“Vanjie, I’ll drink half if you really don’t want to,” came Brooke’s voice, the groans of objection from the other girls almost making Scarlet miss the grateful smile that Vanjie shot Brooke’s way.

“Um, no the fuck you won’t, bitch!” Yvie piped up again, outraged.

“Yeah this ain’t fuckin’ I’m A Celebrity, drink the damn thing!” Silky all but screamed, the girls chanting as Vanjie raised the glass to her lips and tilted it, some of whatever was in it dripping down her chin and spilling onto her black vinyl skirt. In under ten seconds, the glass was empty and the room was cheering, Vanjie giving a triumphant smile and wiping at her mouth with a somewhat flailing arm.

“Okay, next game!” Plastique demanded, thumping her knees.

“Question game,” Nina said instantly in a monotone voice, some girls cheering and some girls groaning. Scarlet’s heart dropped.

“Noo, please! Last time we played this I got my chat nickname, and it’s fucking horrific.”

“What, when you had to tell everyone that you were the one who left the used tampon in our toilet?” Yvie laughed, and Scarlet felt herself blush to the roots of her hair.

“It wouldn’t flush!! And I wasn’t about to leave it lying at the top of your bin, was I?!” she cried, Yvie laughing and pulling her into her side for a hug. Scarlet supposed the embarrassment was worth it.

“Okay, no tampon-themed questions, guys,” Akeria laughed, the others muttering a laugh around her. “Remember, if you stumble, you answer and drink, if it’s a shit question, you answer and drink-”

“Akeria! We’re in third year! We know how the fuck the game works!” Brooke exclaimed, the other girl narrowing her eyes at her.

“I’m out to get you now, bitch,” she said forebodingly, Yvie “oooooh”-ing spookily beside Scarlet and making her laugh. “Who’s starting?”

“Me!” Silky yelled, and launched into her first question before anyone could object. “Akeria, who was the last person you fucked?”

“Nina, have you ever got with a stranger in the club?” she immediately fired across the room, the other girl’s face dropping in surprise.

“Vanjie, where’s the worst place you’ve had sex?”

“Plastique, would you ever go there with Ariel?” she yelled, her face relaxing in relief that the heat was off her. Plastique, who had been taking a drink at the time, choked, and a chorus of cheers went up as the girls realised she’d have to answer. Scarlet felt for Plastique as a red prickly heat began to spread across her chest and neck.

“I mean,” she began, her voice suddenly quiet. “I guess? Like maybe it would be weird but…whatever. Yes. It’d be fun, and we wouldn’t be awkward about it the next day. And I wouldn’t have to do the walk of shame. I’d just go across the hall to my own room. So it’s convenient.“

“So the fact that she’s hot just doesn’t come into it?” Brooke deadpanned, a bomb of laughter exploding in the room and Brooke receiving an elbow in the ribs for her trouble. Scarlet could relax for the small amount of time the game wasn’t being played. She always lived in terrible fear that someone would bring up the weird sort of relationship that she and Yvie had, and she really didn’t want to have to address it. Finishing her drink, Plastique began again.

“Nina, what’s the biggest dick you’ve ever taken?”

“Brooke, anal: thoughts?”

Brooke laughed as she attempted to get her question out. “Scarlet, have you ever had inappropriate thoughts about someone in this room?”

FUCK. “Akeria, what’s the youngest you’d ever go?”

“Plastique, have you ever done speed?”

“Yvie, what’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever masturbated with?”

“The hell?” Yvie scrunched up her face and laughed, before moving on quickly. “Brooke, if you could fuck anyone in this room, who would it be?”

Scarlet’s mouth dropped open as she watched Brooke’s face turn white. “Silky, um…uh…oh, fuck! I had one!”

The room descended into chaos as everyone realised Brooke would have to answer the question. Scarlet jumped as she suddenly felt Yvie lean in to her side and whisper in her ear.

“How many times do we have to play this game at pres before Brooke answers with Vanessa? She has to at some point, right?”

Scarlet laughed and sat forward eagerly to hear Brooke’s answer, noticing Vanjie looking at her intently out of the corner of her eye.

“Um…” Brooke began, then laughed and took Nina’s hand. “I’m going to say Nina. Because she would make you a cup of tea afterwards and breakfast in the morning, and really what more would you want?”

Scarlet didn’t miss the way Vanjie’s smile turned into a fake one and something shut down behind her eyes. With a pang of empathy, she narrowed her eyes at Brooke and shook her head. “Shit answer!”

Brooke and Nina fixed their surprised gazes on Scarlet as the other girls laughed and some of them agreed. Nina raised her eyebrows in mock-offence. “Scarlet, I’m offended! Are you saying I would be a shit fuck!”

Scarlet felt panic rise in her chest. “No, I-”

Nina burst out laughing. “I’m only kidding, you’re right, it was a shit answer.”

Scarlet joined in with the laughter and shouts that filled the room, confidence spiking again. Brooke soon started the game once more. As things progressed, the girls got more and more drunk and more and more loud, and Scarlet’s gin and tequila got passed around the room, everyone appreciative of free alcohol. As they drank more, Scarlet felt herself and Yvie grow closer together on the sofa until she was practically in the other girl’s lap. The only problem was, as everyone drank more, they all became less on the ball with coming up with questions rapidly.

“Akeria, how do you really feel about Silky?”

“Plastique, what’s your net worth?”

“Scarlet, gaaah, have you ever had a sexy dream about someone in this room?”

“Silky, have you ever farted in bed?”

“Oh my God, y'all nasty! Yvie, have you ever fantasised about anyone in this room?”

“Nina, where was the last time that you…I mean, when was the last place…god damn it!” Yvie exclaimed, jeers filling the room as Yvie blushed uncharacteristically. Scarlet’s interest was piqued. With a small jab of annoyance, she’d wished that Silky had asked who Yvie had fantasised about, but then she’d maybe get an answer she didn’t want to hear.

“Um. Yeah. Obviously! I mean, haven’t we all?” Yvie shrugged, trying to play the question off casually. Scarlet felt her heart speed up in her chest. Akeria raised an eyebrow and leaned back against the arm of the sofa.

“Haven’t we all imagined ourselves in a sexual situation with one of our friends? I don’t think you’re gonna like the answer to that,” she chuckled, Plastique howling with laughter.

“Unless your name’s Brooke or Vanessa,” Yvie shrugged, the girls all descending into screeches of laughter, Silky’s being the loudest as she got up from the floor and started jumping on an unimpressed Akeria’s bed. Scarlet looked at Brooke, who was eyeing Yvie darkly with a tight smile on her face. Yvie cleared her throat beside Scarlet, her eyes expressing regret as if she’d gone too far. Changing the subject, she asked the next question. “Uh, Akeria, what’s your body count?”

“Nina, what’s going on with you and Monet from your course?”

“Ah, oh, um,” Nina began, flustered. She shut her eyes tightly. “Brooke, what’s the dirtiest text you’ve ever sent?”

“Plastique, how many nudes have you sent?”

“Vanjie, who’s the most fuckable person in this room?”

Vanjie screwed up her face and gestured in disbelief. “Shit question, bitch.”

Shouts of objection filled the room. Vanessa put her hands out in front of herself in protest.

“Now, now, now, wait a damn minute! It’s only shit because there’s an obvious answer,” she shrugged, taking a sip of Scarlet’s gin that she’d mixed with her Fanta. As everybody waited with baited breath, she rolled her eyes. “Brooke Lynn. Duh.”

As if it was Wembley Stadium at full time, the room exploded with cheers and roars, and Scarlet doubled over giggling. Brooke was laughing but her face had gone beetroot red, and Vanjie was smiling, pleased she’d elicited such a reaction. Scarlet felt herself fall into Yvie’s side as she laughed. This was great! She was having such a good time!

There was a sudden three bangs on the front door out in the hall, silencing the room and making Scarlet jump. Many of the girls giggled anxiously as Akeria threw her hands up and shook her head.

“Nope! No, I got the last three, I am not getting this one as well.”

“Bitch! Lemme at ‘em,” Silky exclaimed, getting up from her position on the floor. There was silence in which some of the girls (mostly Plastique) made inappropriate comments to try and get everyone to laugh, while they listened through the door to Silky, Vanessa and Akeria’s upstairs neighbour rant and rave about how he had work in the morning, and how this was the fourth time in two weeks, and how next time it would be the police that would get called. As she giggled, Scarlet felt Yvie take her hand and squeeze it, the other girl laughing evilly under her breath and making her laugh even more.

Fuck. Scarlet was beginning to realise her friendship with Yvie wasn’t strictly a friendship anymore.

The bang from the front door caused everyone to jump, and Silky was back in the room almost as quickly as she’d left.

“RIGHT bitches, c’mon, you heard the man, drink up, move, move, move!”

And with that, Scarlet tugged Yvie up from her position on the sofa, ready for the night that lay ahead and all the regrets and consequences that could accompany it.

#rpdr fanfiction

133 notes · View notes

writingmilo · 6 years ago

Text

Talking - Maya and Rowan (OCs)

Okay, so this is a thing involving @honestlyitsjustkenna, @goldenoceanaart, @ashphoenix06, @samariah-keeper and @thelunarmasquerade

also tagging my main @normallyemma so you know it’s me if you couldn’t guess

I had fun with this one, and it’s pretty important for Maya...

“Maya, it’s Rowan. I’m a bit worried, you’ve been gone all day, and it’s getting dark. Please, just send me a text or something when you get this.”

“Maya, it’s me again, I’m really starting to worry now, please just give me ring to let me know you’re okay? Love you.”

“Maya, where the hell are you? It’s nearly two a.m. and you’re not home. I’m out of my mind, just please let me know you’re safe, call me, text me, anything.”

The first three voicemails weren’t too bad, but as Maya clicked through them, a knot of dread began in her stomach. How could she have forgotten to tell Rowan where she was going? She was such a bad sister, Rowan was going to be so angry. They must be out of their mind with worry, especially after mum and dad and everything that had been happening with Anti recently.

Her phone vibrated in her hand, and the screen changed to Rowan’s profile picture. “Shit. What do I tell her?” She looked at Oceana, Willow and Sammie who were stood either side of her. They both shrugged, and Oce looked worried. She knew a little about Rowan, Maya had told her bits since they first met.

“No time like the present kiddo,” Sammie forced a smile at Maya, before walking towards the door. Oce followed, mouthing a good luck and giving her two thumbs up. With no way left to avoid it, Maya’s thumb slid to the right. “Hey, Ro,” even though Rowan couldn’t see her, she still looked sheepishly to the floor.

“Where the hell were you? Where the hell are you? You’ve been gone for over twenty-four hours, I’ve been out of my mind!” Maya heard a faint sob from over the line. “But you’re okay? Are you okay? God you’re not are you, do you need me to come and get you?”

“Ro, calm down, please, you’re gonna hurt yourself. I’m fine, not a scratch on me.” She heard the breathing calm down a little as she grimaced at her scratched-up arms. “I promise you I am fine. I’m staying with a friend tonight, they needed some help with something.”

“Okay, but you could’ve at least let me know you weren’t coming home. I’ve been up all night worried sick.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I was working for too long and I must’ve passed out from exhaustion. I’m sorry, I just got really... involved in what was happening.”

“Okay. Will you want me to come and pick you up later?” Maya had been asked this question before. It wasn’t a question.

“Yeah, later. I’m at Oceana’s house.”

“You know I know you really well, right?”

“Yeah? So?” Brow crumpled, Maya looked at the doorframe where Oce had just appeared.

“So, I know when you’re mad at me.”

“Huh?” She stared at Oce who was mouthing something at her.

“Look, I get it, I was young once too. If you don’t want to go, I’ll come pick you up, take you home where you can pack a bag, get changed and come back. As long as you let me know when you’re coming home after that.” Maya, though still slightly confused as to what had prompted this, was thankful. She didn’t want to leave Kenna, even if she thought she was imposing on the family.

“Okie, thanks Ro, love you.” She hung up the phone and turned to Oce, who was still in the doorway.

“So, how did it go?” She grinned smugly, the first time Maya had seen her smile in any form for a while.

“A: fuck you, B: fuck you, C: —”

“Yeah, I get the picture, fuck you too. Anyways, what did they say?”

