#maybe ao3 has spoilt me

[lottiesnotebook]

Hi! You might remember me from ao3, just wanted to pop in here to compliment you again for your writing!

Then I saw your Rook as Anders/Justice and Rhiannon’s daughter and naturally I’m in love with the concept!! The idea that Anders blew up the chantry and wanted to sacrifice himself so their daughter would get to live free as a mage? He and Rhiannon falling out (and then hopefully getting back together?) Wow your mind.

Would you feel like sharing a little more about their story and how Cara was born?

Quelarie! Of course I remember you from your comments, every single one of them has been delightful and I have treasured them. Thank you so much for coming over here and asking about Cara (my Horrible Nepo Baby Rook)

@adainesjacket and I are currently working on the fic that covers Cara’s origins and what's going on with her parents during Inquisition, but the basics are:

1. Anders and Rhiannon have an ill-advised one-time hookup while they are lost in the Deep Roads and assume they are going to die. Justice does Not approve at this point, and disapproves far more when...

Three months later, Rhiannon shows up at the clinic and announces that she's having a baby whether they want to be involved or not. She's lost her father and both her siblings, and she's taking a shot at rebuilding her family while she has it. Anders is panicked but eager to be involved, Justice is Very concerned that this is a huge and terrible distraction from Mage Rights, but comes around pretty much as soon as Cara is born, because what is Justice for if not to protect the innocent?

Once Justice come around on Cara, it's much easier for him to also admit to being attached to Rhiannon, and they move into the Amell house a few months after Cara is born and make things official. It was meant to be a quiet wedding, but Cara screamed all the way through it.

Due to growing up during the better parts of DA2 to be a Hawke, Cara experiences her fair share of The Horrors of the Plot, but unlike either of her parents, grows up as the Amell granddaughter Leandra always hoped for, and is exactly as spoilt as the niece of a group of adventurers could possibly be, and indulged to ridiculous levels by all her parents.

Cara is also a mage, and a pretty powerful one as the literal child of a spirit, and when rumours of this reach Meredith's ears, she has no qualms about threatening her as a means of controlling her parents. This, in this universe, is what tips the balance for Justice and Anders to fall over into Vengeance, and to blow up the Chantry to give Meredith bigger problems than threatening their daughter.

Rhiannon could probably have coped with the terrorism, and maybe even forgiven the lying, but she cannot forgive the fathers of her child asking them to kill them, or the danger they've put Cara in. She spares their lives, tells them to clean up the mess they've made, and flees with Cara on Isabela's ship rather than with them.

Cara has... many complicated feelings about all of this by the time she and her fathers meet again.

The most fun thing about the Caraverse is that I can convince myself it is entirely canon because why on earth would Varric mention the Half Abomination Baby to the Seeker of Truth?

As for whether Rhiannon gets back together with Justice and Anders... that is actually a key plot point of the fic we are working on! (Much to Cara's disgust)

[ririchanva]

Chapter Nineteen: A Glitch In Time

░❇┊Previous┊❇ ░ ❇┊Next┊❇ ░ ❇┊Masterlist┊❇ ┊AO3 ┊❇░

░❇ Buy Me Some Coffee~? ❇░

Chapter Warning: Time-Reality bending shenanigans. Spoilers for Miraculous London (slightly) along with a sprinkle of cameos from other Zag Cartoonz. Some political stuff, past talk of domestic abuse and family drama.

A/n: It...*looks back at calender* has been 8 months? Is that how long since the last chapter? Holy canole...that is long. Anywyas, er, so...the reason I didn't update for so long is because I let MHA manga finish itself and had to wait until Season 5 was truly over along with the London Special. I wanted to see how much of my plans have to be rewritten and double check considering a lot has happened. That, and real life stuff happens so I had to focus on work and keeping up my social life xD But now it is the new year, and I AM HOPEFUL I can be a bit more active in this story. So, just to note a few things:

I have seen spoilers for Season 6 of Miraculous. My opinion on it? It won't change the story too much so I'm thankful for that.

London Special will be mentioned in this chapter, but the London Special for this story will be different from Canon so yeah, ALSO thankful for that (and that particular special WILL be in London)

About Lila and her identities...yeah, those are out the window. She is Lila Rossi in this story. Not...whatever identity she is currently.

I am spoilt on the MHA manga ending. ALSO won't change much of what I have planned already, so that's good.

That's pretty much it. So without further ado, let's get on with the chapter~!

    Nathaniel tilted his head as he entered Momo’s room, observing the scene before him. Gathering his thoughts for a moment, cyan coloured eyes then looked at the flustered and shocked face of the Japanese girl and a new floating creature right next to her. He just wanted to check on Momo and ask if she was alright…but apparently something happened in the span of an hour or so since he, Alix and Marc were gone from her room.

   “So…wanna explain this?”

    Momo bit her lower lip with an unsure look, looking at the new being as she helplessly shrugged, “I…I am not sure myself?”

    “As I have told you before, Princess Momo, I am here to guide you into being my new mistress and be a heroine~” A swan looking Kwami spoke, ruffling her feathers for a moment with a coo, “My name is Detty, the kwami of Wind.”

    “How did you even get here?” Nathaniel asked while walking closer, Duusu now popping out from his jacket and observing the new Kwami. 

     “Naturally, I felt Princess Momo’s presence, so I ended up following that feeling and it lead me to her.” Detty explained as they then looked over at Duusu and eyes widened, “Oho~? Another just like me? How interesting~”

    Duusu cooed in happiness as she reached out to hug the other being, and giggled, “Oh wow~! You are so cuuuuute~ Another friend to join our big growing family~”

    Nathaniel watched them with a frown before glancing at Momo with a raised brow. He mouthed the word ‘princess?’ with an inquisitive look, but the girl just looked sheepish while holding what seems to be a Miracle Box and a black and white pearl broach shaped in wings and a crown inside. The red head sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the trinket, observing it.

    “So, from what I am understanding, you just happen to have sensed Momo as your holder?” He asked curiously as he glanced over at the Swan Kwami, “Are you sure that maybe someone else might’ve dropped you off here instead?” 

    “You think that someone maybe snuck Detty in here when I wasn’t looking?”

    Nathaniel nodded to Momo’s reply, “It’s possible. Although coming to a hospital that has high security, thanks to the heroes coming in and out of here, is pretty risky business. It is shocking that there was not one staff noticing anyone coming in and out of your room. Even if they were to come in by your window, someone was bound to see something.”

    Momo frowned, now looking troubled, “This is serious news. If anyone walks in while I was unconscious without notice—“

    “I can look into it for you,” Nathaniel interrupted before he looked at the window and blinked when he saw the Ghost Force flying past them and disappearing, then sighed, “I’m going to assume that there’s gonna be more things going on today, so I think for now, I better see what’s up.”

    “Let me know what’s going on, alright?” Momo spoke up softly as Nathaniel handed the broach back to her, “I don’t like being helpless.”

    “Hey, none of that.” Nathaniel stopped her as he patted her hand resting on the bed, smiling softly, “You are recovering. You were crucial help during the fight against the villains, not to mention you assisted taking down the majority of Nomus that came to New York. Give yourself some credit, Momo.”

    The dark haired girl felt her cheeks flush for a moment, then smiled weakly, “…Thank you, Nath-kun.”

     The red head nodded, and once he deemed Momo okay to be left alone once more, he stepped out of the room. Just in time to almost bump into Adrien and Marinette…along with some newcomers that he’s never seen before.

     “Nath?” Adrien spoke up first, looking surprised.

     “Er, friends of yours?” Nathaniel nodded to the four strangers behind him with high feelings of apprehension, “And where have you and Marinette been?”

    “It’s a long story,” Marinette let out an exasperated sound, but then heard footsteps behind her and was surprised to see Kagami and Kirishima coming their way…and there was something floating on the red head’s shoulder, “…buuuut first, Eijiro?”

    The guy smiled with slight embarrassment as he looked over at the Kwami near him and then laughed weakly, “Long story…”

    “Seems everyone has long stories to tell,” Nathaniel snorted with a quirk of his brow then let out a tired breath, already feeling heat pooling behind his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose, Duusu flying over to Nepp and cooing, “Alright. Let’s take this somewhere private?”

    “And with a lot of room.” Adrien pointed out, “Because I think everyone needs to hear about this…”

    Bakugo felt his eye twitch, staring at all the teens in the room, including faces that he’s never seen before.

     “…What the hell are even more extras doing in here?”

     “Well, technically your room is the biggest out of everyone here. It fits all of us, plus, it seems sound proof enough for no one else to hear what we’re about to reveal. Not to mention no nurses want to come in here too often because of your angry demeanour~” Andy pointed out cheekily before looking at the four newcomers, “Anyways, go ahead and introduce yourselves for everyone.” 

    Grady was the first to start, as he coughed, “M-My name is Grady Kasenti. I am the son of Nolan Kasenti, the CEO of KassKorp Tech, and in secret…I am the holder of the Angel Miraculous and the hero: Seraph.”

    Kagami noticed something of him then softened, “…We have met before.”

    Grady glanced over to where he heard her voice and then smiled, “…Kagami-san. You sound a lot different than I remember…more warmer.”

    “You have grown since I have last seen you. Your father has told us that…you died of an illness that had to do with your blindness.”

     A snort came from the dark haired male, “Ah, is that the cover story he went with? That’s boring.”

    Kagami looked at him in sadness, making Eijiro look worriedly at her.

    “Tell me, Kagami-san, how is your mother these days? I know that both our parents are competitors, but I do share sympathetic admiration to her considering we are alike with…our conditions.” Grady asked casually, although when he heard the tiny sound of distraught coming from her, then tilted his head, “…Did I say something out of the ordinary?”

    “Mother was…taken. Taken by some bad people,” Kagami managed to say, despite the red head next to her wanting to speak up, but she held his hand to signal that she can handle this, “I do not know who they are, but I am going to find them and rescue my mother.”

     Grady was silent for a moment before speaking up seriously, “And you never thought the possible suspect of your mother’s kidnapping might be my father?”

    Marinette gasped, “How can you say that?”

    “Is that possible?” Shinso immediately asked, ignoring how Marinette looked absolutely gobsmacked at the idea of a parent being that awful. 

     But as she thought about it some more, Gabriel was like that to Adrien—

    “I wouldn’t put it past him, really.” Grady shrugged, as Kagami looked like she was almost considering his words, “Nolan Kasenti is a ‘whatever it takes’ kind of man. For wealth, for power…Always has been, even when my mother was alive and before I was even born.”

    “Sounds like Gabriel,” Nino grumbled, but yelped when Sabrina nudged him, “Ow!”

    “Gabriel Agreste, right?” Grady asked, blinking his tired, faded eyes, “The fashion mogul?”

    Adrien tried not to wince at the name, but his face couldn’t control how he grimaced.

     “…Yes.” He managed to answer, even when Marinette looked at him in sympathy. 

    Deciding it was time to introduce another person, the one in green raised a hand up and began to sign with his hands. Although not everyone could understand, Adrien had to raise a hand to the male and sign to him quietly, before then pulling out what seems to be a small tablet. Smiling, the dark skinned male took the tablet and began typing, a robotic male voice speaking through it.

     “Greetings. My name is Sam Spancer. I’m just an ordinary kid  who loves basketball that happens to be roped into this Miraculous business by my best friend, Grady. My Kwami, Yunni, is part of my Miraculous, the Unicorn. And with it, I become the hero, Greenhorn.”

   Alix, seeing the hearing aids in his ears, then mouthed clear to his face for him to see before pointing to her ear with a concerned look, “Is your aids not working?“

    Sam looked distraught as he then tapped on the tablet quickly as the automated voice spoke once more. “Somehow since coming back, the sounds emitted to me are warped. I think it is broken?”

    “We can have Melissa fix it for you. I am sure she can have it good again.” Izuku spoke this time, sitting up from his bed.

     “Wait, can’t he talk?” Shoto asked curiously, looking to Sam as he asked, “Is your voice broken too?”

    “Hey, man…” Kirishima started with a frown, and Shoto looked at him in confusion, “That’s not cool to ask.”

    Adrien saw that Sam signed something as the blond then hummed.

    “Sam said that he’s scared to speak because he thinks his voice might sound weird if he tries…apparently kids in his old school made fun of him for it.”

    Marinette then looked to the remaining newcomers and breathed out, “Go ahead, girls.”

   The pink haired girl let out a silent sigh, as she too started signing, and Bakugo raised a brow.

    “…Is she also hard of hearing?”

    The girl snapped her head towards him and glared, before patting over her neck and Marinette gasped.

   “Oh. You can’t speak?”

    The girl shook her head before Grady spoke up for her.

    “Natalia Richenbach. We call her Nat. Her grandfather was a leading scientist that handled Paranormal Activity and has done many Nobel Prize winning research for it,” He explained but suddenly looked solemn, “The reason that she is mute is due to a poltergeist attack that happened many years before we met.”

    “A…poltergeist  attack?” Fei asked.

    “It’s not my story to tell.” Grady said in finality, and everyone agreed not to ask anymore. 

    Finally, the last girl smiled weakly as she stood up.

    “My name is Mariposa Sereno. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, but I moved to New York with my mum after her divorce, and have been living here since. I have a little sister, who I haven’t seen in a long time—” She paused when she saw Grady making a hand gesture and nodded, “—Sorry, sorry. Rambling. A-anyways, I…am the holder of the Butterfly Miraculous with my kwami, Letta. Together, we become Lady Butterfly…a-and I was best friends with the previous Pixie Girl.”

    “C-can you tell us more about her?” Holly spoke up with a strain in her voice, and Marinette softened with the knowledge that the blonde American was still feeling upset about the whole thing.

    “Daisy Watson. She…she was an amazing girl,” Mariposa smiled softly, as she then felt herself tear up, “S-she was someone that loved to help people in need, even if it’s not a major magical bad guy trying to destroy New York or some sort of Troll invasion…no, she even helped normal civilians out when big heroes couldn’t be bothered. She was…”

    “Miraculous,” Marinette helpfully finished with a kind smile, and Mariposa laughed quietly.

    “Yeah. But this was even before she became Pixie Girl. She was just…an everyday hero.”

    Everyone was quiet for a moment before Mariposa continued.

     “A-anyways, the story of how she got Florra and became Pixie Girl…well, it’s nothing exciting. Just some monk handing her the Pixie Miraculous and telling her she was going to be a great hero, even more so than she was then.”

    “Just like that?” Nathaniel scoffed, “It couldn’t have been that easy?”

    Adrien hummed a little, “I dunno…the way Master Fu said that he picked me and Marinette as Chat Noir and Ladybug was basically testing us randomly and then…ah…”

    He saw the deadpanned looks on some of his friends and smiled sheepishly, then made a zipping motion across his mouth and shuts up.

    Marinette gestured Mariposa to continue on.

    “I think she was sought after by some group? She said that they were going to make her a Celestial Guardian, or something like that…and she was given a few Miraculous to guard. That’s how she gave me one. Which, I was surprised at….”

    “This is where we came in,” Grady spoke up as he laced his fingers together, resting his hands over his lap, “Miss Daisy chose myself, Sam and Nat to be part of her Miraculous team, despite us being so young at the time. Miss Daisy told us we were specifically chosen carefully. Apparently the group wanted to start training children into being warriors for some upcoming war they were predicting.”

   “I wonder…” Shinso hummed, tapping at his chin, “What did this group look like? Were they monks?”

   “Daisy didn’t say. She kinda kept hush hush about a few things…said that she had a Master that told her to not reveal everything. Whenever I tried asking her and raising my concerns about stuff, she would shut me down or change subject. Not to mention she also ran off a lot on her own, almost lasting for days on end. It got to the point where she cut friends off, skipping school and worried her family.” 

    Adrien and Marinette looked at each other for a moment, before Marinette spoke up.

    “Imagine if I would’ve ended up like that and Master Fu was gone…”

    “But you didn’t.” Adrien pointed out with a small smile, “You have me. You have Izuku, Katsuki…and the rest of us backing you up. And Master Fu is still here, so you aren’t alone.”

    Marinette felt better with those words. Although what if…?

    “Then…Mama Witch happened.” Mariposa looked away, making her three companions stiffen.

    Aster narrowed his eyes, “Oh, we are very familiar with her.”

    This time, Grady spoke up, “We were investigating a case of missing children and there were magical forces at play. When we found out that Mama Witch was a prime suspect, we tried to ambush her…”

    Sam looked grim as he signed something and Adrien winced.

    “You were ambushed instead?” The former model answered, and Sam nodded.

    “Thus how we ended up underground.” Grady spoke forlornly with a sigh, “I believe before I was brought to my sort of doom at the time, Pixie Girl then was grabbing what remaining Miraculous she had and fled the scene. While one would think it was cowardice on her part, leaving us there under Mama Witch’s curse…it was something we planned ahead of time if things were to go sideways.”

    “…But wait, you said she was holding various Miraculous?” Holly pointed out with a frown, “But she didn’t have anymore other than passing me Florra and the Pixie Miraculous to me before—?”

    “She might’ve hidden some,” Felix theorised, then glanced over at Kirishima petting Nepp in his hands gently, “Which explains Eijiro’s story of how Nepp found him.”

     “There’s something that still bothers me,” Liv spoke up this time, as she looked to Grady, “You said before that your father had something to do with you being buried?”

     “Ah, I was wondering which one of you would point that one out,” Grady grinned almost sarcastically before he then chuckled, “My father knows about everything about the many Miraculous and much of it’s origins and lore. In total fact, there happens to be a society that are looking for them. He’s part of that cult, by the way, and has dabbled into partnering people like Mama Witch.“

     “And how do you know all this?” Mike asked this time, and Grady hummed.

     “Because I once snuck into his studies and saw all the notes about hunting down Miraculous and some information about the Temple of Celestial Guardians. I wanted to steal them, but my father had placed quite the high security on them since catching me in that study that time.”

     Andy raised a brow, “So…does he know you’re…?”

     Grady shook his head, “Heavens no. If that were the case, I would’ve been trapped in his labs long ago.”

    Adrien looked thoughtful for a moment, catching Felix’s attention but decided to not say anything for now.

    “Can’t believe that Kirishima has a Miraculous of his own,” Shoto spoke up out of the blue, looking at red head with his new Kwami, “Not to mention how he and Kagami-san had a run in with who is supposed to be the New Hawkmoth…”

    “Unexpected, but now we know that Gabriel Agreste is no longer in the picture,” Shinso said calmly, even when glancing over at a conflicted Adrien and sighed, looking at Izuku, “But to use Tomoe Tsurugi?”

     “I know what you’re thinking, Shin-kun. And yes, I believe this new Hawkmoth is currently watching us and possibly using Kagami’s mother as some sort of bait. Perhaps even trying to lure Kagami out herself…”

    “Here’s something we might have to consider since it seems none of you are saying it,” Bakugo spoke up once more, as his eyes turned to Kagami, “What are the chances that your mother might be working for this new villain?”

    Kagami felt herself grow angry, standing up with a growl, “My mother would never work for evil! She has honour and values of justice! While she disciplines me harshly in the eyes of many and seems cold-hearted, she is still my family and she has her morals!”

     Izuku stepped in between them as he waved his hands, trying to calm them down, “Easy, easy! Not that Kacchan is wrong, but it is just a theory. No one is saying all that…”

     “Unless she’s mind-controlled~?” Lila suggested with a shrug, “Or maybe this new Hawkmoth is offering Kagami’s mom something she can’t refuse. You can’t expect me to believe a powerful woman like her won’t think of using the villain for her own gain? I mean, Gabriel and his assistant did it in a way, right~?”

     Kagami gaped at her for a moment, and Kirishima was quick to pull her back down to sit next to him in case the Rooster holder decided to throttle Lila. Adrien shifted in place at the mention of Gabriel and Nathalie, and Marinette had to touch his hand in comfort. 

     Feeling she needs to cool off, Kagami stood up to leave the room, and even gave a silent hand up towards Eijiro as to stop him from following her. The red head looked hurt, but understood, as he stayed where he was when the girl left the room.

     Awkwardly, Nathaniel then spoke up, “Momo has a Miraculous of her own too.”

     Everyone snapped their heads towards him and Marinette gaped at him.

     “S-since when?”

     “Since today. When I went to check on her,” The Peacock holder explained as Duusu appeared on his shoulder, “Someone left a Miracle Box to her while she was resting. But according to the Kwami inside of it, apparently they magically just knew Momo was their new holder and appeared to her like magic.”

    “You really think someone left a Miracle Box to Momo?” Marc asked out loud, as Nathaniel hummed.

    “Might also be the same person that might’ve been involved in Eijiro getting a Miraculous too. There is no way that it’s coincidence that the very two people that are training as Guardians get their own Miraculous?”

    “So maybe…” Sabrina looked to Deku, Bakugo and Shoto, “You guys might be next?”

    Bakugo snorted, while both Deku and Shoto almost considered the thought. 

    “Well…it’s not that far off?” The green haired male said slowly, tapping his chin.

    “Is this something that you’ve seen as a possible outcome when you were Usadori?” Shoto asked, but then frowned when Deku shook his head.

