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sdottkrames · 4 years ago

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The World was Wide Enough

@comfortember prompt 8: lashing out

Summary: Peter finds out about Siberia. He’s not very happy about the way Captain America treated his dad mentor. So when he gets hurt on patrol and it’s Cap who comes to help him? Some words are said.

Notes: I’ve had this idea in my head for a long long time, and finally worked up the nerve to do it. I hope y’all like it!

Also, I do NOT hate Steve. I hated Civil War and how they portrayed Tony with a passion, but I adore Steve Rogers with all my heart. Mkay?

Read on AO3: Here

Peter hadn’t meant to hear. He was simply walking by and heard Tony’s voice. He sounded agitated and Peter had just wanted to see if he was okay.

“Listen, guys, I appreciate you apologizing, but what’s done is done. Give it a rest.” Tony said.

“I just...I’m sorry, Tony.” That was Steve. What were they talking about?

“I am as well. Tony, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know they were your parents,” Bucky said.

Now Peter was feeling guilty standing there. He definitely wasn’t supposed to hear this conversation. But like a train wreck, he couldn’t look away.

“Barnes, it was mind control. I’m not saying we’re going to be best friends, but I don’t want to kill you anymore, so it’s a start, alright? Here.” Tony pressed a button and a video pulled onto screen. It played for a second, the sounds of fighting filling Peter’s ears. It took a moment to register that it was Tony and Steve and Bucky fighting. Tony paused the video and clicked delete, but not before it showed Steve drive his shield into Tony’s chest. “There. I’ve been meaning to do that. It’s cathartic, you know. Miracle of forgiveness and all that. Now go. And stop apologizing. We’re cool.”

But Peter was anything but.

His ears were still ringing with the clank of a shield slamming into an arc realtor, his eyes so full of Tony’s scarred, crumpled body, too similar to another scarred, crumpled body from years earlier.

Steve and Bucky turned towards the door, meeting Peter’s eyes, and realizing for the first time that he was there. They’d never seen the normally mild, kind boy look so angry. Their hearts dropped as they realized just what he had seen, how it looked, how it had made him feel.

“How. Dare. You,” Peter spit out before turning on his heel without a second glance behind him at the others who were staring at his retreating back in shock.

***

Peter flipped over the gate at the front of the school, and rushed into a nearby alleyway to change into his Spider-Man suit. The feeling of the suit instantly calmed his anxious energy.

Gosh, he loved being Spider-Man, especially when it allowed him to avoid thinking.

Peter had been avoiding Captain America ever since accidentally seeing the video a few weeks ago, when his world had been shattered. The kind Cap who had taught him how to cook and made him laugh with funny stories had morphed into a cold, heartless man who had nearly killed Tony. Tony might’ve forgiven Cap, but he’d had five years to work that out. Peter was still angry.

Realizing he had worked himself up again with his train of thought, Peter firmly yanked his mask over his head to focus on being Spider-Man.

“Good afternoon, Peter.”

“Hey Karen,” Peter said, grateful for the distraction and friendly voice. “Whatcha got for me today?”

“There’s a robbery happening at that electronics store on 69th street,” she answered.

“Lead the way!” Peter shot a web and followed the route Karen projected to him.

It was a routine, even simple job. Two shots of his web, a couple trademark snappy one-liners, and Peter was out of there. He’d even gotten some free headphones from the store owner.

Then he’d helped a young girl find her mom, rescued a dog that had fallen down a storm drain (the dog’s name was Mina, and she was very cute. Mina’s owner had been beyond grateful), and stopped three different muggings. Overall, it had been a pretty awesome night. Peter was just about to head home when everything went south.

“Peter, there appears to be a lady in distress in an alleyway between 75 and 76th streets,” Karen said. “Would you like me to direct you there?”

“Yeah. I’ll go help, then let the police handle any more situations.”

He should’ve just gone home.

Peter got a few good webs in. He surprised the two muggers, and the lady used his entrance as a chance to grab her purse and run away.

“I’d say see you around, but I honestly hope I won’t,” he quipped to the men stuck on the wall. He was about to shoot a web to swing out and let the police take care of the two criminals, but stopped as a tingle raced down his spine. It was too late. Before he could move, a gunshot tore through the alleyway.