“They said they would come pick me up so I can go home and get some stuff and get changed. They said I could come back though after if I wanted. If it’s okay with you and your mum?” Maya feigned nonchalance to hide her hope. She really didn’t want to impose.

“I’ll check, but I would like you to come back.”

“Okay, I’ll text Ro, let her know to come get me.”

“Chill, I’ll check with mum.”

***

“Hey May, can I come in?” After Maya hummed a yes, Rowan’s head appeared around the door, before the rest of them followed. “You nearly ready to go?”

“Yeah, just finishing up.” She walked to her wardrobe and pulled out a yellow button down. “Yes or no?”

“Yes, but wear it tied over a vest or something.” Rowan always gave such good fashion advice.

“Cool, thanks Ro. Blue or black jeans?”

“Black, always black. Otherwise you’ll look like a primary school paint palette.” They smiled and Maya threw the shirt at them.

“Dude, really? Just ‘cos you didn’t get the red hair doesn’t mean you have to bully me about it.”

“I know,” Maya started to close the zip on her bag. “You got pyjamas?”

“Yep, I’m not completely useless you know!”

“Totally, What about toothbrush?”

“Yep.”

“Clean underwear? Spare shirt?”

“Yes and yes. Come on, I’ve got everything I need, I’ll only be half an hour away anyways.”

“I know, deodorant?”

“Ooh, no. Aw fuck, okay you right. I guess.”

“Told you I knew you better than you do.”

“Told you I knew you better than you do myeah myerrm. I’m Rowan and I know everything, myerrm!” Rowan threw a pillow from her bed, hitting her in the stomach. Maya laughed, crumpling over and collapsing onto the floor. Soon Rowan caught the bug, and they were both laughing hysterically.

Once they stopped, they sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

“May?”

“Yeah Ro?”

“What’s wrong, you seemed agitated before, and you’re never upset when you’re with Kenna and Oce?”

“Okay, well, you see,” she took a deep breath, she had to tell them, she couldn’t lie, “Kenna was taken by Anti. She made a deal, and we were rescuing her. We only managed to last night.”

“Shit. Well, okay then, do you want to talk about it?” Maya nodded.

“Well, yesterday, when I was in my room all day, I wasn’t doing homework or coursework, I was trying to crack a cipher that Anti set us. He said that if we could crack the cipher we could have Kenna back, but we only had forty-eight hours to do it. Then, I left in such a hurry because I cracked the cipher and I needed to go tell Oce so we could go and find her. I never even thought to leave a note because I was so worried about Kenna. It was pretty late by the time we found her, and it was so hard calming her down and comforting her. Eventually, she started to trust me enough to let me call Marvin to bring us back home, and according to Oce, I passed out pretty much as soon as we landed.”

“And you want to check on her. I’m sorry kiddo, how is she?” Rowan threw an arm round Maya’s shoulders, pulling her close.

“She’s alive. Marvin healed all her physical wounds, but she has pretty bad amnesia, and can’t remember any of us. I managed to get her to drink something last night, and when I spoke to her this morning, she said she ate something and slept a little. But she still looks pale. I’m worried about her, she is so jumpy and she keeps thinking we’re going to hurt her.” Tears were welling in Maya’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Kenna was okay, and Anti would never hurt her again.

“Okay. How are you feeling about everything? This must be tough for you too, you’ve known her for years.” Rowan stroked Maya’s hair as they spoke.

“I... I guess I’m scared.” She blinked the tears away, letting them roll silently down her cheeks. “What if she never remembers who we are? I mean, mum never did, did she? She came home, and we thought it was over, but it wasn’t. We thought it would get better, but it never did, and eventually he came, and he killed mum, and when dad tried to fight, he killed him too.

“Anti is so powerful, he plays by his own rules. How can any of us ever be safe again when he knows who we are? When he knows where we are? And now he knows Kenna, so she’ll never be safe again. And what if she wants to go back, what if he stays inside her head forever?”

“I know, kid, I know. You just have to trust Kenna, trust that she is fighting her way out.” Rowan rubbed her shoulder and stood up before extending a hand to Maya.

“Now then, you. Sort your face out and go back to your friends.” They hugged Maya tightly, and left the room.

***

“You sure you’ll be alright on your own Ro? You know Marv right, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you coming over as well.”

“No, no, I’ll be fine, there’s a few shows I fancy binging with song wine and a takeaway. Now go, and be careful when you’re walking.” They planted a kiss on her forehead, before pushing her out the door.”

On the walk to Kenna’s house, Maya was thinking about how powerful Anti was, how little he valued people, how truly evil he was. And all of the grief and hurt and fear from the past week that had been churning around inside her head slowly started solidifying into anger and hatred, which in turn, bred a plan.

#shes fine #shes back #kenna #oce #oceana #sammie #willow #ash #maya #rowan #marvin #marvin the magnificent #antisepticeye #anti

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theonceoverthinker · 6 years ago

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OUAT 4X07 - The Snow Queen

Looks like Emma’s facing a real cr-ICE-is in today’s episode!!! XD

As always, the review’s under the cut, so drop on by if you dare! BWHAHAHAH!!

Main Takeaways

Past

A big point in the segment is how Ingrid needs to give up the ribbons in order to get the gloves and urn. Rumple says that with enough emotional attachment, ordinary objects get magical values. When Gerda and Helga protest the exchange, Ingrid points out that the ribbons are a symbol of their love and that their actual love is stronger. The episode frames this as a poor decision, but that’s not a sentiment I agree with. While yes, the ribbons do indeed have a magical value, Ingrid’s right: Their real love is stronger. This is such a big element of other themes in other episodes (Basically EVERYTHING with Rumple dagger and the flashback in “White Out” come to mind), where symbols matter less than the power within and to see the raming reverse itself without any substantive self awareness is a weird choice. Ingrid’s fear of her powers and resolve to be a shut is indeed a problem, but the handling of this red herring solution stands out as an awkward choice. And then it reverses itself again with “we are your fail safe.” The idea of the value of objects over family goes back and forth like a tennis ball during a game of fetch.

And I can’t help but be on Ingrid’s side here. She’s not giving up her sisters. She’s giving up three ribbons so that she can have control over her magic and be able to go out in public with them, rule the kingdom, and just live her life. Their love is still there, but something that’s going to give Ingrid a tangible feeling of safety will be present too. And I feel like Gerda and Helga’s protests are nothing but platitudes.

Let’s also talk about the ending. Gerda, who shows so much love for her sister throughout the segment, grows terrified of her as Ingrid, the only other voice, testifies to her innocence to Helga’s death just before putting her in the urn. Like, had the Duke said something to Gerda either before the scene or during it, the fear would’ve worked better, but as it stands, it’s a weird shift for Gerda that works okay enough, but could’ve been better.

Present

There’s a lot to unpack here about Emma’s conflict. I can’t say that it’s improperly built up. This season and even the last finale have delicately pushed the idea of Emma’s magic still falling short in the face of a lack of a furthering of her education as well as her emotional issues. It’s usually a matter of her underperforming. This though is the first time we’ve ever seen it do the reverse. And I think it’s an interesting thing to explore. Not only is Emma new to magic, but she’s the only person in her family who has it. AND with the presence of a new brother and the Snow Queen manipulating her actions, things can get a little muddied from there. And while it is given a cursory look, there’s no focus to the why of the matter, choosing to try to be about all of these things while not diving into them. I feel horrible for Emma’s situation, so the tone of the episode is captured well and the framing does work perfectly, but the story itself is left kind of flabby.

I don’t do a worst dynamic on these reviews, but if I did, Snow and Emma would be it. Like, Jeez, Snow! Not even gonna hesitate pulling the baby back? Not gonna check on how your kid is feeling because I’m sure to some degree, you’re aware that magic is fueled by emotions? It’s a really shitty moment, but for me, a lot of what sucks about it is that while we’ve received hints about Snow’s apprehension towards Emma learning magic and the fandom has some pretty interesting theories about why Snow is so, we never hear it from the horse’s mouth. For that reason, Snow comes across as really cruel towards Emma for no reason.

On a lighter note in that regard, I used to really hate the outdoors scene with the light pole, finding Snow’s scolding of a terrified Emma to be disgusting, but upon watching it again, given the fact that Snow immediately changes her tone with Emma after scolding her shows very believable remorse. She knows this wasn’t Emma’s fault and that she needs support and love and she knows she failed to give her that. Granted, I’m not a fan of her telling David that the both of them fucked up when David didn’t react negatively to what happened and he even got into the situation to save Emma’s boyfriend (And also played a big role in trying to find her afterwards despite being injured when it really should’ve been the other way around). Like, Snow, that all was totally on you. But as for the initial outburst, I do find that it was handled better in hindsight.

That having been said, while I really dislike Snow’s reaction, I do like the pole scene by itself. It’s never wracking, has some great fast-paced editing, and is sympathetic to most everyone there. It’s as panicked as Emma feels and while I don’t like some of the buildup to that moment, I do like the moment itself and it feels earned enough. There’s a great element of tragedy to the scene too. Emma has tried so hard to overcome her walls and be a part of her family, but because her magic is out of control, she fears that she might not be able to.

As I watch this episode, I’m reminded of why I don’t really care for Robin. I swear I’m not trying to be anti-OQ or anything here, but it does infuriate me that Robin doesn’t even seem to TRY to fall back in love with Marian before getting turned down by Regina the second time. Feelings are valid and I understand that, but the fact of the matter is a person who Robin supposedly cares very much for (Even if the romantic feelings are lessened or gone, Robin would assumedly care about her as a former wife, a person, and the mother of his child) has a frozen heart and is in what is basically a coma and while the only foolproof solution to this lies with him, he’s putting in no effort to even TRY to save her by this point.

And I know what you’re thinking: He does try. At Granny’s, he and Will go over Robin and Marian’s story. And this did have me consider my stance. But the problem is that that’s all he does before just giving up and this isn’t framed as the complicated choice that it is. By all means, Robin, be happy that you love Regina, I’m not telling you not to. But acknowledge the fact that to be with Regina, you’re denying Marian what might be their best chance at saving her. (And the fact that Marian is Zelena of course isn’t a factor here as no one knew that at the time)

Because of all of this, I don’t feel all that sympathetic for his plight and I don’t find my belief that strong for the “code” he was so strongly speaking for in “A Tale of Two Sisters.” I’m with Regina -- that’s completely unfair to her as well as to Marian!

I also find myself a touch frustrated with Ingrid because a lot of the things that she comments on and acts like were her ideas are just random coincidences. I pointed this out, but the results of Emma and Elsa’s investigation haven’t been predetermined, but have resulted from spur-of-the-moment decisions that are usually made by third parties. Ingrid had no idea Emma even still had that video camera, let alone that she would play it and discover her and then investigate the ice cream truck. She had no idea that Belle would clue her into the mirror’s existence or even get that candle. And she had no idea that Emma was dealing with fear from Snow. And at some point OFF SCREEN, Emma apparently tells Ingrid about what happened at the Mommy and Me class or Ingrid brings up that she knows it. That especially irks me here. We see at the end that Ingrid did have a role to play in Emma’s bursts of magic, but because we don’t really see what it was that she did, it’s not effective.

“Sometimes even when you win, you lose.” I’m still annoyed that this is the most we ever got out Will as far as an explanation for his presence. Did Ana die? Did he get caught up in something Lily was doing, since A&E said that his story was related to Mal and Lily’s? At least now that the realms are merged, they can get back together, although their 15-ish years of separation sucks royally. :(

Stream of Consciousness

-Dude! That asshole just fucking KICKED Ingrid! Dude deserves to be BEHEADED!

-I wish the pacing was a smidge slower on this opening. Like, in just a flash, Ingrid discovers her powers, gets called a monster, panics, gets a fast speech, and then wham, things are mostly okay. Like, an additional second so that everyone could process even Ingrid’s powers or the fallen branch really would’ve helped for my money.

-It’s kind of weird how Elsa’s speech to Emma about how her family might look differently at her for her powers, however unintentional, is kind of the tipping point of this arc.

-Ingrid, I don’t want to tell you how to do your evil job, but if Emma hadn’t avoided that icicle, she’d be dead! You already have two dead sisters! A third won’t do you much good!

