#on the carpet I see her shadow as she walks past

[milo-is-rambling]

Nothing like some light substance abuse to really make you feel like a child again

[caffeinewitchcraft]

Ghost Eater

Summary: You don't like exorcists. They don't much like you either.

-----

You’d always thought big restaurants like the Brownie Industry only did well in small, midwestern towns like the one you came from. A year working in LA has taught you that, no matter where you go, people will always love garlic bread and sugar.

It’s your day off which means you’re pulling a double shift. You haven’t had time to wash your hair for the past two weeks so it’s frizzing out of your claw clip and flying wild around your face. The lighting is so dim that you’ve tripped over two black purses already, luckily not while you’re running food. The big dining room sounds like an apiary with the tittering laughter of the later adult crowd that’s filtered in from the theater across the four lane road. The main difference between the Brownie Industry here and the one back home is size. The ceiling soars overhead, supported by a series of concrete pillars separating the dining area into three sections.

Normally it would be three servers per section. Today, it’s just you in yours.

One more hour. That’s what the manager promised you. It might even be true if the host stand quits seating you after the table you’re approaching.

There are three people at the table. A woman whose hair might be light blonde or gray in the light of day, her eyes light and piercing. Her face is soft from age, emphasized by the tight, lace collar of her off-season sweater. She reminds you strongly of your mom’s nemesis on the HOA board. The man couldn’t be more out of place next to her despite their equivalent age. He’s wearing a leather jacket – again, it’s not cold here – and a Norwegian metal shirt underneath. His hair is definitely white, so white it almost glows. He’s frowning at the teenager across the table as if she’s touched his motorcycle without permission.

The teenager might be the first you’ve seen all night who doesn’t have their phone out. She’s decked out in what you consider grandma florals – a t-shirt scattered with daisy chains, a bucket hat made out of nana’s carpet bag, and a hand-crocheted scarf in pastel.  You can’t really see her face under the shadow of her hat and there’s an odd, blurred quality to the way she fiddles with her napkin. You let your eyes skip past her and back to the two adults. Teenagers don’t pay the bill.

“Welcome to Brownie Industry!” you chirp. You’re sweaty and red but the faded yellow light hides that. You’re a service industry pro so none of your exhaustion shows on your face when you ask, “Is this your first-time dining with us?”

If you weren’t so burned out, you’d have noticed before you introduced yourself.

“Are you Grady?” the woman asks. Her voice is more posh than you expected even with her lace collar. “Grady Pace?”

Fuck. There’s a noticeable temperature differential now that you’re close to them. The restaurant is warm from the number of bodies, maybe even warmer than the summer air outside, but stepping up next to their table feels like walking into an ice rink.

“I’m your waitress,” you say. You don’t have time for this conversation. You’ve got five minutes in your cycle to take their order and then you’ve got food to run. “If you need any other services from me, I have a website.”

“We messaged you,” the man says. His lips thin to the point his thick mustache covers them entirely. “You never responded.”

Because you’ve been making more money at the Brownie Industry than your other job. “I’ll take a look at it tonight.”

“Wait,” the teenager says, sitting upright. She looks from you to the adults and back again. When she smiles, there’s no humor in it. “This is why we drove eight hours to have dinner at the Brownie Industry? For her?”

“Katie, be polite—”

“I’m sorry,” Katie says, “It’s just—I found a priest, you know? An actual exorcist priest and you guys want to trust a waitress over him?”

“Ugh exorcists,” you say. The memory of sour cabbage is so heavy on your tongue that you stick your tongue out in disgust. When you see Katie’s look, you backtrack. “Effective! Definitely effective.”

“Your mistakes have cost us too much already,” the man says, shaking a finger at her. “We are not converting just for an exorcism.”

“I normally don’t agree with your father,” the woman tells Katie, “but in this case I would like to leave conversion as a last resort.”

“We wouldn’t actually convert,” Katie says, rolling her eyes.

“Pretty sure exorcists can tell when you lie,” you tell Katie. When her scowl deepens, you clear your throat. “Did you all need another minute to think about the menu?”

“We need you to help us,” the dad says. He scrubs a hand over his face. “Look, I know you’re at work and I’m sorry we’re bothering you.”

“We’re desperate,” the mom says. She reaches for her purse. “We’ll pay you. Triple the rate on your website or even quadruple. We need that thing gone by tonight.”

Katie covers her face. “Mom. You’re embarrassing me. Terry isn’t that bad.”

“Oh, he’s bad, young lady,” the dad says sternly. “A bad influence.”

“We caught her trying to perform another séance yesterday,” the mom confesses to you. She leans forward with a pinched expression. “So Terry’s friend Larry could visit too.”

“Interesting,” you say. The food bell rings, but you think you can ignore it for another minute. You study Katie’s blush. “Why did you do that?”

If she was being compelled, she won’t have an answer to your question. You’ve dealt with a lot of ghosts in your time, but so few are sentient enough – or powerful enough – for compulsion.

“Go on,” the dad says, gesturing at you. “Tell her.”

“Leroy, she’s embarrassed enough,” the mom says.

“No, she’s not, Sarah.” The dad – Leroy – gestures to you again. “Tell her.”

Katie huffs, clearly resistant. But when her dad huffs back, she caves. “So,” she says, “I have this YouTube channel—”

“I’m off in an hour,” you interrupt. You don’t care that you’re being rude. Your patience ran out as soon as she said YouTube. “I’ll meet you in the parking lot.” You turn to go.

“A moment!” Sarah shakes out her menu. “How’s the nicoise salad?”

Of course they’re going to order. They’d better tip too if they want you to help them with their ghost problem.

----.

“You said an hour,” mom Sarah says when you leave out the employee entrance. She’s shivering next to her daughter. Leroy is off smoking behind his motorcycle, parked next to the Tesla Katie is leaning on, but he stubs out his cigarette on the asphalt when you walk up. “It’s been two.”

“I had side work,” you say instead of it would have been one if not for you. You rub your bare arms when the familiar ghost chill washes over you. You want nothing more than to go home and wash the scent of garlic and brownie batter out of your hair. “Was there something wrong with my service?”

“No?”

You try to make your voice light. “I see.”

Sarah frowns at your tone anyway. “Why?”

“You tipped five dollars.”

Katie jolts like a scalded cat. “Mom!”

Leroy scrubs a hand over his face. “Sarah…”

“What?” Sarah throws up her hands. The parking lot lights catch on her Swarovski charm bracelet. “I tipped!”

“Like ten percent,” Katie says. She pulls her bucket hat over her eyes for a beat and then peeks at you from under it. “I’m so sorry. It’s not you, she’s always like this.”

“It was actually a six percent tip,” you say. You’re getting a clearer picture of this little family now. It’s becoming more and more understandable why Katie might have started summoning ghosts. “If you want to be precise.”

Leroy reaches for his back pocket. “Let me.”

Sarah swats at his hand. “We’re about to pay her a lot more than that!”

“For a completely separate job,” Leroy says. He pulls a twenty from his wallet and hands it to you with a grimace. “Sorry, Grady, I should’ve checked.”

“You should’ve paid if you cared so much,” Sarah retorts. She folds her arms over her chest. She taps her cheek and widens her eyes. “Oh wait… you never pay.”

“Sure,” Leroy says. This time it’s his turn to throw his hands in the air. “Sure, Sarah. I don’t pay for anything to do with our daughter’s private school or her dance classes or her health insurance—”

“If the court hadn’t mandated—”

“You make twice as much as me—"

“Guys!” Katie says loudly. Her mouth is a thin line of upset when she says, “Argue about what an expensive burden I am later when we don’t have an audience, okay?”

Her parents speak at the same time.

“You’re twisting my words,” Sarah says. “I never said—"

“Sweetie, you’re not a burden—”

“Can you just get this ghost out of me?” Katie asks you. She goes for nonchalance and falls short. “My parents haven’t been in the same room for the last five years for a reason.” She fakes whispering. “They don’t play nicely with others.”

Sarah bristles. “Katie.”

“God, I know how that is,” you say. The whole interaction is giving you the worst case of sympathy for Katie. Before her parents can say anything else, you change the subject. “How long have you been haunted?”

“Six months,” Katie says. She fiddles with her bucket hat so that you can see her eyes for the first time. They’re brown, like her dad’s, and have heavy bruises underneath. She shrugs. “They only noticed a month ago though.”

“I noticed your behavior had changed,” Sarah defends. Like her daughter, she fidgets. She plays with her bracelet and clears her throat. “I thought it was a teenage thing.”

“What signs did you notice first?” you ask the parents. They glance at each other and then away.

“Let’s just say we noticed different things,” Leroy says dryly. He pulls out his phone.

“Moodiness,” Sarah says. She ticks them off on her fingers. “Laziness. Disrespect. Over-sleeping.”

“Those are just teenager things,” Katie says with an astounding level of self awareness. She shrugs. “I’m a senior now. They’re lucky it didn’t start sooner.”

“I,” Leroy says, “noticed this.” He turns his phone towards you.

“Ah,” Sarah says, “Yes. That.”

You examine the picture. It’s of Katie on a small dirt bike. She’s wearing a helmet in the picture, but you recognize the fashion sense in the floral boots she’s wearing. The scene behind her is of the hills, low scrub brush recognizable to someone who’s lived in LA for the past five years. On the bike behind her is a smudge. It could be a cloud of dirt blown into frame or maybe a camera glitch. It could be if it weren’t for the leering face emerging from the cloud right behind her head.

“I just want to say I did not agree to getting her a motorcycle,” Sarah says.

“Mom, not the point,” Katie says.

“Look how close that creep is to my daughter,” Leroy says. He jabs a finger at Katie’s waist in the photo where you can see a ghostly hand. “I want him gone.”

“Dad, he didn’t mean anything by it!” Katie turns to you earnestly. “Terry never rode a bike before and I thought, like, what if he moved on after he got a chance to? It was a philanthropic effort!”

“Plant a tree if you want to be a philanthropist,” Leroy growls. “I want this guy away from my daughter.”

“He doesn’t mean any harm really,” Katie says. “He would move on if he could! He says he’s stuck to me because of how I summoned him. He’s like, really sorry. He even spelled out Sorry in the bathroom mirror once.”

“What,” Sarah says in a dangerous voice, “was Terry doing in the bathroom with you, Katie?”

Katie splutters. “Mom, don’t be gross!”

The family descends into bickering. You have heard about ghosts being stuck to a person before, but usually that’s when the person has some sort of psychic powers. Katie’s wearing crystal in her ears, but they aren’t charged. She might develop some talent later in life, but right now she’s a normal girl.

The parking lost is nearly empty now. You recognize a few employee cars, but very few customers. The kitchen will be cleaning for another half hour before they’re ready to go home.  The reality is that, if Terry is stuck, you might not be the best way to handle the situation. If he’s not…

Well.

It’s time to talk to Terry.

Opening your ghost sense is hard to describe. Some psychics liken it to a third eye, right in the middle of their forehead. You’ve always thought that sounded really cool like maybe the world gets cast in a blue hue when they do it and the dead appear like they do in movies. You’ve met other psychics who say it’s like a sixth sense. They know where the ghost is and it’s like they download all that information until their minds can just sort of conjure their image.

For you, it’s like letting your body remember it has a second mouth. Cats have an extra sensory organ on the roof of their mouth that lets them detect scents better. Your second mouth is a bit like that. You can still smell brownies and garlic and the city air of LA, but you can also smell/taste something else.

Something like…pepper?

Your eyes water and you sneeze so viciously that your eyes close. When you open them again, four people are staring at you in surprise.

“Gesundheit,” Leroy says.

“You sneeze like Dad does,” Katie says.

“Did no one ever teach you to cover your mouth?” Sarah asks in disgust.

“I wish you would’ve sneezed on her,” Terry says, nodding to Sarah. “She’s such a bitch.”

“Thank you for the commentary, everyone,” you say. You wipe your nose with the collar of your shirt as you consider Terry. It’s dirty anyway. “Terry. Interesting name for a ghost.”

Terry hasn’t noticed that you can see him yet. He’s floating behind Katie, one arm casually flung over her shoulder. It’s hard to place when he died based on his appearance alone. His hair is chin length, emphasizing the width of his jaw. Squire cuts have been popular for several decades and the bowling shirt he’s wearing could either be a modern fashion statement or a dated uniform. He looks to be in his mid-twenties, sun-kissed and with the air of someone who tells a lot of jokes at the expense of others. His arm around Katie strikes you as possessive, the glare he gives her parents venomous.

“I didn’t name him,” Katie says. “He said it’s short of Torrance.”

You blink. “Wouldn’t he be Torri then?”

“That’s a girl’s name,” Katie and Terry say at the same time. Their cadence is so close that it actually sounds like Terry’s baritone comes out of Katie’s mouth. For a moment, his arm flickers, clipping into her shoulder like a bad animation. When it does, Terry’s form grows brighter, more solid. Then Katie shivers and he’s forced out of her.

You and Terry click your tongues at the same time.

You remember how Katie’s hands seemed to blur at the dinner table. Terry’s not just haunting Katie. He’s trying to possess her. You wonder if that’s why Katie looked up an exorcist rather than a simple spiritual cleansing. Did she know how much danger she was in?

“Okay,” you say. You tear your attention away from Katie and Terry for a moment. Business first. “Sarah. Leroy. Who was it that found my site?”

“I did,” Sarah says. She raises her chin when you can’t hide your surprise. “When Katie was looking up exorcists—”

“She didn’t mean it,” Terry says. He pats Katie’s hat. “Right?”

“—I looked up alternative solutions,” Sarah says, not having heard Terry. Her confidence falters for a moment and she rubs her arm. “I have had some… negative experiences with exorcisms. I don’t want my daughter to go through that.”

Katie’s head whips towards her mother. “What? I didn’t know that.”

“It was a long time ago,” Leroy says. For the first time, he reaches out and hugs Sarah with one arm. You don’t know what surprises you more; Leroy hugging Sarah or Sarah leaning into his side. “When Sarah told me, we decided to put our differences aside. I vetted you through some of my contacts and they all agreed you’d be a safe bet.”

“I am,” you say. You’re not bragging either. You’re probably the safest bet in half the western states besides your older sister. “There are some…peculiarities in my method.”

“Charlatan,” Terry whispers in Katie’s ear. He’s grinning now. “Only charlatans are that confident. Look! She can’t even see me!”

Katie looks doubtful.

Usually, you’d try to talk to Terry at this point. Sometimes spirits can be negotiated with. They can be encouraged to move on or to take on a less aggressive form of haunting. Those that are truly stuck can be helped with the right sort of ritual work. But the way Terry’s affecting Katie’s mood and that fucking arm around her shoulders…

You don’t really want to talk to Terry.

“We can ask Terry to move on,” you tell the family.

“Nooooooo,” Terry says and flips you off. “Pass!”

“Sometimes spirits don’t realize how deeply they’re affecting their hosts,” you say.

“You don’t even know how deep I’m about to be,” Terry jeers at you.

“Many ghosts are confused when they’re called to interact with the living,” you say. “It can blur their understanding of death and, as a result, they cling to life. If they stick around long enough, their presence will affect the living like what’s happening to Katie. It’s not always malicious. It can be a symptom of that confusion.”

“Katie, tell her to piss off,” Terry hisses in the teen’s ear. “I’m not confused, I’m bored.” His voice deepens. “Tell her we don’t need her help. Tell her we’re going home.”

Katie opens her mouth robotically. “That’s…” Her brow creases as she tries to figure out what she was going to say. “It seems like we don’t need help then. Terry will move on when he’s ready, like I thought.”

“We aren’t paying you for a ghost therapy session,” Sarah snaps. It’s only because you’re really focusing that you can see the unease under her anger. She’s noticed something wrong with Katie. “Katie, Terry is going away today.”

“Fuck you,” Terry says.

“Fuck you,” Katie says.

Leroy’s head rears back. “Katie, you don’t use that language with your mother!”

“Fuck you too,” Katie and Terry say. The parking lot lights flicker.

“No, fuck you, Terry,” you say, stepping between Katie and her parents. Leroy starts like he’s going to pull you out of the way, but he doesn’t.

“Terry?” Leroy asks. He looks scared. “Terry said that? Is Terry possessing my daughter?”

“Not yet.” You eye Terry’s arm and the way his fingers are sinking into Katie’s arm.

“Oh fuck,” Terry says. He doesn’t look scared. Not yet. Instead, he grins. “You can see me.”

“Not every ghost is malicious,” you tell the parents without taking your eyes off Terry. “But some are.”

“I’m not malicious.” Terry runs a hand through his hair, still grinning. The parking lot lights flicker overhead again. “I care about Katie a lot.”

“Terry’s never hurt me,” Katie says.

You ignore her. She’s not even shaking Terry off now. Her gaze is dull on your face when you say, “I don’t mean to sound like I’m some sort of ghost therapist. However, it’s important to differentiate between malicious and non-malicious hauntings in my practice. My methods are unconventional and, if used indiscriminately, I can get in a lot of trouble.”

“We won’t tell anyone,” Leroy says. He steps into your periphery. His gaze flicks from you to the spot you’re staring at over Katie’s shoulder. “We want Terry gone.”

“Not a soul,” Sarah promises. She comes up on your other side. “Please help our daughter.”

“Terry,” you say. Your second mouth is yawning wide somewhere in the back of your brain. The taste of pepper isn’t as overwhelming now. “Last chance. Renounce your claim on Katie’s soul and slither back into whatever hole you came out of.”

“We’re soulmates,” Terry says. He bares his teeth at you. “Go on, Charlatan. Call on your God to banish me. I’ve been around for decades and no exorcist has ever been able to put a scratch on me. And when they manage to push me out?” He laughs and the temperature drops another ten degrees. An unholy light flickers in his eyes. “I just come right back.”

“Then I guess I won’t feel guilty,” you say.

“Guilty?” Katie asks.

You walk forward two steps and grab Terry’s face. Terry’s skin is soft and jelly-like. His facial bones undulate like rubber under your grip. “Hi, Terry.”

Now Terry’s afraid. “What the fuck, you can touch—?”

“Bye, Terry.” You drag him towards you. His fingers pop out of Katie’s arm with a wet sucking sound, and he claws at your wrist.

“Wait! Waitwaitwaitwait--”

You eat Terry.

People come from all around to eat at the Brownie Industry. They love the density of the desserts and the heaps of garlic spread over home-baked (shipped frozen) rolls. It’s a treat to know you’re always going to enjoy the meal even if you’re far from home or eating at the same location a hundred times. It’s consistency, sugar and butter. An easy addiction to have.

Eating ghosts is like that for you. They fizz in your second mouth like champagne and melt like fudge. It’s hard to describe and the ephemeral quality of it sends shivers down your spine. Somewhere Terry is screaming in anguish, maybe crying. You think that the family you’re helping is screaming something too, but the sensation of eating is so consuming you can’t hear the words.

Terry is younger than other ghosts you’ve eaten. He doesn’t have the depth of flavor you’d once been addicted to back in Illinois. The best ghost you’ve ever eaten had been like a six-course meal with all the centuries she’d been carrying. In comparison, Terry is like a bag of pepper chips. Interesting, but gone in a moment. Still, he hits the spot.

When you’re done, you burp a purple cloud of ectoplasm into the still night air.

Leroy is the first to speak. His eyes are so wide you can see the whites all around them. “Pay her, Sarah,” he says breathlessly. His hands shake as he reaches for Katie, steadying her on her feet. “Now.”

You smack your lips and graciously accept the wad of cash Sarah hands you. You raise your eyebrows. “This is more than three times my rate.”

“Consider it a tip,” Sarah says. She’s more composed than Leroy, but still pale. She studies you. “That was…revolting.”

“You didn’t have to watch,” you say. You put your money away and then perk up at a sudden thought. “Hey, if you can, can you leave me a review on my site?”

