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twdmusicboxmystery · 3 years ago

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11x02: Acheron, Part 2 - Analysis

Okay, let’s talk 11x02. And 11x01. Because it’s a two-part episode, it’s important to consider them together. I have a LOT to say about what’s going on in these two episodes, so I’ll have plenty to post all week. Let’s dive in!

***As always, spoilers abound below for TWD 11x02. Don’t read until you’ve watched! You’ve been warned!***

Maggie

The first thing we see is a point of view from under the train car. The instant I saw that, I knew how things would go. I never thought Maggie would die (if nothing else, there are scenes with her in the trailer we haven’t seen yet) but I was curious as to how she would survive. When I saw this POV, I knew she’d end up crawling under the train. Just as Glenn crawled under the dumpster. Massive parallels to Glenn. Which by extension, massive parallels to Beth. Major resurrection theme.

It's also important that when she reappears, she comes from underneath the car. Obviously, that’s logical given that she crawled underneath the car, but they make a point of asking if the pounding is coming from the roof. Gabriel says no and then they open the bottom hatch for her. Her coming up from the ground like that is a visual representation of a resurrection.

So we see Gabriel, Negan and the others enter the train car. The spatial details here are important, and I had to watch the episode twice to get them all straight. It’s a little confusing the first time. So, the group jumps down into the train car through a hatch in the roof because they couldn’t get the door open in the last episode. The thing is, if you watch closely, you come to realize they’re not in the train car on the end. They must have walked along the roof for two or three cars before finding a hatch that let them in.

So, when Gauge shows up, he comes behind them, and that confused me because I was thinking they came from that direction. And they did, but they entered through the roof, not the door. Anyway, they can’t get the door open. So honestly, even if they’d tried harder, I’m not sure they could have saved him.

This scene accomplished a lot of things, character-wise, that we need to touch on. It’s important to note that Gauge’s death happened due to his own choices. Does that mean he “deserved” to die or that they shouldn’t have tried to save him if they could have? Of course not. No on both counts. But that doesn’t change the fact that his choices sealed his fate.

It's especially interesting that he called Maggie a Liar. Not only is that a throwback to the Governor, but it’s a particular type of mentality they’re showing here. Even the fact that he didn’t shut the door behind him is really interesting. My first thought was to be annoyed with him. Why WOULDN’T you shut the door. You live in this world. You know better. But it’s all ego. He can’t imagine something bad will happen. He just assumes if it does, someone will save him.

But the most telling thing was how angry he got before saying Liar. It just shows very much how he approaches life. When he messes up, he doesn’t feel bad, and accept that it was his fault, and try to learn from it. No, instead he gets pissed and blames everyone but himself and his own actions.

If this had been Daryl or Gabriel or Alden or any of our other heroes, they would have recognized that opening the door would have gotten their friends and family killed and would have sacrificed themselves. Especially if they realized they’d screwed up. But Gauge became angry and defiant, even killing himself.

Anyway, I’m rambling. This really has nothing to do with Beth or TD other than perhaps being a future template for something. But I thought it was a really fascinating character sketch.

The thing is, this isn’t really a matter of Gauge being wrong and everyone else being right.

Maggie is…not doing so well either. As I told my fellow theorists, Paola Lazaro said in TTD last week that Maggie was kind of off the rails. I think she said that a little prematurely, because we really didn’t understand Maggie’s state of mind just by watching 10x17 and 11x01.

It's not until she tells that messed up story about the house she found and the people in it that we understand that her state of mind really isn’t at its healthiest. Even saying she wanted to kill Negan before is…understandable given their past. But it makes more sense now why Negan is so nervous. He’s sensing her state of mind that her moral conscience isn’t as strong as it once was, so of course he’s fearful for his life.

I don’t know where they’re going with this Maggie story line, but I have a feeling this attitude of hers will cause conflict down the road. Several of my fellow theorists believe it will cause a rift between her and Daryl. And we can see that somewhat through Alden. At first, he was very much defending Maggie, especially against Negan. He has a lot of loyalty to her. But he didn’t like her abandoning Gauge, and you can see his loyalties starting to waver.

At the very least, what she said about not feeling anything about it is the opposite of what Beth always stood for. Daryl was trying hard not to feel things during Still, in the wake of the prison going down. She made him feel things because that’s the only way a person is truly living, rather than just surviving. Now Maggie is in that state of mind.

And I’m gonna argue that makes it a prime time for Beth to return to help her. But of course I’m completely objective over here. ;D

Maggie’s Story:

Maggie’s story was definitely dark and horrible, but interesting to analyze. I’m assuming there was cannibalism going on there. That’s why the missing limbs. The men in the house were eating the female prisoners. No only a callback to Terminus, but remember that Bob’s leg was taken for food, so I’m sure that’s what we’re supposed to infer here.

She talked about no eyes, no tongue, no limbs, vocal cords ripped out. So definitely the see no evil, speak no evil themes. With the limbs, it’s also a matter of not being able to escape or save themselves.

In terms of the plot, I do have one question about this that I think may be significant. Maggie first talks about three deformed people (she says, “I wouldn’t call them men”) coming toward her. She kills them, and only after that hears the noise from the attic.

My question is, why were they deformed? If they’re “men,” then they must be at least Maggie’s age, if not older, which means they’ve been around since before the apocalypse began. Even eating human flesh doesn’t cause one to become deformed, so why the deformities? I have no idea, but I wondered if there is a radiation theme going on here. Something they’re hinting at, but not saying. Just thought that was intriguing.

After that, things go sideways and everyone almost dies until Daryl arrives to save the day. So, let’s skip to his story.

Daryl:

We first see him bust through a wall with Dog. So, dog took off in the last episode, but the first time we see Daryl, he’s already found Dog again. At least, the first time. This is where he sees the murals on the wall, the walker with the handcuff and the suitcase of money, etc. I already talked about most of that in great detail HERE, so I won’t rehash it, though it’s very important.

One thing I will say about the mural is that thematically, it’s a match to Still. So, in the golf club, we had lots of rich people who clearly hid there when the world first went bad. And I don’t remember this particularly, but several of my fellow theorists have told me they remember the TTD after Still and that the writers talked about how the golf club was a statement about the class system. You have these very rich people, but their wealth couldn’t save them. Death, walkers, the apocalypse…none of these things discriminate based on wealth or position.

On the wall, we see people with crowns standing at the top, but below, they are homeless, and one of them is being attacked and torn apart. Meanwhile, Daryl sees a line of text that says, “it comes for us all,” probably meaning death.

Well, guess what? Angela Kang, in talking about the murals, said that this, too, was a statement about the class system. So thematically, this is meant to be a parallel to Still.

It’s just interesting to contemplate because if you think about it, most of our heros—Rick, Daryl, the Greene family, etc—weren’t at all wealthy. Rick was humble and well-grounded. Hershel worked hard his whole life and never had any glory or fanfare. And then there’s Daryl, who was “nothing. No one.” They all survived.

So of course it’s a socioeconomic statement, but it’s also one about mindset. It takes not only grit to survive this world, but a certain amount of humility. Ego always gets you killed eventually, as it did with Gauge.

I’ll also mention that I thought the guy with the crown who was being torn apart was being set upon by walkers, but AK says they’re specifically not walkers. They’re people.

So, it’s not a coincidence that we see this juxtaposed with the Gauge situation. His ego gets him killed and we literally see him being torn apart because of it.

Moving on.

Daryl finds a bag with a $100 bill with a letter written on it. This is a massive TD clue from start to finish. 100 is an important number. The hundred dollar bill features Benjamin Franklin on the front and Independence Hall on the back. Look either of those up and you’ll find lots of fun parallels we could point to. I won’t go into all that today except to say it’s definitely part of the Revolution theme.

This is what’s written on the bill Daryl finds:

“Dear Dad, you always said if you don’t come back in a week to move on. Mom didn’t listen and went looking. It’s been three weeks, so we’re going next. I’ll watch Jesse and turn on the radio every day at 10. See you both soon. Love Tom and Jesse.”

He also finds a picture of two kids. So, the “three weeks” jumps out because of Rick’s line in 5x10, “it’s been three weeks since Atlanta.” It’s also about missing family members, going searching for them, etc. Possibly important that the mom is also missing. I can’t help but think of the song from Still. “Our mother has been absent, every since we founded Rome…”

There is a 10 in there, which is an important number. The turning the radio on every day is both the radio/airwaves theme (also a line from the song) but a callback to Rick and Morgan and their walkie talkies. So, really interesting symbols here.

The two kids immediately reminded me of Noah’s twin brothers. I don’t think these two are supposed to be twins. I’m assuming the brother is older. But still obviously siblings. And it hearkens back to the last episode Beth was technically in. Which also had a lot of the CRM/Revolution theme in it. (X, X).

AK says this family probably didn’t make it, so I’m not expecting these kids to show up in the narrative. But it’s also important to note that the little girl is carrying the toy rabbit Maggie found earlier. So the rabbit also ties into all this symbolism. (P.S. I didn’t get to my rabbit post last week. I planned on it, but time got away from me. I should get it posted later this week.)

So, this is massive in terms of TD symbolism. I’ll talk about it fits into the bigger narrative in a minute.

Then Daryl kills the sleeping bag walker. I wasn’t sure the significance of this at first, but I think it ties to the tents and sleeping bags we saw in Atlanta in 5x06, Consumed. Daryl and Carol passed them while looking for Beth. So, this just shows us that this is tied to her storyline and Daryl searching for her.

You could also argue that the walker was “hidden” at first, and it’s significant that Dog found it/realized it was there before Daryl did.

The other thing is that as he’s looking at the sleeping bag walker, there’s a random shoe on the ground next to it. Missing Shoe/Foot theory, which is also indicative of Beth.

They hear another roaring sound and Dog takes off, running into the dark tunnel.

Here’s the thing. I think most people will assume the roar he heard was just more air being forced through the tunnels by the storm, as Alden explained it in ep 1. But I always watch with the subtitles on and I noticed at this part, the subtitles said, “Man Roaring.” So they actually did hear someone screaming. And that’s probably why Dog ran toward it.

After watching it again, I realized it’s probably supposed to be Roy. He’s the white-haired guy, played by C. Thomas Howell, who Daryl finds wounded after he emerges from the Tunnel. I think whatever happened to him when he went topside but then got attacked by walkers is what Dog heard and went running toward.

Maybe not terribly significant in the plot, but it’s important symbolically. Because once again we have something Daryl hears from a distance but doesn’t see. Dog (a proxy for Beth) runs toward it, and Daryl follows. When he does, he find someone who had previously separated from the group. They’re hurt, but alive. See the parallels?

I will say the Roy situation confuses me just a little. He’s clearly hurt, and when Daryl tries to bandage him, he refuses, saying, “just tell my kids I didn’t die a coward.” But then later he’s with the group, all bandaged up, and seems to be okay. (He dies when they reach the Reapers by taking an arrow to the head, so he still dies overall.) But it’s just weird that it seemed he would die, then seemed he was fine again.

It may well be something that foreshadows a future situation, and that’s why it’s not making tons of sense right now. Only time will tell.

Anyway, I kind of glossed over Daryl crawling through the dark tunnel. I don’t have much else to say about it except that it’s a SUPER potent symbol for Beth’s arc and very important that he emerges on the other side and finds this person. Annnd then goes to save TF. (Dark Tunnel Symbolism).

So, he hears the gunshots and finds the train they’re on. He comes up behind the walkers attacking them from the front, kills them, moves the bench blocking the door, and lets everyone through. Then he uses a grenade to blow up all the walkers. (Ew.)

After that they all get out of the tunnels and go topside. The next scene is also super important. We see the stars above. That’s partly to show that the storm has passed now, but also constellations = Sirius.

Maggie asks what he has and he tells her about it. There is one weird moment in this scene. When she tells them about the supply depot she wants to stop at, she says Georgie (from S8) set it up for emergencies, for people on the outside to use. When it says this, the camera focuses on Daryl for a LONG moment, and he looks almost sad. I’m not sure what they’re trying to tell us there.

Anyway, they all head out. Unfortunately, when they reach the right neighborhood, the Reapers are there to meet/kill them. And Roy is the first to go.

So, a couple of things here. I’ll probably do a details post because I’m leaving out MOST of the background details throughout the episode, and there are a lot of them. Lots of details to be gleaned in this scene.

But the second time I watched it, I was struck by the people hanging upside down. Obviously a grim sight, but it occurred to me that these people hanging this way look a LOT like the deer diagrams from Scars. Let me show you some pictures:

Top pick is 11x02. Middle and bottom one are from Scars.

See what I mean? So, chances are something about Scars foreshadowed the Reapers, which is interesting. They clearly see human beings in a certain way (as animals to be strung up and…perhaps eaten?) And that makes me think that what Maggie found in that house may tie into the Reapers as well. Just kind of interesting foreshadows of coming plots.

Eugene:

Let’s talk Eugene and then I’ll shut up for today. Eugene’s stuff was very intriguing. First thing you need to know. And understand, I didn’t know this. @wdway pointed it out. Some months ago, the actress cast as “Stephanie” was announced. This is her:

And that’s clearly not the woman who steps into the train car at the end. Which means this isn’t really Stephanie. She’s a decoy. In fact, the actress from this episode is billed on IMDb as “woman 2,” not as “Stephanie.”

Knowing that, if you go back and re-watch the parts with Eugene’s group, they mean something very different.

On the surface, it seems that Zeke, Yumiko and Princess are taken away in a sinister fashion. Then Eugene melts down and tells his story. (Note: while he focuses on his feelings for Stephanie and I think most of that is true, he still says he lied both to her and to his friends about being from a large settlement. So, he’s still keeping large chunks of the truth from them.)

Again, on the surface it seems that they accept his explanation and just decide to allow them all in. All the stuff with the other three is just a misunderstanding.

But if “Stephanie” is a decoy, that can’t possibly be the case. I think Zeke and the others told Eugene the truth as they know it, but they’re all still being manipulated.

After Princess left to pee, the guy told Eugene no one was in the room and acted like he had no idea who Princess was. They were definitely using psychological torture on him, trying to break him.

I think they know very well that Eugene's group is still lying about their settlement, and they're using a decoy "Stephanie" to find out the truth.

My point is that it goes back to the hallucination, making-someone-think-they're-crazy theme. It will be really interesting to see how this unfolds, because there's all kinds of psychological shenanigans going on here.

@galadrieljones made a really interesting connection some time ago. She noticed that back in 10x18, at Leah’s cabin, there is a metal, heart-shaped chair. The same chairs show up in the Commonwealth’s sales video from the trailer. So there’s some kind of link between Leah, Daryl’s memory of her, and the Commonwealth. We don’t know what it is yet, but all of this gives credence to the idea that she is either an outright hallucination, or Daryl is just remembering things wrong.

It also might mean that the Reapers are connected to the Commonwealth in some way. We don’t really know yet, but I’m having tons of fun trying to figure it out.

I want to touch briefly on the train car theme. Once again, there’s a parallel in both story lines (Terminus, and this one at the Commonwealth). Daryl’s group is in train cars this episode. And while Eugene’s group has been at a different compound, they started in the train yard and end in it here. But what I noticed is that Eugene enters the train car at the end, which is furnished inside, and finds his friends there. They all have a happy reunion.

It made me think of the fact that when Rick, Daryl, Michonne, and Carl enter the train cars at Terminus, there is also a family reunion. What happened beyond that was not good or easy. Clearly, Terminus was not a good place. Many of them almost died at the trough and they had to fight their way out through a walker blood bath.

I’m just saying that, while it obviously won’t play out exactly the same way, something similar is probably waiting for Eugene’s group outside that train car. Not good.

Acheron Overall:

Okay, let’s get to the big cheese, here. The overall narrative. The template.

These two episodes are called Acheron part 1 and part 2. So here’s the skinny:

Acheron = Underworld. Daryl’s group going into the subway tunnels (dark, underground) is what constitutes Acheron and why the episodes are called that. That’s why, at the end of this episode, they emerge from the tunnels onto the surface (i.e. the living world).

Given all the death, cemetery, and dark tunnel symbolism around Beth, given that she ventured into the land of the dead by being shot, maybe clinically dying for a time, and being thought dead for so long, what this tells me is that everything that happens in these tunnels is a foreshadow and template for what will happen this season.

I maintain that Dog = Beth and we will soon see something where Daryl hears something (not necessarily her; it was a man screaming so I still think it will be Rick he hears word of) and goes chasing after it. While searching for it, he stumbles across Beth. Then the two of them (both Dog and Daryl returned to the train car) go back in time to save TF from something.

This is most likely why the Roy thing is weird. In a super understated way, he represents Rick in the template. Daryl will find him, but only after he finds Beth. Even consider what Roy says. He says, “tell my kids I didn’t die a coward.” And that’s all well and good, but did we even know Roy had kids? No. Have we met them? No. But who has kids that Daryl IS concerned with? That would be Rick.

So I’m thinking that maybe when Daryl finds Rick, Rick will think he’s dying for some reason, and that’s why the dialogue here. But he won’t, which is why we see Roy with the group later.

And no, I’m not thinking that Roy dying via the Reapers will extend to Rick. It’s more like what they’ve done with countless characters that have been Beth proxies. Eventually, they kill them off. He’s a minor character they were using as a proxy, and when they are done with him in the narrative, he becomes walker chow. Or, in this case, Reaper fodder.

Anyway, I think everything will end up being a foreshadow for something. Maggie and Negan. The Gauge situation. All of it. I’ll try to keep coming back to this as the story progresses to show what everything foreshadows. I’ll stop there for today.

#beth greene #beth greene lives #beth is alive #beth is coming #td theory #td theories #team delusional #team defiance #beth is almost here #bethyl

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miss-kittys-magical-library · 3 years ago

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In The Air Tonight

From The MoonBrella Academy

Word Count: 2300

Warnings: sex (penatrative, m/f), erotic asphyxiation, death, angst, PTSD, mentions of war, magic, general Klaus-induced chaos. GIF by @sheehanspam

A/N: During the summer of 1974, The Kostas family feels more than the oppressive weight heat. A true prophecy warns them something is on the horizon. Something that will set the course for the rest of their lives all thanks to the man out of time and a baby they promised to raise.

Honey found her balance after straddling Leon. Her hips rolled in a steady rhythm of back and forth. Her husband reached up to caress her breasts. She seized his wrists so tight, her manicured nails dug into her own palms.

