#malik is horrified the first time he realized it

[teecupangel]

From @thedragonqueen1998

So many cats! XD Altaïr probably hates it 'cause he can't escape them and they sometimes mess with his missions. Desmond is having a blast and Malik knows Altaïr is his punishment in life. Ezio is bewildered that the great Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad can be brought to rage by... cats.

The cats don’t mess with his missions. The Thieves guild does know that the best way to find him is to look for cats, much to his annoyance. The guards are actually scared of cats now because they believe the cats ‘summon’ him. Altaïr is annoyed but he lets the cats do whatever they like. It’s Malik who is getting a headache from all the expenses they have to feed Altaïr’s growing army of cats. The cats favorite is actually Desmond XD

From @knine-nights-loves-ac

All the cats are reincarnations of either modern day characters or other ancestors. Cat!Edward is the biggest troublemaker of the batch.

They are. The main reason why they follow Altaïr is because Altaïr wears Levantine Assassin robes (that’s a bit modified to not look out of place, he looks like a monk most of the time) and they all see him as an Assassin who might be able to help them.

From @mysticalbasementwitch

Yess let cat Edward do crime

Edward is a troublemaker but he’s not the worst offender. That seat goes to Haytham who will look straight at Desmond with a resting bitch face expression on his feline face as he slowly pushes something off the table. Once Desmond makes a dive for it, he’ll smack hard just to see Desmond fail. At least Edward doesn’t play with his heart and give him hope that this time he can save it.

From @mysticalbasementwitch

And imagine haytham as the most wet grumpy pathetic kitten

This is Desmond’s favorite revenge to Haytham. All the cats are given mandatory bath time at least once a week and Haytham is the most pathetic looking grumpy cat when he’s wet. It embarrasses him to no end and he always rolls around Desmond’s bed in retaliation (and to get away from Edward’s grooming).

From @d3r34l1z4cja

Okay yes but imagine Ratonhnhaké:ton as a big fluffy ginger cat. Edward would be a scrappy looking orange cat. Haytham gives me sassy Calico cat vibes

Behold! The Kenway cats

Ratonhnhaké:ton (he is beauty, he is elegance, he will claw guards' eyes before they can blink)

Edward ("Who broke that ugly vase some rich noble gave you because he wants to bang you? Not me, Zio Desmond. Not me. Tell father it was not I." ... it was absolutely him)

Haytham (this cat is judging your choices 24/7 also bonus wet Haytham)

From @ardanirnthedas

Shawn is the loudest kitten, he will get into your face about everything and be adorably unamused the entire time (he would love Leonardo though)

Shaun tattles on everyone to Malik. Desmond trying to leave through the window late at night without telling anyone? Shaun is screaming bloody murder. Altaïr brings in another cat (followed him without his consent)? Shaun is already screaming before he even reaches the front door. One of the cats ‘dropped’ a vase or some other breakable object? Malik is hearing the Doppler Effect of Shaun’s meow as he chases the culprit (probably Edward. Most definitely Edward). Shaun is the main reason Desmond doesn’t think the cats are reincarnated from people he knows. Shaun Hastings would never tattle them to the authority (Malik). Jokes on him, Shaun will tattle every single one of them to Malik because he revels in watching them get scolded.

Altaïr: Wait, When did I get a cult?

Malik: Better question- where’d you get the kittens?!

Desmond: More important question- Why are we in Renaissance Italy!!

Ezio: ???

When Desmond accepted his death, he expected to die.

Did he believe in the afterlife?

Not really.

The Farm had never been religious and all those lessons about how the Templars used religion only served to make Desmond ignore it altogether.

Not because he was appalled by the Templars’ ways or because he didn’t believe in a higher being or something deep like that.

No.

He avoided religion because it was boring.

To be more exact, after hearing the same lessons about the connection of the Templars to religion, it became boring.

Just another reminder of his life on the Farm.

So no.

Desmond never thought about the afterlife.

He always assumed he would die and that would be it.

Kaput.

End of story.

Whatever disappointing story he had, anyway.

It might have been disappointing for someone like William Miles but it was a nice one for Desmond. His life in New York felt like a dream. It wasn’t always a happy dream but it was…

Nice.

It felt real.

He felt real.

So when he woke up in one of the Assassin Tombs in Italy, Desmond knew he was alive.

He felt real.

He had to alive.

Then he heard two more people slowly get up and Desmond wondered if this was the afterlife.

Why else would Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Malik Al-Sayf be waking up in the same place as him.

When he learned that they were in Renaissance Italy, his first thoughts had been about Ezio. He wanted to find him. He wanted to see him. To make sure he was okay.

He had woken up too late though. The same day as the execution of his father and brothers… in Venice of all places.

He could, theoretically, go to Monteriggioni and meet with Ezio there but… Altaïr and Malik weren’t fit to travel. Something was ‘strange’ about their body, like they weren’t use to it. And it wasn’t just because they had their left ring finger. Malik admitted he could feel the pain of losing his arm over and over again. Altaïr’s body would give up after a few minutes and he seemed to be moving through sheer willpower (or stubbornness… both, it was always both with him) so their priority was to find a secure hideout that wasn’t a tomb.

It took an entire day for Desmond to get enough funds to buy them a small house in Venice and a change of clothes (pretending to be a foreigner who wishes to learn from the great artists worked enough to make the tailor less suspicious… a bit). Desmond didn’t bother to hire any servants and focused on helping Altaïr and Malik get used to their new bodies.

They both remembered up to their deaths and that left countless scars inside them. Altaïr theorized that they need to get use to their new bodies because they had been used to their weakening old bodies. Their new bodies seemed to have been created with the idea of them in their prime.

Before the failure in the temple underneath Jerusalem…

By the time Ezio entered Venice, he had already heard about them. The strange three men who kept to themselves, assisting the thieves of Venice for a price.

Most of the time the price they ask for was information.

Sometimes, they would ask for an IOU, their way of saying the thieves owe them a favor. They mostly used those favors to get the thieves to distract certain guards or to be bait.

Ezio heard from Mario that he should make their acquaintances and greet them before doing any missions in Venice.

It was their turf after all.

He did not expect their home to be a warm one.

… with lots of cats.

Too many cats.

“Altaïr! Who is this?!”

Ezio stepped inside the open doorway that led to the inner courtyard where he heard the shouting. A man wearing simple white robes held a black cat by the armpits in his arms, glaring at another man who was sitting underneath the great tree in the middle of the courtyard. Four cats were sleeping around him and he was petting another cat that was curled on his lap absentmindedly.

“That one followed me yesterday. Ask Desmond what to name that one.” The man named Altaïr-

Wait.

Altaïr?

“Stop bringing more cats! We spend more for their food than we do for ours!”

“Hello?”

Ezio turned around to the sound of the voice behind him. He didn’t even notice him approaching Ezio from behind.

The man standing in front of him holding a small stack of books smiled at him as he said, “It’s nice to finally see you, Ezio.”

“My name Desmond Ibn-La'Ahad. Welcome to our bureau.”

[hrodvitnon]

Here's another interaction from the Gojira Bros-but this time it's a more serious one that involved Grand King Ghidorah's first encounter with them after his arrival to Earth:

Malik:....Who the.....who the hell are you?

Aldrich: And what are you doing on Earth?

Grand Ghidorah: Ah, and here are the two so called 'Kings' who rule this world. I am Grand King Ghidorah, the Golden Terror! *Lightning flashes down near him to make him that more intimidating*

Malik: So, you're a Ghidorah? I thought Dad & our family killed Ghidorah!

Grand Ghidorah: Yes, but that little shit-was only my cloned son who failed to conquer this one single planet.....Pathetic....Useless.....Son.....

Malik & Aldrich: WHAT?!

Aldrich: .....if he was your cloned son....then wouldn't that mean....?

*Both brothers get a horrible realization*

Malik: You're-

Grand Ghidorah: Yes...I'm the original Ghidorah-the True King of Terror! AND THE ONE WHO WILL VAPORIZE THIS LITTLE PLANET TO ASHES!!!!

*He lets out a BOOMING Alpha Roar that rings across the world-where everyone, from MV!Goji & his family, to Monarch, to humanity itself-gain looks of dread and horrified shock as Grand starts his one-Titan conquest of Earth & finally finish what Ghidorah started, by wiping out everything & everyone in this world before destroying it. But first, he engages the Godzilla Brothers to weaken the leaders and show those two naive idiots his true power....*

Welp, we're boned... unless the Gojibros and Earth's Titans can pull off a Gurren Lagann level of awesome kickback.

Also this is going to be the last dramatic dark future ask I'll be answering for the near future, as it's August and it's time to try working on Abraxas 18 (and ItFoS) so this blog is going to be a No Death Zone until the fics are updated! *stern finger wagging*

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

10 Headcanons about IPKKND

Headcanon: It refers to something that the reader assumes about the story (in this case, a television show) or a character, though it's never officially stated in the books (tv show) or by the author (writer/creator).

Of course, I’m in the bandwagon of watching Iss Pyaar Ko till the end of my life, and now I’m so mentally convinced that these are ten things that definitely happened in the Iss Pyaar Ko world (beyond the script & screen).

P.S: I love you writers, creators, actors and the sensible decision makers <3 

#1 Arnav and Anjali are the mirror images of their father and mother, respectively.

#2 Anjali realised the truth of her marriage on the day of Arnav & Khushi’s remarriage.

#3 Aman Mathur is Arnav’s best friend.

#4 Aman and Anjali DO FALL IN LOVE.

#5 NK and Lavanya fall in love as well.

#6 Aarav grows to become closest to Khushi.

#7 Shashi recovers and tells the families about his ‘paralysis’.

#8 Akash and Payal get to know about Arnav & Khushi’s first marriage.

#9 Arnav and Khushi explore dating and friendship after their remarriage.

#10 Arnav gets shy when Khushi makes the first move.

#1 "Aap wohi kar rahe hain, jo aapki pita kiye rahe.”

“You’re exactly doing what your father did.” Nani to her grandson, Arnav.

Although Nani unfairly does use this line on Arnav far too many times, one thing that is true is that Arnav is his father’s son. From the only picture we have of Mr. Malik - there is an uncanny resemblance of the man who does not want to look like his father in any way. 

When Arnav talks to Khushi about his father’s mother, he is pissed at how tenacious, prejudiced, judgmental and stubborn his grandmother is. And this line of cruelty seems to be a Malik streak that even Arnav has. 

There is no denying that Arnav has the Malik blood in him coursing through his veins. But it’s just a magic that he has turned every weakness, fault of the Maliks into his biggest strength. 

And in between all this we perhaps miss how identical Anjali is to their mother. Anjali is not only pivotal to Arnav’s life like his mother, she is also literally similar to Ratna Singh Raizada.

Calm, composed, ability to see through their Chote’s anger, clad in a rich saree, always present with a large smile. 

But along with personality and features, she also inherited her mother’s fate. 

A cheater for a husband. 

However Anjali fared worse. Not only did Shyam cheat on her, he did not care about his child and made numerous attempts to murder his wife and was behind the Raizada wealth. 

But when Ratna and Anjali realize the true faces of their husbands - they seemingly say the same thing;

“Aapne mujhe pyaar kiya hi nahi,” You never loved me.

“Aur aap humein pyaar bhi nahi de paaye.” You couldn’t even love me.

And you have to wonder, if not for Khushi in their lives - what would’ve happened? Her presence helped Arnav step out of the shadows of his family’s past and gave Anjali the support to escape the emotionally manipulative marriage she was in. 

#2 “Nahi Shyam ji, humare Chotey aur Khushi ji ka rishta itna kamzor nahi hai. Inn dono ka rishta toh iss sab se bohot upar hai.”

“No Shyam, my brother and Khushi’s relationship isn’t that weak. Their relationship is above and beyond all this [misunderstanding, tragedy, manipulation].” Anjali to her husband, Shyam.

This is one of the few times in Anjali’s marital relationship where she has gone against her husband. And this was more than going against, this was dismissing him. While I rejoiced that Arnav came back to his Khushi to live their happily ever after - I was more surprised by Anjali’s calm demeanor.

For a woman who had clung onto her grandmother, Dadi, the minute she entered their house - Anjali did not even have a single hesitation to Dadi leaving the house permanently. 

There’s a sudden maturity and clarity in Anjali. She laughs, teases, worries just as before but there’s a realization that history has never been the way she and Arnav saw it. 

I think that maybe Anjali too believed it was an outsider who ruined her parents’ marriage - but perhaps seeing Khushi crumble without Arnav and her brother’s strength to face his past and embrace his present, and above all blatantly seeing her grandmother’s manipulation shifts Anjali’s perspective. 

She sees what no one else does. That Dadi chose this day, the day of her dearest Chote’s wedding, the happiest day of her brother’s life to speak about a past that does not matter. This freezes Anjali against all her hatred she had for the other woman, her father, their past. For Dadi her grandson’s happiness does not matter.

But for Anjali, nothing was worth more than her brother’s happiness. 

And I positively stand by this head canon because immediately Anjali signals her brother that he did the right thing after he asks Khushi to marry him. She requests for Khushi’s happiness from Arnav as her nek. She keeps insisting, in front of her family, that Arnav and Khushi are made for each other. And above all, when Arnav tells Anjali that he might hurt her - she immediately shushes him that he can never hurt her. 

And so one of the first things Anjali tells to Shyam is that; 

“Why should I trust you? So you can betray me... again? My family was against you, every evidence was against you but I... I stood with you.”

#3 *Gets SOS message from Arnav to send Khushi a gift* *Sends the gift but signs it off with his name*

Somehow I have this deep feeling that Aman messes with Arnav on purpose! I find it hilarious that we never see Aman so genuinely he is a figment of our imagination - why is why I believe this man is canonically Aman and I have evidence which I refuse to be disputed on!

But in general I also feel that Aman is one of Arnav’s closest friends apart from colleague. According to me, Aman Mathur is one of the first men to join AR and a key employee who helped Arnav grow AR to what it is. He is responsible for the functional logistics, is Arnav’s best friend and one of the only people to not be intimidated by ASR. 