“I thought you didn’t want us to tell anyone?”

You wave your hand. “Secrets are bad for business. Besides, Terry deserved it. I’m sure they’ll understand if you write that in your review.”

“They…?”

You smile and don’t answer.

The family don’t ask many more questions after that. The parents promise to leave a review and Katie just stares at you as if concussed. You assure the parents that she’ll be back to normal as soon as the soul-shock wears off. 

“And if it doesn’t?” Sarah asks.

“Message me,” you say.

“You don’t check your messages,” Leroy says.

“Oh,” you say, patting your stomach, “I’ll be checking them a lot more often now.”

You’re hungry again.

---

(Patreon)

[wileys-russo]

in the shadows II a.putellas x sister!reader

based around this request here - haven't decided if i like or hate this yet? but here we go! in the shadows II a.putellas x sister!reader

"mija! can you get the door please?" you heard your mami yell out from the kitchen as the knocking first sounded. "why? they have keys." you called back, quite invested in the latest episode of your favourite drama.

"just get it por favor!" you rolled your eyes and flicked the tv off, hauling yourself off the sofa you'd been lazing out on with a grunt and a stretch.

"vale! i'm coming jesus christ." you groaned as the knocking continued, pulling the door open with a deep seeded scowl of annoyance.

"i hope the wind changes and you are stuck like this, permanently ugly." alba teased, pinching your cheek and pushing past you making a beeline for the kitchen.

"alba!" your eldest sister huffed, being left with all of their luggage as you rolled your eyes. "gracias pequeña." alexia sighed as you helped her bring everything inside, kissing your head and pulling you into a hug. "hola." you mumbled into her shoulder as she echoed back the greeting.

"alexia!" you groaned as you tried to pull away only for her to hold on tighter. "no i never get to see you anymore, i am making up for lost time." your sister stated firmly as she started to walk toward the kitchen causing you to stumble as you were still held captive in her arms.

"you are so needy, i saw you like two weeks ago!" you struggled in her grip, truly no match for her strength. "you once used to love and appreciate me, worshipping the ground I walked on and following me everywhere always wanting me around, i remember those days." alexia sighed dramatically, gently smacking your cheek with her hand.

"get off!" you huffed, eventually pushing her away only to be pulled backwards into yet another hug. "are we sure she is not adopted mami?" alba asked, wrapping your arms around you as if you were wearing a straight jacket and holding them firmly behind your back as you wriggled to break free.

"sí she hates affection, like an alien." alexia joined in with a smug grin as you tried to kick and hit your sisters shins. "how do you have a girlfriend? so miserable and angry all the time, maybe we should give her a medal for putting up with you." alba teased, kissing your cheek as you huffed and struggled to break out of her grip, a head shorter than her.

"she still cannot get free, so cute." alexia joined in, cooing and pinching your cheek as your teeth snapped at her. "oh the biting phase is back, watch out." alba grinned as your legs lashed out wildly trying to connect with either one of them.

"i'm only like this around the two of you because you never leave me alone!" you grunted, bucking and kicking hopelessly much to the amusement of your older sisters who had always found pleasure in teasing and picking on you.

thats not to say they would ever allow anyone else to push you around though, that role firmly occupied only by them and they'd been fiercely protective of you your entire life in every other aspect.

"vamos, let your sister be." eli waved to the two of them with a disapproving look. you were let go and immediately launched at whoever was closest which in this case was alba, chasing her into the living room.

"do not break anything!" eli yelled out as a war cry was heard and something crashed to the ground, thumps and grunts echoing as the two of you rolled around wrestling like children on the living room carpet.

now a few days before christmas you were all due to spend the holidays together, cramming back into your family home which always lead to some sort of squabble between the three of you when you were forced to live on top of one another for the week.

"go make sure they do not kill each other please." your mami sighed a few moments later when you and alba were yet to return, alexia pushing herself up and setting off to find wherever the two of you had dissapeared to.

your relationship with both of your older sisters despite the teasing and the age gap was always incredibly close, and had only seemed to get better now none of you lived together anymore, alexia busy with her football career, alba with her job and you with law school.

well, you used to be.

"-no you need to tell her. we cannot keep this up forever!" alexia paused by alba's bedroom door which was slightly ajar, frowning at the hushed voices coming from inside.

"not forever! just not over the holidays, you know mami is already stressed with everyone coming over and she always sends herself sick and crazy preparing and cooking and cleaning. its not the right time alba!" you whispered back with a firm shake of your head.

"when will be the right time? you have made excuses for weeks now and you are making me lie because you're living with me instead of at school. someone will find out and then i get in trouble for not telling anyone you dropped out!" alba warned sternly as alexia's eyes widened and you both jumped as the door flew open.

"you dropped out of law school?" you withered under the piercingly sharp glare of your eldest sister as alba hurried to close the door again.

"ale-" you started but fell silent at yet another angry look flung your way. "when? do not lie to me." your sister warned firmly as alba sat back on the bed with you.

"five months ago." you answered honestly, even alba's eyes now bugging out of her head and she smacked your arm. "joder! you told me three weeks ago. where the hell were you living?" she scolded, both their gazes burning into you.

"with mariana." you again answered honestly. "oh when i get my hands on that girl. she should have known better than to let you drop out, i bet she encouraged it!" alexia scoffed shaking her head.

"yeah well you won't need to worry about seeing her again to kill her because we broke up." you mumbled, gaze dropping to the floor as you picked at a loose thread on your shorts, the ripped denim edges now suddenly the most interesting thing in the room.

"oh great! so you drop out of school, move in with your girlfriend, your girlfriend breaks up you and then you move in with alba and make her lie to everyone." alexia laughed but it was a bitter noise which stuck in the back of her throat, your eyes snapping up toward her.

"why do you assume she broke up with me?" you asked, voice barely above a whisper as alexia failed to hear but alba didn't, her frown melting from one of anger to concern.

"ale." alba warned quietly, catching the new look you were sporting as your fists balled by your side. "no! you do not get to defend her and coddle her alba. everyone makes excuses for her!" your eldest sister warned sending the brunette beside you quiet, but it didn't stop her hand from finding yours, gently forcing it out of a fist and squeezing it supportively.

"you are always going on about how everyone treats you like a baby. well look at how you act!" alexia gestured wildly with her hands.

"you're supposed to be smart. to study and learn and finish school, then get a great job, help people and help make change like you wanted to. you have so much potential hermanita why would you just throw that all away? do you not care about your life? your future? a career?" alexia lectured, voice growing louder as your eyes flickered nervously toward the door aware your mami was only a few feet away in the kitchen.

"alexia i-" you tried to answer her questions but it would appear they were rhetorical as she held up a finger silencing you. "you are going back to school. do you know how much even a year costs? no you don't because you didn't pay for it! and you promised me." alexia hit you where it really hurt as your face crumpled.

when you'd first floated the thought of law school it had been on the floor of her apartment, the three of you laid down on the floor the night she moved in testing out the new white shaggy rug alexia had insisted on buying for the place she'd bought after she signed a new contract with barca.

you hadn't finished high school yet but you hardly needed to try, you'd always been smart, book smart anyway, and you passed through school with ease. much to the infuriation of your friends who spent hours and hours studying for tests you'd finish a half hour early and that was after you'd already gone through all your answers twice to double check.

"how many years is law school?" you'd asked suddenly, both your sisters sending you a perplexed look as you rolled your eyes and snatched alba's phone, your own out of reach on the counter as you googled your question.

"why?" alexia pushed herself into a sitting position to look down at you as alba grabbed her phone back and flicked your ear for taking it.

"just thinking." you shrugged, moving your hands behind your head. "about going to law school?" alba had asked now as again you shrugged.

"maybe. oh! can get we get sushi for dinner?"

for the weeks that followed that night you continued to do your own research, hauled up in your room reading through the different kinds of law, lengths of study, different schools, but all of that came screeching to a halt when you'd looked at the cost.

though you'd tried to keep it to yourself there wasn't much you could get past alexia. alba was much easier to lie to or manipulate as you needed but your eldest sister seemed to have been born with a built in lie detector.

which was part of the reason you'd avoided her so much these last few months for fear of her finding out you weren't in school anymore.

but it was just after you'd graduated when of course the questions started. what would you do now, where did you see yourself in a few years time, what were your goals for the future? and all accompanied by the growing pressure of your families boasting that you were so smart you could go anywhere and do anything.

only, you couldn't do the one thing you actually thought you might be good at.

you'd applied for a scholarship without telling anyone, a last final hope that maybe you could make something work. but when you got the letter back in the mail informing it had gone to a different applicant you'd abandoned the thought all together.

but of course there was one person who saw right through your attempts to evade the questions and the compliments, alexia.

you'd all just finished having dinner after your graduation ceremony, the table of your family and friends loud and rowdy all drinking to celebrate you as you watched on with a smile, your eldest sister knocking her knee against yours.

nodding for you to step outside with her you'd followed, the two of you slipping away to the balcony of the restaurant which given the late hour of night was a lot quieter as you exhaled and relished in the momentary peace.

"so, law school." alexia had started, catching you off guard as the walls you'd had up all night when it came to the questions of your future faltered for a moment. "the scholarship did not go through." again, she was right on target.

"how did you know i even-" you frowned and shook your head in bewilderment as she only shrugged, refusing to disclose an answer. "its the cost nena, sí?" alexia spoke, softer now as you hesitated before nodding and exhaling, the walls tumbling down.

"you have to pay for the first year up front. then the next two years you are put onto a program where you do not pay until you graduate and start to work. like a debt! it gets paid off overtime with interest. but that first year alone, it is too much." you admitted with a shake of your head as alexia only hummed.

"please don't tell mami. she would do something stupid like sell the car or mortgage the house again for a loan, she has already given up so much for us." you pleaded quietly, eyes baring into hers as the taller girl looked away.

"ale please! i am already looking into other scholarships for other courses, other schools, other options." you begged, which wasn't a lie. "no." your sister replied simply as you deflated, looking upwards with a deep sigh.

giving up on the conversation you stood from your chair to head back inside, intending to enjoy one last night of peace before alexia would force you to come clean to your family.

"ay hermanita." your sisters hand grabbed your wrist, nodding for you to sit back down. "no, you will go to law school." alexia corrected as you took your seat, sending her a frown. "ale i already said-" her hand silenced you.

"i will pay for the first year." alexia stated firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument though you were never one to listen to her. "no you will not!" you scoffed, again trying to stand and leave but she tugged you back to your seat.

"alexia." you sighed deeply as her hands found yours and forced you to look at her. "hermana, you are so smart. smarter than me, than alba, than most people i know! you have so much potential it is a waste for you not to use your mind to learn and to do good because of something like money." your sister spoke kindly but firmly, eyes locked with yours.

"you are not going to drop this, are you?" you asked, lips hinting at a smile. "no, you know me better than that." alexia smiled smugly, dropping your hands to pull you into a tight hug. "and you really need school if you cannot even win an argument with me. some lawyer!" alexia teased softly.

"i don't even know what to say ale." you exhaled shakily as your sister kissed your forehead, lips lingering there.

"start with a thank you hermana. we can call it your birthday and christmas present for the next...ten years." alexia mumbled against your skin as your body vibrated with laughter against hers. "thank you, thank you so much."

"but pequeña promise me you will make the most of it. that you will go and you will learn and do great things, greater than any of us." alexia stared down at you as you nodded, promising her with a smile.

the moment was interrupted by alba bursting outside as you broke apart, slinging her arms around both of you with a cheer and a lopsided grin.

"vamos hermanas! time for shots."

"that is not fair alexia. i never asked you to pay." you spoke up again, standing to your feet with a frown as alexia scoffed. "you might not have asked but you also did not do much to fight me on it, did you?" alexia bit back, squaring up and taking a step forward as you refused to back down.

"are you even going to let me speak? or just talk at me, after all i know how much you love the sound of your own voice capitana." you spat, tone now laced with venom.

"vale! i think we should all just take some time and some space to calm down before we continue." alba stepped in, trying to push her way between the two of you sensing it was bordering on ugly.

"and how could you let this happen! you kept her little secret and you did nothing to try and change her mind?" alexia instead turned her anger on her other younger sister who pulled a face.

"alexia you have not even heard her out for five minutes. i have had three weeks of conversations with her hermana, you are not being fair." alba defended you, having reacted similarly when you'd first come to her and realizing her mistake once you explained yourself.

"fair! whats not fair is her giving up the moment something gets hard. you found school easy but not everything will be easy for you! that is what being an adult is, if you want to be treated like one." alexia attempted to push her way past alba who held firm despite being the shorter of the two.

"ale that is enough. walk away, calm down and hear her out afterwards." alba spoke calmly again, though you knew both of them well enough to see she was near to meeting alexia at the same level of anger.

"no! i have never been so disappointed in you, ever. i thought i was investing in you and your potential but if you are so happy to throw it away and drop out of school? fine! but what a waste it was then." alexia spat, glowering at you as hurt flashed across your face.

"you dropped out of school?" all three of your heads whipped to the door which was now open again, your mami standing there with a face like thunder as you shrunk, wishing a sinkhole would form and swallow you up.

"mami-" you started as alba and alexia stepped away from one another, all the anger which had once radiated around the room sucked out in a second.

"no. come!" she pointed for you to step outside as your body deflated and you made your way out of alba's room, the older girl moving to follow but eli held up her hand again.

"you two stay here, fix this." she ordered, gesturing between them before pulling the door closed as her footsteps sounded in the distance. a pause of silence passed where you could have heard a pin drop, before the sound of eli's yelling echoed through the house and both alexia and alba winced at the harsh catalan bouncing from wall to wall.

neither girl spoke a word sat side by side on alba's bed as they listened in to the entire lecture, not hearing you even say a single word back before a door was heard slamming and there was silence again.

sharing a look both older girls left the room, finding your mami dishing up lunch. "eat please." the woman instructed calmly as they both sat down at the table. "where is she?" alba spoke first as eli took her own seat.

"your sister went for a walk." the woman answered curtly, anger still present in her voice as alexia remained quiet, picking at her food and ignoring the looks sent her way by her sister across the table.

lunch being painfully awkward the silence was broken by the sound of the door opening again as you stepped inside, alba the only one to look toward you and noticing your red and puffy eyes where you'd clearly been crying.

"mami." you tried, the woman ignoring you as she continued to eat. "mami por favor, can we just talk about this?" you requested softly, voice dangerously close to breaking.

"mami please, at least look at me." you all but begged, voice cracking as alba tore her own eyes away unable to watch as yours filled up again with tears.

but when again you received nothing in return you deflated even further, shoulders slumping as you dropped your keys on the counter and silently made your way to your childhood room, door closing with a gentle click.

"mami." alba frowned, the woman pushing her chair back with a scrape, collecting their empty plates and wordlessly walking to the kitchen.

"mierda!" alexia swore as suddenly alba kicked her under the table with a glare. "puta." the older girl spat back rubbing her shin which started to throb. "this is all your fault, big mouth." alba huffed, pushing back her own chair and heading for your room.

but as hours passed she was unsuccessful in trying to coax you out or to let her in, your door remaining locked and the entire family on edge, a frosty silence falling throughout the normally bright and joyous home.

alexia seemed unfazed, laying on the lounge watching the barca men play, arms crossed and a placid look on her face. "ale!" she looked up at the call of her name. "i'm going to the store mija." eli informed as her daughter nodded, the older woman out the door before she could even blink.

"what?" alexia sighed as alba appeared again, blocking her view of the tv with arms crossed. "you know what." her younger sister retorted. "how is this my fault? she is the one who made all the mistakes, mami was going to find out eventually anyway!" alexia defended herself as alba rolled her eyes and grabbed the remote, flicking off the tv.

"alba!" "alexia!" her sister mocked in the same tone, taking a seat beside her. "well if you won't hear her out, i will talk." and with that she spent the next ten minutes explaining everything alexia had failed to hear from you, the blondes stony features softening.

"oh." was all she managed to get out. "oh!" alba repeated sarcastically, shoving the older girl.

"see? now do you see why this is your fault? you didn't give her a chance to speak and you did not see her when she came home before ale, you did not see her break when mami ignored her." alba shook her head.

"you need to fix it. and today! we cannot be like this over the holidays." alba warned as alexia nodded in agreement, at a slight loss for words for once.

when again alba was met with silence as she knocked gently and called out your name, alexia took over and opened your door using a butter knife to easily pick the lock. but when the door popped open, they were only met with an empty room and an open window.

"i know where she will be."

~

"alba leave me be por favor i am not in the mood." you warned with a sigh, hearing the footsteps approach you from behind. your body tensed as they stopped beside you, the taller girl taking a seat on the sand but taking caution to leave a reasonable gap between the two of you.

"no way." you scoffed quietly, moving to stand and walk away before alexia grabbed your wrist. "please. i am not here to argue or to yell, just to listen." the blonde promised softly as you tugged your hand free and gave her a cautious look.

"i promise hermana."

not finding the same burning anger from before present in her eyes you took a seat again, scooting a little further away and tucking your knees to your chest as the wind picked up a little.

"did you pick the lock?" you broke the silence first, refusing to look at her as your eyes remained locked on the horizon. "sí. did alba show you how to sneak out?" alexia asked, also staring out at the water with a slight smile.

"years ago." you answered, having been caught once by alba when you were trying to get out the front door to go to a party she for once had taken pity on you, showing you how to safely climb down the side of the house and out the back gate when you were just fifteen.

granted she did also use that particular instance to blackmail you into doing her laundry for a week, so really pity may have been the wrong word to use.

"good, i showed her first." alexia smiled properly now, pulling her hood over her head in an attempt to block out the wind whistling sharply through her ears.

"so. alba told you?" you again broke the silence which fell, eyes dropping to the ground as you traced patterns in the sand with your fingers. "i would like to hear it from you." alexia spoke, her stomach knotting up at the memory of the harsh words she'd slung at you hours ago.

"you weren't completely wrong, school was hard, really hard." you started with a sigh and a frown, focused on the sand beneath your fingertips. "none of my friends are studying, they all chose to take gap years and travel, together." your tone shifted, a slight bitterness to it.

"leaving you behind." alexia spoke softly, glancing toward you as you nodded. "i just-" you started, clearly struggling to get your words out. "i don't not like school, its hard but i want to be a lawyer, i think." you continued, shaking the sand off your hand.

"all of my teachers speak about how much of a commitment law is once you are licensed to practice and once you start in a firm." you looked back out to the ocean, well aware of your sisters eyes boring into the side of your head.

"i have to do two hundred hours of placement minimum, a hundred hours each year after the first. and i just...i am only twenty one alexia, i like learning about law but i do not want to be a lawyer right now." you admitted, chin resting on your knees as you fingers picked at your shoe laces.

"so you dropped out." alexia had only already put the pieces together but wanted you to know she was listening. "yes. but they hold my place in the course for a year, that is the bit that nobody ever lets me explain." you murmured, voice barely above a whisper and almost snatched away in the wind.

"oh pequeña, i should have let you speak." alexia mumbled, guilt wracking her body as you hummed. "i am so so sorry hermana you were right not to tell me, i just messed everything up." alexia sighed deeply, rubbing her face tiredly.

"yes you did. mami won't even look at me!" you puffed air from your nose, stabbing the sand angrily with your finger. "we can fix that, i will fix this." alexia promised, taking her chances as she moved to be right by your side, relieved when you did not make an attempt to move.

"i have a job you know? thats what i've been doing since i left, just working and saving." you confessed, still stabbing at the sand and refusing to look at your sister.

"i work reception at a dental clinic, not far from your apartment actually." you chuckled a little at that though you were never too worried about running into her. you knew her training schedule too well and the chances of the alexia putellas stepping foot in a public dental clinic was slim to none.