Leon, switching gears, grabbed at them roughly instead. He pinched one of Honey’s nipples swollen then the other. They were lost perfectly in his grip as he massaged them, played with them as Honey rode him. He growled and she cried out before moving his hand towards her mouth to suck and bite at Leon's finger and thumb.

They were like a couple possessed. There was something in the air like static. Manhattan was the hottest Honey had known it to be. Everyone drifted slowly and drenched in sweat on the streets and in her apartment. It had been quiet during the worst of the heat. Only Diego and Klaus dained to still visit.

Earlier in the evening, up on the roof with their feet solidly in a wading pool, Leon and Honey sensed Klaus was uneasy about everything. He complained that the temperatures and the electricity in the air was suffocating him. Making his skin crawl as he stripped to his underwear. Everyone was in stages of undress, even the littles were naked and Honey topless.

“It's like Vietnam. The humidity is cellular. I feel strange and twisted.”

“Murderous, but fancy a good shag?” Leon’s query settled across the roof. “Like you could kill who you..” he mouthed fuck.

Two sets of verdant eyes gawked at Honey who suddenly sat up and covered her breasts. “Knock it off, the both of you. You're creeping me out.”

Somehow they made it through dinner and bedtime and MASH and Carol Burnett before Leon threw Honey over his shoulder. She squealed and mimicked trying to escape, but it only spurned Leon into grabbing a fistful of her ass. He maneuvered her around so she could wrap her arms and legs around him while they lumbered and kissed and undressed towards the bedrooms.

“Shhh,” Honey admonished with a strangled laugh. She pointed at the doorway to Sugar and Sunny’s room.

Klaus had passed out on the floor between the tiny beds, his head in his arms on his stomach. Sunny half poured out of the bed with a hand on his.. uncle? Brother? Klaus’s head, little fingers tangled up as he sucked on his free thumb.

Now here they were maybe hours later, insatiable. The air was stifling and had a magnetic crackle that raised the hair on their bodies as they kept having sex. Honey pushed it out of her mind that metal objects were slowly shifting in one direction as she placed Leon's hand around her throat. Her body rocked up and down faster.

There was a blue tinge to the sky and lightning. Heat lightning Leon insisted. It set Klaus on edge with the kids playing around him. He and Sunny tested out telekinesis while Selina danced to David Bowie. Her dark eyes were covered by Klaus’s literal rose colored glasses. He kept zoning out. Like he was waiting, waiting for the consequences of all of his actions.

“Tio Topolino, watch me!” Selina spun with her arms up in the air. Uncle Mouse. Klaus had been too hard to say before she learned her parents’ native tongues.

“Something is coming, Gracie.”

“Why would you say that, Leonidas?”

They were whispering in Greek. The littles weren't quite ready for Greek yet, but Klaus was born fluent. So they spoke in hushed tones on the fire escape.

“Doesn't it feel that way? The last few Weeks. Klaus usually leaves after a day. He's been here for nearly two months. There's bound to be repercussions, right?”

“Not much happened that he's said, or we read, as the result of Vietnam or 1960-1963.”

Leon rolled his eyes at his wife and made a tsk sound, “Just a bloody apocalypse or two. That Dickensian fuck who raised him got a whole new legion off it. Klaus talked you into having our baby. Then into taking another baby he stole. Skip a stone on a pond, and it makes ripples, don’t it?”

Honey hated when her husband was right. And her vagina loved how smart he was. She had looked in the window in time to see Sunny stand and toddle towards Klaus. His eyes glossed over and lost their irises. It was as if he had gone blind.

The parents scrambled through the window towards their son, but Klaus had him by the tiny hands. Sunny's pudgy fingers curled around his.. The larger ones for stability.

“Sunny?!” Selina shook her baby brother lightly.

“Klaus what the fuck? HELP HI-!” Honey yelled but Leon clamped a hand over her mouth.

“He’ll be ok,” Klaus sort of cooed. His voice was low and gentle. “I remember these. It happened so much when I was a kid. It's the innocence I think. I lost this ability because of Reginald.”

“He's in a trance, love. Like in all those movies with seances where the medium goes wonky, and they've got a message from the other side.” .

Everyone held their breath. Then a delighted shout came from the boy. “BIRB!! BEN!!” Then his eyes came back into focus; he threw his arms around Klaus’s neck. As if that was what he planned the entire time.

“Ben?!” Two men with the same face asked simultaneously. “That's my brother.”

“That was your brother’s name?” Klaus spoke first. “Maybe that's where I got it. When Mom asked us to choose our names based on our birth countries, I thought Germany was mine. My brother was Korean, but he couldn't settle on a name. Ben came to my mind. It felt.. familiar.”

Leon walked over to his kids and his twin, or clone, or whatever Klaus was, and picked Sunny up. The toddler stuck his thumb in his mouth and flexed and unflexed his little chubby fingers in his daddy’s long curls.

The matching mess of hair covered Leon's neck and chin as Sunny laid his tiny head down on the elder’s shoulder. The little yawned as his hand now absently stroked Leon's goatee.

“He died in Cyprus. He fought for Britain against our own people. He defected and was killed,” Leon said so casually. “He was 20. I was 16. It was really bloody difficult being an immigrant. A refugee. We left Greece during the Independence War when I was a year old. There's so much death, mate. All around us. I'm just really so sorry you and Nicklaus have to see it up close. I hope here, with Honey and I, they're a bit friendlier.”

Klaus had offered to conjure Leon's brother. His Benjamin. Leon declined. One day, maybe, but 15 years still wasn't enough time. That The Séance had likewise lost his brother in battle at the same age was empathetic enough.

Everyone was a bit melancholy, the air more humid with a spark, Klaus offered to get the littles to bed. Asked if he could crash in their room tonight instead of on the couch. The couple didn't mind.

Really, if Klaus could somehow, they both preferred he just stay here permanently. Honey could keep an eye on him that way. She and Leon knew Klaus had to go back and forth, maintaining his own timeline.

Except the last time he came was two years after he smuggled Sunny to his parents. He promised five minutes. This time it had been over a year. The Kostases were worried the next time he showed up, it would be the 80s. Or they would be old, their kids in their forties.

It was a silent agreement between Leon and Honey that they liked Klaus being around. “But what’s the price WE end up paying?”

Now there they were in the throes of it all. Honey encouraged Leon to tighten his grip around her neck as she scratched at his forearm. Their bodies gyrating in ways they hadn't in years. Not since before Selina. As if they couldn't fuck each other harder or faster.

Honey started to see black spots on the corners of her eyes. She relished in the struggle to breathe. Looking down, the blue tinted midnight sky with its wild lightning reflected back at her through Leon's eyes. He looked deliberate, livid. She knew she looked barking mad to him.

Honey tore at her tits and hair as she felt an orgasm coil around her sex and stomach. She was lightheaded and unable to scream out like always. She began to laugh as best she could like a woman possessed. Rode Leon through his explosion inside of her. She mentally willed it to get her pregnant.

Such a strange thing to wish for while Leon was killing her. Except he wasn't really, was he? Honey could feel herself pass out when there was a massive explosion in the sky over Manhattan.

Leon immediately let go of his wife. A blazing white light that blinded both of them filled the bedroom, and a squawking noise sounded from down the hall. Then yelling from Klaus lost somewhere in the present and possibly Vietnam. There was giggling and the patter of feet with more incoherent shouting and swearing from the littles’ room.

The bird noise only grew over the shouting, so Honey covered her ears to drown it all out. Leon looked stunned. Like he had woken from a terrible dream. That little girl laughter. The patter of feet running down the hall. The yelling and squawking all stopped. Cut off, as if the couple had fallen deaf.

“Mummy!” Selina exclaimed delightedly. It would be strange to Honey that her daughter had developed an accent like Leon's. Except that's who she spent most of her days with. Eventually Selina grew out of it, and Little Italy would take over.

“Can we keep him?! Are you and Papa playing?”

Honey knew Selina’s little head would be tilted. Little forehead wrinkled as it gathered between her eyebrows, tiny pink mouth slightly agape. How Honey loved finding more of Leon in her daughter every day.

“Keep what, Poppet?” Leon asked while helping Honey slide off of his lap. They weren't being modest, she just clearly was coming down from an adrenaline rush.

“This!” Selina held something large and black aloft. That squawking sound again.

Her parents froze. Selina held a raven nearly the size of Sunny in front of herself. It blinked its bright ebony eyes a few times, but was rather calm for being squeezed by a 5 year old. It, he. They knew it was a he. There was even affection on his face.

“Blimey love, whatcha got there?” Leon dared to ask. He was more fascinated than scared. The corvid set Honey’s hair on end.

“It’s Ben, Daddy!” Selina made a tsk noise and rolled her eyes. Little female Leon. “Sunny told us he was coming! The sky was filled with blue people, and Topo was scared. And Sunny’s little hands were blue and Topo’s were too and then Sunny started to fly. He's on the inside roof! Is he Mary Poppins?!” Selina could barely breathe, she was so excited.

“Those blue people are sad and Topo saw one and started to cry. That blue people is Dave. Then the bird came,” she held him out again towards her parents, “and he started making noises at all the blue people and they went away except three and Topo won't stop crying and Sunny is giggling. I'm tired. Can I sleep with you?”

As calm as they could muster, Honey and Leon got out of bed and put on clothes. Leon scooped up Selina who held the raven like a baby. Her dad ignored it. They made their way to the second bedroom where a blue light emanated into the hallway.

Like Sugar said, Klaus was on his knees crying into his hands. Sunny bobbed along the ceiling. He pushed off of it and bounced back up. The little boy’s laughter was a creepy juxtaposition to his older self gently weeping on the floor.

Honey knew. Leon knew. The “blue people” were ghosts. All of that static, that violence and heat in the air the last few weeks were the dead. Crackling and surfacing, begging to break through now that TWO mediums were together. It was, they immediately understood, Klaus’s sheer willpower that had held them at bay. But he was vulnerable, lost vigilance. They all broke through at once.

“Fuck me,” Leon managed at one of two soldiers. He was taller than Leon, but no mistaking his best of curls and angular jaw. Honey knew in life he had dark eyes. “Βενιᾱμῑ́ν?” Benjamin?

Dave, the woman knew, had been Klaus’s lover in Vietnam. He died saving Klaus and their regiment on the front line.

Except Honey could tell that wasn't true. The Commission had him killed to fix the timeline. They were different, not governed by violence more like stern warnings. As if parents instead of a dictator ran them now. When would they come to scold her family?

Lost in her worry, Honey didn't see the third man. The melancholic one with a cigarette perched in his fingers. He wore a giant suit jacket and equally large pants. There was a transparent tumbler of whiskey in his other hand.

This one, this ghost opened his mouth. At the same time Klaus sat up, his head cocked. Then he spoke, and a voice Honey hadn't heard in ten years came out.

“Hiya, Gracie.”

Honey began to weep. “Uncle Lenny.” She hid herself away so he wouldn't see the tears.

“Aw c’mon dollface. It's ok. I'm ok. I'm not ruining my life anymore. I do miss the stage. And Kitty. Tell Kitty I love her, will ya? And Honey, my Honey. That Kindergarten hooker. Spiteful bitch. I miss them. Proud of you, Gracie. We gotta go, ok. The three of us got wrapped up in all that jazz. By the way, cute little fuckers ya got there.”

Lenny tipped his head at Honey and Leon. Then he was gone. They were all gone. Everyone left behind in their wake to cry harder. To mourn in disbelief. Then giggling brought them all to.

Sunny floated down enough for Klaus to catch him by the ankle. He held the little boy to his chest, and Sunny patted him on the cheek. His hands weren't glowing anymore as he shoved a thumb in his mouth. Then, delighted, he gave a shout in the direction of the raven:

“BIRB!!”

@neuroticpuppy @nightmonsters @magic-multicolored-miracle @forenschik @super-unpredictable98 @ghouls-buddy @vonkimmeren @messengeronthemoon @frogs--are--bitches @bisexualnathanyoung @elliethesuperfruitlover @070188 @firstpersonnarrator @rob-private @duck-noises @sylvertyger

#robert sheehan #klaus hargreeves #leon x honey #moonwalkers #the umbrella academy #robert sheehan smut #robert sheehan character fics #moonbrella academy #crossover #leon #honey comb

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seaveyspotter · 3 years ago

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might make this to an actual fanfic, but this is all for now.

peter parker x fem!stark oc

Ashley knew Peter had a press conference that evening, but she didn't come. She wanted to, but she just couldn't. Press and flashy cameras were the last things she needed. Questions about her father, her family, Nat and Steve.. It was all too much for her. She was just 21 years old. Just 21. Found new freaky powers. Just lost her dad. Barely getting by.

Ever since they died, Tony, Nat, and Steve.. Ashley felt like she lost her family. The Avengers were broken up again, all over the place, messy. At least when they were doing the time heist, they were back together, doing it together, winning together. And it was all gone.

Pepper. What a saint. She was still taking care of Ashley despite the fact she was now an adult who did not have any blood relations with her. She could Ashley go, throw her away. But she didn't. Pepper loved Ashley like she was her own, even if Tony wasn't around anymore.

The memorials, the murals, the tributes scattered around New York, the whole country, and even internationally always seemed to follow Ashley wherever she went. To remind her of the people she had lost.

Right now, she was sitting at the edge of a roof, a giant Iron Man mural behind her. Sometimes it made her sad, but sometimes it comforted her. Knowing that people appreciated the sacrifice her father made. And it was kind of like having him around her. Like he was still there beside her.

She looked at it, fought her tears from pouring out. Ashley crossed her legs and said, "Hey dad." Although she barely managed to not sob.

"So.." she continued. "Got these freaky powers. I wonder what you'd say about them. They're like Wanda's but in gold.. Kinda like it, don't know what to do with it though."

"But you would," she whispered. Even though the murals made her feel remotely closer to him, she still wished he was still there to give her advice and actually talk to her.

From a distance, Ashley saw a man in a red iron suit, slinging webs her way. He sat beside her, completely out of breath, and the helmet opened automatically, revealing Peter Benjamin Parker.

"Tough press?" Ashley asked as she took her flask, sipped some alcohol and offered it to Peter.

He politely rejected it. "No thanks, I might puke. I haven't quite built up my alcohol tolerance yet."

She nodded and put the flask aside.

"And the press.. Well.. It was a nightmare. Kept asking me if i'd be the next Iron Man–" he began to rant. "I left early. Just swung out."

"Oh, been there," Ashley nodded.

"Right?" said Peter, "I'm just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, I've never done stuff half as big as he did."

"Well.." she started, but Peter stopped her before she could even utter another word.

"No, no," he shook his head, and placed a finger over her lips. "Don't even start with the 'You went to space' crap."

Ashley chuckled. "Well, you did."

"I also died there, Ash."

"But you came back."

They held each other's gaze. Peter smiled, and looked down at her lips. He just wanted to keep her close, and kiss her, and–

"Just do it," she demanded, interrupting his thoughts. Like she knew what he was thinking about.

"What?" Peter asked, flustered.

"Just kiss me," she chuckled. "It's not like we haven't done it before."

And without warning, Ashley placed her hand behind his neck and pulled him towards her, and pressed her lips against his.

Pure bliss.

There was nothing better than this.

Peter made all the shit Ashley went through somewhat worth it. He made everything better.

And Peter had never had something so good in his life. Ashley was the best thing that could've happened to him. And we wanted to keep it, whatever their relationship was. He'd like to cherish it forever.

"I uh.." Peter stuttered.

Ashley chose not to tell him everything about her powers yet. She was still learning about them, getting to know them. And at the moment, she was not really in the mood to get back to those super hero gigs.

"Do you wanna go back to my place and have dinner with my mom and Morgan?" Ashley offered before Peter could comment about them, and their relationship.

Peter and Ashley kissed on the battlefield when they were fighting Thanos' army. When they reunited. Yes, Ashley cared about him. Madly. Probably in love. But for now, she needed time to heal herself and she wanted him to heal as well. So she figured that she liked the way things were right now with Peter. She would love to go further, but for now.. This was itm

#spiderman #peter parker #fanfic #imagines #fiction #tom holland #marvel #writing #mcu spiderman

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evendeadlmthehero · 5 years ago

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The Sun and The Moon

(Kylo Ren x Reader)

Episode II: The Timeline of Romeo and Juliet Part Two

Summary: “You were one of the 12 Padawans that Luke Skywalker taught. There, you met the love of your life. Your first best friend, your first lover and your first Boyfriend; Ben Solo. Everything was perfect. That is, until the Jedi Temple was burned by Ben himself. 5 years pass since you last saw him and he isn’t the same man you used to know. The Moon preferred darkness and in that darkness, Kylo Ren was born.”

Warnings: swearing, masturbation and mental illness.

The Sun and The Moon Masterlist

Ultimate Masterlist

13 Years Old

“How do you win everytime?” Ben exclaimed as you won yet another game of Dejarik. You smirked at him, shrugging innocently.

You had your hair braided up into a bun, two single strands from either side of your hair released. One of the single strand was braided to symbolise that you were but a Padawan.

“A magician never reveals their secret,” you replied back, laughing at him. Both you and Ben were in your Jedi clothing. He had finished sparring with Almec and you with Leirra.

“You are definitely cheating,” Ben joked, leaning back on his seat with his arms behind his neck. “You’re using the force on me, right? You’re reading my mind? Trying to plot my next move?”

“You know I wouldn’t read your mind without your consent,” you replied back, chucking a pillow at his face. However, his reflexes were quick and he caught it with one hand.

“How about you read my mind now,” he spoke, leaning foward to look you in the eyes whilst placing the pillow down. “Tell me Y/N, what am I thinking right now?”

You leaned forward as well, looking at his face. You concentrated on his eyes, trying to extract what was going on in his mind. It was hard to read Ben’s mind when he knew you were reading it. When he was carefree and not paying attention, sometimes his thoughts were loud.

The anxiety, depression and isolated feeling that Ben always carried with him, you felt it all. And although you felt bad for intruding his thoughts, it wasn’t your fault. Ben had yet to learn how to conceal it. You could read minds, however for some reason with Ben, it came more at ease. It felt like you were both one mind.

You were the only one out of the Padawans who could read minds, only because you did not know Ben could do it. He still hasn’t said anything about the night he read your mind.

However, you were the only one who truly knew how to move objects with your mind. More specifically, elements. The Force was the balance. The balance of life is Water vs Fire and Earth vs Air. You learnt how to control those elements.

“I cannot live without you,” you heard Ben’s thoughts. You looked down at your lap, blushing. Ben smiled at you, staring intently at your face. He knew what you read from his mind, yet he wanted to hear those words leave your lips.

