#normally my dreams were kinda scarier to me—with him standing in front of me or following me down dark hallways—

[rosesradio]

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[jess-the-vampire]

Sky And The Forces Of The Multiverse, Chapter 44

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-

What.

That was all that was running through her head in that moment.

What.

They caught her? How? Why? When?

As sky was sitting here, planning what to do next, they had already caught the culprit?

There was no way, there was just no way they could've done that. Not when it had been so hard before, not when they had done everything in their power to avoid being caught before this point, this all seemed too weird. Judging from the boy's reaction, they were having very similar thoughts. Instead of being joyous over the capture of a tormenter and criminal they were skeptic and confused.

No one moved except for the queen, rushing down the halls and away from the kids towards the prisons.

Sky turned to jude, whose eyes followed the queen before heading off after her, still rather confused but ready for anything nonetheless. Judas wasn't even running but he was walking rather fast, sky and landon rushing to catch up with him as he had been given a head start at this point. Though no one really knew what to expect at all from any of this, or who they expected to find in the prison.

Would it really be someone they knew?

Or was it someone worse then they could imagine?

There were so many questions being raised and they all could feel their heartbeats get faster and faster with every step forward, even though they weren't in any danger right now they still felt as if they were, they were still scared. The small group passing through crowds of people who were also eager to see what was actually going on in the butterfly prisons.

People protestors, royals, guards, you name it.

They were all there, shouting and screaming.

But Kelly and Katrina wouldn't let them in, pushing them all back before star stepped in, pushing them back further with magic, her wife almost running into her on her way out of the room as she stepped in. Janna's presence immediately scared the crowd, who backed up and away from her. Honestly it was rather amusing that janna just standing there was considered way scarier then star's magic to these people.

Though if sky herself had to chose between the two, she'd rather deal with the magic as well.

But at least the crowd backing up allowed room for the kids to squeeze through, janna spotting them in the crowd, and ushering them towards her. Frankly she outta push the kids away and not let them get involved in this right now with all these people, but at the same time this was janna and she tended to not care about most of that kinda stuff like she probably should.

She actually looked way too happy for sky's taste.

Sky stopped in her tracks right in front of her mom with a worried and puzzled expression.

"Mom?"

"Yeah?", judas and landon were also stopped in their tracks next to the princess. The three shared puzzled expressions and janna smirked harder, "Well, we caught someone alright, but not entirely sure if we can call wo we caught and the guy who wrecked us last night the same person. Unless we've all been even dumber then we thought we were, which...i dunno".

Now sky was MORE confused.

"But...w-what?".

That's when Jackie popped her head through, scaring sky half to death.

Wasn't she supposed to be-?

Jackie ushered the kids inside the prison, janna helping keep guard as the kids headed over to the obviously crowded cell just to see what was going on over here. And sure enough, in a musty and dusty old cell was a figure in a dark dress, mask on their lap and chained hands behind their back. Their hood was clearly peeled back to see their face.

And Sky was dumbfounded at seeing light blonde hair and blue eyes.

"L-luna?".

Luna looked dazed, something strange to how she normally was, usually sky would expect Luna to either be sneering at them or sitting patiently as if she hadn't done anything wrong at all. But she looked weakened and tired and everyone around her was constantly asking her questions and exchanging confused glances between them all. No one is sure how to react to this exactly.

Luna was clearly being set up, she had to be.

Sky had seen her in the same place as the figure before, when they attacked angel.

So it couldn't have been her, no way.

Granted, that was the only time and she never knew the extent of luna's abilities but...still, there was no way luna was behind all of this. Just like there was no way she had been mind controlled into doing anything herself, something else had to be going on entirely. Sky walking up to the bars, looking at her dazed sister, it had to have been mind control.

and Judas looked stunned.

His hands suddenly reaching out to his neck all of a sudden without hesitation on his part.

The charm, luna had used it to repel being controlled or cursed and had given it to him when he told her about his dreams, she had only given it to him just the day before and without it they might of never found bernard how they did. Judas had been hesitant for good reason, because who knew what could happen if she gave it up and handed it over to him.

Had they gotten to her?

Landon of course was not happy to see her, considering their encounters before this point had been nothing but unpleasant to deal with, he felt himself sink back against the wall, he did not want to talk to luna, at all. He much rather would stay out of this whole situation if he could, crossing his arms and avoiding luna's gaze as he tried not to get himself worked up.

But they weren't finished, sky was quick to go up to her mother and question her. She had too many questions, questions her mom may or may not have answers to right now but she had to ask someone right now anyway. How long had luna been like this? Been captured? Where had she been captured? Who was the one to bring her in? Jackie? The spy who had been following her?

And wait a second-

But Star quickly tried to quiet her down, clearly in the midst of processing a lot herself right now.

Everyone was talking rapidly between themselves, no one really did seem to believe luna was responsible exactly, but at the same time luna left when they discovered who she was, and how much did they really know about her and what she was doing? With luna leaving the group for all they knew she was working with someone and manipulating everyone behind their backs.

Sky shaking her head, not even wanting to consider that.

Luna wasn't a great person, but she'd never well...go THIS far.

Right?

Judas quickly passed by Sky, pressing up and against the bars, staring at luna in disbelief and worry. Ignoring all the discussion around him about what was going on, the boy looking over luna to make sure she wasn't hurt, or if there were any signs she had been attacked or controlled by anything. His face full of regret in taking her magic charm before shaking his head.

She gave it to him, it helped save bernard, he shouldn't regret that..

But Luna...

His face however, seemed to be the thing that snapped luna out of whatever state she was currently under, the girl shaking her head rather fiercely and waking herself up, realizing just in what state she had been left in. She blinked her shiny blue eyes to get the sleep out, pulling on her bound hands, and she quickly was turning back into the luna everyone knew and tolerated.

"What...what's going on!?".

Her speaking finally got everyone's attention from their arguing to see luna snarling at all of them, confused and angry. She looked like if given enough time, she could break out of her situation with her fists alone, and no one would be shocked if she did. But her scary expression wasn't doing herself any favors and the argument if she was evil and out to get everyone secretly or not.

If anything all of this seemed to make her look so much worse right now.

But judas seemed delighted and relieved, so different from how he saw her the day before, and luna actually seemed almost happy to see him.

So much for her goodbyes of yesterday.

Guess being here was better then most situations she could've gotten herself into. The blonde actually rather sad in her tone as she spoke up properly for the first time since she got here, "Hey judas...sky". For once she seemed actually rather defeated, there was nothing she could do in this situation to make anything any better. Break out and she was screwed, say anything encrypting and well...her other mom was right there, stay here and who knows what would happen to her at this point.

"Luna...what...what happened?", Judas wanted to take this as slowly as possible, get as much out of luna as he could. Though her expression wasn't exactly reassuring, luna responding with more of a shrug and a look of puzzlement, "I...I don't know...I went to sleep last night and...oh...oh no...". She looked right at judas, and the two knew where this was going.

The charm.

"How could...i was trying to be so careful and...judas what happened since i saw you last?". There was a lot to actually say but they were currently in no condition to talk about it with so many people around, all the demon prince could do was try and reassure her. "We're going to figure this out...just hang tight right now and we'll try and get this...sorted out.".

"They took over my brain...didn't they?", the way she asked it gave him chills.

"I...maybe...yeah".

Star was quick to ask for some privacy from some of the adults in the room, Katrina and Jackie leaving to work on the crowd outside and getting them out of the area in general. Obviously whatever Luna wanted to talk about, it was going to have to remain private, lest information got out that no one wanted to get past the castle gates to cause more damage.

But Landon also made his way towards to door, his older brother stopping him, worried. "Landon? Hey, you don't have to leave so soon, don't you want to-", but landon cut him off, "I'm going to tell mom and dad what happened and you can't make it to your arm thing right now, they'll reschedule, I-I don't want to be here...with her". He nodded towards the blonde teenager, "We'll talk alter...you can let me know...what you find out...". And judas could do nothing more as landon headed out after the other adults, judas sighing but letting him go.

Guess he couldn't blame him after how luna acted to him, Celeste was pissed about it just as much.

But they'd have to focus on luna for now and deal with it later, and judas went back to focusing on the princess, who watched landon leave with a face of mixed emotions, whether she may of had regrets, judas couldn't say for now.

"Luna...you first...what happened after i saw you last?".

Luna seemed to be struggling to remember, eyes closing and lip quivering, "I-I...I left and...I made my way back to my camp that night...I-I was keeping an eye out to make sure those after me hadn't caught up and i put charms around my area for protection...and next thing i know...i'm here...oh no, i hope my stuff's ok...I don't want all my evidence stolen..".

"Evidence?", star asked, startled.

"On who was after us...and how to get home", she muttered, "I...I might've found some crucial stuff and...ugh...". She seemed about ready to punch a wall, only for star to try and hush her down, her distress only making everyone more stressed. "We'll find it...the ones tracking you...i'll send them out to your camp and see what they can find...you...still have...it...right?".

Luna scoffed, still not happy her sorta mother was talking to her, it had been so long sky and judas nearly forgot how...tense luna got around star.

"It?", she asked rather rudely.

"Your wand".

The mention of it seemed to freak luna out, struggling to make her hands to desperately feel it.

Breathing a sigh of relief, "Oh...no...it's still safe...they must not have noticed it...".

Thank god.

And thank god for luna knowing how to hide her wand so well, or they'd be in deep trouble. Everyone else seemed to be just as relieved, though their reaction seemed to make luna curious. At the very least the wand was ok, though with luna in a costume no doubt she didn't put herself in there had to have been a reason for it other then looking for a wand.

"Check her for bruises", sky sputtered out randomly, everyone staring at her.

"Sky?".

"The masked figure that attacked us last night, we attacked them...we need to make sure if it was actually them-".

"-Or luna..", judas finished.

Luna looked at them all, rather puzzled before muttering, "Ok, but...get me out of this cell first...we're not checking my body with all of you staring at me in a cold jail cell.". Star opening the door to escort the girl as sky let out another question that she couldn't help but have in the back of her mind throughout this situation. "Mom...hey uh...luna was being followed by a spy wasn't she? Where...are they?", it might've been a weird time to ask, but if jackie was here Katrina's partner had to be as well.

Perhaps they could ask them some questions.

"Oh well...I think they're with eclipsa in the gardens right now".

"Eclipsa...why with her?".

"Well-", star started only for janna to walk in and cut the mood, "Hey star, we kicked all of those people out, so if you wanna move little trouble over here better do it now before they start climbing the walls...oh and uh...maybe put the mask back on...luna might not want people to see her face if they find out she was the one we actually caught".

Luna could agree to that alright.

And in an instant, luna was rushed out in her costume, judas looking back at her as she left, only dragged away by sky, who needed to go find eclipsa. For once she actually wanted to find eclipsa and find out what was going on. Maybe the spy saw something? They were following luna after all, they could figure out how this all happened, when luna got her mind taken over...anything they needed.

It was a better lead then nothing.

Though judas still seemed worried about luna.

Would she end up like how angel did? On trail?

There was no way they could defend her the same way they defended him, angel was only a boy who didn't know what he was getting into and didn't commit the crimes himself, luna on the other hand...if this was what it looked like...she was going to be in way worse trouble. Though at least her kingdom was in another reality and she wouldn't be surrounded by an angry mod anytime soon.

Angel was still dealing with the risk of that last part.

And he barely left the castle.

His mind was so lost in thinking about luna he had to be snapped out of his state by sky to notice they had moved to the outside of eclipsa's tower, everyone had seemed to have left. Angel, nora, sunny, melaine...all of them, off somewhere else. Melaine was home obviously, angel might've went for lunch with nora and then back to see his mom, and sunny...well sunny was probably with lexi if anywhere.

Sky hung out with them so much now she could practically guess what they were up to at any point in time.

Guess everyone had to get back to life as per usual for awhile, besides...outside was a good place to get ambushed.

But she was happy they weren't here, she didn't want them involved in this just in case things got a little...rough, they didn't know what they were in for if they were going to ask the spy some questions and who they would see on the other side obviously. Though it didn't take long for someone to answer, and sky had to take a step back. Because though this was eclipsa's tower and home when she was staying by the castle, she wasn't who was standing in the doorway.

And sky was speechless and...baffled.

She had knocked, trying not to be rude, and before she could back herself out of this whole deal, they had to be inside and hopefully eclipsa wouldn't mind them joining to ask some questions of their own. Though the moment the door had been opened, sky almost felt the color drain from her face, and she and judas had gone stiff as a board as their stomachs turned.

Because instead of a green haired mewman standing at the door.

In front of her was a woman who was much younger, and much less mewman if the horns and tail were any indication. She had striking red eyes but the thing that clearly got the both of their attention was the plain clover cheekmarks on her face. Even though they had never seen this woman in person since the day they were made, they both knew who stood before them.

For the first time in their lives, Meteora stood before them.

The monster who almost destroyed mewni.

The original princess to take the throne before sky.

The monster who got a second chance to live.

The sight of her alone was enough to stop the two in their place unable to say a word to her, just gapping at her and their minds going full blank. They never knew what they'd do if they met meteora in person since they found out she was really well...not dead. Now that they were actually seeing her for the first time they had nothing to say, looking as though they were staring off into space.

Meteora however, seemed to know them rather well.

"The prince of the underworld and princess of mewni...hey".

They still didn't say anything, how much did meteroa know about them? About what was happening? Was she happy to see them or was she just as freaked out as they were?

It took all of his strength for judas to rely like he wasn't freaking out on the inside.

"H-hey".

It was a start.

Of course meteora was the spy following luna, of course.

Why didn't sky think about this before? Who else would go to see eclipsa but her own daughter?

And that meant, Katrina and Meteora were working together all this time, all this time they had been closer to meeting the former princess then they thought they were. It was only an ask away. They must've looked pretty silly gawking at her like that, because meteora was staring back at them as if they had grown a head between the two of them, confused and worried.

"Uh...hi?".

"Meteora, dear...what's going-", Eclipsa paused at seeing the teenagers at her door, but quickly smiled and invited them inside, "C'mon in, have some tea, meteora was just telling me how work has been going". She pulled her daughter aside to let the teens enter, judas and sky recovering from their frozen state, but still having a hard time not looking at meteora as they entered.

Man, now meteora must've thought they were weirdos, looking at her as if she was some sort of ghost.

Great start, they just seemed to have a way with making first meetings really uncomfortable.

And indeed as they were welcomed in and to take a seat the monster girl watched them curiously, reminded them this was again, her first time really meeting them either. She'd probably hear many stories about them from her mom, some probably fun and some sky really hoped would never ever be mentioned ever again if they could help it.

Eclipsa and her might not have had the closest relationship, but that never stopped eclipsa from knowing too much for comfort.

Regardless, now neither sky or judas was sure how to go about this, they barely knew meteora, would she really answer any of the questions they had for her? Or would she not say a work, considering the spy business was purely confidential. Maybe meteora was stingy about that info and they'd have to pry it out of her, good cop and bad cop style?

Actually, no, that'd be stupid.

Truth potion?

Oh right, with what happened yesterday sky basically forgot they lost it to Judas's grandfather.

Well today was full of inconveniences now wasn't it? Leaving Sky more anxious then she probably would've been otherwise.

But she might've been just panicking, she didn't know meteora, and she didn't know for sure she wouldn't easily help them or not. Maybe this would go a lot better then she was thinking it would. Though meteora's looks weren't exactly reassuring her a ton, as the former princess seemed to be trying to read the two royals herself, as any good spy probably would.

Did they look suspicious? Or just weird?

Sky wished she could read meteora's mind, wondering what eclipsa had told her about all of this if

anything.

There was no way meteora didn't at least have some questions considering she was tailing luna, someone she DEFINITELY didn't know.

And if she had ever spotted Luna doing magic….yeah.

Sky just had to pull herself together and maybe if she was lucky this would go rather well and maybe eclipsa would even help her out?

"Any flavor you'd like?" , Eclipsa asked sweetly, sipping her own cup as meteroa drank from her own.

"Oh uh….it doesn't matter…" Sky answered awkwardly. Eclipsa just shrugging and walking to her teapot. Guess she didn't feel as weird since Sky and Judas already knew Meteora was alive, but that wasn't shared among the others.

She really shouldn't be acting so peachy to Sky, especially since she knew how unusual this was for everyone.

But the 3 said nothing between them, just sharing awkward glances at each other as they heard the teapot boil nearby. Eclipsa humming to herself as she did so, acting as if this was all somehow just extremely normal and nothing odd was happening at all right about now.

They couldn't even bring themselves to ask about her thoughts on Luna with Meteora there. It was nothing but dead silence and odd tension that Meteora probably didn't fully understand herself.

Eclipsa handed them their cups before taking a seat next to her daughter. She bumped the monster's shoulder, eyeing the kids, "Meteora, this is Princess Skyler, and Prince Judas. Two of the lovely royals I've told you about".

Meteora coughed into her fist, trying to almost reset the whole meeting as she held out her hand.

"Hello".

They better take it, otherwise enter another awkward staring contest between the three of them.

Judas shook first, meteora and him both seeming to note just how strong the other appeared to be.

Sky felt the grip next, and she was sure her hand had been uncomfortably sweaty throughout the whole thing.

At least meteora didn't seem to be too focused on that last bit, trying to strike up a conversation herself to ease the tension. "So um...you've been...taught by my mom? She keeps raving about how you and this dorky spider prince studied under her for some reason?". Well, this was not really where sky expected this to star but it was something it seemed.

"Oh yeah...angel, he's the prince of the-".

"Arachfords, yeah, i've been to that kingdom...kinda a bit of a dump".

Well that was one way to start a conversation, though sky was sure if angel had heard he wouldn't have disagreed with her. Guess it figured at one point or another meteora would've spied there, probably as part of the investigation into all the strange masked person activity when angel was still working for Her. Perhaps Meteora had been more involved with this conflict then sky thought she had.

"How is it there these days?", the demon prince was quick to ask, curious about how it's been since angel was on trial. Meteora simply shrugging, "Eh...still a dump, though at least people aren't overunning the castle anymore. Should've seen the king, dude couldn't even leave his own castle with all those monsters out there yelling at him for one reason or another...guess it comes with the job".

Fun.

"Oh yes, i told angel earlier, his father is coming over here for a bit while globby takes care in his place. So if you have questions you'll be able to ask him in person rather soon if you'd like...though maybe give him and angel some space, they clearly have some serious catching up to do with how long they haven't seen each other. Downside to him not letting angel have a compact.".

"Yeah...angel probably should have one...", judas gritted his teeth, "Hard to contact him without it...".

"Old fashioned type kingdom?", meteora asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Actually more like they didn't trust angel to just have one".

That actually seemed to make meteora laugh, "Man, dude must have some issues then...must be fun parties".

"Well he was kicked out of most of them...".

Actually out of context it almost sounded like angel was some sort of badboy who got in trouble a lot rather then what actually was going on. But they didn't need to go into that with meteora right now, they had more important matters to get into. Though meteora seemed to find the fact he was kicked out of royal parties to actually be kinda interesting.

However, meteora was quickly onto them, scanning their faces closely, "You're here to ask about the girl i just caught aren't you? Don't try to deny it, i can tell from your body language you both wanted to ask something in particular and were hesitant about it". Judas and Sky immediately felt embarrassed, she caught on quick, that's for sure but she didn't seem to mind.

"Ask away, i don't have an issue...I kinda figured you'd have questions, the news was bound to spread fast...", she sounded actually rather cool about it, ushering them to get out what they wanted to ask while she was still here. Judas and Sky gapping and looking at each other as sky cleared her throat, guess if meteora was really cool with it they better hurry up before she wasn't.

"So uh...were you uh...following..-".

"Was i following the blonde girl with a resting face in the cell? Yeah, mom called me in to follow her since she apparently ran away or something. She spent the whole time trying to shake me off, it was insane. I've never had someone try so hard to make sure they weren't being followed, i'm not exactly sure how she did it...but she had to be an expert on it...and only culprits go out of their way to hide so much".