"i am going to save up enough to pay you back, it will take time but i will pay it back, all of it." your face hardened again which didn't go unnoticed by your sister who frowned. "pequeña-" she started, a hand coming to sit on your knee which you pushed away.

"no, you cannot change my mind. i am not having you hold it over me for the rest of my life alexia. i wish i had never said yes!" you warned, finally meeting her eyes though it broke your sisters heart to see the obvious pain and trouble swirling behind them.

"hey i wont-" "you already did alexia. or have you gotten so old you fail to remember conversations a few hours ago? if you can even call yelling at me a conversation." you reminded sharply, frown set back into your face as you shuffled away from her slightly.

"i am not old." was all she retorted back in offence, causing a small snicker to escape from you as your features softened slightly. "you're basically thirty, that is halfway to sixty." you mumbled, hint of a smile on your lips which dissapeared as quickly as it formed.

"i am twenty nine." her arm stretched out to shove you lightly, eyes on the horizon and a smile on her lips. "still old, should be in a museum." your own arm shoved her back, sharing a quick glance of amusement momentarily.

"know what will be in the museums? all of my trophies." she smirked as you rolled your eyes. "they will need to pry them from mami's cold dead fingers first, or get to them before alba sells them all on ebay." you joked, the frostiness from before beginning to melt slightly.

"i should make a list, she really will sell them." alexia sighed with a shake of her head. "probably already has, or some of your smelly boots and match shirts." you smiled, your sister shaking her head beside you.

"i do not want you to pay me back hermanita." the conversation shifted as you now sighed. "ale-" you tried but she cut you off. "no. at least not yet, if you really want to i cannot stop you. if you decide to go back and you become a big fancy lawyer we can talk about it then, but promise me you will not use your savings from the last few months." alexia warned firmly, your head turning to look at her.

"promise me." she repeated, holding out her pinky. "really?" you gave her a look. "sí, unbroken agreement." she wiggled her finger as you sighed and gave in, locking your own with hers as you both leaned in to kiss your hands.

"i really am so sorry pequeña. i said some very nasty things, i did not mean them but i still said them and that wasn't okay. but i love you very much and i did mean it when i said you are smart, so so smart." alexia again moved closer as you kept her gaze.

"but your life should be yours to do with it what you want, and if that is not law that is okay. you could do anything! the world is yours if you want to take it." alexia smiled sincerely which you finally returned, settling her anxiety.

"i think i am going to travel for a little bit, see more of the world." you spoke up, alexia nodding as you both looked back out to the ocean, your head falling to her shoulder. "you should, it is beautiful. so long as you come home afterwards!" she nudged you with a grin.

"maybe, i might fall in love with the world and never want to come back!" you teased as your sister scoffed. "there isn't a corner of the world where you could hide from me hermanita." she threatened playfully, a gentle hint of insecurity in her voice.

"i would always come home. i'd miss alba too much!" you shrugged, alexia pushing you with a glare. "what? we had all those years at home together when you were off playing football to bond, you're second on the list now, maybe even third if we're including mapi." you grinned, your sister pulling you into a headlock.

"i am always number one, i even have it on a trophy!" alexia reminded with a smirk as you struggled to pull away. "i was six when i gave that to you!" you protested, flinching as her fingers dug into your ribs eliciting a loud laugh to fall from your lips.

"you used to follow me around everywhere, my little shadow." the blonde smiled fondly and let you up as you huffed and fixed your hair.

"i didn't know any better!" your eyes rolled as you halfheartedly punched her shoulder. "and besides you hated it! you used to always tell me off and yell at me to go away." you chuckled at the memory.

"now its you yelling that at me, full circle." alexia mocked, pinching your cheek and draping her arm over your shoulder pulling you into her side, a comfortable silence falling once more as you both watched the waves crash.

"do you remember when you tried to drown me here?" you spoke up, a smirk ghosting your lips. "i did not try to drown you!" the older girl protested sending you a glare.

"you dragged me out past the waves and threw me in, before i knew how to swim!" "sí, and what happened? you learned to swim, you are welcome." "that was not a thank you."

"so what happened with mariana?" alexia questioned curiously. "nothing." you shrugged lightly, the look of disbelief having you roll your eyes.

"if she cheated or she hurt you or she left you or anything, i will take mapi and we will take a baseball bat and we will-" alexia started to explain as you pushed her hands down where she had started to demonstrate just what the baseball bat was for.

"no! nothing like that. when i moved in with her after leaving school things just sort of...fizzled. i think we just saw too much of each other and we decided we were better off as friends, we still talk sometimes but not very much." you confessed honestly as alexia pulled you into another hug, kissing the crown of your head.

"vamos pequeña we should head back. i need to speak with mami, i will fix my mistake." alexia promised as she pushed herself to her feet, holding out a hand to help you up.

"alexia!" you huffed as she started to pull you up but let go, sending your body tumbling ass first into the sand with a grunt. "you always fall for that." your older sister snickered, turning and starting to walk away.

"puta." you mumbled under your breath, standing up and brushing off the loose sand before catching up to her. "never gets old." alexia sighed happily sending you a smirk as you shoved her, the two of you falling into step.

"know what is old though? you." "joder, i am only twenty nine!"

[danikamariewrites]

i took a look at my room and started fantasizing ab azriel as usual. And it got me thinking ab his room aesthetic blended w his mate who is super girly. Like pink covers, satin pillows, baby pink everything. And imagine az with a mate who moves into his room and starts to bring in her own stuff, and he one day walks in and his dark room has pink bedsheets with the cutest stuffed animals. And to the right side of his bed are the weapons he uses to kill enemies. Like the sudden change in aesthetics is comical. He doesn’t even mind he just loves it, he’d ofc never let anyone else in his room, but his mate? yeah she can do whateverrr she wants in here. Could I please request this? Maybe the ic walk past his room and sees pink cutesy girly stuff and their jaw drop

Combined Aesthetics

Azriel x reader

A/n: I think this is so adorable. He would love the pink and all your stuff in his room and have heart eyes every time he sees you sitting on the bed that’s now the bed you share 😍

Warnings: none

You and Azriel have two very different aesthetics as you lovingly pointed out at the start of your relationship. While he gravitated more towards darker and minimal decor you preferred colorful and cozy.

At the start of your relationship Azriel mostly stayed the night at your apartment. He said he was comfortable there, plus he liked all your little knick knacks and decor. Your place felt like home to him. It’s a safe space for him and he feels at peace with you. A warm feeling always rising in his chest when his with you.

Even though his home is with the IC and his permanent room is at the River House with everyone else he can’t help but think of you as home. The first time you stayed the night in his room was when you met the IC. Azriel invited you over to finally meet his family who you became instant friends with which made Azriel very happy to see his two worlds no longer be separated.

Cassian grilled you immediately about your relationship of course. You joke back and forth with him and Rhys making Azriel smile. You and Nesta clicked instantly as well. And you were planning on spending time with each of them already. And of course Nyx stole your heart. The little boy clung to you instantly, wanting you to play with him all night.

Once dessert wound down the two of you headed up to his room. Azriel stopped outside the door gripping the handle so hard his knuckles turned white. You rest your hand on his to get his attention. Az looks at you like he forgot you were there for a second.

He felt like a teenager bringing a female to his bedroom for the first time and mother above did it feel nerve wracking. Az wasn’t nervous for you to stay the night. Truthfully he was embarrassed by how bare and dark his room is compared to yours.

“Hey, you ok baby?” He nods, “Yeah it’s just…I want you to feel at home here.” You sweetly smile up at your boyfriend. “Of course I will Azzy. It’s your room how could I not?” He nods stiffly and pushes the door open. You walk in first, Az follows and turns on the lights.

You stop to take in your new surroundings. Your heart broke at how empty his room is. You knew Azriel was minimal about how much space he takes up, but even in his own room? His personal space? It felt a little cold like his shadows.

The floor was wood, no carpet anywhere. Just a large velvet arm chair and foot rest by the fireplace. A simple clock on the mantle. Thick black curtains cover the floor to ceiling windows and balcony doors. His bed was simple. A black duvet with two pillows resting against the headboard. You were positive that if you pulled the cover back you’d find black sheets as well.

Tears pricked your eyes. You know the reason why too. Which broke your heart even more. It was the same reason why it took you months to convince him to have a section of your closet and a drawer in your dresser. Azriel never wanted to be a burden and take up too much space.

It had been minutes since you moved. Azriel was starting to get concerned. He turned you by your shoulders, instantly becoming concerned by your tears. You answer the heartbreaking look on his face with your own question, your voice coming out small, “why don’t you have anything?”

Azriel just shrugged. You pulled him into a tight loving embrace. Az rubs small circles on your back. “It’s ok love. I have enough. I don’t need material things, not when I have you.” He gently brushes the pad of his thumb across your cheek to wipe away your tears.

You nod giving him a small smile. “I love you so much Az.” “I love you too sweetheart.” He kisses the top of your head, leading you to bed.

——

A year later Azriel asked if you would move in with him. The mating bond had snapped and been accepted and he couldn’t handle the distance from you. Besides, you wanted out of your tiny apartment. This was just a stepping stone until you got a house for yourselves.

“Make yourself at home love. This is your room too, put anything wherever you want.” Your eyes light up at the opportunity to make Azriel’s room homey.

You put your two snow globes from the Winter Court on the mantle next to some other souvenirs you picked up from your travels. You even found stuff Az got from missions in a closet, adding it next to your stuff. A marble vase now sat on a low laying table in front of the hearth. And your pink fluffy arm chair sits across from Azriel’s velvet one.

When he helped you move it in he asked if you wanted to buy matching chairs to which you said no. You love the vast difference in style and want to keep it that way. You said mismatched items made his room feel homey. You wouldn’t say no to buying a carpet though.

A month later Azriel came home from a mission before dinner. He wanted a bath and a nap. Opening the door he found you snuggled up in his large arm chair, wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket reading a book.

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the ridiculous amount of decorative pillows on the bed along with a new duvet, the plush doll from your childhood and the stuffed animal he got you.

You stared at him apprehensively, not knowing if he’ll be happy with this drastic change of color. You never wanted to disturb his space but you couldn’t have the bed so bare. It made you sad.

Azriel walked over to the bed running a scared hand across the white fluffy duvet. His hazel eyes finally met yours and relief flooded your features. Azriel is smiling at the new change. “It’s like your apartment. I loved everything in there, it was homey. I’m glad you got this.” You clapped your hands in excitement, “Yay! Oh and you’re going to love the bathroom. I got new products and added a few candles. Oh! And new towels!”

He couldn’t help the smile that pulled at his lips as you led him into the bathroom to point out what you purchased.

——

While Azriel was in his meeting with Rhys you were cuddled up in your chair waiting for him to come back. You had been sitting in his lap while he worked and desperately wanted his warmth back. Now that winter had settled in you were constantly shivering.

Another chill runs down your spine as you unwrapped the blanket from your shoulders. Padding across the bedroom you head down to the kitchen for some hot chocolate, leaving the door ajar.

Cassian whistled while walking down the hall to his room. He glanced sideways into you and Azriel’s room, stepping a few more paces Cassian freezes quickly, turning around and rushing back to poke his head in. The Generals jaw drops as he takes in the brightness of his brother’s room.

He was never really allowed in Azriel’s room. His brother liked to keep his life private and Cassian respects that. However…the door is open and he isn’t going to miss his one opportunity to look around. After finding the pink sheets, the flowery soaps, and vanilla candles Cassian smirked to himself as he took one last look around before leaving.

Turning to face the doorway he jumped at the sight of Azriel. His shadows flowing angrily around his shoulders and an unpleasant look on his face. “What are you doing in here?” Az asks in a dark yet oddly calm tone. Cassian began to stumble over his words trying to come up with an answer that wouldn’t get Truthteller chucked at his head.

Azriel moved swiftly, grabbing Cassian by the collar of his leathers. “This is me and my mates room. So why are you in here?” He asked again with a more gruff voice. “I-“

“Az?” Your voice breaks him from his anger with Cassian. Your mate whips around to face you, letting go of Cass. “Hi my love. I was just asking Cass what he’s up to.” “Oh,” you say tilting your head curiously. “What do you think of the new room Cass?” You smile up at him hopeful.

“Uumm,” Azriel nudged him. A reminder that if he was rude Azriel would kill him. “I love it.” He says genuinely. “I always thought Az could use some more color and fluffy stuff in his life.” Cassian shoots Azriel a shit eating grin that you miss as you go to put down your mug on the table.

Still looking at Azriel, Cassian continues speaking, “I love the contrast between Azriel’s weapons just layin’ around and your pink sheets.” Azriel pushes Cassian out, slamming the door in his face. Cassian’s howling laughter reaches your ears through the thick wood.

You give Azriel a questioning look. “He had to leave, things to do and all that.” Az says. You nod and giggle seeing through his silly little lie.

“I’m still really cold, can I sit on your lap again?” You give him a small pout which Azriel melts at. “Always my love. I could never let you be cold.” Az sits in his arm chair holding up your fuzzy blanket, ready to wrap you in it. You settle into his embrace and he leaves small kisses across your forehead. If you two could stay like this all day you would be content.

[barrenclan]

I've been thinking of this for so long and have only now mustered up the courage to send an ask here. The Nowhere Kings lullaby is so very Deepdark coded.

Thank you for sending in an ask! I always like receiving them.

I agree very much with you, so much that Nowhere King has been on the PATFW playlist for awhile now! Here is a link to it if you'd like to listen.

I like your analysis on it!

Oh, yeah, I can absolutely see this Rainhaze at the very end of his line, twisted by Defiance, and the last lines of the song about him singing to Slugpelt wondering if even she would take him back after everything he's done.

it goes on for so long and it takes so much goddamn shit and benzos to make the skin grow thick and to make the heart grow cold to make your heart grow cold

cover your ears Emily your weakened mind fears nothing i want to know if you'll still care for me if I left you to decay

emily will you bury me the purest sin that ive ever seen emily will you still love me

I like this version! Very mournful. I can see Defiance in it, with more specific Rainhaze bits mixed in.

In the land of Gods and Monsters I was an angel living in the garden of evil Screwed up, scared, doing anything that I needed Shining like a fiery beacon

"This is Heaven, what I truly want" It's innocence lost Innocence lost

I think I'd put it as a song sung by Pinepaw about Nightberry.

The old man next door says his house is haunted He says a ghost keeps him awake I think he's having a hard time, to be honest Since his darling passed away

I said Robert I'm so sorry Your house ain't haunted You're just not used to bein' alone

Every song is about Rainhaze.

I love this song! Actually, one of the main characters' theme songs - "Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To the Canyon)" for Egrettail - is by the Mamas and the Papas, so nice choice. Fits well with Blacknose.

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown) And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray) I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk) On a winter's day (on a winter's day) If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her) I could leave today (I could leave today)

You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold) He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)

All Fleetwood Mac songs fit with Slugpelt, this is true. Of course I would always love to see an animation of my characters, but the song choice is very good regardless! I like the descriptions of Slugpelt as a "pale shadow of a woman", it fits her chracter very well.

Well, did she make you cry Make you break down Shatter your illusions of love? <- Dustfeather And is it over now, do you know how? Pick up the pieces and go home

Pale shadow of a woman Black widow Pale shadow of a dragon Dust woman

I was very fond of this song when the game first came out, especially a cover that sadly doesn't seem to be on YouTube anymore. Oh well, it still fits Pinepaw perfectly.

Stuck on this dead end street Where all the new kids come to play Stuck–where past and future meet Watching all our autumns drift away

And if they ever hear my name Will they know I walked alone Around these dusty streets–My Tired old home

And will they ever stop to think What was here before, no They won’t remember that I’m gone

[ameliathornromance]

Are you the Final Girl?

Slasher!Orc X Reader

Chapter 3

Masterlist <--- TWS: Murder, reader sees a corpse that has been butchered, dead dove do not eat

You awoke with a stir, checked the clock beside your bed with bleary eyes.

2:45am.

You groaned and rolled over, facing away from the bright digital light and shut your eyes.

Before you were about to drift off, a buzz from your phone made you jump. Rolling over once again, you picked up your phone from your bedside and checked the caller ID.

You had expected it to be Jack, calling to ask for some help getting back home from a pub or something like that. But it wasn’t Jack.

Jennifer’s big, pearly white grin beamed at you on the screen. You picked up the call. “Jen? It’s really late, what are you-”

“Could you meet me?” She said, quickly. “Please. I… I think someones following me.” The urgency in her voice made you sit up right in your bed.

“Where are you?” you asked, throwing the bedcovers off yourself and setting your feet down on the carpet.

“I’m in the middle of the Science block campus. I didn’t want to lead anyone back to my dorm room.” Jennifer said, quickly. Her breath was frantic and quick, as if she might have been running.

“Alright, stay where you are, I’m on my way.” You pulled on a pair of jeans and found a long sleeve jumper and left your dorm room, phone held up to your cheek. “Are you okay?”

“Shh!” Jennifer’s voice moaned with terror.

You felt your stomach drop through your body. You stayed shushed as you began to run down the hallway.

“You don’t have to say anything back, but I’m running now okay? Don’t worry Jen.”

Something told you that this wasn’t just any old creepy guy walking down the same street as you incident.

“I think he’s… oh my God, is that a machete?”

You practically flung yourself at the accommodation doors as Jennifer gasped from the other end of the phone. “What the fuck are you?! Get away from me, I swear you’ll-” but Jennifer never got to finish her sentence.

Her screams rang down the phone, making you flinch at the screen. “Jennifer!” you bellowed, but it was no use.

An unnerving, squelching, followed by a crack and a snap broke up Jennifer’s high pitched screams and cries for help.

If you were running before, you must have been sprinting by now. Heart in your throat, you hung up the phone as you could now hear Jennifer’s screams in life now, more bloodcurdling and terrifying than down the phone.

Your mind raced, what would you do once you got there? It sounded like that the attacker had a weapon, if he really had something dangerous, what good could you do? In your haphazardly thrown together outfit and only phone on hand?

As you turned the corner, past the Humanities block, just before the science block, the screaming fell silent.

And suddenly, you could hear your heart in your ears, thundering and pounding as if it were maintaining the beat of an orchestra. You clamped a hand over your mouth and sank behind a group of bushes that had been rounded with shears.

A battle waged inside of you, one half of you screaming at you to get up and run for your life, knowing that if you turn that final corner where the science block ended, you would die, while the other half shrieked at you that your best friend was dying and she needed your help.

The first half of you won over.

Heavy, slow, pants came into ear shot. Judging from the direction, it had to have been from the science block corner ahead.

You squeezed your eyes tightly shut and cuddled into a ball, hoping that you would become one with the plant.

Burying your head in your knees, the thunk, thunk, thunk of the attacker’s footfalls echoed around inside your head as if you were standing right next to a church bell.

Your stupid, stupid curiosity got the better of you and you dared to peek out from behind the shrubbery.

You froze.

Standing under the lamp light, a man cast a tall, broad shadow down the path. His face was obscured by shadows and long, thick, mangy hair that hung around his head, greasy from bodily fluids.

In his hand, he clutched a long, wide blade that dripped something thick onto the pavement beside him.

His head turned to the left, then to the right, his body as still as a statue. Deciding on which way to go, he stalked off to the left and into the darkness.

You didn’t know how long you sat there for, behind the bushes in the freezing Autumn air.

Finally, you gathered up the courage enough to stand, legs numbed from being coiled so tightly to your chest and stumbled over to the edge of the science building.

“J-Jen?” You called out. Your voice didn’t feel like your own, rather, like it was coming from all around you.

“Jen? C’mon… don’t screw around.” But as you got closer and closer to the mass of viscera on the floor, you could no longer deny it.

This, bloody mush on the floor, was Jennifer. Your best friend.

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[peachessndreamss]

Private Bennett's Lover - Part 1

Summery : When Tom sneaks into a party he's not been invited too he meets the wife of the Vice Admiral of the Fleet and starts on a path that can only end in heartbreak.