Instantly, pain exploded in Peter’s right shoulder. He turned to see the gunman, a nondescript man wearing a hat to shadow his face. Peter forced back the nausea and pain to web him up next to his friends.

“Shooting people in the back? Not cool man,” he said, gritting his teeth and swinging to the top of a nearby building before collapsing against the wall. “Karen,” he gasped. “Call Tony!”

Peter was starting to see spots. He could feel the blood coming from his shoulder and the pain was radiating all over.

“Pete!” Friday must have alerted him already, because Tony's voice was frantic. “Hang on, buddy. I’m coming, okay? Just sit tight. I’m on my way!”

“It hurts.”

“I know. I know. Just hang on.”

Tony's panicked voice was interrupted by another one, equally as panicked.

“Peter?” Steve Rogers stood on the rooftop, staring in shock and worry at the boy slumped against the wall.

“Is that Steve?” Tony asked.

“Yeah. I’ll see you soon.”

“Wait, no, Pete!” Tony called, but Peter had already hung up.

“What’re you doing here?” Peter glared at Steve, the anger seeping in and turning his voice into daggers.

“I was out following a lead on a hydra base when I got a notification from Friday saying you were hurt and I-“

“You what?” Peter asked harshly. “Thought that you’d play hero and I’d just forget about the fact that you never cared about me, or about Tony!” Peter was crying now, and he thoughtlessly tried to wipe the tears away, but cried out as the movement made a sharp stab of pain shoot through his whole body. The pain became too much, and Peter started slipping into darkness. Steve’s frantic face was the last thing he saw before he was totally unconscious.

***

“-wouldn’t let me anywhere near him. Tony, I need you to know that I’m sorry. I never meant for a rift like that to happen.”

Peter heard Tony sigh, heard the rustle as he ran his hands through his hair. “Listen, capsicle, I know. We’ve put that behind us. I’ll talk to the kid. He just...he lost his dad and his uncle before, and I think he’s a little protective. He’ll come around, though. He won’t admit it cause he’s nearly as stubborn as I was at his age, but I can tell he misses you.”

“Okay.” Steve sounded dejected, and Peter’s head and heart declared war.

On the one hand, it killed Peter to hear the man he’d admired for so long sound so dejected and to know that he was the cause of Steve’s distress. He never wanted to hurt anybody, let alone one of his heroes who had become family.

On the other, Peter’s head was holding tenaciously to his absolute loyalty to Tony, and the anger and hurt he felt that Steve, his “uncle” Steve, his hero had nearly killed his dad. Because, honestly, wasn’t that what Tony was at this point? There was no use denying it anymore. And Peter just couldn’t lose another father.

As he battled within himself, he heard Steve leave, and Tony came and sat in the chair beside his bed.

“I know you’re awake.”

Shoot.

“Playing dead isn’t going to stop this conversation from happening, Peter.”

He opened his eyes.

“Yeah, hi. First off, how are you feeling?” Tony's voice softened.

“Hurts, but I’m feeling better,” Peter said, wincing as he shifted into a more upright position.

“Careful there,” Tony fussed. “Don’t pop a stitch. Cho says you are incredibly lucky. The bullet hit just the right spot to miss the bones and arteries, so you should be alright in, oh, a day or two.”

“Okay.”

“Second, that's for scaring me!” Tony hit the back of Peter's head gently. “And third,” Peter looked away, but Tony gently pulled his face back to look into his eyes. His voice was incredibly gentle. “You need to let it go with Cap, okay? The guy’s apologized about 30 times to me, and i know he’s only refrained from apologizing to you because he doesn’t have a phone and you’ve been avoiding him like the plague.”

Peter couldn’t deny it.

“I’ve forgiven him, okay?” Tony continued. “Now, and I know it’ll take some time, and you are entitled to that time, but now you need to forgive him, too. I wasted too much time holding onto anger and grudges. I don’t want you to go through that.”

Peter felt the tears running down his cheeks, leaving a scalding trail, and Tony gently wiped them. Peter gave a small nod.

“Okay, Tony.”

A noise from the doorway made both of them look up. Steve was standing there, looking unsure of himself as he shuffled from one foot to the other.