So meteora didn't know about the magic luna could do then.

But she thought luna was suspicious.

As she would if luna was going so far to keep herself from being tracked, of course that would look suspicious. She didn't know why luna left and why she didn't want to be followed. Luna was kinda a suspicious person even when she was an ally, going off and doing her own thing and keeping secrets from the others, all of this would be even worse coming from someone who never met her.

The kids exchanged glances, meteora still talking, not really paying attention to the kids or her mom, who all seemed to mutually send glances, knowing the truth behind luna's weird actions and unsure what to respond with after that statement. "Honestly i can see why mom wanted me to follow her, she's tricky...no normal guard could handle something like that...did your mom see her already?", she asked sky.

"Uh...yeah...yeah she did.".

"When's the trial then?".

"Oh...uh...", so meteora was also expecting luna to be put on trial after all this too? Did she have any evidence to get her convicted? She had to have right? Though sky'as silence seemed to tell luna enough about the situation, "Alright then, i guess we'll see when she wants to take care of it...y'know i thought she was weird before, but i never expected to find out she was a criminal".

But thankfully, eclipsa chimed in.

"Oh dear, you don't know that, innocent till proven guilty after all, give it some time", meteora didn't seem so sure about that fact but it didn't seem she was deadset on not agreeing with her mom either, false accusations was a sore spot in their family and meteora herself couldn't go around claiming her mom was wrong when that part of their family history was still fresh.

"She's still really suspicious though", she grumbled, leaning on the couch and drinking more of her tea.

They could all agree to that, even when luna was helping them she was suspicious, she tended to have a vibe to her.

"Did you...what was she doing...when you guys got her?", sky asked, trying not to sound suspicious as she brought the topic up, meteora simply shrugging to herself and drinking her tea with a sigh. "She was just...strolling through the woods, pretty unlike her all things considered since she seemed obsessed with trying to stop me from watching her...but there she was...out in the open, might as well have just turned herself in and saved me the trouble".

"Just...walking?".

"Pretty much, tired too by the looks of it".

So luna wasn't caught doing anything that seemed scary or dangerous at least, though meteora seemed to help make it more obvious luna wasn't in control of her own body at the time. Luna would never have put herself out in the open like that, they knew that well enough. She had to have been under control and got caught while being so, honestly it just seemed like they gave up using her when they finished what they needed.

At least luna seemed mostly intact instead of being heavily injured during this whole thing, being out of control of what happens to your own body is scary, luna was lucky nothing worse happened to her when someone else took the steering wheel. Not to mention be attacked by anyone who had really though they had caught the big bad enemy that had terrified all of mewni.

She got lucky this time around, that was for sure.

"But i've caught some real scary folks in my time, usually i hang out in that sweet dig in the underworld to get new jobs, place has great smoothies...and music...as long as those demons don't pick any fights". The royals exchanged looks knowingly, guess for certain they could confirm the cloaked figure fae had seen there, meteora might've seen landon there a few times if she went regularly.

"How long have you been a spy?".

"Eh...maybe about...four years?", she said, still a little unsure, "I mean, if not that then five, but it's not much more then that...katrina started earlier then me, since she ages differently and got a bigger head start...but it is what it is, she's cool though, best partner i could have. She talked about you guys all the time, like your weird big sister...she gave you that pendent thing right?".

She pointed to sky.

"Yeah...she did...".

"Did she tell you you had to wear it on your hat before she did it?".

Sky shook her head, meteora snorted.

"Sounds like her".

Eclipsa smiled into her teacup, "Meteora is wonderful as a spy, sneaky and smart...i tend to get her help a lot when teenagers get a little rough around the castle and they need to be taught them a nice lesson." Meteora also seemed to share a smile about that, leaving their company to wonder just exactly what eclipsa did when they weren't paying attention to her.

"Eh...it works, but it's nice to take a break...come over...where's dad anyway?".

"Busy, he'll come over soon though".

Meteora sagged her shoulders, "He better get here before i have to go back into work, hard to get in contact with him when he's spending his "retirement" cleaning up other people's messes". Her attention went back to the royals, "So yeahh...hopefully that takes care of your little masky problem, and well, that blonde girl in general, hopefully you both stay safe from now on".

"What do you mean by that?".

"I mean...you were nearly killed a few times right?", she said knowingly, "If you die, well lucitor has brothers, but well...in sky's case...who knows where the throne might go without you there to run it. Mewmans are just work in general, their a mess without their queen, you leave them alone for too long and they can barely feed themselves, so better not let anyone stupid get a chance to take over".

Honestly sky only felt more awkward knowing meteora almost had this position herself years ago, would meteora have been a better queen then sky? It's possible, meteora ight also have been just as hated if not more then sky but at the very least she had to be far more powerful then her and maybe more accustomed to dealing with all of this then sky.

Or maybe sky was just doubting herself again.

"Yeah well...i guess we'll just have to see for ourselves about that...things kinda seem to happen to our family a lot", she was joking, but she wasn't wrong, her mom nearly died multiple times, in fact she had claimed to have actually come back from the dead during one of those occasions. Their family seemed to have poor luck in avoiding ending up in serious life-threating peril.

"Hey, all queens deal with it, just blast anyone who tried in the face, works every time".

At least Meteora was enjoying this.

Judas coughed, knowing they needed to get back on topic about luna before they left with little info, there had to be ore they could push on. So far what they asked seemed mostly fine and not that odd, probably because it was stuff meteora had no reason to hide anything about, but there could be more they were missing and would have to go further to get.

Eclipsa seemed to know their next move, continuing the conversation with her daughter as normal, "Well meteora, i really hope staking out wasn't too bad this time around, though i'm sure the girl didn't make it easy for you...it's hard to sleep if you have to keep finding the person over and over...but at least you can rest here if you need to, i kn0ow it's tiring".

"Jeez...no kidding, she had camps, but kept wandering off, only reason i found her again was she went back to her campsites...otherwise i might've lost her".

Guess at least that meant luna did go off and do the hunting for clues she promised, she wasn't fibbing when she told them in her cell, she had stuff at her camp, waiting for her and everyone else to see.

But it also meant she looked more suspicious cause no one but her could claim what she did when she wandered off right now.

Cause for all they had known, luna could've been out doing terrible things when she went out of meteora's view. But they'd have to ask luna herself, only she could really say what went down. And if what she did was bad or not, even judas was up in the air about what she had down since they parted, and he knew luna would not be against doing some shady things.

They needed to talk more about her absence when they could.

"You...you really think it's her?", he said it in such a sad way, he couldn't help her, he really honestly didn't want to doubt luna but he couldn't help but be worried about all of this. How much did he really know about luna? What if she really was just as bad as meteora seemed to think and all of them had been tricked? His mind felt fuzzy just thinking about all of this.

Meteora seemed to take note of his tone, hers immediately shifting. She actually seemed rather

worried that she upset the boy, feeling rather embarrassed all of a sudden. "Oh um...were you and

her...friends or something? I'm sorry I didn't mean to imply-".

"It's fine….", he said, so quickly that it only emphasized how upset he actually was. "I'm sorry….its just….I don't believe luna did this….or at least I hope she didn't ".

His own voice seemed to betray him, because he, to an extent, wasn't sure about luna. He couldn't betray a friend either, and luna was a friend no matter how mixed things currently were right now. Eclipsa seemed to be admiring his loyalty, despite how luna kinda was to everyone around her. She was lucky anyone was standing up for her with how things had been.

"Well, I guess we'll see for ourselves once we do some kind've investigation on her and everything. So Let's just hope for both our sakes this capture isn't a complete waste of our time", the monster girl put down her teacup and took out her compact, "So enough questions for me...time for me to question the two of you". Her compact now aimed at the two teenagers.

"What….?".

"You both are part of this whole deal and I need to hear what you know so I can further do my job.", her words seemed to strike some worry into the kids, how much did meteora know if she knew they "Were part of this whole deal"? Judas quickly trying to relax himself, especially since meteora could read their body language and might get suspicious if they kept freaking out.

The former princess looked them both over and tried to explain more clearly, she then said simply, "So since we're here together I better do it now and hear what you both have to say. Especially since you both know the girl I captured on a personal level".

They both felt their hearts drop, Eclipsa sending them a shrug.

Guess they had no choice but to answer meteora's questions and just hope they didn't say anything that might make them look weird.

"So how do you know this girl?", she pressed record on her compact, keeping eye contact the entire time with the teens, the two struggling just to answer the first question. They couldn't outright say who she ACTUALLY was to Meteora right now, they barely knew her, they'd kinda have to lie….if even a small lie for now. They were just going to have to be careful of their words, though even just thinking what to say too long might make them seem suspicious.

"Uh she wanted to be in our guards".

It was technically the truth so hopefully it worked, though in their minds they both just really hoped that meteroa wasn't an expert lie detector, because if she was they were doomed.

"Is that how you met? She came to you looking to be apart of the guards"

"Well no, we met a bit before b-"

"How long ago did you meet and how close were you? You didn't tell her anything you shouldn't have did you? Was she interested in anything she shouldn't have been?", geez sky hadn't expected meteora to be so….intense. She really seemed to take her job seriously, like VERY seriously. Sky was nervous just trying to answer her first question, much less all the others.

It was overwhelming, they barely could process all the questions she was even asking them, catching them more off-guard.

Sky especially.

"Well I uh-".

"Luna came down wanting to be a guard and we met her in town, so we hung out and asked for her to stay in the castle since she left home to be a knight ", judas to the rescue of course, a significantly better person to handle this then sky. At least he was staying consistent to the story they gave luna as best he could.

"Where's she from?"

"She's from….a very far part of mewni, she traveled through scissors to get here, she didn't wanna say because it was personal information".

This seemed to make meteora suspicious, whether of them or luna they couldn't tell for sure but she didn't seem entirely satisfied with that answer. This only seemed to make the demon more nervous, but meteroa didn't push further on the matter, moving onto the next question she had.

"Why'd you help her become a knight?"

"Because we're...nice people?"

She made a face in response to that one and judas kept his mouth shut once again just to avoid sounding more like an idiot in front of the master spy. But really he didn't have a better answer then that, he wasn't exactly sure what meteora had expected to hear honestly.

"How much do you really know her? She seems to have been vague about all the important things a friend would share normally?".

Eclipsa must've sensed how nervous the teens were trying to figure out their next set of words.

Quickly getting her daughter's attention with a tap on the shoulder, "I've spoken to Luna quite a few times and seen them with her quite a bit since she's been here, I can say for sure luna has quite the relationship with both of them….judas and luna even hung out with me, sky, and angel before ".

Well if meteora didn't know whether to trust the royals for sure, there was at least a decent chance she might trust her own mother's word on the matter. The girl biting at her lip and moving onto the next question she had about the matter. Judas and sky becoming extremely relieved about that one, trying to talk about luna without mentioning her whole deal was...tricky.

"I've already spoken to some of her comrades , she was dangerous….like she had training way before she even came here...can both of you confirm this?".

They nodded.

"So she was well trained before she entered the knights ? I'm gonna guess she never explained why she was so well trained right?".

"She trained herself ", sky said, "she wanted to be the best".

It was the most in character thing luna would do if this was her actual backstory.

They couldn't deny any of luna's skills, that was for sure, nothing about her read as "Incompetent".

They were waiting for meteora to ask anything else but she stopped her recording, "I'll probably get back to you later...but i have others to talk to about this as well...anyways, thanks for helping me with this for the time being". They simply nodded, still anxious about being bombarded with questions they couldn't be entirely truthful about.

At least it was over, they didn't know for how much longer they could've kept that up before they said something more stupid that gave them away. They had enough mixed emotions about meteora, they didn't need her hogging down their backs on top of that, and even now they were still processing the fact they were in her presence. Looking at her now she didn't seem the type to attack an entire kingdom like she did.

She seemed...well normal.

Focused on her work, talking to her mom, hanging out with her friends.

Would she still be like this if her mind hadn't been wiped how it was?

"So...wait...are you going to be part of this whole deal?", sky asked all of a sudden, meteora blinking at her in confusion, "Uh...if you mean am i apart of this whole masked person stuff...i kinda have to be now, my target was caught with the costume on...when she is on trial i'm going to be a witness to everything...also honestly if my mom is investigating...i might as well join in".

She grabbed her things, fixing up her hair and checking on her tail, "I'm going to find Katrina real quick mom, to share some notes...i'll meet up with you and dad later...give you updates, you tell me when you find anything out..." Then she looked to the teens, holding out her hands for them to shake, "And i'll see the two of you...later...don't spend too much time with my mom...the longer you do the more she starts talking about weirder things".

She headed out the door, eclipsa laughing to herself as her daughter left, her attention on her guests.

"So how was-?".

"METEORA IS A SPY?! And you said NOTHING?!"

Sky said it so loud it even scared judas, but she couldn't help it, she had so many thoughts running through her head and she could barely process most of them. But Eclipsa just seemed amused, sipping her tea to herself and nodding, "Sky c'mon, i couldn't tell you anything about that, it's meant to be a secret...and besides, it's not relevant to everything else...meteora's life is her life, nothing to do with you all anymore".

She was right about it, sky didn't need to know what meteora did, but she was still shocked.

"But like...she...and we...", sky couldn't even come up with a defense, she was so defeated, and so was judas too by the looks of it. The dark queen put down her cup, patting their shoulders gently, "Kids...it's ok, honestly you just seem shocked all this time meteora was right nearby and you missed her for so long, it's alright...i'm sure anyone would be just as shocked.".

"Wait...but meteora...she's going to go out there...won't people recognize her?", it suddenly came to sky, meteora might not be who she was but the people of mewni would NEVER forget her, a surge of panic wave through her as eclipsa quickly answered her question without a worry on her face.

"They will".

So she knew just as much, but-

"But she doesn't know what she did...what if-?".

"It's no matter, I told her".

The two sat there, stunned.

"When?".

"Just now, before you showed up, i told her everything...well...everything about her life before...nothing about the whole "Sister from other timelines" thing", she was sitting there, so casually about it too, like this wasn't a big deal. She kept meteora from the throne and erased her mind of destroying mewni, and meteora had no reaction to it? At all?

"I considered it for awhile...and thought it was time...better she learn about it from me...then anyone else.".

"But she didn't...she-".

The queen smiled sadly at them, her eyes facing away and towards the wall, "She's an adult, and i'm sure this is going to be a lot to process for her, but i think she'll be ok...eventually...but of course she wasn't going to freak out, she's rather fine with what she's doing now...never had much interest in ruling, finds the mewmans annoying to try and manage.".

"So when we came in just now and she was talking about me being queen and that without me who knows who it might go to...", sky started, "She...she was aware that it might go to her...". Well, that suddenly made that conversation even more awkward then it needed to me, maybe that was why meteora was so silent after they came in, she was just as uncomfortable as they were.

"Yeah you came at...very awkward timing for her".

Judas suddenly felt very sick, his stomach sinking, "We...we had no idea i'm so sorry about that...it was a big deal and we must've walked in while she was still processing everything and we didn't mean to make everything more weird then it had to be". But she hushed him, relaxing back into her seat, "It's alright, you had no reason to know about any of that, you don't have to say sorry for anything in relation to this...it's between me and meteora.".

That finally seemed to silence the nervous teens, who tried to settle themselves against the couch beneath them, the former queen handing them chocolate bars that had been hidden in her drawer nearby. " Today seems to be a day of confession, so i think it's good to get all of this out of our system...even if it hurts, but it's better let out and consumed inside...", they took the candy and unwrapped it, taking bites.

"Do you think...she hates us?".

"Doubtful, she barely knows you...and it's not your fault".

They fell silent, nearly forgetting why they even came here in the first place, to look for answers and clues. Now back into their guilty modes, getting themselves off track and their minds unfocused. The older woman snapping in front of their faces to get their attention, encouraging them to eat their chocolate before she took it back from both of them, and knowing her, she would.

"You both need to stop blaming yourselves, what happened was in the past...you have a new future ahead to make things right. Meteora has a lot to process on her mind but...i think by how she left is enough to indicate she'd be happy to be friends with you both. Trust me, when meteroa hates something...it sticks...probably why she still flinches instinctively over queen lucitor".

She looked deep into their eyes, "Enough wallowing in sadness, you'll never get things done if you keep feeling sorry about things you shouldn't be sorry for, i made my choice and i'll deal with the consequences. Me and star have made some...well...questionable choices in the past, bit we were the ones to make those choices, not you...you could never have known what we'd do and we could never have guessed how this would affect all of you...including meteora. We can't change our past but we can work on bettering our future, you know as well sky...".

"Huh?".

"You said it yourself, to Angel".

She was right, sky had said something similar to him before.

Told him to stop thinking in the past, and work to the future, for the betterment of everyone.

Guess sometimes she needed to be reminded of her own advice.

"I'm sorry, i didn't meant to get all upset and whatever...sometimes i just feel i don't deserve the throne and i feel bad i might've...stolen it away from someone who deserved it more...", she took another bite of chocolate, "Eclipsa, the wand broke cause it went to me, the girls might not even have been here if i didn't have it...i just feel like...giving it to me only made things worse...".

"Oh hush now, meteora is happy to not have the pressure you do, and you don't have anything to feel sorry for, your mom's broken the wand plenty as well and done her own fair share of stupid things, my grandmother erased gravity once...what you've done is fairly tame in comparison. As far as I'm concerned, you'll be a good queen...but perhaps...instead of hearing it from us...maybe you need to hear it from yourself.".

Sky was about to question what she meant but eclipsa was way ahead of her, "We can only do so much, for you and judas both, we can encourage you, help you, cheer you on...but getting over these fears and doubts you have...we can only do so much on our own, you both need to learn to love yourselves and trust yourselves as well, otherwise you may never fully get over this sinking feeling".

She was right.

They did keep falling into this, because even if everyone else felt one way, they still kept doubting themselves.

If they didn't believe it, they were never going to overcome these issues.

"Do you know how we can try?", judas asked, his shoulders hunched and his eyes mostly staring at his hands rather then eclipsa, "I...want to...i want to get better, i want to fully stop...even if it takes time...i know it's not my fault and i know what i do is to help...but...i want to know how i can prevent myself from falling back into...bad thoughts...if there's a way to do so".

This really seemed to peak eclipsa's attention, caught off guard by judas's sudden question, leaving her in thought for a moment. "Well, it's a step by step process...but...start by recognizing things you like about yourselves...things you're proud of...and start doing nice things for yourself...it'll take some time to get over years of self doubt...but...you need to fully have faith in yourselves if either of you are to get passed this...".

"Angel asked me out..."Sky started noticing eclipsa smile before giving her a face, "As friends...he asked us to hang out to make up a bit for...what happened. Maybe i'll take him up on his offer...soon...in between plans and dealing with the mission. At least...it might be a good start into truly feeling more confident, he's confident in my magic it seems".

"And judas?".

He looked at his arm, clutching it.

"I'm going to learn to control it".

Luna being in prison was quick to spread to everyone in the group, everyone reacting with a similar face of shock and confusion. Though celeste reacted more with "Whatever", probably still mad with luna just like landon was. She didn't exactly have the best time with her yesterday when the blonde pointed her wand at her and nearly got into a fight with her.

The only plus side to this all was because they saw luna yesterday they knew the timeslot they had for luna to have been cursed, making it easier to determine when everything might've went down and if luna was at the lucitor castle or somewhere entirely different. No one seemed to really believe at the end of the day that luna was actually their enemy, as mad as some of them were at her.

It all did make the dinner they were all at very awkward however, as they went in expecting to plan stuff in the morning and now the talk was entirely around luna herself, of course next to queen moon and meteora. Star was already panicking and stuffing her face at just the mention of her mom, having no ability to shun her away this time was driving her nuts and the only reason she wasn't here already was because River was getting into a fight at their retirement cabin with a bear.