Characters : Tom Bennett x Married!Female OC Mrs Randall

Warnings : Canon typical language

Word count : 5K

A/N : I cannot tell you how long I've been working on this and how unfinished it still is. But I wanted to share at least some of it, ideally this will be a three part series so watch this space! Much Love to @a-fall-of-stars who knew this story when all I had was an idea and a screenshot of a gif set

Series Masterlist l peachessndreamss Masterlist

Through the tiny crack in the barely open office door it couldn’t have been more obvious that Tom Bennett was completely and utterly out of his comfort zone, and Tom was the sort of person who prided himself on being able to be comfortable just about anywhere. But the view this evening had sweat gathering at his hairline and under his collar and had created an uncomfortable burning sensation in his throat, but he didn’t dare try to clear it for fear of being caught. 

When Private Bennett had seen the line of large and shiny cars rolling past the barracks towards The Big House his interest had been piqued and when a fellow private explained the Vice Admiral enjoyed throwing lavish parties in the house, despite there being a war on, Tom felt his feet itching and his mind ticking and before he knew it he was crossing the dark expanse of the lawns toward The Big House and slipping inside through a window with a broken lock. 

Once inside he’d crept through the darkened passages toward the sounds of music, clinking glasses and the rumble of polite conversation. The house was, by a mile, the grandest home Tom had ever been in. The carpet on the floor was so thick he’d felt his shoes sink into it as he walked, every wall was hung with paintings, endless landscapes and portraits watched Tom as he moved between the shadows, being drawn toward the party that was taking place in the ballroom. 

Tom found an open door along a quiet corridor that led into the Vice Admiral’s study, the room was richly furnished, the walls covered with bookshelves and the space dominated by a desk Tom was fairly certain was bigger than his childhood bedroom. 

Tom cracked the second door to the study which opened to the house's main hallway and gave him a view of the party while remaining unnoticed by anyone else. He watched for more than half an hour as the party carried on, the champagne was flowing freely as the guests talked in small groups or dipped in and out of the ballroom. Tom could only see a small portion of the ballroom but was able to catch sight of couples dancing to the music of a quartet. 

Tom had been to a fair number of parties and dances in his life but this was something else, like something from another world or a bygone era. In the village, only a mile away, he knew people would be going to bed hungry and in the barracks just over the crest of the hill, young men were waiting for orders that might end their lives but in The Big House none of that was real and the only thing that mattered was a full glass of champagne. 

Tom could feel his skin starting to prickle with anger when the door behind him creaked open and the room was briefly filled with light. He whipped around, his eyes wide and his mouth dry, his heart thundering as he stared like a cornered animal, finding himself no longer alone. 

Mrs Randall had expected to find her husband's, the Vice Admiral of the Fleet’s, office empty. In truth, she was hoping to find it empty, she wanted to find a quiet and dark space in which to gather herself and take a much needed rest from the party taking place in her home. 

However the study wasn’t empty and an icy chill ran down her spine as her eyes met those of the stranger’s. 

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice a horse whisper. 

She stared at the man, too frightened to take her eyes away from his face. If she screamed she knew she’d have help before the stranger would have a chance to cross the room to do her any harm but the thought of screaming was far from her mind as she saw her own fear reflected on his face. 

When he didn’t reply she straightened her back a little and spoke in the voice she’d been trained to use on badly behaved staff members.  

“Why are you in my study?” she demanded. 

Tom couldn’t help his face breaking into a grin when he’d seen the woman stand up a little straighter and use a harsher voice on him. He realised he wasn’t in immediate danger of being discovered by anyone that scared him so he decided to fall back on his charm to ensure he got out of the house with minimal trouble. 

“Jus’ wanted to see ‘ow the other ‘alf live,” he replied with a shrug, playing up his northern accent which was in complete contrast to her own voice. 

She scoffed quietly before she moved further into the room and flicked on a small desk lamp. 

“Have you come from the barracks?” she asked. 

The electric light was dim but golden and the room suddenly glowed, the light bouncing off the brass fixtures and the highly polished dark wood furniture. The man stood on the edge of the pool of light but it still caught his features, revealing a sharp chin and soft lips. His blue eyes twinkled with mischief and his golden hair glinted in the light. 

“How did you get in here?” she asked when he remained silent. 

He shrugged again and moved his head from side to side, keeping his eyes carefully fixed on the woman. 

“Broken lock,” he admitted before pausing briefly, “window on the east side, three from the kitchen door,”. 

She nodded, the two of them still not taking their eyes from each other. They were like two nervous animals, not willing to look away out of fear and out of interest. Tom let his eyes flick up and down her body.  

The long gown she’d worn was nothing like he'd ever seen before. He'd seen his fair share of girls in and out of their best frocks at the dances he used to attend back home but she was something else. He might have mistaken her for royalty, there was a small jewelled tiara on her head after all. Other jewels sparkled at her neck and wrists and the fabric of her dress caught and reflected the light right back at him. 

“Well, thank you for letting me know,” she replied softly, “But perhaps it's best you go back now."

Tom's eyebrow quirked upwards, surprised by her quickly she'd gotten control of herself and retained a cool head and calm demeanour. 

Tom would have guessed that before she’d been married she’d never been alone with a man, and could probably count on one hand the amount of times since, if she were scared you gave no outward indication. 

“Or I could stay a while, we could ‘ave a chat?” He offered with an upward quirk of his lips. 

She gave a quiet laugh and a small shake of her head before stepping further into the room, closer to where Tom was standing by the main study doors. She could hear the music from the ballroom and the soft, lilting laughter of feminine voices. 

"And what would we talk about?” she asked. 

He shrugged again. 

“Perhaps we should start with introductions? Name and that?” 

She smiled and gave him her first name before adding “Mrs Randall, the Vice Admiral's wife,”  she stepped forward offering her hand out to him to shake. 

Tom nodded and took the proffered hand, instead of shaking it he brought it up to his mouth and pressed a soft kiss to it. 

“Private Tom Bennett,” he said, “Pleasure to meet you,” his lips still almost brushing the soft, warm back of her hand. 

“Pleasure to meet you Private Bennett,” she replied, pulling her hand out of his grip. The place his lips had touched her skin felt burnt, like if she looked at it, she’d still see the shape of his kiss marking the skin. 

“Please Mrs Randall, call me Tom,” he smirked, “All my friends do."

“Then please, let us both use our first names, like friends,” she replied.

“Not “my lady” or anything like that?” He teased with a smile. 

“Certainly not, I'm not a Lady." She said with a firm shake of her head. The movement caused the diamonds sitting in her hair to flash and sparkle as they caught the soft light. 

Tom ran his tongue over his bottom lip and he took in her appearance again. At a glance she would have easily been mistaken for royalty and wouldn't have looked out of place in Buckingham Palace. 

“So, how come you're hiding in the study rather than out there?” He asked. 

“I needed a moment alone,” she replied, touching her cool hand to her flushed cheeks and forehead, “There’s only some much champagne and small talk I can take." 

“Well please accept my apologies. For both disturbing your peace and for the hard times you find yourself suffering through,” he replied dryly with a roll of his eyes, watching as her whole body stiffened and her eyes narrowed on him. 

“Apology noted,” her voice was icy. 

Tom chuckled and shook his head, he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and a lighter. 

“May I?” He asked. 

“Only if you share,” she replied, the ice appearing to have melted from her tone, she stepped closer again to take a cigarette from the packet he held out. 

She placed the unlit cigarette into her mouth and Tom flicked the lighter on, touching the flame to the tip of the cigarette while she breathed in. Her husband considered women smoking to be offensive and unbecoming, but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. 

She took a drag as Tom lit his own cigarette. Her husband smoked cigars in his study so the smell would go unnoticed and there was an ashtray at hand.

“I've seen you, you know,” she said, flicking ash in the general direction of the ashtray, “The assault course you boys run, it runs along the garden wall and from my dressing room I can see everything." 

Tom opened his mouth to speak but she continued, looking between the burning tip of the cigarette and the man in front of her. 

“You know some Privates bring girls for the village round there? There's a little shady spot just a few meters back from the path I've seen them disappearing into,” her eyes fixed on him, “I wonder what they get up to back there?” 

Tom swallowed and flicked the ash off the end of his own cigarette. 

“Wouldn't know,” he said with a shrug, “But I heard there's a lot of poison ivy in the bushes, next time I see someone scratching, I'll ask." 

“And ‘ow are you so certain you've seen me out there?” He asked after a beat of silence, “Surely us lot all look the same to you?” 

She shrugged and took a drag, smoke curling out of her mouth and disappearing into the air above the two of them. “Some of you are more memorable than others.” 

Tom grinned before crushing his finished cigarette in the ashtray. He lifted the heavy piece of glass and offered it to her. She crushed her own cigarette beside his. From outside the study the sound of her name being called reached her ears. 

She recognised her husband's voice and felt her heart rate increase. She took hold of Tom by the sleeve of his jacket and dragged him deeper into the room, flicking off the desk lamp and plunging the room into darkness again. Her husband's voice grew louder as he moved nearer the door, he seemed to stop right outside to speak to someone before moving off again and in the direction of the kitchens. Of course that was where he thought he'd find his wife, it's certainly where he believed her and the rest of her sex belonged. 

She suddenly became aware of how close she and Tom were, how his breath was ghosting past the shell of her ear as the two of them stood silent and still in the darkness. 

“I take it he wasn’t your choice of, um, dancing partner?” Tom whispered. 

She looked into his piercing blue eyes, it could have been a perfectly innocent question, if it weren’t for the crushing weight of the true answer. She felt her body chill and a familiar mask of cold indifference fell over her features. She straightened up again, pulling her body away from his. 

So little of her life had been of her choosing. As a child her father had ruled her life with an iron fist, and like iron he had never once bent or broken once his mind was set on something. From her schooling, her summers and her friends, her father had controlled every single day of her life until he'd handed her over to a husband of his choosing at the altar. 

A man 25 years her senior who had effortlessly replaced her father as the single most influential person in her life. From the wine they drank with dinner, to her allowance for clothing to how often she could drive the car, every choice was made for her by the Vice Admiral, as if she were simply a sailor in his navy.  

“Not always,” she replied, her voice haughty than it had been before, “but I make do,”. 

Tom quirked an eyebrow toward his hair line before stepping back with a grin and sitting himself on the edge of the large mahogany desk, the old wood didn’t bend or groan under his weight like the cheap furniture in the barracks. A thought flickered across his mind that his desk probably cost more than his family home. 

“How long have you been married?” he asked, leaning back on his hands and stretching his legs out in front of himself and crossing them at his ankles. 

“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” she replied coldly, before crossing her arms over her chest and hugging her crossed limbs against her body. 

“Come on now, I thought we were friends? We’re on a first name basis after all.". 

She narrowed her eyes at him, she was usually an exceptionally private person, after having grown up with very few friends she’d never learned to gossip or grown accustomed to sharing her thoughts and feelings with a close knit group and as an only child she hadn’t even had a sibling to confide in. But tonight, as if gripped by madness she found herself answering, her usual withdrawn nature opened up by this handsome stranger. 

“18 months,” she told him. 

“Not quite the fairy tale you were expecting?” He asked. 

“I never expected a fairy tale,” she snapped, drawing her arms even tighter to her body, her hands gripping the opposite elbow. 

“You’re dressed like one,” Tom said, letting his eyes travel up and down her body. 

She scoffed, feeling her skin prickle under his brazen gaze, she knew she was attractive enough and with the right outfit and a touch of rouge she was pretty but 18 months in a loveless marriage had shown her nothing of desire or need but she felt sure there was something of those foreign, base instincts in his blue eyes. Desperately needing something, anything to do with her body she leaned past him to pick up the packet of cigarettes he'd placed beside him on the desk. She took another one and lit it. 

“You'd find me quite dowdy if you went out there and saw some of the other wives,” she took a long drag on the cigarette, falling back on the self deprication she’d learned pleased her father and husband, “out there you'd never know there was a war on,”. 

“I was thinking the same about in here,” he said, glancing at the opulent surroundings. 

“Well, it’s you who wanted to see how the other half lived after all,” she replied, the corners of her mouth peeking up as she fought to keep her icy demeanour. 

“And I think I might have seen enough,” Tom said with a smirk as he stood, gathering his cigarette packet and giving it a small shake, the cigarettes inside bumped onto the side of the packet and each other, “and you're about to finish me fags,”. 

“You'll forgive me, I'm sure." she replied, letting her arms fall down to her sides again. 

“I'm sure,” Tom agreed as he stood, taking a small step to stand in front of her. 

He reached down, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his mouth, brushing his lips over the back of her hand in a soft caress. 

“Til the next time,” he said, his voice soft and low, “My lady,” he added with a wink before slipping past her and out the door she'd entered in. 

The scent of her lingered like a fog around Tom as he slipped, unseen through the corridors and passages back to the broken window and out in the cold night air. From either side no one would ever know the window was broken and he found himself hoping Mrs Randall wouldn’t be rushing to get it fixed. 

He made his way back across the lawns toward his barracks. Tom had been stationed at this stone frigate for 3 months and each and every day he had hoped to get orders from the Vice Admiral they would be going out to sea, to one of the great grey warships he could see from the back of the barracks, sitting in the harbour mouth. 

There was no moon in the sky that night and Tom had to make his way back to his quarters by starlight, he hoped the extra darkness would mean less of a chance to be caught out of bed quite so late. 

Luck was not on Tom’s side that night and the moment his foot crossed the threshold of his quarters a bright beam of light shone directly into his face, Tom squeezed his eyes shut, bringing his forearm up to shield his eyes from the burning beam. 

“Well, well, well Private Bennett,” a cold voice spoke from the darkness, “now, where might you have been?” 

Tom lied of course, claiming he’d been in the village having a drink in the local pub, while his Lieutenant Commander didn’t believe him for a moment and he couldn't prove Tom was lying or offer another more plausible explanation for the private being out of bed so late.

Tom’s punishment was being confined to the stone frigate for the next month, he would not be allowed to enjoy any shore leave, which meant no trips to the local village and no chance to chat to the local girls. He would instead be given menial tasks to complete, usually something pointless that no one else wanted to do. 

The first weekend of his punishment he was called to the Lieutenant Commander’s office. Tom held a deep dislike for the pinched faced, grey coloured man sitting behind the desk

“They need some help up at The Big House,” the  Lieutenant Commander started without preamble, “I seem to recall you being fairly useful with your hands, so I thought you could go up there and, well make yourself useful,” his clipped accent made the hair on the back of Tom’s neck stand up. 

Tom nodded in acknowledgement and opened his mouth to speak but the Lieutenant Commander continued as if Tom wasn’t even in the room. 

“Report up at The Big House today and tomorrow for your tasks. Ask for Bill,”

“Yes, Sir,” Tom said before saluting and leaving the room. 

He took his time making his way up to The Big House, stopping by his bunk first to collect a fresh pack of cigarettes before making his way slowly toward the house. The day was bright and Tom was enjoying the sun on his face as he walked over the immaculately kept lawn. He wondered as he walked if he'd be fixing the very window lock he’d used to break in a few days before, thinking of the window led him to thinking about the lady of the house and he hoped he might run into her again. 

He wanted to know what she looked like when she wasn’t wearing jewels and silks. He wanted to see if he could make her laugh, he wanted to know if she made a habit of sharing cigarettes with strangers or hiding from her husband.

At the back door of the house Tom asked a kitchen girl where he might find Bill and was directed to one of the low outbuildings that made up a small courtyard at the back of the house. Bill was a grizzled old man with a voice like tires crunching over gravel and one hand missing. 

Bill wasted no time in telling Tom he’d lost the hand during the Great War and how the navy had taken care of him since, not that Tom had asked. 

Tom was quickly put to work in a large, empty room on the west side of the house. The room’s ceiling was at least 12 feet high and had floor to ceiling windows that gave a sweeping view of the green valley and glittering open sea beyond. On the water, small boats dashed back and forth across the mouth of the harbour and large grey warships sat further out to sea. Beyond the warship the sea and sky merged into one at the horizon. 

After enjoying the view for a moment Tom set to the list of tasks he’d been given, the work was mindless and menial, oiling locks, cleaning and buffing brass work and a few minor repairs. 

Tom was winding the grandfather clock at the far end of the room when the double doors at the other end opened, the doors moved almost silently on the hinges he’d oiled but the sudden movement made him look up and he couldn’t stop his face breaking into a grin when he saw who stood between the now open doors. 

“We must stop meeting like this." 

He watched with rye amusement as Mrs Randall fought the smile that played on the corners of her lips. 

“Shall I bother asking you why you’re in my ballroom?” she asked, “Or how you got in here?” 

“’m being punished,” Tom replied with a shrug as he closed the door on the grandfather clock that was now ticking merrily, “And I used the back door. You can ask your handy man if you want.”

“And what are you being punished for?”

“Caught out of bed after ligh’s out,”

She laughed quietly, the old floorboards creaking under her feet as she made her way further into the room, letting her feet carry her towards one of the large windows. As she gazed through the glass Tom allowed himself a moment to look at her. The dress she wore today was far more practical and ordinary but the dark green colour suited her, she wore shoes with small heels that tapped on the floor as she walked and no diamonds to be seen. 

“I hope you feel it was worth it,” she replied, stopping at the window that gave the most central view of the valley below. She crossed her arms over her chest, curling her palms over the opposite elbow, Tom recognised the gesture from the previous night they’d met. 

“I’ve had worse evenings.” Tom replied with a shrug and grin. 

“I should apologise,” she started, turning toward Tom, keeping her arms wrapped tightly around her torso, “I spoke out of turn the other night and I don’t want you to think I’m… ungrateful for the position I find myself in." 

He shrugged before taking a tentative step toward her, not wanting to scare her into bolting from the room. There was something intoxicating to Tom about being alone with his woman, she should have been as unattainable to him as the moon was but she was right here, in the same room as him, barely 6 feet away. 

“We don’t 'ave to like the hand we’re dealt,” Tom said, the softness in his voice surprising even him, “but you can make it up to me with an invite to your next party,” he added with a grin and a wink. 

Tom was thrilled when she gave a small chuckle, the sound making the hair on Tom’s forearms prickle and stand to attention. She dropped her arms away from her middle, looking a little more relaxed than she had the moment before. 

“Somehow I think my insisting you receive an invitation to the Admirals next do might raise more than a few questions and cause even more trouble,” she replied. 

Oh, what’s life without a little bit of trouble?” Tom teased stepping closer again. 

“I take it you’re no stranger to trouble then Tom?”. 

“No, I’m just a bloody nuisance,” he grinned. 

Mrs Randall chuckled again, her eyes moving slowly and shyly over Tom’s face, taking in his features in the bright light of day. In the dark of the study he’d been handsome but in the sunlight filled ballroom he was beautiful, the type of face that Michaelangelo would have immortalised in marble. 

“I can believe that,”

Tom leaned casually against a small section of wall that separated two of the windows, the wallpaper was a creamy colour with swirling patterns picked out in pastel shades of gold. He half expected her to reprimand him for leaning his dirty shoulder on her wall but she didn’t comment, just kept her eyes on him. 

“What does the lady of the ‘ouse do at the weekend then?” he asked. 

“I’m balancing the books today,” she replied, “it’s dull work and I’m dreadful at it,”. 

“What no garden party to attend? No invite to Buckin’am Palace?” he teased. 

She rolled her eyes and scoffed, her lips turned up into a smile that made her eyes sparkle. 

“Just me and the accounts today, Buckingham Palace is next weekend,” she replied with a teasing lilt in her voice. 

“‘S’pect those books might be better company than that lot at Buckin’am Palace anyway,”. 

“They certainly talk less, but they still manage to give me a headache either way,”. 