     “I’m afraid not. But this is a good thing,” Izuku grinned a little, “This way, the less we know, the more the enemies don’t know much either.”

    “Are we still talking about what Sir Nighteye said before? About being watched? A possible spy among us?” Nino asked quietly in between them.

     Shinso heard this and both he and Izuku looked at each other with weird looks, the brain-washer frowning while Izuku’s eyes were wide and lips were thinly tight. Which also worried Nino himself as he tired to figure out why they were looking so…scared. 

     “This would mean that we have to be careful in what we say. Even if I do trust you all, there’s no telling who is listening in,” Marinette said finally, and Grady had to tilt his head.

    “I thought I’d ask this, but…a-are you the lead Guardian for everyone here?”

    “Actually, there are seven of us,” Izuku interrupted before the pig-tailed girl could say anything, smiling, “Although we are in training under Master Fu until we are deemed ready. Buuuuut even then, we are all figuring out how to not erase all of Master Fu’s memories once he relinquish Guardianship to us.”

    This caused Mariposa to frown, “Is this….Master Fu, also a monk?”

    “Yes.” Marinette said before Mariposa hummed.

    “I wonder if it would be the same monk, or a different one…”

    “Doubt it. Master Fu would’ve mentioned you all if he was.”

    “Master is like, hundreds of years old, isn’t he?” Chloe pointed out, “You think he’d have a good memory of everything?”

     “…” A curious look came upon Fei’s face, “I understand how Master Fu is still living for this long…but how old is Miss Marianne?”

     Adrien and Marinette both looked at each other with twin confused looks, before looking back at Fei. What was she implying?

    Suddenly, the door opened and all the teens looked over to see a tired and sad looking Amelie along with a stone-faced Aizawa.

     Fei stood, not seeing Sir Nighteye anywhere, “W-where is Baba? What happened with the search?”

    “Nighteye went to report to All Might and Victory of our findings…but before that,” Aizawa then turned to see the four newcomers and narrowed his eyes, “These kids are…?”

    “Long story short, they are Miraculous heroes we found.” Rody gestured before he then looked concerned at the not so cheerful Amelie, “Did…something happen?”

     The woman looked at the kids for a moment, but as her eyes landed on Marinette, she felt herself sob. Adrien and Felix were alert and rushed over to their mom, hugging her and asking what was wrong. Aizawa placed a hand over his eyes as he then tried to calm the wave of a migraine forming. 

    “I am so sorry. I wished…I wished I saved her…” Amelie lamented, “But i-it happened all too fast…”

    “Saved who?” Rose asked in concern, as Marinette watched silently with bated breath.

    “B-Bridgette…she found us and…she was gone. And I believe Onez suffered the same fate…”

    Marinette and Nino gasped, and Chloe looked appalled. 

    “Then who’s protecting Paris if they’re gone?!”

    It was then that Izuku reached for the remote and switched on the TV, his eyes narrowed as he watched the news come on. A woman with curly auburn brown hair and in a three-pinned suit was seen on screen talking, and Sam suddenly was making some noises and signing rapidly. Adrien looked concerned since Sam’s signing didn’t make sense, but then his eyes soon locked on the screen and saw the name of the reporteron the very corner of the TV screen.

     Alice Spancer.

    Adrien was quick to sign in front of Sam, “Is she your relative?“

    Sam was nodding his head, happy tears in his eyes as he then signed back, “That’s my older sister. I can’t believe she made it! It has been her life-long dream to be a New York Reporter!“

   “Alice Spancer here, covering the news on emergency foreign affairs~! We have gotten word from Paris that the city is apparently gone rampant with not just Akumas and Nomus, but a ton of meta-related crimes and villains coming out of the shadows. And with the supposedly beloved heroes, Ladybug and Tech-K10 gone, it seems that the City of Love is turned into a City of Chaos, and will soon spread all over France, according to some sources saying so~”

    Marinette felt her heart crumble at the sight of the television, on how there was so much destruction, and she almost let out a cry of despair at seeing a broken down Boulangerie Patisserie…her home.

    “Oh no…” Rose let out with a gasp, both Juleka and Shinso were quick to hold her hands.

    The female reporter hummed as she looked down at her paper.

    “Although all seems lost, a new hero stepped into the fray~”

     This got everyone’s attention as the screen soon panned to a mystery figure, showing it to be a curvaceous and slightly mocha brown skinned female with striking reddish brown hair that had the tips a sunset orange. Marinette had to squint at the sight of this mystery heroine. 

     Something about her seems familiar.

    “She calls herself the Titan Heroine: Themis, and she indeed lives up to her name~! Let’s go to our Parisian reporter, Clara Contard, who is live on the scene to give us the scoop~”

    “Is she a Miraculous holder? Or a legit hero with a quirk?” Adrien breathed out questionably as the screen now showed a blonde haired woman standing next to the young heroine.

    “Thank you, Alice. Yes, indeed we were ALL disappointed that our dynamic Miraculous duo, Ladybug and her sidekick: Tech-K10, were not able to save our city from the tyranny of these disasters. We did have word of Ladybug and some other heroes being in New York, aiding those from that country from utter devastation. However, it was a good thing this new rising heroine had graced her presence of justice and managed to take down ALL the creatures that appeared and arrest various villains. Not to mention, she pioneered into gathering all the citizens of Paris and getting them to safety.”

   Clara soon turned to the young woman that was waving to the side of the camera before drawing back her attention to the blonde reporter. 

    “Themis, I have to ask…where did you come from? What drove you to save Paris?”

    The blindfolded heroine adorned in armour looked to Clara and then gave a warm smile. Taking the microphone gently, she then looked to the camera and spoke strongly.

    “At one point in my life, I used to look up to Ladybug.“

     Marinette let out a choked gasp as her heart constricted. That voice…

     “O-oh?” Clara looked awkward since her microphone was taken all of a sudden, and smiled sheepishly, “You did? Is that what inspired you to be a heroine—?”

     “It should. But no,” Themis shook her head when she glanced at Clara with a chuckle, “No, no…like all of the Parisians in this city, I too, was let down by her and Chat Noir.”

    Adrien looked over to Marinette and saw how she was gripping the front of her shirt, her eyes glued while chewing on her lower lip nervously. Shinso saw this as well, and he couldn’t help but give Deku a look, the green haired hero moving closer to Marinette to touch her arm with concern.

    Clara looked surprised for a moment, before Themis looked to the camera again with a serious tone.

    “Paris…Ladybug has abandoned us.”

    “What?!” Nino stood with a yell, looking miffed as everyone else in the room looked appalled.

    Themis then continued, “She easily drops allies in the drop of a hat when it suits her. Rena Rouge. Carapace. Even that so-called Horse Hero, Kirin. Where have all those heroes gone? Why was it easy to replace Chat Noir, who she claims so ever proudly to be her partner and equal?”

    Pictures of Kurogane, Dyna-Cat, Cat Walker and Tech-K10 were plastered on the screen next to her.

    “And now she leaves her home, the very city she’s sworn to protect, for the likes of the United States which has MANY heroes of their own to solve their own battles and villains? This including big heroes like Majestia, Star and Stripe…All Might?”

    Pictures of All Might were seen around Paris, and even some looks of Hawks also being shown along with Eraserhead and Amelie jumping from building to building and fighting against Mayura.

    “Why, Ladybug? Why have you deserted the people you promised to save? Why did you let the likes of Hawkmoth run rampant to terrorize the citizens each and every day? Do you enjoy watching them suffer? Just for your benefit of fame? For the glory of being the only competent heroine? How selfish.”

    Even Bakugo had to sit next to Marinette with a frown when she started hyperventilating, Izuku wrapping his arms around her and rubbing her back.

    “She’s really stating things out of context for her own narrative.” Nathaniel said with annoyance, not liking how Themis was painting Ladybug like some corrupted hero, then huffed, “Who does she think she is?!“

    “Why is Daddy letting this witch talk like that?!” Chloe argued as she was already reaching for her phone, but then blinked when the screen changed to show Mayor Bourgeois on screen, “D-Daddy?”

    “Even the very Mayor of Paris allows his people to be akumatized daily, and has been shown to have horrid practices and shady schemes the same way her daughter, Chloe Bourgeois, does. A spoiled brat who also caused the many akumatizations in her peers and many other innocent people.“

    Clara looked horrified for a moment, and coughed as she then calmed herself, “I-I see—”

    Themis held a finger up, and pursed her lips.

    “Which is why, I am happy to announce that the Mayor has been impeached and removed from office.”

    Chloe dropped her phone in shock, as Sabrina was quick to pick it back up and Shoto was also quick to catch Chloe before she fell to her knees.

    “W-what did you say?? The Mayor—?“

    “You heard me right, Mlle. Contard. Thanks to the good people of the French Parliament, we have found a NEW elected Mayor of Paris. Someone that will do right by the people and keep them safe~!”

    “C-can they do that? Is that allowed?” Andy asked unsurely, but all the Parisian teens stayed quiet as the kept watching the screen.

    A scared looking André Bourgeois was seen now being kicked out from his office by a satisfied Officer Roger Raincomprix, and a new person stepped into the room. Everyone in the hospital room gasped as on screen was—

    “I-It can’t be…” Adrien let out with a cry, as Felix narrowed his eyes.

    “I thought he was fried and takenby that Dabi fellow?”

    Amelie almost looked like she wanted to rip the TV off the wall as Aizawa looked pressed.

    Gabriel Agreste stood proudly next to Themis, who was handing the microphone to him. He looked different from the last time they saw him. He…didn’t look like he was burnt by Dabi at all. His hair was also a lot more whiter than his platinum blonde in the past.He was dressed neatly, wearing a white high collar dress shirt underneath a white vest with a white zipper and a white dress jacket, without buttons, along with a white tie, along with a white dress pants and a pair of white dress shoes. Plus, he wore white gloves on his hands, and his glasses were new, being rectangular lenses with a white frame. 

    He smiled kindly at the camera as he spoke with a softer tone, which made the Graham de Vanily’s shudder visibly. 

    “My dear viewers, I am truly honoured that many of you sought me to be a candidate to oversee Paris and lead our great city. Although I do not have much political experience and have only been familiar with the fashion world and business side of things, I am confident that I can help the people feel safe and at home of their city once more.“

     “Don’t they know who he is!? HE WAS HAWKMOTH!” Nino yelled once again in disbelief, making Aurore, Mirelle and Socqueline look at him in shock at the news, “WHY ARE THEY TREATING HIM LIKE THEY DON’T KNOW—“

    “Because it was never announced publicly,” Aizawa looked regretful about that, “There are only a few people that know about Gabriel being Hawkmoth, but it’s not that hard to piece it together when Nathalie Sancoeur was leaked to be Mayura.”

    “So are people just…stupid?!” Chloe managed to snap out of it before she then started pulling at her hair, “How could they let this monster be Mayor?! And to kick out my father?!”

    Lila snorted, “Is that a serious question?”

    Izuku looked at her imploringly but then saw Gabriel talking once more.

    “Unlike Monsieur Bourgeois, I will not be careless nor will I abuse my newfound position. I am willing to listen to the people, and make it my life mission to keep not just Paris, but extending to all of France as a free and independent country. Starting with accepting META-HUMAN SOCIETY~!”

    This caused a lot of whispers in the background from citizens that happen to be around the camera crew, including a concerned looking Clara looking at Gabriel as if he had lost his mind.

    “There is no way that the Union in the Europe division is going to accept this. Especially with how they tend to go head to head with the U.S. and Japan on the meta-human matter,” Amelie scoffed.

  However, she then blinked when the screen was showing two people at each of his sides, making Chloe once more let out a shriek and Kirishima felt glad that Kagami was out of the room for this.

  “And I shall not be doing so alone.”

   Standing tall and proud, was a smirking Audrey Bourgeois and a calm and collected looking Tomoe Tsurugi.

   “Well, that answers my question.” Bakugo grumbled, and he saw Kirishima rushing out of the room frantically. 

   “W-wait, Mayor Agreste, I don’t understand…?“ Clara Contard spoke quietly as she shakily smiled, “T-There has never been a widely accepting country in all of Europe of m-meta humans! We try not to give in to the eighty percent of the populace of the world order, even if London had plans to—”

    “And yet we allowed Ladybug and Chat Noir to be gallivanting around with magic, which is not far from “quirks” as you have called them,” Tomoe spoke confidently, just in time as soon as Kirishima and Kagami came back into the room, “It is time to make a change. Tsurugi Industries supports Gabriel Agreste’s cause to become united in solidarity, to be equals. To not see those like Ladybug and Chat Noir as Gods. It is time for those that are different, those that deem not normal, to come out of the shadows. To not fear and to be liberated from thier shackles of oppression and discrimination~!”

    “Mother…” Kagami breathed out, and Kirishima held her hand tightly. 

    It wasn’t until Nadja Chamack came in her own screen, looking appalled. 

    “Are you saying we are now going to be the ever first country in Europe to open to Hero Society?” 

    Audrey stepped forward as she brushed her hair back, her sunglasses gleaming.

    “Why of course~ If America and Japan are getting ahead of us in numbers, then what does that say about our country~? Ridiculous, I should say! We are not going to be weak!“

    Nadja narrowed her eyes, “Are you not foremost an American citizen yourself?”

    Audrey smirked, “My birthplace is France. And so, my loyalty is here…unlike some people.”

    Themis took her turn to speak now as she then held up a red book that had a symbol on it. 

    “Ladybug has left a mess that she didn’t bother to clean up. It almost destroyed Paris. Heck, almost to all of France and could’ve gone beyond to other allied countries.” 

     Videos of the fight against Sombre Swift, along with many other past videos of Akumatized villains popping up and Nomus showing up left and right.

    “And now, we have to make a stand! With the help of the new Mayor and his party, I shall be your new champion for France. If you will have me, of course. I can protect our people better than Ladybug ever could. And can even destroy all evil that comes our way!“

    Clapping sounds could be heard in the background, and Clara Contard was sweating as the microphone is passed back to her. Themis, Gabriel, Tomoe and Audrey soon were walking off, bodyguards surrounding them as they were heading to some fancy cars.

   “T-There you have it, folks. It seems the first order of business for Gabriel Agreste as new Mayor of Paris is to be the ever first in all of Europe to be open of quirked meta-humans integration into society. We shall know more when we get news from the Union soon…b-back to you, Alice.”

    “Turn it off.”

    Hearing Shoto’s gritted words, Izuku turned off the TV, everyone just deathly silent to wrap around what they just witnessed.

   “…Well, we can now see that the so called cult we were looking for has made their move. And it seems they have the upper hand in publicity and social media,” Amelie looked to her phone as she then made a tsk sound, “I mean, it’s practically trending!”

    “There’s already videos of people interviewing Monsieur Agreste,” Sabrina said slowly, scrolling on her phone as she looked at everyone, “Aren’t many of his business partners of his Anti-Quirk? Like the Graham de Vanily’s?”

     “True…how is he going to keep them in his pockets with this announcement he just made,” Felix frowned, “There is no way Grandmother and Grandfather would side with him now…”

     Chole nodded, “I even don’t understand why my mother is involved in this. She’s not really a superhero fanatic either…then again, she did fool around with one,” She said, reminded of Mister Plastic. 

     Kagami was quiet for the most part, still in shock seeing her mother was there alive and well as if she wasn’t kidnapped just weeks ago.

    Aizawa went rigid when his phone started to ring, then sighed as he then pressed accept to the call and placed it on loud speaker, “I assume you heard the news, All Might?”

    A worried sound came from the speaker of Aizawa’s phone, “Indeed. Camilla and I just finished listening in and I can assume that soon the United Nations are going to talk about this development…”

     It was then Master Fu had stepped inside the room as well, having a serious look.

    “I just came off the phone with Marianne. She has told me London has also made a statement…”

    “Master?” Marinette questioned as she watched Master Fu holding up his phone, then passing it to her. 

    On the screen seems to be a message from Marianne, and in it, there was a link. Marinette felt a little nervous, but soon clicked on the link to reveal a video. Once it started to play, the screen soon showed five teenagers in dark costumes, almost looking like akumatized villains. One was dressed in all black, almost like a Chat Noir fitted suit but his face was fully covered, white lines shown near the edges of where his mouth should be. Next to him was a lady in red, almost taking on a devilish appearance with her horns and spade-tail swishing behind her. Behind them was a VERY LARGE dog like creature and right next to him was a grotesque mossy coloured being that looked a lot like a monster version of Carapace. And floating behind them was a wispy looking being in blue and white, almost looking like some sort of spectre. 

    “Katelyn Williams here, reporting for London News~!” She greeted cheerfully with her posh accent, “After the news from Paris, France and their announcement of a new hero; it was decided by the London Parliament that we too must introduce our own champions for our fair city~! Joining us today are the Moonlight Hunters!”

   Everyone gathered around Marinette to watch the news that was shown on screen, all of them looking sort of worried. Who was this group, anyways?

    “They’re pretty fast on creating a team after Paris announcing a new heroine,” Rody stated with a whistle, but Fei frowned in suspicion.

     “Unless London has prepared beforehand and waited for the right time.”

    “That’s also possible.” Amelie said, clearly upset about the whole thing as the video continued.

    “So tell us more about yourselves and what is it you are planning to do to keep our city safe~”

     The reporter held her microphone up to the first person in the group, their blood coloured glowing eyes looking at her then to the camera. 

     “I am Vampire, leader of Moonlight Hunters.” A Romanian male accent left the person, then gestured behind him, “Next to me are comrades. Devil. Wolf. Gargoyle. Ghost.”

    “Not creative on the naming department…” Felix murmured sarcastically, looking miffed.

    “It’s look like they are mimicking the dynamic of Ladybug, Chat Noir and the Team during Heroes Day,” Adrien pointed out as he then sighed, “They look like an edgy and cooler version of us…”

    “Won’t take long before Themis and those supporting her do the same,” Izuku said quietly, his eyes focused on the teens on screen, “If Gabriel Agreste is correct and is planning on opening a Meta-Society to Paris, there’s a chance they’ll be recruiting young potential heroes…and even open a school for them.”

    Bakugo grunted, “Great, more trouble for us…”

    Sabrina gasped all of a sudden, alerting everyone.

    “What’s wrong?” Shoto asked as Sabrina soon clicked her phone and turned up the volume.

    In the video was Gabriel Agreste being stopped by another reporter, and the question they asked made everyone look tense.

     “Mayor Agreste! Was this the reason why you seem to not be seen for the past few weeks? Because of your campaign to be running office?”

     “Indeed. It was a suggestion from my party and those that were supporting me that I should “lay low” as the young ones say, until I was to be announced to take over the previous Mayor. Rest assured, that I shall do my upmost best to serve the people well.”

    “Mayor Agreste, tell us about the rumours of your former secretary being a villainess that worked with Hawkmoth?“

     Gabriel had a calm smile as he then placed a hand over his heart.

     “I admit, I never saw it coming. Mlle. Sancoeur and I were good friends foremost before employer and employee. Thankfully, she is locked up along with Hawkmoth thanks to those heroes that came (illegally I might add!)”

     Everyone let out surprised shouts and angered yells, their eyes wide when they saw a clip of Hawkmoth and Mayura being inside a jail cell, looking all gloomy.

     “I…do hope Mlle. Sancoeur can get help. For she wasn’t always evil,” Gabriel said with a sorrowful tone, dramatically looking away as if he was hurt by all this, “Which is why Tsurugi Industries are finding programs that could rehabilitate Hawkmoth and Mayura into Liberated Individuals—”

    “What a load of garbage!” Amelie yelled, as Aizawa had to calm her down, “Those dirty—”

   Suddenly, Chloe’s phone rang and Shoto looked at it perplexed while Sabrina and Chloe were paling at the name on the screen.

     Mom.

    “W-why is your mom calling, Chloe?” Sabrina shakily asked as Chloe was unsure to answer or not.

     Kagami’s phone also rang, and the girl narrowed her eyes at the screen revealing her Mom’s name and picture on it. Adrien also was shocked when his own phone rang and he looked down at the name on the screen, his face suddenly pale and hands shaking. 

     Père is calling…

     Chloe took a breath and answered her phone, “…Mom?”

     Both Adrien and Marinette whirled their heads towards Chloe, honestly wondering what the blonde was thinking.

     “Cleo. I am coming to take you home along with your sister, Zara. Do not worry darlings, I have the best of the best to pick you up and take down those that kidnapped you.”

      Was all that was said from Audrey and she hung up.

      Chloe’s eyes widened, which caused Bakugo and Deku to stiffen.

      Kagami threw the phone down and stepped on it hard, and growled.

     “Mother might be tracking my phone, and Audrey Bourgeois must be doing so as well.”

      Grady tilted his head as he stood up, “It won’t be long before we are found and taken away.”

      Adrien felt the phone taken away from his hand as Bakugo exploded it and threw it up in the air, Izuku quick to use Black Whip to grab it and throw it out the window, the two then spoke at the same time. 

     “Then we go. Now.”