In a world of ‘yes men’, Aman is a ‘no’ man and it is their intellectual arguments that makes him Arnav’s best friend because Aman truly looks out and cares for Arnav as his own family. Also, he wants the best for Arnav.

He probably knows everything about Arnav and Khushi’s contract marriage, gets to know everything about Shyam’s duplicity and even though we never see him in the family - I can imagine that Arnav, Akash and Khushi, consider Aman as their own. 

And either Arnav and Aman function on the same brain cell, i.e.,

Arnav - can memorize the entire Oxford dictionary but cannot conjure ‘Happy Birthday’. Runs a fashion house but has NO IDEA that his wife needed a bag for functionality, not accessory. Can have telepathic conversations with his wife but NOT a real one.

Aman - one of the most efficient person on this planet. Immediately organizes a gift for Khushi, upon Arnav’s instructions. Finds the best handbag, puts it in a box and sends it through a worker in time. FORGETS TO REMOVE HIS NAME AND SCREWS UP ARNAV’S HALF ASSED APOLOGY ATTEMPT #8592.

- OR -

Aman - tries interrupting ASR by dropping subtle hints that Khushi needs a ‘happy birthday’ instead of a bag. Seeing the density of his best friend Aman does two things; selects a bag that is completely out of taste for Khushi but pleases Arnav because it’s expensive, makes sure to leave his name behind for Arnav to understand what a gift is. 

Tell me which one sounds more like your imaginary Aman ;)

#4 “WHAT THE FU-”

He completes that sentence the day Arnav learns about Anjali and Aman’s relationship. Definitely the two people, apart from Khushi, who is closest to Arnav and cares for him the most. 

The two people Arnav loves the most.

The two people Arnav would NEVER WANT TO LOVE EACH OTHER.

How and when Aman and Anjali fall in love - I’ll leave that to competent fan fiction writers - but to add in a few thoughts;

- Aman and Khushi develop a strong friendship. Khushi and Anjali are more than sisters. 

- Aman and Anjali connect because of their common point (their sincere care and concern for Arnav) and maybe there were prior feelings? I leave it open - but their love has this trance like gentleness that grows into humor and friendship and more as they try to sneak their way as an official couple.

- Khushi is the first to notice and connect the dots between Aman and Anjali and she is glad. Arnav denies the thought and is positively horrified by it. 

- Khushi bears the brunt of having to placate Arnav into Aman and Anjali’s romance. It’s hilarious (and we get to see another flare of Dramatic Singh Raizada).  

- Oh there’s almost always going to be a love-hate relationship of Arnav and Aman. While Arnav truly is happy for Aman and Anjali, he never fails to remind Aman he’s the boss. While Aman truly loves being accepted into a family and cares for Arnav as his younger brother, he never fails to remind him that he is married to Arnav’s sister. *Khushi and Anjali’s exhausted eye rolls*

- But in times of adversity they stand together against anything and everything. 

#5 "Shurukiya Lavanya.” “Shurukiya NK.”

Let me say, I began to ship NK and Lavanya the day NK said ‘shurukiya’ instead of shukriya - just like Lavanya! While the intellect, grasp of the Hindi language and foreign lifestyles match - they are also a case of opposites when it comes to personality. 

In my head they meet - either for the first time or again - at Khushi’s birthday. This time Arnav babua knows how to win his lady love’s heart and how to say happy birthday so he does organize a small, intimate but colorful party with all the people who matter. 

Which includes NK & Lavanya - Khushi’s two best friends (which she found thanks to Arnav). 

There is definitely attraction at first sight but love? That takes its own sweet time to grow. It does NOT help that NK is Arnav’s cousin - but NK and Lavanya do end up together and are perfect for each other.

Neither NK nor Lavanya need to change, and their love story is like any other Hollywood romantic comedy - there’s everything (much to Khushi’s delight and Arnav’s dismay); meet cute, misunderstanding, accidental kissing, pretend boyfriend/girlfriend, denial of feelings, final grand confession at airport/balcony of La’s house and of course a white, hilarious wedding! 

AND OF COURSE KHUSHI SHIPS IT! And Arnav curses his life because he was probably just coming to terms with Aman and Anjali coming together! (How come every employee gets married to a family member - the only exception being Payal and that Khushi is married to the owner and she was an employee so that doesn’t count). 

I can just imagine an over enthusiastic Khushi helping a besotted NK and an empathetic but practical Lavanya. And probably there’s a breakup, or Lavanya chooses to not pursue the relationship until, ironically but according to clichés, Arnav saves the day by tapping into the friendship he shared with Lavanya. 

And by driving NK to the airport - or La to the airport.

There is an airport scene ok. 

#6 “Mom”

Never, in a million years, with all her twenty imaginary babies would Khushi have ever imagined to be called ‘mom’. In her fantasies of Laad Governor & Sanka Devi’s Shaadi Shuda Zindagi she thought she had imagined it all;

A hot, passionate but crazy marriage. Their brood of children would be half western, thanks to English Singh Raizada, and half traditional. Her son would probably take after his father in looks (which she would be grateful for) and in temperament (which she would curse Arnav for). Their daughter would be just like Khushi (which Arnav would be grateful for) and probably believe in all love and romance (which Arnav would curse Khushi for as he fought off suitors for their daughter). 

And then Arnav and Khushi would have another set of a son and daughter to have the roles switched. Of course, they have mastered the skill of making love and babies. 

Arnav would be positively traumatized upon being called “Babuji” and would drop all his business to make sure his brood calls him “Dad/Papa” and Khushi would leave all her jalebis and shop to make sure her little army of Raizada's called her “Amma” instead of “Mom!”

That is until the day Aarav calls her mom. Suddenly, that is the sweetest word Khushi has ever heard and she does not want Aarav to call her anything else. Because it's what Aarav calls her. 

Aarav, although shown to be identical to Arnav and immediately close to him because he believed all along that Arnav was his father - hence tried to impress him as much as he could - grows to become mamma’s boy. It’s Khushi’s childishness, sense of humor, joy for life, maturity and zest that brings out the boy’s childhood. 

I am sure one day Khushi sits and talks about being an orphan - and Aarav would be surprised at Khushi’s happiness despite her tragedy. I feel Khushi would actually play a key role in nurturing Aarav and making him a wholesome boy who can laugh, dance and enjoy life like his mother. 

In a nutshell, Aarav grows to become the perfect combination of his parents; slightly religious, loves sweets, plays pranks, is extremely sharp at mathematics, sarcastic, introvert, dry sense of humor, values relationships, values money and is temperamental enough to get people to obey him. 

Oh, and did you think Arnav was a terror if anyone insulted Khushi in front of him? That Arnav would slap and rip away the person from planet and protect his wife from all costs. 

Don’t even think of insulting Khushi with Aarav Singh Raizada around. 

Even Arnav can’t raise his voice on Khushi in front of Aarav. 

Aarav is obviously, protective about his father too - except he’s not too vocal about his. Arnav becomes a mentor, guide and a loving father for Aarav, while Khushi becomes Aarav’s best friend. 

#7 “That was not an accident.”

One line that would shake the worlds of the Raizada's and Gupta’s would be to learn that whatever happened with Shashi Gupta was not an accident. Of course, the show was great the way it was but with Shashi Gupta being such a competent and fantastic character - I just have this head canon where this last knot is tied up as well.

I think nothing adds more gravity to Shyam’s villainy than the fact that he nearly murdered a man right under their noses and no one even had an inkling. I just think it was important to address how disastrous it was for Buaji and Garima to immediately rely on Shyam and hasten Khushi’s wedding. Like Garima is truly selfish when she asks Payal to not say the truth and how horrible it was for Khushi to believe Shyam could change. 

All along her father lay paralyzed by that very man’s hideous actions. 

A part of me is not okay that they show Khushi, out of all people, trusting Shyam again. That Shashi’s paralysis is never addressed - it was a murder that failed. That Buaji and Garima have no idea what the consequence of their decision was. 

They nearly married Khushi off to her father’s murderer. There’s just a part of me that does not want to blame anyone or expect any drama, but I need to know that the family knows how close they had been to losing everything because of their gross naivety. 

Anjali lived with a murderer for so long; it’s been out there! Shyam paralyzed the man who suspected him, attempted killing his wife multiple times, kidnapped and nearly murdered his brother in law for wealth and then finally he did kill his child. 

So I just need a moment for the Raizada's and Gupta’s to realize what a horrifying man Shyam is - independent of everything else. And I would have loved to have seen Shashi Gupta and Arnav’s interactions! So for me, it is my head canon that they all get to know the other truth once Shashi heals enough to speak.

#8 The Six Month Contract

I mean I am completely fine with no one having an idea of the nature of the marriage. But also, I can’t imagine that Akash and Payal - who are very quiet but very in tune with their siblings and aware of their siblings nature - would be just quiet. 

Especially when both of them knew that Arnav and Khushi were a bubbling pot of feelings on the day of their marriage. Arnav’s attraction for Khushi at that time was not a secret, and I am positive that an observant character like Akash would have picked that up.

Payal, the one we know, knows every single thing about Khushi - from her dreams to her wishes - would be completely shocked to know that Khushi agreed to a marriage where there was no priest. 

If any character knows Arnav and Khushi best - it’s Akash and Payal. They are the only characters that Arnav and Khushi don't justify themselves to. But I feel in dignified manner, both Payal and Akash would try to find the truth on what happened that night. 

Unlike Di, Nani and Bua ji, they won’t be happy with “oh they’re getting married again.” In my head canon, Akash and Payal are more active than what they were shown. And they would do this together - no secrets. They would discuss that knowing Khushi, she would never say yes to a marriage without a priest. And Bhai does seem like the last character to elope - especially when there is no reason to. With the way things were going, naturally Arnav and Khushi were next in line. 

Probably from Nani Akash and Payal would learn what happened on their wedding day. They would learn about the fact that Arnav knew about Shyam, on that day. He thought Khushi was involved with Shyam. And he did make a big mistake in his life on that day. 

From Di they would learn that Arnav did not marry Khushi because he loved her. 

And that would give them all the knowledge that they knew and it would lead to a difficult but poignant conversation between all four of them. Akash and Payal are the ones who know the whole picture, but they’re also the ones who are closest to Arnav and Khushi.  

#9 “You’re going on a date?” “Haan.” “HAAN! KISKE SAATH!?!” “Obviously Khushi ke saath.”

“You’re going on a date?” NK

“Yeah.” Arnav

“YEAH! WITH WHOM?!” NK

“Obviously with Khushi!” Arnav

This is probably one of the funniest scenes because NK has to question his cousin, who is about to be remarried to his wife, who he’s going on a date with. 

And that sparks this head canon for me that Arnav and Khushi enjoy all the joys of courtship, friendship and dating post their marriage. They start heading to the movies, playing pranks, discussing business, traveling countries and flirting with each other shamelessly. 

It’s an aspect of love they scratched on right before Akash and Payal’s marriage and their remarriage. With the absence of all hate and prejudices - Arnav and Khushi probably have a really fun marriage with one always pulling the other one’s leg. 

When they’re serious and romantic - they burn the house in flames from their intensity.

When they’re pulling pranks they’re  also bringing the house down with Khushi screaming murder and running behind Arnav to maul him. 

We see glimpses of this when Arnav, seductively, draws a mustache on her. Or teases her about the moon and she slaps him, lightly on his chest. Or when he suggests that the world isn’t weird but she might be. Or when Khushi teases Arnav on being called “chote.” 

*sigh*

In a nutshell - Arnav & Khushi explore the facets of romance and courtship post marriage - dates, friendship, movies, travel, exercise, cooking, gardening, pranks, arguments, etc.

#10 Arnav Shy Singh Raizada

Another completely silly head canon - the silliest of all - is that when Khushi takes control, Arnav becomes shy. He isn’t as vocal as Khushi when it comes to expressing his emotions but he does have his brief moments of being slightly flustered which he graces with his one look. A soft smile and a sweet challenge brewing in his eyes. 

We get a hint of him being bashful when anyone else interrogates him about his feelings for Khushi - there’s the obvious nonchalance and anger, but this little heart likes to believe that there’s a soft boi underneath who’s going starry eyed every now and then. 

If anyone read this in full then may Devi Maiyya bless you with infinite happiness and patience. It was a lot, even though it was supposed to be a silly list of head canons! Thank you for your time!