From behind them the grandfather clock Tom had service chimed 4pm, reminding the pair of them of the world outside the peaceful room they found themselves in. 

“I must be going,” Mrs Randle said reluctantly, “It’s been a pleasure to see you again Tom,”. 

“Pleasures all mine,” he replied with a wink and was thrilled to see her cheeks staining bright red as she turned toward the still open double doors of the ballroom. 

He stared after her for a few seconds once she disappeared from his view and he felt a familiar tingling of anticipation. When it came to women he enjoyed the chase almost as much as he enjoyed his prize at the end but there was something different about this and about her and while Tom had no idea what that might be it excited him all the same. He found it very difficult to return to the list of tasks he still had to complete but forced himself to continue, if for no other reason than to ensure he’d get to return next week. 

After excusing herself, Mrs Randle headed to the privacy of her study to continue her mind numbing task of ensuring the household ledgers balanced. The windows of her study offered a panoramic view of the west lawns and the gently sloping valley beyond. In the distance she could see the small houses of the village, smoke curled out of the chimneys and she could just make out a few sailors making their way back to barracks after their Saturday trip to the pub. 

After an hour or so of looking over the accounts the numbers in the books seemed to start to wriggle about on the page and no matter how carefully she totted up the totals she couldn’t make the books balance. After rubbing out another incorrect total she finally admitted defeat and slammed the heavy, leather bound book closed and stood up.

She’d already decided to ask the housekeeper to go over the accounts and didn’t see any point in torturing herself with the fruitless task any longer. She knew it would be alright as long as the books were balanced by the end of the month when the Vice Admiral got his hands on them. 

She took hold of the book and headed toward the staff quarters; there was a concealed door in the library that took her down a short flight of steps and along a cool, dark corridor to the housekeeper's office. 

The sound of excited young voices could be heard from the staff dining room and she slowed to listen to the conversation. There was a pang of jealousy and longing as the voices of two of the young housemaids chattered and giggled behind the door. 

“Did y’see him? He was up in the ballroom?” one voice rushed. 

“He’s got the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen,” another voice continued with the longing sigh. 

“I saw him wink at Mrs Randall! Twice! Can you believe the cheek of him?!” the first voice said incredulously. 

“I hope he comes back, I heard Bill saying he wasn’t allowed off the frigate for 3 weeks,” the second voice said in the same dreamy tone. 

There was another round of giggling before she stepped away from the door and carried on toward the housekeepers office. Mrs Randall had no problem believing Tom Bennett would be exceptionally successful with the female members of staff, he’s already proved himself to be fairly successful with herself after all. 

She knocked briskly on the housekeeper's door, the large book still clutched to her chest with her other arm and her mind full of Tom Bennett. 

[headfulloflettuce]

Puppet Darling - Part 4

Credit: Inspired by @wallflowers-in-the-wind’s post here.

Warning: angst, Rhysand being an asshole.

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 5 / part 6 / part 7

Feyre took a deep, shuddering breath. Sharp claws tugged on the mating bond, demanding her to return. To stop this lunacy.

However, she did not give in. Continuing the journey through the forest connecting Summer to Spring. They had been on the move non stop for the past three days, having managed to finally reach the border on horseback. Feyre had feared Tarquin would make them walk but he had Varian give them three horses to use, as long as they set them free before entering Spring’s territory.

As the grass began becoming more lush and green, the trees taller, reaching to the sky, she stopped her horse, making sure Nyx was still secure in his baby sling. Nesta rode up beside her, Elain a couple steps behind.

“We should walk from this point.” Nesta hopped off her horse, taking Nyx from Feyre so that she could get down too. Elain stumbled off her horse.

“It would have been good to change before leaving.” the middle sister muttered, her puffy dress ruined from dirt and riding, “It’s not like I don’t have pants.”

“C’mon, I think you rock the look.” Nesta smirked, “It looks like you went gardening.”

Elain glared, “And you look like you just returned from the Illyrian mountains.”

Nesta’s smile fell.

“Guys!” Feyre quickly interjected, “We should go.”

Elain huffed, following after Feyre, with Nesta behind them.

The sun fell through the tree’s leaves, casting patterns of light and shadow on the mossy carpet they walked on. Nyx giggled, making Feyre look down.

He smiled up at her, wriggling his arms, trying to catch the fireflies that floated around.

The sun would soon set. Hopefully we can find a small village nearby and stay at a cheap inn.

To prevent getting discovered they’ve had Elain order the rooms since Nesta and Feyre were more likely to get recognized due to their positions in Night Court.

Nyx caught a firefly and stuck it in his mouth.

“Nyx, no!” Feyre quickly pulled his hand out, the beetle gone, “If you were that hungry you should have said something.”

He cooed.

Guess you have been trying to tell me, huh?

The sunlight shining through the tree branches was beginning to dim, casting an orange hue across the ground. Feyre gasped, grabbing at her side, letting out a curse as Rhysand tugged on the bond again. She could practically see his smirk as he took pleasure in the power he held over her.

Feyre sat down on a rock, taking another deep breath.

“Elain, Nesta, we’ll rest here for a bit.”

“But we just entered Spring.” Elain crossed her arms.

“I know but Nyx needs to eat and Rhysand keeps trying to reach me through the mating bond.”

Elain sighed, plopping down on a tree stump across from her.

Feyre took comfort in the fact that they were far enough away that even though her mental shield was weak, it was enough to prevent Rhysand from successfully entering her thoughts, or doing much damage through the bond.

Feyre pulled Nyx out of his wrap, letting him suckle.

“I am angry at you.” Nesta stated.

Feyre looked up at her from her spot.

“I am angry that you’re acting this way.” Nesta murmured, “You were always the strong one. You always had something to say, to retort back with.

Feyre didn’t respond.

“You had me trained to ensure I can fight and protect yet you couldn’t do the same in your little palace? To see you so weak…”

Feyre flinched at her sister’s words.

“It makes me angry.”

“Nesta I think you’re just emotionally constipated.” Elain mused.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Well, you’re angry at everyone, all the time.”

“No I am not.”

“Oh yes you are.” Elain glared, “In fact I would say those Illyrian training camps only made you worse. Staying quiet doesn’t fix a shitty personality you know?”

“And planting flowers doesn’t absolve you from being a ship hopping sister.”

A branch snapped, making them all go quiet. Feyre quickly pulled down her shirt, shoving Nyx back into his sling.

“Did you hear that?” Elain whispered.

“I am ‘emotionally constipated’ not deaf Elain.” Nesta hissed.

“Both of you, be qui-”

“Well, well, well if it isn’t the High Lady of the Night Court herself.” a Spring faerie, dressed in armor and carrying a spike stepped out from behind a tree.

“Hello.” Feyre wasn’t sure what to say, “We’re just passing through. We mean no harm.”

“Like you meant no harm the last time you were here, right?” the male raised his spear, making the three sisters tense.

Nesta pulled out the small sword she had brought with her while Feyre readied to summon a ball of fire. Or at least try, considering her state.

“We don’t want to fight you. We’re just trying to get to the human lands.” Feyre explained.

“Likely story.” the sentry took a step forward, making them back up, “I won’t permit you to destroy Spring, again.”

Nesta took a step forward, “Then you accept death?”

“Ha, look at you. The moment things don’t go your way you resort to violence.” the sentry growled. 

“What’s going on here?” the familiar scent of crisp rain and the earth made Feyre spin around.

Tamlin leaned against an old oak tree, wearing a simple tunic, his hair messy, leaves sticking out of it.

“High Lord, these three entered our lands without permission.” the sentry reported, keeping his spear raised and pointed.

Tamlin hummed, looking at Feyre, “Why are you here?”

“We’re trying to get to the human lands.” Feyre said, not meeting his eyes.

“The human lands? Why is that? Grew tired of the lifestyle back in Night Court?” Tamlin smirked, “I highly doubt the human lands will be able to offer you something better.”

“No, we’re on the run from Rhysand. Please, you have to let us through.”

Tamlin was stunned, “You’re running from your mate?” his eyes quickly narrowed, “And I don’t have to do anything. If I should be doing anything in fact is informing your husband where his wife has run off to.”

“No!” Feyre’s panic spiked. 

Rhysand sensed it, immediately giving the bond an extra painful tug.

Feyre gritted her teeth, trying to keep it together. The only reason she wasn’t striking back was for fear of it giving away where they were. Or somehow landing her back under his control.

 “Please. Please don’t call Rhysand Tamlin.”

“Why not?”

“I told you, we’re running from him.”

“The question is the same, why?”

Feyre paused.

Would he believe her?

Tamlin looked at the sentry, “Escort them to an emissary meeting room, I will be leaving to get in touch with Night Court.”

“Wait no!” Feyre grabbed Tamlin’s arm.

The sentry let out a low hiss, and Nesta took another step forward with her small sword.

“I am running because he used his daemati powers on me.”

Tamlin stilled.

“He…he used them on me when I first left Spring and he’s kept me under for years.” Feyre felt a chill run down her spine at the reminder, “He fed me lines, actions and ideas, while I, or well…a part of me was forced to watch as he controlled my body.”

“A part of you?”

“He kept the bits he approved of at the surface. The parts of me that were willing to listen to him. The rest of me was locked away.”

Feyre didn’t want to speak of the first months after she had realized what was happening. His reaction when she confronted him. The isolation that followed. 

“No part of you should ever have wanted to listen to that bat bastard.” the guard glared, his anger unabiding.

“How do I know you’re telling me the truth?” Tamlin’s voice softened, but his eyes were still sharp.

Feyre tried to speak but only ylped as Rhysand tugged on the bond again.

Not now…

Feyre tried to breathe, her legs weakening as it felt like the rope that tied her to the High Lord of Night was on fire.

“Well?” Tamlin’s tone was impatient.

“You can corroborate it with Lucien if you wish.” Nesta spoke up, helping Feyre stay upright.

“Ha, and why should I believe Lucien?” Tamlin smirked.

He’s your friend. Though, perhaps after ‘my’ meddling not anymore.

“He said it was due to that bargain or whatever that Feyre made with Rhysand.” Nesta countered, “Surely you must be aware of it. You were under that mountain.”

Tamlin’s face darkened, “Of course I remember it, but that doesn’t change anything. Sure a bargain creates a connection between two individuals but it doesn’t give one an inherent ability to control the other’s actions. It’s more complicated than that.”

Nesta quickly tried to come up with another argument to convince him.

She pulled out her handkerchief, showing him the golden powder, “This. This disrupted Rhysand’s control over Feyre.”

Tamlin looked down at the powder, “It’s the same one that the Day Court faerie had on her clothes when she…”

“When she what?” Elain piped in, moving to stand by Nesta as the guard kept glaring at them.

“When she burst into the meeting amongst the High Lords. Then Rhysand coughed and Feyre randomly stood up.” Tamlin tried to touch the golden dust but Nesta pulled it away, pocketing it again.

“We simply want to reach the human lands and secure our safety.” Nests explained calmly, glancing at Feyre who was still trying to even out her breathing.

“Very well,” Tamlin conceded, “You may pass.”

“High Lo-” the sentry was cut off.

“However, I advise against it.” Tamlin glanced at Feyre, noticing how she leaned on Nesta for support, “Despite all of Vassa’s and Jurian’s progress the humans are still quite hateful towards fae. They will have no qualms killing you.”

Elain shivered.

“Instead, I suggest hiding in Autumn Court.”

“Autumn is run by Beron, he won’t house us.” Elain laughed.

“He won’t, but I will.” Tamlin offered.

“What?” Feyre croaked out.

“Stay in Spring, and I will secure you a hideout in Autumn.”

“Why would you do something like that?” Feyre asked quietly.

Tamlin didn’t respond immediately, watching the female before him, “It seems like the right thing to do.”

The sentry and the Archeron sisters exchanged a look of shock. 

“More importantly, how are you going to do that?” Nesta added, “Beron isn’t going to listen. Unless you're planning on hiding us in a cave, I am not sure what your plan is.”

“You let me worry about getting you into Autumn.” Tamlin pulled one of Feyre’s arms over his shoulders, “Instead focus on resting. You’ll need the energy.”

Tamlin had brought them to a small cottage in the heart of Spring Court’s forests, the sentry getting shut down and sent away when he tried to argue with his ruler’s decision.

“Make yourselves comfortable.” Tamlin stepped aside, letting them pass. 

The cottage was small but comfortable. A small stone fireplace rested in the center of the living room with two couches facing it, the connected kitchen housed a table and basic cooking supplies.

“The space is enchanted so you won’t be tracked.”

“Are you staying with us?” Nesta asked.

“No.” Tamlin shook his head, leaves falling out of his golden hair, “I have matters to attend to but I will visit.”

“How long do we have to stay here?” Elain sat down on a couch.

Tamlin narrowed his eyes, “You don’t have to stay here. It’s your choice to do so, leave if you want.”

Ha, it always came down to choice.

Tamlin turned back to the front door, casting Feyre one last glance, “Goodnight.”

The three sisters stood there in silence, Elain interrupting first, “Who wants the bath?”

“I want to bathe Nyx.” Feyre said, taking her son out of his wrap.

“I am going to see if there’s anything to eat.” Nesta headed for the kitchens, Elain trailing after her.

Feyre carried Nyx to the bath, letting him splash in the warm water as she scrubbed grime and dirt off of him.

Rhysand’s tugging of the bond softened.

It was scary how much he could tell about me by feelings alone. I didn’t try to reach out or send an image of Nyx, and yet he knew to be softer now.

Feyre didn’t want to admit it, but he knew her better than anyone.

Better than myself.

She could still sense his presence in the bond, but it was less rough. Beyond the jagged edges was the same gentleness that he had when he held Nyx. Or her.

Nyx splashed Feyre, bringing her back to the present. Feyre smiled mischievously, splashing her child back. Nyx laughed.

Oh that beautiful laugh. That sweet, freeing laugh.

The bond tugged with loving reproach.

No.

He tried again.

I said, no.

The active humming of the bond quieted, filling Feyre with anxiety. She quickly dried off Nyx, not cleaning herself as she left the bathroom to go check on her sisters.

Stepping out of the bathroom Feyre grabbed the wall for support, the bond coming to life, filled once again with the sounds of furious rage. 

His patience wore thin, clearly.

Feyre took a deep breath, forcing herself to move to one of the bedrooms.

“Feyre, Nesta made dinner!”

“I am not hungry.”

Elain cast her a worried look as her sister staggered into one of the bedrooms, shakily putting Nyx on a bed, “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Did you even bathe?”

“No.”

“You should, I can watch Nyx.”

Feyre wasn’t sure if she wanted to. The idea that Rhysand sensed when she was taking care of their child frightened her.

Would he know when I was at my most vulnerable then?

Elain gave her a small push, wrapping Nyx up in a blanket, much to his displeasure, “Sorry Nyx, no fancy pajamas for you.”

Feyre hesitantly stepped back into the bathroom, double checking that all the soaps and towels were ready. She was stalling. Trying to prevent the inevitable.

Feyre took a deep breath, pulling off the dress she had run in. The lower parts of the fabric had torn, creating slits that had been revealing her legs. 

Made walking easier, but the mosquitoes were a pain to deal with.

She eased herself into the bath, refilling it with hot water.

Rhysand prodded at the bond, the tug a whisper this time. A pull of intimacy.

Feyre quickly began scrubbing her body, trying to distract herself from the neediness she could sense from her mate.

Rhys stroked the bond.

Feyre toppled out of the bathtub, scrambling into a corner, hyperventilating. Her eyes darted around the small room, as if expecting Rhys to jump out of the cupboard.

He’s not here. 

He cannot touch me.

She could almost feel his fingers on her, tracing her body.

He’s not here.

His hands wrapping around hers, forcing them up, leaving her exposed.

I am safe.

Feyre repeated the mantra, her nails digging into her skin to distract from the desire that permeated their mating bond.

A knock at the door startled her, and Rhysand, the bond quieting once again.

“Feyre? Are you alright in there?” Nesta’s voice sounded, muffled through the door.

“I am fine.” Feyre said, breathlessly. 

“Do you need help…?”

“No.” Feyre got up, drying herself off with a towel that turned a gray color due to all the dirt she didn’t wash off. 

She opened the door, coming face to face with Nesta, her hair down as she was ready to take a bath as well.

Nesta said nothing besides, “Is there a bucket or something in there?”

“I…yes. There is.” Feyre managed out.

Nesta nodded, walking past her sister, closing the door between them.

Now that she thought of it…she never got Nesta another way to clean herself properly, did she?

Is this what Nesta felt everytime she took a bath? That feeling of danger and vulnerability?

Feyre squeezed her eyes shut, urging her unfallen tears away.

I am such a horrible sister. I should have fought harder.

Rhysand offered comfort on his side of the bond but she didn’t accept it, walking back to the room she left Nyx and Elain in.

Elain had managed to get Nyx to settle down and sleep, carefully avoiding getting mud or leaves onto the bed from her dress.

“What were you doing in there?” Elain asked.

“What?”

“Well you weren’t washing clearly.” Elain gestured to her dirty hair.

“I am tired.” Feyre said simply.

Elain’s lips parted slightly in annoyance, but she didn’t say anything, leaving Feyre alone with Nyx.

Feyre got in bed, holding Nyx’s hand as he slept, listening to his soft breathing.

Beautiful baby.

She let out a small gasp as she felt Rhysand tug on the mating bond again.

Leave me alone, I am trying to sleep.

It only seemed to encourage the male as he pushed a wave of anger down the bond.

If you keep doing this you won’t get to sleep either.

It was clear that Rhysand didn’t care as he continued trying to get her attention through the thread that tied them together.

Feyre twisted and turned, the bond pulling her back from the verge of sleep every time she’d get close to passing out.

No rest for the wicked. 

Feyre laughed softly, preparing for a long, long night.

Next: Part 5

Masterlist

Tag list: @rcarbo1, @planet-faerie

If you want to be added to a tag list let me know :D

[amusingmusie]

The Demon! Nel asks have my brain exploding with cheesy ideas, I swear. She'd make fun of his hair cut, and he'd spend an inordinate amount of time making his little shadow trip her every time she walks down stairs.

She'd have his demonic brain so divided that he'd probably phase himself across hell just because she was talking to someone other than him. Alastor being very "I'm uncomfortable when you're not about me" with Nel is my favorite!

My silly little idea:

"What are you doing here." Her voice dripping with annoyance as the sinner she had been discussing the acid rain forecast with launched away from them in a desperate attempt to flee from swirling mass of black and green that just manifested itself behind her.

"Oh, what a surprise! I didn't see you there, my sweetest of evils. I have some business in this part of Hell and really, I can't be late. And now you're in my way, you do so enjoy being a huge inconvenience!" (There's no reason for him to be there. He just literally yeeted himself so hard and fast across the map to interrupt their conversation. He'd be panting if he wasn't gritting his teeth together so hard.)

For you, anon :))

THIS IS FOR FUN ONLY AND NOT CANON TO YOURS TRULY

Five O'clock Somewhere (But Not Here)

Nel heads to the bar to get a damn drink, grumpy as ever and in desperate need of cheap booze. It won't get her drunk, but it will allow her a reprieve from Alastor's insidious presence that seems to trail her wherever she goes in this shitty building. The Hazbin Hotel is a fitting name for such a rundown crapshack, though she feels that the Shithole Inn would work just as well.

The second she crosses from red carpet to green floorboards she can taste newfound freedom- until there's a hum of radio static that pitches in her ears, causing her to hiss and scowl as a familiar shadow materializes right inside of her personal bubble.

Alastor pops into existence practically on top of her, eternal yellow grin widening as his crimson eyes crinkle in pure malicious delight.

“Sweetheart! There you are. I noticed a lack of your terrible black cloud tainting my radio tower and just had to find you- I can’t have you running off on me.” A clawed finger reaches out to bop her nose, but she dodges out of the way with a growl. “I see you’ve decided to curse the parlor with your dreary disposition instead. How delightfully horrific!”