     Marc was quick to call for Kaalki and transform into Star Stallion, creating a portal before he then blinked.

     “Er, w-where are we going?” 

     “U.A.” Izuku told the Horse Hero and patted their shoulder, “I trust you remember where?”

     Marc nodded, “Y-Yeah, I do…”

    “Hurry up and go already!”

    The angry blond was soon jumping into the portal, and Izuku followed behind him. One by one, everyone ran into the portal quickly, until Marinette, Adrien, Nathaniel, Master Fu, Amelie and Aizawa were the last ones.

    “Wait! Momo is still in her room!” Adrien said in worry as Aizawa peeked out in the hallway, “We should go get her now!”

     “We can handle it, Adrien,” Amelie assured her son as Aizawa was rushing out the room and Master Fu was also following behind him, “You, Nathaniel and Marinette go. You can find someone named Present Mic and he’ll help you all get into U.A. safely. Now go, I think we are running out of time.”

      Sounds of yells and fighting was going on outside the room and the teenagers jumped in surprise. Nathaniel was soon calling for Duusu, transforming into Avarius and rushed out the door.

     “Wait!” Marinette called but squeaked when Amelie pushed her and Adrien in the portal, watching it disappear before she sighed.

     ‘Okay. The children are safe…now for the hard part…’

     As that was going on, Momo was in her room and indeed heard the noises outside her door. She felt Detty hiding in her shirt, causing the girl to look at her newfound Kwami in concern.

     “What is the matter?”

     “I can smell many bad auras outside…”

     Momo frowned, pushing the blanket away to get off the bed, but blinked when she saw the door open. She was about to ready herself for a fight, but was relieved when she saw it was Avarius.

     “Momo, are you okay?” Avarius asked softly, closing the door behind him, then brought a chair to block it after locking it

     “What is going on?” She asked in concern, but yelped when she was suddenly picked up in his arms, “W-why—??”

     “No time to explain, we’re being attacked.”

      The two then looked up when a portal appeared before them, seeing Star Stallion pop his head out.

      “I-I came to get you two, c’mon!”

      Avarius nodded, gently bringing Momo into the portal, even when there was multiple banging on the door. Frowning, he soon placed Momo in Star Stallion’s arms, who was surprised and almost dropped her.

     “A-Avarius? What are you doing?” The Japanese girl questioned when Avarius was pulling out his fan, pulling out a few feathers, “Don’t tell me—“

     “I am going to help Master Fu, Monsieur Aizawa and Madame Amelie,” The Peacock holder responded seriously, glancing over at the two of them and then smiled weakly, “I will buy you guys some time. Just tell Alix that I’m sorry and I’ll get to you guys soon. Star, go take Momo and close the portal!”

     “Natha—“

     “CLOSE THE PORTAL NOW!” 

     Star Stallion yelped and soon closed the portal immediately, Avarius ignoring Momo’s cry of his name. Closing his eyes, he waited until the door was smashed open, then opened his eyes to expect his opponents.

     …Only to be surprised that it was just one woman. 

     She had pale light grayish purple skin, vivd red eyes with dark purple sclera, dark purple lips, a pair of pince nez type glasses and her hair was slicked back with her red streak being more evident and vibrant. Her attire seemed straight from a jungle cruise, consisting of a dark purple turtleneck short-sleeved sweater, a camouflage hunting short-sleeved jacket and shorts, dark purple fingerless gloves and black knee high boots with laces at the front.

     “…Who are you?”

     The woman smirked, already bringing what seems to be crossbow.

     “I am Safari, and I come to hunt down any Miraculous holders my way~!”

      Avarius narrowed his eyes, but then grinned sharply as he threw his feathers in the air, then brought five tiny silver bells out from his coat and threw it to the ground. Watching the feathers embedded into the bells, they all suddenly transformed into sapphire coloured dogs, the creatures growling and forming a barrier to protect their master.

     “I see you managed to control your Amoks.”

     “Wait ’til you see them in action. Go, my Amok Hounds!”

    “Aw man! I can’t believe I’m lost!”

    A girl sighed as she scratched the top of her head, frowning. Garnet colored eyes darted around the street for a moment with a nervous look, chewing her lower lip in nervousness. She was supposed to find her new school, by herself, and now she felt regretful for not listening to her father about maybe having company to help for directions. Especially when her Japanese was still a bit rusty.

    Fiddling with her rose colored sun-glasses and pushing back on top of her head, she was about to look into her app once more, until she felt a wind rush past her. Alert, the girl turned her head to the side to see some glowing portal inside an alleyway. Curiosity got the best of her, and soon approached the bright looking gateway, her lips pursed tightly with narrowed eyes. 

    Suddenly, explosions sounded as something flew above her head, and she almost fell back with a shout if not someone’s arms catching her from crashing on the ground.

    “Wha—?”

    “Are you alright, Miss?”

     The girl blinked for a moment as she looked up at the voice of her ‘saviour’ and then felt her cheeks flush. Bright forest green eyes looked down at her for a moment in shock, the pupils almost reflecting the same shine as the portal behind them. Something about those eyes…it made the girl’s heart skip a beat.

     “…Hi.” The girl supplied stupidly, feeling the boy straighten her up to stand, then looked behind him to see more people coming out of the portal and squeaked, “W-who are—?!”

    “Ah, please, Miss! Do not be afraid!” The green haired boy with the shining eyes spoke up, waving his hands in front of him and stood in front of her, “M-My name is Izuku Midoriya, a-and I’m sorry you’re seeing something you shouldn’t, but my friends and I are heading to U.A. and—“ 

    “Y-You said you were heading to U.A.? As in, the hero school?” The girl’s eyes shined as she then looked relieved, “Oh thank goodness! Maybe you can help me. My name is Peni Lane, I’m actually a transfer student from London!”

    Felix looked alarmed for a moment before he squinted his eyes, looking at her carefully, “You…look familiar.”

    Peni blinked for a moment, tilting her head, “Um, and you are?”

    “Can you extras hurry the hell up?!?” The voice of Bakugo yelled as he was landing himself in front of the U.A. gates, hands on his hips and glaring over at them, “Or do you wanna waste time?”

    “H-Hold on, Katsuki! Slow down!” 

     Marinette stepped forward but then looked at Peni for a moment and felt a weird sense of dejavu hitting her. But ignored it in favour of calming the now concerned looking girl.

     “Um, sorry, we’re kinda in a rush, but we’re heading the same way. So you could follow us if you want. I’m Marinette.”

    “Nice to meet you, Marinette,” Peni smiled shyly and Marinette couldn’t stop staring at her with a mix of trouble and confusion, “Er, you okay?”

     Suddenly, Star Stallion jumped out of the portal he while holding onto Momo and immediately closed the portal.

     “W-wait, Nath’s missing!” Alix looked around for a moment before looking at Marc, who de-transformed, “Where is he, Marc?”

    Marc looked nervous at this, and glanced over at Momo, who looked upset.

    “U-um…he stayed behind. He used Duusu and is helping the adults.”

    “…What?” The pink haired skater looked furious at this, growling, “Why would—?”

    “Hey, hey~! You the listeners Eraserhead told me to look out for~?”

    Everyone looked up to see a very tall blond slick-back haired man in all black and amber sunglasses grinning at them, waving them over from the gates of U.A.

    “That’s Present Mic. We should go.” Shinso told them as he was soon taking both Juleka and Rose’s hands before going towards the Voice Hero.

     Everyone soon follow suit, but Alix remained where she was and Adrien noticed quickly.

     “Alix…”

     “I’m going to get Nath.”

     “How?”

     Alix looked back at the blond before lifting up what seems to be the Rabbit Miraculous and Adrien’s eyes widened.

    “…Does Rose know you have that?”

    Alix grinned, “I actually asked her to swap with me for a bit, but don’t worry, I’m just gonna help Nath and get him here.”

    Adrien frowned, but then transformed into Chat Noir, “Then, let me come with you.”

    With a nod, Alix clicked her Miraculous as she transformed into Bunnyx, then created a portal. Together, both teens rushed into the portal back to the NYC hospital and blinked when they saw what state it was in. 

     “Looks like a bomb went off in here,” Chat Noir noted as he glanced around, Bunnyx nodding.

     “Let’s just find Nath and the adults so we can get out of here fast,” She stated but paused as she heard a noise, her arm going out in front of the cat hero to prevent from going any further, “Wait.”

     Chat Noir followed her lead and. Kept himself quiet, holding up his baton at the ready for anything. The two pressed their backs against the wall, using the shadows as a cover to not be seen. It was then the two heard footsteps and were ready to attack when they spotted Nathaniel coming around the corner and he looked hurt. Bunnyx rushed over to catch him before he fell, and Chat Noir helped in bringing them to a random room, locking the door behind them.

    “Nath, where are the adults?”

    The red head looked towards Chat Noir and groaned, “They are trying to give Safari a chase while I escape. I had to de-transform because she apparently can track me as Avarius easily thanks to her akuma.”

    “Safari?” Bunnyx questioned.

    “An akumatized villain that seems to be looking for us. Not only that, but Audrey Bourgeois is already here with her security along with Tsurugi Industries and Gabriel Agreste’s party.”

   “M-My father is here?” Chat felt panicked and Bunnyx placed a hand on his to calm him, and the feline hero soon moved into action, “Then we should leave. Now.”

    Bunnyx nodded, already getting a portal open when she gasped as the door opened. Safari stood there smirking with what seems to be a crossbow.

    “I have you now!”

     Chat Noir was quick to push Nathaniel into the portal before she could see him, and soon picked up Bunnyx in his arms before activating his powers, “CATACLYSM!”

    He quickly bent down to touch the ground, watching the floor crumble before he jumped into the time portal with Bunnyx, not seeing if Safari fell or backed off. Either way, she won’t be catching up to them since Bunnyx closed the portal in time. Once inside the burrows, Chat placed the rabbit heroine down before taking a breath, but not before seeing Nathaniel was quiet and looking at one burrow.

    “Nath?”  

    Chat Noir saddled up right beside him and took a look at what his friend was staring at, then his eyes widened. It was Paris, but it was submerged into water as there was a white suited cat hero sitting by himself at the top of the Eiffel Tower, humming hauntingly.

    “♪~Little Kitty on the rooftop, no longer with his Lady~♬”

    It was then the two boys spotted a cold pale looking Ladybug in his arms, unmoving.

    Chat Noir then tilted his head when he spotted another burrow and walked over to it, Nathaniel also snapping out of his reverie. The blond cat hero then gasped as he saw Bugnoir, knowing that Marinette somehow is using the Cat and Ladybug at the same time, and fighting what seems to be a messed up version of Hawkmoth…at least, that’s what he looked like, and wearing rings with the same symbols as the other seventeen Miraculous. The boys looked at each other before they saw how this villain, Monarch, turned into Gabriel Agreste and saw Marinette’s lips moving as she transformed back as herself.

    “…I suppose something happened to you, thus why it seems that you’re not here in this battle…”

    Chat Noir didn’t answer the red head as he continued to watch the scene, gulping when seeing Gabriel succeeding in getting Tikki and Plagg, and summoning—

    “Guys, let’s get back to the others,” Bunnyx told them, snapping them out of their trance.

    Nathaniel nodded, even grabbing Chat Noir’s wrist and tugging it gently, “C’mon…”

    Chat Noir was quiet, but the trio walked into a portal that led inside U.A. and thankfully bumped into Marinette and Izuku, who were waiting for them.

     Marinette was the first approach, hugging Adrien once he de-transformed and noticed how frozen he looked, “Are…you okay?”

    “Adrien saw Chat Blanc...and we saw Gabriel Agreste summoning Gimmi.”

    Izuku’s eyes widened at Bunnyx’s words and almost held his breath, heart constricted. He watched Adrien’s expression, and he knew the blond saw something he shouldn’t have. Marinette looked confused for a moment and Nathaniel…well, he also looked spooked out. 

     Alix de-transformed, and spoke again, “The only reason I know about it, is because Rose told me to watch out for that in case…”

     “What do you mean?” Izuku asked before she looked to him.

     The skater raised a brow, hands on her hips, “She told me that you told her that there have been entities trying to come into this world.”

     Marinette whirled around to face him, almost looking livid, “You did???”

     “One was a Chat Blanc, yes. Mostly because while I was training with Fu at the time, I accidentally let him spot me,” Izuku explained while rubbing the side of his neck, “But there’s also another that’s trying to get over to this side too. Thing is, I thought it was that Chat Blanc…but thinking about it now, it just might be another Rabbit Hero…”

    Marinette looked like she wanted to say more, but she sighed and shook her head.

    “Where are the others?”

     Izuku was glad that Nathaniel changed the subject, but then nodded his head towards the school.

    “They’re all inside. And…everyone is getting acquainted. So c’mon, I’d like for you to meet them.”

    Alix, Adrien and Nathaniel followed Izuku while Marinette watched from behind them, mostly her keeping an eye out for Adrien and his mood. The pigtail haired girl noticed how Adrien looked disturbed, and it worried her that the former model might need someone to talk with…and she knew she might have to do so when they were alone. Once they were inside the building, they walked into what seems to be a large classroom, and Present Mic was already inside with a few students in uniforms along with their friends…in addition to a tall, curvaceous woman with sky blue eyes behind her red glasses and dark purple hair. And her outfit…it caused both Adrien and Nathaniel to look away with red faces.

    “Heh, I reacted the same way,” Nino appeared beside Adrien while wrapping an arm around his shoulder, but then noticed Adrien’s face, “Hey, you okay, dude?”

     “Y-Yeah, I’m…okay,” The blond smiled weakly before the voluptuous woman clapped her hands.

     “Alrighty kiddies. Since we’ve got new students, we should make sure that they are feeling welcomed~! My name is Miss Midnight, and I am the Modern Hero Art History Teacher~ And you already know Present Mic,”

     “Right~! So as we wait for Class-B and their homeroom teacher, Vlad King, why don’t we all get to know each other and introduce one another?”

     “Deku!” A bubbly looking brunette bounced over to Izuku, as she brought him to a hug while Izuku chuckled, “You’re back!”

     “Heh, y-yeah, Uraraka. I’m back,” Izuku looked to Alix, Adrien and Nathaniel, “Guys, this is one of my good friends, Ochako Uraraka.”

     “Oh! Hello! It’s nice to meet new friends!” Ochako chirped happily with a smile, and Nathaniel almost looked in awe while Adrien smiled and greeted back in return.

     “Nice to meet you, Ochako!”

      Marinette felt relieved that Adrien was looking like himself again. 

      Lila suddenly appeared by Izuku’s side, easily wrapping her arms around his and pressed close, giving a tight smile at Ochako, “Ohhh, Izu~ You’re back~”

     Ochako looked confused for a moment, backing off for a moment with an awkward smile, while Lila just gripped on Izuku even tighter as if to tell Ochako a silent warning to not come close. Izuku sighed, just reaching to pinch Lila’s side in warning while giving her a look, and Lila pouted. 

     “My god, there are so many pretty girls,” A voice spoke, which belonged to a boy with wild blonde hair with a black lightning-shaped streak on the left of his side fringe and golden eyes, eyes sparkling and having a excited smile, “Foreign pretty girls. From France~”

     A smaller boy with grape like hair was snickering to himself beside the other, nodding his head, “Totally, Kaminari! Plus Ultra, it’s like a smorgasbord of hotties~”

    “You guys are gross,” A cool looking girl with short dark hair and plug-like earphone jacks hanging from each of her earlobes spoke with a sigh, rolling her eyes.

    Adrien stared at her for a moment as he titled his head, his cheeks reddening once more. It was then that Marinette noticed this look and had to look back at the girl twirling one of her jacks around her finger nonchalantly. Marinette gasped, quickly pulling Izuku towards her and ignoring Lila’s growl and glare.

    “Izuku, who is that girl?” Marinette pointed to the girl with the rocker look, and Izuku glanced to see who Marinette was pointing at before he chuckled when seeing the girl was raising a fist threateningly at the blond boy and grape haired one.

    “Oh, that’s Kyoka Jiro. She’s a good friend that loves music,”

    Marinette hummed, nodding her head, and Izuku spoke up once more with a fond eye roll.

    “I know that look. And I suggest to not go crazy over match-making just yet~”

     A pout was seen on the Ladybug holder’s face, and Izuku gave a cheeky smile back.

    It was then the door opened once more and everyone looked behind to see a very large man in a red suit and white hair, although his grumpy face made some of the Parisian teens look nervous. A few teens in uniform also appeared behind them, although one jumped out and started yelling loudly.

    “I WELCOME THOSE IN U.A. THAT WISH TO JOIN THE SUPERIOR CLASS THAT IS CLASS B~” slick blond hair and periwinkle blue eyes, grinning from ear to ear while striking a pose.

    Shinso sighed as he rubbed his temple for a moment, “I forgot about this idiot…”

   “Who is he, Hitoshi?” Rose chirped in question, while Juleka just watched the boy warily as the blond just kept on rambling.

     “Neito Monoma. He’s…a lot,” Shinso murmured, as if already tired as he just took the girls’ hands and dragged them to the back of the class. No need to get themselves involved.

     “Knock it off, Monoma.” 

     A ginger haired girl walked in, karate-chopping the boy’s back of the neck and watching him slump to the ground. But before he could hit the ground,  a dark haired boy with a headband around his forehead to hold his hair up caught Monoma in his arms.

     “Nice catch, Awase.”

     The boy, Awase, gave a silent thumbs up to the girl while Monoma just groaned in pain. 

     “Is…he okay?” Sabrina asked in concern, but heard a chuckle beside her and turned to see a tall, lean young man with dark hair and dark almond-shaped eyes, and she blushed as she recognised him, “Oh!”

     “He should be fine. Speaking of fine, I remember you were one of Midoriya’s friends that came to the School Festival last time. Sabrina-chan right?”

     “And you are…Sero? Hanta Sero?”

     Sero grinned, “Ahh, so you do remember me~”

     Sabrina felt her cheeks flush. Indeed, when she came to the annual School Festival a few months ago with Izuku, Alix and Nathaniel. It was a good time before the whole Sombre Swift thing, seeing Izuku’s class with a live band and music…and she had befriended a few people. This included her interaction with Sero.

     Sabrina felt herself lost in U.A. High as she looked among the crowd of people. After the Class-A’s song ended, she was supposed to go and check on Izuku along with Alix and Nathaniel. But with so many people clambering to get out of the hall used for the concert, Sabrina ended up losing track of where her friends were, being swept up by a crowd of other students. And thus, she was outside in the court yard, trying to find her way back.

    “Are you lost?”

    Sabrina jumped with a gasp, almost falling over until she felt strong arms supporting her, and the girl in glasses looked up to see a wide grinning young man staring down back at her.

    “Sorry, didn’t mean to spook you…” He saw Sabrina looking at her strangely and switched his Japanese to English perfectly, “You don’t seem to be from around here?”

    Sabrina, in turn, spoke shakily in Japanese with a smile, “A-ah, I speak Japanese, don’t worry! A-and yes, I…am just visiting. Oh! Er, I’m trying to find Class-A…?”

     “What a coincident. I’m a student of Class-A. Did you come from our concert?”

     “Yes! Er, I was with my friends to meet with, ah…M-Midoriya?”

    “Oh! You’re a friend of Mido’s!” The boy chuckled, then offered his arm, “I can take you to him and your friends, I’m sure they are with our class right now so since I’m heading there, let’s go together? I’m Sero by the way. Hanta Sero.”

   “My name is Sabrina,” With a shy and gentle approach, she took the other’s arm and walked side by side with him, “It’s nice to meet you, Hanta…”

   Sabrina hummed as she gave a small smile, “It’s good to see you again.”

    “You still owe me a little date, langga~” Sero chuckled as he took her hand and kissed the back of it, making Sabrina blush even more, “It was a real shame I couldn’t take your around the festival since you and your friends disappeared after that. Thought I’d never see you again, so I’m glad to see your cute face too~”

     “Wait, this is the guy that you were lost with last time?” Alix leaned over to Sabrina as she then grinned cheekily, “Oooh, no wonder you were all red that time~ Didn’t think you got a boyfriend in just one day~”

     “Sabrina, you kept this from me?” Chloe huffed, pouting a bit while her best friend was waving her hands.

     “I-It’s not like that! I wasn’t hiding anything! And Alix, he’s not my boyfriend!”

     “Hindi pa man lang~” Sero murmured quietly with a small smile, but felt the back of his shirt pulled as he faced an angry looking duo, “What?”

      “What?! WHAT?!” Kaminari was raising his arms up as he yelled, “You actually scored one of these hotties without me and Mineta looking?! Not cool dude!”

      “Kaminari is right!” Mineta nodded, “You always shit on us when it comes to the ladies, and yet here you are, being all suave with one of them!”

      “That’s because I ain’t a pervert like you, you little shit.” Sero glared at Mineta but the blinked as the door opened.

      Everyone was surprised to see that the person stepping inside was All Might.

      “All Might…” Izuku walked over to his mentor, “Where is Aizawl-sensei and the others?”