[pgkwriter]

Just an excerpt from Chapter 18 “The American Dream” of Home because I’m thinking back to these happy cute times with Kerry, Susan, Elizabeth, Abby, and Sandy while I finish edits on Chapter 23 🥺

~~~

“Sandy! Kerry! Over here!” Susan called from a few tables over, waving until she caught Sandy’s eye. They weaved their way through an already semi-intoxicated ER staff until they found themselves at Susan’s table. “We saved you seats.” She gestured to the two empty spots across from where she sat. Sandy pulled Kerry’s chair out for her and Kerry immediately sank into it.

“Chuck, have you met Sandy?” Susan asked, smacking Chuck’s arm lightly as he chatted with Malik.

“No - hi,” he turned to Sandy as she took her seat to his right and extended his hand. Her strong grip surprised him if the look in his eyes was anything to go by.

Abby returned to her place at the table then, thanking Malik as he complimented her dress, her highlighted hair curled and cascading gently down her shoulders.

“Kerry, Sandy.” Abby said in greeting with a slight smile, setting down her drink at her spot.

“Abby,” Kerry smiled, watching as Abby sat and took a big gulp of her drink, which could have been a soda water or a vodka soda for all Kerry knew. Things had been awkward between the two of them since Kerry’s unexpected arrival at her apartment the week before, and Abby knew she had noticed the beer bottles. They’d never really spoken about Abby’s drinking problem, but she knew that Kerry had known she had sponsored John for a brief period of time. Kerry was a smart woman, she didn’t need things spelled out for her. Abby felt a tinge of shame, not relishing in the idea that she may have disappointed someone who’s opinion she valued higher than anyone else’s.

“Did you see the cupcakes they have up there?” Susan leaned over to Abby, looking in the direction of the waitstaff setting up the display of desserts for after dinner was served. Kerry watched the two young women chat and laugh together, almost getting lost in their camaraderie before a hand on her arm brought her back and she looked beside her at Sandy’s smiling face.

“Bored yet?” Kerry whispered, grabbing the hand that was still resting on her arm and playing with the ring on her finger absentmindedly. “Regret wanting to come?”

“Fat chance.” Sandy teased, squeezing Kerry’s fingers briefly before rising out of her chair. “I’m going to go grab us some drinks.”

Soon Kerry was watching her wife’s back (or, more accurately, her bottom ) as she wound her way through the crowd of Kerry’s colleagues.

“When are you due, Dr. Weaver?” Chuck asked suddenly, trying to fill the dead air that had taken over their table for an uncomfortable few minutes.

“Chuck, she’s not pregnant.” Susan deadpanned a whispered scolding, eyes wide and eyebrows raised into her hairline. Chuck turned red and then completely white before Kerry could save him.

“She’s teasing you,” Kerry laughed out of pity, Abby completely losing it at Chuck’s expense. “October 5th.” She answered his question as the color slowly came back to his cheeks.

“I hate you,” Chuck whispered quickly to Susan, rising out of his chair and excusing himself to the bathroom. As soon as he’d turned his back, Susan and Abby erupted into laughter.

“I can’t help it sometimes,” Susan confessed, taking a sip of her wine. “He’s just too easy of a target. He’s like Carter-” Susan began before she could stop herself. Kerry had noted the empty chair beside Abby but hadn’t thought much of it until now.

Abby waved off the concerned faces, taking another sip of her drink, but she didn’t say anything.

Almost as if sent from God himself to save the moment, Elizabeth approached their table, the form fitting gold gown stunning every male she’d passed on her journey across the room into silence.

“Look at this group of miscreants,” she teased as she approached, pulling out the empty seat beside Abby and sitting down. “You all look beautiful tonight.” Sandy approached, then, setting an iced water in front of Kerry and taking her seat beside her, sipping her martini on her way down so as to not spill it.

“Elizabeth, do you know Sandy Lopez?” Kerry gestured between the two women, surprised when she could not remember a time over the last three years when the two might have crossed paths.

“Only by name,” Elizabeth held her hand out. “Elizabeth Corday; surgeon, but I tend to crash the ER banquets.”

“Sandy Lopez, firefighter,” Sandy noted with a smirk that Elizabeth’s handshake was more firm than Chuck’s had been. She liked the woman already.

“Well, my late-husband was an attending in the ER for nearly a decade, how did you manage to crash this party?” Elizabeth prodded, knowing the answer but wanting to hear it out loud. She leaned forward and took a sip from her glass of wine - she had obviously had a head start in the alcohol department, her words slurring just slightly.

“I know the right people,” Sandy’s eyes flashed to Kerry whose lips turned up into a slight smile, a blush creeping into her cheeks.

“If you happened to catch Romano’s press conference with the Alderman a few weeks ago… perhaps you could say that this is my husband .” Kerry’s lame attempt at a joke made Sandy choke on the sip of her martini she had just taken, coughing into the crook of her elbow as the other women at the table watched on wide-eyed.

“Ah, I was wondering who the lucky woman was.” Elizabeth said, the sarcasm in her voice so barely evident that only Susan truly picked up on it. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Weaver.”

The table erupted into laughter as Elizabeth rose out of her chair, excusing herself as she saw Haleh in the distance and wanted to go say hello. She took a few steps before stopping abruptly and turning back, leaning against the back of the chair she had just vacated. “Oh! I wanted to ask, did you get the results of your amnio back yet?”

Sandy looked to Kerry, wondering how she was going to handle such a personal question asked so publicly and casually.

“Uh - yes, we did. Everything looks fine.” Kerry’s face broke into a wide smile. “Thank you for asking.”

“Wonderful!” Elizabeth replied genuinely, leaving them with a small wave and continuing toward Haleh.

“I was surprised when Luka told me you RSVP’d, Kerry,” said Susan, taking another sip of her wine as she watched the blush begin the fade from Kerry’s face.

“It was my fault,” Sandy spoke up before Kerry could reply. “I reminded her that the opportunities to party will go down significantly in just a few months.” Kerry could swear that Sandy’s smile lit the table brighter than the candles in the centerpiece.

“That’s true!” Susan raised her glass in a mock toast. “You’ve got what, three months to go? You must be getting really excited.”

“Excited but unprepared - we still haven’t finished putting together the nursery,” Sandy continued. “I think we were both so nervous, you know… that something could still happen.”

“But we’re nearing the safety zone,” Kerry added, sitting up and doing her best to mask the grimace that accompanied the movement, the hard dining chairs doing her hip absolutely no favors.

“God, I can’t wait to have a baby around again.” Susan picked at the appetizers on the small plate in front of her. “I love the baby years, particularly when it’s someone else’s baby and you can give them back. I’ve always been so bummed that I missed so much of Ella when she was tiny.”

Sandy smiled at Kerry, relishing in the friendly, personal conversation between her partner and her coworkers, but noticed Kerry’s jaw clenched and her hand kneading furiously at her left hip under the table.

“With the amount of time Kerry spends at the hospital, I’m sure you will have plenty of baby time. We might as well make her an ID already,” Sandy joked, taking another sip of her martini, trying to make up for Kerry’s silence.

“So you do know it’s a girl.” Abby finally spoke, engaging in the conversation for the first time since sitting down. “I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t want to say anything if not.”

The silence that fell over the table told Abby that she had just made a big mistake and her cheeks immediately flushed. Sandy’s eyes widened and she looked to Kerry who looked equally stunned.

“Oh my god.” Abby could have gotten sick right on the table, absolutely horrified at accidentally revealing the gender of their baby. She hid her face in her hands, not noticing how much pleasure Susan was getting out of the whole situation.

“How-how do you know?” Kerry asked, the pain in her hip gone for the time being, all of her focus being pulled to the panicked nurse sitting an empty seat away from her.

“The amnio, on the monitor,” Abby’s voice was muffled by her hands, her head still down, practically on the table. “I thought you knew, oh my god.”

“A girl.” Sandy leaned over to Kerry but stopped herself before kissing her, unsure of exactly the amount of PDA Kerry would be comfortable with surrounded by colleagues. But Kerry turned to Sandy, her eyes glossy with happy tears, and grabbed her face in her hands, pulling her toward her and kissing her deeply, passionately, and without a care of who was there to witness it.

“A girl.” Kerry whispered as they parted, her hand lingering on Sandy’s cheek for a few extra moments before they pulled away from each other, Kerry looking sheepishly at the small crowd that had formed behind Susan. Luka, Lydia, Randi, and Jerry all stood with different variations of shocked looks on their faces. Abby’s face had yet to recover and she took a greedy sip of her drink.

“What’s going on?” Luka asked with a laugh, observing the chaos of what he thought would be one of the more tame tables at the banquet.

“Well,” Susan started, rising out of her chair. “Abby just told Kerry and Sandy the gender of their baby without realizing they didn’t know, and now I’m going to go take Abby to get another drink.” Susan grabbed Abby by the arm and began to pull her away with a laugh.

“I am so sorry Kerry, Sandy, I really thought-” Abby began before Kerry could stop her.

“It’s fine, I promise. We’ve been saying ‘she’ for months now, it’s nice to know we were right.” The audience of coworkers was not sure they’d ever seen Kerry look so happy as she turned again and gave the somewhat speechless Sandy another kiss. Susan managed to drag Abby away - though the fact that they were going to the bar was not lost on Kerry, even in the commotion of the unexpected news - and Randi’s eyes widened as she stepped away, having thoroughly enjoyed what she’d seen and needing to tell everyone about it promptly . Jerry and Lydia continued in the direction they had been going in when they’d been sidetracked by Kerry and Sandy’s PDA and Luka rounded the table to give Kerry and Sandy congratulatory hugs and kisses on the cheek.

“You really did a great job organizing this, Luka.” Kerry said as he straightened up again after their hug; she hadn’t even been able to meet him halfway, the momentary respite from her pain having certainly passed.

“Last year was good practice,” he chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. “Be glad you weren’t here for that one.” Kerry had heard mumblings about the banquet the year before, something about an unstocked bar and a broken thermostat. “I’m glad you decided to come tonight, though, both of you.” He placed a hand on Sandy’s shoulder who looked up appreciatively. “If you’ll excuse me.” He smiled apologetically as an obviously perturbed Romano waved him down from across the room, and both women were grateful Luka had decided to go to him instead of the other way around. If they could get through the night without an interaction with the Chief of the ER, then they would really know luck was on their side.

Kerry grabbed Sandy’s hand, squeezing it on the table as she laughed, watching Jerry and Randi begin dancing in the middle of the room, prompting others to partner off and join them. Kerry looked at Sandy whose eyes were trained on all the giddy couples.

“You want to dance.” Kerry pointed out, a tinge of sadness in her voice.

“Nah…” Sandy shook her head, looking at her partner. “I’m good just sitting here with my wife. And my daughter.” Sandy pulled her right hand from Kerry’s and set it on Kerry’s stomach for a brief moment. Kerry’s hand found Sandy’s and she rested it on top - the baby hadn’t moved much since they arrived at the banquet but Kerry couldn’t help but think it would be a Hallmark moment if she were to move, to kick, to say hello somehow to her mothers as they so patiently waited for her. If only real life were like the movies. Kerry’s eyes found Sandy’s again, who leaned in for another kiss, their hands still on her stomach. Sometimes, life is like the movies … Kerry thought, and the baby gave one solid kick felt without fail by both of her mothers.

[mrneighbourlove]

Scarlet Contract: Final Part

Scarlet gave the old snake a nod and headed inside. On her left were four prison cells with iron bars. The first and third cells were empty. In the second cell was a Moblin who leaned against the bars, sniffing the air around Scarlet. It spoke something at her in a language she didn't understand. When it saw she wasn't a meal ticket, it retreated further into its cell. Arriving at the third cell it was a glass wall with tiny air holes cut at the top. Torch and candle flames were the only source of light source down this deep underground, so it took a moment for Scarlet to see through the dimmed light. "Adda?"

Sitting on a table, a Gerudo with long hair that needed to be cut years ago lifted her head slowly up from a book she was reading. Turning, Scarlet into the eye of her old Captain. Adda wore rags, her hair covering her missing eye. An eye that the royals of Hyrule never replaced. Her nails were long, and her face was filled with wrinkles. Despite this, she was in good shape. Scarlet choked it up keeping in shape when she had little else to do. It was Adda's voice that surprised Scarlet the most. It was low, and sounded like someone who was weary and succumbed to pain. "...Scarlet? Is that you Redd?"

"Yes Adda. It's me."

Adda stood up from her chair, trading her book for a candle as she walked closer to the cell wall. Her golden eye was tired as she looked at Scarlet. "I never thought I'd see you again."

Scarlet looked around, and up and down Adda. "You look terrible. This is the condition they keep you in?"

"Public enemy number one, only alive due to a King wanting to pick my brain. They wanted me dead. Well, they can't. So, for over a decade, they put me in conditions were I sometimes wish for it."

"I... gods."

"You know, the past few years I've gotten so used to this that I've been desensitized to going outside for those twelve hours a year they grant me. What's the point? They'd never give me a cell with fresh air or a view anyways."

Scarlet closed her eyes. Others would tell her that Adda deserved this. But did anyone? "Adda. I'm sorry they put you away to be forgotten."

"And who's fault is that." Adda had a hint of malice, before letting out a deep sigh. "No. No no no no no. Certainty not yours. You had the freedom to leave. I supported you on that. Then you wanted to support your family in rescuing Seer. Of course you couldn't trust me when I wanted to help Bakura. Of course your family would do this to me." Adda tilted her head, and although she smiled, her eye was with sadness. "We were family once too you know."

"Sisters."

"Not anymore..." Adda looked around into the darkness surrounding Scarlet. "Why are you here Scarlet? I've never had visitors before. I don't have illusions you're here to break me out."

"We both know I could never do that. I'm here because of a deal I made."

"The snake?" When Adda saw Scarlet flinch, she smiled. "Yeah. Monster that crawls in the dark, having his hidden away criminal empire. All that money to fuel Queen's armies. He loves to talk about making promises. I see them as servitude myself. You have a debt he's cashing in on you Scarlet?"

Scarlet's mouth hung open for a moment, before she found herself clenching her fist to regain composure. "Something along the lines of that. Cashing in from saving your life."

Adda's brow furled together as she tried to recall. "You'll have to be more specific Redd. After all, you were rather zealous in my protection in the good days."

"When you were sick and we were shipwrecked on Omisha."

"Ah." Adda slowly nodded. "Shame."

"How so?"

"Shame that I'm alive."