“The only curse here is you.”

There’s a loud incorrect buzzer that sounds from his staff. “Wrong, I am the host of the hotel! So close.”

“Host, pest, plague, same difference to me,” Nel snaps before attempting to brush past him. “Move your boney ass, I’m getting a drink.”

“This early in the day?” Alastor steps right back in front of her to block her from escaping. “Why, it’s hardly past noon.”

“It’s five o’clock somewhere.”

“Well, if you’re so insistent that it’s a drink you’re after, I’ll prepare it for you.”

“Jesus, the fucking bar cat is right there!”

Said bar cat flips her the bird as he downs his fifth whiskey of the hour. As much as it stings her pride, Nel attempts to smooth things over by awkwardly quirking up the side of her lips in a strained smile- she needs an ally here.

Husk blinks one droopy eye at a time, decides this shit isn't worth it, then grabs his precious bottle and shuffles away from the bar out of the lobby.

Well. Shit.

The radio asshole laughs down at her, “Scotch on the rocks, dear?”

“I’d prefer a lobotomy.”

Using his microphone to herd her towards a worn bar stool, he hardly bats an eye as she tries to snatch it out of his hands. “Perhaps over dinner this evening, if you’re a well behaved little harpy."

Nel refuses to reply; she groans and lays her head down onto the sticky bartop, gluing her bangs to the sugar-stained wood.

Eternity has never seemed so fucking long.

[flowers-of-io]

Destinytober - Ghost

Read on Ao3 with formatting that isn't broken by the mobile tumblr app :)))

Nkechi-32 takes a deep breath, and exhales Light.

The Lost City is brilliant in the sunlight, overgrown buildings letting the brightness in through wide open windows and cracks in the ceilings. The floor is all grass, lush and green, and when she walks it feels like stepping on soft carpet—a little springy, a little uneaven, enticing her to take off the heavy boots and wade through it barefoot. Perhaps she could indulge in a little picnic, when the job's done.

Because of course there's a job. Much like Micah, to have sent her out Ghost-hunting when she'd barely arrived. Nkechi refocuses her optics as Agu flicks through the sensors on her HUD, trying to lock in on their target, but there is so much Light here it's near impossible to track down a single errant signature.

"I think I got something," he informs, and Nkechi sees it too—a speck of yellow on the heat map, some fifteen metres away from them and approaching. She turns the corner just as Agu says, "Wait, the signature doesn't ma—"

"Hi there!"

"Whoa!" Nkechi takes an abrupt step back, barely avoiding bumping head first into something small and violet. She didn't account for how fast the Ghost was moving.

"Oh, sorry!" It draws back as well, and she can see its shell now: Reef-made, delicate metal cut into shapes like flower petals and glazed over. It is strikingly familiar.

"Pulled Pork?" She laughs in disbelief. "Whatcha doin' here?"

"Nkechi!" he chirps, and cartwheels in the air. "We're patrolling! Oh, and by the way, my name's Glint now!"

"I take it this means you've found your Guardian," she says with a smile.

Agu emerges from his hiding spot and gives the other Ghost a good-natured nudge. "Did you find them on some asteroid?"

"Nope!" Glint cartwheels again, then stops and narrows his optic in thought. "Actually, the Dreaming City is technically built on an asteroid, so I guess it counts...? I don't know. Especially now with the curse and everything."

He is still talking when a shadow drops down from the rafters behind him, landing on two legs and then unfurling into a cloaked figure. With her instincts honed over centuries, Nkechi doesn't even flinch.

"You weren't joking about people calling you shredded meat, huh." The Hunter pushes their hood back and extends a hand to her. "You're Glint's friends, I take it?"

"These are Nkechi and Agu!" Glint says before any of them can reply. His voice gains an almost ceremonial tone when he adds, "And this is Crow, my Guardian."

Nkechi doesn't meet her Ghost's eye, but she can feel the look he is giving her. She shakes Crow's hand instead, and lets Glint ramble on.

They actually saw the missing Ghost, he tells her, a few hours ago by the eastern edge of the city. Crow offers to help track it down. He is quite nice, Nkechi thinks; his countenance seems to be in a state of constant battle between the natural Hunter confidence and the sheepishness of young Guardians in conversation with someone much older. They make quick work together, and she has to admit, he's not half bad a scout, even if Glint almost ruins their cover by chattering like a wound-up toy right in front of a flock of Husks.

Later, after escorting the wayward Ghost to Micah, Agu and her sit together on one of the Tower balconies and watch half the sunset, half the buzzing courtyard below.

"You know," he says, "that's not really what I pictured when I said he might find the greatest Guardian of all time."

"What, a prince of the Reef?"

"A Hunter Vanguard."

Nkechi laughs. "With how well filling that position had been going for the past few years, the odds really weren't in his favour."

"You think they're a good match?"

She looks down at the black-and-white Hunter leaning against the kiosk and chatting with a Legionnary. Glint is a tiny splotch of purple in the folds of his cloak, nestled against his cheek.

"Yeah," she says with a smile, and pulls her own Ghost closer. "Almost as good as we are."

[generalsdiary]

comfort isn’t Sunday’s thing.

he is like a match, he needs to burn

and burn out till the wooden wick turns black and ashen.

The head of the Oak family. …Former head of the Oak family. “what a joke…” he dryly chuckles. his wrists and ankles shaded red from the shackles and chains they held him in. the cold metal against his soft skin was still fresh in his mind, chaining a Halovian… an angel in chains- so much like the archangel Lucifer- except Lucifer was never a bad guy, nor is Sunday- that’s what he believes at least. or was Sunday more like Icarus, he got too close to the sun- touched the hand of a god, of an Aeon. this ‘freedom’, if he can even call it that, given by Jade- it will surely be short-lived, like a firefly in the summer, burning out his life. what deal did Robin make with that woman? he should find her, he needs to see his sister. make sure that she is okay. behind his heavy eyelids, Sunday recalls how she caught him, held him… silently murmured prayers fall from his lips in hopes that she is okay. he would forsake anyone, anything, even himself- his pride and beliefs and fall on the ground to pray to any Aeon if it meant his sister would be safe. his step is heavy, silenced by the carpet in the empty hotel room. the door clicks as it closes, and he chuckles once again, a self-deprecating laughter. “I failed. At… everything. I couldn’t protect her, I couldn’t give everyone a happy life in the dreamworld- I couldn’t-“ Sunday’s words get stuck in his throat, choking on them, feeling the flower petals bloom inside his throat- constricting his breathing and making his mouth dry. his gaze raises to the ceiling, is he seeking a remnant of Ena?... no… Sunday is regretting his failure. “I was never enough. I didn’t do well... enough.”

gold sun-like eyes fill with hot tears that slowly tread down his cheeks and he falls to his knees. he softly shakes his head and stands back up, “no… no.” Sunday, even in his fall from the sky, he doesn’t allow himself to tread so lowly that he’d weep on the floor. instead, he walks further into the room, which, in his gaze looks distorted, in the same way the world looks when one’s eyes are full of tears threatening to overflow. Sunday’s eyes were now dry, his hands calm without a tremor as he slowly took off his jacket, and another one… and his shirt. the wings usually wrapped around his waist relax and sit behind him, long, light, never seen by another. the gloves come off his hands and he continues until he stands without any restrictions. troubled mind with troubled eyes focused on the clothes laid out on the bed. why are his clothes the only thing he can control right now? Sunday turns his back to the bed, frustration washing over his body. “What’s next… what is it that I can do next? Where… where would I even go?” Sunday’s voice turns to soft mumbles while his back remains straight and shoulders square, even after everything he holds himself up high, elegant, and firm. as if he is always observed by a silent shadow of his past that judges his every move. with a heavy step, he walks into the bathroom and towards the bathtub. a sour sight. the wound’s still fresh. he sits in the normal bathtub, the water filling it slowly, his head hangs over the edge and he sighs. the match has burnt out. the hot water brings him no comfort. Sunday’s mind is on a short pause, a mere breather full of regret and knives pressing against the hill of his throat, as he struggles to swallow the mistakes, the failures, and thoughts of what he could have done differently. mere moments later his head raises again, the vulnerability in them gone, the tundra cold in them once more while he organizes the information in his head and creates a new plan for moving forward. it is all chaos, his mind like books that fell off the shelves, shredded paper flying around with crossed out writing on them, the furniture thrown, flipped over- his mind palace a mess. Sunday made this mess and now he must sit in it. him, a follower of the order.

“… but chaos… is a ladder.”

[wndaswife]

“This will be the last time you lie to me” promt with Wanda

wanda maximoff & fem!reader

tags: fluff, age regression, mommy kink, mommy!wanda maximoff, little!reader. MINORS DNI.

word count: 622

a/n: i originally read this as an angst prompt, but imagined something a lot cuter instead <333

“Y/N, you wouldn’t happen to know where the cookies for dinner tonight are, would you?” Wanda chimes as she’s reaching up on the highest shelf of the kitchen cabinets.

You shift on the couch, lifting your head from the armrest to peek above the horizon of the couch to look at mommy closing the kitchen cabinet. You continue sucking on the tip of your thumb and slouch back down onto the couch, cuddling your little unicorn stuffie against your chest. “No, mommy, I don’t know where the cookies are,” you muttered and turned your head back to the television.

Wanda walks towards the couch and you shrink further down. “Baby…” she starts, and the shadow of her body casts over the carpet ahead. A hand reaches down and is placed on your forehead, Wanda’s thumb running down the bridge of your nose. Her hand moves down to your chin, and with her thumb and forefinger wrapped around it, she turns your head and makes you look up at her. “Are you sure you don’t know where those cookies went?”

Your lips bunch together as you contemplate telling mommy the truth. Wanda’s eyebrows raise curiously as she looks down at her babygirl.

You finally insist, “Baby don’t know where the cookies are.”

“Baby doesn’t know where the cookies are,” Wanda corrects and nods. You nod in response and puff your cheeks out. She watches as your fingers play with Princess Rainbow’s sparkly horn as you begin to fidget nervously.

Tipping her head to the side, Wanda exhales. She does it in a way that has your attention because she only does so when she’s tired or disappointed. Wanda rounds the couch to sit by your feet. Through the blanket wrapped around your tiny body, she rubs your shin with her palm idly while she watches your cartoon on the television.

“Well, you know, puppy,” she sighs, “when mama’s friends come over for dinner and see that I haven’t made them any dessert, they’re going to be very angry with me. They’ll think I’m a terrible host and a bad friend.”

Heavy waves of guilt come over you and your lips loosen from around your thumb.

“Is mommy a bad friend, baby?” Wanda inquires and looks over to you.

You burst up from your seat on the couch and wrap your arms around her, burying your face in her cheek and hugging her tight as you shut your eyes. “No! Mama is not a bad friend, baby ate mommy’s cookies!” you confess, squeezing her tighter.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Wanda coos and turns to hug you back. “My sweet babygirl. Thank you for being honest with mommy.” She kisses your squished up little face as you continue nuzzling against her. You place Princess Rainbow in mama’s lap for her to cuddle. Mommy hugs your unicorn stuffie with her other arm.

When she pulls away from you and you rub at your eyes with your fisted up hands, Wanda stands from the couch and heads into the kitchen. She returns shortly after with your pink and white pacifier rimmed with the shape of a bear. With one hand cupping your cheek, Wanda lifts your head and pushes your paci’s nipple past your lips. You start sucking immediately.

“There we go. Only good girls get their paci. This will be the last time you lie to me, princess, you must know that mommy loves you no matter what,” Wanda tells you and pulls you in for another hug.

“I love you, mama,” you muffle against her chest, still sucking at your paci.

Wanda lifts you from the couch and tucks your stuffie into your arms. “I love you too. Now, come help mommy make more cookies before dinner.”

[ikeprinces-stuff]

Event: Falling For Fall Hosted by: @violettduchess & @lorei-writes Prompt: Gold (angst) Previous prompt: Rain. Foraging. Moon. Characters: Jin Onii-chan Grandet & Licht Klein & Prince OC [Vernard Mürrisch]

Words: 976

TW: Mention of blood, past trauma, brief mention for a medical condition A/N: was planning to make this an art or portrait but didn't have the power nor the time to do it so here have s fic instead... Pls don't hate me after this like my lil sis gonna do 😭💔😞 this is by far the angstiest angst I WROTE... Not thought... WROTE, cuz the angsts I think abt on daily basis are more worse than this...

🍁[𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧'𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭]🍁

The crisp autumn air wrapped around the trio of princes as they made their way through the sprawling districts of their kingdom, the leaves swirling in shades of gold and amber. Prince Vernard, tall and poised, walked slightly behind his companions, Jin and Licht, who were embroiled in a lighthearted squabble.

“Today isn’t even my turn!” Jin huffed, exasperation lacing his voice. “Yves planned this whole inspection just to keep me away from the sweets he’s baking for the fall feast! I know he’s going to pack them all away before even a single crumb reaches me.”

Licht interrupted with arms crossed. “You know that’s exactly what would happen, Jin. You’d eat them all, while I have more self-control than you.”

“Self-control?” Jin shot back, a challenging smirk dancing on his lips. “C'mon, I see the way you stare longingly at Yves' dessert too, Licht.”

Turning to Vernard, Jin raised an eyebrow. “What do you think, Vern? Is this fair or not?”

Meanwhile, Vernard, lost in the midst of his own thoughts as he absently scratched his right ear -the disabled ear- blinked as his brothers’ voices filtered back to him. “Hm...? What? Oh, I—sorry. I wasn’t paying attention, what were you saying?” he asked sheepishly and genuinely confused. While Jin and Licht exchanged knowing looks; it was a familiar occurrence, the weight of the world on Vernard’s shoulders often distracting him from the joyous banter that surrounded him.

As they entered the county, the excitement of autumn unfolded around them, the vibrant foliage a stark contrast to the heaviness in Vernard’s heart. While Jin and Licht began their work, examining the needs of the local populace, Vernard remained a few paces behind, vigilant and ready to assist if called upon.

A group of raucous children caught the attention of the two princes, their laughter ringing like chimes in the wind. They bounded toward Jin and Licht, all bright giggles and eager faces, but the princes were too absorbed in their tasks. Vernard, however, couldn’t resist; he let out a sharp whistle, beckoning the children over.

“Come on! Over here!” he called, a warmth flooding him as they rushed to his side. Jin pointed to Vernard with an approving grin. “See? You can play with him.”

Without a second thought, the children flocked to Vernard, clamoring for his attention. One little girl grabbed his hand, tugging him to come play, “Will you play with us, mister?” she inquired, Vernard couldn’t resist the innocent joy sparkling in her eyes.

With a nod of encouragement from Licht and Jin, he surrendered, joining the children in their exuberant play.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in hues of gold, the children led Vernard to a magnificent tree, its gnarled branches now stripped bare, creating a carpet of fallen leaves that shimmered like gilded treasures. The children dived into the sea of yellow-gold, laughter spilling from their lips like a joyous melody.

“C'mon, mister Verny! Join us” one child cried, their eyes sparkling with innocent mischief.

Vernard felt a flutter of embarrassment. He was no longer a child embarking on whimsical adventures; he was a prince, burdened by the shadows of his past and duties. Yet, drawn by their laughter, he relented. He leapt toward them, but in his exuberance, he tripped, tumbling back into the harvest of leaves with a soft thud. The children erupted into delighted giggles, filling the air with pure, untainted joy.

Vernard lay back, eyes trained on the vast sky above, where remnants of clouds drifted lazily. For a moment, he felt free—

Until the past anchored him down... Again...

Suddenly, the golden leaves morphed, twisting into a homogenous sea of crimson, the laughter was replaced by unsettling silence. Corpses scattered around him, their faces void of life, all except for himself—an island of breath amidst an ocean of death.

He was back there again, ten years prior, amidst the blood-stained rose war. The memory washed over him, thick and suffocating, clinging to his skin like the chill in the autumn air. How could he be alive when they weren’t? It felt both a curse and a blessing, wrapped together like the hues of fall leaves.

Startled, he bolted upright, his heart racing as reality crashed back in like a wave. One child reached for him, worry etched across their small face. “Are you okay, mister Verny?”

Fighting to shake off the specter of that grim memory, he gathered the child close, arms tightening around their small form. The warmth of the child’s innocence was a balm, but it wasn’t enough to dispel the storm brewing within him.

Across the clearing, Jin and Licht stood patiently, concern evident as they scanned Vernard’s expression. Vernard’s smile was strained, painted with sorrow. The laughter of children surrounded him, but in his eyes lay the shadows of lives lost.

Jin stepped forward, gentleness in his tone, masking the sorrow beneath. “It’s time to head back, Vern.”

Nodding, Vernard rose, turning reluctantly from the children who waved goodbye with innocent hearts. He returned the gesture, but the sadness in his gaze lingered, haunting the edges of his smile.

As they began to walk back toward the palace, Licht turned to Jin, his voice cool but edged with concern. “He remembered again, didn’t he?”

Jin nodded, glancing back at Vernard, the distance a reminder of the burdens hidden beneath gold-embroidered robes. “It’s hard to forget, especially when joy becomes a mirror reflecting pain. Laying among those leaves and kids reminded him too much of the past, just as it reminded him of what he lost.”

The golden hues of autumn enveloped them, but as they returned to the palace, Vernard’s heart carried the weight of memories, each step a conflict between the vibrant life surrounding him and the shadows that still clung to his spirit.

[lively-potter]

— moon struck ; jjk ; two

— moon struck ; jjk

— genre ; strangers to friends to lovers/kinda grumpy x sunshine/smut/fluff/angstwithahappyending 🥹

— warnings ; body insecurities ( mentioned ), eating disorder ( in the past but mentioned ), oc deals with a severe amount of anxiety and panic attacks, violence, smut ( later ), FLUFF, love struck jungkookie 🥹

— find me on Wattpad ; @/LivelyPotter

— word count ; 1.4k

— part one

— my masterlist

— 2024 © @LivelyPotter

river's pov; five pm "Bye, Sarah! Bye, Mrs. Goode! See you tomorrow!" I waved, voice a higher pitch due to nervousness.

Moon gurgled happily within my arms as I clutched onto her for comfort, my cheek falling onto her little head as Mrs. Goode and her daughter waved goodbye with matching wide smiles.

Shivers tumbled down my spine when it was only Moon and I inside the room.

I had hoped that by this time the rest of the parents would arrive after Jungkook did. But, as always, Jungkook would be here in time. At exactly five o'clock.

Oddly enough, the rest of the kids' guardians came early to pick them up due to a football game at Ashley Waters High.

It was at this moment I realized that today, the good lord was most definitely not on my side.

With a resigned sigh, I closed the entrance door and walked back towards the playroom to gather Moon's things and pack them back into her diaper bag her dad packed and left with her the days she was here.

Setting Moon to play on the soft carpet with some soft toys, I folded her stained clothes which she had dirtied when playing with her food earlier, wrapped them up in a paper bag, and slid them into the sleek black backpack that had the moon phases on the front below the zipper.

"Gah!" The shrill that left Moon's lips had me jumping when she threw a white fluffy bunny off her lap to grasp the purple one.

I giggled to myself and crawled towards her to hand her the bunny. "Here, little Moon."

She sent a gummy smile up at me before her mind and attention were taken over by the toys in front of her.

Seeing she was now taken care of, I hummed to myself, putting her other toys and snacks inside the bag before zipping it shut.

My shoulders slumped in relief once all of Moon's items were in her bag. I always felt awkward and hesitant to go through another person's bag — permission given or not. It was still awkward for me.

I dusted off my pants and pulled my long hair back into a high ponytail, feeling tiredness creep into my joints. Babysitting energetic kids while surviving on five hours of sleep would exhaust a girl.