Next to Janna, who honestly was actually way too calm about the whole situation, maybe at this point she was numb to every dumb big event that happened seemingly each week. Which of course didn't apply to anyone else, The lucitors were here after all and they were already trying to figure out what happened to luna and coming up with theories of what was actually going on.

Luna of course, was not eating with them, but at least she wasn't in prison either.

Oh no no, they locked her in her room, surrounded by guards, with Jackie watching over her in case she tried to escape. Not that Luna would try it knowing how much worse it would make her look, but it was better to be safe then sorry when it came to luna, she had a knack for being unexpected. It was just unfortunate she couldn't be here to well...defend herself.

But on the plus side, she wasn't here to start arguments over those who were fussing about her right now either.

"But let's say she WAS being used as a distraction, for what purpose? They didn't use the opportunity to do anything, was it just to frame someone?", the Queen of demons was pondering, their partner presenting his own theory to the group, "Maybe they gave up and ditched their clothes, realizing now that we're close to catching them they needed to get out as fast as possible and us catching luna would make a good distraction..".

"Would they really just give up after all this? They've gone this far...even considered murder...".

"Maybe i'm just wishful thinking marco, but i guess that would just mean they'd be someone else's problem".

"Well, i um...i'm not sure what the reason was either", angel's voice was a little quiet, trying to speak over the others who were talking loudly around him, "But they well...it wouldn't surprise me if they wanted to just frame her...luna is well...she's kinda the perfect candidate to frame, she wasn't around during the sleepover incident, she's highly skilled...luna would be smart enough to do this kinda stuff...and she's been missing awhile".

"But luna is still an ally to us, she has no reason to run around in a dress and mask to do the things that thief did unless she had ulterior motives we aren't aware of, and even so...eclipsa's been in her mind, she would've seen something if luna had been up to anything outside of helping us, like one of us would've caught on, like this whole framing idea just doesn't work...", judas explained, trying to not eat with his mouth open.

"Well, to us, sure, but to everyone who doesn't know about your little...secret...they wouldn't know that...and we can't admit to any of it in court either.", Marco was rubbing their head, pulling at their hair as tom interjected, "Yeah, whatever they intended or not this is kinda a problem, the only way we can defend luna is by revealing what's happening and well-".

"You know what could happen if we do that".

"But what can we do? We can't let her be frozen either...if we fake evidence that's only going to look worse on our part, and we can't just let luna go free without any explanations either...we'll just look more suspicious...", they were all in a rut, all because of this luna situation. Keeping this a secret was important for many reasons, but how were they to keep it a secret and keep luna innocent at the same time?

They couldn't, they couldn't get themselves out of this one that easily.

"We're just going to have to get risky...", marco admitted, "There's no other way...maybe if we catch the person whose really behind this, we can clear luna's name entirely...and then we might not even have to worry about trying to defend her, at the very least it's a plan that could work...but that's if we use a truth potion and even then that's risky if they well...know who luna is".

"Are you sure about trapping them...at your coronation judas?", his father looked worried, barely touching his food, "It's an important part of your life and well...it's dangerous to do something like this". But judas shook his head, "Sky's right, it's the best thing we have to make into a trap, we can't lure them somewhere they know will be dangerous and we can't do something so out of character they'll know something is up".

"But...they can't hide with that mask on, won't be much of a trap otherwise...".

"Not if...we're all...wearing masks".

This seemed to get everyone's attention, their heads drawing towards the boy.

"Judas?".

"Scrap the original plans...let's make my coronation, a masquerade ball...".

There was silence after the idea left his lips, everyone looking among each other in question as judas explained, "If everyone's wearing a mask, they'll show up in one too, they'll feel safer...it'll help them feel like they're blending in...then we wouldn't have to worry about them bursting in on a rampage, they'd just sneak around...and we could lure them".

"But how-? They won't trust us...especially not to lure them anywhere, they could be anywhere during the party, we might lose them in all of the guests".

"Simple, they want something others don't, they'll be the only ones to take the bait, making it easier for us all to figure out who we're attacking", there was murmurs among the dinner group, it was a good start to a plan, and it might actually work. If they could figure out how to set the trap, and make sure that it would work, they'd be golden, though there were still doubts.

"What if it's not enough?".

They all turned to face none other then the former King Lucitor, the mewman listening in to all their ideas and plans but he didn't seem as confident as some of them were. "You're counting on them to come in for the wand, maybe even something else entirely...but what if they don't, what if this is all for nothing? Then we'd have wasted time and effort into a plan that doesn't work...", he sighed, "I have faith in you kids, but I have to admit, after this break in, after this kidnapping...I don't want us to be fooled again...not in our castle".

"Dad...".

"You know what i mean thomas...", he said, looking over the others, "I've never seen the kingdom so...scared before, they came running out of our castle, if we're to form some kind of plan...i just want it to be something we can be sure will work, because if we don't make this work the first time...we might never fool them the next...this idea needs to be foolproof".

"Then make sure i'm in the lead...", angel spoke up, "If they don't come for the wand, they'll come for me...make a show of it...that i'll reveal who they are or something, they'll have to show up then...they can't miss that kinda opportunity". He seemed unsure of this decision himself and sky and judas were quick to try and protest before he stopped them with his legs.

"I have to face it eventually after what i did, and it'll make sure they show up...i'm...i'll be bait, for this".

"Then i'll guard you...", angel turned to sky, who looked at him fiercely, "With or without my wand, i won't leave your side the entire night, just to make sure no one sneaks up on you". Angel seemed rather touched, though he wasn't sure the adults would agree with this arrangement, considering someone more powerful was probably better to guard him.

But it was sweet anyways.

"Well...we can't stop you if you do so...", marco sighed, "We don't like the idea...but...you're right...it would work...but let's not put it as our first option, i just want to consider other options first...". Angel felt sky touch his shoulder comfortingly, and judas pat his other as he went back to silence. The plans going over and being discussed over and over again.

and that's when Sunny coughed, standing in her seat.

"How about we go out and investigate? If we can't be sure of this then the best thing we should do is gather more information!", and sky knew where this was heading, after all, sunny's costume idea was still an option that could be used. The plan was still viable but if they were to find out more details they were more likely to avoid running into more issues, after all, meteora and eclipsa still were investigating.

And this seemed to be something at least all the adults seemed comfortable with...for the most part, them all sharing nods.

Maybe they were better left with more time to plan then over the span of a single dinner when it comes to the most feared criminal in mewni right now. Otherwise they might as well be going in with no plan at all. Though the lingering problem of luna was still in their minds, and in the minds of landon and celeste, who had avoided most of the discussion about her as best they could.

That's when it hit sky, standing up and almost slamming the table.

"Eclipsa's investigating that lair thing right? No dna evidence to luna means they can't like her directly to the kidnapping or maybe even to her directly...we can use that! That way we can keep luna from being in trouble and we might find out some more evidence to use for our plan!". That wouldn't of course stop false evidence or anything but it was a good start to fixing this whole mess if they could.

"Alright, we'll wait until eclipsa gives us a report and perhaps we'll do a little private investigating on the side then...", Marco said with a sigh, and a rub to their face, "God, nothing can be easy around here...but at least having some idea of what we're doing is better then nothing at all.". They seemed tired, from lack of sleep, and that seemed to go for everyone at the table.

No one could sleep, fearing they'd wake up to see a pale white face in front of them to take them away.

Maybe that was another reason they weren't thinking straight when coming up with plans, they were all almost about to fall asleep into their own meals. Everything had happened so fast and crazy it had been nearly impossible to get any proper rest around here. Especially with all their minds wandering and constantly keeping them awake all the time.

They were all tired, but they didn't want to leave the table either, not when they couldn't be sure of their safety.

"Where should we investigate...", marco mumbled, "I hate to ask...but...do you know anywhere from your own investigations we can look into at the very least?".

And that's when landon finally spoke, arms crossed and clearly knowing what he'd have to do, his eyes still away from everyone but still spilling the beans regardless. "I...have a place...fae went there, it's a good place to catch gossip or whatever...it's at least something you could go to to hear out from other people of mewni for more information...i'm not going to promise anything though".

Was landon really going to give up his safe spot for this mission?

Celeste nor Sunny made him either, Landon spilt it himself, even if he didn't actually originally want to.

"Landon?".

"No...meteora goes there...", Judas added on, "It might be a good place to check, if you went in dressed as well...anyone other then yourself...you might have a decent chance of finding out some important information". If meteora went there to help her out then it had to of been something worth looking into, meteora was on the case after all.

And the adults seemed in mutual agreement.

"Then i think we have a plan".

Everyone had to be escorted to their room, and when they meant room, they meant single room.

New orders meant they were all going to be spending the night in the butterfly's private safe room, like they once did with the lucitors. Their belongings already down there waiting for them and everything set out for them, those who had been living in lucitor castle were mostly staying in the butterfly guest rooms and the safe room was the biggest place they could keep all of the kids and adults of this group under supervision.

The room was nice, it was fancy, it didn't have as much activities as the lucitor one but it was for the sole purpose of sleeping right now, so it didn't matter anyway, fitted with sleeping bags everywhere for everyone, star having enhanced it to the best of her ability. The queen falling on the nearest couch, immediately asleep upon reaching the fluffy cushions under her.

People were spacing out and sky went to find her pjs and change, seeing judas stare at his sleeping bag.

He was clearly thinking about luna, sleeping alone and unsure of her future.

And sky saw angel wandering off, worried what would happen if angel really was to put himself in the line of fire. He looked like he couldn't even believe himself that he had said that, the girl reaching out for him. "Hey...that...was brave of you back there...stupid...but brave", the boy turning to face her and nodding, "Thanks...I'm...I'm sorry to hear about...luna".

"Well, we're not finished yet...at least they didn't burn all the evidence we could use...".

He nodded.

"Hey uh...if you wanna hang out...at some point...let me know...when we can at least...".

He simply send her a small smile before heading off to get ready for bed, making himself comfortable in the safe room.

Everyone set up to try and get some sleep, safe and sound.

Meanwhile in another room, not too far away, a girl laid next to the window, unable to rest, touching her ring carefully, knowing full well she could escape but knowing what would happen if she did. Luna was lost in thought, unable to sleep, debating whether her leaving had been a good idea at all. But there was nothing she could do now, her fate seemed to be out of her hands.

And she could only trust in her friends to get her out of it.

She could only hope that she didn't screw up with them too bad.

Because she was doomed without them,

[dontdietwd]

Day 65, part 1

Daryl was snoring. Not too loud, I could probably go back to sleep if I tried, but the contrast with the deep silence of the shared room and the corridor woke me up with a start. For a second I couldn’t picture where I was, the shriek cry of a baby that had been only in my dreams fading to nothing as I looked around trying to understand the singing crickets and cicadas’ absence. On the couch by the cot, now not reeking any sort of smell, Daryl didn’t even more a muscle, his low, constant snoring lulling my heart back to a normal beat.

A clock on the wall above the door showed it was early morning. At camp, the group would be up and about by now, woken up by the growing heat inside the tents. The silence showed it was not the case this morning. I thought it was good; these people deserved a lie in to get some rest.

I got up, though, and padded silently to the tiny adjoining toilet, where I found a small pack with disposable toothbrush and paste. Making a mental note to put it in my bag later if we ever had to leave this place, because the toothpaste I had brought from home was being scrapped out of the package already, I brushed my teeth, drank water from the faucet and washed my face before tying back my headful of dreads. Daryl was still snoring when I quietly left the room.

Jenner was in the cafeteria, the same we all had had dinner the previous night, behind the counters filling a mug of fresh coffee.

“Good morning,” he told me with a small, forced smile. “I think I probably shouldn’t offer you coffee.”

“Oh,” I said as I stood on the other side of the counter. “’Cause pregnant women shouldn’t drink coffee?”

“Well, yeah, people say. I wouldn’t know, I’ve always focused on other areas of medicine.”

“Right. Yeah, it’s – so you got the result then.”

“Yep,” he popped after a sip of coffee.

“Right. Yeah…” Ilooked down with both hands on the counter.

“Mazel Tov,” he said saluting with his mug and I looked at him again, snorting a laugh.

“Yeah, thanks. Fuck…”

Jenner went silent, staring at me with his brows creased. I didn’t know him at all, but it seemed to me that he was worried and thoughtful, maybe.

“Hey, I’m the girl in trouble here having to give birth and raise a child during the end of the world. Why’d ya look like that?”

“Well... it’s, uh… That’s it, isn’t it? A child, the dead…”

“Yeah, I’m a bit more positive now that we’ve found shelter,” I crossed my arms and stared up at him. “Right? We didn’t talk about this, I know, but I was wondering how this works. I got a big group, an elder man, a child, these women who are just now learning how to defend themselves… And now I got a bun in the oven confirmed, so I’d be kinda worried if we got to go back out there. This place might’ve saved our lives,” I paused and looked at Jenner for a moment. He had rested his mug down, still staring at me. “If we don’t stay, well... Gotta be prepared for this, anyway, you know, women’ve had babies for hundreds of thousands of years in nature, living in caves, defending helpless kids from animals and whatever…”

I then took a deep breath, suddenly nervous about the prospect, contrary to my words. Having it confirmed and my otherwise flat stomach showing turned everything even more real, scarier, and the timing of the unfortunate accident this pregnancy was just stunned me.

“I must say,” Jenner started after a few seconds of silence. “I’m impressed by your positivity. Really,” he looked down, nodding to himself, lips tight.

“Okay, what is it, Doc?” I lost it, but tried not to be rude. “I ain’t blind, alright? You ain’t just worried about some random pregnant person who you met. What is it? What you worried about? You ain’t gonna let us stay here, is that it?”

He looked up quickly holding out a hand to me, “Hey, it’s – it’s nothing, ok? Just –” he started walking backwards, away from me. “Don’t worry about it now. I just – I have work to do. Excuse me.”

I tried to say something but he was gone before I could think of how to persuade him to tell me that the hell was happening in his mind. Something was seriously wrong and, with an icy feeling on my stomach – maybe the child had felt it too – I was certain this shelter was not what we had dreamed of. Entering it had been a miracle, and there were no more miracles these days.

And holy fuck, I really was fucking pregnant!

“Hey, you alright over there?”

Startling out of my reverie, I saw T-Dog having just arrived, standing by the counter. I smiled, giving some poor excuse and greeting him with a smile, not mentioning any worries. Together, T-Dog and I started fumbling in the cafeteria cabinets as to find something to make the group breakfast. The man was by the stove doing his best to prepare powdered eggs and I was mixing some artificial juice when the others began to flow into the space, most of them quietly. Glenn looked the worst, eventual groans demonstrating just how bad he felt. Dale, Andrea, Lori and Carl were also sitting with bowls of old but still good cereal.

“Dude, did you puke yet?” I asked Glenn as I stood behind him, a hand on his shoulder. He groans louder and hangs his head. Carl, a mouthful of cereal, laughs at him. “If ya haven’t you should, trust me, you’ll feel better.”

Rick joined us just as T was serving scrambled eggs that surprisingly seem to be good and Lori was handing Glenn some aspirins. As they all started to eat, I leaned against the counter, sipping on my glass of juice. I was quiet with a smile so it would seem like I was following the conversations and quiet teasing going on by the table, but my mind is only half there.

I knew I was pregnant, I was sure ‘bout it, why was I feeling this now? I needed to tell them. They had to know, life was about to get shittier for everyone with a knocked-up woman and then a screaming baby. Where was Daryl, still sleeping? The eggs kinda smelled good, I wished there was bacon. Damnit, bacon.

Interrupting my thoughts, Shane passed in front of me like a storm, walking fast and hunched, quickly dismissing the good morning wishes. At the table Lori flinched, looking down at her eggs, and seemed to shrink unbeknownst to anybody other than me, the only quiet and observing one.

“Fell as bad as I do?” Rick, at the head of the table, asked his friend.

“Worse,” is all he said before turning around and heading to the table.

“What the hell happened to you?” T-Dog asked as he met Shane on his way. “Your neck?”

Shane sits nearly across from the Lori, who purposefully busied herself with her food. “Must’ve done it in my sleep.”

“Never seen you do that before,” Rick questioned as I was slowly abandoning my position at the counter and stepping around the table to stand close to Lori without having planned to do so.

Standing there I could see what T-Dog had asked about. Shane had scratch marks on his neck, as perfect as nails. The rest of the table was silent and I was glad I wasn’t the center of attention. Blood had risen to my face and my throat was tight. I was sure Lori had made the marks, simply by her reaction to Shane’s arrival. She’d had to defend herself from him, and that certainty burned on my chest like a physical blow. I remembered Ed slapping Carol – where are Carol and Sophia? Gotta go find them, see if they’re okay – and the desire to do to Shane the same I did to Ed was almost stronger than me.

“Me neither,” Shane answered and stared directly at Lori. “Not like me at all.”

I then took a step closer to Lori’s back, staring at Shane, whose eyes slid up from Lori straight to me. I stopped there and held his eyes hard, my own narrowed and head turning slightly to the left, daring him to say or do anything else or, I don’t know, breathe.

Jenner returned to the cafeteria just then, finishing the subject. I held Shane under my gaze for seconds longer, though. I wanted him to know that, if no one else did, I had noticed and that I’d keep an eye on him. His look going even harder than before told me he got the message.

 ***

 Seeing the image of the brain dying, and then returning to life, though only in few parts, was not exactly news to anybody. It was impressive to see the transformation occurring on the inside, though. Extraordinary brain or not, it was how happened to everybody. It had happened to Amy, it had happened to Jim by now. But we had seen it in real life, we had shot freshly transformed people in the brain to put them to rest. Andrea had done it to her own sister. The mood in the room was now densely gloomy, verging hopelessness. Though he explained the procedure in detail, Dr. Jenner never mentioned a cause.

“You have no idea what it is, do you?” Andrea voices what was everybody’s impression.

“It could be microbial…” he started, vaguely, his answer to the question very clear. “Viral, parasitic, fungal.”

“Ain’t there nobody who’d know that?” I asked from where I was perched on a desk by Daryl. “Other centers, wherever, nobody could take the – the thing and analyze it to know what it is?”

“And how to stop it – kill it, more importantly?” Rick completed my question standing closer to Jenner

“There are others, right?” Carol also added her question. “Other facilities?”

“There may be some. People like me. There’s no way to be sure, though. Everything went down, communications, directives, all of it. I've been in the dark for almost a month.”

“So, it's not just here,” Andrea’s chin trembled as she spoke. “There's nothing left anywhere? Nothing? That's what you're really saying, right?”

The doctor didn’t answer. Instead, he lowered his head as he nodded, and for long seconds nobody spoke a word.

“Well, fuck,” I whispered making the others come out of their shock. Daryl stood up pressing the heels of his hands to his eyes, mumbling to himself that he intended to get drunk again.

Behind the group, among the next row of desks and computers, Dale’s voice came changing the subject and alerting the others for something that hadn’t been noticed yet. “Dr. Jenner, I know this has been taxing for you and I hate to ask one more question, but... That clock,” he pointed to a wall further away and the whole group looked at its direction. A red digital clock had just marked one hour. “It's counting down. What happens at zero?”

Once again, like it was beginning to be customary for the doctor, he took seconds to answer, looked around as if in doubt of how to phrase something. “The basement generators... they run out of fuel.”

“And then?” Rick asked him, his voice grave, but it had no effect on Jenner. He just lowered his head again and started walking away, completely ignoring the question. Rick looked up at nothing, as if talking to God, “Vi, what happens when the power runs out?”

“When the power runs out,” the robotic voice started. “Facility-wide decontamination will occur.”

 * * *

 When Daryl entered the room we had shared the previous night, I was already shoving whatever personal belongings I had back inside my backpack.

“Hey, what ya doing?” he asked as he leaned against the doorframe, a bottle of whiskey in hand.