Shooting Peter a look, Tony stood up. “I’m going to go get some coffee. I’ll be back in a little bit.” He patted Steve’s shoulder as he left, and gently pushed him towards the bed.

Peter was suddenly very interested in the plain blue hospital sheets that had been there for years, and he picked at them for a couple heavy seconds before taking a breath.

“You can come in and sit down, Steve,” he said softly.

“Thanks.”

The chair squeaked as Steve sat down, and for some reason, it made Peter smile. He looked at Steve and saw a matching smile forming in response on the older hero’s face. At the small, mundane moment, something unlocked inside Peter.

It’s said that a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, or that forever is made up of tiny moments. That tiny moment was the first step, and Peter took a breath as he began to let go of the anger he’d been holding on to for weeks and let himself face it.

“Listen, Steve, I should’ve come and talked to you before. I was just so angry, and afraid.”

“I understand.” Steve’s voice was so soft and gentle, and Peter felt the last of the fight leave him. “I know that you lost your father and your uncle, and it kills me to know that I was almost the reason you lost another one. I’m so sorry.”

Peter measured his next words carefully, searching himself to make sure he really meant them. “I forgive you. I forgive you, Steve. If you and Tony are good, then we’re good.” Peter hesitated. “Or we will be. I mean, I’d like to try. If you can forgive me, too?”

Steve didn’t hesitate. “Of course I do, Pete. And I’d like to try, as well. I’ve missed our cooking classes.”

Peter smiled, and ever so carefully moved over a little. He patted the bed next to him and Steve, eyes as big as saucers, climbed in slowly, mindful not to jostle Peter’s wound. Peter leaned into his side.

“I’ve missed you, too, Uncle Steve.”

Tears filled Steve’s eyes at the name, which he hadn’t heard for weeks. His heart swelled, knowing they really were on the way to forgiveness.

Soon, Peter was snoring softly, the pain and medication dragging him back into unconsciousness quickly. Steve was trapped, immobilized by the common knowledge that one does not move when a puppy (or would Peter be more of a kitten?) falls asleep on you. But Steve didn’t mind. He was just grateful to have his nephew back again.

#comfortember #comfortember 2020 #mine #i love my iron dad and spidey son #Peter and Steve friendship needs to be more common #oh captain my captain

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cynicalrainbows · 5 years ago

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The Next Best Thing Chpt 8

Apologies for the lack of plot! This chapter could be subtitled ‘Creative and Unexpected Ways To Traumatise A Child Under The Guise Of Child-Friendly Treats’.

Trigger warning: Referenced mild neglect and emotional abuse of a child.

****

Before Catalina has even stopped the car properly, Jane has unclipped her seatbelt and is pushing her door open- and it’s funny to see Jane doing something that Catalina and Mum and Dad and a multitude of other adults have all solemnly sworn again and again will result in inevitable, painful and horrible death,.

(Jane doesn’t die horribly. Cathy thinks this is a good thing, not least because it would really ruin the playdate. And it’s already been pretty bad, as things go.)

Catalina tells them both to stay in the car- but she doesn’t: she gets out and hovers, like she isn’t sure where to stand or what to do or even if she should be there at all.

The car in front of them is parked crookedly, half of it on the pavement. The doors are sticking out into the street, as if they’ve been flung open and then just left, and there’s a tall man, tapping away on a phone and doing a quick, impatient sort of walk back and forth: three steps towards the car, then a turn, then four steps down the street like he’s just remembered he’s got somewhere else to be, and then another jerky turn and back to the car again, while he huffs and puffs like a teakettle.

It looks a little funny- or it would look funny, if everything wasn’t so off.

He’s dressed like anyone else but there’s something scary about him: he looks so angry that Cathy bets you’d be able to feel the waves of crossness coming off him, like heat from the oven when the door is opened. She hasn’t ever seen him before (and honestly she wouldn’t mind not seeing him again ever, especially when he hits the bumper of his car with the flat of his hand so hard that she’s surprised it doesn’t leave a mark) but she knows who he is- Anne’s Uncle Edmund, and Kitty’s dad.

She knows that because he’s standing outside Jane’s house, because Jane greets him with a curt ‘Edmund’ said through lips so tight it shouldn’t be possible for her to talk (he replies with a Jane that sounds like he’s sneering, even though he’s just saying her name)- and because Kitty is standing right next to him.