Stifling a yawn, I laid on my tummy in front of Moon's little feet and played with her toys for her as she laughed — clapping her teeny hands together.

"A-gan!" She demanded, cutely outstretching the purple bunny.

"Okay," I giggled, feet kicking back and forth in the air. Time passed as I pretended to make the bunnies dance.

I was so involved in making Moon happy that I failed to realize a looming dark shadow swallowing my frame — watching intensely.

That was until Moon looked over my shoulder and screamed shrilly — little tears of joy already pricking her wide doe eyes.

"You girls having fun?" I felt my heart drop out of my bottom at the sound of Jungkook's husky, orotund voice.

I felt that familiar ball lodge itself in my throat as Moon whimpered happily and scrambled up, the little ruffles of her little pink dress shifting around her tiny knees.

"Da! Da!" She shrieked happily, and waddled past my tensed, frozen limbs to cling onto Jungkook's pants.

I forced back a whimper of my own, this one of fear, and slowly turned my eyes to stare at his black Balenciaga combat boots.

Moon tugged at his dark jeans and pouted, sniffles coming from her throat, "Up! Da, Up!" She demanded in her cute voice, wanting to be picked up and cuddled.

I felt his stare pierce through me, and I shivered and shied away. It was like I was naked — and he could see entirely through me.

I didn't like that.

It was an odd, uncomfortable feeling. And I did not like odd and uncomfortable things.

Jungkook's hands came down and grasped Moon's little waist and hoisted her up to cuddle against his robust, toned chest.

I avoided looking in his direction as he mumbled sweetly to Moon — greeting her happily after being away from her the whole day.

I scurried over towards the cubbies and withdrew Moon's diaper bag — knowing he was looking at me.

Panic bubbled up inside me as he drew closer, tugging at the white tank top and white button-down shirt he wore overtop.

I quickly took a glance down at his black studded belt and felt my breath catch.

In the blink of an eye, he was standing right in front of me, Moon happily and quietly resting in his huge tattooed arms.

Keep calm, River. Please don't make a fool of yourself.

For dingleberries sake!

"Thank you for watching over her for me," he spoke softly as if he was afraid to say the wrong thing. "She always has fun here." He chuckled, eliciting a gurgled laugh to leave Moon. 

It only made my head sink lower.

He made me feel like a child again. Small, weak, and so submissive.

"No problem!" I squealed dumbly, fumbling with my arms as I wrapped them around myself and met his eyes shyly.

"I...I love spending time with her." I admitted in a low whisper, feeling a tiny ounce of proudness rushing through my veins.

His boba-like eyes gleamed happily when they met mine and his breath seemed to catch in his throat as he willed the eye contact to continue. 

The soles of his boots squeaked on the linoleum floor as he shifted his feet. 

The sound made my eyes fall to the floor and I jerkily held out the handle of Moon's bag.

I opened my mouth, but no words would leave me. My limbs seemed frozen, and I couldn't move.

His stare stuck me in place and didn't allow movement.

"Thanks," he rumbled and reached forward to grab the bag.

His huge warm tattooed hand brushed against my tiny one, making me gasp and jump back from the contact of his skin sizzling against mine.

My heart rate amped up and raced inside my chest.

Dingleberries! What was that?

I peeked up in time to see Jungkook's jaw rock back and forth as he opened his mouth, before snapping it shut. He licked at the silver hoops through his bottom lip, naturally drawing my eyes to his lips.

I blushed at the otherworldly handsome man in front of me and inched back.

He was scary, but dingleberries — he looked so perfect. Like he jumped out of my fantasies.

"...I better get going." Jungkook broke the silence and stared down at my frame which he dwarfed with his huge muscular build.

Moon had already fallen asleep during our awkward, yet intense encounter.

"Yeah," I whispered back, wrapping my arms around my stomach.

Jungkook let out a grin.

His boba doe eyes watched me and observed my figure before he stepped away and slowly left the room, not forgetting to look over his shoulder every few seconds to make sure I was there.

Where else could I go?

I was still frozen, rooted, and unable to move until he was well away from the daycare center.

***

third pov ; jeon jungkook ; six thirty pm

Jungkook couldn't help the boyish smile that was on his face as he and Moon watched yet another episode of Paw Petrol before Moon's bedtime.

All that was on his mind, at this moment, was River.

She had spoken to him!

She looked like she could have fainted before him, but he talked to her!

Jungkook felt his toes curl in excitement at the future possibilities. He knew she was intimidated by him, most people were, but he hoped in time, that she would look past his domineering aura — apart from the bedroom, that is — until he could show her that he was nothing to be afraid of.

His aunt and mother always told him that he was just a big ass teddy bear on the inside.

His hand tingles at the memory of him purposely brushing his skin against her little tiny hand — and fuck, her skin was so silky soft.

Jungkook nearly growled at the remembrance of her jasmine and laven scent wafting off her little womanly body.

Moon tugged at his shirt, dragging him from his thoughts to show him her favorite part of her show.

"I see, baby." He assured her beautifully adorable daughter, placing a kiss on her little head as she splayed out on his chest.

As he rocked Moon to sleep, Jungkook could only wonder what tomorrow would bring.

Would he finally get to talk to her again?

Or was it just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? author's note ; ✨ I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I love jungkook, river, and moon sm 💜✨

[michelleleewise]

Blue Dhalia

Pairing: Avenger Loki x jotun Female reader

Warnings: self deprecating thoughts, nightmares, angst, self hatred, poor self image, abduction, swearing, mentions of alcohol

Summary: you believe you had made some progress with Loki, as the team comes to you with a plan....

A/n-graphics by @harlequin-hangout. This next part inspired by my dear friend @vbecker10 's story "shadows of the Past." Thank you so so much!!! 💙

Part Five -- Part Six-

Loki lossened his tie, sliding the knot down sighing as the elevator climbed up. He hoped deep down you had already left, off to galavant around the universe with that complete idiot. The less he saw you the better. He had spent too long trying to move on from his past to be reminded of it everyday. Every time your soft skin touched his, the way your dark ruby eyes searched his, the deep blue of your skin reminding him of flowers in spring....he shook his head, trying to clear the images as the elevator dinged.

He walked out, sliding his jacket off freezing seeing your small form, lying curled in a ball by his door, a thin layer of frost on the carpet and wall around you. Furrowing his eyebrows he quietly walked past you, peering into the sitting room seeing no one. Did they leave her here he thought, looking back down at you. He opened his door, tossing his jacket on a chair, coming back out to the hallway he quietly opened your door before leaning down, lifting you into his arms. Your face nuzzling into his neck as he angled you through the door, careful not to wake you.

"Loookkiiii..." you groaned, pressing yourself further into him making him look down at you, your eyes still closed, your long eyelashes brushing gently against your cheek, you were dreaming. "Yes darling, I'm here." He whispered, shifting you in his arms to get you into the bedroom. "D...dont....go...." you sighed, rubbing your cheek against his chest making him smile. "I'm not leaving." He whispered back, walking to the side the bed, slowly lowering you down adjusting your head on the pillow as you rolled to the side hugging it. He walked to the closet, pulling a thin blanket out shaking out before gently laying it over you hearing you hum.

He carefully slid his hand under your pillow, genlty pulling your gloves off, stepping back setting them on the nightstand he looked down at you. "N..no...I don't want to..." you mumbled furrowing your eyebrows. "You don't want to what y/n?" He whispered leaning closer "mmm don't...I can't..." you mumbled again. "What can't you do?" He asked watching you grip the pillow tighter "cant..leave loki..." you sighed, bringing your knees up. Loki stood there staring at you you didn't want to leave him? He thought hearing a soft snor come from you. He reached his hand out, hovering over your head he hesitated before gently pushing your hair back with his finger tips "you can stay y/n, as long as you like." He whispered seeing you smile.

He walked to the door, checking the temperature as he switched the light off, glancing back at you before walking through your living room, stepping into the hallway carefully closing the door, his head jerking up hearing the elevator ding.. "Brother, there your are." Thor said smiling "sshh! Keep it down, y/n is sleeping!" He hissed as Thor stopped in front of him "my apologies, I only wished to ask if you would care to partake with me?" He asked holding up a small flask. "As long as you are quiet." Loki snapped, walking into his room, thor following closing the door behind him.

"Why didn't y/n go with your friends?" Loki asked slipping his tie from his neck "she did not want to, Mantis believes she needs more time to adjust, away from..." Thor trailed off sitting on the couch as Loki took the chair in front of him. Thor took a drink from the flask passing it to Loki "Norns I miss that." Loki sighed taking a large drink. "Tell me brother, I thought you hated our visitor. Would it not be better if she left?" Thor asked as they passed the flask back and forth "I...I do not hate her Thor." Loki said rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Then what is it? Because I knew she likes you, quite alot." Thor said wiggling his eyebrows "don't be a child Thor, she is simply enamored with me, that is all." Loki snapped taking another drink. "Mm..I don't know, you didn't see the way she looked when you left earlier." Thor said smiling.

Thor leaned forward pressing his elbows on his knees "Loki, all I am saying is maybe give her a chance." He said looking at Loki "she is a sweet girl, and you deserve to be happy." He said. "Thor..." loki groaned sitting back "ok, ok...I will stop, just...think about it yeah?" He said sitting back. "I shall...consider what you say." Loki said taking another drink. "Come brother, let's go play that game where you throw those sharp things at the board on the wall." Thor said standing up "it is called darts you oaf, and you know I will best you." Loki smiled standing up "we shall see after a few more drinks." Thor said nudging his side making him groan "lead the way." Loki said following Thor down the hall to the elevator glancing at your door as they walked past, remembering the look on your face as he left earlier, the ding bringing him back to now as he walked in, pushing the button to go down deciding he did have a lot to think about.

You sat at the counter, sipping your tea thinking about the last few days. Since the night you fell asleep in the hall and woke up in your bed Loki had been...softer was the best way you could put it. He talked to you more, granted it still wasn't very often but it was something. Occasionally you would catch him looking at you before he gave you a small smile and looked away. He seemed more patient, less angry. You weren't sure what happened but you didn't care, you loved spending time with him and would gladly accept any he offered.

You set your cup down, a smile spreading across your face remembering the other day as you sat on the couch looking at a book he had leant you when he came over, leaning over the back as his long arm stretched over you, explaining a certain part on the page. His long fingers following the words, his deep voice in your ear making your face heat up feeling his breath on your neck, looking up into his deep emerald eyes seeing him smile. You had never felt like this before, atleast that you could remember, but all you knew is you wanted to spend every minute in his company.

You heard the elevator, bringing you from your daydream as you got up, running to the hall. Loki had left yesterday on a mission and was supposed to be back today or tomorrow at the latest, deflating seeing Thor steeping out smiling. "Ah y/n, glad your awake, I need to speak to you." He said walking down the hall, stepping back seeing another man with him "its ok, this is Steve, do you remember him?" He asked as you looked him up and down "is he the one with the shield, with the star?" You asked seeing Thor nod "yes, he's the leader of the team." He said, clapping the man on the back. "Y/n, listen is there a way I could talk to you for a second?" The man asked as you nodded, leading them to the couch "i..is loki ok?" You asked sitting in the large chair by the window "oh yes, hes quite alright, he should be back tomorrow." Thor smiled sitting down.

"Listen, y/n the reason I wanted to talk to you was we just received Intel that HYDRA is operating a new base near by and we need your help." The man said as you looked down fidgeting with your gloves. "H...how can I help? I was only a prisoner, I don't know anything about them." You said looking between them. "Well see, that's the thing. They're still looking for you." He said looking at Thor "and we were hoping you could lure them out." He said looking back at you. Your heart sped up thinking about what they had done to you "y/n, it would be a simple in and out, and we'll be there to make sure nothing happens." He continued as you looked at Thor "w..will Loki be there?" You asked feeling your anxiety rise "no, we have to do this now and he will not return in time, but I will be there to ensure you are safe my lady." Thor said smiling again.

You looked to the floor, the thought of being trapped there again...the small cage you were kept in...the hunger you felt when you "misbehaved"...the heat..."i...umm...I don't know." You said shakely hearing your voice crack "please y/n, this is our only shot at this." The man asked watching you. "A..and I'll be ok...they won't take me?" You asked digging your fingers in your palm "no, they will not take you." The man said stenrly. "O..ok, I guess.." you trailed off as the man jumped up "Thank you y/n, we leave in 20 minutes, I'll get the jet ready." He said running to the elevator. "Do not worry y/n. Everything will be fine." Thor said standing up. You nodded, standing with him as you both walked to the elevator seeing him push the button.

You walked out where the jet was, seeing the other man in his bright blue uniform, his shield on his back waving you both over. You walked up the ramp, looking around sitting down in the closest seat "ok strap in, we'll be there in just a few minutes." The man said walking to the front as Thor sat down next to you. You looked up at him seeing him smile again "you do that alot." You said seeing him furrow his eyebrows "do what y/n?" He asked "smile...you smile alot." You said hearing him laugh "I guess I do." He said looking forward. "Where we are going there is alot of activity. We are going to have you walk down the street, getting their attention. We are confident one of them will follow you and we will capture them." Thor said, your stomach flipping as the jet took off.

You weren't sure how long you sat there when you felt the jet touch down. "Ok y/n, has Thor gone over the plan?" The man asked walking back to you "yes, he did." You said standing up "any questions." He asked hitting the button for the door "no...I don't think so." You said as you walked down the ramp "I will not be far y/n." Thor said coming up next to you. You took a deep breath, wrapping your arms around your middle you slowly walked towards the center of town, glancing over your shoulder seeing the ramp close. "It's ok y/n, you can do this, put this in your ear so I can hear you." Thor said patting your shoulder handing you a small black device as he walked ahead of you, making it to town before you.

You made it into town, slowly walking down the sidewalk you put the device in your ear hearing thors voice "can you hear me y/n" he asked making you glance around "y..yes, where are you?" You asked walking down the sidewalk "I am across the street, your doing fine just keep going." He said as you looked ahead, seeing a few people staring at you making you shiver. You turned, looking into the window of a shop when you heard a loud boom behind you, looking back seeing a ball of fire and smoke across the street "run y/n..." Thors voice crackled in your ear "it was a trap, get back to the jet!" He yelled as you turned around, ready to run when two large hands grabbed your shoulders

"well well, hello snowflake." The voice sending a shock through you, freezing you in place as you looked up seeing the man in the white coat "I've missed you." He purred griping your arms tighter, looking over your shoulder as you felt a jolt of pain in your neck, your vision blurring as your knees weakened "don't worry snowflake, we'll be home soon....take her." He said as your body went limp, feeling someone lift you up as darkness consumed you.

Thor stormed off the jet, Steve running to catch up "you told me she would be fine, you assured me.." Thor said wrenching the door open stomping down the hall. "I thought she would be!" Steve yelled behind him as Thor hit the button for the elevator. "Yes well, what are we going to do now?" Thor asked stepping inside hitting the button "we will find her Thor, don't worry." Steve said standing next to him. "What if something happens to her?" Thor asked looking at Steve. "It's going to be ok, we will get her back, I swear." Steve said sternly "easy for you to say, you do not have to explain this to Loki." Thor sighed rubbing his temples. He walked out of the elevator heading to his room, he had no idea what he was going to tell Loki and less then a day to figure it out....

@mochie85 @lokisgoodgirl @springdandelixn @kinky-faerie @xorpsbane @midnights-ramblings @simping-for-marvel @holdmytesseract @kkdvkyya @slpnbty2001 @lokixryss @vane28282 @violethaze @coldnique @aniar4wniak @nate-ate-hate @buttercupcookies-blog @brattymum96 @dukes2581 @your-taste-on-my-lips @mybabyh @blog-the-lilly @irishhappiness @sinsandguilt @filthyhiddles @lovebyloki @kikster606 @javagirl328 @misunderstoodself @highkeysimpingforloki @eleniblue @commanding-officer @athalialaufeyson @stupidthoughtsinwriting @lokiandbuckysdoll @loopsisloops @joyful-enchantress @jaidenhawke @silverfire475 @high-functioning-lokipath @kittiowolf210 @slytherclaw1227 @joyfullymassivewhispers @wolfsmom1 @libbybeaz @lokikissesmyforehead @goblingirlsarah @thomase1

[panda-writes-kpop]

my friends aren’t far, in the back of my car, lay their bodies

A/N: guess who finally got the inspiration to start editing instead of just writing every idea that comes into their head!! so so so excited to see everyone's reaction to this since I enjoyed writing the original (bloodsucker, famefucker) so much 🫶 song title taken from Billie Eilish's bellyache and other inspiration is drawn from bury a friend by Billie Eilish! Now, I will go back into my little cubby hole and attempt to edit more fics without creating more WIPs (self-control is non-existent in this household 😌)

TW: Heavy gore, lots of blood, main character death, magic that functions as I wish, hallucinations(?)

Word Count ~ 4.7k

( <- Previous Part | Next Part -> | Series Masterlist)

Summary: Strange visions haunt you as you're forced to confront your reality - your close friend is dead, your other friends are in serious danger, and there's some weird secret that everyone's keeping from you.

♡ Masterlist ♡

The wind blows through your hair and clothes as you wait for a train back home. You had been staying with some family for the semester, and it was finally time to return back home to your beloved bedroom. You missed the peeling paint in the living room and the smell of chlorine from the neighbor’s pool. 

You wince as the smell infiltrates your nostrils. Okay, maybe chlorine wasn’t the best nostalgic scent, but it was a part of your childhood.

“Are you waiting for a train?” Chou Tzuyu, the pretty elven girl-next-door, stands next to you.

“I am… but your train?” Curiously, you tilt your head at her.

Her train home is the opposite way?

“I’m not going home, not anymore.”

Although the physical train is nowhere to be seen, a mental train runs through your mind as the events of the past few hours hits you.

The party. The blood. SuA’s fangs. Purple magic?

“What happened to you?” You grab her hand and squeeze it tightly.

Her hands were cold, as if every bit of warm had left her body.

“I…” She pauses with a confused look on her face. “I don’t remember. I was in my dorm room, and then I remembered that I had a train to catch.”

“You don’t go home, except for breaks,” You gasp as you immediately let go of your hand, “don’t tell me that you’re-“

“I’m what?”

She turns to look at you, and you have to bite your lip to hold in the scream. Tzuyu stands in front of you, but it’s as if every bit of life has left her skin, eyes, and hair. Her voice is the only thing that resembles her, the rest is utterly foreign to you.

The bleakness in her eyes terrifies you the most. Focus and determination were usually nested in her eyes, but the lack of any emotion was horrifying. The coldness in her mannerisms, the lack of anything remotely human… what had happened to Chou Tzuyu?

Well, it ended in death, whatever it was.

~

“Tzuyu!”

You sit upright on the sofa, and your sudden movement causes you, as gracefully as possible, to face plant on the floor. You prefer the taste of coffee or tea over wool carpet, but anything was better than what you were just dreaming about. After removing your mouth from the carpet, you roll over and burn your eyes when they focus on the LED lightbulb installed in the light fixture.

After you blink away the light and spit out the taste of carpet from your mouth, the shadow of someone standing over you disrupts the light beams from continually hitting your face. 

“You look like shit.”

Although she’s covered in darkness, you can see the shit-eating grin from a mile away.

“I feel like shit, and I had a shitty dream too.” You rub your head before sitting up. “What time is it?”

“Ten in the morning-“

“Oh shit-“

“-on November 1st.”

“Oh shit!” You immediately come to your feet as a wave of dizziness comes over you.

Handong grabs your arm before you can go back to the ground.

“Easy there, you lost a lot of blood.”

“Thanks,” You mumble as you both walk to the couch, “can you tell me what I’ve missed? I’m assuming it’s quite a bit, since you mentioned that SuA-“

“-Yeah, I’ve got some things to explain., but I need you to fill in the gaps.”

You sigh before shaking your head.