      “Don’t worry, Young Midoriya. The heroes are safe and should be here. soon. They managed to buy time against Audrey Bourgeois, Tomoe Tsurugi and Gabriel Agreste,” The former number one hero said tiredly, raising a hand, “Thanks to Sir Nighteye, we managed to divert them for now by declaring their children as emancipated.”

      “Wait, that doesn’t make any sense?” Marinette titled her head as she glanced at Chloe, Adrien and Kagami, “How does that work for them?”

       “They are sixteen, after all. Minimum age for consent is fifteen,” Felix slowly understood as he then breathed out, “You knew this might happen and had the three of them sign for emancipation,”

     “You have Miss Amelie to thank for that,” All Might smiled weakly, “She talked with both Sir Nighteye and Miss Lenoir into getting the kids free from their parents in case they try and fight, then take them back.”

     “Oh, I thought they were consent forms to come to Japan,” Adrien felt stupid for a second, “I didn’t even read what I was signing when Mom showed me some papers before we were leaving America…”

     Kagami and Chloe also looked sheepish, and Marinette had a feeling they too didn’t know what they were signing either. 

     Kirishima looked to Kagami and took her hand, “…You okay?”

    “…Maybe it is good to be separated from the Tsurugi Clan. While I’m…still at a loss about my mother, I know that this was the right call,” She squeezed his hand gently, smiling up at the red head, “I’ll be fine eventually.”

    “AND KIRISHIMA HAS A GIRLFRIEND TOO?!” Mineta yelled all of a sudden, breaking the mood and Kaminari had to sigh.

     “Dude. Time and place, man. Even I know that!”

    Bakugo glanced at Marinette and nudged at her, “What now?”

    “What do you mean?” She asked as the blond shrugged.

    “Considering that we have to prepare not only for these political and rich people that are after us, but we have to worry about a new Butterfly villain. Do you even have a plan of attack?”

     Marinette hummed, “We’ll figure this out. When Master Fu comes back, I’m sure he’ll be ready to have the seven of us as Guardians,” She gestured to herself, him, Shoto, Momo, Kirishima, Adrien and Izuku, “And we can prep the rest of the team.”

     Alix walked over to Rose and held up the Rabbit Miraculous, handing it over to her while Rose smiled and returned the Fox Miraculous.

     “I’m glad you guys are okay,” Rose chirped, feeling Fluff appear, the kwami nuzzling against her.

     Alix hummed, Trixx appearing beside her, “I guess. Sometimes it’s so trippy to be inside the burrows that I can’t wrap my head around it. Dunno how you and Hitoshi deal with having this Miraculous.”

      “It’s fine with me. Although Hitoshi said that it made him lose sleep and sanity, the same with Izuku,” Rose hummed as she petted Fluff while feeding her some baby carrots, then looked at Alix seriously, “Did you see anything weird while in there?”

       “…No. Although I’ve seen a lot of burrows that had some scenes that I can’t quite understand,” Alix frowned, giving Trixx some grapes, “The fact that there are timelines that had either Adrien or Marinette find out about their identities, fall in love and Gabriel finding out that it always ended up with the world ending. I’m kinda freaked out, to be honest.”

     Rose patted her shoulder in comfort, giving a knowing smile. Alix understood, nodding her head in return.

     “Sometimes I think that the Rabbit Miraculous should belong to you,” Rose pointed out as Alix laughed.

     “I-I feel like I’d lose patience if I had that Miraculous. Nah, I think my skills lie more on the sneaky side of things~” She winked at Trixx, “Besides, I’m too fond of Trixx now to let them go~”

     “The feelings mutual, little kit~” The Fox Kwami cooed, nuzzling against Alix.

     Rose smiled, and soon walked back towards Juleka and Shinso, the two keeping away from the others and their conversations. The blonde stepped towards the purple haired male and tapped at his shoulder, Shinso glancing over at her immediately.

      “Got your Miraculous back?” He asked, and Rose nodded in response, “You look like you wanna ask me something,”

       Juleka just watched them, listening.

       Rose hummed, “Hito, I just want to know…do you think we have a chance of preventing the future you came from?”

       Shinso was surprised at this, and was quick to ask back, “What did you see?”

       Rose pursed her lips, “Answer me first.”

       “…”

       Shinso rubbed the side of his neck and sighed.

      “Honestly? I’m…not all that confident,” He glanced over at where Marinette, Adrien, Bakugo and Deku were, and then closed his eyes, “But if I know anything. Those four are the trump cards into going the right direction. So while I’m not entirely sure if we will win this time or not, I put my faith in them to find a way.”

     That was enough for Rose, as she sighed in relief.

     “Good. So, I’ll answer your question,”

     Juleka and Shinso were listening as Rose twiddled with her thumbs, before taking a breath.

     “I don’t know who they were, but they weren’t a Miraculous holder, at least I think? Moreover, they were watching me and Izuku when we were in the burrows and I think they are still inside there. They have the power to jump around in time and maybe other realities.”

     Shinso hummed, “I thought that was the case. So it might be someone that has a Quirk of time travel.”

     “W-what did they look like,” Juleka whispered in question, and Rose hummed.

     “They were…ghostly. Their face had a mask and they were all navy blue with bright white.” 

     Shinso sighed, shaking his head, “That’s someone I don’t recognise. So it’s a foe that we don’t know…”

     “W-what if they’re not there to harm us? But just an observer?” Juleka suggested.

     Rose looked impressed, “That’s one possibility. If they really were a bad guy, they would’ve just attacked us and snatched our Miraculous already.”

     “Unless the Miraculous wasn’t their goal. Might be something else, and they are finding the right moment to strike. Meaning they can be dangerous,” Shinso made a face as he was rubbing his head, “Maybe I should borrow Fluff and be Kazesagi again to check it out—”

     “You three are talking something interesting here~”

     The trio jumped when Deku appeared before them with a quirked brow and a tight smile.

     “Deku—“

     “Let’s talk outside. There are many eyes and ears watching us.” 

      The green haired hero smile dead and soon lead them outside the classroom. 

      Kaminari watched them curiously and decided to follow sneakily. Although he didn’t go far as he felt a hand around his wrist and looked back up to see Kirishima and Kagami.

     “Where you going?”

     The blond smiled weakly as Kirishima released his hold on him, and raised his hands up, “Hey, hey~! Don’t be looking at me like some kind of weirdo stalker. I’m not creepin’, I promise!”

     “Why were you about to follow them then?” Kagami demanded, but Kirishima hushed her gently to calm her down.

     Kaminari hummed, “I thought it was sus how Shinso has two girlfriends, despite how emo and introverted he looked. And the fact that Deku was in on it, it makes a guy curious, ya know?”

    Both Kirishima and Kagami looked at each other strangely, but then they sighed in disappointment.

    “Just leave it alone for now, Denks. It’s none of your business anyways.” Kirishima scolded softly, before he and Kagami walked off.

     “Sure, sure~” Kaminari smiled, just folding his arms behind him and walked back in the classroom while whistling innocently. 

    “That was close.” 

     Izuku had seen what had happened and was glad both Kirishima and Kagami sent Kaminari away and didn’t follow them. Once he knew that all four of them were truly alone, he turned to look at the trio and had a calm and patient smile.

    “Now, about what you guys we’re talking about~?”

    “You probably already deduced what we were talking about anyways, so there’s no point in repeating ourselves,” Shinso retorted coolly before folding his arms, “Besides, I’m sure that you have a lot to say.”

     Izuku’s smile fell for a moment, before he ran a finger through his messy hair, “…Are you really going to the burrows to check out the mystery time / reality jumper of ours?”

     “You didn’t see this coming, huh?”

      Izuku didn’t make a joke this time around, and Shinso knew that he hit the mark perfectly. The green haired hero let out a frustrated sound, rubbing at his head now in slight aggravation. 

     “I had a feeling we were being followed, ever since Master Fu was training me as Usadori. But I didn’t really tackle the situation or the person until I could be completely sure.”

    “And?” Shinso raised a brow, “What did you learn from it all?”

    “They aren’t dangerous. But they also aren’t ones to trust completely. They won’t be willing to listen to us and want to make things better for the future.”

     “Our way or the high way, huh?”

      Izuku narrowed his eyes, “The right way. Whatever their plans are, it’s something selfish. I’m sure of it.”

      “And you think that your plans weren’t entirely selfless themselves?”

      “…Wow. That was below the belt, for someone that is preventing a certain Princess in Pink from her fate,”

      Shinso flared up, “That is not the same!”

       “How so?”

      “I’m saving people. How can I be sure that your plans can even save anyone?”

      “What I’m doing is for the greater good.”

      “As if those words aren’t very cliche!”

      Rose and Juleka watched both the boys quietly, the girls looking at each other warily as if wondering how long are they going to argue. Rose then noticed that someone was coming towards them, but the person placed a finger up against their lips as if to tell her keep quiet, and Rose nodded. Juleka saw this as well, and of course, followed Rose’s lead. 

       After a minute, Shinso sighed, placing a hand up before he pinched the bridge of his nose.

       “Alright, alright. I get it. I know that we both just want what’s best friend everyone and trying to fix the future of the villains winning and taking over the world. This also means, preventing this new Hawkmoth in getting the Miraculous. Although, it doesn’t seem like that’s their overall aim, unlike Gabriel.”

    “They want Ladybug and Chat Noir, mostly the earrings and ring,” Izuku summarised, tapping his chin, “And they’re planning to get other Miraculous outside from the Chinese Box to do it. To not use the Miraculous, but for something else. Then, there’s the stranger in the burrow…”

    “You mean there really is someone in the burrow?”

     Izuku and Shinso both yelped when they whirled around to see Alix coolly standing in between a sheepish looking Juleka and an innocent smiling Rose. The skater girl had her arms folded over her chest, squaring up and her face holding a smug smirk. 

      “How long have you been standing there?” Izuku asked before the pink haired girl hummed as if thinking.

      “Mmm, around the time that you said you had a feeling of being followed?”

      “…Big yikes,” Izuku whistled, then chuckled a little, “I guess the jig is up.”

     Shinso whirled around to stare at him, “This isn’t the time to be laughing, Deku!”

     Alix jutted her hips and tilted her head to the side, staring at Izuku, “Is that why I was stopped by a Future Me when I was bringing Adrien and Nath back here?”

    This caught everyone by surprise. “What?!”

     Alix took a breath, “Yeah. You see…”

    “Guys, let’s get back to the others,” Bunnyx told them, snapping Chat Noir and Nathaniel out of their trance.

    The temporary Rabbit heroine watched as Nathaniel was leading Chat Noir into the burrow that will lead them back to the present time in U.A. and Bunnyx was about to step in and follow them, but something stopped her. She squeaked when someone grabbed the end of her umbrella and pulled her backwards from the portal. Bunnyx snapped her head up and was surprised to see an older version of herself.

    Well, she was way older. Like a grandma.

    “Wha—?”

    “There’s no time to explain, Mini-Me.” The older looking Bunnyx smiled, leaning onto her own umbrella, “I need to warn you about something before my cute yet stubborn husband finds me.”

     “What? What are you talking abou—we got married???” 

      The Rabbit heroine made a face before the elderly Bunnyx chortled.

     “You’ll find out later. Or sooner than you think, if you’re any smarter than we think.” She winked, but then turned serious, “Listen. There’s a traitor among you. I cannot tell you who, but just keep an eye out. Even the adults aren’t to be trusted. The only one you can trust, are those that have used the rabbit like us.”

    “So, basically Hitoshi, Izuku and Rose?”

    Elderly Bunnyx nodded. 

    “…Why tell me this?”

    This caused the elderly woman to smile sadly.

    “….Right, the less told, the better?”

   “You are smarter than I thought. Then again, we are the same person, so I knew you’d catch on quick.”

   “…Does this mean Rose isn’t going to hold the Rabbit Miraculous for long in the future?” Bunnyx asked and her elderly future self sighed, “With the way you sighed like that, I’m guessing I was always destined to have Fluff, huh?”

    “To be fair, a lot of us kwami-swap often, that’s how much we bonded and gotten closer as time went on,” The elder Bunnyx hummed, “In fact, my husband used Trixx a while ago, even when he already has his own permanent Miraculous—oops, spoilers.”

    “Careful, honey. Keep talking like that, and the time stream is gonna be wonkier than I remember.“

    Bunnyx had to look behind her elderly self as they heard the amused voice, and Future Bunnyx smiled fondly at a burrow that seems to be glowing and pulsating to life.

    “I should be heading back. Before my husband will use the sweet little lamb of a Miraculous of his to pull me out and scold me.”

    “Wait! I need to know more about this traitor you were talking about! Is it the same one that was watching us a few minutes ago? Or was that you?”

    Older Bunnyx smiled wryly, “That’s not the traitor. That…is a different story. One you can’t know of yet.”

    Bunnyx huffed, folding her arms “Man, sometimes time shenanigans sucks…”

    “Heh, I know right? But just…trust your instincts? Okay?”

    “And she left, then I returned. That’s pretty much it,” Alix concluded and Izuku sighed.

   “I was aware of the U.A. traitor, but to think that Future Alix was giving a heads up about it now must mean that something major is about to happen soon. Probably around the time when the Joint Training begins,”

    “Joint Training?” The three girls questioned, and Shinso nodded.

    “Class A and B are going to be going through a battle test against each other.” He explained, then glanced over at Izuku, “Did you see anything for this Joint Training?”

     “A few things. All in all, we’ll follow Future Alix’s warning. Although,” Izuku looked over at Alix, “Future Alix said that the traitor wasn’t the person that was lurking in the burrows?”

    Alix nodded, “Nope. She just told me that she and her husband will handle it.” 

    “Well that’s that,” Shinso looked at his watch, “We should head back to the classroom. I think the adults are going to set everyone up in their respective classes and believe me, I want to find out which one I’ll be in.”

     “You mean you’re not sure this time around?” Izuku wondered.

     Shinso shrugged, “In my previous life, I was in Class B…”

     “Huh…”

     The brain-washer took both Juleka and Rose’s hands once more, leading them back to the classroom. Izuku was about to follow but then paused, seeing that Alix wasn’t moving. In fact, she was staring at him strangely, and Izuku felt his stomach bubble over. He wasn’t too sure if that was good or bad, and tried to smile.

    “Er, what’s up?”

    Alix then started to smile, almost teasing, “…When are you going to ask me out?”

    This caught Izuku off guard, turning red and started stuttering like crazy.

    “W-w-what at the heck are you talking about?!”

    “Don’t act dumb, Iz. I know that you know who Granny-Me’s husband is~”

    “Wha—how’d you know it was—Wait…” Izuku then trailed off, seeing Alix’s shit-eating grin growing wider and the freckled male groaned, “You were testing my reaction.”

     The pink haired girl laughed, “Well, to be fair, I wasn’t too sure...at least at first. I was trying to gauge your reaction to see if my gut was right. Guess Granny-Me was on the nose, my instincts are too good.”

     “Just…trust your instinct, okay?”

     Bunnyx nodded, promising her and keeping her words to heart. They said their goodbyes and Bunnyx turned to leave, while Elder Bunnyx was making her way to her own portal and go back home. But not before the young Rabbit heroine took a quick peek behind her and gasped quietly. She saw a green and white gloved hand reached out to Granny Bunnyx, followed by a head of green popping out, smiling lovingly at the elder rabbit user. And it seems this older man was wearing a sheep motif.

     And then, it clicked.

     “Looks like you were supposed to find a Sheep Miraculous in the future, which, I didn’t think there was one since there’s already a Goat Miraculous in existence.”

     Izuku placed his hands over his face, then let out a shaky breath, “Aw man, I guess I didn’t think you’d question me about all that so soon.”

     “Yup~” Alix nodded then waggled her brow as she leaned closer to him, “So, future husband, when do I expect the wedding?”

      “Har har, very funny.” Izuku laughed sarcastically, shaking his head, “Nice try. I’m not going to make a move on you just yet.”

    “Yet. Meaning there’s still a chance~”

     “Alix, I’m not going to be asking you out anytime soon.”

    “Awww, why not? We already know that you are gonna be head over heels for me~ So there’s no point in pretending that you aren’t gonna try and woo me when we know it’s bound to happen~” Alix hopped in front of him, poking at his chest, “Why beat around the bush and just get together now rather than later?”

    “Because I don’t want you to be swayed by what you saw and it influences your choices,” Izuku explained seriously, and even looked…like he wasn’t sure of himself, and even somewhat insecurely scared of being hopeful, “I want you to just be with me for me and not because you think the future is set in stone. Let me get to know you, and you can get to know me in a timely pace, in the moment…is…i-is that okay?”

     Alix gets it. She really did. And in all honestly, she didn’t think of Izuku in that way until she met Granny Bunnyx. So maybe Izuku did have a point about all this. With everything going on, there was no time to think about feelings. This was an easy recipe for drama and akumatizations, which they do not need right now. 

    Alix pouted, sighing, “…Fiiiiiine. You’re no fun. But, how long have you known?”

    Izuku tilted his head from side to side, “Since my training with Master Fu.”

    “That long!?” Alix cried out as she then whined, “Hnnnngh, man! That’s so unfair…but wait, what about Lila?”

     This confused Izuku, “What about her?”

     Alix huffed, “Don’t be stupid. You must’ve noticed that she clings to you like crazy as if she’s your girlfriend?”

     It was Izuku’s turn to sigh, massaging his eyelids to prevent himself from getting a headache.

     “We’re not like that. She’s just…vulnerable, not used to having friends. So I just…kinda let her be by my side. I’m sure she eventually warm up to the others. She just needs a little more time.”

    “I get it. And this isn’t me being jealous, but you gotta set her straight. Ya know that, right?” Alix warned, raising a brow, “It’s not nice to lead her on, even if it wasn’t your intention. You can’t let her continue to think that there’s hope for her to be with you in that way.“

    The green haired hero nodded, “You’re right….Okay, fine. I’ll talk to her soon. I promise.”

    “Good,” And with a sneaky grin, she quickly pecked his lips and started walking off, “I can’t wait for the day that you man up and take me on our first date for real~”

     Izuku balked for a moment and chased after her, “Alix!”

     The pink haired girl laughed, skipping towards the classroom and about to turn her head and tease him some more, when she suddenly stopped. Izuku almost toppled over her, and looked to her face while calling her name again, worry etched in his voice. The skater winced as she had a look that said she was apologetic and guilty, and Izuku had to look at where she was looking at…and he winced as well.

    Lila was standing there, and looked furious but mostly hurt.

    “Lila…”

    The Italian didn’t say a word, but she did run off and Izuku was about to chase her when a hand stopped her. He expected it to be Alix, but blinked when he saw it was Marinette instead.

    “Let me talk to her.”

    Izuku was reluctant but nodded, and Marinette rushed after Lila. Izuku and Alix both glanced at each other, now feeling awkward as they then looked away from each other. This is bad…

    Marinette soon found herself in some sort of school courtyard with a fountain and saw Lila hunched over with her face buried into her folded arms that were resting on her knees. This caused the Ladybug holder to soften, feeling sympathy in her heart. While they weren’t close, Marinette knew that Lila wasn’t as bad as she was before. Like Chloe, Lila was slowly giving into changing for the better…even if sometimes Lila tended to have her guard up and talk to people sharply as if to keep them at arms’ length. And with good reason now, with what both her and Marinette witnessed just a minute ago.

   ‘I just wanted to check on what was keeping Izuku so long…I didn’t think Lila would be following behind me,’ Marinette sighed with that thought, and approached Lila while awkwardly shifting in place, “Lila?”

     “Fuck off, Mari-brat.” Lila growled, not looking up.

      Marinette raised her hands in surrender, but didn’t move, “I just…wanted to check if you’re okay.”

    “Does it look I’m okay?!” The Italian finally lifted her head up and seethed, Marinette reeling back for a moment, “What? You going to make me feel better and try to cheer me up? Well I just want to be left alone!”

     Marinette was at a loss for a moment, until she steeled herself and took a seat next to her, “…Believe me, I know what you’re feeling.”

     Lila quirked a brow, tears still slipping down her cheeks even though she tried to wipe them away, “Yeah, right. Little Miss Perfect actually gets her heart broken? Since when?”

     “When I found out Adrien is Chat Noir.”

    “….Oh.”

    Marinette hummed, “While our circumstances are different, the feelings are the same. You felt betrayed at the fact that the person you were close with isn’t the version you had in your head. You wanted to delude yourself into being someone special in that person’s heart, placing them on a pedestal instead of seeing them for who they are…and that they can never look at you the way that you looked at them.”

    Lila groaned, thumping her head against her knees, “I feel so stupid. Boys eat in the palm of my hands for my attention, not the other way around.”

     “….Suuuure. Whatever you say.”

     The brunette glared at Marinette’s sarcastic tone but then sighed, “…Maybe deep down, I knew Izuku didn’t like me in that way. But with him being so close to me, and…the fact he didn’t seem to push away in my advances and never said no, meant that I had a chance with him.”

     Marinette listened, as Lila continued.

     “He’s only one that was willing to put up with me. And…I didn’t want to lose that. To anyone.”