Kitty’s not actually the person making the crying noise, it turns out- there’s a family crossing the road with a baby in a pushchair, covered in icecream and screaming bloody murder- and so for a moment, Cathy thinks that maybe she’s ok, but then- the she realises that she….isn’t.

She isn’t ok, but she isn’t curled up on the floor and she isn’t screaming or stamping or doing anything at all really- she’s just standing there stiffly, an unwieldy stuffed animal in her arms that’s nearly as big as she is, that she’s holding away from herself like she doesn’t want it to touch anything.

She’s shooting little glances up at Edmund, like she can feel the anger radiating off him too but rather than burning her, it’s freezing her where she stands.

She looks very small.

Anne unclips her seatbelt, like she’s going to get out of the car too, but Catalina notices and shoots them both a very stern look and Anne subsides back into the back seat. She grips Cathy’s hand as they watch.

When Jane kneels in front of Kitty, asking if she’s alright and if she had a nice time and admiring her huge stuffed-something (it’s a Mickey Mouse, Cathy realises, with wide open eyes and a very pink tongue),

Kitty doesn’t even move. She doesn’t put down the doll, she doesn’t try to give Jane a hug, she doesn’t say anything- but her eyes get very big and Cathy realises she’s crying but without hardly making a sound and it’s just...sadder than anything, even though she’s seen people cry before.

Perhaps it’s sadder because Kitty isn’t screaming, she isn’t wailing or trying to explain or even doing the eyes-screwed-shut-head-back-making-as-much-noise-as-possible crying that the icecream kid is doing further down the street.

Instead, it’s like she’s doing everything she can to make herself as small and as quiet and as little trouble as possible, like they might not even notice she’s upset if she’s really careful- and that, Cathy realises, that’s the saddest thing.

Jane is somehow managing to do gentle soft talking to Kitty as she tries to get her to put down the Mickey Mouse so she can wipe her face with a tissue (while Kitty flinches, like loosening her hold on it will lead to it getting snatched away, which Cathy thinks is probably unlikely since it’s a bit creepy looking and not something you’d want to steal)- while also doing lots of cross snapping at Edmund over her shoulder.

‘It’s alright, sweetheart, it’s alright- Why doesn’t she have a coat on Edmund? For god’s sake, I tried to tell you-’

‘Look give me a break, I did my best-’ He rolls his eyes. ‘It was hard enough getting her the dress, I thought you said she was doing better in shops now-’

‘She is doing better but you have to be patient, you know she doesn’t like crowds. Of course, if you’d just let me pack for her like I wanted to- I promise nothing will happen to it if you put it down a moment, Kitty-Kat-’

‘Yeah, yeah, we all know no one can possibly look after a child as well as you can, I get the message. I don’t know what you’ve done to turn her against me, but you’ve obviously done a fantastic job- do you have any idea how hard it was to get her to answer a single question? Like pulling bloody teeth!’

‘She doesn’t know you!’ Jane snaps. ‘Of course she’s shy-’

Edmund is still looking at his phone- or at least, he’s holding it in front of his face but it looks more like he’s using it as a reason to not to have to look at Jane at all.

He’s snapping too.

‘I’m her father! She’s got no reason to be shy of me-’

‘That’s not how it works and you know it! If you could only-’

‘Oh god another lecture from the childcare expert who doesn’t even have her own kids.’ He rolls his eyes. ‘God Jocasta probably counts herself lucky she isn’t around to have to listen to the nag-nag-nagging, you must have driven her crazy while she was pregnant-’

Catalina steps forward at this point, like she’s going to say something, and then steps back like she’s thought better of it, and Cathy thinks it’s funny, that she’s never really seen Catalina decide not to give an opinion on something ever.

‘Don’t you dare-’

‘Yeah, yeah.’ He shakes his head and gives a bitter laugh. ‘I’ve honestly got to hand it to you though- I didn’t think you could be doing a worse job if you tried. Have you messed her up to get back at me or something?’

‘What are you talking about?’