“So, what did you read?” Ben spoke, a little smirk on his face as you continued to blush, unable to look at him in the face. “C’mon Angel, tell me.”

You were about to speak until you felt an unfamiliar sharp pain in your lower abdomen. You let out a yelp, and Ben too hissed, grabbing his lower abdomen. You then felt something wet near your womenly parts. You got up from the seat, seeing a red bloody stain on the couch.

“Oh my god!” Ben yelled, rushing towards you as he grabbed you in his arms. He then looked at the blood on the couch, his eyes widening. “We- we have to get you to the medic!”

The blood on the couch, the excruciating pain in your stomach and Ben’s panic was enough for you to see dark spots appearing before you went limp in Ben’s arms, now unconscious.

“Y/N?” He called out, seeing your eyes closed. He felt tears well in his eyes before he carried you bridal style. He then ran out of your hut, rushing towards the medic bay. “C’mon Y/N, you’re fine. You- you can’t leave me, you can’t. You’re all I have.”

Ben continued to run in desperation, tears profusely rushing down his face. When he saw the familiar white, little hut, he barged in. “I need a medic! It’s an emergency!”

Two medics, the only medics in the island, quickly rushed into where Ben was holding you. They were both of the Caasami species, wearing a purple velvet robe. R2-D2 then came in whizzing, holding a stretcher before placing it near Ben.

“R2, go inform Master Luke!” The doctor spoke before the droid whizzed away. Ben gently laid you down on the stretcher, before the Caasami rolled you down into the medic room. Ben was following them around like a lost puppy.

As the Doctors placed you into the bed, Ben felt the sharp pain again, the same region that you had pain. Ben was confused, as he wasn’t bleeding like you were. The Doctors noticed he was in pain and nodded over to the chair next to them. “Take a seat over there, young Padawan.”

Ben shook his head, ignoring the sharp pains in his stomach. “No, no, no, you have to make sure she’s okay! You have to find out what’s wrong with her, not me! She’s- she’s all I have!”

The Doctors slightly recoiled at Ben’s harshness before they begun to examine you. The felt your temperature, checked your breathing and heart rate yet everything seemed normal. They then saw the blood that stained your pants and looked at each other.

“Wha- what’s wrong?” Ben asked, his breathing uneven as he watched the Doctors stare at each other. The Doctors then started to laugh hysterically, making Ben see red. He then took out his lightsaber, aiming at the two doctors who fell back in fright. “Do I look like I’m fucking laughing? Fix her or else I will have both your fucking heads on a pike!”

“Benjamin Solo put down that lightsaber right this instant!” Ben heard Luke’s voice below as he stood with his own lightsaber. Ben looked at Luke, his nose flaring as his grip tightened on his weapon.

“No! Not until those mongrels tell me why the fuck Y/N is bleeding from her genitals and having stomach cramps!” Ben voice bellowed. Luke stared at him before looking at the Doctors. He then fell into a hysteric fit, a booming laugh ringing across the room.

Ben looked at Luke in outrage, his heart pumping quickly. Here you were, the only person in the galaxy that cared about him, who gave him a purpose and took away all his anxieties, dying as Master ridiculed him.

Master Luke then calmed down, wiping the tear that left his eyes. “Young Padawan, I need to explain to you the life of being a women and their once a month experience.”

•

“So-so she was on her- what was the word again Master?” Ben spoke, whilst his hand was holding tightly around yours. You had woken up an hour ago but due to fatigue, you took a nap in the medic room.

“Period my son,” Master Luke answered for him.

“Perry-ad,” Ben pronounced incorrectly but Luke did not want to correct him. He didn’t need to and he didn’t want to cause him embarrassment. “And you say she will get pains and cravings?”

“Yes, she will.”

“Who gave her this? Has she been poisoned? I swear to you Master Luke, I will find out who has given her this atrocious disease and I will strike them down and-“

“It’s not a disease Ben, it’s natural, it’s part of life for a young woman her age,” Luke explained. Ben tilted his head towards the side in confusion. “Women go through this once a month. They bleed as a result of not being pregnant. However without it, Y/N cannot have children. Without her period, Y/N won’t have kids.”

Ben looked at you, imagining you with kids. In particular his kids. The thought had his heart fluttering and a smile forming on his face. He would be a great father, better than his, Ben had thought. He would be there for his child, not sending them out alone to a temple.

“Then I will try to satisfy her cravings and subdue her pain,” Ben had promised, nodding to himself as he saw your angelic face still sleeping. He then looked confused again, facing Luke. “I still have one question Master. Why did I also feel the same pain as Y/N?”

Luke’s face formed to one of confusion, before realisation and then anger. Pure anger. And rage. He got up from his position, towering Ben. “Tell me you didn’t, Ben.”

“That I didn’t what?” Ben asked, now afraid. Luke scoffed, shaking his head at him. He then let out a bitter laugh, looking at your sleeping figure.

“Out of all the people you could’ve formed a Jedi Bond with, a Jedi Soulmate with,” Luke spoke, clenching his fists in anger. “It just had to be Y/N.”

•

14 Years Old

Ben walked around the the temple, trying to search for you. You had both agreed to meet each other at the roof but you weren’t there so he had figured you were inside instead.

“Weird,” Ben muttered to himself when he realised you weren’t there either. He then decided to go to your hut instead. “Maybe she’s running late.”

Ben never needed to knock when he went to your hut, you guys were close enough that he didn’t need to. So he walked straight inside your hut without a care in the world.

“Oh my god!” You yelled, as you saw Ben walk inside unannounced. Ben’s eyes widened as he it dawned to him you were naked. Your whole torso and breasts were on full show as your hands tried to cover your pubic region.

Ben felt a weird feeling he had never experienced before. He felt his member twitch in his pants before growing painfully strong. Ben didn’t know what was happening to himself, before quickly bolting out of your hut.

He ran towards his hut, feeling the hardness of his cock restraining against his pants. He then barged into his hut and thankfully his roommate was nowhere in site. He then ran into the bathroom and locked the door behind him.

He was breathing heavily as he took of his pants and underwear. He watched in horror as his member sprang up and hit his lower abdomen. He then gulped, not knowing what to do.

His hand went carefully down to his member, trying to see what was wrong. As his fingers touched the tip, he let out a little hiss of pleasure. Red tinted his cheeks as he felt good.

He decided to try it again, this time holding his cock around his right hand. He then started moving his hand up and down, slowly before picking up the speed.

Ben started letting out little gasps of moans, feeling an unfamiliar pressure deep within him. This felt so good, Ben had thought.

He then pictured you naked, oh god you naked. That had made Ben let out a louder moan, pretending it was your hand doing the work.

“Y-Y/N,” Ben moaned out, moving his hand faster around his cock, precum oozing out of the tip. He then pictured you licking, kissing and swallowing it. He envisioned you sitting on top of him, riding his cock.

Soon enough, the thoughts got so filthy, Ben felt pressure release from his hips and cum spurt out from his cock.

He was a panting mess, sweat in his forehead. He looked at the chaos he had created on the floor and let out a sigh, thickly swallowing.

He then heard footsteps from outside before it came closer and soon enough outside the door. A knock was then heard from the bathroom door.

“Ben it’s me Y/N. I hope I didn’t scare you,” he heard your quiet voice. “I just got back to the hut late from practice with Leirra and I was quickly getting changed. If it’s not too late, we can still go to the roof top? If it’s fine with you?”

“It’s fine,” Ben called out, hoping his voice doesn’t sound too weird.

‘It was really fine,’ Ben had thought, grabbing tissues from near the sink as he begun cleaning the mess he had created.

•

16 Years Old

“Y/N hurry up, we’re going to be late for Daario’s 18th birthday,” Ben yelled out as he stood in the middle of your hut. It was a simple hut; a sofa in the middle with a carpet and a couple of books. Then there was two rooms, one for the bathroom and the other for the toilet. About only 10 people can fit into the living room, so the hut was pretty cramped. “Not that I wanna go, I hate the guy and pretty much everyone here. Except you. You’re alright sometimes-“

“Just wait a secound!”

“That’s what you said two hours ago!” He yelled back, before chuckling to himself. He then looked at himself in the mirror. He had a beige shirt, with the first four buttons open to reveal the beggining of his well defined chest. His hair was ruffled, his classic look. He also had black dress pants on with combat boots.

“Master Skywalker left to visit some resistant officers and will be back tomorrow, which means you don’t have to be the only person who doesn’t drink booze tonight,” Ben spoke, fixing his hair through the mirror. He did not hear you walk into the room. “Although I don’t want you to drink because it means I have to take care of you and-“

Ben stopped speaking when he saw your reflection from the mirror, his breath stuck within his throat. You wore a sheer, silk, tight-in-the-right-places red dress that touched the floor. It was off the shoulder and showed off cleavage and your collar region. Around your waist was a golden belt and you had golden bracelets lining your upper arm to match.

Your hair was done in a half-up half-down style, with the half-up being done in a complex braid. Your wore a deep red lipstick, one that had Ben’s thoughts in a filthy mess. “So, how do I look?”

Ben was speechless. He didn’t know what to say and he couldn’t form coherent sentences. To Ben, you were always a walking Goddess. He did not know why you someone like you had hung around with someone like him. You had him wrapped around your fingers. But right now? He wanted to pin you down and show you how he would’ve kissed you all those years ago if you waited a bit longer.

“You- you look-“ Ben stopped, his mouth still open. You blushed, looking down at your shoes. “Wow.”

Ben kept looking over your figure. It’s obvious that since you hit puberty, your body had matured. You had more curves and swells then Ben remembered.

“Uh- how about we head to the party now?” You suggested, your voice stuck in your throat. Ben quickly nodded, pulling down his shirt slightly to receive some air.

‘This is going to be a long night’, Ben had thought.

•

Music was filling the evening as every Padawan was dancing around the fire. The drums and laugher had filled Ben’s eardrums, as everyone was enjoying the 18th birthday of Daario, the second last person to turn 18 out of all of you, with you still being 16.

Ben watched as you danced around with Leirra; your sparring partner. You two had grown close since Master Luke had paired the both of you. She wasn’t as close as you and Ben, not by a long shot, but she was the one you went to for womenly advice.

You loved to dance, to have fun. Ben however was the opposite. He sat down, drinking down a non-alcoholic beverage whilst watching you. He didn’t want to be drunk so that he would be able to watch over you in case something unexpected happened.

He watched as you twirled around and laughed, your hair being blown by the wind. And Ben wasn’t the only watching. He watched as Almec too was watching you with a smile on his face.

It wasn’t a secret to Ben that Almec had a crush on you. Maybe a secret to you because you were blind to attention, but no secret to Ben. Ben hated Almec, always competed with him. He also found himself letting out his anger on him everytime the two had trained together.

Almec was truly in love with you, and Ben couldn’t blame him. He too had fallen hopelessly in love with you. But that didn’t stop Ben from being jealous everytime he tried to speak to you.

Ben and Almec were complete opposite. Ben had pale skin, raven-black hair and eyes whereas Almec was tanner with lighter eyes and hair. He was the perfect man. And maybe that’s why it made it harder for Ben. Because he was such a outgoing, loved man whereas he was quiet, with everyone being scared of him.

Ever since the bird incident, no one had tried to befriend him. Everyone was already scared of him. Everyone but you.

Ben felt a gaze on him, turning around to see Daario. Daario smirked before getting up, walking towards Ben’s direction. Ben let out a sigh, wanting to be left alone.

“Here we fucking go,” Ben muttered to himself before Daario walked over, taking a seat next to the Solo boy. Daario then looked over at you, watching you dancing.

“Beautiful isn’t she? Not a lot of girls here to compare her too but we all know she’s the most beautiful we’ll ever see in our lives. Tried to get with her last summer. But if there’s one thing I learnt,” Daario begun, watching as Almec tapped your shoulder before asking you to dance with him. You nodded with a blush, making Ben clench his fists. “Is that she looks past who she looks past.”

“What the hell does that even mean?” Ben shot him an annoyed look, taking a sip of his drink. Daario looked at him, handing him the beer he had. Ben looked at it before shaking his head. He picked up the drink and chugged it all down.

“It means that once she gives you a label, that’s it, you don’t have a chance,” he begun, his eyes watching you and Almec dance. He whispered something in your ear, making you giggle. Daario let out a chuckle at that. “She sees you as a brother, a best friend. She won’t fuck you.”

“Excuse me?” Ben slammed down the drink, now looking at Daario who still had an arrogant smirk on his face. “What the fuck did you just say.”

“That she won’t fuck you.”

“You better show some fucking respect for her before I knock your teeth out,” Ben warned, getting up from his seat. Daario kept sitting down, crossing his arms.

“Hey what’s wrong,” Almec had asked you when he saw you slow down your dancing. You shook your head, grabbing your chest as you felt anger, hatred.

“Ben,” you had whispered, looking over to see him. He was meters far away from you. You saw him yelling at Daario, but you couldn’t hear what he was saying. But you felt it. You felt the wrath, pain and jealousy. But the feeling you felt the most? Loneliness.

“I’m just saying man,” Daario continued, not phased by Ben’s towering figure over him. “She likes Almec. All your doing is getting in the way. And for what? She doesn’t want to fuck you, plain and simple. I mean, look at her right now? She’s basically pushing herself against him, trying to show off her fucking tits. She’s giving him blowjob eyes-“

Ben drew his fist back, punching Daario straight in the nose, a crack deafening sound following afterwards. The party went quiet as everyone watched on. Daario got up, ready to retaliate but Daario was never good with combat training. He ranked sixth out of everyone.

Ben grabbed him by the collar, lifted him up before slamming him against the floor. You let out a gasp, wanting to run over to him but you were held back by Almec. “Don’t. Ben’s too dangerous. Erratic. You’ll get yourself hurt.”

You looked at Almec, shaking your head at him, hurt by his choice of words. You then pulled away from him before running over towards Ben.

Ben kept hitting him in the face, blood pouring down Daario’s nose and staining his fists. He felt all the resentment, the betrayal and bitterness of his life come out.

‘Yes my Protigee, let it out,’ he heard a voice speak to him. Ben felt the voice encourage him as he continued to hit him. ‘Let all the anger and fear out on him. He’s worthless, a disgrace to the force.’

You watched in horror as Daario’s face was beyond comprehension, a hand covering your mouth. This isn’t Ben, this isn’t the Ben you know. “Ben stop! Please- just stop!”

‘End him,’ the voice encouraged him, drowning out your own. Ben felt adrenaline fill his veins as he lifted his arm up, using the force to pick Daario up from the floor. Daario begun coughing, unable to breath. All the Padawans were shocked as Ben was using the force to potentially kill someone.

Your blood ran cold as you saw the emotionless fire of his eyes. You watched as Daario gripped his neck, trying to desperately to allow oxygen to enter his lungs. Desperately clawing at his neck to have this all end now. You called out to Ben again with more urgency. But he didn’t listen to you. ‘Do it! End him now!’

“Ben stop you’re scaring me,” you spoke, making Ben freeze. Your breath was shaking, your heart beating a million miles per hour. You were scared out of your mind. For the first time in years, you finally found out what Master Luke, Almec and Leirra have been warning you about all these years. And yet, that still didn’t stop you. It only fuelled your passion to help him more. “Y-you’re scaring me Ben.”

Ben let out a small huff, before starting to breath heavily as he looked at Daario’s bloody face. The man was groaning, unable to breath. Ben felt your hand against his shoulder, making him put his hand down and drop Daario in the floor. Daario let out a wheeze, before gasping for air. “I- I don’t know what-“

“It’s okay.”

“I don’t- I don’t know what happened,” Ben shook his head. He felt the eyes of all the Padawans on him who haven’t spoken since the fight broke out. “I don’t- I don’t know what happened.”

“It’s okay Ben,” you whispered to him, your hand sliding down to grab his. “Let’s just get out of here, okay?”

Ben nodded, feeling you pull him. He let you guide him to wherever it is you were taking him. He didn’t know what had happen, all he wanted to do was give Daario a single punch. But something, someone, in his head had pushed him to go further. To murder him.

And the scariest thing was, Ben was so close to doing it. If it wasn’t for you, he would have gone with it.

•

It was quiet between you and Ben as you were silently cleaning his fists. There were cuts and bruises, as well as blood that you knew wasn’t his.

You used the force to draw out water from thin air before breathing onto it, creating ice that you moved towards his bruises. Ben watched you in awe at your uniqueness. But he wanted you to speak to him, to talk. He wanted to explain himself, why he did it. But the truth is, he didn’t know why he did it. He just knows that there’s a darkness within him and he’s scared.

“Y/N-“

“Stop,” you voice cracked, trying to fight back the tears that threatened to escape your eyes. “I don’t- I don’t want to talk about it.”

“But we have to,” Ben replied back, watching as you tried to distract yourself with cleaning his wounds, continuing to draw out water to turn into ice for his wounds.

“You scared me today Ben,” your voice trembled as you chucked away the tissue. He felt a sharp pang in his chest.

“That’s the last thing I want to do,” Ben whispered. You looked away from him, staring at the wall as you felt a tear escape your eye.

“Since the day you found the dead bird, I- I have been protecting you, defending you,” you spoke, biting the inside of your cheek. “Every time someone spoke horrible things about you, every time someone warned me to stay away, I defended you. Because I care about you Ben. From day one, you were the only one.”

“And you’re the only one I care about,” Ben replied back, his eyes welling up with tears. But they didn’t fall. He didn’t let them.

“But you proved to them why I should stay away from you,” you sniffed, wiping your eyes. “So tell me Ben, why shouldn’t I stay away from you?”

“I can’t tell you why, but I can tell you the truth,” Ben spoke, getting up from his seat. “I have a darkness within me. I know you know that. I didn’t want to kill Daario, but a voice within me was encouraging me, tempting me. And I thought I- I was going to do it. But- but as soon as I heard your voice, I stopped. You bring out the light in me. You don’t need me. I don’t add value to you. But you do to me. So I’m begging you Y/N, don’t leave me. Don’t leave me like everyone else did.”

“How long has this voice been in your head?” You asked him. Ben looked down, a look of shame washing his eyes. You grabbed his jaw, making him look at you. “How long Benjamin?”

“Since I was four,” he admitted, a single tear escaping his eye. “That’s why my parents sent me here. They- they saw me-“

Ben stopped, shaking his head as he was too afraid to speak, afraid that he might scare you away. “Saw you what Ben?”

“I- I heard a voice. It told me to-“ Ben let out a small huff, trying to stop himself from crying. He grabbed his hand, rubbing circles. This had calmed him down the slightest. “It told me to kill my father.”