“Just making sure, leaving the bags ready to take and go,” and I entered the touled, collecting the toothpaste. “I don’t like this no-generator-power-fuel thing. The way the guy didn’t even answer what’ll happen – I don’t know. I told the others to have their packs ready too.

“’Kay, I’ll just –”

“Yours’ done already,” I cut him and pointed to his bag on the floor. “Didn’t have much out.”

“What you figure is gonna happen?”

“No fuckin’ clue,” I zipped the bag forcefully and rested my hands on my hips. “But just think ‘bout it, we’re underground, not a single window, if there’s no power at all how’re we gonna have air? You know?” I pointed up and Daryl looked at the vent on the ceiling.

“No lights, no fridge for the food, no air circulating…” he completed my though.

“Nope, don’t seem to me like a place we can be for long. ‘S why I told the others to get ready, Jenner’s gonna have to explain what the fuck we’re gonna do if when the guys come back they say there really ain’t no more fuel.”

Just as the last words filled the tense air of the room, the light went off, leaving only a faint emergency glow coming from the corridor, and the silent place became even more silent as the air from the vents stopped flowing. Everybody was out in the corridor at once, asking questions at Jenner, who had just appeared and was walking resolutely along the hallway. In seconds, the whole group was back in the control room, Rick, Shane, Glenn and T-Dog back from the lower levels informing there really wasn’t any more fuel in the barrels. With his already infamous half-words, Jenner explained shallowly that the system of the building made the decisions, not him, and that air and light were not as important as keeping the computers running until the very last second.

“Alright, that’s it!” I raised my voice above all the others. “Back to the rooms now, everybody, grab your things and we’ll get the fuck outta here!”

For one or two seconds, everybody was following my orders, running towards the door, but everyone froze in place again at the loud, deafening alarm sound and blaring red light that took hold of our senses.

“30 minutes to decontamination,” the robotic, cold voice informed.

“Everybody, you heard Sam!” Rick shouted at the top of his lungs, “Let’s get out of here, now!”

A metal door rose from within the ground just as he spoke, closing the only way out of the room. It had looked like there wasn’t any door there at all, but now it seemed like it was a solid, metal wall. Fear on the verge of despair washed the group like an ice-cold waterfall, screaming and cries and Daryl trying to attack the doctor, who now was calmly sitting down on his fancy chair.

“Jenner, open that door now,” Rick tried, sweat rolling down his face.

“There's no point. Everything topside is locked down. The emergency exits are sealed.”

“Well, open the damn things!” Daryl yelled from where he was being held away by Shane.

“That's not something I control. The computers do,” Jenner spoke firmly, but still carrying and annoying calm on his words. “I told you once that front door closed, it wouldn't open again. You heard me say that.”

“We heard you say they’d stay closed, not that we’d be locked in even if we wanted out!” I yelled, despising how my voice trembled. “You were not very clear ‘bout that, doc!”

“It's better this way.”

“What is better?” Rick asked. “What happens in 28 minutes?”

He didn’t answer, once again, turning away and trying to type something on his computer. There was yelling once again, the men around Jenner trying to get him to talk clearly for once. He finally did, getting up from his chair and screaming and spitting that the whole place had been designed to protect the public from horrible deceases, to keep viruses, bacteria and parasite inside and to just destroy everything in case any of it could ever get out. Calming himself down like what he was about to say was the most calming and reassuring thing, he explained how the system did that.

“It sets the air on fire,” he practically smiled. “No pain. An end to sorrow, grief... Regret. Everything.”

“You mean an end to your sorrow,” I shouldered though the men and got closer to Jenner. “You’re sitting there accepting your fate, the end to your grief, but making us stay when we want to go?”

“Open the damn door!”, Daryl yelled from the door, where he’d started kicking it. Shane approached the door with an axe he had found somewhere and they both attacked it, grunting and making sparks come out of the metal.

“You should've left well enough alone. It would've been so much easier,” Jenner said from his chair, watching us like he’d watch a movie. “You know what's out there... A short, brutal life and an agonizing death!”, he tried to convince us. Looking at Andrea, he proceeded. “Your sister, you know what this does. You've seen it,” and he looked back at Rick. “Is that really what you want for your wife and son?

“I don't want this!”

“There is no hope. There never was…”

“There's always hope!” Rick was nearly crying in anger. “Maybe it won't be you, maybe not here, but somebody somewhere –”

“What part of ‘everything is gone’ do you not understand?” Andrea cried from her spot on the floor.

“Listen to your friend. She gets it. This is what takes us down. This is our extinction event,” Jenner said with a final tone, like the end of a discussion.

“This isn't right,” Carol was openly crying with Sofia on her arms. “You can't just keep us here!”

“One tiny moment... a millisecond. No pain,” the doctor carried on.

“What the fuck are you trying to convince us about, doctor?” I spoke again. “You want us to sit and accept the air around us will blow up and we’ll die?”

“Wouldn't it be kinder, more compassionate to just hold your loved ones and wait for the clock to run down?”

“Wanna hear what’d be kinder? Cause I don’t think you know much ‘bout it,” I bent a little to look at him. “Compassionate would be to let us choose our fate for ourselves. Lock people in and tell them they’ll die ain’t compassionate, it ain’t kind!”

“You may not see it, but I know what I’m talking about. There is nothing else out there other than dead people walking and ready to eat your flesh! Nothing!”

“You’re a fuckin’ liar, you know that?” I angrily whispered, but loud enough for everyone around to hear. “You didn’t kill yourself like the others. You stayed and you were still trying, weren’t you? Why is that, huh?”

“I didn’t stay alive because I wanted to!” he stood up making me straighten my back. Jenner pointed at the screen where he’d shown the image of the transforming brain before. “I made a promise... To her. My wife.”

“Test subject 19 was your wife?” Lori asked him.

“She begged me to keep going as long as I could. How could I say no? She was dying. It should've been me on that table. I wouldn't have mattered to anybody. She was a loss to the world. Hell, she ran this place. I just worked here. In our field, she was an Einstein. Me? I'm just... Edwin Jenner. She could've done something about this. Not me.”

I snorted a bitter laugh. “Good. You kept your promise to her right to the end. And then you fucked it all up. Bravo!”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Jenner took a step towards me just as Daryl restarted banging his axe on the door.

“You promised, you stayed, you researched, you did all of that. And then right at the end, in the very last minutes of your fuckin’ miserable life, you go and turn yourself into a fuckin murderer. Poor 19… Poor woman who’ll have a murderer for a husband.”

“Murder? Is that what – That’s not what I’m trying to do here!” he screamed and looked around trying to defend himself. “I’m helping you! You all came to me begging for help, and I’ve given it to you! You’re all going to die out there, a suffering, painful death, I’m being compassionate here –”

“Bullshit!” I yelled at his face. “You’re killing us! You’re lockin’ us in and giving us no choice! This is murder, plain and simple. Our lives are not yours to decide. If we wanna go back out there and die fighting to our last breaths, so we should be able to! These children’s lives are their mothers’ to decide about!” I cried out pointing at the direction where Lori and Carol held their kids. Then I pointed to my own stomach. “This child! My child! This life here is mine and I will fight like hell to save it. If we’re gonna die, we’re gonna die fighting. You don’t make this decision for us!”

Nobody seemed to be breathing now. Daryl’s banging on the door had ceased. Jenner stared down at me, eyes on mine for long seconds. Then he shook his head and walked towards the other side of his desk again.

“I told you topside's locked down. I can't open those,” and with a simple card and password, the metal door loudly slid open.

“Come on!” Daryl shouted from the threshold.

“This is the right thing to do,” I pointed at him. “Goodbye, doc!”

“Come on, Sam, let’s go!” Daryl called again as everybody else ran towards the exit.

“We have less than four minutes!” Glenn informed as he reached it.

On my way, I grabbed Jackie, who’d been standing motionless on her spot, and dragged the woman with me. On the rise that led to the door, Jackie stopped.

“No, no, I'm staying. I'm staying, sweetie.”

“What?! No, Jackie!”

“No, it's okay, I know. For the first time in a long time I’m sure about something. I'm not ending up like Jim and Amy.”

“You’re not, Jackie, we’re fighting for –”

“There's no time to argue and no point, not if you want to get out!”

“But Jackie –”

“Just get out, please Sam, you have a baby there! Just please, go!”

“Sam!”, Daryl returned from the hallway where he’d already reached. “Come on, Sam,” he said urgently, though in a muffled voice. “We gotta go now, come on!”

With a last look at Jackie, who nodded and smiled at me, I turned around and let Daryl drag me away.

 * * *

 Carol had a grenade.

Yep. Carol had a fucking grenade.

When the doors upstairs didn’t bolt even at gun shots, she suddenly took a grenade off her pack and handed it to Rick. He placed it by where the glass had been slightly cracked and everybody fell to the floor waiting for the explosion, Daryl right on top of me covering my whole body with his. The whole world shook as the glass broke at the explosion, the group climbing through the hole and out of the condemned building. Walkers outside fell like leaves at our shots, just not as scary as they had been just hours before. With seconds to spare everybody was inside the cars, ready to get out of there even before the explosion. Daryl pushed shoved me in before him into the truck through the driver’s door and just as he closed it we saw Andrea and Dale leaving the building, climbing out and running away, though not fast enough.

“Dale!!” I all but climbed over Daryl to be able to scream through the window. “Andrea! Get cover! It’ll blow – get cover!!”

There was still a moment to see them run and dive behind the sandbags before I was shoved down to the floor of the truck, Daryl over me and the deafening explosion, the heat on our skins threatening to burn everything around, an earthquake destroying anything that was still standing. For minutes we stayed like that, shaking, fearing the cars would not be enough to protect us, until it all started to fade, sound slowly lowering, heat cooling down degree by degree, faint cries coming from the other cars slowly reaching my ears.

“It’s over,” Daryl whispered from somewhere above me. “You okay?”

“Yeah! Yeah, you?”

He sat up on the driver’s seat, still bent down to look at me on the floor, curved into a ball. “Fine! Come on, get up,” he reached for my hand and pulled me up. “You fine. It’s okay.”

“Good, good, we’re fine… They’re all fine?”

“All cars whole, Dale and Andrea just entered the RV. Everybody’s fine.”

Being pulled up by Daryl, I didn’t stop moving until I was all but over him, clutching to his shirt and sobbing into his shoulder. I didn’t plan to do it, my body acting on its own volition. I didn’t pay attention to him starting the truck and it moving away from the burning building, my emotions completely out of my control. Daryl didn’t say a word; he held me against him with one arm as he awkwardly drove away following the other cars, only Shane’s jeep behind us.

[a-daydreamers-stories]

~I kept my promise! Woo!!! Enjoy~

P1/ P2/ P3/ P4/ P5/ P6

Part 7

Happy's POV

Gemma had let you go home after lunch and I felt even worse, I'd have to wait until later to apologize. I finished the car, moving out of the garage as Tig and Chibs came over to me.

"Hey, brother," Tig smiled and clapped me on the back.

"What's up?" I asked as I lit a cigarette, taking a drag off it.

"Can you run to CaraCara?" Chibs asked.

"What for?" I looked at them confused.

"Jax wants someone over there, thinks the girls need some extra muscle," Tig told me.

"You guys can't do that? I kinda have plans." I told them.

"Hap, no one is scarier than you." Tig chuckled and I shrugged, that was true.

"Fine, but I'm leaving after two hours. Someone can be there or not, I don't care." I told him and Tig and Chibs nodded.

"Wha'ver ye say." Chibs lit up his own cigarette.

"When does he want me there?" I asked.

"Probably now if Gemma will let you leave," Tig told me, I paused at the idea of having to talk to Gemma before nodding. I hit it before stomping it out, I went into the office and Gemma looked up. She pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow as she looked up at me.

"What?" She asked.

"Jax wants me to go to CaraCara," I told her.

"Fine, but you're still in the doghouse." She said.

"I know," I said.

"Fix it before tomorrow." She told me and I just nodded before going to clock out and change. I put my kutte on and jumped on my bike before riding to CaraCara. I got there and Luanne looked at me confused.

"What're ya doing here?" She asked.

"Jax wanted me to watch out for the girls," I told her and she shrugged.

"Go ahead and make yourself comfortable." Luanne gestured to the couch and I sat down. There was a scene being filmed but my mind was on you, I had no idea how to apologize, never done it before. Girls liked flowers and chocolates and all that other shit, right? I was mulling things over and didn't notice the brunette standing in front of me.

"Are you Happy?" She asked and I blinked before focusing on the busty girl, she was dressed in a slutty nurse outfit.

"Who's askin?" I raised an eyebrow and leaned back on the couch.

"Mmm... you're even better looking than I was expecting." She smirked and slid onto my lap. I leaned back and gave her an unamused look.

"I'm not in the mood," I said.

"Really? Because I can do things with my tongue that you haven't even dreamed of." She purred and nipped my earlobe, I grabbed her hips hard as she started grinding against me and pushed her off. She fell down on the ground with a gasp and looked up at me in shock.

"Fuck off." I pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

"Ugh! Fuck you, I've got a scene coming up anyways. Tell Tig to think twice before asking me for a favor again." She huffed and I paused.

"What?" I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Tig," She said in disgust as she got up. "He said something about owing you or some shit, said I'd be the perfect prize."

"Owing me?" My eyebrows raised in confusion.

"Yes." She rolled her eyes and straightened out her dress. "Go fuck each other." She huffed and walked off and I frowned. Getting up I walked out of CaraCara, not caring about my promise to wait for 2 hours since I had a feeling it was all some setup anyways. I jumped on my bike and headed for the store. I didn't really want to buy anything but I wasn't going to actually say I was sorry either.

Looking through the isles I picked up a thing of dark dove chocolate since those were your favorite, some blue flowers that I thought you'd like, and a fuzzy teddy bear. The checkout kid gave me a scared and confused look as he started scanning my items.

"I fucked up," I grumbled as I passed over the money. The kid nodded sympathetically before giving back my change and bag. I put the bag in my bike storage before riding to your house, parking in my normal spot down the block before getting the bag out. I took the flowers out before walking up to your house, I knocked on the door and waited.

Reader's POV

Sammy and I spent the rest of the day lounging on the couch, I'd been replaying the scene in my head over and over again. We'd fought before plenty of times but this seemed different. He'd never yelled at me like that before, especially not in front of other people. I was drawn out of my thoughts by a knock on the door, I picked Sammy up and took him to the door with me. I opened the door to find Happy holding up a bouquet of blue flowers and I raised an eyebrow at him.

"What?" I asked before he pulled a teddy bear and chocolates out of a plastic bag. "That's not an apology. I can't believe I'm about to say this to your cheap ass but you can't fucking buy me off."

"I'm not..." Happy started.

"Then what the fuck is this?" I gestured to the stuff. "Just go away, I don't want to see you."

"Y/N!" Happy said loudly as I started to close the door. His hand shot out and pushing it back open as he stepped inside.

"Happy, just go..." I sighed and walked away as he shut the door behind himself.

"No," Happy said and I set down Sammy before turning towards Happy.

"Why!? Why are you still here!? Why are you so fucking hurtful and mean!?" I said moving over to poke him in the chest. "Why are you an insane, possessive, control..." Happy pulled me into a hard and passionate kiss, my body reacted instantly, my hands reaching out before I came to my senses and pushed him away.

"I'm sorry..." He mumbled.

"What?" I paused, my hands still on his chest and I could feel his heart racing slightly even though his face was blank.

"I'm sorry." He said with a bit of a growl to his voice, "I'm not saying it a 3rd time."

"What are you sorry for?" I asked, a smile spreading out on my face.

"For being a jackass." Happy growled. "And calling you a bitch."

"I'm glad you admitted you're a jackass." I giggled and walked away from him.

"Does that mean I'm forgiven?" Happy asked.

"How about you get on your knees and grovel?" I smirked and sat on the couch, Happy set down the gifts on the tables before moving to stand in front of me. "What are you doing?"

"Getting on my knees and groveling..." Happy smirked and got down on his knees in front of me, my eyes widened as he started to pull down my PJ pants.

"Hap..." I started but was cut off by my own moan as his fingers stroked my pussy.

"Shhh, I'm apologizing." Happy chuckled before he leaned down and licked my pussy, I couldn't help but spread my legs further for him. One hand moving to the back of his head, my head falling back against the couch as he started fucking me with his tongue.

"Oh... fuck..." I moaned as his tongue stroked against the right spot. He growled and his hands grabbed my ass hard as he pulled me closer, practically burying himself in my pussy. His tongue was just as good, if not better, as his dick and fingers. If this was the way Happy apologized then maybe I should be mad at him more often.

I gasped and my hips bucked as he moved to suck on my clit and slid two fingers inside of me. My breathing picked up as he started to fuck me with his fingers, switching back and forth between his tongue playing with my clit and sucking hard on it. I was about to cum when he pulled back, his fingers coming out of me too. Looking down, his face was covered in my juices and I swallowed hard.

"Hap... I was going to cum..." I whined softly and he chuckled, his fingers ghosting over my pussy.

"Do you forgive me?" He asked.

"What?" I pouted and my hips lifted up, trying to get him to touch more of me.

"Do you forgive me?" He repeated and his finger lazily circled my clit. I whimpered, my hand trying to push his head back. With his other hand, he took my hand off the back of his head and softly kissed the back of it before kissing each knuckle. "I'm going to make you cum over and over again, baby girl. I'm going to fuck you every way imaginable if you don't forgive me now... I'll make sure you do by morning."

Before I even had the chance to answer, Happy dove right back in, growling loudly as he tasted me again. I gasped loudly and shouted out a few incoherent words as he started fucking me again with his tongue. I had been so close before and the tiny break didn't change that fact, Happy moved his hand to pinch my clit which caused me to cum hard.

"Happy!" I screamed out in pleasure, my hand reaching out to grab onto the back of his head. Needing something to hold onto and also wanting him as close as possible. He made an animalistic sound as he licked up my cum, my body shook slightly as it came down from its high.

"God, you taste so good..." Happy groaned as he pulled back, nipping at my thighs.

"Thanks?" I giggled, feeling way better than before. Happy moved back and looked at me for a second before standing up, he pulled me up and flipped me over so my knees were on the seat and my front was pressed against the back of the couch.

"This can go." Happy took off the shirt I had been wearing and threw it across the room. His hand lightly trailed down my back, down to my ass before spanking it hard.

"Hap!" I gasped and wiggled slightly causing a groan to come from him. His other hand reached up to my shoulder, across my collarbone, before wrapping around my throat.

"You make the prettiest sounds." He whispered in my ear before nipping at my earlobe. My eyelids fluttered shut as his fingers tightened slightly. I felt him move behind me and pull back slightly before I could feel the head of his cock against my entrance. I moaned and tried to push back for more and Happy chuckled but pulled back. "Eager much?"

"Happy..." I whined. "Don't tease!"

"I've got all night, baby girl." Happy said. "There's no need to rush."

"But... Happy..." I pouted and wiggled my ass.

"Now who's teasing?" I could hear the smirk in his voice. He moved closer again and gently rubbed the head against my pussy again. I moaned, Happy's fingers tightened around my neck a little more and rubbed it against my clit.

"Ohhhhh... oh god." I moaned out. "Happy, I need you please."

"Are we begging now?" Happy chuckled and moved the head to run along my lips.

"Happy please..." I whined, not caring how pathetic I sounded. This man was going to kill me and I was starting to think I wouldn't mind. He pushed just the head inside of me and growled loudly. He didn't move in anymore but did smack my ass hard.

"Fuck..." He groaned. "Tell me what you want, baby girl..."

"Happy... you're going to kill me." I was breathing heavily as I tried not to push myself back on his cock. Happy smacked my ass harder and tsks.

"Come on, baby girl, beg nice and pretty for daddy." Happy growled and I moaned loudly. "You like that?"