He leans in. ‘Making her the way she is. Scared of everything, scared of me. Just like you- can’t ever just let things go, can’t ever let anything be fun. Normal kid, you take them out, get them a couple of toys, nice food. This one-’ He shakes his head again. ‘Try to get her to have fun like the other kids and she reacts like you’re forcing her down a mine or up a chimney- shouldn’t she have grown out of tantrums by now? She’s- what, five?’

‘She’s four. And I keep trying to tell you, she isn’t a doll, Edmund. You can’t just….bring her out when you want to look good and make her have fun because you think she should be having fun. Believe it or not, she doesn’t exist for your convenience!’

‘You’ve got that right- remind me never to try to do anything for her again. Can’t even buy her an icecream without there being a hassle, she doesn’t want it, she feels sick, just whine whine whine-’

‘Don’t tell me you couldn’t even remember she gets carsick-’

‘Oh I’ll remember now- I’ll send you an invoice for the car cleaning…’

The fight is horrible to listen to and Cathy feels sick, but eventually, Edmund throws up his hands in an I-Give-Up way, climbs back into the car and slams the door and roars off without saying goodbye to anyone.

The minute he’s gone, Kitty loses her grip on the toy- and Cathy hopes that means she’s going to let Jane take her to the car and they can all go back to doing normal things and maybe even finish one of the games they haven’t got round to- but instead, she wails ‘Daddy-’ and tries to run to where the car used to be- and then she realises she’s dropped the scary looking bear thing and her face crumples up with shock and she starts crying even harder.

She can hear Jane, her voice as soft and gentle as it was harsh and snappy just a minute ago.

‘Sweetheart, it’s ok, he just had to get back-’

Cathy thinks she could tell Jane that Kitty doesn’t look all that interested in doing anything other than chasing after the horrible car with the horrible man- but then after a couple of minutes, Kitty manages to gulp back a sob.

‘Daddy l-left-’ Her face crumples again.

‘He’s very busy, sweetheart. It’s not your fault, you haven’t done anything wrong-’

‘He’s gone-’

There’s the edge of wail in her voice and Cathy thinks that it’s a bit strange that while Edmund was here, Kitty was too scared to even move but now he’s gone, she’s crying like the world has fallen to pieces.

‘Jane, make him come back!’

‘I can’t Kitty-Kat, I’m sorry.’ Jane sounds almost like she might cry too. ‘But he’s very sorry he had to leave and he loves you very much-’

Cathy doesn’t think she heard Edmund say anything like that to Jane- from what she could hear, the last thing he said was ‘swearword swearword Satnav’, accompanied by a bang on the dashboard.

(At least, she thinks they’re swear words. She isn’t sure and she thinks it isn’t the sort of thing Catalina will tell her but she also knows that if she just says them, she can probably judge by reaction.

She knows she probably shouldn’t try that now though.)

Kitty’s looking after the car- although it’s way out of sight now- like she could bring it back just by wanting it- and then she looks down at the toy on the floor and bursts into fresh tears that don’t stop even when Jane picks up back up and dusts off it’s shiney black ears.

‘It’s ok- look-’ Jane tries to show Kitty it’s pristine fur. ‘It’s fine, sweetheart-’

‘Daddy said I had to look after it and now it’s dirty-’

‘It’s not dirty-’

‘But it’s been on the floor!’ Kitty wails, and it’s obvious that the fact that the horrible thing doesn’t have a mark on it makes no difference at all. ‘Daddy will be so cross-’

‘I’m sure he won’t be-’

‘He will be-’ Kitty looks down at herself. ‘He was so cross that I ruined my dress but I didn’t mean to Jane, really really I didn’t-’

For the first time, Cathy notices what Kitty is wearing and it’s funny because the times she’s seen Kitty before this, she’s been wearing various shades of pink with the odd bit of purple here and there- soft t shirts and cardigans as fluffy as candyfloss and cute little dungarees that remind Cathy of the clothes you can buy in Build A Bear.

(They’re like bigger versions of the teddy bear clothes that make Catalina snort when she looks at the prices because according to her, you could buy some real baby clothes and probably an actual real baby for less- except last time she said it a bit too loud and a lady holding an actual baby glared at her.