“Did you do it?” You asked him. Ben looked up, shaking his head at you. “Doing something and thinking something are two different things. You’re not a bad person. You’re just fighting the light versus the dark. And no one can blame you. Your grandfather went through the same thing. But Ben if you ever feel the darkness again, please come talk to me. Whether it is the middle of the night, early morning or even when I’m dead. I want you to try to speak to me. Promise?”

You rested your forehead on his. Ben closed his eyes, trying to savour this moment. “I promise.”

You closed your eyes too, trying to feel the moment. Your hand went to his cheek, brushing against it softly. You then opened your eyes. “Look at me Ben.”

Ben opened his eyes to see you already staring back. He felt himself in the trance, your eyes captivating. His heart was hammering against his chest and he could feel yours too. “I love you Benjamin Solo.”

You didn’t give him time to respond as he felt your lips against him. Ben was taken back, but this time he was determined to respond. He lifted his hand, grazing your jaw. He felt the softness of your lips against his.

His tongue traced the bottom of your lip before entering. His hands went lower before it stopped right above your bum, pulling you closer towards him. He felt your chest rub against him, making him kiss you even harder.

After a couple of minutes, you both pulled back, gasping for air. Ben studied your face for any regret but found none. He smiled, feeling absolutely blissful. This was his first actual kiss, and boy did he enjoy it. He looked at you with such an adoration and intensity that your whole face went red. He always made you feel like he worshipped you.

“And I love you, Y/N. I’ve always loved you.”

Taglist (CLOSED)

@lafy-taffy @ah-callie @eridanuswave @janilovecookies @penny4yrthoughts @hello-juuliana @lullaboid @artsyzartsi @ieatboyss @thescarletknight2014 @oh-mymendes @marrypuffsstuff @simonsbluee @i-have-arrived-bitch @lizziekins @treestarrrrrrrr @petalduck @forksoffortune @morningdangerheart @laubluered @killtherandomness @rintheemolion @channna @ashleymarieriffle @oopsiedoopsie23 @cynthianokamaria @spn-obsession @bugga-bee @idontliveanymorekay @theboyxwholived @bookgirlunicorn @princess-yuna @ren-ni @pokengirl2 @jonerys-was-canon @i-am-lokii-of-asgard @wecouldbreakthedistance @bellsclarkee @mell-bell @benflyingsolo @iwritefanficnotprophecies @freaky-dcaky @steve-thotgers @saucysuazo @gothicgirl100 @sincerelymaria @broadway-runaway @writtenbypics @autobotgirl15-blog @holacherrycola

#star wars #ben solo #ben solo x y/n #ben solo x you #ben solo x reader #kylo ren #kylo ren x y/n #kylo ren x you #kylo ren x reader #star wars imagine #jedi #luke skywalker #kylo ren x oc #ben solo x oc #adam driver #adam driver x reader #adam driver x y/n

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de-profundis-ad-astra · 4 years ago

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Fury, Oh Fury - Part One

Triple Frontier | Hunger Games AU

Me: Hey what if I started working on Fury again? Y’all: Me: Hey if I started working on Fury again would you read it? Y’all: Me: Okay okay you’ve forced my hand I guess I gotta start working on Fury again

Rating || Mature (for graphic descriptions of violence/gore and strong language) Characters || Ben Miller. William Miller. A good chunk of this fic will be heavily focused on the Miller brothers, because I’m most comfortable writing them and I feel like I know them the best. Rest assured, Pope and Catfish will be making appearances ~eventually~ Word Count || 4.2k Taglist || (Starting out tagging some mutuals and people I remember from the previous taglist) @firefeatherx @mylifeliterally @mandoplease @phoenixhalliwell @skylyknightly @havenforafrazzledmind @beatriz-silva-00 @veuliee @veuliee2 @oldstuffnewstuff @dindisneydjarin @lilacyennefer @dignityneeded @agirllovespancakes @xjustmenobodyelse @oscarflysaac @jaime1110 @goldenhour-goldenboy @pascalz @briskywalker @herestherealproblem @givemethatgold

Author’s Note || For anyone who might be new here, @veuliee sent me a concept that I kinda uh, tripped over my own feet and plunged face first into and that’s the story of how I started writing a Hunger Games AU for Triple Frontier. Things got unbelievably crazy once I started work, and I’ve had some pretty unhealthy work/home boundaries with being virtual. I’m trying to establish some healthier limits and make more time for my writing, and this seemed like a good enough starting point. That and the outlines for the rest of this fic are still staring at me and demanding to be written.

So, here goes.

Home hasn’t felt like home since Will left.

It’s been nothing more than a house since the day of the reaping, almost a month ago. A collection of walls with a roof—the same as any other building. The place where he grew up. A place to rest his head and feed himself between training sessions. It won’t be home until Will comes back.

If he comes back.

Will has trained for this, Ben tells himself when doubt creeps in, wraps its icy fingers around his lungs and clenches tight, pushes down on his chest in the dead of the night and it feels like Ben is drowning. Will practiced and fought and earned the chance to volunteer for District Two. He wouldn’t have been selected as the male tribute for this year if his teachers hadn’t felt he had a strong chance of returning victorious.

But there had been Two’s female tribute also. And the tributes from One and Four. All were formidable in a fight, and knew the tips and tricks to survival that would be essential in the arena. Not to mention the Games themselves were an absolute wild card. For all Will’s training, he still could be killed by a natural disaster of the gamemakers design, stabbed in the back by his allies, a tribute from an outlying district could catch him off guard.

There’s far too much that can go wrong; Ben drowns each and every thought behind his own training at the academy.

He can’t let that kind of vulnerability shine through. Not to his father. Not to his peers. Especially not when he’s being followed as much as his brother in the arena. Since the field of tributes narrowed down to eight five days ago, when Capitol cameras and personnel arrived to interview him and his father, there’s been hardly a moment of privacy. So Ben covers his fear with a smile, says he has full confidence that his brother will be home as soon as he can. He laughs when they ask him if he’ll volunteer one day, just like his brother did.

Ben answers with a grin, says he has no place to make that determination—but who knows?

Deep down… he knows. He’s known for a while now. He’s young, but he’s already tall, strong, quick. A prodigy, they’d said of his skills. A promised child, just like his brother was.

In spite of his age, Ben is favored to volunteer and represent District Two in the coming years. For now, though, the focus is on honing those skills, shaping him into the best warrior they can to bring pride to District Two.

The Capitol, they say, are charmed by him already. The idea of two brothers bearing the title of Victor is the kind of narrative they’re keen to fall for. So Ben plasters that smile on and lets himself become a part of the show.

Because if he lost Will…

If he lost Will—

Where would home be?

All of District Two seems to have hit pause, every pair of eyes glued to the nearest screen.

Peacekeepers-in-training pause their exercises. Future tributes stop their sparring matches. The lines at every shop in town are on hold. Even the children have stopped playing their games to witness this.

And in the city square, standing in front of the Justice Building in a roped off section reserved for family, the mayor, and a handful of District Two’s more recent victors, thirteen year old Benjamin Miller tries to keep his fidgeting down to an occasional scuff of his feet on the dusty ground or flex of his weary muscles.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it seems we are entering the final moments of the Fifty-fourth annual Hunger Games!”

The massive screens mounted in the square broadcast live footage from the arena. Presently, two feeds are placed side by side, dedicated to the two remaining tributes of this year’s Hunger Games. One tracks Will’s every move, the other follows his opponent: the boy from District Four.

Will abandoned the Career pack when there were still fourteen tributes left. One night, during his watch shift, he left them behind, taking with him a pack with enough food to last him four days, a bottle of water, a sleeping bag, a hunting knife, and his preferred sword. A long, wicked thing most people might have struggled to wield two-handed. Will handled it with ease. One-handed.

Speculation rippled through the district at that. The decision to leave so early in the Games was shocking enough. Why not kill the rest while they slept and increase his odds of victory by an exponential margin? It was known that the pack would disband eventually, but why so soon?

At the academy, Will was both praised and berated for his choice. It was understandable to leave before bonds formed and killing another tribute turned into killing an ally. But so early? When so much could go wrong? It was a risk not many were brave enough to take.

In the arena, navigating the terrain proved to be its own exercise of survival. This year’s terrain consisted of three mountains of varying height, surrounded by dense forest. It became apparent early on that the woods were not safe, as they were crawling with all manner of predators, both organic and manufactured by the Capitol. Two weeks into the Games, the gamemakers destroyed the entire forest with a raging wildfire, killing an additional two tributes.

The forest now uninhabitable, Will had taken to carving out several hiding places among the mountainsides. Once he’d burned through his rations, he relied on hunting small creatures still inhabiting the cliffs and whatever his mentor was able to provide through sponsors. With the element of surprise working for him, Will had managed to ambush and eliminate four additional tributes, bringing his kill count to a whopping ten—high above the average for a typical career.

Almost half of the playing field, brought down by one seventeen-year old. Will must have struck a deal with his allies before the start of the Games, because during the bloodbath, he’d done most, if not all of the killing while the remainder of his team secured their supplies from the Cornucopia. If he walked away from this, he’d be the pride of District Two for a long time to come on that merit alone.

When the tribute pack thinned down to four, the gamemakers struck again. Devastating rockslides hammered each mountain, cutting off both Will’s access to his hiding spots, and any freshwater sources he’d relied on. The slides killed two tributes, the girl from One and the boy from Five.

Ben remembered watching in abject horror as his brother fled from the avalanche, finally managing to take cover underneath an outcropping of rock that shielded him from the worst of it. He’d escaped, though not without accruing a fair amount of scrapes and bruises along the way. The worst of it was a small, but deep cut slicing through his eyebrow. By a small miracle, it had stopped bleeding within an hour, but half of Will’s face was now crusted with streaks of dried blood, only adding to his already haggard state. He lost his knife in the chaos, but managed to hold onto his sword—his saving grace.

Not only that, but the only reason the boy from Four had survived was because he’d turned on his companion as they fled. When they were clear of the slides, while her guard was down, he’d shoved her back, right into the path of an oncoming boulder. She was crushed before she could even appear shocked by the betrayal. There weren’t even any remains left for the hovercraft to collect.

More whispers rippled through the district, then. Yes, it was sad. But it was what needed to be done.

No fresh water. Most of the wildlife either dead or scared off. Two tributes. It was evident the gamemakers wanted to end this fast. The Games had already lasted nearly three and a half weeks, far longer than average. This year had proven to be a particularly hardy bunch. Even getting a small water bottle into the arena at this rate would likely cost a large fortune.

Which meant they were on their own.

The moment the dust cleared, the cannons fired and faces projected in the sky, everyone knew what came next. Immediately, a space was cleared in the square for Ben and his father, victors called out to join and prepare to offer either congratulations or condolences depending on the outcome of the final encounter.

On the screen, Will inches his way along a narrow path on the face of the tallest mountain. All he has on his person is his sword and his clothes, veritably shredded after three weeks of fighting for his life in such an unforgiving environment. The landscape is similar enough that when Ben looks at the screen with the boy from Four, he can’t tell how near they are to each other. Will grew up in the mountains of Two. In theory, he should have an advantage over the boy from the coast. Nothing is ever set in stone, though—not in the Hunger Games. Four had proven himself to be quiet the adaptable tribute.

They have to be getting close, Ben thinks, there’s no way the gamemakers would push them away from each other at this point.

As if in answer to his thought, a low, feline snarl rumbles through the speakers. It’s faint, far away, but Will hears it. Everyone hears it. Pressing his back against the rock, he dares a swift look down towards the origin of the sound. As if oblivious to the cameras trained on him or simply not caring, Will’s shout cuts through the wind.

“Fuck!”

The camera angle switches, and Ben’s heart plummets.

Prowling about fifty feet beneath Will’s feet is a strange breed of feline, the likes of which Ben has never seen before. Three of them. Large, with a pale golden coat and small round ears. Long, curved, razor-sharp claws extending from all four oversized paws carve thin scratches into the rock as they pace back and forth beneath him.

Ben’s first thought is cougar, but then the cat looks up, and he beholds the elongated canines extending far past its lower jaw. He’s learned about it in school. A kind of cat that went extinct long before the continent was even known as the Americas. Despite his best efforts, Ben cannot recall its name.

It’s undoubtedly a muttation, designed and put out by the gamemakers to do one thing: kill.

The long-toothed cat bares its teeth, its companions following suit. From his perch on the mountainside, Will’s chest moves rapidly. He’s struggling to control his breath, Ben realizes. His throat tightens, his stomach tangling with itself.

Beside him, his father murmurs, “Move, William, move.”

“Look at that!” one of the commentators yells. “It seems the gamemakers have one last trick up their sleeves to push Will and Reed together!”

Ben grips the rope in front of him as if that is the only thing separating him from Will. The big cat crouches, leaps up to a rock jutting out from the mountainside, ten feet closer to him. Ben spares one glance towards Four’s feed. He doesn’t seem to be faring much better. Another trio of cats nip at his heels as he struggles to ascend the mountain.

Will’s breathing slows and deepens, and he masters himself enough to take several tiny steps closer to the end of the path. There, he will easily be able to summit the mountain, another twenty feet above his head.

The cats leap up another ten feet, and Will draws his sword with one hand. Bracing his free hand on the smooth, grey rock, he angles the blade towards the advancing cats and continues inching along. Only a few more feet separate him from the safety of the broad platform of stone. Beneath him, one of the cats leans back onto its haunches. Its entire body trembles before it goes preternaturally still, preparing to make one last leap towards its prey.

Reading the movements, Will does the same. For a moment, they lock eyes. Blue to gold, predator to predator. Silence grips the square. Ben’s lungs strain against his ribs, but he doesn’t let himself breathe. Not yet. Not when it feels as if a single puff of air could alter the course of history in this moment.

The cat leaps.

So does Will.

He goes nearly parallel to the ground, his free hand reaching out for something he can catch himself on and his sword hand sweeping downward the same moment the cat swipes a clawed paw towards him.

The honed edge of the sword slices deep into the neck of the feline. A trail of blood droplets follows the arc of the blade as Will twists in midair, angling his body so his back will take the brunt of the impact and tucking his chin down into his chest. The cat yowls as it tumbles back, the sound turning into an awful gurgle before cutting off. Its body falls down the steep mountain face. Ben only catches a short glimpse before it tumbles off the screen, but he can see that Will cut deep enough that its head is barely hanging on by a few tendons and muscle fibers. A thick streak of red smears the rock where it fell.

With a grunt, Will slams into the ground, sliding over the dirt and loose rocks for a moment before his body stills. He remains there for several seconds before ever so slowly, he turns onto his side. Pressing his left hand into the ground, Will pushes himself up, dragging his feet beneath his shoulders. As soon as he puts his weight onto his legs, he gives out and he topples back down.

Any relief Ben felt at his brother’s life-saving maneuver is swelled out by a pulse of fear when he sees why his brother can’t stand.

A duo of long cuts, so straight and deep it looks almost surgical, extends from the middle of Will’s thigh down to his ankle. Ben had been so busy watching his brother he’d been oblivious to the fact that the cat had gotten him.

Each breath Will takes has blood oozing from the laceration until the leg of his pants are soaked and glistening a deep, sullen red. He tries, and fails, again to rise to his feet. Even using the sword as a support, he loses his footing and crumbles, his weight kicking up a cloud of dust when he hits the rock.

“In a stunning turn of events, it seems that the outcome of these Games have already been determined…”

Get up, Ben thinks with every shred of desperation he has. Get up, Will.

Will sluggishly turns onto his back, and hoists himself upright with his legs stretched in front of him. It seems to take every bit of energy he has to shrug his jacket off, and slide it underneath his bleeding leg. He brazenly ties the sleeves around his thigh until his arms are straining and the blood flow slows. The makeshift tourniquet may save his life, but it’s only a matter of minutes before the damage is so permanent that he risks losing the limb altogether.

Again, using his sword for support, Will heaves himself to his feet. He wobbles again, and Ben feels his heart rise into his throat before he steadies himself. Will straightens, and takes a few limping steps towards the final ascent. He’d been so busy tending to his wound, worrying about the big cats, that he hadn’t heard the approaching footsteps. Ben, too wrapped up in concern for his brother, hadn’t checked the other video feed, hadn’t heard the commentators call out in shock—

When Four crashes into Will and sinks a knife into his shoulder.

Ben, his father, the city square, the entirety of District Two, cry out in collective shock as Will and Four go down, Four pinning him with a roar so inhuman it sends a chill skittering over Ben’s bones.

It’s worse, so much worse than he’d imagined.

Blood sprays, and Will’s fingers splay when he hits the rock. His sword clattering too far for him to reach. Ben barely processes what he sees as he fights to remain upright. He feels the cameras in the square narrow in on him. He can’t give out. Not now.

Will rolls, flipping Four off of him and onto the ground, wrenching the knife in his shoulder free in the process. His blood drips down the blade as Four angles it in front of himself, his own arm shredded, likely from his encounter with those big cats. Will slowly climbs to his knees, beaten and bloody and entirely at a disadvantage. The blood, the dirt—he looks more animal than human when he bares his teeth.

Ben’s never seen anything like it. Anything so unearthly, so primal and raging.

Four leaps again, and Will leans down. As Four descends on him, Will straightens, and there’s a clang of metal on metal.

It takes a moment for Ben to understand what he sees.

But there’s Will, knife in hand, his face red with the effort it takes to keep Four from landing another blow. He’d lost his knife in the avalanche. He’d seen it.

How long had Will kept a knife hidden in his boot, waiting for a moment such as this to use it?

Will manages to deflect what would have been a life-ending blow, but they topple again. Four bellows as Will’s blade plunges into his forearm and twists. The shrieking of Four, coupled with the spray of blood, sends a chill weaving down Ben’s spine.

Move, move, move!

Four’s free hand slams into Will’s face hard enough to crack bone, and Will stumbles back, blood gushing.

Will just grunts, his brow bunching in pain and concentration.

Every part of Ben shakes.

Four punches his face again and the sound fracks from Ben, “Will.”

Four yanks his arm free of Will’s knife, blood spraying like rain as he slashes at Will. He catches Four’s wrist in the follow-through with both hands, pinning his arm across his body. Four swings with his free hand, the punch easily dodged this time by Will.

They stare at each other for long, uncounted moments, nothing between them but howling wind and heavy, pained panting.

Then Will does the last thing Ben expects him to.

He headbutts Four.