-Really! All three of them share a room? Granted, it’s a big room, but they’re royals! Not to mention, those beds are fulls at most! You telling me three royals, one of whom is the future queen, wouldn’t have bigger beds?

-Just saying, if I was Elsa, I would’ve followed in my little sister’s footsteps and decked her right in the schnoz.

-”...With your scary face on.” I love how Regina and Henry have that casualness to who they are! It shows how they’re grown!

-Ooh! I see some foreshadowing with Belle saving Killian from the secondary threat (The Shattered Sight Mirror)! Captain Book!

-I love that little flattered gesture Rumple makes when Ingrid calls him the most powerful magic collector in all the land. XD

-The Duke of Weasletown is a fucking creep and Helga is best character for putting him in his place!

-Ummm, I WANT A STORYBROOKE SNOW GLOBE, PLEASE!

-Loving that Rumple smile. Methinks something amazing is coming! XD Or rather, meknows something great is coming! *Rumple giggle*

Favorite Dynamic

Ingrid and Rumple. I love seeing villains interact and in this episode, Ingrid and Rumple do it really well. They act as overseeing deities playing with the chess pieces that they’ve made our heroes into through their manipulations and seeing them talk about circumstances so matter-of-factly is really interesting. I also love how they deal with each other. Watching their deal go through at the end of the episode is like watching a really interesting drug deal go down. Every action from Rumple securing the ribbons to holding onto one of them while waiting for his information to Ingrid whispering what he needs is so engaging! I always love scenes that despite the fact that I know what’s coming, I still get swept up in the action, and that is this episode in spades.

Writer

Adam and Eddy are today’s writers. I feel like this episode really needed more focus in its three main storylines. We’re given hints of character actions and through processes, but none of them ever go all the way. And I genuinely hope that I don’t sound like I’m incapable of putting these pieces together -- I promise you that I do get how these narrative points connect, but my issue is that they’re sometimes not tightly knit enough to support the big character moments and story points that they’re supposed to be able to support.

Rating

7/10. I’ve felt bad with some of these more recent reviews. Sometimes, it’s hard to communicate that despite the problems that I’m pointing out, I am enjoying myself. Like with “Family Business,” this isn’t a bad episode, but it just needs a bit more solidification. There’s a lot of cool ideas to work with here -- an examination of how Emma’s family views Emma’s magic, Robin trying and failing to recapture his love for Marian while in love with Regina, and Emma’s thoughts about her sibling come to mind. But while they dip their toes in that pool, little else is done.

-----

Thank you all for reading! I think I did a better job here than I did with my “Family Business” review, but let me know if there’s something you want more elaboration on!

Shout out to @watchingfairytales and @daensarah!!!! See you guys next time!

Season 3 Total (49/230)

Writer Scores: Adam and Eddy: (16/60) Jane Espenson: (10/40) David Goodman and Jerome Schwartz: (10/50) Andrew Chambliss: (14/50) Dana Horgan: (6/30) Kalinda Vazquez: (14/40) Scott Nimerfro: (6/30)

Tags: ouat, once upon a time, watching fairytales, ouat episode code, ouat rewatch, jenna watches ouat, ships mentioned, triggers mentioned

*Links to the rest of my rewatch will no longer be provided. They take posts with links outside of searches and I spend way too much time on these reviews to not give them that kind of exposure. Sorry for the inconvenience, but they still can be found on my page under Operation Rewatch.

#ouat #once upon a time #watching fairytaes #ouat 4x07 #ouat rewatch #jenna watches ouat

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hymn2000 · 6 years ago

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Hope I’ve Got Something To Lose - MCU AU fanfic - C19

Story overview: Peter has an accident, and Tony makes a drastic decision. In the midst of everything, a face from the past reappears - but Peter isn’t too sure about reconnecting after everything that’s happened.

Previous chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Part of my irondad and spiderson series.

Warnings/themes: injury, hospital stuff, hurt/comfort, mental health stuff, family stuff, corporal punishment, friendship

You can also find me on AO3

Chapter 19 - All This Heat

The string of disturbed nights finally got to Peter. He was teary-eyed and distant in the morning, not speaking much, and not feeling great all round. So when Tony’s prediction about Loki proved accurate, it was all Peter could do not to break down and start sobbing.

“It’s alright, kiddo. He just needs some time to rest” Tony said, squeezing the boys shoulder.

“It’s not fair” Peter said, tears dripping delicately down his cheeks.

“Hey” Tony took Peter’s face in his hands so he had to look at him. “I know. But there’s nothing we can do, you know that. Look, you’ve got your friends. Why don’t you three get on the train and go over to the next town?”

Peter pulled away from Tony and stood up. “I’m not going”

“Oh Peter. Peter!”

But Peter wasn’t listening. Tony sighed heavily as the boy left the room. He looked at the girls.

“Just give him five minutes”

“What’s the matter with Loki?” Liz asked.

“He’s got M.E., and he gets these flare ups” Tony said.

“What’s M.E?”

“I can’t pronounce it. It’s like chronic fatigue syndrome. When he gets these flare-ups, it just knocks him out for a few days. Basically just makes him unbelievably tired”

“Ooh, right” Liz said. “Why’s Peter so upset?”

“He doesn’t like seeing him poorly. And I think he was counting on spending time with him this week”

“He’ll just have to cope with us instead, then” Liz said.

Tony looked at her, and smiled. “You tell him, girl”

As expected, Tony found Peter curled up under Loki’s arm.

“You can’t stay here all day” Tony said, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb Loki.

“I don’t see why not” Peter mumbled.

“You need to go and spend time with your friends, and breathe in as much good, clean, sea air as is humanly possible. That’s why we’re here, remember?”

Peter didn’t respond. Tony carefully moved Loki’s arm, grabbed Peter round the chest, and lifted him off the bed and out onto the landing.

“What did you do that for?!”

“Hey, keep your voice down”

“I wanna stay with daddy!”

“Tough” Tony all but snapped. “Go and get dressed and then go to the train station. I’ll stay with daddy. You go and have fun with your friends”

Peter scowled. Tony sighed and gave him a quick hug.

“Do as you’re told”

Despite it all, Peter was very soon glad of being pushed out of the house. They got on the train, and as it moved out of the station, Peter felt ok. Maybe it was the feeling of running away, or maybe it was the familiar sound of the trains wheels on the tracks. Whatever it was, he was grateful for it.

“So, what is there to do here?” Flo asked when they got off the train at the next town.

“I’m not sure: I didn’t look it up” Peter said. “I know there’s a big pier”

“Well then” Liz said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Let’s just walk down there and see where the day takes us”

She took hold of Peter’s hand, and Flo took his other one.

“What’s that look all about?” Liz said.

“Hm? Oh... It’s just... Well, you’re both so nice to me”

“Well, duh. We’re your friends, aren’t we?”

Peter couldn’t help but smile and nod. “Yeah, definitely”

Flo kissed him hard on the cheek. “We love you”

“I love you too”

The day trip proved a success. They spent a little while walking across by the sea, and they ventured onto the pier briefly, although Flo fussed that she felt like she was going to fall through the gaps. The town seemed to be a pretty small one, and the beach itself wasn’t as nice as the one where they were staying. But that was fine. They contented themselves with the little RNLI museum, and then spent a good hour or two looking in all the shops they could find.

“It’s kinda like a ghost town, isn’t it?” Flo said, reading yet another ‘closed for the season’ notice in a cafe window.

“It is a little odd” Peter said. “But, I suppose that’s just what these towns are like when you come off-peak”

“Hey, Peter?”

“Yeah?”

“We never did the arcade where we’re staying” Liz said.

“Well, there’s still loads of time. We can go later. Might get something proper to eat first, though”

“Yeah, I’ll be ready for food when we get back” Liz said. “What were you thinking?”

“Chippy?”

“We had that yesterday” Flo said. “What about that pizza place? That looked nice”

“Sure. Liz?”

“Pizza sounds pretty good, actually”

“Ok, cool. So, when we get back, pizza, walk down to that kiosk for a Mr Whippy, and then go to the arcade. Ok?”

The girls smiled, and nodded.

“Brilliant”

“Ok wow” Flo said, looking down at her pizza. “I think maybe we should’ve just gotten a couple to share. These are huge!”

“They’re not that big”

“No, she’s right, Liz: they’re huge” Peter said, picking up a slice and biting into it. “Oh my god..”

The girls followed suit, and they all looked at each other with the same expression.

“Ok wow, these are amazing!” Flo said. “This was such a good idea”

“Even if you do say so yourself!”

Liz soon started to realise that, yes, these pizzas were indeed huge.

“I don’t think I’m gonna be able to finish this” she admitted.

“Me neither!” Peter said. “We can always get the rest boxed up and drop them back off at the house before we head down the street”

They were sat near to the kitchen doors, and had seen the chef taking the takeaway orders out, so were confident they could get them boxed up. Two meals for the price of one, Peter thought.

“Oh, wait!” Peter said. “I’m just gonna run into Tesco quickly”

“We were just gonna drop these boxes off!” Liz said. “Can’t you wait?”

“No, I need to get something. You can wait outside if you like”

Liz rolled her eyes, and leant against the wall. Flo joined her. Peter just smiled.

“I’ll be quick!”

Tony was in the kitchen when they got back to the house.

“Hey, kids�� he said. “What’ve you got there?”

“Leftover pizza” Liz said. “We went to this amazing pizza joint on the main street. The pizzas were huge!”

Tony smiled. “Nice! How was your little train trip?”

“It was good” Flo said.

Tony looked over at Peter. “What’ve you got there, kiddo?”

“Lucozade” Peter said, putting the big bottles down beside Tony. “For daddy”

“Aw, that’s sweet, chick, but I already got him some”

“Well, now he’s got more” Peter said.

Tony ruffled his hair fondly. “You’re a good kid”

“How is he?”

“You don’t need to go worrying about him” Tony said, twisting the bread bag shut. “I’m just getting him something to eat. What are you lot doing now?”

“We’re going down to that kiosk for an ice cream” Liz said.

“The one with the lady with foundation lips?” Tony said, nodding when Liz did. “She’s lovely. Get yourselves the large ones, with flakes”

“Of course” Peter smiled. “It’s not a proper Mr Whippy without a flake”

“I’ll give you that” Tony said. “Any other plans while you’re down there?”

“I thought we might wander onto the beach, climb the rocks”

Tony glared at him.

“I’m joking!”

“Well don’t, you cheeky blighter” Tony said, tweaking his nose. “Stay away from the rocks”

“We were gonna go down the arcade”

“Good idea” Tony said. “Just stay away from those bloody claw machines”

“Yeah yeah, will do. See you later!”

“See you later. Be good!”

They leant against the wall overlooking the sea while they had their ice creams, just as they had done the first time. Once they’d finished, they turned back and headed to the arcade. Despite what Tony had said, they did have a go on the claw machines, tempted by the toys with £20 notes tied to them.

“It’s a total scam” Peter said once they’d lost £5 trying. “Let’s see if they’ve got one of those pay till you win grabbers. At least then you know you’ll get something out of it”

They soon found one, full with little purple and blue rabbits and teddies with tiny silver spots.

“Gotta love a bit of seaside tat” Peter said, slotting a pound into the machine.

“It does take some of the fun out of it, though, getting them so quickly” Flo said, watching Peter grab his toy from the prize return.

“It still kinda feels good to win though” Peter said, turning the little purple rabbit over in his hands. “What should I call it?”

Flo peered at it. “It’s sort of ugly, isn’t it?”

“Don’t talk to my son like that!”

Flo giggled. “You can name it later”

“It’s not his fault he’s got tiny ears and a big head and no tail” Peter said, tucking the rabbits feet under his hoodie so it stayed sat on his shoulder.

“Poor seaside rabbit” Liz said, putting a pound in the machine. “My turn”

She won a similarly unfortunate looking toy, this time a light blue bear.

“His ears are kinda rectangular” she said. “He doesn’t have a tail either. And one side of his snout is thicker than the other side”

“Poor little teddy” Peter said.

“Yes, poor little teddy” Liz said. “I love him anyway, though”

“What are you gonna call him?”

Liz thought for a moment. “I don’t know. I’ll think about it properly later”

She tucked the bear through her shoulder strap, keeping it securely on the front of her shoulder. She gave Flo a nudge.

“Your turn” she said.