"God..." I moaned loudly as he smacked my ass again. "Fuck me! Please fuck me, daddy. Fuck me so hard that I can't walk for a week, I need you so badly..." I was so horny at that point that I was practically crying, I would have done anything Happy asked me. He chuckled, it was a low and sexily evil sound, before he slid inside me at a torturously slow pace and I almost came.

"Fuck, you're so tight..." Happy groaned softly moving his hand, that wasn't wrapped around my throat, grabbed my hip and slowly started thrusting in and out. I was so close to cumming that it only took two thrusts and I was sent over the edge with a loud moan.

"Happy... fucking god..." I moaned out and his fingers tightened slightly around my throat as he started to pound me.

"Nuh uh, baby girl... you know what to call me." Happy growled and my pussy clenched around me.

"D...Daddy...?" I moaned out the slight question, not 100 percent sure that's what he wanted to hear.

"That's a good girl." He praised and his fingers tightened more, not enough so I couldn't breathe at all but just enough to add to the pleasure that was building. If I died on Happy's dick, I wouldn't complain. I'd probably be fucking ecstatic about it even, I swear that he was a sex god sent to fuck out my soul.

He sped up his pace and from the angle he had me in it made me feel like I was going to explode. I swore every cuss word that my mind could come up with as I came again. Happy groaned loudly but still didn't cum. He moved his hand from my hip down to my mound and started rubbing my clit softly, giving a nice contrast to the rough and fast pace that he was pounding into me with. I was gripping the back of the couch for dear life and felt myself building up towards another orgasm.

"I'm going to cum..." Happy growled in my ear. "Cum with me, now..." He tightened his fingers enough to cut off the air and twisted my clit which sent me into the most powerful orgasm of my life. My body shook and I heard my nail rip into the fabric of the couch. Happy thrust into me hard as we both came, his fingers loosened their hold and I took in a huge gulp of air.

Happy gently rubbed my throat, moving forward to nuzzle and kiss the side of it softly. My eyes shut and I leaned back against him, feeling very tired as his other hand moved back to my hip. He didn't pull out, just stood there. We were both quiet as we leaned against each other, he continued to place soft kisses up and down the side of my neck.

Happy's POV

Fuck... Fuck, fuck, fuck... Sex with you was the best thing I had ever experienced. The way you reacted to me made my body feel like it was on fire, your moans made my cock twitch, and your body made me go insane. I could live the rest of my life buried between your legs, doing you over and over again, in every way possible.

I playfully nipped the soft spot on your neck and your body shook as a soft moan came out of your mouth. I smiled and sucked softly, needing to hear that sound again. I felt my cock twitch as you moaned louder and I was definitely impressed by the effect you had on it.

"Sit down..." You said in a breathless voice and I raised an eyebrow as I looked down at you.

"You giving me orders now, baby girl?" I asked and you giggled.

"Yes, now sit down... dick." You whispered the last part and I just knew you rolled your eyes. I pulled out of you slowly and sat down on the couch, next to where I had you perched. You moved so you were straddling me and I looked up at you, you bit your lower lip. My cock slowly stirred to life as you did, my hands trailed up your sides, gently brushing the underside of your breasts. You moaned loudly and started grinding against my cock, not putting it inside of yourself yet.

"Fucking..." I groaned and leaned up to kiss your perfect breasts as you began to ride me. My hands gripped your ass as I started thrusting up into hard, causing you to gasp and dig your nails into my shoulders. One of your hands moved up to the back of my neck, I sucked on one of your nipples and your back arched.

"Daddy..." You moaned and I smirked, you were really getting into that which was an exciting new route we could discover. I had a few other things that I wanted to try out, but those could wait till later. Right now I was focused on the way your perfect body rode me. I moved my head away from your breasts which caused a small whimper to escape your mouth. I looked up at your face and watched your expressions as I thrust up into you, my hand smacking your ass hard which caused you to look down into my eyes.

One of my hands moved up to cup your cheek, pulling you into a hungry kiss. Your hips stopped riding me as you kissed back in surprise. I flipped us over so you were laying down on the couch and started pounding into you, I didn't stop kissing you either. I growled as you bit my lower lip playfully, my thrusts got even rougher and faster. Our orgasms happened at the same time again and a few tears actually slid down your cheeks. Once I came down slightly, I gently wiped them away.

"You okay?" I asked and you nodded, a small content smile on your lips.

"You've made me cum a lot." You let out a little giggle and I chuckled, leaning down to kiss you softly.

"I'm not done yet," I smirked as I sat up, pulling out slowly before picking you up and throwing you over my shoulder.

"Happy!" You squeaked and I spanked your ass with a chuckle.

"Nope, try again," I said as I walked us into your room.

"God... why do I put up with you?" You sighed.

"Because I have a huge dick." I chuckled before tossing you onto the bed. This was going to be a fun night...

~Later that night~

I had actually fucked you so hard that you passed out, after checking to make sure you were okay and weren't going to die on me, I got into bed with you. Pulling you close, your head laying on my chest and I stroked your hair softly. Listening to your breath, I smiled and couldn't stop myself from kissing the top of your head. You being upset with me earlier had really put me into a shitty mood. But we had gotten our frustrations out, both of us had bruises and scratches to prove it.

You let out a soft sigh and I looked down to your face, your lips were parted slightly. My fingers moved down to cup your cheek and my thumb gently brushed over your bottom lip. This is the only time you've ever shut up, I chuckled at the thought, you weren't that bad when you were quiet. I gently kissed your forehead and went back to stroking your hair. I didn't want anybody else to see you when you were silent, I wanted to be the only person to experience this peace. You were mine and I wasn't going to let you go.

~ tags!

@dolphingoddess81

@ilikechocolatemilkh

@sam-samcro

@dmagicreality

@kacilove26

@leaalfred

@slytherinqueen394

[coffee-obsessed-writer]

Cupid’s Mark

Dean x Reader

A/N: This is for @spnfanficpond @mrswhozeewhatsis Galentine’s Day Exchange! I got to write this for @purpleskiesandcherrypies <3 Hope you enjoy it!!

Summary: Dean Winchester literally bumped into the girl of his dreams, but just as Cupid shot his arrow at them, the girl moved. Now, on February 14th, he’s got another chance to make these two crazy kids fall in love.

Warnings: Fluff, Smut, Oral (giving and receiving), unprotected sex, Impala sex, 18+ (please respect this age request!)

Word Count: 5.6K

Everything Tags: @kazosa // @sorenmarie87  // @lefthologramdeer  //  @rockyhorrorpictureshowstyle //  @his-paradox //  @letsby

Supernatural Tags: @wings-of-a-raven // @negans-wife // @grace-for-sale // @geeksareunique // @tiquismiquis // @mrsbarnes-rogers  // @teller258316 // @spnhollis // @sweet-things-4-life // @hobby27 // @sweetlythoughtfulbird // @theoriginalvicki // @dreamchester67 // @xxwarhawk // @babykalika2001 // @superwhovianfangirl81 // @toobusynerdfighting // @missihart23 // @crowleysreigningqueenofhell // @idreamofplaid // @thewinchesterchronicles // @wayward-gypsy  // @closetspngirl // @fatestemptress // @rebelminxy  // @22sarah08 // @witch-of-letters // @cole-winchester // @rainflowermoon // @adoptdontshoppets // @foreverwayward // @waywardvalkyrie // @fandomoniumflurry // @gnrfanfic // @blackcherrywhiskey // @jessieray98  // @lyoly  // @a–1–1–3 // @31shadesofbrown // @whereismyangel-damnitdeanshare // @pilaxia // @screechingartisancashbailiff //  @kgbrenner // @holylulusworld // @deansenwackles // @flamencodiva // @jamielea81 // @coffeebooksandfandom // @logical-princey // @gemini0410 // @salt-n-burn-em-all ​

“Aw, come on, really?” Cupid moaned and looked at the ledger again. “Dean Winchester? I’ve tried… I really have! But—but he’s so stubborn!”

Cupid pouted and sighed to Heaven. “How am I supposed to get him to actually follow his heart?” Shaking his head, he thought long and hard. Finally, he realized that the only way to get close enough was to infiltrate Dean’s favorite establishment. Lucky for him, there were several other matches he needed to make there. He took his orders that came straight from upstairs, made the arrangements and went about scoping out the local bar in Lebanon where he was going to have to nudge Dean Winchester’s true soulmate to start working at.

Finding Dan’s bar was a stroke of luck. It was Dean’s favorite place to go to after returning from a hunt or just a good place to kick back and have a beer when Sam was grating on his nerves. The best part was, it wasn’t too far from home.

Right around the middle of January, he noticed a new face on staff. She was only there a few nights a week, but she was cute and easily caught Dean’s eye. From the shadows, Cupid saw his chance, and took aim, hitting Dean Winchester squarely in the heart. The girl, however, bobbed and weaved at the last second, untouched by the arrow. Cupid watched in horror as she gave Dean a sweet smile but kept on moving.

Oh, fiddlesticks! Cupid wailed internally, wringing his proverbial hands over what to do…

  Dean was writhing in his sleep again. The dream came, as it normally did, and he was helpless to stop it. It was almost every night now, and it was getting tiresome. Dean wasn’t sleeping, his waking thoughts were consumed, and when he did manage to close his eyes and rest his brain, it plagued him with dreams that he rather not experience any more.

For nearly three weeks straight, he had the same thoughts, day in and day out, and they were worse than the normal horror show that erupted in his head. These were not the day and night dreams of a man who had been to Hell, fought monsters and dealt with the Devil himself. These were thoughts of a man in love. For Dean Winchester, that was even scarier.

It had started innocently enough. A simple stop at his favorite bar in town had put her directly in his path. Dean had done nothing more than accidentally brush against her shoulder while she was carrying a try of drinks to a table. When they had briefly collided, she gracefully kept the tray’s balance, turned at him to wink and said, “Sorry, sugar. Didn’t see ya there.”

Dean had been momentarily left incapacitated by her simple action. Sure, she was beautiful—he’d seen more than his share of beautiful women—but this woman was an angel. A REAL angel; not one of the dickless wonders he was used to dealing with.

He stood, dumbfounded, as she walked away from him, her hips swaying with purpose as she delivered her table’s order. It took a minute or two of Sam tugging on his shirt to get his attention because she had all of it. Finally, Dean acknowledged his brother, nodding emphatically at whatever he was saying, and allowed himself to be pulled from the bar when their six-packs had been packaged up to go.

Since then, the girl had firmly taken root in his mind. He found himself going back to that bar to grab a drink, or pick up a bottle of whatever, just so he could see her. The next night, the dreams started. It wasn’t just a sex dream either, it was a full-on Dean Winchester patented fantasy special; lacey lingerie, handcuffs, whipped cream, a riding crop and multiple orgasms followed by… cuddling and declarations of love. When he woke, he was beyond thankful that he was in his own room at the bunker. Waking up with that big of a hardon in a motel room with his brother would have defined the word awkward.

When he saw her again after that, any chance of talking to her went out the window. Dean Winchester, Ladies Man and Deadly Hunter, became a bumbling fool. From then on, he would find himself hesitating outside of her bar, afraid to see her face to face, unsure if he would be able to hide this crazy, intense affection and attraction he had for her.

Three weeks since they bumped shoulders. Three weeks since he had been unable to make it happen with any other women; but not for the lack of trying. He didn’t even know the woman’s name, but any other woman he tried to spend an evening with was ruined by the image of this unknown waitress who dominated him in all sorts of ways.

  February 14th

Normally that meant Dean’s favorite holiday, Valentine’s Day. This year, he kicked off the fourteenth with a book of Celtic Mythology at the table in the library, trying to concentrate on the text in front of him.

“Happy Unattached Drifter Christmas,” Sam teased as he joined Dean at the table, dropping his books with a ‘thud’ startling his brother to look up.

“Jesus,” Dean moaned and looked up accusingly. “Give a guy a heart attack why don’t you. I’m getting old, you know. My heart can’t take that crap.”

Sam rolled his eyes and flipped open his book. “Find anything?” he motioned towards Deans text with his chin.

“Nah, just a bunch of stuff we already know. You?”

“Not yet. We’ve about exhausted our end. I’ll make a few calls, see what I can dig up. You outta here soon?”

“To where?” Dean asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Sam snorted a laugh. “Uh, to find some poor woman to torture for a night?”

“Bite me, alright? Women love me.”

“Mhm, that’s why you’ve been a grumpy bastard, right? Cause all those girls you’ve been seeing…. Ohhhh right. There haven’t been any.”

“I hate you.”

“Seriously, Dean. Just go to the damn bar and ask her out. Three weeks of this has been enough.”

“Three weeks, it hasn’t been thre—” Dean stopped and did some calculations in his head before speaking again. “Three weeks, four days and about five hours…”

Sam raised his expression, his jaw slacked open in disbelief. “You’re right. It hasn’t been three weeks, it’s been longer!” he shook his head, the smile only growing and deepening his dimples. “I’ve never seen you like this over a girl you haven’t even talked to.”

“I’ve talked to her!” he said, then relented and changed his answer. “Kinda.”

“Dude, you turn into Porky Pig when you get around her,” Sam teased and mocked Dean in his best Porky impression. “We-we-we-well, hi there! Ai-ai-ain’t you pr-pr-pretty!”

“I really, really, hate you,” Dean admonished, standing up from the table. “You know what? Fine. I’m going over there, and I’m going to ask her out. Happy?”

Sam nodded. “Yes. If it gets you out of this weird funk you’ve been living in, I will be eternally happy to see you get laid.”

“Why couldn’t I have been an only child?” he mumbled to himself, raising his eyes to the ceiling and slightly shaking his head. Dean turned to leave the room, and without looking back called out “Don’t wait up!”

  The Impala rolled to a stop along the curb across the street from the local bar where she worked. He could hear the music from inside spilling out onto the street. He paused before walking in and took in a deep breath. Looking down at his clothes, he wondered if he should have changed first. Dean was never the type to worry too much about his wardrobe, but suddenly he was concerned he looked like he just got off from his shift at the mill and not like a guy on a mission to win over a girl.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” he asked himself, shaking off the self-doubt that muddled around in his head. “Let’s do this.”

The bar was filled with local faces, some he recognized from around town, others he didn’t, but all of them were there to drink and have a good time for Valentine’s Day. Dean scanned the room, hoping to find her in the crowd, but there was no sign of her; just various couples making out, flirting, or having a few drinks. Walking over to the bar, he kept his eyes peeled, but there was no trace of his crush. When he finally reached the bar through the crowd, he flagged down the bartender.

“Dan! Double shot of whiskey and whatever you got on tap,” he called out over the noise.

The bartender nodded in acknowledgment and went about getting his drinks. Dean turned to face the room, leaning back against the old mahogany wood and continued to watch the sea of faces for the one he was looking for.

The jukebox faded out one song, and before the next queued up, a burst of noise came from the back corner of the bar, where the ‘Employees Only’ door lived. A crash of broken glass and shouts ensued and when Dean’s attention went that way, he finally caught sight of her.

“Whoa! Watch it, lady!” one of the guys roared, causing the entire bar to stop and take notice.

Dean immediately cut through the gathering of people who stopped and watched the scene play out. The waitress he’d been looking for was scrambling to clean up a gigantic mess. He didn’t see it happen, but he was at her side in seconds, trying to make room and help her clean up the shards of glass.

Dean took her hands in his and saw they had a few small cuts. “Hey, leave it for a second, alright,” he said, soft enough for only her to hear. That’s when she made eye contact with him. A slow, grateful smile unfurled on her face as she saw him there.

“Come on, sweetheart, let’s get your hands looked at, make sure you’re alright,” Dean said, gingerly taking her palms. He didn’t even realize that the usual bout of nerves he had around her had faded completely. The moment she had made eye contact with him while hovering over broken glass, all of that was gone and he was completely at ease.

Making physical contact with her, after all this time dreaming about it, made everything else fall away. The noise and swell of the music now behind him, Dean couldn’t hear anything as the entirety of his focus was on her.

“What’s your name?” he asked, turning her palms over to check the backs of her hands.

“(Y/N),” she mumbled, “thank you for your concern, sugar, but I’m okay. I just need to clean this up.”

“I’ll take care of it, you go back to the office, or wherever and get yourself a couple band aids.”

“It’s fine, I—”

“Please, I insist,” Dean said, giving her his softest gaze and smile.

The bartender sidled up along side them and began sweeping the glass. “Go, (Y/N), he’s right, a couple of those are gonna be bleeders.”

“Come on, I’ll go with you. I’m great at first aid,” he said proudly, immediately regretting it.

“Alright,” she relented and walked back through the ‘Employees Only’ door as Dean followed.

  From the recesses of the corner, Cupid smiled. He sighed with relief that this time, he had hit his secondary target, perfectly.

I just feel bad I made her drop tray, he thought as he scratched Dean Winchester’s and (Y/F/N Y/L/N)’s from his ledger. He clutched to his chest, grinning warmly, just as they disappeared into the back room together.

Once it closed, he closed his eyes dreamily and patted himself on the back for a job well done before disappearing to return to Heaven.

   “Thanks for the assist out there,” you said, as he pulled back the wrapping and laid the band aid across the worst of the cuts.

“It’s my pleasure. There, all done,” he smiled after applying the last one. His hand lingered on yours. I hope he never removes it, you thought, and felt your body flash warm as he held your hand.

“Thank you. I really could have managed it, but I sure do appreciate your kindness,” you said, gently placing your other hand on his knee.

He blushed a little and seemed to get slightly nervous. “I’m, uh, Dean, by the way.”

“Dean… yes. I’ve seen you around here a lot. Its nice to finally have a name for the very handsome face.”

And what a face he had. You knew who he was, you had known who he was the first night you bumped into each other. You thought by the way he had looked at you, he might try to flirt, but he never did. In fact, he would avoid you when he could, though his eyes never seemed to be able to leave you. You certainly didn’t mind it. But as the weeks went on, he never uttered more than a few stumbling words at you before grabbing his beer and running out the door.

The door to the office opened, and Dan came in, shaking his head when he saw the band aids on your hands. “Look, (Y/N), why don’t you head home. I called Trish, she’s been wanting the extra shift, and I’d rather you just call it a night.”

“I’m fine to keep working, Dan. Honest.”

“You’ll still get your usual pay and cut of tips, no worries, okay?”

“Dan—”

“Please, (Y/N), I insist. Go home for tonight, come back for your shift tomorrow.”

You sighed and relented. “Fine. I’ll go home.”

From the corner of your eye, you saw Dean’s face fall in disappointment, which made you wonder if maybe he did like you, after all.

Dan said goodnight, shook Dean’s hand and told him that the drinks he had ordered were on the house. Once he left the room and closed the door, you stood up from the desk chair and grabbed your personal belongings from the bottom drawer.

“Well, this night took a turn,” you laughed, but there wasn’t much humor in it.

Dean shifted nervously on his feet. “I’d say. Its early though. If you didn’t want to go home, I could, maybe… do you need a ride or anything? Are you hungry? Did you eat anything? We can go grab some food, or—”

“Dean,” you jumped in, “if you’re trying to ask me out, the answer is yes.” Your heart was pounding out of your chest, but you did your best to remain calm. You’d been hoping for this for a while and now that it was happening, you found yourself also a pile of nerves.

“Really? That’s great,” he replied and smiled sheepishly. “That’s really, really awesome. I know its last minute and all—”

“That’s okay,” you said, jumping in. “Honestly, the second I looked up and saw you sitting there, I just… I don’t know… immediately wanted to come over and say hi.”

“But then pool table guy bumped you, and—”

“No, he didn’t actually. That was all me being a klutz. I saw you standing at the bar and I froze. Then, it was weird, actually, I felt like I got hit by something and it just startled me. So much so that I dropped the tray.”

You laughed, and thought Dean would find you completely insane, but he simply nodded. “I think I know what you mean.”