That’s why her Build-A-Bear dragon has a wizards cloak instead of the outfit she had all picked out in her head. She’d sort of wanted roller skates for her dragon too but Catalina had said she was buying one set of roller skates for Cathy’s birthday and that it was up to Cathy to pick whether they would be human size or dragon-size and in the end, she’d picked human-size so now her dragon has to watch instead of skate. It doesn’t really matter though. Her dragon has wings after all.)

Anyway, Kitty isn’t actually dressed in her usual pink cotton. She’s wearing a dress- even though it’s quite cold- a dress that looks just a bit too big for her, stiff with sequins and bits of netting that make the skirt stick out and little rosebuds. It isn’t pink, it’s silvery blue.

It’s beautiful, the sort of dress that makes her think of special-occasions-only clothes, except this dress is ten times nicer than any special-occasions-only clothes she’s ever had or ever imagined having. It’s like a princess dress, a bridesmaids dress, a dress too nice to be a dressing-up outfit because you can tell just by looking that it’s expensive…. but it also looks like the sort of dress you’d have to be careful in.

She thinks about how Kitty’s current favourite game (according to Anne) is just crawling around on the floor and pretending to be a cat (which means Anne has to do some serious chocolate-button-based bribery now to make Kitty even join in even a single proper game like Vampire Barbie) and how this dress would probably make a game like that difficult and she wonders whether Kitty would consider it a worthwhile trade.

Not that the dress looks like Kitty has been careful in it. From a distance, it’s just a beautful dress but closer up, it's a bit stained and a lot crumpled, like she’s been napping while wearing it, and there’s a dampish purplish patch that looks like ribena on the skirt. Her shoes fit, at least, and her socks too- but her socks look very grubby around her ankles….but then maybe there just wasn’t any money left for new socks after the new dress, perhaps.

Jane looks like she’s just noticing the dress, the socks too.

She makes her voice very calm.

‘It’s not ruined, Kitty-Kat. I can give it a quick wash and it’ll be good as new.’

Kitty shakes her head. ‘Daddy said it was ruined and that I was spoilt and he wasn’t going to buy me nice clothes if I couldn’t look after them.’

Jane’s forehead creases in consternation. ‘I thought he packed some of your own clothes?’

Kitty mumbles something.

‘What was that, sweetheart?’

‘I couldn’t open the zip!’ Kitty sobs ‘It was too stiff and I couldn’t get anything out-’

‘Didn’t Daddy help?’

‘He said I was big enough to learn to do it myself’ Kitty sniffles and Cathy thinks it’s the first times she’s ever heard anyone refer to Kitty as ‘big’.

Jane does a big breath like she’s making herself calm. ‘I’m sorry Kitty-Kat, I should have thought when I was-’ She shakes her head. ‘It’s ok- we’ll run you a nice warm bath and find you some nice clean clothes and we can put your lovely new dress in the wash and keep it for...well, special things. Ok?’

Kitty shrugs like she doesn’t much care what happens to the dress.

‘It’s very pretty- did you pick it out yourself?’

Kitty shakes her head. ‘Mummy chose it.’

Jane shakes her head gently. ‘I…..don’t think she did, Kitty-Kat.’

There’s an awkward silence, and Cathy remembers what Anne told her, that Kitty’s mum died before she was old enough to talk.

Kitty nods emphatically. ‘She did-’ She plays with one of the silk roses sewn to the hem of the dress, the threads loose.

‘She can’t have done, sweetheart.’

‘-Daddy said I have to call Marcia mummy now.’

Jane’s reaction is silent but Cathy can see the way pain ripples through her, the way her eyes squeeze shut for a second and her mouth twitches, like she’s having to fight to keep herself together.

‘O-oh-’

‘He said she’s going to be my new mummy.’

‘And- and what did Marcia say?�� Jane’s trying to smile, as if everything is ok, but it’s the sort of smile that looks like it hurts.

Kitty looks away. ‘Don’t know. She brought me that- Because Daddy didn’t pack Pink Kitty.’

‘I know sweetie, I think he forgot-’

‘He didn’t. He said she was dirty. And old. And that I was too big to need her. I told him that Pink Kitty would be scared of the dark without me but he wouldn’t listen.’ Her lip wobbles dangerously. ‘ I missed her so much-’

Jane tucked a stray lock of hair behind Kitty’s small ear. ‘She missed you too. She’ll be very happy you’re back to keep her safe.’