“No thanks” Flo said. “I don’t really want one”

“Spoilsport” Peter said, sticking his tongue out at her.

Flo stuck her tongue out at him. “I’ll get something else”

“Sure you will”

They stumbled across another prize every time game; a kind of rotating lollipop game. Peter wasn’t quite sure how it worked, but Flo figured it out. Once she’d finished, she stood up, holding up five chupa-chups triumphantly.

“Told you I’d get something else”

“Ours will last longer” Liz said.

“Doesn’t matter”

Liz rolled her eyes, but she shook her head fondly. She turned to look at Peter, only to find he wasn’t at her side anymore.

“Peter?”

They heard a clattering, and turned to see Peter stood by a change machine, watching 2p coins falling into a little plastic tub.

“How much did you put in that machine?”

“Just a couple of quid” Peter said. “One of these penny-pushers has got a £5 note right at the end. I bet I can get it”

He picked up the tub of coins, gathering the few that had missed it, and went over to his chosen machine. The girls followed. Peter was right; there was a £5 note in the centre of the bottom shelf, partially hanging over the end. To all intents and purposes, it looked like it was ready to drop. But, the other part of it was heavily weighed down with coins.

“It’s a fix, Peter” Liz said. “You’ll never get that”

“I can try”

“Then you’ll be sorely disappointed”

Liz was right, of course. He spent a long time stood by the machine, feeding his coins into it, even after the girls got bored and wandering off for a bit. He managed to get a lot of coins out, but that was it. He kept listening out, occasionally darting to an unoccupied machine to grab coins that had fallen, trying to put off getting his wallet out again. He didn’t understand how it was fixed. It couldn’t be magnets, because copper wasn’t magnetic. He thought maybe there was a slope of sorts keeping the £5 fixed firmly in place. He scowled. He knew he should probably give up.

“How much have you put into that machine now?” Liz said, appearing at his side.

“...More than a fiver” Peter admitted.

“You need to stop”

“I did win this, though” he said, holding up a little woven bracelet, pink with rainbow beads.

“It’s beautiful” Liz said, raising an eyebrow. “That £5 isn’t going to come out”

“I know” Peter said mournfully. “Still, I bet I can get that other bracelet. It’s close to the edge”

Liz peered in his tub of coins.

“Right, ok, try for the bracelet, and then we’re going. If you haven’t got it by the time that tub is empty, I will literally drag you away by the ear”

Flo appeared at Peter’s other side. “Hi”

Peter gave her the little rainbow bracelet. “Merry Christmas”

“Oh! Thank you..”

She watched with Liz as Peter continued feeding coins into the penny-pusher. Peter’s coins were diminishing, and it was starting to look even more hopeless. The bracelet was tottering when Peter reached his last coin. He paused, and then they all held their breath as he put that last 2p into the machine. They watched the shelf and coins move - and the bracelet fell into the prize return.

“Yes!!”

Peter grabbed it happily. It was chunky, with silver and red alternating beads. Peter gave it to Liz.

“I love it” she said, slipping it onto her wrist, and then putting an arm firmly round his shoulders, careful not to dislodge his rabbit. “Lets go”

Peter took one last look at the £5 he’d spent so long trying to get, and then let himself be lead away.

The early evening breeze was a bit of a shock. They collectively decided to head back to the house. Peter brushed his hair out of his eyes, and stopped.

“What? Oh my god, look at this”

His thumb and forefinger were black.

“Ew. Those coins must’ve been filthy!” Flo said.

“That’s... disgusting. Just a little bit” Peter said, wiping his hand on his jeans, which didn’t make much difference. “Hm. Yknow, I love you guys, but I’m abandoning you for a really long bath as soon as we get back”

Peter took his time in the bath. He usually had showers, and having a long soak was a nice change. He’d snuck into the en-suite in his parents room and nabbed the bottle of black pepper and ginseng bath soak Loki had brought with him, and poured a healthy amount into his bath. He had a good wash, and then spent a long time just lying in the hot water, watching the steam rising from the bath, and daydreaming.

The water was getting cold by the time he climbed out of the bath. He wrapped himself up in a big towel, checked the coast was clear, and scurried to his own room, flopping on the bed. He felt funny, full and warm and happy. He was tired. Maybe an early night would be a good idea. He sighed, looking at the funny rabbit toy he’d won earlier on, and rested his eyes, just for a moment

Peter jumped awake, grabbing the wrist of whoever it was shaking his shoulder.

“Woah, hey, it’s just me. It’s dad” Tony said, stroking the boys hair firmly to reassure him. “It’s just me”

“Oh..” Peter let go of him, heart still thudding. “Sorry. You made me jump... I think I dropped off”

“Yeah, still in your bath towel, too” Tony smiled. “Put something on, give your hair a quick brush, and then come downstairs: tea’ll be ready soon”

“Ok, ok. I’ll be quick”

“Good boy”

Flo blinked a little when Peter came down to the kitchen, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

“What?” Peter said, somewhat defensive.

“You look cute!”

Tony laughed before Peter could reply.

“Sit down, kiddo. You’re just in time” Tony said, serving the three teens.

“Is daddy joining us?”

“No, he’s not doing too great. I’m gonna go and eat with him”

“He won’t like being woken up”

“You’re telling me! He nearly knocked me out when I woke him up for lunch earlier” Tony said, readying a tray.

“Ouch”

“Ouch indeed” he ruffled Peter’s hair. “Be good. I’ll be back down later”

“Why does he wake him up if it makes him cross?” Liz asked once Tony had gone upstairs.

“If he doesn’t, daddy doesn’t eat. And then he just gets worse” Peter said. “He’s jus’ trying to look after him”

“Cute” Flo said, picking up her fork. “Did you fall asleep?”

Peter nodded. “I only meant to rest my eyes for a minute”

“Can I say something?”

Peter and Flo looked at her.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a carbonara before”

Peter very nearly choked on his mouthful of food. He swallowed quickly, and coughed.

“I thought you were gonna say something serious!” he spluttered. “You had me worried for half a second there”

Liz reached across the table and tugged a lock of his hair sharply.

“Don’t laugh at me! I’ll fight you”

“I’ll fight you right back” Peter said. “Don’t think I won’t”

Liz put her fork down and stood up. “Come on, then. I challenge you to a duel!”

“You’re on!”

Flo grabbed Peter’s arm as he jumped up. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“I’ve been challenged, Flo: I need to defend my honour!”

“But if you start crashing about, you’ll disturb your parents. You're going to get into trouble” Flo said. “Especially if you end up breaking something”

Peter shook her hand off. “I'm willing to take that risk”

Liz pounced at him, and it wasn’t long before they were entwined in a mad wrestle on the kitchen floor.

“You’re idiots, both of you” Flo said, trying to ignore them and continue eating.

“You could always join in” Peter suggested, pinning Liz’s hands by her head.

“No, thank you. I want to remain an innocent party to your foolishness”

“A Millicent Bystander?” Peter grinned, laughing at his own joke.

“What does that even mean?” Liz said, bringing her knee up and knocking Peter off.

“Oh yeah, you haven’t seen Flushed Away; I remember you saying” Peter said, grabbing her upper arms. “We’ll have to watch it sometime. I haven’t seen it for ages, but Millicent Bystander still makes me laugh every time I think about it”

“Sure. Now less talking, more fighting”

They started getting louder, and a lot rougher. Flo couldn’t ignore them. She half-shielded her eyes with one hand, embarrassed, and a little nervous.

“You two need to stop”

“Absolutely not!” they said in unison.

Flo tensed as she heard footsteps. It wasn’t long before her prediction came true, and Tony burst into the kitchen.

“What the hell is going on down here?!” he shouted, grabbing Peter round the chest and hauling him off Liz.

“We’re just having a duel!” Peter said, grinning up at him.

Tony didn’t smile back. “You know full well your father’s not very well, and yet you still think it’s acceptable to start crashing about and shrieking like a couple of little banshees? What’s wrong with you?”

“We’re just having a bit of fun” Peter said, his smile falling.

“You should be eating” Tony scowled. “Liz, get off the floor”

Liz did as she was told.

“I told you!” Flo said.

“You should’ve told them with a bit more force” Tony said, releasing Peter. “Now sit down and shut up and eat like a good boy. If I hear so much as a slightly raised voice from this room, there’ll be big trouble. Understand?”

Peter nodded, taking his place at the table.

“So, who won?” he said.

“I did, obviously” Liz said.

“You did not!” Peter said, jumping up and slamming his hands down on the table.

“PETER!” Tony snapped, marching over and smacking him hard on the bottom. “What did I just say?”

Peter flinched, and slowly sank back into his seat.

“Don’t you dare move from that seat until you’ve finished your tea. Now all of you, be good, and for gods sake, be quiet!”

And with that, he stalked out of the room.

“I told you you’d get into trouble” Flo grumbled, picking her fork back up.

Peter rolled his eyes, picking up his own fork.

“Wanna call it a draw?” Liz said gently.

Peter nodded, but he didn’t look at her.

“Hey” Liz reached across the table, moving his fork and taking his hand. “Are you ok?”

Peter took a deep breath, and squeezed her hand.

“It’s your own fault” Flo said, setting her fork down.

Peter pulled his hand away from Liz and pushed Flo off her chair.

“Peter!”

Flo scrambled to her feet. “Fine, if it’s going to be like that-”

She pushed Peter off his chair. Peter sat in shock for a moment, and then jumped up and went for her.

“Hey! Peter!” Liz jumped up and tried to get in between them. She hadn’t anticipated Flo’s strength or Peter’s anger, and it was too much for her to cope with single-handedly. “MR STARK!!”

Tony appeared again in a matter of seconds.

“Hey, are you two fighting?! Flo!” he tore Peter away from the girls, and pushed Flo into a chair. “What the hell is going on?! You two never so much as argue!”

“She started it!” Peter shouted.

“I did not! You pushed me first!”

“Flo, stop this! You’re supposed to be the good one”

Flo sat down and went quiet, angry tears in her eyes.

“Oh yeah, that’s it, start with the crocodile tears” Peter spat. “You did start it, saying-”

“Right, that’s it, you’re on a time out, young man” Tony grabbed hold of him, throwing him over his shoulder.

Peter shrieked indignantly, bringing his fists down against his back. “Put me down! You’re so embarrassing!”

Tony plonked Peter down on the stairs. Peter tried to get up straight away, but Tony grabbed him and held him there, despite his struggling.

“Stop this! Peter! Calm down!” he said, more worried than angry. “What’s the matter with you?!”

Peter gave him a shove, drew his knees up to his chest, and buried his face in them. Tony sighed heavily, rested a hand on his head for a moment, and then went back to the kitchen, shutting the door behind him.

“Right, what was that all about?” he said, folding his arms over his chest. “You two have never had a bad word to say about each other, and now I find you fighting!? What happened?”

“He got upset because he got into trouble, which I told him he would if he started clattering about” Flo said. “And then he pushed me off my seat, so I pushed him off his”

“You said it was his fault” Liz said.

“It was!”

“Yeah, but you don’t say that, especially when he was upset like that! It was my fault too, and you were just rubbing salt in his wounds. I would’ve pushed you off your seat too, and a lot worse besides!”

She stood up and stormed out of the room.

“Liz? Liz!”

She ignored him. He heard the back door bang.

Tony sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. He looked at Flo.

“Are you ok?”

“I didn’t start it, and I didn’t do anything wrong” she said, picking up her fork and turning away from him.

Tony sighed. “Ok”

Tony found Liz out on the patio.

“She’s just so annoying!” Liz said as soon as he’d closed the door behind him. “Why does she have to be so perfect all of the time? I mean, how would she feel if her dad had told her off and someone basically just told her to suck it up?”

Tony just listened to her, not saying anything.

“I know he shouldn’t’ve pushed her, but I can’t really blame him. She was just-”

“Liz” Tony interrupted.

Liz looked at him, and promptly burst into tears. She let him hug her, and buried her face in his shoulder. Tony rubbed her back gently, resting his cheek against her head.

“I know, chick. I know”

“I’m sorry-!”

“Don’t be. Peter spends a good 20-30% of his life screaming into my shoulder. There’s not a single shirt in my wardrobe that hasn’t had a tear-bath by now”

Liz laughed feebly at his little joke, but then continued crying. She felt awful, but she also felt safe in Tony’s arms. She’d felt safe in Loki’s during the night, too. They were both well practised. She’d cried on both of them now. Somehow, she didn’t feel embarrassed about that.