“So, where should we go?” you asked, anxious to get out of there and be somewhere quiet with him. “Everywhere decent is going to be packed to capacity.”

Dean thought for a second. “How do you feel about maybe, possibly, being a little cold. But I promise it will be worth it.”

“I have a coat, I can tolerate cold,” you grinned. When Dean put out his hand, you took it and he entwined his fingers with yours, taking special care not to aggravate your cuts.

  Thirty minutes and a stop at the Gas ‘n Sip later, Dean was directing his car into a wide-open field a few miles out of town. The February air was cold, but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. From the trunk, Dean brought out two large blankets and laid one on the ground right near the front of the car. He motioned for you to sit before going to the back seat to retrieve the bag from the gas station.

“Alright,” he said, sitting down on the blanket. “Have a seat.”

You did and within a moment of sitting beside him, he took the second blanket and wrapped it around your shoulders, then his own. From inside his jacket pocket, he produced a flask and handed it to you.

“You just happened to have two big, fluffy blankets in your trunk. Sure you weren’t planning this?”

“I have, but not this, exactly,” he flashed you a sexy smile and wiggled his eye brows playfully. “My brother and I travel a lot for work. So, I keep them there in case we gotta crash in the car.” Dean rifled through the plastic bag and removed two Hostess pies, two bags of chips and other assorted snacks. “Sorry its not a proper dinner, but that’s what I get for asking you out last minute.”

You shrugged. “Hey man, I was pulling a double shift and closing down the bar on Valentine’s day. I’ll take this, happily. Especially if I get to hang out with you.”

Dean shook his head in disbelief. “I did come to the bar to ask you out, but I certainly didn’t think we’d do it tonight. Can’t say I’m upset with how things turned out though.”

“Me either,” you breathed and raised his flask before taking a swig and handing it back. The liquor burned on your throat, but it felt nice and warm going down. “So, not to make this awkward or anything, but why did it take you so long to ask me out?”

“You made me nervous,” he admitted bashfully. “There was just something about you I couldn’t get out of my head. Then when I’d see you…” he shrugged.

“Can I be honest with you?”

“Of course.”

“You’ve been on my mind a lot, lately. And that’s not usual for me by the way, especially with some guy I don’t know.” You paused and looked up at the sky that was dotted with thousands of stars and a waning moon. You could feel his eyes on you, and as much as you wanted to gaze into them, you were afraid to look and just kept babbling. “I get hit on by some creeper every night, and every night, I wished it was you coming in to see me.”

Dean closed his eyes and snorted a laugh. “If you had any idea how many times I came in, specifically to see you…”

“So, what you’re saying is, we’ve both liked each other for a while, but each have been too scared to make a move?”

“Seems that way,” he said, pulled from the flask and handed it back to you.

“Now, its Valentine’s Day, of all days, and here we are. Sitting under the stars with a picnic and a flask.”

“What can I say, my timing is amazing,” he teased. Dean let his eyes wander over your face, and when he put an arm around your shoulders, you immediately leaned into him.

You sighed contently against the stranger you’d been crushing on for weeks. “I’m suddenly not nervous anymore.” You felt Dean’s body shift against yours, it stiffened then relaxed again, his grip on your shoulder tighter.

“I’m not either,” he rasped. You felt him shift again. Dean loosened his arm around your shoulders, and gingerly guided your face up towards his with his other hand. “For the first time in weeks, I don’t feel like an idiot around you. And, I’d really like to kiss you now…”

He left you speechless. The whole night left you completely, utterly, speechless. For almost a month, you had seen his face in the bar on countless occasions. A few quick conversations here and there, made you interested in him, but the way he was making you feel in that moment, didn’t seem possible to happen in such a short amount of time.

Dean took your silence into another moment of consideration. You wanted to kiss him, needed to, so you did. You tilted your head, rested your hand against his knee, then sat up more and pressed your lips to his.

God he’s soft, you thought as you kissed him, So deliciously, soft.

Taking it slow, enjoying the parting and coming back together of your lips. His hands were tentative but started to explore other parts of your body as the comingling of your mouths continued. Your heart began to beat faster the further his hand traveled up your leg stretched out before you. When Dean pulled back from you and sat up on his knees, you didn’t hesitate to reposition yourself, for him to lay you down.

Dean did just that, then took the blanket and tossed it around his shoulders like a cape, before leaning down and hovering over you. You thought you could hear his heart pounding, just as loudly as yours. His eyes frantically scanned over your features before he caressed the side of your face.

“I feel like I’ve been waiting for you forever,” he mumbled. Before you could respond, he dove back to your lips and kissed you.

He kissed you like no one ever had before. It was soft and moist, and the longer it continued, the heavier you both were breathing. The February air didn’t phase you one bit, because the moment his tongue broke through, pairing with yours, a depth of heat rose and filled the space you shared under the blanket with him. Dean moaned into your mouth, his hips twitching as your leg curled up around his thighs. Your arms were wrapped up around him, his were moving all over your body.

“Jesus,” he breathed, parting for a moment of air. “What the Hell…”

“What? Is everything okay?” you were trying to catch your own breath, but worried he was regretful.

“No, its just… where did this come from?”

“I don’t know. Chalk it up to Valentine’s Day?”

Dean chuckled. “Sweetheart, it could be the middle of July or the dead of winter, and I’d still want to carry you to the backseat of my car and tear your clothes off right now.”

You smirked and raised a challenging brow. “So, what’s stopping you?”

“Good God, where have you been all my life?” he asked, scrambling to sitting back up on his knees. “But, I mean, we just met. I don’t want to rush—”

You got up and met his eye line as you sat up on your knees. “Have you ever just felt like something was right? Meant to be? That’s how I feel right now and, you know what, who knows or cares why.”

Dean exhaled and nodded slowly. “You’re absolutely right.”

He stood and reached a hand down to help you up. When you were on your feet, Dean kissed you again. The kissing was nice, he was the best you’d ever had the pleasure of enjoying, but you wanted more. You needed more. Taking his bottom lip between yours, you released it slowly, grazing your teeth as you did, which seemed to trigger something in him.

Dean took your hand and hurriedly pulled you around to the passenger side of the car, not forgetting to take the one blanket with him. Minutes later you were straddling his lap in the backseat of his Impala, as his lips covered the swell of your breasts and his hands drew down the silk cup of your bra. Your hands were around the back of his neck, pressing his head into your chest; your head rolling back as his lips clamped down around your nipple.

You could feel his erection growing through his jeans, the harder it pressed into your thigh, the more you wanted to feel it inside you. Your ache for him was maddening, and you were starting to feel a bit lightheaded from his touch. It felt crazy, absolutely insane in fact, to desire someone you barely knew, the way you did. Yet…

“Dean,” you moaned in a delicate whisper.

He didn’t raise his head but trailed his lips across your chest and back up to your neck. Dean gripped your neck, pulling it down so his mouth was on your ear. “Say my name again and tell me what you want, sweetheart.”

“I want to see you,” you rasped and ran your hands down his chest, stopping at his belt buckle. You pulled your head back to catch his gaze. His green eyes full of lust, his nostrils flaring slightly in excited anticipation of what was to come. He moved his hips and pushed down his jeans, allowing his cock to spring free. “I want to taste you,” you purred and stood up as best you could and worked at removing your own jeans. “Then, I want to feel you inside me… Dean.” His name fell from your lips with a breathy expulsion.

Bending over, you brought your lips to the tip of his dick as you let your clothes slip to the floor of the car. Once free of any restraints, the apex of your thighs craved the feeling of him slipping deep inside you. But first, you wanted him to want you just as badly. He tried to guide you back to his lap, but you wanted to taste him first. The urge to be with him, touch every square inch of him just drove you to act on instinct. No doubt or hesitation crept in. You wanted him, all of him, and from the way he was digging his fingers into your legs, and the way his eyes were devouring you, you thought he felt the same way.

Your mouth covered as much as of him as it could. Dean snaked his hand around to the inside of your thighs and reached up into your folds, making your grip on his shaft tighten in response.

“Fuck,” he moaned, his mouth slacked open as his head rolled back against the seat.

His fingers worked you over, slowly at first, but as your hips moved involuntarily along with his motion, he went faster. Lasting for only another moment, you felt the first flutters of your climax and abruptly pulled his hand from you.

“Not yet,” you commanded, releasing his dick with a pop of your lips.

You hovered back over his lap, meaning to tease him, but Dean would have no teasing. He took your hips and positioned himself, easily sliding up into your entrance, but not quite filling you. He was gentle, and though you were dazed with how much you wanted him, the way he was making you feel was euphoric. It wasn’t just the sensation of the sex, it was the intimacy that you felt as he held your gaze. It was the way his hands caressed the skin on your thighs, up your sides, cupping your breasts, then moving back down the way he came as you rocked against him.

Biting on his lower lip, he thrusted up into you, hitting your hilt and making you inhale sharply. Your breath released in a quiver, making him grin a satisfied smirk. It only last, a minute, as you moved your hips not just back and forth, but side to side. The friction against your clit was enough to finally break your resolve, and your walls to flutter around him.

“Jesu—” your breath faltered as your climax ruptured around him. It didn’t phase Dean’s penetrating thrusts as he bounced you on his lap, and you gripped his shoulders holding on for dear life.

Between his movements and your orgasm, you felt lightheaded and cried his name in a raspy moan. Dean pushed you into him, his head buried in your chest as he quickly lifted you off him before his own climax expelled all over his abdomen. He held you that way until he was able to get his breathing under control, but even once he did, he didn’t release you right away.

You peeled yourself from him, sitting back just enough to take his face in your hands and turn it up to yours.

“That was intense,” you said, your voice soft and dreamy. You felt like you were under a spell, under his spell. A sensation you never had before and thought you could live in forever.

“Very,” he replied, and ran his tongue slowly over his bottom lip. “Are you alright?”

“Better than,” you smiled, and gently kissed his lips.

Dean reached over and grabbed the blanket, wrapping it around you both as you climbed off his lap and snuggled into his side.

“Cold?” he asked, wrapping an arm around your shoulder and kissing the top of your head.

“No, not even a little.” You drew the blanket tighter around you, enjoying the cocoon it created for you and Dean.

There was a brief, awkward silence as you just starred at each other, unsure of what to say. Its not that there were questions rolling around in your head, or that you were wondering what came next. There was an unfamiliar level of certainty that what had just transpired meant something, more than just a one-night stand on a very triggering holiday.

“Dean?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m not exactly sure how to ask this, but—”

“You wanna know what this means?”

“No. It doesn’t matter what it means… because it meant something. At least that’s how I feel. You don’t just meet someone and have that intense of a, um…” you felt your skin flash hot with a moment of embarrassment “encounter, without it meaning something. But that wasn’t what I was going to ask.”

“Oh,” he said and looked away for a moment, his expression thoughtful in contemplation. “What did you want to ask then?”

“The snacks. We left them outside and honestly, I’m starving. Maybe we should head back to my place. I could cook us something… maybe we could watch a movie or just have sex again?”

“Or all three?”

“Yeah, that works, too,” you laughed and leaned forward to retrieve your pants from the floor.

Once you were both properly clothed again, Dean grabbed the remains of the picnic and threw it in the back seat while you gazed up at the stars. Just above the horizon, a few meteors streaked across the sky. You felt a soft smile touch your lips, not just because of the celestial show before you, but because of who you were sharing it with.

“Some night, huh?” he asked, wrapping his arms around your shoulders from behind and guiding you to lean back into him.

“Yeah, craziest night of my life, honestly.”

“Do you mind a little crazy every now and again?”

“Depends. Good crazy, or bad crazy?”

“What if I said a little of both?”

“You’re being cryptic, but I kinda dig it. I could handle both, why do you ask?”

Dean shrugged and looked up at the stars. “I’d like to see you, more. A lot more, actually. But my life… it gets—”

“Crazy?”

He chuckled and brushed a piece of hair the February breeze brought onto your face. “That’s putting it mildly, but yeah. Think that’s something you’d be up for?”

You thought about what he said and realized that the only answer in your head was yes. Yes, you think you would be up for just about anything if he was with you. Your first date was a testament to that.

“If that,” you motioned towards the backseat “was just the beginning of this? Darlin’ I think I could handle just about anything.”

  Dean kissed her, his heart was already experiencing a level of attachment to a woman he didn’t think would ever be meant for him. There was no rhyme or reason to it. It was as if Cupid himself put a spell over them. Even if the happy little angel did have a hand in making it happen, Dean was still pretty damn happy. So much, in fact, he would forgive the interference.

Opening the car door for (Y/N), he waited until she was settled before kneeling down at the open door.

“(Y/N), I want you to know that it did mean something to me, too. I don’t know where this goes, what really happens next. But I don’t care. Sometimes life is too damn short to question everything.” He shrugged, took her hand and kissed the back of it.

“Amen to that… Shit. I don’t even know your last name,” she laughed and seemed slightly embarrassed.

“Winchester. Yours?”

“(Y/L/N),” she smiled and squeezed his hand.

“Well alright, Ms. (Y/L/N). Shall we go?”

“Yes, I’m starving!”

He stood up, leaned in to kiss her lips again before closing the door and walking around to get in behind the wheel. Before he got in, he looked back up to the sky and smiled.

“Goodbye Unattached Drifter Christmas… hello Saint Valentine…” the corner of his mouth cocked up into a smirk and he jumped into the car, ready to whisk his new girl off to continue their date.

[darkstache-iplier]

Eric (Iplier) Derekson - The beginning

Welcome to another one of my fanfics. Today’s subject, baby boi Eric Derekson. This is just the introduction if you will, but soon enough I will have this fanfic going like the wild fire my heart is for this boi.

Enjoy!

------------------

When Eric first arrived at the Iplier's manor, his dad was not invited inside.

"Sorry, we only get villains, not assholes" was what he heard a man with a big 'B' on his tank top saying, before closing in the huge doors right on his dad's face. Then, he turned around and smiled, apologetically. "Sorry dude, house rules. You can stay as long as you want though, but first, I gotta take you to the meeting room"

"Who..." Eric tried, but his anxiety kicked in. Perhaps he was supposed to know who that person was, or maybe he wasn't supposed to ask questions. He wasn't even sure how he got to that manor in the first place. Maybe it was all a weird dream.

The guy just smiled, however.

"Oh sorry again bro, I didn't introduce myself" he said, raising his hand for a handshake. "I'm Bingiplier, but here I'm only called Bing. Or dude. Or whatever you wanna call me. I'm just the helper around anyway"

"B-Bing... like the... the search thingie?" Eric mumbled, raising his shaking hand. Bing took it in a firm grip and shook it wide and quick. It made Eric's heart beat faster for a moment or two. Maybe more.

"Exactly! We have the Google's here too but you're gonna meet them soon enough. Come on! I will take you there to introduce yourself!" he said, letting go (finally) of Eric's hand and guiding him upstairs. After looking around and sending once last glance towards the exit door, he followed the orange themed guy up the stairs, feeling his nerves kicking in at every step he took. His hands squeezed the handkerchief tight, looking around at the very fancy manor with some type of fright. Something seemed off in that place, something seemed scary, something seemed out of place, but it wasn't something uncomfortable.

It kinda felt like he belonged there... for some reason.

"There" Bingiplier (or should he call him Bing? Were they close enough for that?) pointed to a glass door. Here, things were cleaner, it all looked way more like a business building than a manor. Maybe the floors were thematic? Maybe Eric was reading too much into it all. Maybe Eric had never gone to a formal meeting without his dad before. Maybe he was panicking. Who knew? "I'll announce your arrival"

And just like that, Bing entered the room and Eric was left all alone.

Sure, he was only left alone for a minute or so, but it was time enough to make him regret his decision of going inside without his father. Maybe... just maybe this was too much for him to handle all by himself. His dad could certainly be a little inconvenient sometimes (but like not a lot, he loved his dad, he would never find his dad an inconvenience ever!), but Eric was not good with social interactions. Or any type of interactions. Actually, he was good at nothing at all. And his dad always showed him what to do, even if it was through screams or punishments. He couldn't handle himself on his own, not even if he was in a place where he... 'belonged'.

(But he didn't really belong anywhere)

When Bingiplier returned, he came with a man that Eric found immediately the scariest man in the planet. He even stepped back, feeling his legs tremble and his heart quicken its beats, and even a shiver went through his spine. The man had a glitched image, a 3D effect around him, he wore suits and dark clothes and he even had some weird make up on that made him look even scarier.

He was a living, walking nightmare.

"The last time someone looked at me with so much fear was ages ago. Literal years" the man said, and even his voice was broken. Eric felt a squeal come towards his throat, but he was so scared that not even that made its way out of his body. He just held his handkerchief close to his heart and gave another step back, trembling. "Calm down child. I will not harm you. My name is Dark. Darkiplier. You must have heard of me"

"N-n-never si-sir" he gasped out, with all strength he had, practically hugging his yellow rag with all his might. Darkiplier raised an eyebrow, turning his face to Bingiplier, who shrugged.

"The dude is like that. Scared like a little kitten"

"What a choice of words, Bing. You always impress me with your vocabulary skills"

"Oh thanks boss!"

"I was being sarcastic"

"Oh..."

Eric watched the scene unfold with really nothing to add. He wanted to run away, back to his father, and maybe never go back to that manor again. But now, he was already there, and like his father always said: 'stop being a coward pussy and do your fucking job right for once you freak!'

That usually motivated him to do the right thing.

"S-sorry, mi-mister Darkiplier..." he muttered, cleaning his throat and trying to speak a bit louder. "I... My name... my name is... E-Eric... Eric Derekson... It is... a pleasure t-to meet yo-you..."

Darkiplier and Bingiplier remained quiet for some time. A long time. A relatively long time, at least. A long time for Eric. Maybe it was a short time for them. He didn't really know, he didn't know them. But it was a long time for his dad. It usually meant he was angry. That couldn't be a good sign. Eric lifted his handkerchief, drying his sweaty forehead as the seconds passed by. He felt his entire body tremble like a leaf in the middle of a storm, so scared he had done something wrong, that he had offended them somehow... it was almost unbearable, to watch them watch him.

But he couldn't really go anywhere, or do anything to fix it. His mouth was glued shut.

"Eric, accompany me. You will present yourself to the others" Darkiplier said, suddenly, and Eric was pretty sure he imagined the dark grey on the man's cheek. A man like Darkiplier couldn't possibly blush. And Bingiplier just smiled, giving Eric what he thought was a 'good luck' thumbs up, but honestly, he felt no luck enter him. Only more and more fear. Even so, he approached Darkiplier and followed him towards the glass door. "They may seem strange or even scary at first, but I assure you they will not harm you Eric. Is that clear?"

"Y-ye-yes"

"Good. Come inside"

As Darkiplier opened the door, a whole new room appeared in front of Eric. It was a huge room, with a big TV on one side, and a long table with several places and people sitting around it, talking. As they entered, the talking quieted down a little, but didn't fully stop until both Eric and Darkiplier were standing next to the only empty chair in the room. The one that belonged to Darkiplier, Eric supposed. In one of the table's end. On the other side, on the other end, sat a man with wide eyes and a pink moustache that Eric had already seen before, somewhere. He couldn't really put his finger on it, but he knew he knew that man from somewhere.

"Egos" Darkiplier began, and he had the others' full attention. "This is our new member. Eric Derekson."

As usual, whenever he was presented to a large audience of people, there were no claps. (even if he wasn't sure if in these types of meetings, there should be claps)

"Him?" a man with a cowboy hat, wide sunglasses and a weird moustache asked, his accent thick even if spoken so quickly.

"What are his qualities? What makes him qualified to enter the Markiplier Egos?" a man with square glasses and a blue shirt with a big 'G' on it asked, glitching out a bit as he finished his sentence. Eric felt another shiver going up his spine.