     Marinette was hesitant at first, but she soon reached out and wrapped an arm around Lila, pulling her into a side hug.

     “…What are you doing?”

     “Comforting you,” Marinette replied smartly, then smiled, “It’s what a friend does when another friend is feeling down. Even if you don’t think you want it.”

     Lila rolled her eyes, but didn’t move away from the hug, closing her eyes, “…Fine. I’ll allow it. But you better not tell anyone about this.”

    “Kinda late for that…”

     Lila snapped her eyes open as Marinette looked apologetic and then saw Adrien was standing there, giving a sheepish smile.

     “Oh for fuck’s sake—“

     “Heyyyyy, I just came to check on you since I saw Marinette chasing after you…” The blond soon made his way on Lila’s other side and pulled her into the hug too, “Good thing that you have two friends to comfort you~”

     “Please kill me.”

     “Nope~ Too late~ Adrien Agreste is going to give you the Chat Noir Hug of Comfort~”

     “With some Lucky Charm added in the Ladybug special friend hug!” Marinette followed teasingly, the two heroes grinning while Lila was squirming in between them and whining.

     “You losers better get the fuck off me before I punt your heads together!”

     “Awwww, we love you too, Lila~” They chimed in a sing-song voice, Lila finally losing her temper as she screamed and yelled.

     “Awww, she’s so huffy.”

    “I guess we should hug her some more?”

     “BOTH OF YOU GET OFF ME NOW!”

[wildlyglittering]

Silver In Her Eyes - Chapter One

Chapter One is up!

Please show it some love either on Ao3 here or on Tumblr itself.

Part one may feel very 'Nesta light' but believe me - this is her story.

Silver In Her Eyes

Feyre’s stomach swelled to the point where her pregnancy could no longer be disguised; not that she wished it to be. She was ready to stand on top of the House of Wind itself and shout the news from joyous lungs.

Her present state was less lofty, seated on a soft velveteen chaise lounge in the River House, a hand resting on her belly while she whispered stories to her baby.

How did Nesta’s old tales begin? Once upon a time...

Feyre spoke them with her voice low and soft as she gazed at the sky beyond the window, her head empty of daydreams because what did she want for now? What could she imagine she needed when she had all she wanted?

Her son, as confirmed by Madja, fluttered and spun inside her and Feyre wondered what he dreamt, if he somehow sensed the stars.

She paused in the telling of a story, stumbling over a word. She had told herself a lie. She needed to understand what was worrying Rhys. Something shifted in him since they last saw the healer, his face slipping into a frown when he thought Feyre wasn’t looking, his hands twisted into fists.

When asked he would say, ‘nothing my darling’ and kiss her forehead, coaxing her back to her contented state with sugared creams and cashmere blankets draped over her shoulders.

Those frowns were infectious. First Rhys, then Amren. Mor, Cassian, and Azriel soon followed.

Only the Archeron sisters were unbothered by the burden of the Inner Circle. Elain drifted through the halls of the River House as she always had done since she lived with them, muttering to the rose stems she crushed between her fingers or wailing into the night sky.

Feyre found that she missed her eldest sister but wasn't too sure why. Perhaps she had been too spoilt by Rhys to cope with Elain's distress, or possibly there was part of herself which wanted Nesta to use her sharp words and quiet ferocity to amend what Feyre couldn't.

When Nesta made the rare appearance, she was always at the side of Cassian. Nesta was re-shaping herself into something new whilst retaining the steel beneath. Unbending, unbroken, and to Rhys’ irritation, un-bowing.

Nesta’s scent was no longer her own. Winter rose and jasmine still adorned her but underneath was the patchouli aroma of Cassian. When Feyre inhaled next to him, she was unsurprised to smell florals, almost like he had bathed in Nesta, rubbing her skin against his like it was perfume.

Maybe he had, flesh to flesh. That was what Feyre had hoped for after all. Even if they stood apart in public, Feyre wasn’t fooled. Not when they were both so deliciously fragranced, she could eat them up, just like she was doing now with the sweets from her gold-plated bowl.

***

“You fool,” Amren hissed at him, “you stupid, senseless fool.”

Rhys clenched his jaw, the back of his teeth grinding together as a muscle in his cheek twitched. His eyes glanced towards the study door, as though Feyre or Elain, somewhere in the depths of the house would hear Amren and throw it open, demanding to understand what they’d just heard.

Rhys quelled his fear. Feyre would never intrude and Elain was too feeble, too addled by the noise in her mind. He’d expect insolence and intrusion from the other one but she was caged up in the House of Wind learning to be a citizen of the Night Court.

Rhys stared at Amren, her hands clenched on the arms of the chair as she sat opposite, her grey eyes boring into his. Her words meant nothing. Not when Madja’s from days before had sunk into his skin and through muscle, carving themselves onto his bones.

Feyre will die, she had said. The infant has Illyrian wings. She will birth the baby but it will come at a great cost – her life for her son’s but I cannot even guarantee that he will live. I am sorry.

The joy in Rhys’ heart, so elevated it was as though it soared above the mountains, was ripped from the sky. His mate would die, his son may follow. So would Rhys himself, the vow they made to each other would hold. If Rhys couldn’t promise Feyre her immortal life, then he would join her in eternal death.

Amren thought different.

“If we leave the Night Court without a leader or heir, do you have any understanding what abyss would open? Of who would try and fill it? All your people would be at the mercy of the likes of Keir. Velaris would become the Hewn Court. Do you acknowledge this? Do you?”

Of course, he did. However much Amren hissed at him, he wasn’t a fool and he would agree it again. He and Feyre were bound by the thread of fate, stronger than any tie he had to his people.

“I’ll consult all sources,” Amren said, “even the old magic, the forbidden tomes.” Her voice had quavered, the old magic would be wanting to extract its unknown price and now she was no longer immortal the payment would be costly. “There must be a way to break this promise so if Feyre dies you won’t go with her.

“I want to go with her,” Rhys said. “I would follow Feyre into oblivion if I had to.”

Amren’s eyes flashed. “Your people,” she hissed again, “think about your people.”

“I’m thinking about my mate,” he snapped back. “If you sever this vow and she dies and I live, then the Night Court can rot under Keir’s rulership for all I care.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What will you do then, while Feyre sits in ignorance and the rest of us live in fear?”

Rhys sat back in his chair, his fingers lacing over his knee. “I’ll find a way to save Feyre and then, oh ancient one, your efforts will have been for nothing and both you and I will be glad for it.

“And you think you’ll find a way?”

“I’m sure of it.”

Amren leant forward over his desk, trying to close the space he had increased. “By the Mother I want you to be right.” Her fingers clenched and unclenched onto the wooden arm of the chair, her nails leaving crescent marks. “How can you be confident you’ll save Feyre?”

Rhys smiled. Joy was no longer in his heart but certainty was. “Because Amren, you are not me.”

***

Rhys refused to name an heir other than the son in his wife’s belly.

Two months after he’d received the unfortunate news, he publicly announced Feyre’s pregnancy and decreed his unborn son, Nyx as sole heir to the Night Court.

Time had passed fast.

While his mate slept, Rhys woke in the night and flew to the library in the House of Wind to pour over books or to consult with whichever mage had been dragged from the depths of their slumber.

No solution had been forthcoming but Rhys wanted to weave it into the stars that Nyx would take up the throne centuries from now, either upon Rhys’ death or departure at a time of his choosing.

The news echoed from the House of Wind into Velaris and travelled from the Night Court into the vast landscape of Prythian.

Lesser fae went about their business while High Lords raised their goblets in salutations or beat their fists against the hardened bark of Spring trees.

Rhys had been challenged. Amren alone and then Cassian and Azriel together.

“You shouldn’t announce the news,” Cassian had said, pacing the floor of the study as Azriel stood by the wall. “Mor has gone to the continent; Az and I are flying into the furthest reaches of Illyria and Cauldron knows where Amren is.” He stopped before Rhys. “We haven’t found anything.”

“Yet.”

Cassian nodded. “Yes, yet but announcing Feyre’s pregnancy while we haven’t a solution or plan-”

“A plan for what?”

Cassian’s face twisted in pain. “In case the worst should occur and we lose you all. Personal grief aside, what would become to the Court with no High Lord or Lady?”

“That won’t be an issue,” Rhys said, waving his hand. “I’ll find a way to save Feyre.”

“If you don’t?” Az asked from the corner. “What then?”

Rhys paused, his blood bubbling in his veins as though suddenly on fire. Audacity. There would never would be a ‘what then’ and the question from the lips of a male he called his brother was a poison being dripped into the room.

He curled back his lips, baring his teeth as the black mist swirled from him skin, brushing against the Illyrians, kissing their wings which twitched away. “I will. Bring this topic up again and I will make life uncomfortable for the females in your lives. Do you understand?”

They froze at his words. Azriel’s eyes darting to the ceiling, likely envisioning Elain in her room several floors above. Cassian’s jaw tensed, his clenched fists straining the tendons while the syphons on his armour shone as bright as fresh blood.

The scent of earth and flowers drifted from him to where Rhys sat.

A scarred hand landed on Cassian’s shoulder as Azriel stepped forward, his eyes meeting Rhys’. “Yes, my High Lord,” he said before turning to Cassian. “Come,” he said with a softer voice. “We’re not wanted.”

So, they had left and Rhys made his announcement, no one else visiting him until Amren returned from overseas.

“Name another,” she’d pleaded. “You don’t have to renounce what you have declared, just an additional fae to a Court of trusted High Lords. If Nyx lives than appoint a regent for him until he’s of age.”

Rhys' laugh was brittle. “Do you want that someone to be you? Exactly how hard are you trying to break the vow?”

His words were as though he’d slapped her, Amren’s head lurching backwards as her hands dropped to her sides. It was a mere trick of the light but for a moment Rhys saw unshed tears in her eyes.

“I want you on the throne,” she said, “and when the time is right – your son. But if we can’t have you and Nyx is too young, what will we get?”

“I will save Feyre,” Rhys said, his skin heating. His patience with their impatience was quickening his blood once more. “There will be no more discussion on this matter.”

“It’s been months...”

“We are done.”

Amren’s mouth closed into a tight line and she nodded but when she reached the door of his study she paused, turning to him. “I understand you’re refusing to see Azriel since his last visit but despite your fury, he’s still your spymaster and you need to listen to what he has to say. You should turn toward the Hewn City.”

After she left, Rhys stood from behind his desk and walked to the map of Prythian constructed to the side. The mountains peaked and the valleys dipped, the castles of all the Courts carved before him.

His eyes drifted to the seat of the Hewn City, perfect in its miniature copy. He’d been unfair with his words towards Amren. Silver streaks now appeared in her jet-black hair and stress lines burrowed their way onto her face. She’d travelled to wherever she could travel, consulted with whomever held ancient knowledge and the price was already being paid.

It hadn’t escaped his attention that she’d lost a finger. Who or what wanted that he didn’t ask.

Rhys had long decided that the doubt which tried to grow in him about his actions wouldn’t take root. He pulled it out like a weed each time it made an appearance. There was no time for second guessing, not when he’d scoured every avenue and was coming up short.

Rhys had visited Madja once more.

“My Lord,”she had greeted him with a bow.

“Tell me again what you told me those months ago.”

Madja twisted her gnarled fingers into the cloth of her dress. “If the High Lady shifts into Illyrian form and gives birth in that shape, then all might be well.”

“Might.” Rhys paced the length of Madja’s quarters. “Will the shift harm the baby? Will it harm my son.”

“Possibly.” She’d adverted her eyes. “I can't guarantee her body won't expel him under the trauma.”

Rhys now closed his eyes to the map of Prythian, instead imagining his son, small and perfect with tiny fingers and toes, lying on the ground, grey and lifeless. Rhys envisioned those perfectly formed wings, the source of all the trouble wrapped around his fragile form, trying to protect himself from the elements of a world thrust upon him too soon.

There would be no breath and no heartbeat. Only the agonised screams of Feyre as she sobbed over the body of her baby. This would not be a grief Rhys could soothe. Feyre would spend centuries of her eternal life in anguish as a piece of her floated away with Nyx’s soul. Son and mate both dead in their own differing ways.

No. Feyre was in the nursery of the River House, painting murals and singing lullabies. He wouldn’t burden her with this, he would find a way and Feyre would be none the wiser of any of it.

Rhys wouldn’t name any other as heir, temporarily or as Regent. He refused to bait the Cauldron and by naming another he was placing an option into the world, one that may be seen and accepted in lieu. This was not his wager to lose.

***

How strange it was to Keir that the High Lord of Night’s joyous public declaration of an impending son didn’t meet his eyes. How Mor, his traitor of a daughter, stood behind her cousin with a smile on her face which screamed of fakery.

He knew them well, as both would not want to admit - but refusing to believe something was true didn’t make it false. The other members of Rhys’ precious Inner Circle were distracted or absent and Keir felt it was time to unearth a few secrets.

Whispers found a way through cracks. Especially if you set to create those cracks

What crawled out from under the rock was that the life of the sweet, naïve Feyre Cursebreaker was in danger as was that of the baby inside her. The infant had a glimmer of hope, the mother did not.

The shimmering jewel in the crown was that Feyre’s life was tied to Rhys’ and Rhys had arrogantly named no other successor than said son and no Regent in his stead.

The branch of that tree was withering away. Keir on his dais in the Hewn City could have wept tears of glory. A chasm was opening, one which could be filled by someone strong enough to claim it. It was natural for Keir to reach out his hand and take what should now be his.

If the boy survived, well then, he would need guidance towards the right path. Who would fight Keir in this respect? The bastard Illyrian? The quiet one? His own traitorous daughter?

Blood and lineage would out. A misfortune of birth order was the only reason Keir wasn’t already ensconced in the House of Wind and he had plenty of loyalists to the Hewn City who would don armour for his name.

Still, whispers which drifted their way through cracks and into the ears of those who listened also drifted away. Of course, Rhys would have spies in the Hewn City, perhaps some of the lengthening shadows were not simple shadows at all

News of Keir’s plans reached Velaris and now he and Rhys placed a game. Both pretending that they didn’t have knowledge on the other but both moving their pieces. Keir sent his advisors outward as Rhys did the same with his band of idiot friends. But for every ally Keir gained, it seemed Rhys added onto his own.

Rumours were that Rhys was sending the bastard to Illyria to rally troops and so that was the first location Keir turned. Unlike Rhys who deemed Illyria a place beneath his High Lord boots, Keir made his visits personal.

To Keir, the Illyrians could die like the dogs they were for all he cared but they were an invaluable asset he couldn’t afford to lose.

Hounds they may be, his advisors told him, but make them your hounds. There are those who want Rhysand gone as you do. Allow them their freedoms to do what they want in their own country and they will back you.

Keir selected his camps carefully. Even if some didn’t declare for Rhys, it didn’t mean they would declare for him. The name of Rhys’ dog Cassian, was uttered across the land with a degree of reverence more than Keir would have liked.

At least Kallon, one of the camp Lords was ripe with rage. They sat opposite each other in Kallon’s tent, the heat trapped within the canvas causing sweat to drip down Keir’s back as he made his promises.

“Others are declaring for that bastard,” Kallon said, his knife carving a deeper groove into the wood of his desk. “Enalius re-born they say, like any Illyrian birthed from a laundry whore would be destined for a path of greatness.”

Kallon’s laugh was brittle, his lips curled into a sneer over bared teeth. Feral, Keir thought. They are all feral pups. Still, an opportunity was an opportunity.

“When I rule the Night Court, you will be destined for your own path of greatness. I won’t demand anything for it other than your fealty. Clip whoever you want, raid whatever you want. By the Cauldron, you can have Velaris if you want.”

Kallon looked at him, his dark eyes glinting. “I can have the city?”

Yes, thought Keir. Greed is good. Greed meant a price existed and a price meant someone could be bought.

“Have it,” Keir had said. “Do to it and its inhabitants what you will.”

They shook hands and signed parchments before Keir moved south to the Autumn Court.

Autumn was bronze and copper and gold and Keir had barely seen any of it before he was swept into the labyrinthian halls and deeper under the soil than he wanted. The inhabitants could leave you in their palace and not even servants born there centuries before would find you.

Unease prickled his skin but he pushed it down as he walked corridors with thick tree roots lining the walls.

Beron had Keir bought to a secret office, one which he entered through two unwinding branches, and he forced himself to not look back upon them as they wound back together. The High Lord of Autumn sat behind a mahogany desk, brown hair falling forward as he scribbled away.

“My Lord,” Keir began, eyes adjusting to the gloom. “How is your dear lady wife?”

The scratch of the quill on parchment paused but Beron didn’t look up. “Past breeding age but she lives, which is more than she deserves most days.”

Keir nodded though Beron couldn’t see. He’d made a calculated decision when choosing the High Lords to visit. Beron was a comfortable selection. “And your eldest son, Eris?”

Beron stopped scribbling and looked up, his mouth in a sneer. “Why?” he spat, “were you wanting him instead? Are you here to stick the knife in my back while he twists? He gets to be High Lord when I’m dead and I plan to disappoint him by living forever.”

The underground cavernous study, tucked away and guarded by trees loyal to the appointed High Lord of Autumn made sense.

“And your other sons?”

Beron’s laugh was as rough as tree bark. “Lucien is no seed of mine. The rest? Rotting in their tombs. At least they had the decency to die before me.”

Keir moved forward with renewed certainty, settling himself uninvited into a chair. “My Lord,” he began, “speaking of dead sons....”

[sarahowritesostucky]

Hi there! Saw your most recent fic and was wondering if you would do a version with Curtis Everett and one of Sebastian Stan characters? Maybe TJ Hammond?

I actually really like the Idea of one where Curtis fights his way up train and encounters spoilt front-ender TJ. I could write it where he relly hates him and disdains him at first, but then he finds out TJ is the tail end boy who was taken from the tail as a kid for his musical abilities at like 12 years ago or something. Two questions:

How do you feel about a/b/o?

How do you feel about an age difference of 20's/30's?

Would you rather that, or a plot where TJ boarded the train with his family the Hammonds, as an important 1st class passenger?

Also feel free to reach out to me on Ao3, if you don't want to answer in another ask, or you can comment futhur on this one. I'm working on getting my messenger feature fixed, but I haven't exactly made friends at the help desk, so it may be a while, lol.

(@staff My messenger feature is still not working - it just has a big white box that stays on the screen all the time with the moving ellipses ... )

[purpleyin]

me: *wants to tag things for what they contain so people can search for what they want*

tumblr: *inexplicably won't show posts in search results because of random tags it's decided it doesn't like*

Today's tags fuckery from tumblr was...

- will only show one of my moodboards in search results for the ship in question if I remove the 'polyshipping day' tag. Also confusingly *does* show other moodboard posts of mine in ship tags despite that tag being used. It's anybody's guess what it doesn't like there when there's barely any different in the tags used.

- apparently does care weirdly about capitalisation because it wouldn't show any of my BAWeekS2 tagged posts, not just in the Barry Allen week tag but *any* tags they were tagged as, like the ship tags too. But it is okay with me using baweeks2 though and finally they show up then in all the tags...

- same post it didn't like two other tags that looked innocuous enough unless it thought a mention of 'flash' for the TV show could be related to flashing somehow? but rehprasing the other tag where I was commenting on meaning to write a fic later on meant it then seemed happy to have the other tag finally and would still show up in search then. Guess I need to be careful in my commentary tags too.

- has a random problem with me using 'role reversal' tag for one of my posts but hasn't on previous posts. On same post, as I tried to figure out which tag(s) it was using to exclude the post from search, it didn't show up after I added the two character names back in. When I'd added more tags back in and tried adding the character names in again one by one it seemed to then be fine with them. Like, tumblr WHAT?! HOW?

It feels like there are some completely not transparent rules tumblr has about word combinations in posts/tags and figuring out why it hates your post / doesn't deem it suitable for search results is tedious and frustrating. I could not do the figuring it out but for rarepairings if you don't get in search results that can mean practically no interaction for a post.

tl;dr Dear Tumblr, for Christmas I would just like a search function that *actually* shows me EVERYTHING for that keyword/tag.

[leporinelou]

having to use fanfiction dot net and i’m being so brave about it

[llyncooljones]

call me sir - twelve days of rowaelin '22.

ao3 || masterlist || twelve days of rowaelin ‘22 masterlist

prompt: christmas activity gone wrong. series: part two to who is he? word count: 1300 trigger warnings: language, smut, sexting tag list: @live-the-fangirl-life @rowaelinismyotp  @fireheartwhitethorn4ever @elentiyawhitethorn @rowanaelinn @autumnbabylon @leiawritesstories @backtobl4ck  @letstakethedawn @rowaelinscourt

hi.

this is aelin. galathynius.

from the xmas fair. last week, at the weekend. and you overheard me, and i bumped into you?

Hi.

This is Rowan.

From the Christmas Fair. And I knew it was you, you’re literally the only person I’ve given my number to in the last year. Plus, I don’t know many Aelins. No need for awkward introductions—a pet peeve of mine.

well, good to know you gave me the right number, lol. was kinda worrying abt it. couldn’t believe you’d actually wanna get to know someone who was plotting an entire book to have an excuse to go up to you.

figured you might like brave girls, or some shit.