Once Liz had stopped crying, her and Tony had a good, long talk about everything, and it helped.

“Thank you” she said.

“No problem, chick. We all need a good cry and a bitch sometimes”

“Yeah... Oh, shouldn’t you be with Loki?!”

“He’ll be fine; he’ll be asleep again by now” Tony said.

“Did he eat?”

“He had about half his plate, which is better than I expected”

“Does it upset you? Seeing him ill?”

“Every time” Tony said. “But sometimes it’s easier than other times”

“And this time?”

“It’s easier. We... Well, we’ve had some good things happen, and I think we’re both using that to keep us up” Tony stood up, holding a hand out to her. “Come on. We should go back in. You can go and make up with Flo, and I’ll go and have a word with Peter”

Liz stood up and took his hand. Tony squeezed it gently.

“Ready?”

Liz nodded. “Ready”

Flo was curled up on the living room sofa with a book. She looked up when Liz came into the room. Liz hesitated, and then went over and sat beside her. Flo offered her the bag of sherbet lemons she had with her. Liz took one. The girls smiled at each other, and that was all it took.

Tony sat down next to Peter on the stairs. Peter was sat slumped against the wall, looking down at his hands.

“Liz told me everything” Tony said. “I can see why you got so upset”

“...I wish she wasn’t so perfect all the time” Peter said. “It’s so annoying”

“That’s just what Liz said” Tony sighed. “She’s not perfect, chick. She was pretty inconsiderate and smug, if you ask me, whether she intended it or not. Plus, she did escalate the situation. That doesn’t excuse what you did, mind”

“She was kinda asking for it”

“That’s no excuse. Play fighting? In the right situation, fine. Starting a proper physical fight with someone you love? Not ok. Absolutely not ok” Tony said. “That’s not like you. Something’s going on with you, kiddo. I don’t know what it is, but something made you lash out, and something’s made your nightmares flare up. Any ideas?”

Peter shrugged. “It’s just coincidence”

Tony sighed, putting an arm round Peter’s shoulders. Peter froze, but then melted into him, resting his head against his chest. He stayed like that for a moment, and then turned and hugged him properly, squashing his nose up against his chest.

“It’s alright, kiddo. I’ve got you” Tony said, squeezing him tight.

“Am I in trouble?”

“No. I’m not happy with you, but you’re not in trouble. This is something you need to sort out with Flo. So. How do you feel? Ready to forgive her yet?”

“No”

“I didn’t think so”

“I want you to go now”

Tony looked down at him, and slowly let him go. Peter lent back against the wall. Tony sighed, and went to sort out the kitchen.

After a very frank conversation with Liz, Flo went out into the hallway. She hesitated a moment before sitting down beside Peter on the stairs. Peter glanced at her, but otherwise didn’t move. They sat in silence for a few minutes, Peter not wanting to speak, Flo trying to find the courage to.

“I’m sorry” she said eventually.

Peter sat up and looked at her.

“I wasn’t very nice to you earlier. I’m sorry for upsetting you. I shouldn’t’ve acted the way I did”

Slowly, Peter shifted closer to her, and wound his arms round her. Flo hugged him back, kissing his cheek.

“Thank you” Peter said.

“Don’t mention it”

Tony went upstairs to sort out the tray and check on Loki, and once he’d finished, he went through to the living room. He just about fainted with relief when he saw Peter, Liz, and Flo curled up close, watching a film and looking perfectly happy together. It looked like the little blip was over.

Tony knocked on the twin room door and pushed it open. The three teens were collapsed in a giggling heap.

“What are you three laughing about?” he said, amused.

“Nothing, dad” Peter said.

Tony raised an eyebrow. “What a naughty giggle, Flo. I’ve decided I don’t want to know. Now, you know what I’m here to say, don’t you?”

The girls nodded. “Bedtime”

“That’s it. Go on, go and get yourselves ready”

“Bagsy the bathroom first” Liz said, grabbing her night things and rushing off.

“Come on, Peter, same goes for you” Tony said, and then, when the boy didn’t move; “Peter?”

Peter blinked hard, and stood up. He gave Flo a quick hug, and then skirted round his dad and went to his room.

Tony went and shut everything down and locked up downstairs before going back upstairs to check on Peter. The boy was sat on the floor, pretending to look through his postcards.

“Peter” Tony said. “Come on, jump into bed now”

Peter looked up at him. “Do I have to?”

“Uh, yes, you do: it’s nearly midnight” Tony said. “Come on now”

Peter swallowed, looking away. “I don’t want to”

“Why not?”

Peter didn’t say anything. Tony sat down next to him.

“Peter” he said gently. “Why don’t you want to go to bed?”

Peter still didn’t answer.

“Come on kiddo, talk to-” he stopped, having a thought. He lowered his voice. “Are you scared of having another nightmare?”

Peter nodded. Tony sighed, putting an arm round his shoulders.

“Poor old tuppenny. You’ve had a tough few nights, haven’t you?” he kissed him on the temple. “You need to try to sleep, kiddo”

Peter looked over at the bed, as though the nightmare was already lurking there. He really didn’t want to go to bed. He’d only wake up screaming again, and not only was it scary and exhausting and horrible, it was embarrassing too. He didn’t know what to do. Unless...

“Can I sleep in your bed tonight?”

Tony looked at him. “Sweetheart...”

“I don’t have nightmares when I sleep next to people. Hardly ever. Please?”

Tony looked into his big puppy dog eyes, and sighed silently. “Ok”

Loki was in a brief state of wakefulness when Tony carried Peter into the bedroom.

“He’s sleeping in here tonight, my love” Tony said, setting the boy down on the bed and going to the en suite.

Peter wriggled under the covers, facing Loki.

“Nightmare prevention tactics?”

Peter nodded. “How are you feeling?”

“...Nothing feels real” he said. “How long have I been asleep for?”

“I don’t know, exactly”

“Is it today or tomorrow?”

Peter blinked a bit, thinking. “It’s today. You were ok yesterday. Now it’s the end of today”

“Ah good, now I know where I stand” Loki yawned. “Can you.. can you pass me my pig?”

Peter sat up, finding the old toy and giving it to him.

“Thanks, chick...”

Loki settled down and closed his eyes, and his breathing soon slowed. Tony came back into the bedroom, turning the main light off and the lamp on to its dimmest setting.

“One down, two to go” Tony said, climbing into bed. “Lie down now, kiddo. Sleep time”

Peter did as he was told, cuddling up against his father’s chest. Tony held him close, pulling the covers round the three of them properly.

“Goodnight, kiddo”

“Goodnight, dad”

Peter snuggled close, warm and safe between his parents. He closed his eyes, and fell asleep listening to the sound of Tony’s heartbeat.

#my writing #fanfiction #mcu fanfiction #marvel fanfiction #frostiron #irondad and spiderson #two chapters in two days? incredible #I'm trying really hard to wrap this up so I can start the next fic #but there's still a bunch of stuff to write

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munchix-home-cooking · 4 years ago

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RP Log: Munchix and Rayena begin a long journey through Coerthas, starting from Gridania and ending at the Dravanian Hinterlands! In this, they simply get ready and hike through the North Shroud.

(Munchix Bogbelly) True to his word, though late by several moons, Munchix had sent Rayena a letter. ‘Meet me in Gridania, if you want to join my journey of culinary discovery through Coerthas!’ And such a day had come. Munchix, a large backpack resting by his side, leaned on the fence posting while he waited for any familiar faces by the aetheryte.

(Rayena Corsano) Rayena did indeed get his letter, packing her back and teleporting to the aetheryte crystal in gridania. She looked around before spotting Munchix and giving him a wave before walking over. "Hello, Munchix. I am here for adventure." she grinned.

(Munchix Bogbelly) He was impressed by how Rayena had teleported here with such ease. Due to pitifully small reserves of magical talent, Munchix had never been able to use aetherytes, instead opting to travel by land or sea. “Ah! Gobbed ta’ see ya! Do you have everything you need? It’s going to be quite cold where we’re going...Got a set of warm clothes? Tent? Extra tea cup?”

(Rayena Corsano) She smiled and nodded. "I have warm clothing, some food, a tent, but no extra tea cup as I didn't bring any tea. I don't even know if we could heat water in the snow. Though, I do have magic so, I can heat just about anything." she grinned. "Did 'ye have everything 'ye need is 'yer bag secure?"

(Munchix Bogbelly) With a big grin on his face, he fondly patted his backpack. “It’s alright, you can use my spare. Never know when you’re gonna need a nice, hot cup of leafjuice. And I’m good! Last time there was a hole in my pack, but that’s been patched up! Ready and rearin’ to go, if you are.”

(Munchix Bogbelly) A messily cut piece of burlap has been sewn onto Munchix’s backpack. It’s one of many similar fixes...

(Rayena Corsano) "Hey Munchix, 'ye know. I am a seamstress by trade, if 'ye need anything fixed or made, 'ye can just let me know and I can put something together. I specialize in fancy wear but, I think I can work with survival gear for 'ye." she beamed.

(Munchix Bogbelly) His eyes light up. “Really? I’d be mighty grateful. Should...Should I get this looked at before we leave then? Or do you think it’ll hold...” Munchix pokes one of the patches on his backpack, curious.

(Rayena Corsano) She beamed. "Let me take a look." she said before inspecting his pack, moving around to check all the patches sewn in. "I believe it'll hold but, if by chance it opens again, I've got me kit on me and can fix it for 'ye." she grinned.

(Munchix Bogbelly) He nodded, feeling assured by her expert opinion. “Got it. Now, let’s be off! Times a tickin’, and if there’s anything I know about Gridania...it’s that you don’t want to be caught out in the dark.”

(Munchix Bogbelly) we can start in the north shroud. yellow serpent gate :3 ))

(Munchix Bogbelly) ...and the moment Munchix steps foot out of Gridania, he’s attacked by a small gang of ‘forest friends’. Thankfully, the guard is nearby to help defend the gobcat...against ladybugs.

(Rayena Corsano) "Everything alright? Did 'ye get hurt?" she asked before sitting down next to Munchix, she looked concerned though a ladybug couldn't be that powerful compared to a tiger.

(Munchix Bogbelly) He lifts one of his arms and gives it a good shake - a pebble-sized ladybug tumbles out. “Ah no, I’m fine! It’ll take much more than that to send me to the lifestream!” For a second, he wonders why the wildlife in the Black Shroud are so keen on following him around? Perhaps his eating habits are upsetting the Elementals, or whatever they are? Munchix shrugs. A question for another time.

(Munchix Bogbelly) “Alright, so our first destination is a camp in Alder Springs. It’s a bit of a walk, but we just got to head west and follow the sound of water. And hopefully, we find some interesting critters ‘long the way!”

(Rayena Corsano) Rayena nodded. "Good." she said, giving him a smile before raising to her feet, her chakrams hung along her hips. "Well, 'ye lead the way and I will follow, as long as we're not threatening looking we should be fine!" she beamed.

(Munchix Bogbelly) Munchix isn’t a threatening looking guy to begin with, but he does his best to try to look even more meek. With Rayena’s okay, he dashes ahead, finally stopping at a crossroads.

(Munchix Bogbelly) “Er, left, I think. OH look, there!” He excitedly points at the Treant Sapling as it lumbers about in the distance. “Something I’ve always been curious about...is how such saplings reproduce? My first guess would be through fruit and flower, which leads me to my next thought. How would such a fruit taste?”

(Rayena Corsano) Rayena looked over at the sapling once Munchix pointed it out, tilting her head. "I don't really know, maybe when it's time they produce seeds which they shake off and they grow. Though, they could always reproduce like animals do since they are a bit sentient." she giggled.

(Munchix Bogbelly) A gasp escapes from Munchix, and it’s quickly followed by a blush. “This is an aspect of Treants that I have not considered. There is so much we don’t know yet. But...I wonder.”

(Munchix Bogbelly) He inches a little closer to the Treant, eyeing the ground around it in search of seeds. Every so often, he looks up to check the branches of the creature. The Treant, so far, simply regards Munchix as an annoying fly.