‘-and so Marcia made him go to the Disney store and she said we were going to get something else and she said I could get anything- but then she said I was taking too long and she chose for me-’

Cathy feels a spark of jealousy- she wonders if Catalina has any plans to take her to the Disney store and say she can get anything….but she knows it’s unlikely.

(Catalina says that the Disney store gives her a migraine whenever they go in: ‘It’s too cheerful, it’s too happy, mija!’ Cathy doesn’t know how anything can be too happy.

She has tried saying that John Lewis gives her a migraine too but Catalina had just nodded ruefully and agreed that it was a horrible, cursed place but that migraine or not, they needed new towels. Buying the towels was boring but cursed is her new favourite word.)

She feels jealous but then she thinks about just how many toys there are at the Disney store, about how long it takes just to look at them all, let alone choose, and about the slightly sick, overwhelmed feeling she had at the bookstore that first time when Catalina bought all her books back.

She thinks about how crowded it always is in there, how loud the music is, and about how Kitty puts her hands over her ears at even quite normal things- like vacuum cleaners and thunder and cars revving their engines.

And she thinks about how long Kitty takes to choose anything, and about Anne telling her that they’re not allowed Pick’n’Mix sweets at the cinema anymore, not because they’re daylight robbery which is what Catalina calls them (because Anne’s parents don’t seem to ever talk about money like that) but because Kitty always takes longer than it’s worth to pick her sweets- and she wonders if the Disney store would be proper treat for Kitty or just another thing to be afraid of.

And then she doesn’t feel quite so jealous anymore.

Not only that, but Kitty doesn’t even seem to like the stuffed animal she got. And no wonder.

Because even she knows Kitty is deeply afraid of Mickey Mouse.

Not that she’s actually seen evidence or anything. But Anne has told her. According to Anne, Kitty is also afraid of clowns (Cathy agrees that they’re horrifying even if Anne doesn’t see it)- the space under her bed (which is why it’s Anne’s go-to hiding spot if they play hide and seek) and whales (jointly the fault of the Sunday School Jane took Kitty and Anne to once, who apparently described the idea of being inside a whale's stomach a little too graphically, and of Pinnochio, ditto.)

Jane sets the toy on the garden wall. ‘Don’t you like him, Ktty-Kat?’

Kitty nods but she starts crying again too.

‘Didn’t you tell them that you don’t like Mickey?’

Kitty nods tearfully.

‘And they made you get him anyway?’

‘We were out of the shop and Daddy said it was too late and Marcia got cross that it was a waste of money-’

Jane sighs, wearily gathers Kitty up into her arms and stands up.

‘It’s ok, sweetheart. We can keep him somewhere nice and safe and out of the way where he won’t get dirty and I’ll tell Daddy what good care you’re taking of him when he calls.’

Kitty doesn’t seem particularly consoled- she just buries her face into Jane’s neck and mumbles something. She’s holding onto Jane so tightly that her fingers have gone white.

‘Of course I haven’t thrown Pink Kitty away, sweetheart- she’s on your bed where you left her, I promise-’

Another mumble.

‘Of course I’d never throw her away. How about we go get you all cleaned up and sorted out and you can see for yourself?’

Catalina finally steps forward, a bit awkwardly.

‘Do you want me to take Anne home?’

Jane turns, like she’s only just remembering Catalina’s there. ‘Oh god- I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have made you wait like that, I was just-’

Catalina holds up her hands. ‘You were focused on Kitty like you should be- please don’t apologise. I just wanted to check-’

Anne pushes past Cathy and scrambled out of the car so she can cling to the hem of Jane’s shirt. ‘No! I want to stay here-’

Jane adjusts Kitty so she can smooth Anne’s dark hair with her free hand. ‘Are you sure, sweetheart? I don’t think Kitty is going to be up to much more than bath and bed- you won’t have her to play with and I’ll be a bit busy-’

Anne’s face crumples but she blinks bravely.

‘I’ll go home then....if you want me to.’

Her voice is suddenly a bit shaky.

Jane looks stricken.