"Not at all. It’s more of a shame that I couldn't save you in a way that mattered."

Adda looked to the side, her main of hair facing Scarlet. It hid her emotion perfectly. "Well. I was the only one who could have saved myself. Bad hand is all." Turning back, she tapped the glass, her thoughts lingering on Scarlet's deal. "What is it he wants you to do?"

Scarlet didn't think it'd be a big deal talking about it. "He want's me to replace King Malik as the de facto leader of the Gerudo. Make me a Queen to serve Hyrule's Queen."

Adda's golden eye practically burned to life, and for the first time since visiting Scarlet saw some animation in her body. "Really? You? Dethrone..." Adda grasped her face, an uncontrollable giggle turning into a laugh.

Scarlet couldn’t hide the small amount of fear and hurt that was growing on her. “I didn’t think you saw so little of me.”

"Oh Scarlet. I'm not laughing at you. Just the thought of that King using me for years only to be thrown off his chair by MY second in command? That. Is. Priceless. And quite honestly, something I'd love to see."

Scarlet wiped her brow to get rid of the sweet. "I don't see myself being a Queen."

"Queen? No. You'd never make a good Queen." Adda rested her arm above her head as she leaned against the glass. "But a leader? You have that in you."

That was honestly shocking for Scarlet to hear. "What?"

"I said you have what it takes to be a leader Redd. Queen, that was my title. But you'd make an excellent chief."

Scarlet narrowed her eyes as she turned her head slightly to the side. "Why are you telling me this? You never let me be a captain under your fleet."

Adda backed away from the glass, shaking her head at something funny to her. "All my time in here has given me time to reflect on the odyssey that is my life Scarlet. I've had hammers, fists, crime lords, scum on the high seas and living weapons that have served me faithfully... for one lousy exception. But you? There was no replacing you. My number two. The only person I trusted to lead in my absence if need be. I need you at my side because what I valued most about you was that you were the one person I could call my friend. I respected you. Respected you so much that when you wanted to leave the life, I let you go. I shouldn't have. But I did. I think that's were my first downfall happened. Caring at all for you. For the girls... for some blind old junky. And for Bakura...." Adda turned away from Scarlet. "Loving was never a healthy option for me."

"Adda. How can you say that?"

"Simple. About five years, maybe six? Fuck. It's so hard to tell time down here. Seven years ago, for all I care there was a moment, a moment I broke down and repented. I wanted to see my girls and you. I wanted to admit how much I destroyed everything. But you never came. I know for a fact that Corsaire would never send off any letters I made." Adda looked up at the roof of her prison cell, with balled fists. The void above her was a horrifying image at first, but now it was numbing. It was all she knew down here. Maybe all she'd ever see. She let her fists drop as her shoulders sunk. "But I realized it didn't matter. That loving has only hurt me. Never loved properly so maybe I couldn't love others properly. Good leader, but a lousy parent... Ok, look. There's no changing my past. No changing... no changing me. They want to keep me locked away like some animal? Go ahead... Can't do much worse to me. Those spineless nobles don't have the guts."

Scarlet let Adda ramble, an immense sense of pity for the woman churning in her. Why didn't they just put her out of her misery. "Adda..."

Before she could continue, Adda turned to Scarlet with the spin of a heel. "Now, my point to all this? Your worries are no longer my own. And we should both move on from each other for good. That's the real reason why you came here, haven't you? Don't you realize Scarlet? You're braver than you think. You have the courage to do what my own daughters won't even do. They couldn't kill me, and they can't give me a final goodbye. But you can. And what it's worth? I think you should kick Malik's ass to the curb. You have the power deep within you. Unleash it. Do something special for your life that isn't centered around me." With a smirk, Adda returned to her seat. "I'm sure they don't want you staying long. Say the rest of your peace, then leave. Stay longer and I'll take it as you wanting to mock my imprisonment."

Scarlet pressed her head against the glass, letting all her feeling build up for Adda in one last moment. "I'll ask about them giving you more humane conditions. After that, you're on your own. Goodbye Adda. I loved you. I really, really did."

When Scarlet looked up, Adda was right there with her. "I loved you too Redd. Sayōnara."

Adda returned to her seat, and Scarlet walked away, leaving the old pirate to her solitude alone.

Scarlet fumbled around in the dark with a torch. “I’d like to go back up now.”

"He will show you the way." Bonegrinder slithered in the correct direction, allowing Scarlet ot follow him. "Did you obtain your sense of closure?"

“Best I could achieve. I don’t think she should be treated this way though.”

"Many would argue with you, little lady." Bonegrinder reminded Scarlet. "There are many who want her dead. Imagine what conditions they'd put her in. This is... as humane as it gets."

“She doesn’t get any sunlight. What are we if we treat our enemies this way?”

"Our enemies would not show us the mercy of allowing a capture to live, Scarlet." Bonegrinder reminded the woman. "The enemy we are going to fight will spare no one. No innocents, no criminals, no one."

Scarlet said nothing. Returning to the surface, she felt her stomach grumble. “Maybe some food before leaving.”

"He is sure the palace chef will be more than happy to fix you a meal." Bonegrinder smacked his lips, rolling that serpentine tongue. "He recommends the strawberry creme puffs by Chef Sophie. She's an old lady now, but still can cook with the best of them."

~

At the table, Scarlet was doing her best to have her full. At the table, Revy was giving the orphans and Seija there first Hylian experience. “This here is called a chocolate strawberry. Its dunked in molten chocolate.” Scarlet chuckled. Sometimes it was easy to forget Hyrule was a second home to Revy. She barely left Uskar anymore, but a nostalgia glint could be found in her voice. “Any of you kids want to see Princess Orana’s zoo of wonders in the countryside?”

The kids were eager to see the animals and begged to go right then. Yet, it was dinner time and soon enough, bed time. Tomorrow would be the better choice. Rat dazzled them with promises of seeing Orana's Molagani tigers. Ever since Corsaire rescued her first tiger, Mahaan, from the unsavory market, she had kept a few in captivity to try to replenish the numbers, releasing a few into the wild after intense training. He recalled how happy she was when Corsaire brought Mahaan to her with a little blue bow wrapped around his neck. The first mate also remembered how brokenhearted Orana was when Mahaan finally passed away due to old age. He lived to be almost 23 years old. Sighing, Rat excused himself from the table to get a bit of fresh air on the balcony. He could sense it. Something was changing.

Scarlet joined him, patting his back. “You ok?”

"Aye, me's just thinking." Rat admitted to his lover, stargazing at the night sky. "Just remembering old times. I don't suppose you think me daft for missing those days when Cap'n, the crew, and me-self would go diving for treasure?"

“Course not. But I’d have never got to be with you.”

"Aye, dats true." Rat nodded his head. Then said, suddenly, "Me's old now, Scarlet. Thinking back on things I wish I could a-change. Thinking about time lost. If it would have gone different if I had a-changed me-self."

“Tell me what you’d want to change.”

"Wish me'd just knocked you out and dragged you along to Uskar with me for one." Rat chuckled. "Ice woulda been in the way." He then said, "Wish I could have taken Revy more to see the world when she was younger. Get that self-sacrifice nonsense out of her head. Had forgiven you earlier, that's a big one, but Borgie definitely helped with that. That's for us, but for me-self, I..." He sighed heavily. "More than anything, I wished I could have saved Bomba."

Scarlet looked away, still guilty by that all these years. Everyone played scenarios in there head over and over on how they’d saved him; done things differently. “I’d have accepted a fantastic friendship with ya if I still had the little man at my side.”

"Ya know, Bomba always talked about having a family one day and settling down since he was an orphan." Rat chuckled and told Scarlet with a grin. "He'd brag about how he was going to hook the hottest pair of legs on the town, romance her something fierce with flowers and sea jaunties, and then buy her the fattest ring he could find. Then he said they'd have a dozen kids and a boat with a white picket fence around the mast." The ex-pirate rolled his eyes. "Silly one, that kid. Still can't believe he blew off only two of his fingers while he messed with that dangerous powder. Annoying sometimes, but had a heart of gold."

Scarlet leaned over the balcony railing, sighing as she clapped her hands together. “Feel like it’s my fault at times you know. I was the one who showed Adda details on the Wind Waker. I’m the one who thought we should have controlled that dragon and the other pirates instead of just sinking them into the sea. Thought it was mercy.... I saw Adda again today Rat.”

"... can't say I'm pleased with you a-going to see her." Rat had mixed feelings about Scarlet going to see Adda. Perhaps she needed closure. Maybe she needed to ask why. He was not sure, but either way, he was fearful of Scarlet being hurt. "Regardless of what you did, your intention was not to get Bomba killed."

“No. But me leaving Adda left her alone to the worst people. Should have taken her captive when we first found you in Uskar. Let her live in better conditions than she is now. Let her learn that she could have been a good mother. I left her at the worst time. Only made things worse on all sides.”

"Now you're being silly." Rat turned to look at Scarlet. "You can't blame yourself for her actions, Scarlet. You didn't force her to make those choices. You's ain't her keeper."

“She replaced me with Seer. Look how that turned out. She looked to me to back up and challenge her choices. Because I didn’t have a backbone, I left her to a bunch of yes men.”

"Seer didn't want to be used as a replacement. He wanted to stay in Uskar with his girls. And you are not responsible for Adda." Rat gently pulled Scarlet into a hug. "I know you want to see the good in her, but you're not her guardian, her mother, or the one that's in charge of her actions. That's all on her. Don't think anymore of it. I don't want you to feel guilty over it."

Scarlet hugged Rat tight. He could feel something burning in her to get out. When she saw Corsaire and Prince Ralnor holding casual conversation, she patted Rat and marched up to them. “Hello there gentlemen. Hope I’m not interrupting anything. I had a request on my mind.”

"I'm telling you, if we put in a bigger engine the weight wouldn't be---" Corsaire stopped mid-sentence when Scarlet approached.

"What might it be, Scarlet?" Ralnor was getting rather tired of the captain's constant refusal to try to build a larger engine. Advancements had to be made.

“I know you’ll never give Adda better conditions for imprisonment. I want you to execute her.”

"...?!?!?!"

Both men looked equally stunned by Scarlet's request. "Well... that..." Corsaire took a moment to regain his composure. "I'm not against it. She has done some serious crimes."

"Might I ask why the sudden request when we tried to have this happen years ago and a select few were against it?" Ralnor quirked an eyebrow.

“Because I didn’t know she’d be treated like some slimy Like-Like locked away in an underground, lightless box. It’s inhumane. Just let her die so everyone can move on.” Scarlet crossed her arms, using some ‘logic’ she heard the prince enjoyed. “You want me to replace King Malik right? I don’t know who he is, but if I do that, he has no reason to keep Adda alive anyways right?”

"That is a valid point." Ralnor did appreciate her logic. Malik had not had questions for Adda in a couple of years. Perhaps it was the end of her usefulness. "Very well then. I will set a date for her execution."

"...? It's that easy?"

"No one knows she's alive besides us anyhow."

"Ah... well, I suppose that is true."

“Ok. So... tomorrow morning I, what, march up to his door?”

"..? You?" Ralnor looked puzzled. He misheard being so focused on Adda’s upcoming death. "You want to kill her?"

“What?! No!” Scarlet turned pale, suddenly losing her guts. In her haste to get on with her life, she had confused the prince. “I meant Malik. No. Not kill him. Dethrone. Uh-“

"Oh. Do not worry, the snake and I will handle that." Ralnor assured Scarlet.

“But. I’m the one taking charge. I should go there to transfer the peace and title.” She looked to Rat and Corsaire. “I doubt Rat and the crew would listen to some random Captain if Corsaire was suddenly replaced with no explanation. That’s a mutiny in the making. Even Adda knew this.”

"If you wish to accompany me, then by all means you are welcome." Ralnor then gave her a fair warning. "However, I doubt Malik will step down... willingly. But that shall not be a problem. We all know that the snake has the right playing cards."

“What.” Scarlet crossed her arms. “Blackmail?”

"Let's just say the snake and Malik have an interesting past together." Ralnor told Scarlet. "The less said the better."

Scarlet felt something really off about how the prince said that. Looking to Corsaire, she felt conflicted. “Corsaire. Is this Malik a bad guy? Like Adda?”

"... he was once known as 'Klinge'." Corsaire almost shuddered. "An undead commander who once guarded the queen with such ferocity."

"Until said queen was able to use her magic to reverse his curse." Ralnor told Scarlet. "Even though she is reagent, Zarazu is still powerful."

“Klinge? The Blade of the Gerudo? Revy saw him as a legend growing up.” Scarlet frowned, tapping her foot. “That’s who you want me to go ask to step down?”

"Yes." Ralnor had no qualms about the process. "My father was ignorant enough to pass the Tri-Force piece of Power to him. You and I both know that there's a high chance he could risk going down the pathway of darkness. A risk we cannot take."

Scarlet turned to whisper in Corsaire’s ear. “He sounds like Adda. That’s scaring me.”

Corsaire tried to get her to hush, but it was too late.

"You know, I have quite keen hearing and if I scare you more than the snake, then you are a child that he has picked to lead the Gerudo." Ralnor remarked with a glare. "Remember this, Scarlet, I am the hand that keeps the peace in the kingdom. No matter who or what gets in my way, it will be... removed. Permanently." The second born prince was definitely as cold as ice just as the rumors said. And scary to boot. "I am not the one who conned this plan. The snake did. I am simply trying to follow his instructions to keep my niece safe. Prophecy or not, Luimaya's wellness and my family's safety are tantamount to other objectives. If you are thinking I am like Adda who will sacrifice those dear to me to get what I want, then you are gravely mistaken." He took a sip of his wine. "If I am not preferable for you, then be my guest. Let the snake lead you there."

“No. I’m sorry. I apologize Prince Ralnor.” Scarlet bowed her head, embarrassed at her actions.

"That's what I thought." Ralnor set down his empty glass. "Whether or not you believe Malik to be a legend, a hero, or even a damn saint, he will give up his throne if it means saving those he cares about. If not, then he will be in for a hard lesson from the snake." He then told Scarlet. "While I have my lines that I draw, Bonegrinder does not. He will willingly devour anyone in his path to see that the Mother Goddess inherits Luimaya as her host to battle Chaos for this world. If you cannot convince Malik, if I cannot, then he will be in danger... and his family." The prince then clasped his hands together, walking back inside. "It is late, Scarlet. Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."