Will releases Four’s arm as he staggers towards the edge of the peak, right towards where the long-toothed cats stalk in wait. The blow proves disorienting enough, and though Four swings his arms wildly to regain his balance, he takes one step back too far back and plummets.

He screams as he falls, but it goes hauntingly quiet when he hits.

The impact of Four’s body on the stone is heard across the nation. They wait for the cannon, but there’s nothing.

The mutts attack.

Will sinks to his knees.

Ben clutches the rope so tightly his knuckles whiten. It could be minutes, it could be hours, before the cannon booms at last.

Will looks to the side, his eyes finding the camera as if he’s known precisely where it was the entire time. Something like relief shines there, overpowered by pain and fury and something feral as the announcer declares, “Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the victor of the fifty-fourth Hunger Games, William Miller—the tribute of District Two!”

Two days later, Will’s final interview in the Capitol airs. Before now, he’s been kept keenly away from the cameras, and it becomes clear why the moment Ben sees him for the first time since his final glimpse in the arena. He wears a sharp grey suit, but any evidence of his injuries on his face have been wiped away. Whether by makeup or surgical alteration, Ben can’t tell. His skin is smooth and pristine, unmarred by bruises or cuts or even the faintest scar.

The crowd breaks into applause as Will is presented. He gives a winning smile, but the haunted glow is still there. He still looks a little too much like a cornered animal. His stylist is praised for his masterful capture of Will’s strength, physique, and iron-willed character.

Will sits in the victor’s chair like he was born for it. Maybe he was. He views the highlights with the rest of the nation, and answers his interviewer’s questions with grace.

“While you were there, in the arena,” says the host. “Was there any one thing that kept you going?”

Will seems to think on it for a moment, working his jaw over before he answers, “My brother. The whole time… I just wanted him to know that I love him.”

The audience croons about how strong and brave he is. Ben feels himself swell with pride.

He wants to be like Will one day, he thinks.

The wait for the train is its own agony.

District Two is nearest to the Capitol, but operations there don’t start until late in the morning on a good day. With the conclusion of the Games so fresh, it seems they need a few extra hours to get moving.

At last, the train rolls into the station late in the afternoon. No one comments on how Ben stood there, waiting for almost the whole day as more and more citizens of Two arrive to welcome their newest victor. They chatter amongst themselves, clearing space for Ben’s father as he arrives at last, fresh off his shift as the town’s head Peacekeeper.

As the train crawls to a halt, the voices around Ben die down, awaiting with bated breath for Will to show himself. Ben feels like he’s about to burst from his own skin with the anticipation—

The doors open, and there he is.

Will’s eyes snap to Ben’s almost instantly. The relief that cleaves through him almost knocks him to his knees.

Ben thinks it might have, had Will not leaped down and ran to him.

Will opens his arms, and Ben finds his way home.

Will remembers every face of every tribute in that godforsaken place.

The ones he killed directly haunt him the most.

He kept count of many things in the arena. The minutes that turned into hours that turned into days away from home… away from Ben. The number of breaths he still counted himself lucky to take. But most poignant of all was those faces. Each one, their faces as they died, had been etched into his memory. Every time he blinks, he sees them.

Ten. He killed ten of them.

The train barely makes a creak as it speeds over the railway. The ride from the Capitol to District Two isn’t long—barely an hour.

Though he grew up in one of the “wealthy” districts, there is a certain elegance to Capitol wares Will thinks he’s going to miss. He relishes in every moment he has left, wresting back thoughts of death and killing and betrayal.

He hadn’t been lying when he said it was Ben that got him through the worst of it in the arena. But that hadn’t been the whole truth, either. It was the thought of how he could redeem himself after so much tragedy, inflicting so much pain on others. He couldn’t do that if he let himself die in the arena.

How did Ben—little Benny, who perhaps wasn’t so little anymore but would always be to Will—see him now, at the end of it all? What could he say that would make all the violence, all the killing, right.

He didn’t know how, but he would do it. Will would make sure to see it done, no matter what it took.

Will is barely formulating what he can say to his brother when he feels the breaks engage on the train. All too soon, just like that, he’s back home… whatever home is, now. Sure, he’ll have the house in Victor’s Village and of course his family would be allowed to live with him, but the concept seems too foreign, now. He suspects it’ll take some time to adjust to that.

His mentor—a victor from about ten years ago, beckons him forward. Will’s legs are surprisingly shaky as he rises to his feet. Outside, he can hear the district already clapping, cheering for him. He tries to imagine Ben there, tries to pretend that his brother will be happy to see him, that he’ll be happy to see Ben.

The doors open.

Light floods the train car, and Will almost lifts a hand to block the sun. The initial surge of stimulus is overwhelming. The light, the sound, the unrelenting heat of the mountains. Will blinks hard to adjust his eyes.

As if by gravitational pull, he sees him.

His eyes find Ben’s, almost an exact mirror of his own. His brother’s eyes are wide, his face broken into a grin so wide it’s a wonder his skin hasn’t split.

That’s all it takes.

Will leaps down from the train car and runs. Every thought, every doubt, every word flees his mind as he takes in the sight of his brother. Healthy and whole and alive.

Ben’s there to meet him. They collide, and Will finds his way home.

#triple frontier #triple frontier fanfiction #william miller #william ironhead miller #ben miller #benny miller #pls god let this post to the tag on the first try #i don't want to redo all the formatting #triple frontier fic

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multiharlot · 5 years ago

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real life bau (rls 2) / matthew gray gubler x fem!reader

summary: matthew meets the real life bau

warnings: this one is so long for no damn reason. adjfhalfkh sorry. but i had fun writing it.

masterlist

part one

third person pov

“please give a nice warm welcome to matthew gray gubler!”

matthew stumbles out onto the stage, nearly tripping over himself as he waves into the crowd.

“hey!” he smiles widely as he sits down in the chair.

“hey how are you?” the interviewer chuckles.

“i’m great! and yourself?”

“i’m great. you seem like you’re in a fantastic mood.” the interviewer chuckles, as matthew adjusts himself in the chair.

“i am i am. i just got off the phone with my girlfriend.” he smiles proudly, making the interviewer smile.

“ah, y/n right? i’ve seen the photos of you two together but you’ve never spoken about it. is this an exclusive?” the interviewer asks as he sends a playful smirk matthew’s way.

“i guess it is, yeah.” matthew chuckles.

“well you two are absolutely adorable.” he says, crossing his left leg over his right.

“thank you! she was actually really nervous when i asked her if it was okay if started telling people we were together.”

“i’d be nervous too. you see all these people?” the interviewer chuckles, motioning out to the fans against the glass outside the building and the fans in the crowd.

“yeah. yeah i could understand why, which is the reason i never wanted to push her into things. but she was okay with it and now i could scream it off of a roof if i wanted to. well, i actually can’t, she said that’s too dangerous and i’m too clumsy to be on a roof anyways.” he laughs, making the interviewer laugh as well.

“well let’s talk about her. give us the scoop. to hell with these questions.” he shrugs, throwing the cards over his shoulder.

matthew laughs, adjusting the small backpack in his lap.

“well what do you want to know?”

“how’d you two meet?”

“she came in to consult on criminal minds after the first season. spencer reid’s character is actually based off of her.”

“you’re kidding.”

“no it’s true. she’s legally a genius. IQ of 187, reads 20,000 words per minute, eidetic memory. all of it. of course i made spencer my own and threw in little things here and there, but i also threw in little character traits that belong to her too.”

“this is so cute. keep going. tell me more.”

matthew chuckles as he runs his hand through his hair.

“for instance, spencer wears mismatched socks and is super awkward in both movements and social situations because of me. but the germ thing, that was inspired by the girl herself. and it was actually written in that spencer would be sort of...all over the place? so his neatness and those little mannerisms is all y/n.” matthew smiles proudly as the interviewer gushes.

“so essentially you’re dating yourself?” the interviewers laughs, and the crowd follows.

matthew is quick to shake his head in disagreement.

“no. there’s plenty of differences between the character i play and my girlfriend. for starters, she’s the strongest woman i’ve ever met. mentally and physically. she could definitely beat me up if she wanted to. spencer? not so much.” matthew laughs, a warm feeling arising in his chest as the thought of his girlfriend flooded his mind.

“as much as i love every second of this, i’m getting the evil eye from my producers, so let’s get on with this interview.” the interviewer smiles, picking up the cards from the floor.

as the interview went on, y/n and her team watched from their plane. her cheeks were hot and red and her team smirked at the girl sinking into herself.

“you know, you guys have been together for almost a year now and it’s not fair that you’ve met all his friends but he’s met none of yours.” fields says, taking a seat next to her as he sips on his coffee.

“well he’s flying out for a few weeks. that’s why i cashed in my sick days.” she smiles, blowing softly into her mug of hot coffee.

“and you weren’t gonna tell us?” their unit chief, lucas benjamin, asks.

“well i was i just...i dunno.” she shrugs, afraid of voicing the things she wanted to say.

“hey, what’s up?” phillip asks as he places a comforting hand on her forearm.

“i just...once he meets you guys. that makes it real. it...it means i have something to lose now. you know?” she sighs, chewing nervously on her bottom lip.

phillip lets out a low breath, exchanging concerning looks with the two other men on the plane. they all shift their gazes to crystal, who’s deadpan gaze pierces through them.

“hey, this job get’s hard. but having something to lose just makes you work that much harder. it’s gonna be okay, kid.” she smiles, leaning her head on the edge of the couch.

“yeah. and i’m sure we’ll love hollywood.” phillip says.

“ooh. hollywood. i like that.” fields smiles, making the girl groan.

“please don’t call him that when he gets here.”

the two boys exchange looks, nodding their heads at each other. they were definitely calling him that when he got there.

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

“i missed you so much.” matthew mumbles into her messy hair as they sprawled out beneath the covers.

“i missed you too...i saw the interview. we watched it on the plane.” she smiles as she runs her fingers through his curls.

“we?” he questions, quirking an eyebrow at his anxious girlfriend.

“yeah...like...the team. my team. you know. the real life bau.” she shrugs, sitting up and clutching the sheets to her body.

“hey, why’re you so nervous?” he chuckles, sitting up and placing his warm hand on her cool back.

“ummm...do you wanna meet them? maybe?” she asks, looking over at him with wide hopeful eyes.

he smiles and nods his head.

“if course i would.”

“o-okay.” she smiles, turning away from him and grabbing her clothes from the floor.

“is that what you were so nervous about?” he chuckles, watching her throw her dirty clothes into the hamper and change into new ones.

“yes, now come on. let’s go, they should still be at the office and they really wanna meet you.” she wiggles excitedly.

he shakes his head, watching her every move, soaking in every moment with her that he had. he watched as she ran her finger gently over the hangers in her closet, pulling out an orange corduroy skirt and sheer black tights. she glances down at her bedroom floor before picking up matthew’s sweater and throwing it on.

“hope you don’t mind.” she smiles, and he just shakes his head, staring dreamily at her.

it’s almost as if it was all happening in slow motion. he watched her pull on the tights and tuck the sweater into the skirt, his heart beating slowly in his chest. she sat down and pulled on her high top black converse, neatly tucking the laces into the top of the shoe. she stood up, smoothing out her skirt and matthew’s eyes skimmed over her body, taking mental photos of every inch of her.

“i love you.” he says, making her cease her movements.

she turns to him, a soft smile on her face.

“i-i love you too.”

his heart seems to skip a beat as he smiles wider, standing up out of bed and pulling her into him, pressing a firm kiss on her lips. she smiles against his lips before pulling away completely.

“come on, get dressed lazy. i’ll make us coffee.”

eventually, the two made their way to the quantico building. matthew was in awe of how similar the building actually was to their set.

“it’s crazy similar, huh? i’m always amazed whenever i watch the show.” y/n smiles, dragging him into the elevator as he clips the visitor badge on his shirt pocket.

“yeah, it’s actually kind of amazing.” he smiles, squeezing her hand softly.

“by the way, i really like this.” she says, pulling at the ends of the long sleeves of matthew’s sweater.

“it looks better on you than it ever could on me.” he says, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into him.

“okay mr. i’ve modeled for tommy hilfiger.” she snorts, making him roll his eyes.

the elevator dings open and she’s immediately met with the eager faces of her team.

“you guys couldn’t have waited in the bullpen like normal people?”

“come on now, sugar. you couldn’t have possibly thought we were normal people?” phillip smirks.

she rolls her eyes as her and matthew walk out of the elevator.

“well, matthew, that’s declan fields, we joined the team at the same time. and that’s phillip hannigan, resident pain in my ass, but also the morgan to my reid. this is abigail bronwin, our technical analyst, then there’s crystal miller, our communications liason. and lastly, lucas benjamin, our unit chief. matthew, meet my team. team, meet my matthew.” she smiles, leaning her head against matthew’s chest.

“her matthew. oh how gross!” fields gushes sarcastically.

“nice to meet you hollywood. come with us, let’s have a speak.” phillip sighs, wrapping his arm around matthew’s shoulders and pulling him away from y/n.

“no...no let’s not have a speak!” she says, rushing up to them.

“no. we’re going to have a speak, sugar.” phillip says, waving her off.

she look over at her female friends, silently pleading for their help. they simply shrug, following behind the boys. they seat matthew at y/n’s desk and he looks over the organized desktop and his eyes fall onto a duo frame. one side had a photo of her and matthew, and the other side held the drawing he had made for her on the day that they first met. he’s soon snapped back into reality when he hears y/n shouting over the male agents.

“i will take him and i will walk away. i will do it. i’ll quit!” she threatens, making everyone snort.

“no you won’t.” they all say in unison, making y/n frown.

“it’s fine, baby.” matthew quickly reassures, making a giggle arise in her throat at the sound of the pet name escaping his mouth.

“gross. okay. so hollywood, we’re just gonna lay out some ground rules. cool? good. first rule, treat her right or we’ll make your murder look like an accident. and i know you know we have the skills to do that.” fields says, leaning up against the desk.

y/n releases a sigh as she nervously chewed on her fingernails.

“if it makes you feel better, this method helped ward off my last boyfriend. and he wasn’t shit.” crystal shrugs, looping her arm through the panic ridden girl.

“and they do this because they love you. we all do.” abigail smiles, leaning her head on the girl’s shoulder.

“rule number two, never forget that we’re federal agents, meaning if you hurt her in any way shape or form, we’re coming for you and we’re charging you with assault on a federal agent. and don’t even think to run. we have an abigail and a vast network of contacts around the globe, there’s nowhere in this world where you could possibly hide.” lucas says, a stern glare looming over matthew as he crosses his arms over his chest.

“last but not least, rule number three, if you break her heart. i promise you, i will ruin your life. you see, y/n and i...we both lost our parents at a young age. so...we’re all we’ve got. and for a long time, it was just me and her. i’d lay down my life for that woman, many times i almost have. and she’s done the same for me. so if you break her, i promise you, you’ve got a world of hurt coming your way.” phillip says, making y/n sigh and chew faster on her nails.

matthew lets out a low breath, relaxing his shoulder and nodding his head.

“you got it.” he smiles, making the girls furrow their eyebrows and the men smile.

“you got it? that’s it?” abigail laughs sarcastically.

“i wouldn’t do any of those things, so i don’t have to worry.” matthew shrugs, smiling over at y/n.

she bit her lip nervously before sticking her hand out to him.

“well, now that you’ve met the real life bau, how about we all go for dinner?”

they all glance at their watches before nodding their heads. matthew stands up, grabbing y/n’s hand and bringing it up towards her chest as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. phillip throws his things over his shoulder before patting matthew on the back.

“i like you, hollywood. now tell me, is aj single?”

“jesus phillip.”

“what? a guy’s gotta know.”

taglist:

@dreatine @slytherinintj13 @mileven-reddie @eleventhdoctorsangel @haileymorelikestupid

#spencer reid #mgg imagine #matthew gray gubler imagine #matthew gray gubler x reader #Criminal Minds #criminal minds imagine #spencer reid imagine #spencer reid x reader

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hydroponicjj · 5 years ago

Note

what about protective joshua/ricky I feel like he’d be really touchy and always had a hand on you in front of other guys 👀

jealousy

pairing: ricky bowen x reader

word count: 1.3k

warnings: swearing

a/n: thank you so much for requesting! i took somewhat of a different approach, i hope that’s okay with you.

[ ·˚ ༘♡ ·˚ ♡ ]

“DO YOU REALIZE HOW UNHEALTHY THOSE THINGS ARE?” You started, taking a seat in between Ricky and Big Red at the lunch table closest to the courtyard.

“But they taste good,” Ricky pouted, resting his head on your shoulder.

“I can’t believe how big of a baby you are.” You joked, kissing him lightly on the cheek.

He lifted his head from your shoulder and wrapped his arms around your torso, giving you small kisses on the back of your neck.

“You guys are so gross,” Big Red gagged, rolling his eyes.

“We all know if Ashlyn wasn’t at home sick right now you two would be doing the same thing.” Ricky shot back.

“Are we really that bad?” He asked, leaning in.

“To be fair, you two are in the honeymoon stage.” You chimed in, looking back and forth between the two boys at your table.

Big Red had a look of pure shock plastered on his face while Ricky seemed to be enjoying his friend’s crisis.

“I’ve gotta call her,” Red frantically stood up from the table, taking his phone out of his back pocket and heading straight to the exit.

“Poor guy,” You chuckled, watching as he almost tripped over his feet while walking away.

“Do you wanna come over after school? We could order pizza and watch a movie?” Ricky suggested, he took a handful of fries and shoved them in his mouth.

“Sorry bubs but, someone signed up for tutoring this morning and I already said that we could meet in the library after school.” You explained, watching as the smile on his face slowly dissipated.

“You can’t ditch them, for me?” He asked, giving you the biggest puppy dog eyes known to man.

“Oh, how I wish I could.” The frown on his face got bigger and bigger with every second that passed but, it seemed as though he had finished trying to convince you to bail.

“Who is so adamant about tutoring anyway?” Ricky chuckled, taking a sip of his water.

“Benjamin,”

Ricky almost choked on his water. He began to cough very loudly, gaining the attention of many pupils in the cafeteria, giving him a face of disgust.

“Benjamin? As in Benjamin Caswell?” Ricky questioned, disbelief coursing through his veins. Would you really stand him up for a Caswell?

You nodded.

Benjamin Caswell, EJ’s younger brother. He was a junior, the same as the two of you. Ricky was positive that ever since you started dating that he was trying to drive a wedge between you two. He’d sign up for tutoring every single day that you were available, knowing that you were way too kind to refuse.