Not to be crude, but I do believe that openly, and really quite loudly, discussing the frequency and quality of dick you and your friend were getting was quite brave. As was discussing the size of my dick, and my possible friend’s dick sizes.

I don’t know anyone else who’s quite brave enough to do such a thing.

You have that going for yourself.

what i’m hearing is that you do like brave girls.

what does ‘at least you’ve got that going for yourself’ mean? i’ve got tons going for me.

No. I like girls with blonde hair, the most unique eyes I’ve ever had the pleasure of staring into, who come up to my chin. And for the record, you’ve got everything going for yourself. You are singlehandedly just everything.

Don’t go fishing for compliments. I know that you know that you’re fucking gorgeous. Don’t play games with me—I won’t play nice, nor fair.

i’ve come to realise you won't play nice or fair.

i’ve now learnt my lesson, teach.

and thank you for the compliments.

i get off on them.

If I’m going to be your teacher, and I’m going to have to teach you your lesson, you will refer to me as ‘sir’. That is, if you’re game?

I could have sworn it was big men, big hands, and big dicks you got off on. Not compliments. correct me if wrong of course.

maybe you will have to teach me my lesson. sir.

and of fucking course i’m game, didn’t you overhear me saying that i was a spoilt rich girl with a secretly traumatic past. if that means anything, sir, it means i’ve been having teacher x student fantasies since i was fifteen. sir.

i get off on all sorts of things—part of being a spoilt rich girl with a secretly traumatic past. we always have the craziest kinks. compliments and praise because my parents neglected me. similarly, some sort of teacher fetish. big men, big hands, big dicks—because we feel like they can protect us, keep us safe, complete us, which has previously never been felt by us before.

and so many more—you’ve barely scratched the surface, sir.

I can hear your evil laughter, Aelin, and I’ve never heard you laugh.

I’m always up for being your senior-year English teacher, call me Mr Whitethorn.

And trust me, I look forward to diving into the very depths of your sexual deviancy.

mr whitethorn. i like it.

you would’ve been a hit at my high school—so many spoilt rich girls with secretly traumatic pasts.

and, sir, it makes me wet when you use phrases like ‘sexual deviancy’

It gets me fucking rock hard when you call me Sir, or Mr Whitethorn. you have no idea how so.

in that case…

mr whitethorn? what’s today’s lesson on?

I think apt place to begin your education, would be with one’s own pleasure. In my experience, people put so much pressure on the idea of perfection when it comes to sex, and such acts between two people. So much so that the pleasure is slowly stripped away, and replaced with worries that won’t stop, creating a wall between yourself, and your pleasure.

Today, I’m going to focus our lesson on touch yourself, Aelin.

and what are you going to teach me, that i don’t already know? I’m in my twenties, I’ve gone to college, and i’ve been coming by my own fingers since i was fifteen. (clearly there is a correlation between teachers and me coming)

plus, and I mean this with the utmost respect, what are you—a man—going to me—a woman—about my body—a woman’s body—mr whitethorn.

If you want to doubt me, go right ahead, but know Miss Galathynius, it’s not what I can teach you, it’s what I can do to you.

I recall my language making you wet, I can’t teach you that. I can do it to you though, I can make you wet when I use long, sophisticated words, confuse you a little. Make you feel both insecure, and so very, very safe. I can manipulate your body simply with typed words.

You’d do well to remember that.

sir?

mr whitethorn?

excuse me, i’m texting you. where the fuck are you? are you fucking kidding me, right now?

Are you ready to apologise, Miss Galathynius?

for fucking what? get real.

For making assumptions about me. You seem to be under the impression that you can get away with being rude to me. You can’t, I’m unlike any teacher you’ve encountered before.

And you ‘get real’, Miss Galathynius. You can try and convince yourself that you aren’t soaking through your panties, you’re so turned on. But I know you are. You can tell yourself you aren’t going to touch yourself when you set down your phone. But I know you are.

I’ll make a deal with you, Miss Galathynius, if you message me how wet you are, and whether or not your fingers are too, I’ll continue the lesson. We’ll forget all about the fact that you swore at me no less, and that you were insolent and bratty, and you can come as many times as want during this text chain, but not afterwards.

You understand?

yes, sir.

my panties are so wet, my skirt is too.

and my fingers are fucking coated.

Take your panties off.

In fact, Miss Galathynius, get naked. Lock the door. Get comfortable. Tell me, ‘yes, Sir’ when you’re done.

yes, sir.

Put your fingers—the wet ones, before you ask—in your mouth. Fucking suck on them.

Have you got your fingers in your mouth, can you taste yourself? Fucking wish I could taste you.

yes.

what about you, sir?

You can bet your life on the fact that I’m touching myself.

That got you hotter, wetter. More desperate. Want me there, don’t you? I want you here.

im close. keep telling me what ur gonna do

You want to know what I’d do to you if I had you in my bed? I’d strip you, peel away every scrap of clothing you had on, until I could see every inch of your skin, until I can mark out every blemish with bite marks.

I’d bite your nipples, soothe them with my tongue, and then I’d bite them harder. Harder until you’re screaming, and I won’t know if it’s in pain or pleasure. Maybe I’d make them bleed. All depends on whether or not you were a good girl.

It would have got you wet, you’d be dripping all over my sheets. Your cunt would be throbbing it’d be so desperate for me. I’d treat it to a lick, lave my tongue over your clit, edging you towards your orgasm. When you’re right there I’d slide a finger in, tease you from the inside, and give you the best orgasm of your life.

And then I’d do it all over again.

holy fuck. oh fuck, i just came so hard.

fucking what?

i literally messaged you to ask if you wanted to grab a hot chocolate or something or see if you were available for a date or something. pre-dorian’s party.

And instead, you got this, huh? Regretting it, yet?

that was arguably the best orgasm i’ve ever had—and we’re in different postcodes. so, no. and i don’t think i’ll ever regret this.

And I’d love to grab a drink with you.

[5sosfanfictioncatalogue]

Luke/Ashton (2) Masterlist

part one

can't find the sound under my tongue (ao3) - lifewasradical M, 13k

Summary: One year, nine months, eighteen days. Luke and Ashton have been attached at the hip for one year, nine months, and eighteen days. Six hundred, fifty six days. Almost twenty two months. One could argue that no, it’s actually been months and years longer than that; but officially, their time together is bound by a date, one solid time where they said yeah, this is it. Despite being this far into a relationship, one punctuated by extended time on the road, living so intertwined, they still don’t live together.

Or, Ashton refuses to move in with Luke. Alternately, a fic inspired by black butterflies and deja vu

Cards Are Dealt - @ashtcnirwin (elivigar) E, 100k

Summary: “You wanna… date me?” he asks eventually, when the silence is starting to feel loaded. “I don’t date and even if I did, I definitely wouldn’t be interested in dating you. I’d say no offense, but… full fucking offense.”

Ashton snorts. “Don’t flatter yourself, pumpkin, I have no interest in dating you either. Actually, the thought alone is exhausting and a little nauseating.”

Clenching his jaw, Luke grinds his teeth and shakes his head. “Then what do you want from me?”

“Sex. I already said that.”

A story about wants and expectations branching out and evolving without the knowledge or consent of those they belong to.

Christmas Tree Farm (ao3) - no_clue_who T, 14k

Summary: Ashton walked into the apartment to see Luke pacing around the room, phone on his ear. Ashton waved to him as he slowly closed the door, he watched Luke climb up onto the couch and onto their coffee table. He put his bag down, and took off his coat and scarf, trying to ignore Luke’s conversation with his family.

“Yes mom, I’m going home,” Luke said, stepping down onto the floor again, “Ben and Jack won't have to do everything-” Luke waved to Ashton once he saw him, “Yes mom, I won’t leave them alone to do anything. No, he, he isn’t sick, I won't have to take care of him.”

Ashton walked into their kitchen and grabbed something, trying to remember who Luke would have taken care of. He turned around and saw Luke back on the table, one hand gesturing wildly.

“No mom I can’t,” Luke stopped talking and looked at Ashton, “He might be going away!”

Come Thru (ao3) - bitchnluke E, 10k

Summary: Luke was used to being a playboy bunny, and he loved the pampered life of a playboy bunny. So yeah, you could say he was a spoilt brat. One day, his daddy tells him he is no longer his daddy, and that he has a new one. That his new daddy was the CEO of playboy bunny, which happened to be the owners nephew, Ashton Irwin. His old daddy tells him to go make Ashton loosen up and have fun.

flowers in your hair (boys can't be pretty) (ao3) - prettyluke (parting_ways) N/R, 71k

Summary: Ashton has been in love with the pretty boy next door since he was seven. Luke has called Ashton home since he was five. They grew up with the daisy field behind their houses, but nobody told them that they couldn't love anywhere else.

home is wherever you are tonight (ao3) - lifewasradical M, 72k

Summary: Life has become so mundane in the past few years that there’s very little that sends a thrill up Luke’s spine anymore. It’s that idea that had him saying yes to the idea of moving out here for a few weeks anyways: the knowledge that this was a completely new place where no one knew his name. He could be anyone he wanted to be here, within reason. He wouldn’t be seeing any of these people again after May, so what’s the harm in becoming a new person for a bit? Someone not so bogged down by the shit in their head that they can’t get out of bed some mornings. Maybe this is a step in the direction of the person Luke wants to be in the future anyways.

Or, Luke inherits a beach house on a tiny coastal island that needs some work. He didn’t plan on falling in love with the guy at the hardware store.

I Bet You Think About Me (ao3) - warmstableplace M, 5k

Summary: After divorcing his husband of nearly five years, Luke is single for the first time since he was eighteen. To celebrate his divorce being finalized, his best friend Michael takes him out to a bar where he gets drunk and spills everything to a cute stranger. Awkwardness ensues. Luke learns how to heal.

If Walls Could Talk (ao3) - boomerluke M, 43k

Summary: "Ashton, when a person tells you that you hurt them you don't get to decide that you didn't."

Or the one where Luke and Ashton are friends with benefits, but Luke wants more and Ashton isn't gay.

morphine lover, make me numb (ao3) - swiefts E, 15k

Summary: He knew what the ancients said about the butterflies but right now there were planets colliding with one another inside his stomach, inevitably exploding. Feeding him with irrevocable lust. Crushing his bones and stealing his oxygen.

That’s what Luke does to him.

Maybe Ashton’s not a derailed comet. Maybe he’s a fucking shooting star, because he was falling. Falling for Luke.

Or the one where Luke is maybe more than just Ashton's fuck buddy. And Ashton may be falling for him.

Risky Risqué - @daydadahlias (cornflowerblue (daydadahlias)) E, 22k

Summary: It's only his freshman year in college and Luke is having too many problems. One, he can barely afford to feed himself. Two, the junior in the dorm next door has way too pretty hazel eyes and keeps offering to make him dinner.

Or, the one where Luke needs a job to pay his tuition and ends up getting one as a phone sex operator.

Shameless (ao3) - HeartnArrow N/R, 39k

Summary: Luke is captain of the hockey team, one of the most popular guys in school along with calum hood, came out as gay last year. ashton is a nerd who gets straight a’s and has yet to have his first kiss at the age of 17. michael is his best friend who isn't really a nerd but has known ashton since preschool. ashton has always watched luke from afar, admiring him at the hockey games and in the hallways. he’s had a crush on him since freshman year but luke doesn't even know his name.

or Luke was looking for a fuck buddy while Ashton was looking for love.

Souvenir (ao3) - Honeyedlashton E, 43k

Summary: In the close-knit town of Brightwich, New York, everyone follows the same morning routine every day. Wake up, wave to the neighbor, and maybe grab breakfast at the town’s favorite diner. But today it’s different. Today, The preacher’s son, Luke, discovers a something new. Today there’s a stranger in town.

But when he actually talks to Ashton, Luke sees more companionship in this James-Dean-wannabe than what everyone else would probably like. And when trying to get Ashton in touch with the joy of familiarity in the little town’s everyday life, Luke starts to enjoy the promise of adventure and mystery surrounding Ashton a little more than he ought.

spread your wings for me (ao3) - cashcakeplz N/R, 32k

Summary: Or the one where Ashton likes to watch Luke pray, and Luke is more than happy to serve the bad boy of the school.

starboy (ao3) - orphan_account E, 79k

Summary: Ashton is quite miserable, so when his friends take him on vacation to cure him of his sorrows, the universe sends him a star made of innocence that is meant to be ruined.

Tie That Binds - @ashtcnirwin (elivigar) E, 98k

Summary: In which Luke wants to explore miscellaneous kinks and Ashton strikes him as a good candidate to do said exploring with with.

Tis' The Damn Season (ao3) - beendreaminglikeafool E, 13k

Summary: Luke felt he was walking on a wire that got thinner and weaker the longer he tried to balance himself, only to be pulled down by heavy gravity and land on the cold ground with nothing but wounds that never healed, no matter how long he tried or waited.

The passage of time was all a haze of bright lights and blurry colors but Luke just accepted it, all he was was an ash from the fire that burned too bright.

or: Luke decides to spent the holidays with Calum and Michael while trying to get over Ashton.

when did the diamonds leave your bones (ao3) - orphan_account E, 41k

Summary: It should be embarrassing, the way Ashton’s looking at him right now, but it’s much better than the last one he gave him; one of pure hurt, like he could never be forgiven for what he’d done. If Ashton still hates him—if he ever did, and Luke suspects he might have—he’s at the very least not letting it show.

“Do you want—something?” Luke asks, gesturing behind himself towards the kitchen, but he’s not entirely sure if that’s what he’s asking.

“Can I stay here for a few days?”

(or, eighteen months into an indefinite hiatus, Ashton shows up on Luke's doorstep and moves into his spare room.)

Where the Heart Is (ao3) - LyricalPary (hoseoky) E, 86k

Summary: By the time that Ashton Irwin is twenty-seven years old, he's already a widower and a father of three. After his third nanny quits on him, he comes to the conclusion that life in general doesn't seem to like him very much—that is, until his luck turns around when he discovers a particular nanny by the name of Luke H.

The question now is, can a twenty-two year old man with mile-long legs and a smile made of gold really be the super nanny that Ashton needs?

Perhaps so.

White Noise (ao3) - merlypops E, 7k

Summary: Luke and Ashton have massive crushes on each other, Ashton throws a party, and all of Luke's dreams come true. (Maybe they're a tiny bit in love too. Maybe.)

[ttpwtm]

MY FAV LARRY STYLINSON FANFICS FROM AO3

1. Unbelievers

It’s Louis’ senior year, and he’s dead set on doing it right. However, along with his pair of cleats, a healthy dose of sarcasm and his ridiculous best friend, he’s also got a complicated family, a terrifyingly uncertain future, and a mortal enemy making his life just that much worse. Mortal enemies “with benefits” was not exactly the plan.

Or: The one where Louis and Harry definitely aren’t friends, and football is everything.

2. Flightless Bird

AU where Louis Tomlinson is a principal dancer with The Royal Ballet. When his rival from ballet school, moody dance prodigy Harry Styles joins the company, old wounds are reopened and old passions reignited. During the company's production of Swan Lake the secret that doomed their love is finally revealed, but will it be too late?

3. Baby heavens in your eyes

They couldn’t be more different if they tried. Louis Tomlinson is 17 years old and in his last year of the most prestigious private school in Doncaster. If there’s one thing that completely annoys him, it’s that there is a poor community college right across the street.

Harry Styles is 19 years old, and (once again) in his last year of college. He goes to community college in Doncaster. He never shows up to classes and if he actually bothers to, he’s either high or drunk; sometimes both. His skin is littered with tattoos and if there’s one thing he absolutely hates, it’s the snobby students attending the private school right across from his.

Or a sixth form!AU where Harry is the fucked up bad boy with too many problems, Louis is the perfect rich boy with too much money and their schools are right across from each other. They meet at a party and that’s the last (and maybe the only) thing they need.

4. Take me to church

Louis is the new kid at school in Bible Belt, USA, who is fascinated by the quiet kid that seems to be an outcast. It takes everything in his arsenal to break the walls of Harry Styles down. Harry has a troubled past that has lead him to go against everything Louis thought he believed. Louis sees something brokenly beautiful in Harry, and Harry finds the stability he has longed for in Louis. After many conversations, Louis makes a confession that could cost them everything.

5. Young & Beautiful

Louis, to his horror, attends an elitist university in which the name Zayn Malik means something, Niall Horan doesn't stop talking, there are pianos everywhere, and Harry Styles, only son of a drug-addled, clinically insane ex-rocker, has a perfect smile and empty eyes.

6. Tired tired sea

As a B&B owner on the most remote of all the British Isles, Louis Tomlinson is used to spending the coldest half of the year in complete isolation, with his dog and the sea as sole companions. Until, one day, a mysterious stranger on a quest to rebuild himself rents a room for the winter.

7. Wear it like a crown

AU. As part of a team of fixers hired to handle a gay scandal in Buckingham Palace, Louis expects Prince Harry to be a lot of things—most notably a royally spoilt brat. Never mind that the very same Prince Harry used to star in quite a number of Louis' teenage fantasies.

8. Escapade

In the grand scheme of things, finding a date for a wedding should be no problem for Louis Tomlinson. He's rich. He's handsome. He's reasonably well behaved. But when the wedding is for his lifelong best friend (and former boyfriend), and is happening in under a month, finding a date for the ceremony and accompanying festivities becomes more of an adventure than he ever could have planned for.

9. Fading

Louis knows about beauty; the combination of qualities that pleases the aesthetic senses. He creates that combination every day in the garments he designs while studying fashion at uni. The cut of the design, the color of the fabric, the intricacy of the stitching; it all comes together to create something beautiful. When the science student with the long legs and dimpled smile agrees to model for him, Louis decides he’s found beauty personified. Harry just thinks Louis needs someone to show him how beautiful he is.

10. Soft hands, fast feet, can't lose

American Uni AU. Harry Styles is a frat boy football star from the wealthy Styles Family athletic dynasty. A celebrity among football fans, he knows how to play, he knows how to party, and he knows how to fuck (all of which is well known among his legion of admirers).

Louis Tomlinson is a student and an athlete, but his similarities to Harry end there. Intelligent, focused, independent, and completely uninterested in Harry’s charms, Louis is an anomaly in a world ruled by football.

A bet about the pair, who might be more similar than they originally thought, brings them together. Shakespeare, ballet, Disney, football, library chats, running, accidental spooning, Daredevil and Domino’s Pizza all blend into one big friendship Frappucino, but who will win in the end?

11. hoping this cold blue water scrubs me clean and spits me out again

"Stay," Harry whispers desperately, pressing his lips to Louis' temple like he can somehow ease the pain that's blooming there, but he can't make the pain stop and no matter how hard he tries he can't make Louis stay.

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Angsty Smut Masterlist

Always You (ao3) - scifi

Summary: it’s phil’s wedding day but dan can’t let go

Baby we're such a fucking cliché (ao3) - jestbee

Summary: Dan hates this, the way his head spins, the way he’s panting wet heat against his best friend’s neck. Mostly, he hates how he’s a fucking cliché.

Burn and Bloom (ao3) - jilliancares

Summary: Phil’s been hiding the fact that he’s an Earthbender for ten years, ever since it’s been considered illegal when the Fire Nation invaded. And, of course, the only solution to a random Fire Nation soldier seeing him earthbending is to kidnap him, right?

Don't Make Me Your Enemy - cuddlephan

Distraction (ao3) - analester

Summary: The irony of how Dan was the one drowning in his thoughts, but being the cause of why Phil is drowning in his.

Drunken Confessions (ao3) - phan_stole_my_heart

Summary: Dan and Phil stumble into their apartment late on night and end up having sex. In the morning Phil freaks out and kicks Dan out of his bed.

hippo milk is actually pink (ao3) - deletable_bird

Summary: In Which Dan Is Drunk, Phil Is Also Drunk, They Hook Up, And Things Just Kind Of Go From There

if you like to do the things you know that we shouldn't do (ao3) - resurrectdead

Summary: Something like, Dan has the most boring uni teacher on the planet - the kind that tucks his shirt into his trousers mid-lecture and claims he's the cool guy - and everything's all bland and boring and Dan's about to fail the course and considers daily if he should just drop out to get it over with.

Enter lovely teacher trainee.

Or: When first year law student Dan meets Mr. Lester.

If You Never Shoot, You'll Never Know (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Phil sits next to him when it's all said and done, and he looks disheveled with his hands coated in blood. He hasn't washed them yet. Dan doesn't ask him to, just leans into him, or it might be the other way around. Maybe it's a mutual thing. Maybe they're both holding each other up, sitting tall in the middle of all this chaos.

Maybe they are Gods.

i thought of angels (ao3) - deletable_bird

Summary: Angst/smut | 10.4k

One More Time With You (ao3) - Emejig16

Summary: Dan and Phil are both popular pornstars that are famous for their own specialties: Dan for being one of the biggest size queens out there and Phil for his monster cock. When the two of them finally get to film together, they easily form one of the hottest and most natural pornstar duos ever put together. As the two of them start to film more stuff together and get to know one another better, they quickly learn that their professions put a strain on their relationship, yet somehow they find a way to stick together through all of the ups and downs.