"..." Corsaire stood there beside Scarlet for a moment before advising her. "Lassie. Look. Me and you don't have the best of track records, but I say this because I mean it," He took a breath and then said, "If anyone can convince that bastard... it's you."

“Malik. Or Bonegrinder? I don’t like the idea of us hurting some man’s family.”

"Malik... and perhaps convince the snake to view a little light in the world."

________________________________________________________________

Crossover with @ridersoftheapocalypse

Previous Part:

[siderealxmelody]

Sofiel Backstory

@aprincess-and-herknight

@waywardlightbearer

@nptperfect-indadseyes

He was never very specific on the mates he had made for his children, He preferred for them to find them on their own.

However, he made two exceptions to this rule. One was Raphael and Azazel, he made it explicitly clear when Raphael first laid eyes on Azazel that this was the angel he was waiting for.

For Raphael Azazel had been made to be his equal, his companion, the champion whose undying love would be the one thing Raphael could trust.

For Samael, his mate would be something different every time. They would be what Samael needed in the moment.

Sofiel was a sweet angel, she was shy and hated the violence around her. She was slated to become part of the Seraphim council upon her making. She adored Mebahiah who took her under her wing quite literally and trained her.

Still politcs were sometimes boring and frustrating so Sofiel would help Cassiel out in the Garden when she had a spare moment. She loved to take the falling petals and flowers and press them into glass and decorate her nest with them.

It was during her time with Cassiel once that she first met Samael. They hit off instantly, she was young. She had only two hundred years more before she would be an adult.

Still neither wanted to wait and they decided to mate early. They had heard the horror stories but what was the worst that could happen? They were in His world, they would be fine.

They soon gave birth to triplets:

Sennoi 

Sansanvi 

Semanglaf

Sofiel and Samael doted on their children, even joking that they had the most blessings for their children were perfectly fine.

Then Amitiel had fallen as did Malik and Morael. Sofiel was less naive now, more aware of the world around her, still she didn't waver.

Then Lumiel rebelled, she along with a small delegation went to Lumiel to beg him to reconsider. He answered by threatening her life. Telling her if it wasn't for Samael's help she would be die along with the rest of them.

She was horrified it was the first time she acknowledged that Samael's actions affected her. She tried to confront him but he only assured her their children and her would be safe.

She was told to stay inside but she ignored him when the fighting started. She needed to make a stand, to show those around her she didn't condone Samael's actions. Her children's wellbeing depended on it.

Before she left she placed a sigil of blood on their nursery door, now Samael wouldn't be able to take them.

She went into the fray, she knew by this time that everyone would know how Samael helped Lumiel poison the garden. She spied Samael and Michael fighting, she watched as for the briefest of moments Michael lost focus - Samyaza had fallen to the ground, a gash on his side.

Samael smiled as he thrust the sword forward...and into her waiting body. She crumpled instantly, she knew she would remembered for this. She rose her Mind Voice above the cacophony of anger and pain to speak to him and the rest of Heaven.

Samael cradled her fallen body trying to apologize, this isn't how it was supposed to happen.

"I renounce your actions Samael, our bond, and our love. I renounce your ties to my children. You will not taint them. Let my death serve as a lesson for all those who hear and speak of this day, love is not mightier than loyalty. Nor should it be. We are vessels for Him to use, for His will to flow through and by allowing myself to die I hope I show you all whose will is mightier."

She didn't see him crumple over her body, didn't see him renounce Him into her ear. Didn't hear him promise he would see his children whenever he damn well pleased.

He watched it all in surprise. Yes while somethings were planned out, angels were allowed freedom of choice.

He hadn't realized she was so loyal, maybe if she was reborn she could get to Samael.

She was reborn again as Norea, the daughter of Noah, it was there she met Samael when the flood was happening. They would have two daughters Chayyiel, and Gazadariel.

She would rename herself as Naamah and they would share many years of happiness. However when Samael contracted Mortia and he asked her to join him in the pain she refused and left.

Samael in his state of mouring was easily captured by Gabriel and Michael. But before he could be castrated he fled.

Killing as many angels as he could in fury at realizing more of his children were taken.

Then he met Lilith, He hadn't planned that but was annoyed enough to make sure Michael sent Samael's sons to tell Lilith her punishment by the Red Sea.

That relationship too did not last, Samael never allowed himself get close to anyone again. Though He hoped one day that would change and he'd learn not to be selfish.

[eucataestrophe]

Shipping Real People is Wrong

(and why you should care)

Yes. This post is exactly what it seems like. I don’t see a reason to beat around the bush on this topic. It shouldn’t be a controversial one to discuss. And yet? It is- for some ungodly reason that I can’t even begin to fathom.

Let’s start with what shipping is, and why it’s okay, when applied to fictional people. Shipping is, in short, thinking two fictional characters (i.e. Elena Gilbert and Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries) would make a nice couple. Sometimes this involves making edits to support this “pairing” or fanfiction. Other times, the person just consumes entertainment made by other fans who ship the same pairing.

I think we can all agree that this is pretty okay. It used to be considered a little odd, but nowadays it’s pretty widely accepted.

Where we begin to run into trouble is when we involve real people. When fans begin to pressure the actors/actresses to date in real life. Now, Ian (Damon) and Nina (Elena) did date in real life, to the thrill of many fans. People loved them together. Until they broke up.

You’d think people would stop rooting for them as a couple, considering they’d broken up and Ian married another woman and has a daughter. Unfortunately, no. Many people still ship Ian and Nina IRL and this is where things get...well, tricky.

A good example of things becoming an absolute mess due to fans shipping co-workers together, is none other than One Direction. You’ve probably heard of “Larry Stylinson” at some point.

Do you realize that was the destroyer of a close friendship? One of the people being shipped in the relationship, Louis Tomlinson, spoke out about how uncomfortable he and Harry felt, and how it ultimately ruined their friendship.

"It kind of happened naturally for me and Harry because a certain amount of the fans drew up this conspiracy," Louis said about the Larry Stylinson conspiracy theories. "When it first came around I was with Eleanor, and it actually felt a little bit disrespectful to Eleanor, who is my girlfriend now. I’m so protective over things like that, about the people I love." Louis said the fear that fans would overanalyze every minor interaction between the two stars caused them to stay away from one another. "It created this atmosphere between the two of us where everyone was looking into everything we did," Louis said candidly. "It took away the vibe you get off anyone. It made everything, I think on both fences, a little bit more unapproachable."

Many fans, self-proclaimed larries, took it a step farther and declared that Eleanor was/is a “beard” (when a person is hired to play the part of a significant other in order to hide a celebrity’s sexuality), that Briana (Louis’ son’s mother) was never really pregnant, that Freddie was a doll or not Louis’. Larries continue to harass Briana and her family on social media, even hurling death threats and wishes.

Larries’ behavior has gotten so out of control that there are entire blogs (ran by so-called “Anti’s”) dedicated to calling out this kind of behavior and helping ex-Larries escape the fanbase (because if you attempt leave the Larry-side of the fanbase, you’ll receive death threats and more spine-chilling comments than one could ever imagine).

From this, we can conclude that shipping can do some serious damage in real life, despite the fact that it’s often seen as “harmless” and acceptable.

There are some other cases of celebrity’s having trouble with fans shipping them. The most recent: Lili Reinhart and her costar on Riverdale, KJ Apa. Lili took to her tumblr to respond to the shippers:

"It’s horrifying how invested some people are in my love life. Emphasis on “my.” It is mine. It is private. If a stranger’s love life is causing you anger, frustration or anxiety… please reevaluate your priorities. I also want to point out that there is a difference between shipping Betty and other characters, and shipping me with literally everyone I make eye contact with.There are so many other things to focus your attention and energy on."

There is the argument that shipping real people is okay as long as it’s in fandom-dominated spaces on the internet (i.e. Tumblr, AO3, Wattpad) and doesn’t make it’s way onto the person’s social media accounts. This is very wrong, for a multitude of reasons.

One of those reasons is the fact that you’re still practicing toxic fan behavior and enticing others to do the same. Doesn’t matter where you’re posting those pornographic drawings of two co-stars who are happily married IRL; you’re still doing it, publicly, and it’s still absolutely appalling. 

Another reason is there is NO such thing as a good place to post that kind of content. Fans thought they were safe running to Wattpad...until Zayn Malik himself created an account to promote his book. People were creating memes and cracking jokes that held a whole lot of truth underneath: “delete your fics before he sees!”

This was said for the same reason that people panic and  threaten to delete their Twitter when their favorite band follows them: they’re ashamed of themselves. Even if they won’t admit it, even if they pretend it’s funny, even if they refuse to stop. They feel some guilt, deep down, for what their fave might see on their account.

I imagine there are some people out there who don’t feel any guilt for what they do and the pain they cause. They’re so far down the rabbit hole of slowed down GIFS and flourishing fantasies that they don’t know the difference between reality and fiction and they don’t care.

Call them out and suddenly you’re being branded a multitude of things by not only them, but their online circle, too. One of these things, if the ship in question is same-sex, is homophobic or hetero-normative.

Tumblr seems to have this odd obsession with gay couples, namely male gay couples. It’s fetishistic, and has become an accepted part of fandom life when it should be anything but.

If the two people involved in the ship are straight (or worse, has a partner already), why is it okay to say they’re lying and “definitely gay”? Would any of these people be comfortable with labeling a gay person as straight for their ship? 

Here’s something else to chew on: Making two best friends who are male into a ship, normalizes “bro culture”. How? Because it illustrates that showing any care or concern for your friend makes you gay or bi. Not everyone is capable of letting that kind of thing roll off their back or it goes beyond what they could handle while remaining unaffected (i.e. Harry and Louis’ friendship).

I don’t think there’s a person who’d argue that Harry is against the LGBT+ community or that he’s homophobic, as he has pride flags at his concerts and encourages fans to be themselves. If this doesn’t showcase that most people would be uncomfortable with real life shipping, I don’t know what else will. Put yourself in his shoes. In Louis’ shoes.

It’s not a great place to be.

[myriadcfmuses]

Yami Marik

Name

Yami Marik

Dark Malik

PERSONAL

Height

180 cm

5ft 9in

Weight

121 lb

55 kg

Gender

Male

Favorite Food

Meat dishes

Least Favorite Food

Koshari

Relatives

Malik Ishtar (Original personality)

Isis Ishtar (Older sister)

Rishid (Adoptive older brother)

Father (deceased)

Mother (deceased; died in birth)

DUELIST

Battle City

Runner up

Deck type

Immortality/Torture

About

Yami Marik is Marik Ishtar's second personality created by his own inner hatred and pain. He possesses Marik's body after Rishid falls into a coma.

Unlike Yami Yugi and Yami Bakura, Yami Marik did not originate as an entity sealed within a Millennium Item, but instead was spawned from the trauma Marik endured after being horrifically mutilated by his own father and sentenced to guard the pharaoh's tomb for the rest of his life.

Appearance

Upon first awakening, he was wearing the original outfit of Marik, including a light purple sleeveless hoodie, black pants and black shoes. Yami Marik's usual outfit consists of a long purple cape with a gold chain, and black sleeveless tank top and beige pants. He wears golden earrings, neckwear, armbands and bracelets. His hair is spiked upwards and points in all directions, though he retains the same wing-like fringes of Marik's hair, and since he picked up the Millennium Rod, which he keeps in his belt while not carrying it, he bears the Eye of Wdjat on his forehead.

Whilst dueling, faint ghastly images of his face frequently stretch out from his head. As the duels progress visible veins slowly start to appear on his face.

He wears a KaibaCorp Duel Disk on his left arm as he is merely a split personality of the normal Marik. Yami Marik's facial structure is exactly the same as Marik's, though the similarities are offset by the differences outlined above.

Personality

Yami Marik is a person of pure cruelty, wickedness, and insanity who cares for no one but himself, as he was born of hate, anger, and envy. Yami Marik ruthlessly murdered his father, and was constantly trying to kill Rishid for being a hindrance to his existence in the outside, and threatened Isis with death for hiding their brother.

Yami Marik showed no interest in Yami Yugi's or Seto Kaiba's pasts, something which his alter ego wanted to know. In addition, while Marik's goal of becoming the new Pharaoh was fueled by a personal affliction towards the Pharaoh particularly, Yami Marik didn't seem to have any goal except for spreading pain and suffering, and also existing outside, both to no longer be sealed inside his alter ego and because he considers himself the "true" Marik.

Yami Marik lacks empathy and is highly sadistic; building his deck around torture-themed cards, and using his shadow powers to manifest them into reality, painfully hurting his opponents for his own pleasures. However, he was overconfident in his dark powers- particularly their role in winning his duels.

In Noa Kaiba's Virtual World, Yami Marik demonstrated a high degree of recklessness, as he destroyed the fortress' computer, which was the only way of stopping the missile that was programmed to fire at the building; his only care being the death that it would cause, and he was subsequently seen enjoying the frantic escape aboard the airship.

Despite his cruelty and evil, he valued his own life dearly; he tried to murder Rishid so he would not be sealed back in Marik's body, and pleaded for Marik to help him win against Yugi after Marik was able to regain control of his body. Still, he shows traits of a masochist as well by displaying psychotic laughter during his duel with Jounouchi Katsuya when Gil Garth was destroyed and its pain was transferred to him.

Though certainly reliant to a degree on his shadow powers during a duel, Yami Marik was by no means an incompetent duelist; planning ahead in case Yami Yugi survived the attack of "Ra" by using his Egyptian God Slime to complete his strategy of immortality and do a follow-up with "Jam Defender" to make it the only monster Yugi could attack (thanks to its ability to regenerate); he also knew more about the abilities of "Ra" than Marik and he outwitted his alter ego and Yami Bakura by changing most of the cards in his deck.

Yami Marik is shown to have difficulties with advanced technology during the Virtual World arc as he was having trouble with a security passcode when he pressed it, only to be denied.