(Rayena Corsano) "Or maybe when one dies, it sustains the earth and a new one grows from it, just like how other things grow if we decompose in the ground. Shame they don't talk though..."

(Munchix Bogbelly) “All interesting theories! Oh, waitwait. Let me write this all down.” He pulls out a beaten up tome from his pack, frantically flips to a page, and starts scribbling madly. The Treant saddles up behind him, as if reading what he’s putting down on paper.

(Munchix Bogbelly) Once he’s done writing, he puts the book away. In that motion, his foot slips on a round object. Munchix goes down with a nonchalant “oof,” and when he gets up, he holds the object up in his hand - a seed the size of a golf ball. He raises a brow at Rayena.

(Rayena Corsano) Rayena watches him scribble down before looking towards the Treant that settled behind him. She then gives the sentient tree and wave before looking over at Munchix as he fell. "Oh no! 'Ye alright?" she asked before eyeing the seed. "Maybe that is one of the babies..."

(Munchix Bogbelly) “Could be...” He examines the seed. It looks identical to an avocado pit. It might even just BE an avocado pit. But...what if it wasn’t? Munchix offers the seed to Rayena if she wants to take a look.

(Rayena Corsano) Ray takes the seed, inspecting it. "Kind of looks like an avocado pit but, if it is one of the babies, we should probably leave it here unless 'ye want an overgrown sentient tree following 'ye around. Though, 'ye always have a shady spot once it's full grown." she giggled.

(Munchix Bogbelly) Munchix takes back the seed and without hesitation, tries to take a bite out of it. He fails to leave a mark. “Ooouwshh, thish thing’s hard! Thought it might be shoft, like a peanut...” He complains, rubbing at his jaw.

(Munchix Bogbelly) Rayena: it could be a baby! Munchix: *immediately tries to eat* xD )) (Rayena Corsano) munchix is a baby eater...confirmed)

(Rayena Corsano) She gaps than grimaces once he takes a bite of the seed. "Course it is hard, silly! It's a seed but, why did you bite it if we think it's a baby, you nearly killed a baby, Munchix."

(Munchix Bogbelly) He tucks the seed away in a side pocket. “Would you say that if I was eating a walnut? Hm, though...walnut trees aren’t the type to be walkin’ around like this one...” Munchix looks at the Treant again. He had never considered the moral dilemmas of his monster eating habits. Too much to unpack here. Gobbrain hurt.

(Munchix Bogbelly) “I don’t have the name ‘Bogbelly’ for no reason. But, if I’m about to eat something that you oppose to, just say the word. Sorry ‘bout that.” He tilts his head slightly to the left in apology.

(Rayena Corsano) She watches him place the seed into his pocket. "'Ye keeping it? Does that mean 'ye gunna see ut grow?" she asks, than shrugs. "Most things 'ye can eat. I am just unsure about babies, since they need to grow and experience life, and stuff that'll make 'ye sick or even kill 'ye but, other than that, eat anything 'ye want." she grinned.

(Munchix Bogbelly) “A souvenir!” He grins. “Though our main purpose for journeying is lookin’ for new flora and fauna...I’ll admit, I have a personal motive as well. Our final destination, the Dravanian Hinterlands, is where my family lives. It’d be cool to show them this later.”

(Munchix Bogbelly) “Let’s keep going. We’re still a little ways off from Alder Springs.”

(Rayena Corsano) She nodded. "Oh! I can't wait to meet 'em. Let's go!" she grinned.

(Munchix Bogbelly) He led the way again, following the road to settlement.

(Munchix Bogbelly) The light of the Alder Springs settlement glowed gently against the calm, dark night. It wasn’t too far now, though...Munchix has stopped in his steps, eyes affixed on the humongous insects nearby.

(Rayena Corsano) Rayena stopped a step or so behind Munchix before following his gaze. "Oh. Becareful of those, they look rather big, than stinger looks painful." she shuddered.

(Munchix Bogbelly) “The stingers the size of a horsebird! Why’s it gotta be so big? Hunting...big prey, perhaps? Like us?” Despite what he’s saying, Munchix’s voice remains awfully chipper.

(Rayena Corsano) "Probably. They're predator bugs, big bugs. And the stinger probably has venom in it, either to paralyze them so the kill is easier or it outright kills 'ye. Though, me sister said someone told her the stinger is how they, uh, reproduce but, I could be wrong and it is venomous. Eitherway, I'd be careful." she nodded.

(Munchix Bogbelly) Munchix’s takeaway from Rayena’s words of wisdom...will always be of questionable priority. Be careful? What’s that? “The stinger is how they reproduce?! But ALSO to kill?! That’s brutal! Hah, think of all the bedroom accidents these fellas get in!”

(Munchix Bogbelly) “Anyway, these sorts of creatures tend to be mostly shell and little substance. 3 out of 10 edibility. Of course, I’m still curious...Maybe the guard wouldn’t mind me picking through their kill sometime.” He eyes the sentry, who has presently been defending the bridge against any threats. Banemites, Ixali, whatever gets too close.

(Rayena Corsano) She makes a grimace face. "I can't imagine they'd taste good at all. Bleck." she said, sticking out her tongue, than looked over at the kill. "I don't see why not, it doesn't seem like they are too interested in it."

(Munchix Bogbelly) Munchix steps over to a Banemite corpse and uses a survival knife to slice a bit of pincer off. “Won’t know till’ you try! I’ll cook this up tonight...and don’t worry. I’ll take the first bite.” Thumbs up!

(Munchix Bogbelly) The pincer sticks out from his pack. Munchix follows the road to its end, to Alder Springs.

(Rayena Corsano) She blinked. "'Ye mean I have to eat it? What if I don't like it?" she asked before shrugging. "Good thing I brought extra food." she smiled.

(Munchix Bogbelly) “You don’t hafta eat it. We’re still in civilization, plenty of local chow to enjoy. And! If you don’t like it, then I probably won’t like it, and we can ‘don’t like it’ together!” Munchix is incredibly chipper about this.

(Munchix Bogbelly) “The Babbling Cork is a nice place to spend the night. Let’s head over there and enjoy the sights, shall we?”

(Munchix Bogbelly) munchix would try to eat a rock if not for Rayena xD ))

(Rayena Corsano) She giggled at his comment before nodding. "Ye! Let's!" she beamed and started to head over.

(Munchix Bogbelly) theres more ppl than I thought here! It's a nice place to be sure :D )) (Munchix Bogbelly) woah wait this place is way bigger than I thought ))

(Munchix Bogbelly) The moment Munchix steps in, he lets out a relieved sigh. “Ah! It’s nice to be off the road...Ever been here? It’s pretty swanky. Nice rooms, tastymuch food, and to top it all off...if you go on the deck behind the place, you’ve got front row seats to a huge waterfall!”

(Rayena Corsano) Rayena looked around. "No, I don't think I've been this far out from Gridania and I really don't go to Gridania very much." she nodded than beamed. "I really want to see this deck before we leave here. Would be nice over supper or breakfast." she grinned.

(Munchix Bogbelly) “As I always say, the best time to see the world is now! Happy to show you ‘round.” Munchix puffs up his chest proudly. “Let’s go over and take a look then. I bet others have had the same idea, and we could even order food while lookin’ at the falls.”

(Rayena Corsano) "Yes! Lets!" she beamed, seemingly excited and before he could respond she was off.

(Munchix Bogbelly) OH WAIT HM am i mistaken... )) (Munchix Bogbelly) OH IT's the other side hahah ))

(Munchix Bogbelly) Munchix followed Rayena out, so pumped that he accidentally ran to the wrong side. For a second his heart drops when he’s met with a disappointing view of a cliffside...but he thinks to check the other side. Phew! There’s the view he remembers.

(Rayena Corsano) Rayena seemed to have gone the right way, curious where Munchix had gone, maybe he was getting food. Her thoughts seemed to vanish once she saw the waterfall. "Well, this is just perfect." she beamed and turned to look at Munchix once he arrived. "This looks so beautiful!" she beamed.

(Munchix Bogbelly) Munchix nods in agreement while enjoying the mist that rose out from the falls. “Can’t beat Nophica when it comes to spectacles in nature, huh?”

(Munchix Bogbelly) He settles down on one of the benches with a content sigh. And then, it’s back to work. He pulls out a small cutting board and starts to clean the Banemite stinger he hacked off earlier. It's a weird sight. The calming falls, juxtaposed with...butchering.

(Rayena Corsano) Rayena moved to sit down next to the gobcat watching him butcher the stinger, her head tilted, curious. She'd never seen anyone do this before though, she had never seen anyone eat the singer before either. "'Ye reckon it's safe? If there is venom..." she frowned.

(Munchix Bogbelly) “We’re exploring the great unknown! How wondrous!” With the way Munchix handles the knife, it’s obvious that he’s highly skilled at this sort of handiwork. “I’ve never cleaned a stinger of this size, but that makes it a little easier, actually. Usually, there’ll be parts around it that you can eat. And for everything else, boiling can hamper the effects of venom to an extent...”

(Munchix Bogbelly) “Rule number one. When trying something new, always start with a small bite, and only when you’re sure. And I’m not too sure about this.” Munchix picked away at the stinger, organizing it into neat piles. “Maybe just a little...lick.”

(Rayena Corsano) Ray looked outright concerned the more Munchix talked. "Okay. I think I am going to pass on the stinger cause it's no good if we both get sick, at least if one of us gets sick, the other can get help and cure them. So, if 'ye are truly curious, 'ye can eat it and just...tell me how it tastes." she beamed.

(Munchix Bogbelly) “Smart thinking!” Emboldened by Rayena’s promise of healing, he took a small nibble from a hopefully safe piece of stinger. His smile fell into a frown, and then back to a smile, and then...to a look of confusion. “.....................”

(Munchix Bogbelly) “It’s numbed my tongue, but in a pleasant sort of way? Er, well, enough for now. I don’t feel bad otherwise.”

(Munchix Bogbelly) I gotta head out soonish, so next posts we can wrap things up, and leave stuff for next time :D ))

(Rayena Corsano) Rayena watched his face as it transformed, looking at the stinger, than back at the gob cat. "Well, how does it taste? 'Ye look confused."

(Munchix Bogbelly) “Like an incredibly tough piece of raw scallop, I guess. Could use some salt to bring out its flavor a bit more. Something like this might go well if cut thinly and served with peppers...” Munchix shrugged. “But it’s not the best. Kind of has this weird...sharp taste that lingers after. Ah! This is all good to know...and pass on, in case of any. Unfortunate events.”

(Munchix Bogbelly) He pulls out the tome again and writes everything down in an entry dedicated to the Banemite. Perhaps this was Rayena’s first taste of Munchix’s true eccentricities, but it certainly wouldn’t be her last. The pair continued to chat until the night got too dark to stay out any longer. The journey would continue another day.

#ff14 rp logs #munchix bogbelly #rayena corsano

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kissedby-me · 7 years ago

Text

Flower Boy

Pairing: kim taehyung | reader Genre: Fluff / shy florist!Taehyung Word Count: 1,311 words Summary: Tae has a crush on a girl but gets all flustered trying to talk to her

(this is my first “proper” post! ah!)

There she was, just across from him. She sat in one of the cafe tables, typing away on her laptop. Who knows what she’s up to but by the way her eyebrows were scrunched up, she was focusing very hard on it. Her hair was loose but still tucked behind her ear, revealing her face- which he was grateful for.

She sat cross-legged on the stool, her foot shaking as if it were anticipating something. Her fingers were typing away and occasionally, she’d drink out of her takeaway coffee cup which had her misspelt name on it.

Taehyung was mesmerized. He stared at her from his work table- might I add that his work table had the smallest amount of space that it had been more than once when flowers, ribbons and even pots had even fallen off it because the lack of space. But he lived with it.All so that he could see her more closely.

As he tied the ribbon of his fifth bouquet, Taehyung couldn’t help but to stare at her. She was so utterly beautiful by just sitting there.

“Tae!” A voice snapped him back into reality. Taehyung woke up and shook his head, getting him back into the real world.

He quickly tied the bouquet, set it aside and got started on the new one. His friend, Jimin, walked up to his table and set down a vase full of flowers intricately placed next to him.