"Quiet, quiet, quiet you all" the man with a pink moustache said, suddenly standing up, and all others seemed to go quiet at his sudden gesture. Apparently, he was the boss, together with Darkiplier. That thought alone made Eric dry his sweaty hands on his handkerchief, before twisting it on his hands, out of pure anxiety. "Kid... what's your name?"

"E-Eric" he mumbled, voice shaking, legs trembling, air missing from his lungs. The pink moustache man smiled in a somewhat gentle way.

"Hi. My name is Wilford Warfstache. Pleasure to meet you"

Wilford...

Wilford Warfstache?

Wilford Warfstache?!

WILFORD WARFSTACHE?!

"Y-you are Wilford War-War-War-War" he tried, but got stuck, breathing heavily and feeling his eyes water up in shame. Oh no. No no, he was embarrassing himself in front of one of his dad's biggest idols! Wilford Warfstache! The TV host, the guy who killed everybody, the police fugitive, the murderer of the family and their baby AND their dog, the game show host, the owner of Markiplier TV, the mad candyman man! THE Wilford Warfstache! The man his father wanted him to be! The man himself, right in front of him, and Eric wasn't even able to speak right?! He couldn't even say the man's name! And now he couldn't even see him anymore because his eyes were so full of tears he did not want to shed and his heart was beating so fast and his breathing was so quick that his vision was darkening a bit, or at least he thought it was, but then again his dad always said it was a big lie and that he only did it to call attention but now he didn’t want to call Wilford Warfstache's attention, he just wanted to cry because he couldn't just be normal and talk to someone like a normal person, and everything was spinning around him and he just wanted to be good for his dad and-

He woke up in a comfy bed, surrounded by white walls and lights.

"There you are, at last" someone spoke next to him, and Eric frowned, covering his eyes from the lights and reaching around for his handkerchief. "On your left" the same person said, and he reached for it, finding the soft rag and pulling it to his chest. "You gave everyone a scare, boy"

"I-I didn't... I didn't mean to..." he mumbled, slowly sitting up, and whoever was speaking to him helped him, putting a hand on his back. "Where... where am I? Who are you?"

"You are still in the Iplier's manor. In the medical section. I am doctor Iplier" he said, and as he turned off the lights, Eric's vision returned to normal and he saw a man with a lab coat and a smile next to him. "You had quite the panic attack earlier. I knew Wilford had some fans but I never thought I would see someone pass out like you did just because of his presence. His ego must be the size of a soccer field"

"S-so it wasn't a dream? This is really w-where Wilford Warfstache lives?" he asked, trembling again, and the doctor nodded, smiling lighter this time.

"Yes, yes it is. It is the Iplier Manor after all. And now you are somewhat part of the family as well, from what Dark told us"

"Part... part of the family?" Eric asked, eyes wide, and Dr. Iplier nodded, a little confused.

"Yes. You are an Iplier too, even if your name has nothing to do with it. You are one of Mark's egos, just like us" he explained, calmly, but nothing of it really made sense. Eric couldn't be one of the Ipliers! He didn't have the name, or the good looks, or the intelligence, or the appeal, or anything! He was just a training actor with some adds gig for the huge Markiplier, that he surely only got for pity or because his dad had enough charisma to sell them both to the great Markiplier man.

He couldn't possibly be one of them. There was no way.

"S-sorry, I think... I think you mistook me for someone... someone else" he said, slowly standing up and drying his already sweaty forehead. "I have... I must go. Where is the exit?"

"Um... second door to the left and then straight down the hall..." Dr. Iplier said, frowning lightly at him. "Are you sure you don't want to stay? You haven't met all of the Iplier's yet, and Wilford is not mad at you, if that's your concern..."

"N-no, I should... I should go. Th-thank you for-for taking care... care of me" Eric mumbled, smiling shakily and waving towards the doctor. "M-maybe I can... I can come back an-another day with-with my dad! I need to go home... goodbye"

And just like that, Eric walked off, taking the second door to the left and rushing down the hall until he saw the exit. Once he was outside, he noticed it was already dark, and his dad seemed to be in an awful mood for having to wait him around so long.

"Eric! Finally! What the fuck were you doing that took you so long?! And why the hell wouldn't they allow me to go inside?! Next time, I am coming with you, got it?! Now tell me everything you saw! I hope you didn’t screw up Eric, this could be our chance to become big in something!" his dad rambled, grabbing him by the shirt and pulling him towards the car. Eric walked in silence, letting his dad ramble as much as he could, so he wouldn't say he passed out in the presence of Wilford Warfstache. After today, none of the Ipliers would ever want him around again. It would be a miracle to actually have a new chance with them. They probably thought he was a weirdo, and they were not wrong.

Eric truly had no chance on becoming anyone in life.

And he just wasted his best opportunity.

 ------------------

 "Doctor, where did he go?"

"He left"

The egos all looked at each other, confused and somewhat curious as well. Wilford and Dark seemed a bit outraged.

"What do you mean he left?" Dark growled, stepping forward, but dr. Iplier just sighed and shook his head.

"I couldn't do anything Dark, if I kept him here, he would be traumatized for life" he said, frowning lightly and looking down at the exams he had performed in Eric before he had left. "His reaction wasn't normal, even for an Iplier. He has some type of severe anxiety that I can't honestly diagnose until I have a talk with him, but that also doesn't seem to be happening any time soon. I don't think he will return by his own will..."

"His father might bring him back, however" Google stepped into the conversation, opening a few files in front of him. "From a quick research on the history of the Derekson's, his father is quite the fan of Warfstache, and for the reason alone he might come back with his younger son Eric even if just to get a conversation out of Wilford"

"That makes sense" Wilford agreed, and Dark did as well, soon joined by the rest of the egos. "We will wait for his return, and maybe then we can have a chat with both him and his father"

"If he is one of us" Dark started, his aura seeming to glitch more than normal "he won't be left behind"

[animesshadow]

NatZa Week Day 2 - Greed (with illustrations)

It was a rather sunny day in Fiore. Spring was right around the corner. There were barely any clouds in the sky, the flowers were getting ready to bloom and some birds were singing already. The end of winter brought a smile on everyone’s face. Most people were simply happy. Except for a certain pink haired dragon slayer.

“Tell me, why are we doing this again?” Natsu said while resting his head on his hand. He was clearly bored.

Happy didn’t want to stay at home on such a lovely day and left for fishing a while ago. Natsu would have loved to accompany his feline friend but he had an appointment. So he was alone at home. Well, almost alone. Right now a beauty with long white hair was sitting right in front of Natsu. It was an unusual guest at the Dragneel’s home. It was none other than Mirajane herself. Her usual smile was nowhere to be seen.

“Because you need help fixing that screwed up crush you have to a certain scarlethaired knight.” She responded.

Natsu’s expression switched from bored to surprised very quick. “W-what are you talking about? Me? A crush on Erza?” the pink haired mage shouted.

“Don’t deny it now. Do you think nobody notices the smile that rises instantly when she is around? Or the way you look at her from distance with those dreamful eyes? You should not underestimate the observation of the barmaid, you know” Mirajane explained confidently

‘Was it that obvious?” Natsu thought to himself

“You two don’t seem to talk very much when when you are not on missions together so you start making trouble to get her attention. It is sad that you have to let her beat you up to get the attention you desperately crave inside your heart. Also, the fights you regularly start are quite irritating, you know?” Mira said while judgementaly glaring at Natsu

That glare send shivers down Natsu’s spine as it made him remember the old Mira. The Mira that would beat his burning ass for apparently no reason at all. The fire mage was a bit scared after that statement

Just as he thought that, “And I also think you two would make a lovely couple, so I will do my best to help you finally getting her armored heart” the barmaid said with her usual angelic smile.

She certainly was smiling but something was off. That smile had an even scarier aura than before and made Natsu feel cold sweat on his skin. He knew she was really pissed.

“W-what do you recommend me to do then?” the fire mage asked while trying to avoid looking in Mira’s eyes

“You gotta start being greedy, Natsu”

“Say what?….” Natsu said clearly confused

“Erza is the type of woman that distances herself from everyone. Even from her closest nakamas. So you have to start being pushy. You have to take what you want from her. That’s the only way to get through her thick armor she build around her heart”

It kinda made sense to Natsu. Erza really seemed to subconcously a wall around her and the ones close to her. Probably a defense mechanism to protect her from sadness and despair. Natsu understood those feelings, yet there was nothing he could do about it. At least that’s what he thought.

“So, like, force a kiss on her?” the pink haired mage asked puzzled

“Are you an idiot? Do you want to die?” Mirajane asked ironically.

“What am I supposed to do then?” Natsu questioned still muddled

“It’s simple. If you want something you either just demand to take it. It is not bad to be a bit greedy you know. I know that you are the type of person that would sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of others and normally that’s what everyone loves about you but it is okay to be a bit greedy yourself sometimes, you know?”

“Ah, I think I get it now. Thank you Mira” the dragon slayer answered with his signature smile

After seeing that smile Mira felt victorious and reassured. She could almost feel the now confident Natsu snatching Erza’s heart in an instant. “Alright~ I will take my leave now. I have high expectations for you”

After saying that Mirajane left Natsu’s home.

‘Mirajane seems to know what she is talking about. ALRIGHT! I will try tommorow. I am fired up!’ Natsu thought to himself

– The next day –

Mirajane took her usual way to the guild. She was a bit late than usual because she had to do early shoppings for the guild. She was almost there but as she wanted to open the guild door she got a bad feeling. The whitehaired maiden opened the door and immediatly saw an angry mob inside the guild.

“Give me back my coat, Natsu!” “How dare you randomly eat my meal!” “Get off the table Natsu!” some people shouted at Natsu who was wearing Macao’s coat and was standing on a table.

“NO! This is all mine now!” Natsu replied snobby

Even Erza was perplexxed to see Natsu like this. This wasn’t the kind of trouble he usually did. Not sure how to respond to Natsu’s new act she made her way to the bar and ordered a strawberry cake.

Mira who tried to ignore the commotion already made it to her usual place behind the bar taking orders. “A cake so early in the day. You sure are something Erza~” She said while handing Erza her cake.

“Strawberry Cake is love” Erza’s face was filled with happiness as soon as she got the cake. Just as she wanted to take the first bite of her delicous cake the scarlet knight noticed Natsu standing right next to her.

“Is everything alright Natsu?” the redhead asked as she saw the serious expression Natsu made

He simply replied “I will take that” as he quickly snatched the cake and started eating it right next to its previous owner.

Erza was shocked for a second the moment she grasped what happened her expression changed to that of utter rage. She was pissed. She was reeeeaally pissed. The knight punched the pink haired mage flying.

“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!”

Everyone was surprised a lot. Not that Erza send the fire mage flying. She did that a lot actually, but the reason behind it. Nobody was stupid enough to take away the cake from the S-Class mage.

“Explain yourself!” Erza demanded while pointing a sword towards Natsu

“I SAID IT BELONGS TO ME!” He screamed.

Everyone in the guild was getting more and more confused

“Icebrain’s stripped clothes, Lucy’s appartment key, your favorite armor, I claim them all for myself now!” Natsu announced after getting back on his feet

‘I have created a monster…’ Mirajane thought to herself while smiling dumbfounded

“It has finally happened. He completely lost the last small piece of mind he had” Gray stated while only wearing his underwear.

“That’s rich coming from someone who has stripped down to his underwear” Lucy stated

“AH! How did that happen?!” Gray exclaimed and started searching for his clothes

“Did you hit your head on your last mission Natsu?” Erza finally asked a bit worried.

“No but because you always deny what is now rightfully mine I have to take it myself” Natsu announced confidently.

They were looking at him clearly not understanding what he is talking about. ‘He went nuts’ everyone thought.

Before anyone noticed Natsu started taking all the things he wanted and put it in a giant bag. Where the hell did he get a bag that big?!

“Natsu ceace stealing things right now!”

But before Erza could take any action Natsu also snatched the Heartkreuz upper body armor she wears all the time revealing the blouse she is wearing beneath it. He put it on himself now. Natsu looked weird wearing Erza’s armor right under his scarf and on top of the vest he always wears.

“I am not stealing. Those are all mine now.” Natsu mentioned calmly

The now enraged and confused Erza “W-What are you-?! GIVE ME BACK MY-” She was immediatly cut out

Mira wanted to step in as she felt responsible for Natsu’s sudden change but was quickly interrupted.

Something happened. She could not move a single muscle in her body. The only thing she could think about the sensation on her lips. Another pair of lips were touching hers. What happened? She didn’t understand. Natsu was… Natsu was actually kissing her. Natsu had put one hand behind Erza’s head and one around her waist, pulled her to himself and kissed her.

The floor broke of the sheer amount of jaws dropping with the speed of light.

A short while later he slowly broke the kiss “No can do~. That kiss was something that belonged to me for a long time now” The fire mage whispered seductively

The scarlethaired beauty felt the heat in her face rise in her face in a rapid speed. Her face was as red as her hair.

After a few seconds she got a hold of herself again and requiped a giant sword and swang it in Natsu’s direction “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!”

Natsu barely dodged the sword. He knows for sure that he would have died instantly if that sword had hit him. For a moment he was scared shitless like all the other times Erza was angry at him but he quickly regained his composure and faked confidence

He rushed right next to Erza and lifted her with his hand on her back and one on her legs. That’s right! The infamous princess carry. Just like that one time he saved her from the Tower of Heaven.

“Isn’t it okay to be a bit greedy now and then?” Natsu quitely said with a smile on his face

“What are you planning to do?” Erza asked calmly while blushing

“I am making use of MY RIGHT to take you on a date” he announced

“A d-date? are you stupid or something?!” Erza getting all angry again

“After everything we have been through the only interactions we have outside of missions are useless quarrels and fights. Is that all we are when we are not fighting together? Am I only important to you when I am in danger?” the dragon slayer said melancholically.

Erza could clearly see that Natsu was holding back tears after these words. She coudln’t be angry at his precious nakama when he was at this state. She knew he was right. Eventhough she had so many feelings for him approaching him during everyday life. He was one of the most important persons that ever entered her life. Seeing him this sad broke her heart. He became something more than just a regular friend in these recent years. Something nobody ever came close to.

“No Natsu.. you should know by now that you are very important to me. You saved this life of mine. Without you I would not even be here now. I am sorry if I made you think that way… It’s just that… I am not very good at expressing myself.” Erza genuinely smiled when she said that. A smile only meant for one person. For Natsu.

“…” Natsu was happy. So happy he could cry. So damn happy that he could beat Gray’s ass a million times just with the power he gained by her smiled. “ALRIGHT! Then it’s settled. Let’s go on a date!” Natsu shouted and started running of the guild while still carrying Erza in his arms.

“A-alright I understand.. let me down already you idiot”. Erza strugled to get down. As she wanted to punch him to finally get down he said something she never expected to ever hear from Natsu

“I love you Erza”

He was smiling so much that Erza thought that this smile was even outshining the sun. But the words he said… Was he serious? Are those words sincere? Does he mean it in a romantic way? He wouldn’t joke about something like this right?

“…” O_O

Erza fell silent. She couldn’t get any words out of her mouth. The only thing she knew right now is that she was overjoyed. She could feel a part of her heart happy and ecstatic that she didn’t even knew existed. At that moment, Erza realised that she never wanted to leave his side ever again.

The guild was still dumbdounded after watching Natsu carrying a blushing Erza out after confessing right in front of everyone.

“I- I am so damn proud of you flamehead. You go get her bro”. Gray had tears of joy and pride on his face. He was rooting for his brother walking down the path of adolescence. Needless to mention that Gray was still only wearing his underpants.

“Put on some clothes Gray!” Lucy demanded again. “But seriously I never thought that Natsu would be this straightforward. Was he on drugs or something?” Lucy questioned

‘I was scared for a bit but it seems like it really worked out in the end.’ Mirajane was happy that she had given Natsu the final push he needed to finally ask Erza out. ‘I am rooting for you two love birds’ Mira was in high moods after everything that happened

“Mira-nee?” Lisanna tried to get the attention of her older sister

“What is it~?” Mira answered still smiling

“Looks like Natsu took all the expensive meat you bought for the guild today” the younger Strauss sister explained a bit concerned

“…”

“Mira-nee?…” o:

‘I am so going to kill you Natsu’.. Ah, Mira is pissed again.

I made this a seperate version so you could have one you can ready without this many interruptions. Hope you like it :D

[princesszatana]

I Now Pronounce You Man and Wife

Something fun for Adrienette Month Day 3!

Ch1  Ch 2

“Wh... Where am I?” Adrien said to himself. He looked around to see he was standing on a floor of clouds. The sky was dark purple filled with thousands of stars. The stars were audibly twinkling. They sounded like tiny crystal bells. They were Heavenly.

“Adrien.” A familiar voice came from behind.

The blonde turned. He gasped.

“Ladybug!”

There was his Lady, standing with him on the clouds. She was wearing a stunning polka dot red ball gown. She still had her mask on, concealing her identity. While most of her hair fell on her shoulders, some of it formed two waterfall braids. They made a crown around her head.

“You look amazing!” The blonde stared in awe as he spoke.

The superhero giggled, a light blush dusting her cheeks. “Thank you. You look nice too.”

“Huh?” Adrien looked down at himself in confusion. He was in a green and black suit. The suit was nice. Ladybug had good taste.

“Thank you, for the compliment.”  Adrien looked back up as he spoke. He was greeted warmly by Ladybug’s radiant smile. Had gotten closer while he was looking away? His heart skipped a beat.

Ladybug smiled sweetly and held out her hand. “May I have this dance?”

The blonde looked from the girl’s hand to her eyes. He knew those eyes so well, yet they somehow alluded him.

“I would be honored, Ladybug.” Adrien took her hand gently.

He blinked.

Suddenly they were dancing to the sound of the stars. They moved in perfect unison with each other as they glided across the clouds. Their hands were clasped tightly together. Their eyes were locked. Their hearts were beating as one. Nothing could come between them.

“Who are you?” The blonde couldn’t help himself. He had to ask.

“A friend.” Ladybug answered sweetly.

“Then, what is your name my friend? Your real name?” He persisted.

“My name…” They slowed to a stop, still holding onto each other. Ladybug looked at the ground as she internally mulled over what to say. “It’s…it’s...”

“KISS KISS FALL IN LOVE!”

Adrien Agreste awoke with a start. His phone was blasting the popular anime theme song. He fumbled to shut the darn thing off.  The poor sunshine child groaned when he finally silenced the device. The stupid alarm had ruined a purr-fectly good dream. Was the universe trying to keep him and his Lady apart? Was her identity this big cosmic secret or something? It didn’t matter.

“I will find you, my Lady!” The blonde spoke aloud.

With that thought, Adrien kicked his blankets off and jumped out of bed. The sooner he got dressed the sooner he could get to school. Alya was sure to have the latest info on Ladybug. Maybe something about her identity. There was only one way to find out.

Marinette walked into class on time, much to her own surprise. The room was still half empty but both Alya and Nino were in their seats. They were playing with something.

“Good morning guys! What are you doing?” Marinette spoke as she sat down.

“Check it out!” Nino exclaimed, setting a gold ring in front of the blacket.

Marinette picked it up and turned it over several times. It was a very simple gold ring.

“Are you proposing or something Nino?” Marinette smirked teasingly. Nino went red with embarrassment.

“WHAT! No!” Nino panicked. He turned to his girlfriend, Alya.

Alya laughed and patted her boyfriend's shoulder. “Don’t tease him like that Marinette. You’ll scare him off.” Marinette giggled. “Alright.”

The blogger held up another ring for Marinette to see. “Actually, Adrien found them on the ground.” The redhead explained. “He got here super early and found them just laying there.”

Marinette’s breath hitched at the mention of her crush. “A...Adrien… found them? Where is he now?” The girl blushed. Alya and Nino smirked.

“He just ran to the bathroom. He should be back in a sec.”  Nino chuckled.