Yami Marik considers himself the "true" Marik, though he largely does not consider himself part of the Ishtar family, referring to Isis and his father as Marik's rather than his.

Upon his first emergence from Marik when he murdered Marik's father, he explained the pain of Marik's past as if it were his own, though he did not actually experience the events himself; he merely birthed from them, after which he laughs upon recounting it, and explains that it is the trauma that dominates Marik.

Abilities

Yami Marik can only emerge from Marik when the latter is filled with rage, though during the time of his second emergence, he managed to acquire enough power to bypass his restriction. As a Tomb Keeper, Yami Marik is capable of using the Millennium Items and the Egyptian God Cards, and subsequently creating the Shadow Games. As a result of winning a Shadow Game and inflicting a Penalty Game on his opponent, his power increases.

Biography

Birth

Yami Marik was "born" from the pain and suffering that Marik had endured when he was forced to take the scarification ritual to become a full-fledged Tomb Keeper at ten years old by his father. A year later, after Marik's forbidden trip to the surface, Marik returned from his trip having realized that his departure had been discovered, and was horrified to see his father torturing Rishid to a presumed death. Rishid's state enraged Marik, allowing Yami Marik to take control. Though he thanked his father for dealing with Rishid, Yami Marik proceeded to resist his father's punishment on himself and claimed the Millennium Rod for himself. Ignoring his father's orders to put the item down, Yami Marik used its powers to smash him against the wall. When his sister Isis protested for him to stop, he blasted her back and froze her in place. Yami Marik then proceeded to murder his father. He prepared to kill Rishid next, but Rishid was able to rouse himself, his presence calming Marik down and sealing Yami Marik away in Marik's body. It is never stated whether or not Yami Marik subconsciously removed Marik's guilt as he had done in the manga.

[yuusaris]

UUuuhhhhh fuck, okay,. uh

Rrrround 2. Bonus rround...

This... this should've been under a read more. The original post of this should've been under a read more, God.

So, let's go down the line, right? Go down the line of the fics I mentioned here, it's only fair, except the finished ones, those are already up.

So, uh, Body for Body, Life for Life was the original fic from TenderWeek and after a while, as said, I wanted to write more of it. In the first fic, Ryou's attempts to expel a demon (Bakura) from his body are for naught, and when he mentions he wants Bakura out in order to marry him physically, the demon is stunned/flattered into accepting. Stunned because he thought his emotional manipulation of this mortal into his very pliable toy was going according to his plan and then realizing it took a corkscrew turn somewhere along the way, and flattered because... he's being courted and these sorts of things are atypical of what he's used to. Ryou's basically called his unconscious satisfaction with their relations/his companionship by offering to keep that going in a more intimate way and - I wanna write more of it.

Like I said, I wanna write it as a gag horror romance. Romance for the obvious reason of it being a marriage and gag because Ryou is... so acclimated to Bakura's horrifying diet and demands and the other shit he's had to do to keep this Contract going (for his sisters sake), that he treats the everything else that comes rolling his way with an absurd level of grace (for the most part). Not only this, but he demands a good husband from Bakura which means this old, manipulative, respectably powerful demon now has to go on dates, call Ryou handsome, kiss him goodbye/welcome home/good morning/good night (And not the kind that leads elsewhere), and learn how to make a cup of tea for when his human is sick. Ryou demands respect and equal domestic footing and Bakura's position requires him to be domineering over all he owns.

All the while, the horror element, the lurking underbelly, is the demonic influence in their lives - Bakura eats people and Ryou must feed him. Other demons will be affected or will affect their livelihood, especially with a fresh human around more often. Worst is the knowledge that Bakura, inevitably, will eat Ryou. This is part of their deal and part of their marriage arrangement, Bakura is being given Ryou's life and it's a life to absorb and control as he sees fit. Ryou gets to spend time as Bakura's spouse, with the knowledge that he will end up Bakura's meal. It's not escapable. It's agreed upon.

The question is how much time do they have. How far can this go. And what will it take to reach that end and have no interference.

I wanna write these in sections - little multichapters or one-shots that connect so that way the first piece still stands on it's own and one won't be disappointed by reading something that may be less strong. Plus, it'll flow better that way.

-

Ah, I won't talk about the prompts because those I do kinda wanna fiddle with - they're all scattered and not organized right now. And any DollyFic continuations are for me, not really something huge to talk about. it's a power-play story, is all - how Bakura's puppeteering is an absurd amount of control but also a show of how little he feels he has, as well as Ryou trying to navigate this Mind/Body game in his favor. Who has the control? Who is being controlled? The answer is neither and both.

-

Buuuut with the manipula fic in mind, My Time With Monsters is the first fic set I started writing as my foray back into YuGiOh DM. Yami Malik finds himself popped back into the middle of the busy Domino City streets and is hit by a car and left in the care of Anzu, whom he appeared directly in front of and who was driving said car. While recovering from his full-body fuck-up with a corolla, a winded Malik with a more disorganized System gets wind of his return and basically tells him to shove off to which he replies with an equally amicable suggestion to jump off a fucking cliff. Throughout which, he kind of has to reconfigure his sense of self, what he learns is an overreaction to perceived danger, and face his own issues with trust - it's called My Time With Monsters, plural, because it's his story.

(It also plays with the idea of Yamima as a teenager alter.)

-

The other big fic I was working on is a tender/gem shipping joint structure, Kintstugi - Black Gold and The Necromantic.

Kintsugi- Black Gold is Bakura's point of view, detailing his developing fondness of Ryou from acquisition to separation. The main point of it to explore how Bakura views his own existence and whether or not he has (or deserves) a sense of humanity - and why the thought of it scares him.

The Necromantic is Ryou's perspective through a desperate bid to reconstruct Bakura whose soul, residing in Ryou still, is now in pieces. It's to explore Ryou's own issues with abandonment, his sort of ego regarding Millenium magic and to have a very fun one-on-one working relationship with Zorc. (Clinging to Bakura, really, has always been an excuse to not have to cope with death, with being alone, and with his fathers neglect. And now he'll have to).

it's also an excuse for me to write Zorc. Hee.

-

Aaahhh, I struggle with this one.

The Earl Of Demise - A First-Person Evolution from Human to Vampire, As Recorded And Experienced By The Earl of Chessex, is that gemshipping period piece vampire fic I need to totally rework. To summarize very briefly, Ryou has been disowned by his father, a Marquis, and to downplay any potential scandal, he is gifted the title Earl of Chessex - an emptied hand-me-down of his cousin's lack of desire to do any of the work.

He details his new life in various journal entries (though, we the audience are also privy to the exact details of what happens), from his arrival, to the sudden illness of his new staff, to the vampire he meets in his yard. To put it simply, after a period of time Ryou and Bakura strike a bargain - Ryou will help Bakura infiltrate the homes of the nobility that he may drink from and kill if sees fit. In exchange, Bakura will drink only from Ryou, then slowly, over time, turn Ryou into a vampire. Throughout this, Ryou details the process, experimenting with the changes as a way to cope with the hideous boredom.

Subsequently, How To Be A Vampire is a planned-too-far-in-advance VRAINS spin-off/sequel, in which Yusaku wakes up in a ditch, a newborn vampire with Ai by his side to show him the ropes, since it makes no sense for Yusaku to not know he's a vampire.

This is a series/idea that needs a looooot of workshopping right now, it's really hard to have passion to work on atm. Especially since I've been working so hard on Body/Life and Bakura and TKB are distinct enough to be considered different characters. Plus, Ryou's characterization is all over the place and I'm doing that thing again where I hyperfocus on Bakura and....

Ugh. My head.

HELLO HI this is an invitation to talk about your fics 👀 my eyes are so big

Okay. Okay. Real talk, right? Real talk. I really dig my Body/Life fic and I've been working on writing more of it since... what, I posted it in July, right? Since August I've been working on more of that AU and I...

I really kinda wrote myself into a corner character-wise, regarding follow-ups.

I have a lot of details there that I still like and thus refuse to get rid of. I like the cannibal horror. I like having Amane as Ryou's point of desperation and I have plans for her as a character in this. I like the idea of Bakura becoming super thrown-off by Ryou actually wanting him around/wanting to be married to him, and i like the idea of this insidious demon becoming a crass mess when met with the slightest bit of affection.

Ryou's been the difficult part because while I am a Ryou fan, it must neds be remarked that I am a Bakura simp. One overrides the other and I JUST LAST NIGHT managed to finagle a way into this follow-up that doesnb't have Bakura as an over-swathing focus. Working on AU backstory has helped too, I tend to get a romantic-partner tunnel-vision in romance fics, so this is really an effort for me to break from. Especially since this is a gag horromance. They need to both be strong, on their own, for this to work.

I have legit been working with this for two months now, so it's refreshing to FINALLY have something to work with.

-

Oh! Also! I still have these prompts from like, September, that I've been working on that I'm STILL working on cuz I like what I've worked on and I wanna work and post em, they're just - oh, these just need a lot of reorganizing. Especially the smut one bakawitch asked for, I've got a solid little dynamic going, but the beginning is weak and I don't like it but I WILL write flippantshipping goddamnit.

God, have you ever liked a ship for years but the dynamic is so rarely explored, and eve rarer well, that you have no idea where to start? That's me with manipula, I love pyro-sea for prompting me manipula, but I've re-written this three times now and I'm just NOW getting a vibe for what the dynamic is and I'm AMPED but also, like - wow, this took some thinking. It took so much thinking that I need to scribble down what i learned so I can reference it. I love them together, I really do. it's my ultimate rarepair and to actually write them is both a learning experience and a great one and also Yamima is here being a shitheel alter which is my favorite way to write this bundle of Anxiety (he has anxiety, fight me).

Actually, ye, let me headcanon at you for a few seconds, Yamima has the 'greater' anxiety problem between him and Malik, mostly because this is a two-alter system and he's the Protector (likely also persecutor, often reformed-persecutor in fics) so he is Malik's anxiety coping mechanism what is HIS, he needs a pill.

But also, getting into the common ground for what I want with this prompt - the prompt was 'you make me wanna be a better person', like, getting that statement between Malik and Anzu and giving it weight that's just not 'Malik wants to reform cuz Anzu pretty' like, no, that's not what I want, that's gotta mean something, y'know? Fuck secrets, i want Anzu to be the one to say it because I want them both to have that moment where they recognize the other as trying for them, trying to be better to be good for them. It's something that - for Malik who loved his father despite everything, and Anzu, who is so grounded and so caring, to hear that? That's something they'd both be touched by, romantic or not.

Also, if I do finish and post this, it will have a barbedshipping follow-up. This, I swear.

...or, at least, I'll work on one.

-

I also have been doing more DollyFic stuff, but that's for my love of power-play and control games.

-

Let me also say - I always say I peaked with Pantless in Chili's? I've changed my mind, it's my magnum opus in the traditional sense - it was a work to show my masters I was ready to be considered an official fanfic writer, my new peak is Imperfect Investigation, there's a lot of stuff in there that were huge for me, writing-wise, got me over a lot of hurdles and got a lot of good writing habits out of it. Great fic, 11/10 me, I'm my favorite fanfic writer, I'm great.

Cuz, like, I struggle with inciting action that's not, like, garbage? Something to relate them to? I really struggle with it and Taylors always trying to get me to work stuff in and I'm always like 'but that seems so fake and forced' and, like - it's not much but Cigarette Guy was a huge step for me in a good direction. To have something from the environment happen to the characters as a way to get the ball rolling. He means more to me than he means to the fic. I'm proud of my Cigarette Guy. Thanks, Cigarette Guy.

Oh, I also wrote it into the late night until I couldn't function, resulting in an unhealthily low amount of before work , just like Pantsless in Chili's so maybe that's the secret, I dunno.

-

If I ever return to writing The Earl of Demise - this (potentially post-apocalyptic) mish-mash of time periods vampire period piece - I will be honestly shocked. I'm actually - I need to watch more Vrains so I can - I want a sequel to it already, cuz I want more Chatshipping. Someone who knows Vrains give me a Chatshipping prompt for a Whenever date, please, I need to write Chatshipping at least once, they're perfect for each other.

I have watched One (1) full episode of Vrains and yes, it was dub, and it was Brave Battler.

-

...I might reblog this again later with more, I have so many WIPS, but for now, I have exhausted my fanfic thoughts.

[hrodvitnon]

Ok, I am going to write something rather angsty today: where Malik & Aldrich were somehow taken from their time & thrust into the Abraxasverse-during the Genocide Route.

Obviously, the brothers will initially be a little confused as to why everyone looks younger than they remember them as-only to become concerned when literally everybody is panicking & acting scared. I'd imagine this is what an interaction between them & Mothra will be like if they ran into her:

Malik: Mothra? Is that you? Why are you looking so...scared?

Mothra: Wait, who are you? And-Junior?! When did you grow up? Aren't you in the......(H.E)

Aldrich: Mom....what's happening? Why do you look so terrified?

Mothra: It's Godzilla, something's wrong with him! He's starting to kill humans left and right-I've tried to reason with him, but he won't listen.....please you have to help us...I'm realizing that I can't deal with this on my own, me, & the other protector Titans have our hands full....

Malik:......Don't worry Mothra, we'll try to reason with him.

Aldrich: Yeah......*thinking*(what the hell is Dad doing to reduce Mom to a scared state?)

The brothers will obviously be very shocked & horrified by what their collective adoptive father is trying to do with humanity-and immediately try to subdue him to get MV!Goji to stop. It will definitely result in some questions and horrific revelations as to why he would do this in the first place; resulting in some sadness & heartbreak from the brothers to see the Titan who they call their father in all but blood be reduced to trying to (mostly) genocide the humans based on a belief their civilization had gone on long enough.