“I know that you don’t like him because he’s EJ’s younger brother but, he’s really struggling with math and I just want to help him pass the class.” You explained, wiping the grease off of the corner of his mouth.

“You know he’s failing the class on purpose, right?” Ricky deadpanned, raising his eyebrows.

“Why would he do that? Benjamin might not understand math but he’s not stupid” You smiled.

“Because he likes you, (y/n). Why else would he sign up for tutoring almost every day of the week?” Ricky was looking at you like you were stupid, which you weren’t.

“I’ve seen his test scores, he needs the help and I’m offering it. There is no need for you to be jealous.” You poked his side, making him giggle slightly before he covered his mouth, praying that you didn’t hear it.

“Walk me to my next class?” You asked, taking his hand as you stood from your seat.

A small smile appeared on his face as he took your hand. On the way to your third-period class, you spotted Benjamin in the hallway, giving him a smile and a wave as you passed. You could practically feel the heat radiating off of Ricky’s eyes. He was probably burning holes in Benjamin’s head as we speak, but that wouldn’t change the fact that you were his tutor.

[ ·˚ ༘♡ ·˚ ♡ ]

“Ease up a little, bubs.” You chuckled, pushing Ricky off of you.

“Sorry, am I making you uncomfortable?” He asked, looking you in the eyes, checking to make sure that you were okay.

“No, no. It’s just that were kinda making out on the lockers and we’ve never kissed this much in public.” You explained, interlocking your fingers behind his head.

“Oh, well we can stop if you want.” He suggested, grabbing his bookbag off of the floor.

“Who said anything about stopping?” You smiled, leaning in to begin kissing him again.

“Looks like you two have finally come up for air.”

“Of course, Benjamin Caswell had to interrupt.” Ricky thought to himself.

“Hey, Ben.” You greeted, smoothing your wrinkly shirt.

“We still on for this afternoon?” He questioned.

“Yeah, for sure. See you then.”

You couldn’t help but notice the look on your boyfriends face, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Another tutoring session? How desperate is he.” Ricky scoffed, watching as Benjamin walked away.

“C’mon, don’t be that way.” You scolded, lightly pushing his chest.

“Didn’t you two study yesterday?”

“Like I said, he’s having a lot of trouble.” You shrugged.

Ricky tried his hardest not to get mad. After all, it’s not his fault that Benjamin was trying to get with you.

“I trust you but, just promise me you’ll be careful.”

“Of course, bubs.” You reassured, pecking him on the lips.

[ ➳♡゛]

“You did a really good job today, Ben. You’re really improving!” You exclaimed, putting your things in your car. You had just finished tutoring Benjamin and you could tell that he was making serious progress.

“Soon you’re not gonna need me.” You smiled.

“I don’t know about that.” He hissed.

“Okay, whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Do you think we could have another session tomorrow?” He asked.

“I don’t think so. I promised Ricky that I’d come over after school.” You shrugged.

“C’mon, (y/n). Ditch him.” He had placed an arm on the roof of your car, past your head.

“I’m free next week, how about we schedule a session for then?” You suggested.

“That’s not going to work for me,” He whispered.

Silence fell between you two. “What the hell is he doing?” You thought.

“Uh, I’ve gotta go.” You awkwardly chuckled.

You tried to turn to get in your car but he closed his eyes and started to lean in.

Out of instinct, slapped him. You could faintly make out the imprint of your hand on the side of his face.

“What the fuck are you doing, Caswell?” You shouted.

“Trying to kiss you, I thought you felt the same?” He defended himself, rubbing the side of his face.

“I have a boyfriend. What the hell is your problem?” You rolled your eyes.

“Wait, does this mean you’re gonna tutor me?” He asked.

You scoffed, getting into your car, driving off as fast as humanly possible.

[ ➳♡゛]

“You were right,” You barged into Ricky’s room, he almost fell off of his bed.

“iwastutoringbenjaminandthenhetriedtokissmebutislappedhim.” You rambled, hyperventilating.

“Woah, slow down.” He consoled, instantly rushing to your side.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you, bubs. Benjamin tried to kiss me after tutoring today.” You explained

“He did what?” His eyes almost popped out of his head.

“I know, but I slapped him before he could do anything.” You clarified Ricky’s face seemed to relax a little after you said that.

“Do you want me to kill him? Cause I will.”

“No, no. I’ll do it myself.” You smiled, taking a seat on his bed, Ricky following suit.

“I’m so sorry that I didn’t listen to you. I really thought he was a good guy.” You apologized, resting your head on his shoulder.

“No, I’m sorry. I should’ve trusted you and I’m sorry.” He rested his head on top of yours.

“I think we both learned something from this.”

“And what was that?”

“That we’re both really smart and trustworthy.” You declared.

“Hey, we learned something else,” Ricky exclaimed.

“Hmm?”

“That I should kiss you in the hallways more often.”

#ricky bowen #ricky bowen x reader #ricky bowen fluff #jey's oneshots #hsmtmts #hsmtmts imagine #Joshua Bassett #joshua bassett x reader #imagine #oneshot

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something-tofightfor · 4 years ago

Text

Tipping Point - 12

Pairing: Benjamin Greene x Reader

Word Count: 9161 (leave me alone, I know it’s long.)

Rating: M (Language, some touching)

Summary: After your kiss on the Cloud Gate Plaza, you and Benjamin head back to your hotel - are you ready to take the next step, or will there be something stopping you? Also, you get to enjoy your last full day downtown with him.

Author’s Note: Benjamin Greene is losing patience with me, but there’s nothing I can do about it. This is one of my favorite chapters of the entire story, so there’s that.

The Congress Lounge was still open when you got back to the hotel, but one look at your face told Benjamin that you were in no mood to drink. I’m not, either. As you rode the elevator up to the room, Benjamin stood next to you, heart still thudding in his chest, though you weren’t holding his hand anymore. We’ve kissed. We crossed a line, and we can’t go back now, no matter what she says about it being like it was. “You coming, Benjamin?” He blinked rapidly, though he hadn’t realized that the doors had opened, you stepping into the hallway. “Or are you going to ride back to the lobby?”

“No.” He reached out, stopping the doors from sliding shut with one arm. “I’m… I’m right here.” You laughed, stepping down the hallway and toward the room as Benjamin followed, his eyes on your back as you dug through your purse for the key. “I wasn’t…”

“What’s going through your head, Benjamin Greene?” You stopped, inserting the card into the slot in the door and then pushing it inward. “You’ve been distracted for the -”

“Do you blame me?” You were both inside, Benjamin pausing long enough to flip the lever on the door, locking it from the inside. I don’t think we’re leaving again. “We’ve… a lot’s different in the last few hours, and… it’s more than I…” I don’t even know where to begin.

“I’m going to get changed, Benjamin. I know it’s still early, but unless you need to go anywhere, I’m in for the night.” He gestured toward the bathroom vaguely, waiting until you passed him to move to his own bag, pulling out another pair of pants and a shirt before he took a seat on the edge of his mattress, staring out the window while he unlaced his boots. What is happening? He swallowed hard, thinking back to the first night he’d spent with Julia; the two of them talking over drinks and then dancing on the roof before heading back to her room, more talking until she’d fallen asleep. I stayed awake. I could have left. I ... should I have left? Benjamin lowered his head, glancing down at his hand, the bare ring finger almost mocking him. Why are you thinking of Julia? Why tonight, after - “Bathroom’s all yours.”

He turned on the bed to look at you, the light still on in the bathroom behind you as you put your dirty clothes into your bag, hair hanging loose over your bare shoulder. “All done?” You nodded, not looking at him. “Alright, I’ll… be right back.” He heard you murmur his name as he walked by, closing and locking the door behind him before he dropped his clothes onto the floor, both hands balling into fists. What are you doing, Benjamin? He knew that he wasn’t doing anything wrong - you’d made the first move, you’d ended things with Noah for good, Benjamin had told you the most necessary parts of his past, he’d been adamant that you only do what you wanted to do. So what is this… guilty feeling? He looked up, staring at himself in the mirror, his eyes wide and unfocused.

He didn’t feel guilty for kissing you - that wasn’t it. As he undressed, Benjamin moved on autopilot, removing his jeans and shirt, brushing his teeth in his underwear as he stood in front of the sink, one hand gripping the edge of the porcelain. I feel guilty because… I don’t feel guilty. He spat the toothpaste out, licking his lips before he wiped them, toothbrush going back into the small travel bag resting on the glass shelf beneath the mirror. You deserve this. You deserve to be happy. He stared at himself in the mirror, searching his face and thinking hard. “I’ve no reason not to let myself…” He whispered the words, eyebrows shooting upward. “I deserve to be happy.” He said the words slightly louder than the first whisper, more strength behind them. “To see if… I can be happy.”

He’d given up years of his life for his brother, finding only small bits of happiness in the time he’d spent behind bars; reading new books, learning new things, finding ways to get along with those around him. He’d taken things slowly after his release, trying to rebuild his life but never allowing himself to hope for more than bare minimum - and then he’d met Allie. Things changed. He swallowed, closing his eyes. For a brief period, he’d given himself permission to dream about the future, about settling down, about having an actual life as Benjamin Greene, not just the shadow of one. And then that didn’t happen.

Between Allie and Julia, Benjamin had gone back on autopilot. While not miserable, he’d been complacent; finding a job and a place to live in London, going through his routine with little excitement or eagerness. I settled then. And then… Benjamin splashed water onto his face, rubbing at his eyes as Julia’s face appeared again behind the closed lids, the way he’d seen her the first time, not at the end. I have to tell her. There was a knock on the door and Benjamin stood up straight, taking a deep breath and swallowing. “Yeah?”

“You alright in there, Benjamin? It’s been…” He exhaled, bending down to pull his pants on and then turned to the door, hand closing around the knob. “I -” The door swung open, Benjamin stepping back with it, and he watched as your eyes went wide, the next words freezing on your lips. “What?” Forgetting that he was in the middle of one of the most important thoughts he’d ever had, Benjamin grinned at you, head cocked to one side. “Are you -”

“Shirt.” He’d never heard your voice sound the way it did with that single word; high pitched and full of surprise. “You’re not wearing a…” He glanced down, the hand not on the doorknob moving up to the back of his head and rubbing through the hair there.

“You knocked, and I just opened the door.” He turned away, bending over to pick up the shirt he’d set down. “I’ll put it on now, a-” He felt your hand against the center of his back, touch tentative at first and then the pressure of your fingers increasing. He said your name as he turned back toward you, feeling as you flattened your palm on his skin and then slid it upward, Benjamin taking one step toward you.

“You don’t have to.” He watched as you furrowed your brow, eyes moving greedily over his exposed skin. “I’ll behave myself, I promise.” You’ll behave? What does that mean? “Come out here, Benjamin. You picked a haunted hotel and then left me alone. What if a hundred year old ghost deci-” He cut you off by leaning down and kissing you again, moving before he’d even thought the action through. He felt your fingers tighten, nails digging into his back, and Benjamin relaxed his grip on the shirt, letting it drop back to the floor. We’re alone and now… Your other hand went to his hip, but before Benjamin could reach out and touch you, he’d pulled away, taking a deep breath through his nose, his upper lip curling slightly. Calm down. “Benjamin, why are you -”

“Look.” He licked his lips, tilting his head back. “In a perfect world, I’d pick you up and carry you to bed and we’d…” He paused. “We’d stay there ‘til morning, as long as that’s what you wanted.” You were still touching him, grip on his hip tightening, and though he didn’t allow himself to focus on it, Benjamin thought he’d never get tired of the feeling. “But I didn’t come here for these two days with any intentions, and so I am wildly unprepared for anything much past conversation tonight.” You appeared shocked at his honesty, but nodded, staring into his eyes. “And I had a … a thought when I was changing anyway, and I think I need to…” He reached up, fingertips trailing down past your temple and over the curve of your cheek. “I need to tell you before anything else happens.”

“Alright, Benjamin.” You closed your eyes, shoulders dropping. “But if you’ve got something serious to say, you will need to put a shirt on, because all that skin is distracting.” He laughed out loud, stepping away and bending down to pick up the discarded shirt, tugging the material over his head.

“Distracting? Really?” You crossed your arms, holding your ground.

“Yes. I’ve wondered for months what was under there, and now that I know…” She’s teasing me. She means it, but she’s teasing me about it. “C’mon, Benjamin. You said you had more to tell me, so… tell me.” He followed you across the room, noticing that again, you’d opened the window, a breeze blowing into the room and rustling the curtains slightly. You sat on one bed, feet planted on the floor in front of you, and he took a seat on the other before reaching out to take your hands in his. This is important.

“I told you earlier that Julia’s the only one that knows everything about me.” You nodded. “And I also told you that she only found out after she’d fallen in love with me, agreed to marry me, moved me in with her … she didn’t take it well, but I think that… I think that if she hadn’t already spent so much time with me, formed an opinion of me, that it wouldn’t… she wouldn’t have chosen to be with me, even though I...”

“Benjamin, that’s crazy, you didn’t -” He squeezed your hands, head moving from side to side.

“My point is that I’ve tried relationships in a lot of different ways throughout my life.” He paused rolling his neck out. “This, between us, isn’t a relationship - not yet, anyway - but it’s a friendship first, and that’s more important. And if it becomes more? I don’t want there to be anything hidden, especially not something that damning. Allie didn’t know, and even though I loved her, I always felt like I was hiding a part of myself from her, that there was something that I’d never be able to tell her.” You were staring at him, waiting. “With Julia, telling her? Finally getting it out, though it wasn’t on my terms? It felt good, it felt like… like sharing a burden that I’d tried to carry by myself for years. And it was rough at first, and I was terrified to lose her, but when she knew? I thought that things would be better.”

“But they weren’t, were they?” You leaned closer to Benjamin, and he felt your thumb moving back and forth against the heel of his hand, the motion oddly soothing. “You told her something important about yourself and what you’d done for your brother, and she didn’t…” She gets it, without even knowing she gets it.

“I really believed that Julia was my last chance at a normal life. I met her when I was 36, I thought… I thought I was running out of time, and I …” I’m ashamed at this, at myself, at my… “With Allie, I never wanted to tell her. With Julia, it… I knew I couldn’t. So I convinced myself that it was fine. I was always waiting for the other foot to fall, for her to somehow learn what I’d done? And then Kieran showed up, and I thought it was over, but I still couldn’t tell her, because it was never the right time. It never… I never thought it was the right opportunity to shatter my last hope. I was afraid to.” He pulled his hand away from yours, rubbing it against his thigh as his knee bounced. “There were a lot of things wrong between us, but I ignored them, ignored all of them, because I just wanted... for as long as possible, to feel normal.”

His knee was still bouncing up and down, but he stopped moving his hand, taking a deep breath. Is that too much to want? A normal life, a normal relationship? A wife? A home? “Benjamin, I don’t get it. Of course you’d want that, who wouldn’t?”

“Julia didn’t marry me to make me happy, she did it because she was looking for something. Something that Ted took from her, something that she gave to her kids for all those years but never got back in return.” He looked back up at you, hoping that he didn’t look as desperate as he felt. “I knew it and I ignored it, and I let it happen because for the first time in years? I felt safe. I felt… seen.” He took a deep breath, pulling his other hand away from yours and gripping his other knee, the fingers on both hands tightening, the material of his pants bunching beneath them. “I wasn’t happy, not really, but I was alright with it, because it meant that I wasn’t alone.” Even though it felt like the opposite a lot of the time.

“Oh, Benjamin.” You stood, stepping between his legs and lowering yourself onto one of his knees. Benjamin moved his hand to keep you from sitting on it as your arms went around his neck, hugging him tightly. “It kills me that you know this, and you -” His arms wound around your waist but he stayed quiet, wanting to hear what you said. “You said the kids didn’t like you, and you and Julia argued, and you still…”

“I married her.” He said your name, looking over your shoulder and at the open window. “I meant what I said when I took my vows. I knew what I was getting into and I fought for it, and I… I thought that it would get easier. I convinced myself of it.” But the times when I was really happy? When it was all worth it? “It didn’t. And still, I convinced myself that it was good enough, that I was happy enough, that I was fine with the rest of my life being about other people.”

“Benjamin.” You interrupted him, voice quiet. “You don’t have to justify this to me. You did what you did, and… you don’t have to do that anymore.” You lifted a hand, fingers gliing through the short hair on the back of his neck. “You’ve been telling me for months that I have to do what makes me happy, and yet you spent years not doing the same.” I know. Practice what I preach, right? “You’ve still got plenty of time, Benjamin. And you said it yourself, the way you feel about me, after Julia? It’s proof that you can still feel something, even after… after what you’ve been through.” But I don’t want to feel anything for… I feel this way about…

“That’s why I’m being so honest with you.” He drew in a breath, hand rubbing slowly over your lower back. “I tried it the other ways, tried to keep things a secret and hope, tried waiting and then telling, and now… now I want you to know before. It’s only fair, because…” He looked up, waiting until you’d done the same, meeting his eyes. “Because things are already changing between us, and it’s only been a few weeks. Hell, it’s only been a few days since we admitted to anything, and whatever this becomes? It can’t start on a lie. You know my name. You know my past, you know my -”

You moved the hand at the back of his head, bringing one finger to his lips. What? “I do. I know those things, and I see how much this hurts you to talk about them.” It does, it was years of my life and I can’t get them back. “I told you earlier. Nothing has to change. I kissed you, but I don’t expect… shit Benjamin, you leave in a couple days, and then… then what? You’ll go back to London, and you’ll… you’ll be around people that you could…” One arm around his shoulders, the other hand rested in your lap. What are you saying? “I just wanted you to have a good time here, Benjamin. And I guess along the way I stopped trying to pretend that I didn’t… that I didn’t want it to be with me.”

“But you were with -”

“Jesus, Benjamin, I know that you said you didn’t want details, but it wasn’t… it wasn’t what you think.” What does that mean? “There was a point in time when I would have wanted to be with him. Yes. But the more I thought about it? The more I saw how he was when we were out, the way he acted around me and toward his friends? He had plenty of time to decide what he wanted, but I didn’t push for it because I…” You laughed. “I kept waiting for him, when he’d see me texting with you, or emailing you? When I’d tell him I was talking to you or Eric? When I brought you up, or he did? I kept waiting for him to tell me to stop, that he didn’t want it to happen, that it hurt his feelings when I’d…” Benjamin said your name, glancing down to see your fingers curling into a fist and then slowly reopening. “But he didn’t care enough to even really pretend like it bothered him - until you were here. And then when it all came down to it, when I really thought about those words coming out of his mouth? I didn’t want it, not even close.” But you asked him, you invited him to your place and you asked him.