“The bride requested for a completely orange centerpiece while her wedding theme was blue and grey. She said that it would be the perfect pop of colour to the wedding,” Jimin explained. “The wedding planner’s head nearly did a 360. She’s mad, orange and blue? Possibly one of the world’s most horrible colour combinations.”

Taehyung chuckled. “I agree. Especially when the wedding is all blue and grey, and suddenly a bright orange centerpiece is in your face. But the what the bride wants,”

“The bride gets,” Jimin sighed in defeat. “I made it as beautiful as I could but the thought of it in the middle of a table gives shivers down to the core. So I added the roses to..”

Taehyung was no longer listening. His attention was fixed on the girl just a few feet in front of him. She was still on her laptop, doing the same normal thing as last time but Taehyung watched her as he’s never seen someone do that before.

Jimin realized his friend wasn’t listening when he had asked for his opinion and he didn’t get a reply. He followed Tae’s line of vision and smirked.

“You know you could just go talk to her,” Jimin suggested. “I’m sure she’ll be up for a conversation at least.”

Taehyung immediately looked down and continued what he was doing. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. “I know that you took this summer job not because you want to arrange flowers or get Mrs. Hart’s caramel cookies. You took it for her didn’t you?”

Taehyung stopped what he was doing and took a deep breathe. “I haven’t been good at hiding it, haven’t I?”

“You’ve been horrible. I could spot it a mile away. Just go up to her and say hi. She’s not gonna bite, I promise.”

“She’s going to think I’m weird. I’m just some stranger who arranges flowers in the middle of the mall.”

Jimin shrugged. “You might now know.”

Taehyung looked back at her. He took a deep breathe. “I’ll do it.” He turned back to Jimin. “But you owe me a drink if it doesn’t work out.”

Jimin and Taehyung shook hands, sealing the deal before Taehyung climbed over the huge containers filled with flowers, nearly falling over.

He walked as slow as he could, fixing his shirt and running his hand over his hair in attempt to fix it. Taehyung tried to think of a good opening line but by the time he got there, he had nothing.

“Hi Y/N,” he managed to say before tensing up. She looked up, surprised that he was there.

“Hi,” she smiled. “Do I know you?”

Taehyung's eyes widened and he began to panic. The only reason he knew her name was because a couple of weeks ago, she came in with her friend in search of a Mother's Day bouquet and he had overheard her name when her friend had called her over. He remembered this because he then spent the whole afternoon thinking about how perfect the name was and how it suited the beautiful face behind it. “Um, uh, no, you don’t know me. I’m Taehyung. I work at that flower shop, right there. And um, I know your name because um, I heard your friend say it a few weeks ago so I thought that it was your name but I’m sorry if it isn’t. I just assumed. God, I sound like a stalker, don’t I?”

Y/N smiled. She found his shyness and rambling cute. “A little.”

Taehyung sighed and hung his head. He had messed up completely.

“Do you wanna start again?” He heard her ask. Taehyung perked his head up and gave an apologetic smile.

“Please,” he begged.

“Go ahead then,”

Taehyung smiled and took one last deep breath. “Hi. My name is Taehyung and I work at the little flower shop just across from this cafe.”

“I’m Y/N and I can see that you work at a flower shop because no man would ever walk out in a pink apron with flowers all over it.” She pointed out the all too girly uniform he was forced to wear. Taehyung blushed nearly as pink as the flowers. “I like it though, it’s cute.”

Taehyung laughed. “So Y/N, the main reason for me coming to you is not to disturb you from your work,”

“Oh don’t worry, just writing a blog post,” Y/N shrugged it off, more interested in the boy in front of her.

“I wanted to come ask if you were willing to go on a date with me, maybe, perhaps, I don’t know. You don’t have to because, like, I’m basically a stranger.” Taehyung rambled again. Y/N giggled.

“I’d love to, Taehyung,” She replied, making him almost faint. Y/N tore a small piece of paper from her notebook, wrote a bunch of numbers on it and gave it to him. “Here’s my number, just tell me the details there.”

Taehyung stuffed it in his pocket making a note in his head to check if it’s there every hour. His smile grew oas big as his face.

“I’ll just text you then,” Taehyung tried to contain his excitement but he knew he couldn’t take it anymore so he quickly tried to think of a cool exit line. “So, um, I’ll see around then.”

He then added a wink and smirk. Well at least he thought he did. To Y/N, it looked as if he glitches or something and she giggled in response to it.

Taehyung left as coolly as he could but after entering the shop, Y/N heard loud chants of happiness and she looked over to the shop, seeing Taehyung dancing around with his confused coworker.

When it was time for her to go and she began to pack away her things, Taehyung panicked once more.

“I can just let her leave,” His mind was racing.

He quickly looked around the shop for an idea. His eyes landed on the small pink rose bouquet that was rejected because it was too small for Mrs. Hart’s liking.

Taehyung quickly grabbed it and ran over to Y/N as she was about to leave.

“Wait!” Taehyung called. Y/N froze in her spot and saw him running towards her. Once he did get to her, he was out of breathe and took a second to recover before handing her the bouquet. “For you… I’ll see you soon then.”

He walked back to the store, Jimin rolling his eyes at the cheesiness of it. But Taehyung was pleased and Y/N was looking forward to her date with the flower boy.

#bts v #bts fluff #bts au #bts #kim taehyung #park jimin

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mmtions · 8 years ago

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westallen pushing daisies AU 1/?

Since the particle accelerator explosion, Iris has been able to bring things back to life, temporarily and even permanently. You can imagine that this makes her life a little complicated, especially when she has to bring her own best friend back to life (because, hey, he’s a superhero, surprise!) at the cost of never being able to touch him again.

- - -

Iris thrums her fingers on the table, sat on the tall chair in Jitters. Waiting for Barry to get here, her pulse thrums with nervousness. She’s finally going to tell him the truth, after months of indecisiveness.

The bell above the door jingles and she startles with it, smiling instinctively as Barry walks straight towards her. As he sits opposite her, she pushes one of the mugs towards him, even making it slop over the rim and spill a little onto the saucer in her enthusiasm. “I got you your coffee for you, but it might be a bit cold because I got here early, and you obviously got her a bit late.” Her fingers twiddle between them, “Extra shot americano, right?”

He’s giving her an odd look, and, yeah, she realises she’s being really weird. God, she’s acting more like Barry than Barry himself. She forces her hands to still by clasping them tightly together, and she tries to make her face less crazed.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Sorry,” she says, her voice thankfully more toned down now. “This is, uh my fourth cup today.”

His eyebrows raises and he teases, “You know it’s only eleven am, right? Even for you, that’s impressive.” Then his expression clouds. “Wait, is that what you wanted to talk about? Are you stressed? At work, or-?”

He reaches out to fit his hand over hers, and she turns it so their palms slot together, familiar and comforting. His immediate concern fills her with confidence, and wipes away the fear she had about telling him, about how he’d react - he’s her Barry. He won’t be mad. He might be a little freaked out, but they can move past it, she’s confident.

She takes a deep breath. “Barry, I- I have to tell you something.”

His mouth twitches, but the micro-expression is gone too quickly for her to identify. If she had to, she might say it looked a little like hope, but that would make no sense.

She’s been planning the speech in her mind all day - for the past week, really, ever since she decided that she had to tell someone - but words seem to fail her. Regardless, she opens her mouth, begins, “I-”

But just as she speaks, Barry’s phone rings, shrill and loud in the coffee shop. He looks torn, and apologetic, but she shakes her head, smiling.

“Get it, honestly, this can wait.”

Barry’s mouth flattens into a thin line. “I wish it didn’t have to.” He quickly opens the call, says shortly, “Yeah. Uh-uh. Okay, Cisco.” He mouths another apology to her as he listens to something else Cisco says, and she waves a hand in dismissal, despite the disappointment she feels. Even before he ends the call, she could predict what he says next. “I’m so sorry, Iris, I have to go.”

“It’s okay, honestly,” she smiles. “Is it STAR labs again?”

“Some emergency with their- uh- their generator. They want my opinion on it.” His eyes avoid hers, but he’s out of his seat before she can analyse it, giving her a tight hug. She squeezes him back tight, hiding her face in his collarbone - even on the tall stools at Jitters, he towers over her. “I’ll speak to you later, okay?”

Her mouth opens before she can control it, before she can think better, with her eyes closed and the safety of his arms around her. “Barry, I-”

But he’s gone before she can finish, striding quickly out the door and back on the phone to Cisco.

“-Can bring people back to life,” she finishes, quietly, to herself.

----

Barry is three months into his coma the first time Iris starts thinking that maybe she might have been affected by the particle accelerator as well.

She's just leaving the hospital and blinking back tears. She has her date with Eddie later this evening, and honestly, she's really not sure she's up for it. It's getting harder and harder to believe that Barry's listening, no matter what the articles online say, and she got halfway through telling his unconscious body about the date before she wanted to start hitting things.

She walks home the long way, away from the main streets and bright lights. But as she's dipping through an alleyway, a sharp thud reverberates against the narrow brick walls and into her ears. She looks behind her to see a bird with a crooked wing landed awkwardly on the asphalt.

Maybe it's because she's feeling particularly vulnerable and melancholic in that moment, but she actually turns to walk carefully back to the bird. It's definitely dead - it has to be, though somehow there's not much gore. She crouches in front of it. She feels weird, like there's some extra energy humming through her. Her arm seems to move of its own accord, and, though she'll feel super gross about it later, she gently touches the bird's crooked wing with the pad of her finger.

One second, the bird is lifeless - in the next, it hops to its feet with a chirp. The wing is still broken, but it flaps the other one, and its eyes dart around with life.

Iris lets out a sob of a breath, somewhere between happiness and shock. She can't save her best friend, but somehow, fate has helped her to save this bird. She reaches out again - maybe she can take the bird to a vet to fix the wing, and tries to hold the bird in a cupped hand.

But as soon as her fingers touch it again, the sparrow crumples. It falls lifeless into her palm, eyes seeing nothing. Iris flinches, and the bird's corpse falls back to the pavement.

Her head darts up to see if there's anyone else around - but still, she's alone in the alleyway. She shakes her head, and stagger backwards to her feet. She fights the urge to run from the scene, panic making her breath come quickly and her heart beat fast. She doesn't look back as she strides all the way home.

She decides in the next few days, that it was a hallucination, or even a dream, brought on by stress. She cancels the date with Eddie, but makes sure to reschedule for next week - of course, he's perfectly understanding, and offers to bring her his grandmother's soothing tea.

But just because she dismisses the scene from her reality, it doesn't mean she stops thinking about it.

Fast forward to month later and she’s gardening her father’s backyard - he’s been too busy between work and visiting Barry and all the new, especially weird crimes going on to tend to it, and she hates the sight of it being overrun. (Usually Barry would mow the lawn while she’d trim the shrubbery, but she pushes the thought of sunny laughter and shining, skinny arms away.) She also read some article about how raising life banishes thoughts of the dead, and, by this point, she’s a little desperate.

She feels the tickle of an insect on her neck and in panic, she slaps it away. It’s a beetle, which, ew. But she watches its legs curl in on itself and shudder into immobility, and she feels a little twinge of guilt. After all, she’s the one displacing rocks and soil and its home.

A crazy thought enters her head. Despite the obvious logic echoing in her ears, reminding her that what she thinks she saw that night in the alley was impossible, she still reaches out, and gently touches the insect.

Almost instantaneously, it sparks back to frantic life, legs and arms kicking wildly to upright itself. She lets out a breathy laugh of surprise as it scuttles away through the grass. She watches it in wonder, watches it weave across the flowerbeds bordering the pavement. As it makes its way further into the peonies, she sees it cross paths with a spider, which she flinches from, having never gotten over a childhood fear of the arachnids. Almost unintentionally, her eyes now track the spider as it follows a different path on the soil. But abruptly, it freezes at apparently nothing. In the next split-second, it furls into a crooked ball, rocking onto its back.

Iris blinks, a slow, sinking feeling creeping into her stomach. She uses a small twig to poke at the spider, but nothing. It’s dead.

She spends the afternoon experimenting with almost a fever of fear and trepidation. She obviously has some connection to death, but she has to know the limitations before she accidentally harms something - or someone - more important than a bird or insect.

She manages to narrow her findings down to three conclusive rules, through trials involving worms and other small insects.