Poison (ao3) - developerdaniel

Summary: Phil followed closely behind, his hips faltering slightly as the initial wave crashed into him. A moan he couldn't hold back slipped from his lips as he pressed his head back against the pillow, riding out his high inside the younger boy.

~*~*~

aka a songfic to alice cooper's Poison where dan is phil's personal poison as they suffer through a difficult time in their relationship.

Spoilt (ao3) - htmllost (orphan_account)

Summary: 2012!Phan angry hate sex. Dan's being a spoilt brat and Phil's had enough of it. He decides to punish him.

take care for me (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Its 2012, Phil's in Florida and Dan wants to apologize.

The Serotonin's Gone (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Being in love with Dan Howell is incredibly draining, and Phil's not sure he can keep up with it anymore.

-

“It’s okay,” he mumbles, running his hand through Dan’s hair. “You’re okay. Everything will be okay.”

Dan cries harder, burying his head into Phil’s neck. He won’t stop trembling, won’t stop shaking and Phil wants to take him into their bedroom and keep him there forever.

“I promise you it’s okay. I’m here. I’ll protect you.”

Dan falls asleep with tears streaming down his face.

To Love You (ao3) - A_Million_Regrets

Summary: Dan is a rent boy, a male prostitute, a cheap whore, another slut for hire . . . He's heard many more derogatory terms used against him in pointless arguments, regardless of whether it be with friends, family or a random stranger in a dingy pub. He's ashamed of who he's become, but he never says it out loud. He hides things, things like his shame, his pain, and the fact that he's helplessly in love with his bestfriend, Phil Lester.

We'll Be Okay (ao3) - analester

Summary: the fic where 2012!phil is struggling with dealing with the way 2012!dan’s treating him, and 2017!dan comes and comforts him

Worse Than Nicotine (ao3) - developerdaniel

Summary: And just like every night before, Dan caved. He set the last dish in the drying rack and turned to face Phil, wasting no time to drop to his knees right in front of Phil, his fingers expertly undoing Phil's unusually tight skinny jeans and pulling them down with his boxers, leaving them to fall while his fingers deftly wrapped their way around Phil's cock, stroking him to complete hardness with a hunger burning behind his eyes. ~ aka where (punk) dan and phil are in a kind of toxic friends with benefits situation and though they both know it's toxic they don't stop what they're doing, nor to they really try to fix the situation, they just blow each other's brains outs to satisfy the problem for the night.

You push all my buttons down. (I know life would suck without you) (ao3) - sinking_wthatship

Summary: Dan and Phil are together, but they have a fight. They don’t speak (only to argue), and have to film a video together. They act civil and what not but it is obvious that they aren’t as close. After the filming, there is a lot of sexual tension, so Phil kisses Dan and it ends up as angry/make-up sex.

(TW) You'll Be Okay (ao3) - rainbowchristy

Summary: Dan and Phil had a great sex life. They explored every kink they could think of and while they didn't enjoy all of them, rape-play was one of their favourites. However, after Dan is actually raped, Phil's next attempt has a different ending to usual.

[izupie]

I got tagged in this like a bazillion years ago but I only just now remembered about it aaaa - thank you for tagging me @microsuedemouse I do love answering these sorts of things <3

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

1. three ships: ok here we go

Destiel (Dean/Castiel) - don't boo me I'm right - it's the angel/hunter frenemies to friends to lovers pipeline. theyre cute theyre messy theyre besties theyre fighting theyre risking it all to save each other again. *chefs kiss*

Albether (Albedo/Aether) - boyfriends with secrets and emotional scars find comfort in each other. the quiet one with the bubbly one dynamic. plus they just look cute together im sorry

Izuocha (Izuku/Ochako) - pure fluff. supportive and adorable. theyre uncomplicated to me and make me smile

---

2. first ship ever: oooooh !! let me cast my mind back.... back...... oh no why is this so far back........ okay!

The first time I can remember wanting two characters to be together is probably when I was a teeny tiny Izupie watching Sailor Moon while I was in primary school, maybe year 3/4 I think? (UK school system - I have no idea what the equivalent would be in the US) (I could google it) (but I don't wanna)

I was obsessed with Sailor Moon every morning on tv. I watched the dub though - back when I had no idea these things were even dubbed over at all. I loooooved Serena and Darien - I'm sorry I know their dub names can give people hives, but I have so many fond memories of them I'll love them even if nobody else does asdfghjk

the whole he's really secretly tuxedo mask thing broke my tiny little mind and I was like gaaasssppp ! and I wanted them to be together even more - their initial I like you/you annoy me dynamic probably informed a lot of my ship preferences going forward

Every time there was an episode focusing on their relationship I would get so invested. they were my first real 'ship' for sure

3. currently listening: I'm not really listening to any particular music rn - I listen to the radio a lot though! Just a popular music station that plays all the latest hits

---

4. Last movie: I can't believe this is legit going to be Tinkerbell and the Secret of the Wings lmaoooo - it's a comfort film and I needed some cheering up after a long hard day at work last week, so I booted up disney plus and on it went. Literally the lowest stakes you can imagine, just lots of pretty visuals, sparkly wings, fairies, upbeat pop songs and a happy ending. ultimate comfort film.

---

5. currently reading: soooooo much fanfiction. so. much. fanfiction. a shameful amount of fanfiction. but it's sooooooo good.

Destiel has the most fics on AO3 guys. there is so much to choose from. it's glorious. if you can think of ANY trope you enjoy there will be pages of fics for it. I am so spoilt for choice and I'm having so much fun with it

---

6. currently watching: *looks at the screen like I'm in The Office*

SUPERNATU*gunshot noises*

---

7. currently consuming: nothing right now but I'm hungry and I'm going to make some dinner soon. I've been snacking on a lot of the chocolate I got for christmas recently ahaaaa

---

8. currently craving: a hug. which is bizarre because I would describe myself as not-a-huggy-person but I had a dream that I hugged someone the other night and I woke up like. I WANT A HUG. but like. not just a hug. I want a HUG. rib crushingly tight with an even tighter squeeze thrown in there. chins over shoulders. noses in necks. closed eyes. breathe deep. step apart but still holding on. That's a HUG. that's what I want.

Universe - get on that please.

---

here's the Tagging part, but I'm not sure I want to tag anyone at the moment - so this is a ~free tag~ to anyone reading this that just wants to answer some fun questions! yes, you there!

[donutloverxo]

Vanilla

Kinktober day 21 - Vanilla

Please note that my work is not to be reposted or published anywhere other than my Tumblr or AO3 account without my permission. Reblogs are most welcome though!

Note - @stargazingfangirl18 asked for soft ransom! Thanks @sweater-daddiesdumbdork and @whateveriwant for their advice! Also for @finleyjayne 's rainbow writing challenge with the prompt 'white lie'. Hope y'all like it💖

Dividers by @whimsicalrogers

Summary - When you find out Ransom's been lying, you can't help but assume the worst.

Warnings - 18+ only please!, smut (m/f), ooc Ransom.

Pairing - Ransom Drysdale x reader

Word count - 2k

Masterlist is linked in the bio!

You sighed as a tear rolled down your cheek, looking at an old photo strip of you and Ransom. You had taken it in a photo booth at the fall fair, he was reluctant, calling them dumb and cheesy but he gave in when you gave him your puppy eyes.

He looked stoic in the first two, with you perched up on his lap, your arms around his neck but then he was laughing boisterously because you started tickling you. The last one was of him biting your neck as revenge.

Happy times. But they seem to be taunting you now.

Your family, even your friends, weren’t huge fans of Ransom. Your mother was actually scared he’d hit you or hurt you. But they didn’t know him like you did.

He was never cruel to you. Not even when he didn’t know you and had nothing to gain from being nice to you. Surprisingly, he was quite the gentlemen, holding the door for you, paying for your meals, even waiting for over a month before making love - you knew then you could never let go of him, no one would ever give it to you like him.

He did tend to be a bit judgmental and cynical, entitled and maybe a bit spoilt. But you accepted that as a part of him, encouraging him to work on himself. Sure, he’ll never be everyone's cup of tea, but he’d always be yours.

Or so you thought.

Dealing with Ransom required some finesse and patience that you were willing to put up because it was worth it. But you’d never put up with lies, or worse... that’s not who you were.

Ransom had told you he was going to meet up with his published to talk about his new project. Your gut told you that something was wrong. When he was late you took it upon yourself to call the publishing house only to find out he didn’t have a meeting today at all.

He didn’t have one that Sunday either, where he was for over four hours you didn’t know.

You let out a humorless chuckle at your own naiveté - who the fuck has a meeting on the weekend anyway?

You only saw what your heart wanted to show you. Maybe, he never loved you. Maybe everything you both shared for the past two years was a lie - an act.

You yelped a bit when you heard the door being slammed shut, putting the photo down you quickly composed yourself.

“Hey, babe,” he greeted you, kissing the top of your head before scavenging for a beer in your fridge.

“Hey,” your voice hoarse and croaky, you cleared your throat, “how was your meeting?” you spat. Unable to keep the contempt from your voice.

“So and so. They don’t know shit,” he twisted the cap off before he taking a long drag of it.

You gulped when you looked at his pale throat bobbing and swallowing the liquid down. He took his coat off, throwing it over the counter.

You watched his muscles flex under his tight sweater, his curious eyes watching you, your traitorous body still found him attractive. Which he was, objectively so, some might even argue that he was out of your league and not the other way around.

“Like what you see, doll?” he smirked, catching you staring at him. He stood before you, holding onto your hips.

You blinked, pushing him away and putting some distance between you, “I want to know more about the meeting.” you insisted.

“What the hell are you going on about?” He ran a hand through his perfectly groomed hair - messing it up. You knew it was a nervous tick of his.

“You know damn well what I’m talking about! You weren’t at any meeting were you? You were probably with some bitch,” you yelled, jabbing him in his chest with your finger, “No,” you laughed, “Wasn’t her fault. She’s not the one cheating. I should’ve known better.” you shook your head, “Everybody warned me.”

He had the audacity to roll his eyes, “God, you women - ”

“Shut the fuck up, Ransom. Now is not the time for your boring jokes. Where were you?”

“Why would you jump to the worse conclusion?!” he yelled back, his face turning red and a couple of veins popping on his forehead. “Do I not get benefit the doubt? Don’t you trust me?”

He walked towards you, making you take a few steps back until you hit the counter, tall and imposing above you. His jaw clenched shut as he stared you down.

You gulped, “I did trust you. But what explanation could you possibly have? You lied, didn’t you? Where were you?”

You watched him as he dug through his discarded coat, taking out a box and handing it to you. You knew what it was as soon as you saw it, the familiar burgundy color with the words ‘cartier’ written on top in golden cursive.

“I’m sorry,” you choked, your heart clenched in guilt. You accused him of the worst when he was just out getting you jewellery. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, I’m sorry.”

“Bit to late to be sorry when you already said your part.” he gritted.

“Sorry,” you gave him a nervous smile, “I really don’t deserve this, I don’t know what to say...”

“I was with Meg, since she’s the only girl I know, who’d be of any use. She just gave a lecture about how buying diamonds is so unethical or something, I don’t know I tuned out,” he shuddered at just the thought of it, “So, it’s not final. We can exchange it if you don’t like it,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

You frowned, “Why would I need to exchange it? I’m sure it’s very pretty,” you opened the box and gasped, your jaw dropping, “Ransom... this is...” the most beautiful diamond ring you’ve ever seen. “Wait a minute, does that mean..”

“Yep,” he snatched it away from you, taking the ring out of it and then sliding it on your ring finger, “I was going to go the whole nine yards. Get down on a knee, act like a fucking Disney Prince but you don’t get that now,” he smirked, the diamond looking so pretty on your hand. “You’re stuck with me, forever.”

“Well, I’m sad that I missed out on a proper proposal but I suppose I deserve it. It really is so pretty,” you beamed at the ring.

“Don’t you dare take it off.” He held onto your hand possessively. Glad to have some sort of claim on you now that would let any unworthy asshole know that you’re taken.

You giggled, placing a quick smooch on his lips, “I won’t. I’ll protect it with my life,” holding the hand close to your heart. “I’m still so sorry. I should’ve known better.”

“That’s right, you should’ve.” he grumbled

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes. He’d have no problem assuming the worst if the roles were reversed. “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?” Jutting your lower lip out and looking at him with your big doe eyes.

Pulling you by your waist and holding you tightly against him, “I can think of a couple of things, pumpkin.”

He captured your lips in a salacious kiss that was all teeth and tongue, running his thumb over the diamond.

***

“Look so pretty with your mouth stuffed, pumpkin,” he praised, choking on a moan, pushing your hot, eager mouth further down on his length.

You let out a muffled whimper, relaxing your throat so you could take all of him. Which was quite a task but you powered through, swallowing him down until your nose touched the brown patch of hair above his length.

He let out a loud, primal moan, holding onto your head and trying his best not to bust his load too soon. He pulled you off of him, getting off of the mattress, putting his hands below your arms and hauling you up and pushing you down on it. It was always fun to manhandle you like that, what with you being so small and plaint. Always ready to serve him and let him have his way with you.

You blinked up at him with unsure eyes, almost wanting to cover yourself from his predatory gaze. “St - stop looking at me like that.”

He chuckled, “You’re mine now. I’ll look at you however I like.”

He knelt on the floor, pulling you till you were on the edge of the bed, nudging your intimate lips apart with his nose. He took a long breath in, your unique scent never failed to make him hot.

Placing a flurry of kisses up and down your inner thighs, giving your a nick and a bite here and there till you were going crazy with need. Need to have his mouth on you.

“Please, Ransom,” you sniffled exaggeratedly, “Just want your mouth on me.”

“You’ve got no patience, doll.” Which was rich, coming from him.

He shook his head, teasing your entrance with his tongue. Before finally, wrapping his mouth around your bundle of nerves, sucking at it leisurely.

You pulled at his hair, pushing him closer to your heat because you needed more.

He took the hint, plunging two fingers inside you, pumping them in and out till he felt you clamping down on them. He pulled right away when he felt you getting too close to your climax.

No, he needed to look at your face as you fell apart with him.

Ignoring your whines and curses he hovered above you, pushing his tip against your entrance, coating it with your juices.

You were out of it, barely there with him, your hands loosely holding onto his broad shoulders, “I love you,” you murmured and then yelped, your eyes scrunched shut as he thursted his entire length inside you. Your nails digging into his biceps and drawing blood.

There was that delicious familiar ache at first, but you willed yourself to ride through it. It’ll feel good in no time. Except.... he didn’t move.

You opened your eyes and looked up at him to see him staring at you. You called out his name, caressing his cheek.

“Say it again,” he panted.

“Say what?” you yelped again as he lifted your hips up, his tip brushing against your spongy spot, “Oh.. uh... I love you.” you repeated.

He stayed still for a moment or longer. Still not used to hearing those words, especially said so sincerely by you. They often caught him off guard and overwhelmed him.

His hips bucked into yours as he started thrusting into you properly, his fingers digging into your hips.

You pulled him down and pressed your lips to his, swirling your tongue against his, spilling your moans in his mouths, only pulling away when you could barely breath. He did have a way of always leaving you breathless.

Propping himself on his elbows, he watched you writhe under him, your face scrunching up in untethered pleasure as you kept asking him for more. It's where you belonged, wrapped up around him. And your cavern was his rightful place, especially now that you'll be married.

“You’ve always been a, tight little thing. Squeezing the shit outta me,” he grunted as you pulsed and fluttered around him your body seized up and fell back.

He kept driving his hips into you, riding out your orgasm till ropes of his seed coated your walls, he didn’t let up till he was sure he gave you every last drop of him.

He collapsed on top of you, nipping at the shell of your ear, “Again,” he pleaded, his voice wavering with his cock softening inside you.

“I love you, baby, more than you’ll ever know,” you said, cradling his head close to you.

He hummed, pulling himself out of you, laying beside you, he admired your ring as you struggled to stay away, your eyes already dozing off.

He was proud to have bought it with his own hard earned money with the book you inspired him to write, it was sort of poetic in a way. But you didn’t need to know that or you’d accuse him of going soft for you - which to be fair he was. As his mother always says every marriage has its secrets.

Tags will be in the reblog!

Comments and reblogs are really appreciated! ❤❤

[the-glacian]

The One With No Reason

(written for the December Event on the 30+ Fanfic discord server)

There might be a reason why Noctis moogle-searches the recipe for Ignis’s favourite pastry which takes him almost a day and eight spoilt batches to pull off. Why he then disguises his creations inside an old box from the best bakery in Insomnia to throw Ignis off before sweeping by the Citadel’s offices where Ignis has been held hostage lately. 

There might be none.

The box, casually presented in Ignis’s field of vision, instantly snatches his attention. “Are those by any chance the scones with mocha filling?” Ignis asks, a tiny smile pinching one corner of his mouth.

“Yes, Specs,” Noctis chuckles as he casually slides them closer to Ignis, “in case the label of your favourite bakery didn’t clue you in. And before you tell me I didn’t have to , I decided that hard labour should be rewarded with a treat.”

“Is it some royal decree you consider issuing when you become King, Noct?”

It’s Noctis’s turn to stifle a smile. “Maybe? One that extends only to you.”

“You still didn’t have to,” Ignis says with an affectation of nonchalance Noctis wouldn’t fall for in a million years, “but I wouldn’t turn down a mocha scone.” With how eagerly he disposes of his pencil to pick up his empty mug before shooting for the cupboard, dispels the last shreds of doubts if Noctis had any to begin with. “I’m sorry I can’t offer you anything fancier than a black coffee,” Ignis adds guiltily, jutting his chin towards the coffee maker, “but I’d be delighted if you kept me company?”

Stacking the papers in neatly arranged piles to free some space for their picnic, Noctis frowns up at him. “Of course, I will. I’ve barely seen you lately.”

“You saw me this morning.”

“Yeah,” Noctis laughs as he watches his friend rummage for Noctis’s mug. “If you call ‘letting me know that Gladio would be driving me today because you have an early meeting before rushing out the door’ seeing you, then I guess I did.”

Having retrieved it, Ignis sets the mug on the tray. “I’m sorry, Noct,” Ignis tells him, his expression contrite. “If it were up to me, you know I’d rather—”

“No, I’m sorry, Specs,” Noctis cuts him off as he mentally slaps himself for the unwitting depreciation of everything his friend does. Because it’s not how Noctis regards it. After the rough patch they went through some years ago, he’d hate to miscommunicate his motives again. “That came out the wrong way. I’d never hold your absence against you, I need you to know that. What I meant was… I miss spending time with you.” He gusts out a relieved breath when he notices Ignis’s posture relaxing. “I miss you .”

“I miss you too, Noct.” When Ignis fully turns around to look at him, there’s a familiar homeliness to him once more Noctis wants to capture and never let go. “Oh… And thank you for a treat from the bakery that closed weeks ago.”

(also on ao3)

>>> Part 1 of Polaris - The One With A Promise <<<

>>> Part 2 of Polaris - The One With Antics <<<

[longlivefeedback]

hi, how are you? hope you are doing fine.

i'm struggling. i know writing in any other language other than english hits different on Ao3.

but,

i wrote my first longfic for this fest hosted on a facebook group. i always thought i was uncapable of writing a plotty story (mi longest fic was 6k... this one is more than 90) so this motivated me to prove me wrong. and yes i enjoyed the process, but it was really hard work, it consumed 3 months of my life and by that i mean i couldn't think about anything else, sometimes i would think it was a huge pile of garbage and i was wasting my time. but i kept going.

and then the day came, the fic dropped, and i like how the story turned out to be! it has a every element i enjoy reading. my beta helped me a lot with critique. i was very careful with grammar and spelling. i think it's sexy, original, funny, meaningful.... i was proud to post it.

so i read it and i think: fuck. what am i missing here? what am i not seeing? why no one likes my writing? is it really that bad?

i tend to think people on this fandom hold hands with "oldies" and give their back to people like me, that just started posting. but maybe i'm creating this fake image to 'cope' with it lol.

i try not to think about it and not even opening my email because i'm too sensitive to find nothing. nothing. all the time. but i found your blog and thought maybe i would share it. fuck, i cry as i write this lfmaooooo fuckkkkkkklkkk

😢 I'm so sorry, Anon. *gives you a hug and holds you*

Your situation is a rough one to be in and my heart goes out to you.

Before I talk about the feedback on your fic, can I just say what an amazing job you've done as a writer??!

To put things into perspective:

This is your first longfic! 😱 🎉🎊💐 That is amazing and a feat in itself!! Give yourself a huge pat on the back and you can cross that off your bucket list!

You wrote 90k words in 3 months. Writing 90k of anything is hard as it is, and you did it. In 3 months. For context, NaNoWriMo has a word count goal of 50k words in a month. Crucially: "Word count is the only measure of "success" on Nanowrimo; quality is irrelevant." You not only wrote all those words, you also edited your story and polished it in the space of three months. That's a superhuman effort and you should be proud!