“Oh...” Marinette ignored the looks her friends were giving her. She took both rings in her hands. She focused all her attention on comparing them.

“They look exactly the same. Do you know who’s they are?” Marinette asked.

“Not a clue.” The DJ answered.

“We should give them to Miss Bustier when she arrives.” Marinette kept examining the rings as she spoke.

“My thought exactly.” A new voice chimed in.

Marinette jumped slightly. She looked up to see Adrien. She watched him as he walked up to the group. Instead of sitting down the blonde turned and kneeled on his chair facing Marinette. He rested his elbows on her desk and cast her a warm smile.

“Good Morning, Marinette!” He warmly greeted.

“Morning… Good… uh, Adrien... Rings…” The blacket became an instant stuttering mess. She began internally freaking out. She didn't know what else to do so she held her hands out displaying the rings. Nino was trying and failing, to stifle his laughter. Alya gave him a warning look which seemed to help a little. Adrien just smiled at his shy friend.

“Yeah, they’re pretty cool aren’t they.” The blonde took one of the rings and began playing with it.

Marinette took a deep breath and tried to smile like a normal human being. “Yeah… They’re pretty.”

Alya and Nino shared a mischievous look. Payback Time!

“You should try one on Marinette!” Alya suggested. Marinette turned to her friend in confusion. What was the redhead thinking? Alya gave her a look that screamed ‘Trust me!’. Marinette cocked an eyebrow worriedly but complied. When Alya head that look there was no fighting her.

“Um… okay…” Marinette slid the ring onto her left ring finger.

“WOW!” Alya held her friend's hand inspecting it. “It’s a perfect fit!” Marinette looked down at the ring. It really was.

“No way!” Nino exclaimed. “Dude, quickly try yours on.” He said turning to Adrien. The blonde looked at his friend. Nino was so excited, how could he refuse?

Adrien slid the ring on his left ring finger, just like he’d seen Marinette do.

“Like this?” He held up his hand questioningly.

“NO WAY!” Nino set Adrien’s hand next to Marinette’s on the desk. The two teens hand’s brushed. Marinette let out a small gasp. She could feel the blush creeping up her neck. Adrien blushed and raised his shoulders in embarrassment.

“His fits perfectly too!” Nino continued, a sly look planted on his face.

Adrien looked down at their hands. Her hands were so different from his. His were much larger and looked more muscular. Marinette’s hand was so small and delicate. The ring suited her skin tone purr-fectly. It’s amazing how something so soft and beautiful could be such a force to be reckoned with.

Marinette was looking at Adrien’s hand with a look of pure awe. His skin looked similar to rose gold and the ring only made his hand more radiant. Marinette wanted to feel the warmth of his hand. She found her pinky trying to move closer to his. Her eyes grew wide. She pulled the digit back forcefully, hoping nobody had noticed the stray digit.

“There’s only one thing left to do.” Stated the Blogger, pulling everyone out of their own thoughts. Adrien and Marinette looked up to see she was recording. Both teens blush deepened.

“I now pronounce you Man and Wife!” Alya gleefully declared.

“WHAT?!” The two ‘newly-wed’ teens cried out in unison.

*FLASH*

“AAAAH!!” The whole classroom erupted into cries of pain. A flash of red and green light had blinded them all.

“WHAT THE HECK DID YOU DO THIS TIME KIM!” Alix could be heard screeching from across the room.

“WHY DO YOU ASSUME I DID THIS?” Kim hollered back in the direction Alix was.

“CUZ YOU’RE ALWAYS DOING DUMB PRANKS LIKE THIS!”

“HEY! MY PRANKS ARE NOT DUMB YOU LITTLE HALF PINT!”

“WHO ARE YOU CALLIN’ HALF PINT, MOUNTAIN MAN?”

Ivan stood abruptly, causing everyone to jump. “Both of you knock it off.” He said warningly, keeping his voice low. “You’re scaring Mylene and giving everyone here a headache.”

Alix and Kim stiffened as he spoke. Quiet Ivan was scarier than loud Ivan. Both teens mumbled apologies and fumbled back to their seats. Ivan sat back down without saying another word. Everyone continued nursing their eyes, making sure to talk softly.

“What the heck was that?” Nino grumbled as he set his glasses down on the desk.

Alya was holding the bridge of her nose as she waited for the pain to subside. “Maybe the flash on my phone went off or something?”

“That was one weird flash.” Adrien mumbled. The blonde rubbed his eyes with both hands. They felt weird. Like they had gloves on them. Infact.. it felt kinda like he was in his suit. Adrien squinted his eyes. His hands… They were red… Red with black spots?

“Guys I’m seeing things.” The blonde complained. He shook his head trying to clear his vision. “Are you okay Marinette?”

“Uh-huh…” Marinette mumbled in response. Her head hurt. That sudden flash of light had done a number on her. The girl closed her eyes to try when she heard it. The sound of a bell around her neck. Why did she have a bell? She felt something twitch on her head. She reached a hand up curiously. What were those? Did she have ears on her head? Marinette felt her arms next. They felt oddly familiar. Realization hit Marinette like a ton of bricks.

CHAT NOIR'S SUIT! SHE WAS IN CHAT NOIR’S SUIT!

Marinette stood abruptly!

“I’m going to the bathroom!” She excused herself. Could she see? No, not really, but she didn’t want the others to see her either. So, assuming they were all as blind as her, she grabbed her bag and bolted. Maybe Tikki would have some answers.

Adrien felt his friend rush past him.

“Um… okay?” Adrien replied mostly to himself. He hoped she really was okay. The blonde kept blinking and slowly his vision began to clear.

“What the?” Adrien jumped up, looking down at himself. He wasn’t seeing spots, HE WAS WEARING THEM! He was standing in front of his classmates in Ladybug's suit!

“You okay, Dude?” Nino asked.

Adrien looked to his friend. Nino was squinting at him. The rest of his class were all still suffering the effects of the flash. They couldn’t see him... yet.

“Um, yeah.” Adrien quickly stood up grabbing his bag. He looked inside but Plagg was gone! Where could the flying cat be?

“I’m just not feeling well. I’m gonna’ go talk to the nurse.” Adrien bolted for the door. He heard Nino call after him but couldn’t make out what he said. Adrien ran faster. He didn’t have time. Adrien had to find Plagg and figure out why the heck he was in Ladybug’s costume! When he said he wanted to find Ladybug, this was NOT what he meant.

Meanwhile ...

“Tikki! Tikki!” Marinette called to her bag. There was no response. Marinette reached the bathroom. Just her luck, it was empty. She quickly ran into the nearest stall, locking the door behind her. She sat down and began clawing at her bag trying to get it open. Her stupid gloves kept getting in the way. Marinette glared at her hand. How did Chat do anything with these things? Marinette gave up using her hands. She carefully maneuvered her mouth to try and open the handbag.

“Mihmii?” She mumbled as she fought with the small clasps. The blacket finally got the bag to open. “Aha!” She exclaimed in success. Tikki?” Marinette looked into the empty bag with confusion. Where could her kawami be? Had she lost Tikki, again! How was that even possible? Tikki had been in her bag right before class. Her bag was sealed. She hadn’t opened it. Did Tikki phase out of it or something? Nothing happened except… The flash of light.

Marinette stood up suddenly. She looked at her hands examining them closely. If she was in Chat’s costume… Maybe he was in her’s. If that was the case then Tikki might be in his miraculous. She had to find Chat Noir… er… Man bug? Mr. Bug? Chat bug? Ug, whatever. She had to find her partner and get things back to normal, FAST!

Up in the Waiting Room….

“What have you done?” Fe enunciated each word, a slight hint of worry in his voice. The boy stared at his partner in disbelief.

Brie sat swinging her legs over the side of their cloud. She was ecstatic, to say the least. This was working out better than she hoped. The black haired girl looked up, meeting her partner's eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that.” She said sticking her tongue out playfully.

“And just how am I supposed to look at you?” The boy pinched the bridge of his nose as he spoke. “Brie, how in the world did you even get those rings down there?”

Brie smiled proudly. “Oh, I have a friend.”

Fe groaned. “Oh joy.”

“You worry too much.” The girl waved him off. “They can handle this. We’ve taken on worse.” Brie kept watching the world below as she spoke. “Besides, I want them to figure out each other's identities already! They are completely oblivious and it’s driving me crazy! I mean COME ON! They were right there next to each other IN COSTUME and they still didn’t get it!”

Brie let out an exasperated sigh. She shipped these two so much it was painful. They were in much the same predicament she was once in. It had taken almost 20 years before she and her love had discovered each other's secret. Brie smiled at the memories, looking up at her soulmate. They hadn’t parted since.

Fe sat down next to his partner. “This could make things worse for them.” He pointed out.

“Maybe,” Brie shrugged. “but I doubt it. They’re strong. They’ll figure things out.”

“I hope your right.”

“Of course I am! When it comes to matters of the heart I am an expert!” Brie winked at her companion.

Fe snorted with laughter. “When did you become an expert?”

Brie crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve always been one.”

Fe raised an eyebrow quizzically. “And I’m an ecstatic ball of sunshine.”

Brie turned to look at Fe directly. She stared at him with a mischievous smirk. She leaned in close and planted a kiss on his nose. Fe blushed instantly.

“Quiet, my little ball of sunshine!” The girl said playfully. “I want to see what they do next!”

“You’re hopeless.” Felix rolled his eyes, blush still evident on his cheeks.

“Shh!”

I hope you enjoyed it! :D You can find it on FF.net here

[animesshadow]

NatZa Week Day 2 - Greed

It was a rather sunny day in Fiore. Spring was right around the corner. There were barely any clouds in the sky, the flowers were getting ready to bloom and some birds were singing already. The end of winter brought a smile on everyone’s face. Most people were simply happy. Except for a certain pink haired dragon slayer.

“Tell me, why are we doing this again?” Natsu said while resting his head on his hand. He was clearly bored. 

Happy didn’t want to stay at home on such a lovely day and left for fishing a while ago. Natsu would have loved to accompany his feline friend but he had an appointment. So he was alone at home. Well, almost alone. Right now a beauty with long white hair was sitting right in front of Natsu. It was an unusual guest at the Dragneel’s home. It was none other than Mirajane herself. Her usual smile was nowhere to be seen.

“Because you need help fixing that screwed up crush you have to a certain scarlethaired knight.” She responded.

Natsu’s expression switched from bored to surprised very quick. “W-what are you talking about? Me? A crush on Erza?” the pink haired mage shouted.

“Don’t deny it now. Do you think nobody notices the smile that rises instantly when she is around? Or the way you look at her from distance with those dreamful eyes? You should not underestimate the observation of the barmaid, you know” Mirajane explained confidently

‘Was it that obvious?” Natsu thought to himself

“You two don’t seem to talk very much when when you are not on missions together so you start making trouble to get her attention. It is sad that you have to let her beat you up to get the attention you desperately crave inside your heart. Also, the fights you regularly start are quite irritating, you know?” Mira said while judgementaly glaring at Natsu

That glare send shivers down Natsu’s spine as it made him remember the old Mira. The Mira that would beat his burning ass for apparently no reason at all. The fire mage was a bit scared after that statement

Just as he thought that, “And I also think you two would make a lovely couple, so I will do my best to help you finally getting her armored heart” the barmaid said with her usual angelic smile.

She certainly was smiling but something was off. That smile had an even scarier aura than before and made Natsu feel cold sweat on his skin. He knew she was really pissed.

“W-what do you recommend me to do then?” the fire mage asked while trying to avoid looking in Mira’s eyes

“You gotta start being greedy, Natsu”

“Say what?....” Natsu said clearly confused

“Erza is the type of woman that distances herself from everyone. Even from her closest nakamas. So you have to start being pushy. You have to take what you want from her. That’s the only way to get through her thick armor she build around her heart”

It kinda made sense to Natsu. Erza really seemed to subconcously a wall around her and the ones close to her. Probably a defense mechanism to protect her from sadness and despair. Natsu understood those feelings, yet there was nothing he could do about it. At least that’s what he thought.

“So, like, force a kiss on her?” the pink haired mage asked puzzled

“Are you an idiot? Do you want to die?” Mirajane asked ironically.

“What am I supposed to do then?” Natsu questioned still muddled

“It’s simple. If you want something you either just demand to take it. It is not bad to be a bit greedy you know. I know that you are the type of person that would sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of others and normally that’s what everyone loves about you but it is okay to be a bit greedy yourself sometimes, you know?”

“Ah, I think I get it now. Thank you Mira” the dragon slayer answered with his signature smile

After seeing that smile Mira felt victorious and reassured. She could almost feel the now confident Natsu snatching Erza’s heart in an instant. “Alright~ I will take my leave now. I have high expectations for you”

After saying that Mirajane left Natsu’s home.

‘Mirajane seems to know what she is talking about. ALRIGHT! I will try tommorow. I am fired up!’ Natsu thought to himself

-- The next day --

Mirajane took her usual way to the guild. She was a bit late than usual because she had to do early shoppings for the guild. She was almost there but as she wanted to open the guild door she got a bad feeling. The whitehaired maiden opened the door and immediatly saw an angry mob inside the guild.

“Give me back my coat, Natsu!” “How dare you randomly eat my meal!” “Get off the table Natsu!” some people shouted at Natsu who was wearing Macao’s coat and was standing on a table.

“NO! This is all mine now!” Natsu replied snobby

Even Erza was perplexxed to see Natsu like this. This wasn’t the kind of trouble he usually did. Not sure how to respond to Natsu’s new act she made her way to the bar and ordered a strawberry cake.

Mira who tried to ignore the commotion already made it to her usual place behind the bar taking orders. “A cake so early in the day. You sure are something Erza~” She said while handing Erza her cake.

“Strawberry Cake is love” Erza’s face was filled with happiness as soon as she got the cake. Just as she wanted to take the first bite of her delicous cake the scarlet knight noticed Natsu standing right next to her.

“Is everything alright Natsu?” the redhead asked as she saw the serious expression Natsu made

He simply replied “I will take that” as he quickly snatched the cake and started eating it right next to its previous owner.

Erza was shocked for a second the moment she grasped what happened her expression changed to that of utter rage. She was pissed. She was reeeeaally pissed. The knight punched the pink haired mage flying. 

Everyone was surprised a lot. Not that Erza send the fire mage flying. She did that a lot actually, but the reason behind it. Nobody was stupid enough to take away the cake from the S-Class mage.

“Explain yourself!” Erza demanded while pointing a sword towards Natsu

“I SAID IT BELONGS TO ME!” He screamed.

Everyone in the guild was getting more and more confused

“Icebrain’s stripped clothes, Lucy’s appartment key, your favorite armor, I claim them all for myself now!” Natsu announced after getting back on his feet

‘I have created a monster...��� Mirajane thought to herself while smiling dumbfounded

“It has finally happened. He completely lost the last small piece of mind he had” Gray stated while only wearing his underwear.

“That’s rich coming from someone who has stripped down to his underwear” Lucy stated

“AH! How did that happen?!” Gray exclaimed and started searching for his clothes

“Did you hit your head on your last mission Natsu?” Erza finally asked a bit worried.

“No but because you always deny what is now rightfully mine I have to take it myself” Natsu announced confidently.

They were looking at him clearly not understanding what he is talking about. ‘He went nuts’ everyone thought.

Before anyone noticed Natsu started taking all the things he wanted and put it in a giant bag. Where the hell did he get a bag that big?!

“Natsu ceace stealing things right now!”

But before Erza could take any action Natsu also snatched the Heartkreuz upper body armor she wears all the time revealing the blouse she is wearing beneath it. He put it on himself now. Natsu looked weird wearing Erza’s armor right under his scarf and on top of the vest he always wears.

“I am not stealing. Those are all mine now.” Natsu mentioned calmly

The now enraged and confused Erza “W-What are you-?! GIVE ME BACK MY-” She was immediatly cut out

Mira wanted to step in as she felt responsible for Natsu’s sudden change but was quickly interrupted.

Something happened. She could not move a single muscle in her body. The only thing she could think about the sensation on her lips. Another pair of lips were touching hers. What happened? She didn’t understand. Natsu was... Natsu was actually kissing her. Natsu had put one hand behind Erza’s head and one around her waist, pulled her to himself and kissed her.

The floor broke of the sheer amount of jaws dropping with the speed of light.

A short while later he slowly broke the kiss “No can do~. That kiss was something that belonged to me for a long time now” The fire mage whispered seductively

The scarlethaired beauty felt the heat in her face rise in her face in a rapid speed. Her face was as red as her hair.

After a few seconds she got a hold of herself again and requiped a giant sword and swang it in Natsu’s direction “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!”

Natsu barely dodged the sword. He knows for sure that he would have died instantly if that sword had hit him. For a moment he was scared shitless like all the other times Erza was angry at him but he quickly regained his composure and faked confidence

He rushed right next to Erza and lifted her with his hand on her back and one on her legs. That’s right! The infamous princess carry. Just like that one time he saved her from the Tower of Heaven.

“Isn’t it okay to be a bit greedy now and then?” Natsu quitely said with a smile on his face

“What are you planning to do?” Erza asked calmly while blushing

“I am making use of MY RIGHT to take you on a date” he announced

“A d-date? are you stupid or something?!” Erza getting all angry again

“After everything we have been through the only interactions we have outside of missions are useless quarrels and fights. Is that all we are when we are not fighting together? Am I only important to you when I am in danger?” the dragon slayer said melancholically.

Erza could clearly see that Natsu was holding back tears after these words. She coudln’t be angry at his precious nakama when he was at this state. She knew he was right. Eventhough she had so many feelings for him approaching him during everyday life. He was one of the most important persons that ever entered her life. Seeing him this sad broke her heart. He became something more than just a regular friend in these recent years. Something nobody ever came close to.

“No Natsu.. you should know by now that you are very important to me. You saved this life of mine. Without you I would not even be here now. I am sorry if I made you think that way... It’s just that... I am not very good at expressing myself.” Erza genuinely smiled when she said that. A smile only meant for one person. For Natsu.

“...” Natsu was happy. So happy he could cry. So damn happy that he could beat Gray’s ass a million times just with the power he gained by her smiled. “ALRIGHT! Then it’s settled. Let’s go on a date!” Natsu shouted and started running of the guild while still carrying Erza in his arms.

“A-alright I understand.. let me down already you idiot”. Erza strugled to get down. As she wanted to punch him to finally get down he said something she never expected to ever hear from Natsu

“I love you Erza”

He was smiling so much that Erza thought that this smile was even outshining the sun. But the words he said... Was he serious? Are those words sincere? Does he mean it in a romantic way? He wouldn’t joke about something like this right?

“...” O_O

Erza fell silent. She couldn’t get any words out of her mouth. The only thing she knew right now is that she was overjoyed. She could feel a part of her heart happy and ecstatic that she didn’t even knew existed. At that moment, Erza realised that she never wanted to leave his side ever again.

The guild was still dumbdounded after watching Natsu carrying a blushing Erza out after confessing right in front of everyone.

“I- I am so damn proud of you flamehead. You go get her bro”. Gray had tears of joy and pride on his face. He was rooting for his brother walking down the path of adolescence. Needless to mention that Gray was still only wearing his underpants.

“Put on some clothes Gray!” Lucy demanded again. “But seriously I never thought that Natsu would be this straightforward. Was he on drugs or something?” Lucy questioned

‘I was scared for a bit but it seems like it really worked out in the end.’ Mirajane was happy that she had given Natsu the final push he needed to finally ask Erza out. ‘I am rooting for you two love birds’ Mira was in high moods after everything that happened

“Mira-nee?” Lisanna tried to get the attention of her older sister

“What is it~?” Mira answered still smiling

“Looks like Natsu took all the expensive meat you bought for the guild today” the younger Strauss sister explained a bit concerned

“...”

“Mira-nee?...” o:

‘I am so going to kill you Natsu’.. Ah, Mira is pissed again.