1. If something is dead, as long as it’s all in one piece, she can bring it back to life no matter how long it had been dead for.

2. When she touches the revived something again, no matter when, it dies, and cannot be brought back to life.

3. But if the revived something stays alive for longer than a minute (she estimates) something else must die to take its place.

She also manages to conclude that her touch has no effect on the living who have never died - which isn’t that surprising, considering she’s been just as tactile as she always has. The assurance is a relief nonetheless.

She has nightmares that Eddie has to wake her from, where her powers change and everything she touches dies. Where everyone she loves dies, and when she touches them, they don’t wake up. Where she touches her dad to bring him back to life, and then Barry dies to take his place.

It seems impossible. How on earth can she possibly have such control, even if it is restricted, over life and death?

But doesn’t the impossible keep on happening in Central City?

----

Now.

She goes to work after finishing her coffee and having them put Barry's in a takeaway cup - no sense in wasting it, after all. On the walk, she hears the faraway sound of sirens, but this is Central City, after all. Sure enough, when she gets to work, everyone is pretending to work whilst sneaking glances at the large television on the wall. The screen shows the ‘Breaking News’ that has everyone held in rapture: The Flash Fights Murmur in Main Square.

Linda elbows Iris as she sits, and whispers, “You know anything about this?”

Iris rolls her eyes. “I write about the Flash, I don’t have a telepathic connection with him.”

Murmur was a low-life villain even before his incarceration in Iron Heights - though he somehow has managed to escape, he doesn’t have any powers Iris could see defeating the famous Flash. She turns back to her laptop ; though, as Linda hinted, the Flash is her area of expertise, this is hardly a story she can give a new angle on. Anyway, she has other deadlines that seem far more important.

She’s opening up her email inbox when she feels her stomach turn abruptly, as if she’s on a rollercoaster that’s just dropped. The office has gone silent, and she slowly pivots in her chair, panic introducing a tremor to her fingers.

The Flash is down. The reporter on the scene sounds just as confused as Murmur advances. “-yes, Gavin, it is not looking good for the Flash. Murmur just shot something at him - the Flash is convulsing, badly - no, we don’t - oh!”

The Flash slowly, looking like it pains him, rolls over onto his front and raises into a crouch. Iris is leaning forward in tension, feeling sick as she bites down on her bottom lip. “Come on,” she breathes.

And then he’s gone in a streak of red lightning. The police on the scene advance on Murmur, but he holds whatever weapon he has high, and two other officers go down. Another car appears, an unmarked black SUV, and he climbs in and speeds away. Clearly, the weapon has the police scared.

Iris should already be starting to investigate what that weapon could be. But the horrible feeling won’t go away.

“Iris?” Linda asks. “He’ll be okay, it’s the Flash.”

“I- I’m just gonna-” she’s about to make an excuse about going to the bathroom so she can pull herself together, but her phone rings.

Iris can’t tell you how she knows, but she knows. It’s the same feeling she had before the doctors came out to tell them her grandmother had passed. It’s the same feeling she had right before her friend’s parents rang to tell her dad that Bella had been in a car accident.

It’s the same feeling she had right before her dad called to tell her about the lab accident.

“Iris, you don’t look well…”

Linda’s voice fades away as Iris reaches into her coat pocket and presses accept to her dad’s photo. She raises it to her ear, and clasps her hand over a sob as Joe says, voice croaky and thick, “Iris, you need to come to STAR labs, now. Baby, you need to hurry.”

----

Linda has to call Iris a cab because Iris’s hands won’t stop trembling. She chucks a fifty at the driver and runs into the damned building that still haunts her dreams, racing through the corridors faster than she ever thought possible.

She comes into the main hub, and her dad’s rising to meet her but she pushes him aside to get to where she needs to be. She stifles back another hysterical sob as Cisco and Caitlin part for her to see: Barry, in the Flash suit, unnaturally still on the hospital bed. But that doesn’t seem important now, not when he’s lying on the bed so still and pale and sickly.

“The poison…” Caitlin tries, a whisper into the silence. “It was too fast. Barry’s metabolism only sped it up…”

“No,” Iris shakes her head, stumbling forward, sure that it’ll be okay, that this is just some huge prank and he’s going to pull through any second. At least in the coma, he had been seizing, had been showing some movement. “I saw him fifteen minutes ago, it’s not-”

But then she sees the way his eyes stare blank up at the ceiling, sees the discoloured foam down the side of his chin, and she claps her hands over her scream.

She falls forward onto the cot, limbs failing her. She clutches at him, but there’s no skin to feel, no comfort but the cool leather of the suit. The damned suit that got him into this mess.

“Iris-” her father tries, and she hears the pain in his voice.

But all she can think is, “You knew.”

There’s silence.

“Maybe we should-” Cisco tries, obviously about to give them space. Iris doesn’t want space, she wants her best friend back.

“Everyone leave.” She should be crying, probably, but a numb shock encompasses her. “Just leave me with him, please.”

She hears all their footsteps recede. She can’t even cry, can’t do anything but squeeze his torso, aching deep in her soul for this all to be a crazy dream. She just- how the fuck is she supposed to process this? When fifteen minutes ago he’d been just normal Barry, safe and dorky. God, she’d been about to tell him-

She slowly raises her forehead from where it rests on his torso.

She’d been about to tell him that she had the power to bring things back from the dead.

Shaking, she leans over him more, and slowly, with a shaking hand, reaches to cup his cheek. Her palm rests along his cold cheek.

There’s a split-second where she thinks it won’t work - she’s never tried it on people before - but then she feels it, feels the life pass from her skin through his. She feels the heat, watches the colour come back to his face. She pulls away and watches as he takes his first breath back in.

He splutters and gasps in breath like - well, like he was recently dying. His eyes dart about in panic, and finally rest on her. “Iris-” he breathes, like she’s the air and he’s been drowning.

He reaches for her and she flinches away, because she remembers the cost of this particular gift like she’d been poisoned herself.

She can never, ever touch him again.

His expression twists in confusion, and then he looks down and sees he’s still in the Flash suit. He opens his mouth to explain, presumably, but then a voice comes from behind Iris.

“Well, now, isn’t this interesting?”

It’s Dr. Wells, but as she spins around, she realises: he’s standing.

Barry seems to have the same thought, and he croaks, still groggy from the whole being-brought-back-to-life thing, “Dr. Wells?”

“You can bring people back to life,, Ms. West. You must have been affected by the particle accelerator as well.” He saunters forward, hands clasped behind his back. “That will be very, very useful to me. In fact, I think this rather changes everything.”

She’s always found him a little unnerving, but now, the real danger of his character is unveiled. He steps forward, and she senses Barry trying to get up, and his hand is vibrating, and-

And something in the back of Wells’ throat gurgles.

Iris realises a minute has passed since she revived Barry.

Wells clutches at his heart, and she watches him sink to the floor. He’s looking up at her with fury, and disbelief, and she will have to live with this forever. Tears run down her cheeks as he collapses, and stills.

There’s a beat of silence, and Barry’s standing, and she feels him come close, and she actually runs away from him, even skirting around Wells’ body in her urgency. “I-” she stammers. “I’ll get Caitlin.”

She runs to the door and shouts for Caitlin, for her dad, letting the panic of the past few moments echo into her voice. They come running, and she can’t even explain, has to just gesture to the scene behind her. Barry: alive. Wells: dead. Surprise!

Caitlin immediately crouches down and begins CPR, but Iris doesn’t need to be a doctor to know it won’t work. This is how the rules work. One life for another.

She thinks that might make her a murderer, but she can’t bring herself to mind every time she catches sight of Barry, looking lost and confused and stressed, but alive nonetheless. He keeps looking at her, she knows. She also knows that he’ll have questions.

He reaches for her,murmurs, “Iris-”

But she flinches away, and his hand drops.

He can’t touch her, he can’t. Not even a graze of his hand against hers - it’s not worth it, no matter the confusion and hurt in his eyes. After all, she could never see those eyes feel anything again.

It’s worth it, she thinks, even as Barry tries to answer Cisco and Caitlin and Joe’s questions, all the while shooting glances at Iris. It’s worth it -it has to be.

----

The first question, and possibly the most urgent after Caitlin determines it was natural causes that killed Wells, a random heart attack, is why he wasn’t in his wheelchair.

“He was standing,” Barry says, sounding lost. Joe wraps a comforting arm around him - though Iris suspects the action is just as much to ground Joe himself. “And he said- Iris would be useful to him.”

Cisco frowns. “Why Iris?”

To his credit, Barry doesn’t even glance at Iris as he lies, “I don’t know.”

Cisco runs his hands through his hair, eyes watery. “I don’t understand.” He leaves, feet quick as he stalks away from the main hub.

Caitlin looks equally shaken as she says, quietly, “I’m going to take him down to the morgue.” Before she leaves, she touches Barry on the arm, just lightly, and says, “I’m glad you’re okay, Barry.”

It leaves the West trio alone. Iris is looking at her feet, and Joe clearly sense something’s going on between the two younger adults - though he obviously thinks it’s about the other elephant in the room, the gold lightning bolt on Barry’s chest, as he says, a touch awkwardly, “I’m going to go to the station, try and dig up some answers there. You sure you’re okay?” He directs this last question at Barry, who nods.

Certainly, if you were to only look at Barry now, you would never guess his heart had stopped beating just a few minutes ago. He looks healthy, and bright. Or maybe Iris is just exaggerating when the memory of his corpse is still so fresh in her mind.

Joe leaves, and then they’re alone. Iris stands with her back to one of the walls while Barry stands by the desk. She doesn’t know how to start this conversation, doesn’t know how to even begin. Luckily for her, Barry speaks first.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

That makes her chin dart up. He looks apologetic, and devastated, and - and he thinks she’s mad about the Flash secret. Sure, when she thinks back to all the conversations and arguments they had about the Streak, she’ll probably be a little pissed off later. But hasn’t she kept an enormous secret as well these past few months?

“I wanted to, so many times.” His eyes are pleading, as is his voice. She realises that even after coming back from the dead, even after watching his mentor die, his main concern is still her. He’s the best friend she could ever hope for.

“It’s okay, Bear,” she says, before he can keep apologising. She makes sure her tone is sincere as she says, “I’m not mad, I promise.”

“You’re not?” His expression is doubtful.

She spreads her arms wide and lets out a humourless laugh as she says, “I haven’t exactly been forthcoming with you either.”

He shakes his head, runs a hand through his hair, looking a little slapped over the head. “I’ve wanted to tell you so much this whole time. I- God, there’s so much to tell you. And you can tell me about all about- whatever your power is. Is it from the accelerator? You’re a meta too?” The more he talks, the more animated he becomes, obviously relieved and excited, and she can feel herself smiling with it despite the stress of the past few minutes.

But then he reaches for her instinctively, and she flinches away, almost tripping over herself to put a few more steps between them.

Barry’s face shutters down. “You are mad,” he accuses.

“No, I-” She falters. She gestures for him to sit back on the bed. “You want to talk about our powers, Bear? Because mine comes with some caveats. Mine- mine isn’t a power, Barry, it’s a curse.”

His brows crease. “What do you mean?”

She licks her lips, the statement that will change everything between her and her best friend forever failing to come out. She wrings her hands. “If I ever touch you again, you’ll die. That’s the cost of bringing you back.”

He finally takes her unspoken advice and sits back down on the cot, though it seems less of a conscious decision and more that his legs have failed him. “What?” he croaks.

“I’m sorry,” she says, and finally, the tears spill over. “But I don’t regret it - you were dead.”

And that’s it, really, because as terrible as this, as much as she might have to move to Timbuktu to avoid touching him, it’s better than the memory of his corpse that’ll haunt her for years to come. Although from the look on his face, he certainly doesn’t seem to agree.

----

hey remember i mentioned last week that I had this hanging around in my drive? Really not sure about whether to continue with this so would appreciate feedback and especially constructive criticism! also I’ve never actually watched the original tv show, going off tumblr gifsets and the premise. not sure if it’s too angsty or drags with the explanation?

((p.s - would obviously have a happy ending eventually, come on, I’m not a monster.))

#westallen #barry allen #iris west #westallen fic #westallen fanfiction #westallen au #the flash #the flash cw #newsflash #help #the flash fic #the flash fanfiction #flash fanfiction #west allen #iris west allen

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