“What do you want? If it’s not him, not a relationship, not… what is it?” His heart sped up, Benjamin dreading your answer and needing it at the same time. “What are you looking for?” You looked past him, eyes focused on the window and the fluttering curtain. It was quiet in the room for long seconds, the faint sounds of traffic audible from ten floors beneath you. What do you need?

“I do want a relationship, Benjamin.” You brought your gaze back to him, resolve written on your face. “A good one, one where I don’t feel like it’s one sided, or that I’m constantly trying to convince myself it’s worth it.” You swallowed, taking a deep breath and raising the hand that was in your lap to the side of his face, Benjamin leaning into your touch without pause. “I want to be with someone, not just there next to ‘em, you know?” He had a ton of questions that he wanted to ask you - but when he opened his mouth, none of them came out.

“You can have those things. All of them.You should.” Benjamin closed his eyes .”You’ve just got to find the right person, and it’ll… you’ll feel it.” You’re worth it. He heard you laugh quietly and then felt you shift; not trying to get up or move away, but getting comfortable, your fingers stroking through the thick hair of his beard. “I hope you find him.” I hope I’m… The two of you sat in silence, staring at each other, and Benjamin felt his heart pounding in his chest, heartbeat loud enough that he was sure you could hear it. I want… Lifting his hand slowly from his knee, Benjamin gave you ample time to stop him, his movement slow and deliberate as he raised it to the side of your face, pausing before he touched you. You nodded - only once - without looking away and he felt his fingers slipping through the strands of your hair as he pulled your face closer to his. “Tell me to s-”

“No.” You breathed the word out, hand dropping to his shoulder and squeezing. “No, I don’t want you to.” It only took moments for the final space between you to disappear, Benjamin’s lips pressing to yours again. Enough. Enough with the holding back. Though he would have been content for the night with the single kiss you’d shared on the plaza, each one that followed was proof to him that the way he’d been feeling wasn’t simply circumstance. I like her. I really… “Benjamin, I swear to God if you don’t kiss me right now…” You spoke quietly, but he heard the need in your voice, felt the change in your grip. “Please.”

Using his hand, he tilted your head to the side, taking a breath, and then Benjamin kissed you - harder than he ever had previously. It caught you off guard even though you’d just asked him for it, and as he felt you inhale, lips parting, he wrinkled his nose and followed suit, tongue tentatively moving over the fullest part of your lower lip. Damn. You sighed eagerly at the contact and Benjamin’s reservations faded entirely. She truly wants… He moved his hand lower, reaching around your back to hold your opposite hip tightly. Then, Benjamin kissed you, his large hand guiding your head and urging you to stay close to him, even as his tongue slipped past your lips and into your mouth, Benjamin’s confidence growing by the second as you welcomed the action.

You kissed him back, hand moving from his shoulder down and to his side. He felt the edges of your nails through the material of his shirt, digging into his skin, but he didn’t care, his focus solely on the way it felt to move his mouth against yours; the way you tasted - your toothpaste slightly different than his, the faint remnants of chapstick that you’d applied as you walked back to the hotel still on your lips. He mumbled your name as he took a moment to breathe, stroking the back of your head as he caught his breath. You were breathing hard too, and when Benjamin opened his eyes to look at you, he found that yours were open as well, clear and focused. “What?” He grinned at you, another short kiss landing on your mouth before he could stop himself. “What are you -”

You kissed him then, teeth catching on his lip as you drew it into your mouth, only letting go as you moved your body, the hand on his shoulder pushing him backwards and urging him to lay down. What is she… He let you guide him, registering the dip in the mattress as your knees dug in on either side of his hips, Benjamin’s hand moving away from the back of your head and joining his other one at your waist. “Benjamin, I know we…” You were kneeling above him, both of his feet still planted firmly on the floor, your hands resting against his abdomen. “I know we can’t…” You pressed your lips together. “But I want to… I just…” He felt both hands sliding upward, the material of his shirt between your fingers and his skin. “I’ve wanted to touch you for…” You curled your fingers as you shook your head, tilting it back and looking up at the ceiling. “For too long, and now you’re…”

“Then do it.” He used one hand to push the bottom hem of your shirt up just enough to run his other hand against the bare skin of your lower back. “I won’t stop you.” You hummed at his words, looking back down, and he felt you tugging on his shirt. Oh, she wants… “Let me sit up.” You did, carefully swinging your leg over his body as you turned to sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before standing, watching as Benjamin used his elbows to push himself back into a sitting position. Is this really going to happen? “C’mere.” He reached for one of your hands, urging you to turn back toward him completely.

Benjamin rose from the bed, angling his body to face yours. Reaching out, he took your hands in his, squeezing and then pulling them back toward his stomach. “Benjamin, what are you -” He guided them to a stop at his waist, changing the way he held onto you before he let go, hands dropping to his sides after squeezing your wrists once, his eyes on your face. “What -”

“We can’t.” Your thumbs slipped below the bottom edge of his shirt. “Not tonight, not now.” Damn me for being so responsible, damn me for… He lifted his arms above his head. “Help me out here.” His words surprised him, but the look that crossed your features surprised him more. No one’s looked at me like that, not ever, not… “You’ve already seen me wi-” You moved swiftly, easing the shirt up and over his chest, Benjamin’s arms rising higher to help you. When it was removed, he watched as you tossed it over your shoulder, your eyes never leaving his face. “You’re staying dressed tonight. Shirt, shorts, the whole lot. Completely, unfortunately for me, dressed.” Though your lower lip jutted out in a pout, you nodded, gaze darting down at his bare skin.

He reached out again, taking your wrists and guiding your fingers back to his body. But you can… I can. This time, he circled his fingers around each of your arms as he raised them, halting the movement near the center of his chest, fingertips hovering above the small patch of hair that he’d let grow back. Julia never liked it, but that doesn’t matter anymore. Benjamin pulled his arms back, urging your hands closer, and as you made contact with his skin, he watched - and heard - you suck in a breath, teeth digging into your lower lip as your chest rose and fell above the collar of your shirt. “Benjamin.” It was only one word but he heard the surprise in it, even as your fingers flexed and his grip on your wrists loosened, hands sliding back down toward your elbows. “God, Benjamin, you -” I know. You have no idea how much I want to… He reached your torso, hands dropping from your arms to your sides and moving down slowly, his thumbs stroking your ribs through the material.

He couldn’t resist sliding his fingers under your shirt again as he made it to your waist, neither of you moving to close the space between you, though there wasn’t much left. He said your name, feeling one of your thumbs halt the small, circular path it had been following over his sternum. “Listen to me.” You nodded and Benjamin inched closer, holding you tightly. Ducking his head down, he spoke into your ear, choosing his words carefully. I’ve wanted to say this for weeks. “The second I finally get my hands on you.” His lips grazed your skin, and he continued. “I’m not going to want to stop.” He heard you hum, head tilting to the side and away from him as you spread your fingers over his skin. “So this is how it has to…” He took your earlobe between his teeth, biting down and guiding your hips along with him as he took a step backward, toward the bed. “How it has to go.” You nodded in agreement and then turned your head all the way toward Benjamin’s, his nose dragging against your cheek until your lips met.

He moved on autopilot, sitting back down on the bed and pulling you onto his lap before he leaned forward, easing you onto your back, one hand leaving your hip to support your weight. There was no hesitation in the way you kissed him, and though slightly dazed at the turn of events, Benjamin stayed right with you, bracing himself on one elbow next to you while his other hand moved up your side. Don’t get carried away. You cant. “Wait.” You gasped the word out, pushing Benjamin away slightly. What? What did I do? “Your legs are hanging off the bed, Benjamin.” You reached up, thumb skating over the top of his cheek, pausing for one brief second. My birthmark, she… “Can’t be comfortable.” Grinning, he repositioned himself on the bed, removing his hands fully from you as he stretched out, head and shoulders propped up on the pillows. Rather than moving to join him, you watched him intently, head cocked to the side.

“What.” He reached up, moving a hand over the top of his head, the corners of his lips twitching into a smile. “You’re staring at me.” You brought a hand up to your mouth, extending your thumb and chewing on the nail for a few seconds as you thought.

“Yeah.” You took a deep breath, dropping your hand and inching up the bed toward him, path changing at the last second as you rose up onto your knees, hands on the tops of your thighs. “I am.” He didn’t speak before you squared your shoulders, one index finger tapping against your leg. “How are you so calm right now?” He laughed, closing his eyes. “We could be… you could be…” I know. “You’ve got the patience of a saint, Benjamin Greene.” No, I don’t.

“For you? For this?” He gestured between you and then at the room around you. “I’m making an effort.” He eyed you, gaze lingering on your torso and then moving back to your face. “It’s a struggle, let me be clear.” You laughed hard at that, moving to straddle his thighs, wordlessly motioning with one hand to ask if it was ok, the smile still on your face. “You’re fine.” You settled down, Benjamin’s hands moving to replace yours on your legs, fingers spread wide.

“If you’d told me,” you said quietly, eyes downcast as he squeezed gently, the knuckles of one of your hands moving over his abdomen, your other hand at his hip. “When I met you at Christmas that we’d be here?” Your head moved back and forth. “I’d have laughed. But here we are, and -” You flipped your hand, brushing your fingertips against the skin just above the waistband of his pants. “And I’’m not going to question it anymore.” You aren’t? “We’ve talked a lot, Benjamin, about you and Julia and your past, about what you want and about what you’re looking for, but what does it mean?” You looked up at him through your lashes, resolve on your face. “I’m proud of you. And I’m happy for you, and I hope that you don’t regret this later.”

“Regret it?” He slid his hand up, fingers curving around the back of your hip. “Of all the things I regret in my life - and there are loads of them - kissing you tonight isn’t even going to make the honorable mentions list.” You smiled at that, the look on your face changing to one of relief, and he pulled you closer, knocking you slightly off balance as his arms tightened around your waist and your hands flattened on his chest. “I promise.” You smiled again at his words, ducking your head, and Benjamin let his mind wander as your hands began to do the same, trailing over the muscles of his chest and shoulders.

The weight of you on top of him was welcome, and even though he wanted nothing more than to relax all the way, laying on his back with you stretched out against his front, he knew it was the wrong call. We’re both being very mindful, we have to… we have to keep it up. “What do you want to do tomorrow?” She’s talking about tomorrow, like nothing… “Museums in the morning? The planetarium? A river tour?” You leaned in, kissing his jaw. “Plenty of options, as long as we’re inside before it starts raining.” He thought for a few moments, taken by surprise when he felt you shifting, your back arching slightly as you kissed the side of his neck, then his shoulder, hands gripping his biceps. What are you doing?

“I think.” He groaned as he felt your lips at the center of his chest before they moved lower, nuzzling against his skin, your grip tightening on him. “I think we should see what happens. The city’s not going anywhere, and…” He felt your teeth biting gently down, followed by your tongue moving over the area, and Benjamin pressed harder on your back in response. Torture, I think this is the… He said your name, waiting until you straightened back up to continue. “Is that alright with you?” Head tilted to the side, you watched him for a few seconds.

“Yes.” He leaned forward and your arms moved to wind around his neck, pulling him even closer. “It’s your vacation.” He wrinkled his nose as he moved his head to kiss you again, almost in disbelief at how easy it was to do so. That’s what happens when we’re not holding back. This is how it feels when it… He wasn’t stupid; Benjamin knew that it was far too soon in whatever it was that was going on between the two of you for things to feel comfortable and right, to think about more than the next few days, but he couldn’t help it. It’s been so long since I’ve felt...

There’d been issues already - his lingering attachment to Julia and his marriage, your situation with Noah, the fact that the ocean that would separate the two of you was only one of the large problems that would keep things from being simple - but Benjamin was cautiously optimistic that what was happening wouldn’t be fleeting. And it’s real. It’s not just circumstance. It isn’t a rebound. You pulled away, taking a deep breath, and Benjamin licked his lips. “Want to lie down?” He didn’t want you to move from his lap, but even as he spoke you were already climbing off of him, standing and pulling the blankets down so that you could crawl beneath them.

Benjamin followed suit, and only a few seconds later the two of you were tangled in each other again. This time you were on your back and Benjamin’s bare upper body was pressed to yours, your nails digging into his skin as he kissed you. He felt you sigh as he lowered his lips to the thin skin of your throat, kissing his way across it before returning his attention to your lips, tongue delving back into your mouth to meet yours with no resistance or sign that you wanted him to do anything else. You’ve got to stop, Benjamin. You have to, otherwise… He broke away from you, turning his head and pressing his cheek into the pillow, feeling as you rolled forward and your forehead dropped to his chest, breath warm as it fanned out against his skin. “I’m sorry, Benjamin, I got…” You cleared your throat, looking at him with an almost guilty look in your eyes. “Carried away.”

Settling next to him, Benjamin was surprised when you rested your head against his shoulder, one of your arms draped over his chest, and Benjamin’s arm beneath your body and around your back. “Don’t apologize.” He kissed the top of your head, inhaling the scent of your hair as he tightened his hold on you. “I want this just as much as you do.” Maybe more. “But we have to be smart about this, because I’m not going to mess it up.” He spoke bluntly, knowing that he needed to. “I won’t.” Not again. You kissed his chest once more, thumb arcing back and forth against his side.

“You won’t,” you agreed, confidence in your voice. Getting comfortable, Benjamin felt himself begin to relax as his heart rate returned to normal, the weight of you in his arms calming him. You again fell asleep first, Benjamin’s ears trained to the sound of your lengthening breaths, focused on the way your body seemed to melt against his as you nodded off. I won’t sleep with her here. Not… not in a hotel. Not like before. He closed his eyes, taking another deep breath. Not with her.

---

The weather changed overnight, and when Benjamin woke up the next morning, the sky beyond the curtains was a dark gray instead of the sunshine he’d expected. It should be light out. He turned his head toward the bedside table, eyes widening when he saw that it was nearly eight. We were supposed to be awake already. Glancing down, Benjamin felt himself smile as he saw you, your cheek pressed to the pillow as you slept on your stomach, the blanket pooled around your waist. You’d separated sometime in the night, and though he wasn’t touching you, you hadn’t gone far. I should get up. His eyes flicked to the window, curtains fluttering in the breeze, and as he took a breath, he smelled the rain on the air. Or I can just… He rolled forward, carefully laying his arm across your back and moving his face closer to yours, the smooth skin of your cheek and forehead the last thing he saw before he drifted back off.

“Benjamin.” He heard you speaking, though he didn’t open his eyes. “Benjamin, we overslept.” We did. “I know you’re awake, you’re trying not to smile.” He cracked one eye open at that, feeling as you ran your fingers through the hair at his temple. “Hi.”

“Hello.” His voice was still thick with sleep, and Benjamin licked his lips. “I woke up earlier, and -”

“You should have gotten me up.” You bent an arm, propping your head up on your elbow. “Now we’ll have to -” He pointed with the arm that was still slung over you, interrupting.

“It’s raining. We’re not going to get a lot of walking done.” You paused mid sentence. “If we’d gotten a broll- an umbrella, I’d have no problem walking about, but… we haven’t.” He leaned closer, changing his mind at the last minute and kissing your cheek instead of your lips. “So I thought staying in bed was the best option.” I’d stay here all day. “But now that we’re awake, we can figure it out.” Still plenty of time before things close. You watched him with a smile on your face, remaining quiet. “We’ll get dressed and -”

“Benjamin?” He heard the worry in your tone, immediately waking up all the way. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. This wasn’t my goal for you being here, I -” He laughed, eyes closing and his head thumping against the pillow. “Why are you laughing?”

“You can’t plan this. Something like this? It’s only going to feel right if it’s… unexpected.” He opened his eyes, rolling onto his side to face you. “This was unexpected, at least with the way things turned out. You don’t need to apologize.” You still looked worried. “Not to me. Not to yourself. Not to… anyone.” His hand moved to your hip, Benjamin’s palm circling over it. “This happened - all of it - the way it was meant to.” You looked skeptical. Believe me. “Hey.” He leaned forward again, letting his mouth land against yours - but only for a few seconds. I just kissed her good morning for the first time. “Don’t do this. Just have fun with me.” One eyebrow shot up. “You’re supposed to be my tour guide, remember?” The room was quiet for long moments and then you reached forward, shoving him backwards, but Benjamin was faster than you, swiftly encircling you with his arms and pulling you on top of him again.

“Benjam -” You cut yourself off as you laughed, hair falling against his bare skin and your head dipping down, lips landing on the center of his chest. ‘Alright.” You squeezed his shoulders. “I can do that.”

---

By the end of the day, Benjamin’s legs felt like they were going to fall off. After taking the time to get dressed and grab something to eat from the lobby, you and Benjamin took a car to a nearby CVS, buying two umbrellas. From there, you hopped on a bus, taking it north and crossing the river before getting off and beginning your walking tour of a soggy Chicago.

You were excited as you showed him buildings that he’d only ever seen pictures of - the towering, circular “corncobs”, music venues, theaters, even carefully making your way down the steps to walk next to the river from Wells to Dearborn. Benjamin loved all of it, taking in the closely packed buildings with awe, but even more importantly, enjoying your presence beside him as you walked and talked. He felt comfortable in the large city, comfortable with you, comfortable with the way he was feeling. It’s a good day. He felt you take his hand as you made your way back down Wabash, and without even thinking about it, he laced his fingers with yours, squeezing tightly.

Though he’d intended to visit as many of Chicago’s museums as possible while downtown, Benjamin decided that most of them could wait. Next time. Your final destination goal took you past Soldier Field, you and Benjamin getting into a slight disagreement about the sport played inside, but as you stopped in front of Adler Planetarium, Benjamin put his hands on both of your shoulders, stopping you in your tracks. “Hey.” It had stopped raining somewhere around Roosevelt, and so you weren’t using your umbrellas anymore, both of them closed, covered and tucked into your purse. “It’s one or the other, the planetarium or the Field Museum, you pick.”

“You can see dinosaur bones anywhere, Benjamin.” You wrapped your arms around him, turning your head to tuck your cheek against his chest. “But not the sky, not like this, here. The planetarium gets my vote. I haven’t been there in a long time.” He held you close, eyes on the domed building over your shoulder. She’s right. “And when we’re done?” You looked up at him, the grin overtaking your face. “We’re getting a ride back to the hotel. I’m tired.” He laughed at that, but before he let you go, Benjamin lowered his face to yours, the tip of his nose brushing your cheek as he kissed you. He didn’t waste time before deepening it, teasing your lips open with his tongue and then taking your lip between his teeth and tugging as he pulled away, feeling you still pressed against him. “What was that for?”