You kept going even though you had self-doubt. That's incredibly resilient of you and shows an incredible amount of hard word, determination, and self-discipline. Do not discount the value of finishing something. Something is better than nothing. Perfection is a myth. You finished the fic and it is art and it exists. That is amazing. And you did that.

Anon, I just want to take a moment to appreciate what you did. Breathe and give yourself a pat on the back. Congratulations! You did it!

Okay. Now to address your main concern in your ask: I'm sorry you feel unsupported in your journey thus far.

Especially if you're new to posting, having expectations about the level of support you will receive for your work and to have reality not meet them is devastating.

I don't know why it seems like no one is reading and responding to your work. Every writer who has posted for fandom has probably asked themselves the same questions that you're asking now. None of us have the answer. Writing and marketing are two different skills. Quality does not equal popularity/visibility.

However, here are a few things to consider to help 'explain' away the lack of feedback you've received. They may or may not be helpful:

Was all the fic posted all at once or over a short span of time? Lots of fics at one time (ala big bang style) can be overwhelming for readers. Fics get lost in the shuffle. Readers can only read one fic at a time and it may be that readership is spoilt for choice and yours is the unlucky one that didn't get read :(.

Relatedly, 90K is a lot of words. Some readers may be intimidated. Some may be saving yours for last! If all fics for your event are 90K+, it will take time for readers to make it through any one fic. However, I know that hope can be a double-edged sword. If you need to step away from the emails for your mental health, do that. Turn off email notifications for emails. Don't check your AO3 inbox. The comments will be there when you're ready to come back. And if they are still not there, at least you've had a few days break from the agony of anticipation.

Are there other sites you can post your work to? The way you wrote the opening of your ask indicates that your fic wasn't written in English (apologies if I misinterpreted this!) I believe that most of AO3's readers look for fics in English, so if there are alternative sites that are more popular for fics in a certain language, can you post to them? Maybe you will have more luck with say a fic written in Italian at a site where the readership is mostly looking for Italian fics?

What does your beta think? Your beta seems to have helped you a lot through the process. Hopefully you've built up enough of a rapport with them that you feel comfortable speaking to them about this. This is obviously weighing on you a lot and having someone to support you, even if it's just 1 person, can make a world of difference. So, have you spoken to them about your disappointment? If they're also from the fandom, do they have a perspective that they can offer to help bear this burden? If not them, is there someone else familiar with your situation that you trust enough to speak to that can support you?

Have you talked to mods/fellow writers in your event about it? Chances are that you are not the only writer facing this. Maybe you can read and give feedback on each other's work? If mods are open to feedback for their event, maybe raise this as a concern to them? This has obviously been a very discouraging experience for you, and if the point of the event was to nurture/encourage participation in your fandom, this is having the opposite effect. At the very least, at least you've said your piece and hopefully it will bring you some closure on this. In a better outcome, maybe there's something mods can do to help you promote your work?

As an aside, I did not quite understand this part of your ask:

i tend to think people on this fandom hold hands with "oldies" and give their back to people like me, that just started posting. but maybe i'm creating this fake image to 'cope' with it lol.

Does this mean that there's an "in" group with older fans who are very exclusive and make it hard for newer fans to feel included and part of the fandom? Or the opposite where older fans are very inclusive and "have the backs" i.e. support newer fans a lot? Apologies for not quite following your meaning here.

All that been said though, none of this really helps give you what you really crave the most for. So. Fuck it. Find your favourite phrase or paragraph that you wrote in this fic. Send it in. I'll give you feedback on it :)

You're doing amazing Anon. I'm so proud of you.

[gumnut-logic]

Fanfiction 21 Q&A Tag Game

Many thanks to @cg29  and @onereyofstarlight for the tags ::hugs::

1. What fandoms have you written for?

According to FF.net: Stargate SG-1, Knight Rider, Farscape, Stargate Atlantis, Supernatural, Star Trek: The Original Series, Angel and Thunderbirds.

2. How many works do you have on Ao3 &/or FFNet?

Ao3: 214 (210 Thunderbirds)

FF.net: 235­­­­­ (178 Thunderbirds)

3. What are your top 3 fics by kudos on A03 &/or favs on FFNet?

Ao3 Kudos:

Gumnut’s Thunderbirds Ficlet Collection (161)

Who do You Save, John? (107)

Dirt (106)

FFNet Favs:

The Asgard Sequence (SG-1) (150) – this fic is 17 years old

Spectator (ST:TOS) (73)

The Empty Chessboard (ST:TOS) (50)

Highest Thunderbirds fic is A Good Day (36)

4.  Which 3 fics have the least kudos & favs?

Ao3:

Tactics (4)

To Raise Havoc (5)

Gumnut’s were!Virgil AU ficlets (6)

FFNet:

Gumnut’s Angel Ficlet collection (0)

Gumnut’s Supernatural Ficlet Collection (0)

Stars (SG-1) (0)

Lowest Thunderbirds fic is Gumnut’s wereVirgil AU ficlets (1)

5. Which Fic has the most comments and which has the least?

This stat will always be skewed by the multi-chapter fics and wonderful peeps comment on each of the chapters.

Ao3 Comment Threads:

Gumnut’s Thunderbirds Ficlet Collection (164) followed by We’ll Be Home For Christmas (79) both of which have more comments than kudos, apparently.

12 fics have 0 comments

FFNet:

The Asgard Sequence (SG-1)(133) followed by Tales of Warm Rain (105)

11 fics have 1 review, 0 have none (wow).

6. Which complete fic do you wish had gotten more attention?

I am grateful for any and all kind interaction with my fics. One thing I did eye was the difference between Callisto and Where There Be Dragons. Callisto is an experiment on my part and has received some amazing support from Thunderfam. However, I feel my writing hasn’t been as inspired (or crazy) or posted fast enough to garner and keep attention. The Steampunk AU grabbed much more attention, had zero planning, was written fast and on the fly and grabbed almost the same amount of attention. The Promotions Coordinator in me is curious about these things :D

7. Have you written any crossovers?

Only one. I wanted to put Virgil behind the wheel of Kitt from Knight Rider. Eos and Kitt were having very interesting interactions as well :D  I really Need Saving

8. What is the craziest fic you’ve written?

Um…there have been a few. From Tracy brothers dancing to Tom Jones, the time a drunk Scott and Virgil tried to save a cat from a tree, hospitalising Virgil because of Grandma’s chilli, and the time I jammed Thunderbird One in the pool, but my favourite has to be Prank War. It was so much fun. I’ve linked all the nutty fics together in a series on Ao3.

9. What’s the fic you’ve written with the saddest ending?

The saddest endings are all my WiPs! I don’t tend to do much in the way of sad endings. Sad fics, yes, endings, not so much. Having said that, I’m blaming @godsliltippy  for Leaf on the Wind.

10. What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending?

I don’t have a clue, but I am partial to the end of Dirt. I got to flex Tracy money muscle…a lot :D

11. What is your smuttiest fic?

I experimented in this arena during my Virgil/Kayo writing spree with varying success. There is about five I think in total, including the novel length Gentle Rain (which can be read without it, wasn’t planned and just happened), but I think the most successful was To Hurt Us (aka Veggie’s Shower Fic).

12. Have you ever received hate on a fic?

Very, very rarely. I did receive one review once that complained about how many unfinished fics I had – that more were unfinished than finished. This triggered me a bit as this is an ongoing problem of mine and I struggle to focus long enough to complete works. Having said that I have completed several, for me, long fics, my longest being 68,000 words. Also, as a result of that and my distressed post about it (yeah, triggered, what can I say?) I received some amazing support both on and off Tumblr. Thunderfam rocks!

13. What is the nicest comment you’ve received?

I am seriously spoilt by Thunderfam on a regular basis, there have been many comments that have lifted my spirits, inspired me and just made my day so much better. Again, Thunderfam rock!

14. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

I’m jaded, so I wouldn’t be surprised. But one thing I actually like is when some random thing I threw into a fic pops up in fanon :D

15.  How many fics do you have marked as incomplete?

I’m not counting. I refuse :P

16. Which of the WIPS will most likely be finished first?

Not looking. I can’t hear you. Lalalalalalala!

17. Which WIP are you looking forward to finishing?

All of them. Yes, I am deluded. But to start is fun, to finish is ecstasy.

18. Is there a WIP that you’re considering abandoning?

Several. I don’t have as much time as I would like. My muse is fickle and I have to learn to let go, or face muse crippling stress.

19. Which complete fic would you consider rewriting?

None. I don’t rewrite. Don’t have the patience or motivation.

20. Which complete fic is your favourite?

We’ll Be Home For Christmas for multiple reasons, but I also love V.T. Green (and want to write sequels for both)

21. What’s your total published word count?

Ao3: 1,079,768

FF.net: 1,392,681

If someone is brand new to your writing, what work would you want them to start with to get to know you, your style, what you’re all about?

My two favourite fics, maybe? Though admittedly my writing can be rather variable and inconsistent. Anyone got any suggestions which of my fics demonstrates my style?

Other answers to this tag game (because the post is massively long):

cg29, burningcowboyhoagietaco, gaviiadastra, the-original-sineater, myladykayo, janetm74, m-calculus, onereyofstarlight, godsliltippy

Tagging: @tsarinatorment @scribbles97 @the-lady-razorsharp @vegetacide

[amjustagirl]

Chapters:  one. ~ two. ~ three. ~ four. ~ five. ~ six. ~ seven.

Wordcount: 2.3k

Summary:

Akaashi Keiji catches glimpses of another life in his dream.He dreams of fields of endless gold, of constellation of stars that light up the night sky. He hears echoes of the birdsong in her laugher, the songs to the gods in the wind.

(Loosely inspired by Kimi No Nawa)

Masterlist link here 

AO3 link here

Author’s note: This fic is a little different from my usual work, so I’m a little nervous about publishing it. If you do like it, would love if you leave a comment / reblog / anything!

If you’d like to be included in the taglist, do drop me a msg/ask!

‘It’s for my mother’s birthday’, Akaashi says, and the florist tilts her head in thought, a dimple appearing on her right cheek. 

‘What about pink carnations? They’re pretty and well within your budget’.

‘Good choice – plus it means that I’ll never forget her’ he says, nodding in approval and she bustles around to gather her materials, fingers nimbly twining tissue and ribbons around the blooms. 

‘Oh - ’, he begins to say in surprise when he notices she’s included a bunch of baby’s breath in the little bouquet, because a university student’s budget only stretches that much. 

‘Don’t worry, it’s on the house’, she hastily reassures him, her curly hair bouncing as she shakes her head. ‘I just thought it’s sweet you’re buying flowers for your mother.

‘Thanks.’ He smiles at her. She grins back and promptly trips over her own feet as she hands the bouquet over to him. ‘Watch out’, he calls, reaching over the counter to grab her elbow in an attempt to steady her.

‘Sorry! That’s so clumsy of me. Um – I’ve been meaning to ask you for some time, but would you like to grab coffee with me someday?’ she asks, cheeks flushing as pink as the flowers in his arms. 

‘Oh’, he says, dumbstruck. ‘I – uh’ 

She must read the hesitation in his face because she shakes her head self-deprecatingly, saving him from floundering awkwardly. ‘Sorry! I don’t know what came over me – please forget I ever said that!’ Then she bows and ushers him out of the store, waves away his apologies with a laugh and calls after him to ‘please come again!’ 

His mother fusses over him when he presents his bouquet of carnations to her, bending down to press a kiss to her cheek. ‘Why does it look like university is treating you so badly?

‘I’m fine, mum’, he tries to distract her with a hug, but she’s having none of that. 

‘Are you really, Keiji?’, his mother asks, lips pursed. ‘I know my son well enough to know he’s not sleeping well’. 

‘I try’, he offers, but he knows his excuse falls flat when she sniffs. He’s so irredeemably busy with school work and internship that sleep is practically the last item on his list of priorities and things to do and tasks at hand, but he knows if he breathes a word about the amount of work on his plate, his mother would nag him relentlessly until she’s convinced he’s taking care of himself again

So honed by years of dealing with Bokuto-san, he switches tactics to diversion. ‘So mum, tell me how auntie managed to talk Yuji-kun into going on blind dates?’ His mum brightens and immediately turns her mind to her favourite nephew’s dismal love life. 

But his mother insists on him staying over that night, so he finds himself staring at the ceiling of his old bedroom, in a bed that suddenly feels too small for the worries that adulthood is cramming into his head. He’s patient, counting the spaces between his breaths but sleep eludes him and he sits up, determined to sneak in more work at the very least.  

He tucks a pencil behind his ear, ready to get cracking on his thesis when he tilts his seat too far on the back two legs of his chair and loses his balance, falling onto the floor with a thump. ‘Damnit’, he curses quietly, hoping the noise doesn’t startle his mother awake, but from his vantage point on the floor, he can see the omamori he inexplicably refused to throw away on New Year’s Day hanging on the bars of his windowsill. 

‘What are you doing here’, he mutters, untying the charm and running his thumb along its fraying seams. The charm obviously does not respond - it’s an inanimate object after all, but for some reason, he slips it in his pocket when he returns to the dorm when morning comes. 

The frequency of his dreams starts to increase. 

He’s back in her body, curled up under a pine tree on a cool autumn day. 

‘I can’t believe you convinced me to spend an afternoon running around like a forest nymph when we could be studying to ace your exams’.  There is a tinge of disdain in his words because he  knows  her grades are better than decent, though they’d be better if only she’d spend more time on her books instead of flower fields. 

‘Aww, a nymph? Someone’s feeling extra poetic today’, she teases lightly. 

‘Don’t try distracting me from the fact that you really should be studying’, he insists, displeased. 

‘I do study’  she protests, but he hums disbelievingly, the spectre of Waseda’s devilishly difficult entrance exam looming in his mind. 

‘Not enough to get into a decent university at this rate.’

‘I don’t want to go to university, Keiji, I’ve tried telling you this before’, she sighs. 

‘You don’t?’ 

‘Nope’  she responds, popping the word in her mouth. ‘I just want to sell flowers to people someday, is that so bad? It’s simple - they make people happy, and that makes me happy in turn. If we only have a lifetime to spend on this earth, shouldn’t we pursue what truly brings us joy instead of dreams others impose on us?’

‘ I suppose that makes sense’, he says, sounding vaguely convinced.

‘Course it does’, she responds easily, a smile flickering in her voice. ‘I always make sense. Now. Let’s not squabble, it’s my turn to tell you a story today’. 

So he listens, enthralled despite himself, as she spins tales of the Kodama, tree spirits dwelling in the ancient forest, how her mother taught her to always offer a prayer to the gods before chopping down a tree - and if the tree bleeds, to back away because it means it has a Kodama living, breathing within it. 

‘Are they real?’  he asks her, when she finishes a tale of a  Kodama who assumed human form after falling in love with a maiden blessed with cherry blossoms in her cheeks.

‘Of course they are’  she laughs. ‘If you close your eyes and listen carefully, you can hear them sing. ’

He closes his eyes, but the forest remains eerily still. ‘ I don’t hear anything, ’ he says, disbelief colouring his tone. 

‘Maybe it’s because they know you don’t really believe in them yet.’

He wakes up with the scent of pine in his nose, the lingering touch of grass against the soles of his feet. 

‘Electricity is a fickle beast in this household, so the first thing you need to do when you come home is to light the fire in the irori. Even Toya-chan knows how to do that, and he’s eight!’  

He stares balefully at the sunken hearth lined with stone and filled with ash, situated right in the center of the old house.  ‘This is a fire hazard’, he tells her stubbornly. 

‘Fire is life, you spoilt city boy! It only becomes dangerous if you don’t respect it. Now come on, or you’ll end up freezing to death and I won’t be able to save you. I always keep a lighter in my pocket and in the store room there’s coal and if really necessary, some petrol I flinched from the petrol station – ‘

‘You better make sure the teachers don’t find your lighter and think you’ve been smoking – ‘ he interjects and she continues as if she doesn’t hear him. 

‘So you light the fire and hang the kettle from the iron hook, and voila! You can cook porridge or soup if electricity runs out and you can’t rely on the rice cooker or stove. And when the night is too cold to sleep in your room, you can drag your futon out here for warmth. It’s kinda nice, almost like camping. Now, let’s see you try lighting a fire yourself!’ 

Her fingers are thin and nimble, but they’re unfamiliar implements to him, so he fumbles with arranging the coal and scrap paper around damp wood. He has to resort to using a drip of petrol to coax the damp wood to ignite in flames but he counts it as a triumph anyway as fire dances in the sunken hearth.  

He can hear her cheer – ‘Congrats city boy!’ Ignoring the implied insult in her words, he smiles. 

He’s back in her skin again when her voice echoes in his mind. 

‘Y’know you’re not gonna be able to learn how to put on a bra if you don’t open your eyes when doing it right?’  she says, amusement ripe in her voice. ‘Every girl has tits, Keiji . If it makes you feel better, I’ve seen your dick ’. 

‘What?’ he yelps, eyes still stubbornly closed. 

‘How else was I supposed to use the urinals? Goodness, being a guy is so convenient when it comes to peeing, you just point and shoot - ’

‘Right, that’s too much information, thanks’, he huffs. 

‘Well, you’re gonna make me late for school if you don’t open your eyes’’, she sing songs, and he knows she’s banking on his reverence for punctuality and perfect attendance records to get him to look in the mirror, but he’s not sure it outweighs his mother’s lessons of being a gentleman.  

‘Keiji-kun ’, she says again, amused. ‘I do appreciate that you’re trying to protect my modesty, but those rules don’t really apply when we’re in a situation like this, you know? If it makes you feel better, I give you explicit permission to look at my breasts when strictly necessary.’

‘Can you not say it like that’, he grouses before cracking an eye open, somewhat persuaded, and somehow manages to snap the tiny hooks in place. ‘Bras are like torture devices’. 

‘Don’t I know it’, she chuckles.  ‘Be glad you only have to put up with it every once in a while’. 

He snorts, more comfortable once some semblance of her modesty is secured. ‘I’ll count my blessings then’. Twisting at the waist to zip up her skirt, his breath catches at a glimpse of freckles on her back in the mirror. He forgets he’s still standing in front of the mirror as his fingers idly ghost over the constellation, a spray of stardust on bare skin. 

‘Keiji ?’ she asks, confused. 

‘Sorry!’, he startles. ‘It’s just - I never noticed you had freckles on your back before.’

‘Yes - I’m aware I have them, and?’, she replies archly, and the irony that she’s completely fine with him staring at her breasts but not her back does not elude him, but he holds his tongue. 

‘They’re arranged in my favourite constellation’, he tells her honestly and he’s relived to hear her chuckle again. 

‘I’ll show you the real thing next time’, she promises, before switching seamlessly to berate him -  ‘And you can stop staring at my back now, we’re gonna be late for school! ’

The next day is spent wondering if he’s a creep for dreaming about half naked sixteen year old girls – even if there’s nothing remotely sexual about his dream. 

He sees her run through the woods like a fawn discovering spring for the first time, watches her come to a stop at an open clearing framed by trees. There is a shrine in the center of the clearing, cracked and covered in moss, but she approaches it reverently, dropping to her knees. 

‘There is old magic in this shrine’, she whispers, brushing leaves and branches away before laying her omamori down at the altar. ‘ Do you remember the wish you made? ’ 

‘I wished for more time - I got greedy and asked for yesterday to come again ’, he answers, voice hushed. 

‘And I wished for the exact opposite. I got impatient and asked tomorrow to arrive, as fast as it can ’, she replies, tilting her face up to the sun. 

‘I suppose that’s what happened ’, he says. ‘Our wishes got tangled up, and our bodies and souls got thrown through time and space’. 

‘Hm. Do you think we have souls, Keiji? ’ she asks him.

‘Yes  ’, he says, sounding perplexed. ‘What else would we be swapping?’  

‘What colour d’you think your soul is? ’ It’s a strange question, but he’s used to anticipating the unexpected from her. 

‘Blue. It reminds me of the summer sky ’, he replies.

‘Fitting’, she laughs with a cheeky grin on her face. ‘Since the sky is a star’s domain’. 

‘What about you’, he asks, so accustomed to ignoring her teasing about Bokuto-san. ‘What colour do you think your soul is?’

‘Yellow, I hope ’, she says dreamily. ‘It’s warmth and life - like flames lighting up wintry nights, or daffodils on the first day of spring’ .

He wonders if it’s a coincidence that the strange dreams hit him in full force right after he brings back the omamori. 

But Kenma’s right, he’s become strangely addicted to the narrative his dreams are showing him. It’s like the books he snuck under the covers at night, emerging bleary eyed in the morning because he was intent on seeing the story end. And if he’s being completely honest with himself, it makes him feel like that he - quiet, bookish Akaashi Keiji is the protagonist in the Ghibli movies that Bokuto-san makes him watch, so he doesn’t put up a fight against the dreams that re-invade his sleep.

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