Malik: DAD! STOP, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

Aldrich: Stop! Get away from there! *struggling* what did the humans do to deserve this?!

MV!Goji:....need...to.....kill them....all....SHUT UP NI!

Malik: Who are you talking to? *struggling* damn, he's strong!

Aldrich: Dad....please calm down....this isn't you....

MV!Goji:......j....Junior....is that....you?

Aldrich: Yeah, it's me-I'm your son....from the future....

MV!Goji:.....I.....*Faints from days of non-stop movement*

In the aftermath, it might result in the brothers working with their past version of their family to help the alternate counterpart of their father to help him get through his trauma & get rid of the hallucinations. They stay close to their dad alongside Aldrich's past self, Mothra, Shin, and most of all Monster X- and pray their father will recover.....

What do you think?

Not bad. It won't be easy, but the brothers don't seem the types to back down from a challenge, even if this is a very different one from the kind they're used to.

[mutualdarknessff-blog]

C12 - Don't Kiss & Tell

Song: dRuNK by Zayn Malik

Navaya 

Gasping out of another bad dream, I sat up right looking out my window. It was thundering constantly with lighting cracking loudly. Even though Jason left me to spend time with Mali. He had his housekeeping crew behind for anything I needed, but they left around ten. I looked at my phone next to me realizing it was almost three in the morning. I was home alone in this big ass house and felt the bad feelings coming back, when I used to live with my uncle. With it being friday already, I automatically felt my brain going back to what I was thinking before I fell asleep. Picking some type of time to tell Julius about the cure that stayed in my dresser here in the room. Another crackle of thunder made me jump as I clenched the sheets over my head. Pondering on whether I should call Trent or Mali, I figured they were probably sleep. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep until the storm passed, so I decided to get something to drink downstairs. Only problem was I was kind of terrified being in this mansion alone, going that far to get something to drink. Taking a deep breath I pulled the covers off of my bare legs, showing only my pajama shorts and matching t shirt. Stepping out of bed I, walked to the bedroom door peeking out into the hall. Every so often lightening would light the area showing no one there. Finally stepping out into the hall I made my way to the stairs going to the first floor. Holding my torso with both arms I slowly walked to the kitchen, using my phones flashlight to see. As I got closer to the kitchen I noticed the patio doors that lead to the backyard was open. I didn���t leave them open, and I know the housekeepers wouldn’t. Immediately I went into panic mode, unlocking my phone to call the police. Someone was here and I backed up to the wall looking around while I tried to find the dial pad on my phone. But my fingers were shaking out of fear. I dropped my phone. 

“Fuck.” I muttered under my breath bending down to pick up my phone, but when I did it was gone. 

“What the?” I breathed looking up to see a dark figure standing in front of me. 

“Navaya, chill out its only me.” Dev looked down at me holding my phone in one hand and a spliff in the other. Grabbing my chest I looked at my phone and back to him seeing his handsome features better every time lighting flashed. 

“Dev, what are you doing here?” I asked trying to sound annoyed but I was glad he was here and not someone else. 

“Jason wanted me to look over you while he was away, Trent and Anastasia is here too. I was just outside smoking.” He told me handing over my phone. 

“Where are they?” I asked, looking around. “In the movie room downstairs.” He told me. With a smirk on his face he took a slow pull from his spliff, “We didn’t want to wake you, that’s why ya didn’t know we were here.” He explained. Shaking my head I began walking to the kitchen, taking another deep breath. 

“You were scared huh?” He asked, I turned around to look at him taking a pull of his spliff eyeing me and what I had on. 

“No.” I lied hiding behind the island so he could stop staring at my pajamas. 

“Yeah, right.” He chuckled blowing smoke across the kitchen. I ignored him going in the refrigerator for a bottle of water. 

“Think what you want, I would’ve been fine.” I tried to play off my fear of being alone. 

“Vaya.” Dev spoke calm and low. My body got hot in the fact that he had his own nickname for me. I turned around looking at him sitting at the island leaning back staring at me. He had that look in his eyes, it made me so nervous. 

“Huh?” I spoke closing the refrigerator door and leaned up against the counter. 

“It’s okay to admit when you’re scared, besides you can’t hide nothing from me,” He blowed smoke leaning up on his elbows, “That’s why we are all here, you not alone, not anymore.“ 

"Thanks, but i’m alright.” I shrugged. Dev chuckled at me leaning back in his chair. Putting out his blunt in his hand he shook his head at me, “So stubborn." 

"Shut up.” I muttered walking out the kitchen, deciding to go back to sleep since the storm finally died down. Dev was quiet then without a response so I figured he would remain in the kitchen, since he all of a sudden knew so much about me. Walking back upstairs I made it to my room turning on my bedroom light. 

“Why do you have this?” Dev ask sitting on my bed with my black vibrator in his hand. Horrified I ran up to him snatching it out of his hands with ease. 

“Dev what the fuck, don’t you know about personal privacy and space.” I yelled at him my heart feeling like it was about to explode. With a calm face he just looked up at me adorably. I didn’t even wrap my mind around the fact that he was suddenly in my room, I didn’t even see him go past me. 

 "I do.“ He spoke lowly, "I was just wondering since I sat on it when my ass made contact with your bed." 

 "Honestly that’s none of your business and why are you even in my room?” I huffed at him turning away to put my vibrator up in my drawer underneath my underwear. 

 "I mean, thought we were cool, didn’t think you would freak out. Not like i’m your fuckin’ boyfriend or anything.“ Dev sighed standing to his feet, "Ill just leave if I’m bothering you that much." 

 "Wait,” I stopped him before he walked out, “I don’t have school tomorrow, could stay up for a little longer.” Turning back towards me he began to walk back by my bed, “You act like you never had a guy in your bedroom before." 

 Only my uncle ever got to make that as a horror for me, I cringed a little. Ignoring the half truth in his words I just got in bed while he sat at the end of it, leaning back on his elbows. He looked like he was ready for a photo shoot at any moment. 

"What’s up Dev.” I stated having a feeling he needed to talk. 

“Listen, I only feel comfortable with talking to you about this shit, cuz you and I have….” He trailed off, but I knew what he meant. 

“I know,” I nodded having him look over at me, “Just continue and tell me,” I told him. Shaking his head he went on. 

 "Trent and Anastasia, I think that they like each other more than friends. Even though they’re not related, they still belong to the same clan.“ He told me. 

"But if they are in the same clan and both vampires what’s the problem?” I asked him. 

“Nothing in the clans eyes, but to me I don’t know if I can accept it. What makes it even more weird is, the whole time of looking over Trent he never approached or seem interested in any human girl." 

"Maybe, Trent is meant to just be with his own kind.” I shrugged. “I don’t believe in that.” Dev replied solemnly leaning all the way down on my bed, he looked up at the ceiling. His broad chest rose every so often, flexing out the t shirt he had on. 

“Why not?” I asked, sliding his head in my direction he closed his eyes. 

“I just don’t.” He stated. “Did you have a relationship with your kind?” I asked curiously. 

“Yeah only one,” Dev replied opening his eyes again placing them on me,“Didn’t work out." 

"Sometimes we’re just meant to be with who we’re meant to be with.” I concluded. Sitting up Dev mugged me. 

“I thought you were supposed to be agreeing with me here.” He leaned closer to me raising an eyebrow. 

“Trent is my best friend, I haven’t ever seen him with a girl he likes so I’m happy for him.” I shrugged. 

“Sell out.” Dev muttered making me chuckle. “You aren’t the only one to witness him always being single.” I laid against my headboard. 

“Yeah speaking of single, If you went ahead and gave Julius the fuckin’ cure you wouldn’t need that damn plastic shit.” Dev looked over at me with a evil grin on his lips. 

“Oh my gosh, would you stop being obsessed with my vibrator.” I sighed putting my face in the palms of my hands. 

“I didn’t say I was obsessed.” He shook his head, “Anyways I’ve watched over Ana all her life since her clan abandoned her, so she’s like a little sister to me. Trent is like a little brother to me, I just don’t know what to do.” He spoke sounding glum again. 

“Accept it.” I told him. 

“Easier said than down Vaya.” He smirked at me.

“When did you come up with that nickname for me?” I asked him, he shrugged looking at me.

“I don’t know. What you don’t like it?” He asked with a pout of his pink lips.

“Didn’t say that, Devvy-poo.” I smiled at him, he gave me a blank stare.

“Please don’t call me that.” He huffed at me. I started laughing at him.

“What’s so funny in here?” Anastasia walked in leaning against the wall, Trent was behind her coming inside my room.

“Nothing at all.” Dev answered, “You about to head out Tre?”

“Yeah man.” Trent replied dapping him up, “See ya Vay.”

“Good night Tre.” I nodded.

“So Dev did you tell Navaya about-” “Anastasia, you’re staying here tonight.” Dev cut her off automatically.

“Dev are fucking serious?” She protested.

“Yes, I’m fuckin serious,” He responded, “Goodnight.”

“Whatever.” She muttered walking out the room behind Trent, “Panties in a bunch about an ex.”

“Told you she gets on my damn nerves.” Dev spoke under his breath.

“They are young Dev, and-”

“No, you the virgin to all bases cannot say shit about my rules.” He chuckled at me.

“Excuse me I am not-”

“Have you gone past first base with a guy?” He asked me.

“No, I admitted looking down at my hands.” I bit my bottom lip.

“Exactly. Who knows what the hell they did in the movie room.” Dev sighed. Seeing how quiet I was he looked back over at me.

“I wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings.” Dev mumbled at me.

“No, you’re okay it’s the truth. But the bright side is It’s a sure fact that Julius is a virgin so… it’s whatever.” I shrugged.

“Right.” Dev sighed, “Well if you ever need any advice…”

“Dev.” I laughed at him.

“What?” He asked confused.

“Nothing.” I sighed, with a yawn, “What was Anastasia saying about an ex?”

“Nothing, just talking out the side of her mouth. Imma let you go to sleep, and make sure Anastasia still in this damn house.” He muttered standing to his feet,

“Thanks for the advice, nite.”

“Night Dev.” I smiled at him as he turned my light switch out.

“You gonna be alright with Julius.” He chucked up his deuces and closed my door behind him. Before drifting off to sleep, my mind focused on what Dev had said. He didn’t see his kind as someone to be with, and it confused me. Could it be why he didn’t do relationships?

***

After brushing my teeth and showering I threw on some clothes deciding to go eat some cereal. It was ten in the morning as I went downstairs, the sun shined through the open living room. Sprawled out on the couch was Dev with his mouth slanted open, peacefully sleeping. I held in my giggle at how he laid on his back on the couch with one leg dangling off the top of the couch and an arm leaning off the edge. His shirt was on the floor letting me view every tattoo he had and his chiseled body. It suddenly had me in a daze as his chest rose up in down not making a peep in his slumber. Here I thought vampires didn’t sleep and he was knocked out. It made me wonder why he even needed sleep. Snapping myself out of staring I headed to the kitchen, deciding on some cocoa puffs. Pouring my milk after I did my cereal, I got up to get a spoon out of the sliding drawer. Turning back to my cereal Dev sat at the island with his chin in his hand watching me.

“Jesus, could you at least talk when you enter a room.” I deeply breathed trying to control my heart. Standing there for a second I took another deep breath before taking a seat in front of my cereal bowl. Saying grace privately I opened my eyes to see Dev looking at my bowl of puffs.

“My bad.” He spoke with squinty eyes.

“So, can I ask a question about your eating habits?” I asked looking up at him slowly. Dev licked over his bottom lip squinting at me again before relaxing his eyes.

“I don’t eat off of people if that’s what you’re wondering.” He told me.

“Then what do you do to keep yourself fed, and is Trent…-”

“Don’t worry I have Trent on the same diet as me, we use blood bags from Jason’s company.” He answered sincerely.

“Oh, so you already have eaten?” I asked looking in my cereal bowl.

“In a little bit.” He looked down at the table making imaginary circles on it with the top of his pointer finger, “It’s like my coffee.”

“I was just wondering.” I admitted curiously.

“Anymore questions?” He asked looking up at me.

“No, I’m good for now.” I nodded taking another scoop of cereal in my mouth.

“You sure?” He smiled at me with a cheeky grin.

“Uh huh.” I mumbled in between chews, he absentmindedly sat up in his chair stretching out his shoulder. Moving my eyes away from his body I looked down at my cereal taking another scoop.

“I guess since your bestie back with Jason, you stuck with me until Julius get here?” Dev asked confusing me. “What you mean until Julius gets here?” I stopped chewing looking upon his boyish smile that slowly crept across his face. 

“Dev.” I scoffed dropping my cereal spoon in my bowl. “Navaya it’s time.” He told me standing to his feet, “Either it happens today or the cure will be taken from you. Daniel’s final words.”

“Ok.” I sighed looking up at him. He nodded eventually walking off, leaving me with my final thoughts.

***

Sitting on the couch, I saw Dev come downstairs looking freshly showered and good. I had to admit my best friend knew how to dress no matter what he was doing. Even if he was being match maker for the day. Finally seeing him come downstairs meant that Julius would be here and I began to get more nervous. That blood he compared as coffee really made him look refreshed and good.

“What you gawking at?” Dev asked coming into the living room, darting his eyes between his phone in his hand and me.

“Nothing, you just look nice.” I complimented him with a small grin, “And your hair is growing back.” 

 Scoffing Dev squinted one eye at me, “Stop being gay Vaya.”

“How is that being gay, it’s a compliment.” I shrugged up at him.

“Stay focused on the task today, Julius will be here any minute.” He crossed his arms at me with a smirk.

“Fine, don’t look for any more compliments from me.” I said shaking my head at his foolishness.

“Ha, yeah right girl. Know I’m fine as fuck.” He wriggled his eyebrows at me with a smile.

“Now you being gay.” I muttered standing up out my seat on the couch. Dev chuckled as his phone rang, he placed it to his ear.

“Hello?” He answered rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, “Alright Ill be there.” Placing his phone back in his pocket he looked up at me, “I’m about to go handle some business, I want a good report from you when I get back tonight. Prob around 1 am so you know it’s me with your scary ass.”

“Dev shut up and just go.” I rolled my eyes at him. He smiled at me with his raising his hand for me to take it.

“You got this.” He spoke lower squeezing my hand a little. I nodded at him, “Thanks I hope so.”

“Alright.” He nodded back before departing towards the garage. Looking at the time on my phone it was almost twelve, and I decided making some pizza rolls would make this time with Julius a little better. I hoped.

***

While the third iron man movie played on the TV, Julius and I ignored it making out. My body felt so hot, I didn’t have any concern with anything else. Gripping my thighs he squeezed them tight with every second of his sweet kisses on my lips.