You licked your lips and kept your eyes closed, a small smile on your face. “No reason.” He took a deep breath. “Gotta get as many of those in as I can while I’m here, hmm?” It was the first time he’d mentioned what leaving meant since the two of you had opened up to each other, but the words came out before he could stop them. Damn. “If you don’t -”

“Oh, no.” You pulled away, one arm coming up, your fingers spread out over his chest. “You kiss me whenever you want to, Benjamin Greene.” He took that as an invitation, leaning down again and lifting both of his hands to your jaw, his large palms covering much of the lower half of your face. By the time his lips were against yours, you’d curled your fingers inward, one of them hooking on the collar of his shirt and tugging it down, the material gathered in your grip. The kiss lasted longer than any of the others before it, neither of you in any hurry to end it, and when you finally pulled away from him with a gasp, muttering the word “fuck” under your breath, Benjamin couldn’t do anything but smile. “Benjamin, that…” He stared at you, eyes moving over your face and taking in all of the details. Her lips are swollen, her cheeks and chest are red, her eyes… the way she’s looking at me. “Benjamin, if we don’t go inside now, it’s not even worth it.” You swallowed as Benjamin rubbed one thumb over your lower lip, unsurprised and yet taken aback when you puckered your lips to kiss it. Oh, hell. “Come on, Benjamin. Just a couple hours, you can’t go back home and tell people you looked at some buildings and saw a Ferris wheel. What kind of a vacation is that?”

Abruptly, you turned away from him, starting the walk toward the lake - and the front doors of the planetarium. He stared after you for a few seconds and then hurried to catch you, falling into step next to you well before you reached the entrance. That’s not all that happened on this trip. Not by a long shot.

---

“I think,” you groaned as you flopped backwards onto the unused bed, rolling onto your side and then stretching. “That I never want to walk another step in my life.” He was sitting on the edge of the bed you’d slept on, watching you. “How far did we walk today, it must have been….” He pulled his phone out, ignoring multiple alerts and thumbing through to his Health app. I’ll need to check those.

“Just under 21,000 steps for the day, according to this.” He wiggled his phone back and forth, tongue poking into the corner of his lips. “About 14 kilometers.” He watched you wrinkle your nose. Right, it’s miles here. “Hold on.” He typed quickly, eyes scanning the page. “Nine miles.” You groaned, covering your face with one arm. “Imagine doing that in boots.” You laughed at that, turning your head to look at him again.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t even think of that, are your feet…” He nodded, waving you off. I’m fine. Don’t really want to get up, but I’m fine. “You did say you wanted to see the city.” He rubbed his eyes, taking a breath and watching you as you stretched again, scooting up so that your head was on the pillows. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to see all of the things you wanted to.” You were eyeing the ceiling, one arm folded back and beneath your head. “I’ve been to most of the museums here, but it’s been years, we always went with school, and I know -”

“It gives me a reason to come back, right?” He got up, moving to the bed you were on and touching the arm that wasn’t under your head, fingers moving slowly up the inside of it and pausing at your elbow. “Maybe when it’s a little cooler out, and not so rainy?” You grinned at that, nodding.

“You want to come back?” It was his turn to nod, his hand still making its way up, reaching your shoulder and turning, one fingertip slowly skating over your collarbone and neck, and then running along your jaw and cheek. Listen to her. You were humming at his touch, breath changing with every movement of his hand. “Benjamin, you have to stop that, I can’t…” Your eyes wide, you let out a breath. “It’s really unfair.” What is?

“Yes, I want to come back.” He leaned down, kissing the corner of your mouth. “And it’s only partially for the pizza.” You sighed, turning your head, and the next thing he knew, he was kissing you deeply again, learning the way your mouth moved, the feel of your fingers in his hair and the gentle pressure of your bent knee against his hip. You can’t get used to this, you’ve only got three days. It hit him suddenly - how little time he had left in Chicago, how short the hours left with you were, and he pulled back even more abruptly than you had in front of the planetarium.

“Benjamin?” You were confused - he could hear it in your voice and see it on your face. “What’s wrong? What did I -” He scrubbed his hands over his face, trying to catch his breath. What do I even say to her? “I thought we were having a -”

“We were. We are.” He dropped his hands, closing them into fists as he thought. “I just remembered that in a few days, I’m going to be on a plane and flying back to London.” Away from here, and back to… whatever’s waiting for me there. “I’ve been known to be impulsive, but with my history, I can’t just up and decide to outstay my visa, even by a few days, because…” He frowned. “Because I can’t risk the attention, and so…” He shrugged. “So that’s it, then. And it just… makes it more difficult to focus.” You sat up, bending both of your knees. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to -”

“Hey.” You squeezed his bicep. “I get it. These last few weeks went by fast, and I can’t believe you’re leaving in a couple days.” You chewed on your lower lip. “You and Eric. It’s been nice to have him back here too, even though I’ve seen less and less of him since he’s been with Michelle a lot.” Right, they’ve spent a lot of time together. “Just knowing that he’s close again is… I’m getting used to it, and then he’s going to be gone again.” You paused. “And so are you.” She’s mentioning my absence in the same … as her brother? “It sucks.”

Honesty from a woman was new for Benjamin, but he didn’t doubt the sincerity of your words the way he would have previously. Why would she lie? “Yes. It does.” He thought for a moment. “But I meant it. I’d like to come back, see more of the city, spend more time here.”

“It’s expensive, Benjamin. And there’s so many other places for you to see, you can’t just keep coming back here, it... It makes no sense.” Doesn’t it? Isn’t that how people get to know each other? “Say something, please.” But he didn’t know what to say, so instead he reached out, taking one of your hands in his.

“I’ll be honest with you.” He let out a breath. “I used up a lot of my holiday time from work for this trip. I’ve only got... “ He thought, one eye narrowed as he counted in his head. “About six days total left for the year, so another long trip isn’t… it’ll be months.” He felt himself deflate as he said the last part, the finality of his words loud in the otherwise quiet room. “But that gives me a chance to look into more things to do here, and to plan my next trip.” There was another pause, and just as Benjamin opened his mouth to speak again, you cut him off with a single shake of your head.

“No, you know what?” You smiled at him, mood shifting again. “Let’s not think about that yet. We’ve got until Sunday morning, and… and there’s no reason to…” You swore, eyes closing. “I’m hungry, Benjamin. I don’t want to get up, but we should figure out what we’re going to eat before it gets too late.” Changing the subject? Just like that? “There are a couple restaurants in the hotel, and…” He listened as you spoke, rattling off the names and types of food served at a few nearby restaurants, but Benjamin felt a gnawing sensation in his chest. We can ignore it for now, but … in a few days? We can’t. You squeezed his hand hard, leaning closer, and Benjamin concentrated on you. We’ll figure it out.

---

The next morning, Benjamin got into the shower while you were still in bed, pulling himself from your arms reluctantly to stand beneath the hottest water he could handle. You’d stayed up late the night before, making it back to the room just before midnight after spending a few hours at a Mexican restaurant down the street, talking over seemingly endless bowls of chips and salsa and some of the best tacos that Benjamin had ever eaten. You’d both had margaritas, but neither of you had had enough to get you drunk, and the conversation continued back in the room, much to Benjamin’s surprise.

You hadn’t tried to entice him into bed, hadn’t doubted any of his words or actions, and had simply been there with him - interested, involved and attentive as you talked. He’d told you more about what happened with Kieran, why he’d taken the blame, what he’d done after being released, and though you were curious, you’d been polite with what you’d asked him. I didn’t expect that. I don’t know what I expected, but… not that. He’d told you more than he’d ever told anyone - even Julia - and though you had no way to check the validity of his story, he hoped you’d believed him, because every word had been the truth. No more lies. No more deception. No more hiding.

There hadn’t been any discussion that night; the two of you had simply climbed into the same bed after getting changed as if it was routine, and though he’d tried, he hadn’t been able to keep his hands to himself. Kept it PG, though, just… just wanted to touch her. When you’d nodded off, your back pressed to his bare-chested front, Benjamin took a few seconds to pull you closer, burying his nose in your hair and sighing as he relaxed even further. The last thing he remembered before falling asleep himself was tightening his arm around you and kissing the back of your shoulder, one of his legs hooked over yours, knee bent so that his heel grazed your calf. Couldn’t possibly get any closer. Not unless...

He turned off the water, toweling himself off and then pulling on a pair of jeans before heading back into the room, surprised to see you on the phone, long legs bare beneath the oversized t shirt you wore. He cocked his head to the side, sitting down and watching you. Wonder who she’s… “Are you sure?” You smiled - a wide one - your eyes lighting up. “Yeah, Eric, if you’re…” Eric. What’s he want? “The order’s done, they know what they need to… yeah.” You paused. “Is she? OK.” Closing your eyes, you took a deep breath and then let it out. “I guess… I guess I’ll see you later then, Eric. Thank you.” You darkened the screen and then set the phone down, eyeing Benjamin.

“What’s that about?” You didn’t answer right away, and Benjamin lifted a hand, running it through his damp hair. “Is Eric -”

“How would you feel about spending some extra time downtown, Benjamin?” What? He felt himself grinning, eyes widening. “Eric is back at my place, and he says he’ll be there all day, since Michelle’s at work…” You leaned in, planting a kiss on his cheek before moving your lips to his ear. “And that means he can let the tech in when he gets there today.” More time here? More time with… “So we don’t have to hurry back.” You sat up straight, your hands falling into Benjamin’s lap, one of them squeezing his thigh. “You might get to see that observation deck after all.”

---

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mytwilightimagines13 · 3 years ago

Text

Amnesia (Book Three)(Part Two)

Empty

Alec made his way towards the training room. Not to practice, but for a small meeting. When he opened the door, Felix, Demetri and Jane where already waiting for him. Jane was standing with a perfect straight posture, hands together in front of her. Felix and Demetri on the other hand where leaning against some of the props, having a quiet conversation. Alec closed the door behind him and joined the small group of the guard. “Brother, what is going on? Where is Maeryn?” Jane asked. “I wanted to discuss something regarding Maeryn.” He said while Demetri and Felix looked at him, waiting patiently for what he has to say. Truthfully, Maeryn had gained a special place in the hearts of the other two guards. “Which is?” Demetri asked. “We all know that our quiet days will most likely be soon over. Aro, Marcus and Caius where discussing it. More vampires are gathering. They think a war is coming soon.” Alec started. “What has this to do with Maeryn?” Felix asked. “I wanted to ask you, when the time comes, to keep her safe. They would want her dead, especially because she has a very powerful gift. She is a threat. When a war breaks out, they will surely come after Jane and I. We have cause to many trouble and deaths, but Maeryn has barely touched anyone. I just ask for you to keep her alive, especially you Felix.” Alec continued. “Don’t you think they won’t come after me as much as they come after you?” Felix asked. “I know they will, but Demetri is a greater target, because he can track them down. Besides you are the strongest vampire there is. I am sure you can keep her safe.” Felix nodded his head. “So, what is the plan, brother?” Jane asked. It had been a relatively quiet day in the castle. Truth be told, it had been a relatively quiet month. Alec and Maeryn had shared the wonderful news of their engagement. Aro was thrilled with the news, Marcus was bored as always and Caius simply congratulated the couple. Over all, the whole guard was happy for them but everyone’s excitement was quite cool. As if they were worried. Admittedly, Maeryn also felt a kind of threat hanging around the castle, as if something bad was about to happen. Maeryn had been in quite deep thoughts, when suddenly, two strong and familiar arms wrapped around her waist. “Good evening, amore mio.” Alec whispered softly in her ear. Maeryn smiled and leaned back into his arms. “Good evening.” She whispered back. She turned her head around slightly so she could lay a small peck on his lips. She was about to pull away when his hand cupped her face and he pulled her closer to him. It was a passionate kiss, but also a demanding one. He kissed her as if it would be their last. Maeryn smiled slightly against his lips as her head went blank. Something that always happened when Alec kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss slightly when suddenly a loud bang could be heard. Maeryn pulled away. “What was that?” she asked worried. “I don’t know.” Alec said and he ran out of the room towards where the bang was heard. Maeryn followed.

The bang came from the throne room. What Maeryn saw was horrifying. Dozens of vampires where fighting the Volturi. But there was not much time to watch the scene unfold. Soon three vampires started attacking her and Alec. Maeryn quickly dodged them and used her gift to quickly destroy them. She quickly tried to see where Alec was but she couldn’t find him. More vampires attacked her. Two grabbed her arms while another jumped onto her back, trying to rip her head off. Maeryn growled and used her gift to push the three vampires off of her while Felix ran to her and got rid of the one on her back. Maeryn ripped the heads off of the other two, not even bothering with her gift. She was thankful for the combat training she received all these years while being a member of the Volturi. Her gift was fast, but it had been slightly too slow when it came to larger groups of vampires at once, and many where targeting her right now. More and more vampires came and attacked them. Even the three elders where fighting. Yes even Marcus. Felix tried to keep many vampires off her but there were too many. Every member of the coven needed to fight their own fights. Maeryn saw Jane struggling and kicked the vampire who was running towards into the wall and went to help Jane. The vampire was about to rip Jane’s head off when Maeryn concentrated and used her gift. The vampire soon froze in his spot as cracks quickly started to form in his skin, and soon he vanished into a pile of ashes. “Thank you.” Jane said relieved. “My pleasure.” Maeryn said, but soon she felt a vampire pulling her hair. Small cracks where forming on her forehead and cheek. Jane saw this and quickly used her gift while Demetri came, ripping the head off of the vampire. Maeryn rubbed her head while the cracks quickly healed. “Thank you Demetri.” Maeryn said. Demetri nodded his head and continued the fight. Maeryn tried to find Alec while continuing fighting the intruders. Maeryn recognised a few of them. She recognised the Denali sisters Tanya and Kate along with Kate’s mate Garrett , the Amazon coven, Kachirir, Zafrina and Senna, the Egyptian coven, Amun, Kebi, Benjamin and Tia and many more covens who the Volturi has been a threat to. Tanya attacked Maeryn, but Maeryn was fast and grabbed Tanya by her arm and smashed in her head. Kate saw this and quickly made her way towards Maeryn but Demetri was fast and pushed Kate away. Garrett growled and started to fight Demetri. Admittedly, Garrett was a good fighter and Demetri was having trouble fighting him off. Garrett had almost defeated Demetri when Alec used his gift and made Garrett blind. Demetri used this to his advantage and ripped Garrett’s head off. Kate growled in pain and started attacking Demetri. She kicked him away and turned to Alec. Alec was using his gift but he was not fast enough. Kate grabbed him by his neck and used her gift on full power. Alec kneeled down on his knees in pain. Vladimir and Stephan from the Romanian coven walked towards Kate as she held Alec down. Stephan grabbed Maeryn tightly and made her look at Alec. Vladimir, Stephan and Kate smiled in victory at each other while Vladimir grabbed Alec’s head with both hands from behind. “I have been waiting for centuries for this moment. Go ahead. Look at your mate one last time. Know that when you die, you couldn’t do anything to save her. Remember. You brought her into our world. Innocent in a way. But she will also pay for her actions, the same as how you and your evil spawn of a sister will pay for yours.” Maeryn seemed paralysed and could no longer move as she watched her mate kneel down. His burgundy eyes looked into her crimson ones. Time seemed to go a lot slower. The love they shared between them seemed to explode. Every moment together, from the very first moment they had laid eyes on each other back when she was 15 years old, when Maeryn was human until the last kiss they shared, they could both feel. Love. That is what these two vampires shared. But that love was about to end soon. No more kisses. No more soft touches. No more rough

touches. No more small arguments. No more laying in each other’s arms. And then, there was the sound of metal being teared apart, and Alec’s head was no longer on his body. Vladimir and Stephan threw Alec’s head towards Maeryn and smirked in Triumph as Alec’s head rolled in front of Maeryn. Maeryn was frozen, she couldn’t do anything else but to look at her mate’s severed head while his body fell down to the ground. The light had vanished from Alec’s eyes. And with that the light in Maeryn’s life had vanished. Empty. That was all she felt at that moment. Empty. Maeryn was about to fall to the ground when Felix grabbed her. “Felix go!” Maeryn heard Jane scream. “You know where to find us!” Felix yelled as he picked Maeryn up and started to run. Maeryn remained in a state of disbelief. The one person she gave herself to, everything she ever owned, ever loved was gone. Felix kept running, fighting off many other vampires who wanted to kill the two of them. He eventually escaped the castle and ran. He ran all the way towards the Netherlands, Drenthe to be exact. Maeryn vaguely recognised it. It used to be her mother’s favourite holiday destination. She remember walking with her parents and their dog, Max. Felix ran deep into the forest and soon found a small cottage. It was made of oak wood, with a dark oak wood roof. A small stream of water passed besides the cottage, ending in a small pond where fish where swimming calmly. There was a small chimney on top of the roof. By the frontdoor, there were a few chairs with table. It looked rather cosy. Felix grabbed the key and walked inside, gently placing Maeryn on the couch. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed a blood bag out of the freezer and grave it to Maeryn. “Drink up. Those wounds need to heal.” He said. It had been the first thing he had said to her since they escaped the castle. Maeryn sighed and took the blood bag, taking a small sip. But, for the first time in her existence as a vampire, the blood made her slightly nauseous. Felix grabbed a blood bag himself and sat down on the sofa stool besides the couch. Maeryn looked around slightly. There was a large couch where she was sitting on at the moment. In front of the couch was a small coffee table with drawers in them. Besides the couch was the chair where Felix was sitting on and across from Felix was a TV hanging on the wall, with a radio besides it. In the kitchen was a small stove, sink and a fridge. The dining table was in the same place as the kitchen. A door separated the first floor with the second by a staircase. It was small, and cosy. Felix was waiting impatiently until he got a phone call. None of the two vampires moved. And after three hours the phone finally rang. Felix quickly picked it up and she could hear the voice of Jane through the phone. But Maeryn was still too numb to really pay attention to what Jane and Felix where saying. “Alright. Thank you Jane. Stay safe.” Felix said. Maeryn looked up, wondering what happened. “Aro and Caius where killed, along with Heidi, Santiago, Chelsea, Renata and many of the lower guards. Even Sulpicia and Athenodora along with Corin where killed.” Felix started. He took a deep breath and spoke the words that she knew already, but when he said it her world collapsed once more. It shattered in a million different pieces. “And.. and Alec.”

#alec volturi #volturi #volturi imagine #twilight imagine #twilight

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