“I’ll do my best.”

~

“Did you hear that scream? I think someone next door had too much to drink-“

Gahyeon’s shrieks wake the house before she can finish her musings. 

Menacingly, SuA stands over your body with a lovesick look on her face. Gahyeon had seen that look before when the two of you were dating, but this was different.

There was sharp malice like a thousand daggers reflected in her eyes, and her gaze was forever stuck on your form as she leaned down and tried to take another bite out of you.

Before she knew it, Gahyeon’s claws were digging into SuA’s neck with no mercy. Gahyeon usually had control over turning into her fox form, but after seeing you bloodied, bruised, and near death, there was no more self control.

She didn’t stop scratching or clawing at the flesh until SuA’s screams were silenced, and even then, a few more were needed to make sure that she’d never hurt you again.

By the time Handong had came into the kitchen, only a few moments later, SuA was mauled beyond recognition, and Gahyeon was nudging you softly with her snout.

A soft whine comes from the animal as Handong gags at the site in front of her.

“Gahyeon? I heard you and-“ Yoohyeon gasps as she stops right behind Handong, “oh shit!”

~

“Gahyeon?” Your voice, soft, and your eyes, full of disbelief, stare at Handong.

You want to believe that you were the one to kill her, that everything had been your fault, after all… but it wasn’t that way. You’d dragged your friends into this, and now they were paying the ultimate price.

Everything was your fault, but you weren’t paying any of the price. 

Poetic as shit.

“What about Minji and Siyeon?” You trail off before shaking your head. 

“I’m not sure, but I’m just glad you’re safe.” Her hand rests on your arm as you sigh.

“I think I can put Minji and Siyeon aside for a moment. I need to support my friends. Where is everyone else?”

Handong gives you an unsteady look as your eyes narrow.

“Where are they, Dongie?”

“Yoohyeon went out looking for Minji, if that’s what you’re asking.” She quickly stands up from the couch and her strong grip takes you along with her. “She refused to get involved with anyone else until Minji was accounted for. It’s sweet to see how they still care for each other.”

You stare at her, dumbfounded, as you’re dragged into the kitchen. A shive rides along your spine as memories of SuA’s murderous attempt.

A bloody smile. A wooden spoon. A red fox?

You briefly recall a fox coming to comfort you in between the attack and the binding, but you can’t remember why you blocked this out earlier.

Was I in denial?

“Gahyeon and Dami.” You force your arm from her grasp as Handong bites her lip and leans against the counter.

“They’re being detained and tried by the school council tomorrow with the possibility of expulsion and real legal implications.”

Your head snaps to Handong as you quickly close the distance between the two of you.

“Huh?”

“I didn’t want to tell you because you’d-“ She pauses as you run off to find your phone, “overreact, as I expected.”

Handong grabs your coat as you quickly dial a phone number you haven’t texted in months.

“You’re not going to stop me?” You tilt your head at her as the phone rings in your hand.

You quietly thank her for the coat as you do an awkward one-hand dance to get it on while holding the phone.

“I’ve learned better. Where are we going?”

With a click, the phone connects.

“Clove, what’s up? I’m busy at the moment-“

“Ryujin, I know you’re at the hospital with Siyeon. Text me the address and I’ll be there in thirty.”

“You could start with hello, you know,” Ryujin chides you over the phone before scoffing, “How will you get here so fast? You don’t have a car-“

“Every hospital in this city is within a 10 minute bus or train ride from campus. I’ll see you when we get there, Jinnie.”

“Don’t call me that, Clove-“

You hang up on Ryujin before she can yell at you as a soft smile spreads across Handong’s face.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you two were siblings.”

“Everyone did,” You slide your phone in your coat pocket before heading for the front door, “that’s why we were best friends growing up.”

“What’s the plan here?”

“I’m going to try to piece together what fucking happened, and then I’m going to acquit my friends before they have to defend themselves in front of the council.” You explain as you slam the door open. “You coming or not?”

“For the record, this was a stupid idea,” She grumbles, “but I made a promise to someone that I’d keep watch over you.”

“Gahyeon?” Your eyebrows furrow in confusion as Handong chuckles to herself.

“God, you are as oblivious as Tzuyu said.”

Your heart drops to a pit in your stomach at the mention of her name, but you gracefully show her a smile as you nod and close the door behind Handong. 

Tzuyu, what happened to you? What happened to everyone?

~

“It’s a four-leaf clover!”

You hold the plant you happily plucked out of the ground about three inches from Ryujin’s face, who immediately recoils and coughs aggressively.

“Watch it!” Her eyes soften once she sees your fascination with the clover. “You love those things, but they’re everywhere. What makes them so special?”

“I… don’t know. I just think they’re neat, Jinnie.” You shrug before holding the clover close to your chest.

“Okay, if you’re going to continue to call me that, then I’ve got to find something to call you as revenge.” Sparks fly in her eyes as she silently brainstorms.

“Pabo isn’t a nice nickname.” You tease as her mouth hangs open in surprise.

“How did you know I’d pick that one?”

“Just a guess.” Your gaze turns to the clover, but Ryujin’s gaze focuses on you and the clover.

“I’ll find something for you, don’t doubt it!”

~

After a small mix-up with the receptionist, you find yourself walking down the hospital hallway. Handong quietly walks in your shadow, and you find yourself missing the companionship of your other friends.

You did enjoy being around Handong, but sometimes, you felt as if she would’ve fit in better with Minji, SuA, and Siyeon. Dongie would graduate a year before you, Dami, and Yoohyeon would, and it made you wonder why she chose you. Was she really here for you, or was it out of moral obligation?

“Minji and Siyeon chose their sides, as we chose ours,” Handong reassures you while holding on to Gahyeon, “and I don’t miss the drama, the fights, and the black-out parties.”

Was that the truth, or was there more she didn’t say? Like Dami, her words didn’t fully express her opinions. You didn’t miss the soft sighs or sad looks whenever anything about the other three girls was brought up - she missed everyone being together more than she let on. Under the guise of sarcasm and self-defense, Handong was vulnerable, just like the rest of you. You wanted her to feel comfortable with you, for her to put down her walls with you, but the two of you hadn’t had a deep conversation until that fateful night.

Remorse was the only word that could describe Handong at the moment, and you felt bad for dragging her along. She was here out of moral obligation, once again, to one of your mutual friends.

You wouldn’t blame Handong if she never wanted to see you again after this mess was over, or if everyone else in your friend group did the same. 

“The door’s on your left.” Handong calls out as you come to a halt in front of the door.

You pause as your hand rests on the door. You were, in every sense of the word, opening Pandora’s box. Siyeon might cuss you out, try to kill you, or never talk to you again.

In any case, you had to find out something, even if it was confirming how much she hated your guts.

“I’ll be outside.” Dongie crosses her arms and leans on the left side of the doorframe as your eyebrows furrow.

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m going to try and contact Yoohyeon, see if she’s found anything.”

“Sounds good,” You push the door open, slightly, before closing it again, “Dongie?”

“Yeah?”

“Promise me you’ll put yourself first after this mess is over.”

“I am, trust me.” Her eyes scream honesty, but you can sense a bit of unsureness in her voice.

You don’t want to push her anymore, but you hope you’ve planted a seed of an idea in her head. With a small nod, you take a deep breath and open the door, expecting the worse.

“Hey,” Siyeon, from the hospital bed, softly calls out to you, “Your neck-“

“You look like shit-“ Ryujin stops pacing by the window and gives you a small glance before continuing to pace.

“Funnily enough, you’re the second person to tell me that-“

“Did SuA actually make it to you?” Tears threaten to fall from Siyeon’s eyes as you find yourself taking a nearby chair and pulling it by Siyeon’s bed.

“She did, but I survived.” 

Once you take a seat, Siyeon attempts to stand up, but the cast on her left leg keeps her bound to the bed. Her leg is hung above the bed by a small contraption held by two metal wires attached to a device on the ceiling. 

Although you’re sure you don’t look much better, Siyeon looks like she’s been run through the washer and then thrown down a mountainside before being dunked underwater ten different times. Her messy, short blue hair clings to her forehead with a sheen of sweat that hasn’t been cleaned up yet.

“Siyeon, I’m afraid this isn’t a friendly call-“

“-I know, I’m the last person you probably want to see at the moment.” She bashfully looks away as Ryujin carefully eyes the two of you.

“That’s the last thing on my mind, I promise you,” You hold out your hand to her as an olive branch, and she quietly takes it after a moment of contemplation, “I just want to know what happened between you and SuA.”

“It started because of a phone call. I walked into our dorm, after finishing my last class of the day, when I heard her talking to one of her vampire friends. I wouldn’t have thought anything of it, she’s usually on her phone when she’s not doing homework, sleeping, at class, or at a party, but she was talking about you.”

“What’d she say?”

“Clove, she wanted to turn you.” Ryujin stops moving as her icy glare pierces your skin.

“Turn me? Was this for revenge, or because…” You pause as you try to connect the dots with your own experience.

As your mouth opens, SuA makes a quick maneuver towards you and pins you to the nearest wall.

“You know,” She gasps for air as she eyes your neck, “we could’ve done this the easy way while you were sleeping.”

“It wasn’t revenge or to make you miserable,” Siyeon explains, “she wanted you two to be bonded together, body and soul. You were to be a vampire spawn, utterly dependent on her for food and everything else.”

“What the fuck!” Your head spins with the revelation as Ryujin comes to your side.

“Breathe. I know this is shocking news.”

“You think?” Your head snaps in her direction as she takes your other hand in hers.

“We can take a minute, I can grab you something to drink-“

“-No, this isn’t about me.” You push your personal feelings aside, just for a moment, as you continue to press Siyeon. “What happened next?”

“I tried to be the voice of reason and tell her that it was a horrible idea, but Minji was so much better at those sorts of things. Without her there, things got heated… and physical. I didn’t realize how loud we were, chasing each other around and throwing things, but it all came to a head when an elven girl came to the room.”

“Was she tall, had brown hair, and was a classic, elven sort of pretty?”

“Yeah, that’s who it was. A freshman, I think? Must’ve been the same age of Gahyeon…” SIyeon muses to herself as your mind races with the realization that your dream was a reality.

Chou Tzuyu was murdered.

“SuA was so heated, she wasn’t thinking straight, and I realized later that she hadn’t touched any of her pre-packaged blood in the fridge. The bloodlust, combined with her anger, must’ve caused her to lose control and I-“ Siyeon starts to cry as you squeeze your hand, “I tried to pull her away, but SuA threw me across the room. My leg took the brunt of the hit, and I couldn’t move because I thought I was concussed. I had to watch- I had never seen SuA like that.”

“Did Minji come back? Who brought you here?”

“Minji won’t reply to my calls, and campus police have put out a missing person report. If she’s not found in another 24 hours, the report’s going out to the media and city police.” Ryujin hands you her water bottle, and you take a quick swig of it. “I had tried calling Siyeon for hours and I couldn’t get a hold of her, so I stopped by her dorm and found the girl, dead, along with Siyeon.”

“Her name was Tzuyu.” You softly say as your tears freely flow along with Siyeon’s. “She was bright, strong, beautiful, kind-“

“God, you’ve had a rough forty-eight hours, huh?” Ryujin sits on the edge of the arm rest of your chair as she leans in to give you a side hug. “I’m here for you, always.”

“I’m here for you too, you know,” Siyeon sniffles as she looks at the two of you, “werewolves are loyal creatures  to those they care about.”

“You still care about me?”

“I never stopped.”

Siyeon quickly embraces you as you break down sobbing in her arms. Ryujin softly pats your back for a minute, but Siyeon manages to pull her into the hug as well.

“Will we be okay?” You ask against the fabric of Siyeon’s hospital gown.

“We’ll figure out a new normal, I promise. I think we all have some things to discuss once this mess blows over.”

Your sweet moment is interrupted by flickering lights and a shrill scream in a nearby hallway. Ryujin bares her teeth and rushes into the hallway as you try to comfort Siyeon.

“You’re going to be okay, Ryujin is one of the strongest werewolves I know.”

“I know, that’s why she’s the campus pack leader despite not being a senior member,” Siyeon pauses to wipe her tears before brushing her hand against your face, “how did you two meet?”

Silence overtakes the area as a low growl can be heard in the distance. The sound of a body crashing against the door causes you to pull Siyeon further into you as she mumbles in a mixture of mental and physical pain.

The lights completely shut off, and you’re left in darkness as Siyeon’s heavy breaths tickle your neck.

“We were childhood best friends,” You softly mumble as you hear loud footsteps approach the door, “and she gave me the nickname ‘Clove’ after I fell face-first into a field of clovers.”

Siyeon snorts as a single knock against the door rings out against the silence.

Bang!

“Was it her fault?”

Bang! Bang!

Two knocks against the door, louder this time, cause Siyeon to wince. You find a sense of odd calmness in this all, as if death does not and cannot phase you anymore. 

“Absolutely. That little fucker tied my shoelaces together before I could do anything.”

You can’t see her face in the darkness, but her laughter reassures you that you’re doing your best to keep her focused away from whatever is going on outside of the door.

The lights turn on suddenly, and you blink away the light after letting go of Siyeon. She calls out to you, but her words are interrupted when the door opens and two figures stumble in behind you.

You immediately turn around and gasp when you recognize the two faces, but they’re not the same people you were talking to before.

“The door was jammed!” Yoohyeon raggedly breathes in before collapsing onto a nearby hospital chair.

Her hair is an absolutely mess, sticking out in every direction as if she took part in a failed science experiment, and her clothes are covered in cuts and leaves. You can tell she’s got one hell of a story to tell, but you’re more interested in the tale of the person next to you.

“Minji?” Siyeon softly whispers, as if her name would shatter the sacredness of this place.

“Siyeon, I’m sorry,” JiU closes the door behind you and rushes to her bedside, “how are you feeling?”

If you hadn’t backed away from the bed, you’d have been run over by her attempt to get to Siyeon. You sigh before crossing your arms and walking towards Yoohyeon.

“I’m okay, I promise,” Siyeon grabs JiU’s forearms as JiU gently sets her head against Siyeon’s head, “but I think you have some explain to do.”

“You think?” You scoff before handing Yoohyeon a water bottle. “I’m glad you’re okay, Yooh, but please take someone with you before running off in the forest less than forty-eight hours after a murder.”

“Trust me, I learned my lesson. Humans are not meant to get into fights with forest gnomes, especially ones who are overprotective of the Queen that they kidnapped.”

Your facial expression twists into confusion as you look between Yoohyeon and Minji.

“Do I get an explanation on how this all relates to SuA’s attack after the party, or whatever just happened outside of this room?” You rub your temples with your hands in order to make sense of the scraps of information you have.

Forest gnomes that kidnapped Minji? Queen of the gnomes? Yoohyeon shows up looking like she got dragged through the whole forest twice?

“What happened outside of the room?” Minji mirrors your face of confusion as Siyeon stares blankly at Minji.

“The flickering lights, the sounds from the hallway… you heard none of it?” 

“There wasn’t anything like that nor was there anyone in the hallway… it was almost like the place was completely deserted.” Yoohyeon explains as you fail to understand what just happened.

“You didn’t see Ryujin or Handong?”

“They were here?” Yoohyeon stares at you, in shock, as you slide into the chair next to her.

“I’m getting tired of weird shit happening to me.”

“Me too, but I think Minji would be best equipped to explain this one.”

“I, ah-“ She nervously rubs the back of her neck after letting go of Siyeon, “I had an idea that SuA was going to do something. That’s why I came to the party. I wanted to speak with you, but Yoohyeon forced me outside before I could say anything.”

“All you said was ‘I have something important to tell them’,” Yoohyeon mockingly says, “and there was no reason behind it!”

“Yooh, let it go, it’s in the past,” You squeeze her hand in support as she attempts to fix her hair with her free hand, “what happened next?”

“After leaving the party, I ran into Dahyun while walking back to the dorms. She said she was looking for Tzuyu, but she couldn’t go into her dorm building because there were campus police swarming the building.”

“Hold on, Dahyun was looking for Tzuyu? Tzuyu was at the party-“ Your heart sinks to the floor as your mind attempts to build a timeline of events.

SuA attacked Siyeon and Tzuyu sometime earlier in the day, which means that someone else was 

“-Unless someone made a mirage of her. Think about it, she was pretty distant and didn’t participate in anything. I know she’s quieter than most, but she does like to do stuff.” Yoohyeon explains.

“Dami always said that mirages only imitated people, and only high-level spell casters could create or authorize talking or moving mirages.” You fondly remember the conversation from earlier this year, in which she had explained to you in strong detail how mirages worked.

You failed to understand any of it, but she was happy to have an audience to listen to her rambles before an exam, so you were happy. There would be little that you wouldn’t do to make her happy.

And yet, she put herself in a compromising position for you.

“SuA, a few days before this all happened, mentioned seeing a professor in the field of spell casting for some help on homework.” Minji adds to the conversation as you bite your lip in anticipation.

“And we’re back at this being the fault of a dead woman.”

“SuA’s dead?!” Minji and Siyeon both exclaim as your eyebrows nearly jump to the ceiling.

“Yeah, you two missed a lot. SuA nearly killed them, and Dami had to bind her soul to theirs to keep them from dying. Funnily enough, they actually did die-“ Yoohyeon tries to explain before someone interrupts.

“-Dami bonded your souls together?” Siyeon asks as an unreadable emotion crosses her face. “I never figured her to be that bold.”

“Wait, I died-“

“-For forty-two seconds, in which I was crying for thirty of those seconds-“ Yoohyeon corrects you as you stare at her, dumbfounded.

“-What the fuck is happening?” You let go of Yoohyeon’s hand before huffing and standing up. “You know what? I need a minute.”

“Wait-“ Yoohyeon attempts to grab your arm, but you swat her away with ease.

“Don’t, just stay here and catch them up to speed. It’s all too much, and I just need a second to think-“

“Wait, I still haven’t explained th-“ Minji’s pleas are the last thing you hear before you slam the door closed behind you.

You place your back against the metal door before sliding down to meet the floor. Currently, you wish you could time travel to three days ago, when none of this was your problem.

But you can’t, and it is your problem, so you have to figure out what to do next.

Okay, so I know that Gahyeon was the one to kill SuA, not me. SuA had been planning her attack for days and no one said anything. Tzuyu was murdered earlier in the day, and SuA, without any magical experience, managed to make a mirage of Tzuyu that could imitate her mannerisms and speech to perfection. Minji somehow knew what was going to happen and tried to warn me, but Yoohyeon thought that she had ulterior motives and shooed her away.

During the earlier attack, Siyeon was injured and was not found until much later by Ryujin. Ryujin brought her to the hospital and filed a missing person report for Minji. Handong stayed with me as Yoohyeon went to look for Minji. In-between the house attack and today, campus police came and detained Gahyeon and Dami.

Why Dami? Gahyeon took accountability for the murder, I’m assuming, but what did Dami do?

You pull your phone from your pocket as you notice the pitch-black darkness in the hallway.

I need to find Handong, quickly, because I have a feeling that something terrible will happen if it has not happened already. She never explained why campus police took both girls, and not just Gahyeon.

When you turn on your phone flashlight, you scream at the sight of a body a few feet from you. The corpse is unrecognizable - the best description would be if the inside organs replaced the outside skin of the poor victim. Most notably, you see two small circles, right next to each other, in a spot where you assume their neck was.

Fucking vampires.

You gag at the smell of rotting flesh, although you can’t see the flesh on the person, and you wonder how Yoohyeon and JiU didn’t see them earlier.

They would’ve freaked if they had seen that, right?

You see a large trail of blood leading into the darkness that starts at the body in front of you. Mustering about 1/10 of the bravery that you used to have, you tightly grip your phone case as you venture into the darkness that awaits you.

Adventure awaits, but I’m sure as shit not ready for it.

~

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