“You’re so soft.” He whispered smiling in between kisses. I giggled at him clenching the back of his neck with both hands. Going to my neck he began to linger in one spot kissing relentlessly on me. Before I gave up on why he was really here, I fought how he was making me feel.

“Jul,” I breathed as he laid on top of me rubbing a hand through my hair, “Wait.”

“What’s wrong?” He asked stopping to look in my face. Taking a breather I moved him off so I could sit up. Leaning close to me he kissed my lips softly once, rubbing his nose against mine. Kissing my nose he leaned away from me,“Wassup?”

“I need to talk to you about something?” I told him moving my leg off his left one.

“Tell me.” He spoke seriously leaning back on the couch, his full attention on me.

“Jason, has these doctors professional in making an experimental drug for the cure of aids.” I told him with my eyes closed. Julius grabbed my chin with his warm hand, “Navaya, open your eyes.”

Slowly I raised up my eyelids looking into his soft stare on me.

“You’re trying to save my life now? I couldn’t ask for a more awesome first girlfriend.” He smiled at me leaning in to kiss me.

“Wait so, you aren’t like not gonna do it?” I asked him.

“Is it FDA approved yet?” He asked.

“No.” I blinked waiting for his response.

“So this would be illegal.” He figured out. Not knowing it was also unimaginable to the human mind.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“You know what the side effects are?” He looked in my eyes. Here comes the half lying.

“Nausea, dizzy ness you know the usual stuff they say in those commercials for non over the counter drugs… the doctors will explain more to you about it.” I nodded at him with a dry chuckle. After a while Julius got silent, he stood to his feet and looked out the patio doors.

“I have something to tell you too Navaya.” He spoke with his back to me.

“What?” I asked waiting.

“At doctors my appointment, they told me I only have like a month left. After that I’m supposed to stop treatment, and…”

“Well then you have try this.” I stood looking at the back of his precious head.

“Yeah, I know and I want to. Might as well I’m dying anyways right?” He chuckled looking back at me. I stood there my heart feeling like it was beating out of my chest knowing this couldn’t be prolonged anymore.

***

Trent

Sitting at the kitchen island of my condo, Anastasia had her right hand clenching my thigh. Staring in my eyes with her pretty brown ones she had a smile of lust and I was tempted couldn’t lie. Licking over her top lip smoothly, she took another sip of blood never unlocking our gaze. It was going on almost ten and we had spent the whole day of shopping, her teaching me french words every now and then in her sexy french accent. I couldn’t have picked a more beautiful woman to wait and spend so much time with. What put the cherry on top is that everything that I was going through as a new vampire she could relate. It made being attracted to her even more stronger. We had been holding out going physical at all, only because it wasn’t really my area of expertise. Anastasia was so confident I was glad that I was a vampire anyways, probably would break me if I wasn’t. She had a hundred years on me so I knew she would be knowing what she was doing, probably had some tricks of her own. Leaning closer to me she connected her forehead with mine, a small smile slowly inching on her plump glossed lips. My front door then bursted open, and I saw Micah and Allister walk in. In no time I saw Dev come in with his hands behind his back, eyes a light golden color looking upon us. Anastasia without turning around moved away from me taking another sip of her drink. While the twins stayed by my foyer, Dev walked in my kitchen snatching the glass from Anastasia. It was empty now as he sniffed inside it. Raising an eyebrow Dev looked to me then back to Ana.

“Seems like Tre here is rubbing off on you Ann.” Dev spoke crossing his arms over his chest.

“Ya think?” She sarcastically responded leaning back in her seat, glaring at Dev. Doing a deep sigh, Dev rubbed the back of his neck looking up at us while putting the glass down on the counter.

“Look, I know y'all are attracted to each other.” He started, making the vibe awkward, but we remained silent, “And I know that Ana has talked to you Tre about our clan in France.”

“Yeah.” I nodded at him. “There are some things, I need to take care of before we leave the country, and then I promise you will go meet your family.” Dev swore looking me in the eyes. He never has let me down since meeting him, so I believed every word.

“Okay.” I blinked looking over at Ana who smiled at me.

“You two have my blessing, jus don’t over do the fuckin’ PDA around me.” Dev huffed with a snort, and then he began to walk out my condo, “Goodnight.”

“Night.” Ana and I said in unison. With that they left and Ana and I were alone again. She stood smoothing out her dress leaning into me. Her mouth made connection with my ear as she whispered softly, “Let’s have some fun.”

***

Navaya

Watching some TV I heard a weird sound, making me turn the TV down all the way. I looked at the TV guide time to see it was two minutes to one in the morning. Standing to my feet I looked behind the couch to the front of the house. 

“Dev if that’s you stop playing around.“ I yelled, but no one answered. There was a whoosh making my heart skip, before me was a pretty young woman gazing at me. Thin, almost pale, with brown eyes of fire. A big smile plastered her lips as she began to walk around the couch sizing me up and down.

"Who are you?” I asked her, but she continued staring at me. Placing a finger tip in her mouth she continued smiling.

“You must be her, how did it feel?” She asked me bluntly.

“What?” I asked in confusion. My heart began to pound, realizing that his woman had to be a vampire. She was to beautiful to be human, I swallowed hard not knowing if it was safer to stand still or try to call for help.

“Don’t even think about trying to slip your phone out your pocket, that would be a mistake. Navaya.” She devilishly smiled at me. Crossing my arms over my chest I shook my head at her.

“Great, so you know all about me. Who I am. Think that’s fair?” I sneered at her squinting my eyes. Turning her head to the side at me she turned up her lip at me, “I’m Carmen, Dev’s ex.”

“Oh.” I breathed, feeling awkward as hell. Wish I knew what she wanted. All I could bet on is that Dev felt me calling out to him, and that he fulfilled his promise on being here in the next minute before this vampire killed me.

[takeyoubythethroat]

Sleep It Off

@lavendereyes | long response to hurt memes c’: alternatively read it on: AO3 | FF.net

A part of him knew better. A part of him really knew that Malik just wanted to help, he always wanted to help. He would never encourage anything that could potentially hurt him. There was this special, unspoken bond between them not unlike love. Malik had seen him go through hell and had seen him literally come back from the dead, and he did nothing but really support his endeavors. Of course, there was the occasional disagreement, the occasional argument and fight, but they were close enough that it never really mattered. It was just another bump in the road. So when he heard the words his dearest, closest friend had said, “It’s okay to hurt and breakdown. You don’t have to be strong all the time,” he didn’t know how to respond. Had he really been in such a palpably low place?

Even worse, his stupid pride took it as a personal attack. “I’m not strong all the time, Malik. Do you even realize how much I drop my guard with you? What the fuck makes you think I’m hurting enough to break down?” The sharp words were a testament to the truth of Malik’s. Bakura had to physically bite his tongue to keep from saying anything else. With a shake of his head, he threw a hand at the wall before doing what he did best: walking out.

The night air was crisp and cool, almost chilly when the gentle breeze picked up. Despite its gentility, it still nipped at Bakura’s skin, keeping him awake and alert, but also thoroughly chilled. It was good for him, he thought. He didn’t stay out long, though, only taking a simple, short walk to clear his head the best he could. When he returned to Malik’s place, he had expected him to be in bed, as per usual. Bakura took these walks often enough that that was anticipated. He never guessed Malik would be up waiting for him. While his walk was shorter than usual, it still took quite a bit of time.

“Look, I’m just trying to help you, Bakura.” Malik said before Bakura could get a word in. “I’m just worried. You’ve been acting a little differently, and I just want to be sure that you’re all right.”

“I’m fine Malik.” he muttered, feeling that horrible mood coming back. He should have stayed out.

“No, you’re not. Please, just…” Malik paused a moment as he turned his head toward the nearby sofa. “…just take a seat. I’ll make some tea, or maybe you’d prefer some alcohol? I’m sure there’s probably still a bit of whiskey in the cabinet.” Malik was rambling, and if this were anything other situation, Bakura would have found it endearing. Instead, he was so incredibly annoyed at the sound of his voice. It was something that had never happened before. Malik had never gotten this far under his skin, and he hated himself for hating him in that moment.

“Malik, I’m fine.” he repeated, his voice lower and heavier than the first time. “I’m fine. Just let it go, I’m fine.”

“Bakura—“

“Shut up!” Bakura had shouted the words, cutting off Malik in a way he never had before. Or maybe something like this did happen a long time ago, before they were friends and were just working together. Who knows? That it happened now, though, when he knew well that Malik had the best intentions just…

The shocked look on Malik’s face was enough to tell him that he was just as surprised by the outburst, maybe even a little hurt. He fell silent and glanced away. “I’m going to bed.” Bakura sighed after a long, incredibly tense moment.

“I can’t give up on you, Bakura.” Malik whispered, whether or not Bakura was meant to hear didn’t seem to matter. “So please….please don’t give up on yourself.”

Without a second look back, Bakura went upstairs to his room, closing the door behind him and walking to the dresser. It was times like these he needed a little help. Opening the top drawer, he reached far into the back to uncover a few little bottles. Grabbing the one that felt the fullest, he empty a healthy—or unhealthy, rather—amount of the little pills into his hand. He looked at them, a pile of dull circles that seemed to reflect his very mood, for a long minute before tossing his head back and funneling them into his mouth through his fingers. He didn’t care for the taste, but he knew that they knocked him out fast. They always did, and he would be better in the morning. That was usually the case. Argue, walk, pills, sleep, wake, apologize. Then life would go on. These outbursts were uncommon, so he had them down to a science. It would be fine.

He undressed for bed and fell wearily into the mattress, feeling the pills’ effects take him sooner than usual. Without much thought, he pulled the plush comforter up to his face, rolled over, and fell into the artificial darkness that was a drug-induced slumber. There was something different about it this time. It was blacker, and it seemed far more temporary. Something deep inside of him stirred, forcing his sleep to be far from uninterrupted.

A sick churning inside of him kept his body awake, even if his eyes stayed closed and his brain stopped existing. He was dancing on the line between rest and reality. That was when he felt the lurching. He didn’t know what it was until he could taste the bile in the back of his throat. He had no idea how long he had been out before those wretched sounds emerged from him sleeping form followed by the acidic contents of his stomach. Because of the paralysis of his weird sleeping state, he couldn’t move and just continued to vomit where he lay. There came a moment when he could no longer breathe properly.

The sounds of sickness were enough to make Malik worry more than he already was. Making his way to Bakura’s room was an easy feat. He could have done it as a walking corpse, he knew the path so well. He gently tapped on the door. “Bakura?” he called, but received no answer. “Bakura, are you okay?” Opening the door, he poked his pretty blonde head in, peering into the dark room with lavender eyes laced with concern.

He couldn’t see what was happening, but he could hear the retching and heaving coming from the bed. He knew the sounds well and made his way over in time to push Bakura to the side, letting gravity clear his mouth and throat just enough so that he could breathe, the gasping was painful. “Bakura! Bakura, wake up!” he cried almost desperately, shaking him. What was happening? Malik was confused and looked up to see the bottle that Bakura hadn’t put back in the drawer, the laminated label shining dully in the dark, barely lit by the light from the hall.

Oh, god. Oh god oh god oh god. Was Bakura trying to…there was no was he would just kill himself like that, right? Surely he wouldn’t. Surely he wasn’t that bad?? “Bakura!” Malik was shouting, he didn’t know when his voice had raised to such a level, but he was pleading loudly at his best friend, shaking him roughly as his body still tried to rid itself of the object that was making it react in such a way.

Malik reached over to turn on the lamp so that he could see Bakura’s face. It was contorted in such a sick, twisted way that it nearly made him sick to see. How could he be hurting so much and not tell him? This couldn’t just be it, right? Malik frowned and continued to shake him, yell and shout at him, touch his face and lightly slap at his cheek. Anything to rouse him.

When, finally, Bakura’s eyes began to peel open, when his vomiting had slowed and his gasps deepened as he had more ad more access to the oxygen in the room, he saw Malik with a face that was wetter than even Malik probably imagined. Bakura felt so incredibly tired. There was a numbness beginning to spread throughout his body, and he wanted to welcome it so badly. But he also didn’t want to look away from Malik and his beautiful, although weepy, face.

“Bakura!” Malik said with a cry. “Bakura, you’re awake! Oh, god, are you okay? I’ll get you some water, please, I’ll…I can call an ambulance. How many did you take?” Again, he was rambling. There was a lot to say, and he was scared, Bakura could tell. When Malik moved to stand, likely to fetch a quick glass of water, Bakura used what strength he could muster to just take his beautifully tan hand. He didn’t say anything, he just stared. He liked to stare at Malik. He liked to study his face, no matter what emotions were flashing across it. He stared often, and Malik knew. He often took advantage of Bakura’s fascination. Not this time, though. “Bakura, please…”

It was as if Bakura couldn’t hear him. He just stared with lazy eyes, looking at his face as if he might never see it again. Behind that weary haze in his expression, there lay a kind of fear that worried Malik to no end. A fear that Bakura really might never stare that way again, that he might have fucked up this time. He really did, didn’t he? “Bakura…” he said his name, a horrified breath of a word. “Let me help you.” But Bakura didn’t let go of his hand. He held him in place, despite the vomit ruining the bed, despite the numbness crawling throughout his body, despite the fear in his eyes and lack of life in his face, he just held him. He held him and stared. Before he knew it, his weary eyes were beginning to fall.

“No. No no no! Bakura! Bakura, don’t close your eyes! Please don’t close your eyes!” Malik felt panic begin to rise within him again as he reached with his free hand to tap at Bakura’s face, doing anything to keep his eyes open and on him. “Bakura, please. You can’t close your eyes. You can’t do this, Bakura!” There was a new pitch to his voice as he began to lose his words with desperate sob. “Bakura, please..”

It was when Bakura’s grip on his hand faded and fell loose and limp that Malik really did fall into hysteria’s clutches. He cried out for Bakura again and again to no avail, there was no response, and that was when he hurriedly ran for the telephone, calling an ambulance and begging for immediate help. The feeling of Bakura’s hand remained like a ghost clutching his fingers, and even as the flashing lights appeared outside of his home, he knew.