‘Oh darling, I didn’t mean it like that, I promise. Of course I want you to stay, I just didn’t want you to be bored-’

Anne pauses for a second, like she’s wondering if Jane is really telling the truth- but she obviously decides that she is, because she sniffs and reattaches herself to Jane’s shirt.

‘I won’t be! I promise!’

‘Alright then-’ Jane smiles warmly down at her. ‘I’m so lucky to get to have both of my girls with me together. And…..thank you-’ she adds to Catalina. ‘Thank you…..so much. I don’t quite know how to thank you for everything, but if you need anything at all-’

Catalina waves her away. ‘It’s nothing. I hope everything is ok-’ She glances at Kitty, buried into Jane’s neck and Anne, clinging to Jane with the same white-knuckle grip.

‘Oh it will be’ Jane shrugs and smiles sadly. ‘It’s...not exactly the first time, if you catch my drift.’

‘The girls are lucky to have you.’

‘And Cathy is lucky to have you.’

They smile at one another, and Jane lets go of Anne enough to give Cathy a little wave goodbye through the car window and makes Anne say thank you to Catalina and then they’re going into one of the little houses and the door closes behind them and they’re gone.

The rest of the evening is normal- spelling homework like normal, teeth and shower and pajamas like normal. Catalina reads her another chapter of Little Women and even goes to find her phone so they can google what ‘pickled limes’ actually are (they both agree they look disgusting and that Amy and her friends clearly have terrible taste).

She goes to sleep like normal- and then wakes up suddenly, from a dream in which she’s Kitty, alone on the pavement outside of Jane’s house, except that Jane isn’t there yet and Catalina isn’t anywhere and there’s just tall men shouting and stamping and she’s hunched up small as small and hoping they don’t notice her-

Her own bed feels safer but it also makes her think about Kitty and wherever she slept when she was with Edmund. It makes her wonder if Kitty had bad dreams and how it would feel if the bad dream she just had wasn’t a dream at all but something she was living through-

When Catalina comes in, ruffled and sleepy-eyed, she doesn’t ask why she’s crying, just gently dries her wet face, scoops her out of her tangle of duvet and carries her down the dark hallway to her own room, where the covers have been pushed back and the bedside lamp is turned on.

Catalina’s bed is much safer than her own. Bad dreams hardly ever manage to get her when she’s there.

Before she can drift off again, Catalina reminds her that it’s all ok now, that Kitty is with Jane and she and Anne safe and cozy in their own beds and that there’s nothing to worry about.

And Catalina is sort of right, she knows.

But she’s also sort of not.

After all, the only reason Kitty is safe with Jane now is that Edmund got tired of her and brought her back.

Jane wasn’t able to go and rescue her herself.

She presses herself as close to Catalina as she can and tries very, very hard to think about something else.

#six #six the musical #six the musical fanfiction #sixfic #six fanfiction #the next best thing

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secret-engima · 5 years ago

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Nox-verse Drabble: the Reporter

(couldn’t resist making this, even though it’s ahead of where my Nox collection is timeline-wise. I know some people find Dino incredibly annoying, but I got attached to him in the game, so I thought- why not?)

....

Dino waited in the room royal security had picked out for the interview and didn’t fidget. Really. He didn’t constantly readjust his tie, check his watch’s wristband, or glance at his notepad of pre-chosen questions just to make sure he had memorized them.

Okay maybe he was fidgeting. But really, he didn’t think he could be blamed. The infamously private, public-eye avoiding Second Prince of Lucis had finally agreed to an exclusive interview for the first time since his existence had been revealed in possibly the world’s second most hectic press conference —the most hectic going to the Chancellor of Niflheim’s sudden resignation and vocal support of Emperor Aldercapt’s son Quintus—. News conglomerates all over the world had been clamoring to get an interview —any interview, let alone an exclusive— with the reticent prince since learning of his existence and he’d finally agreed to one interview. With Meteor Publishing. But only on certain conditions.

One of which being that Dino had to be the reporter. Not any of their Insomnia stationed reporters, not any of their world-traveling rising stars that had successfully and winsomely interviewed a hundred public icons without ruffling so much as a single feather. Not any of the people who actually lived and breathed this job rather than used it as simple income while he tinkered with naturally imbued stones to make jewelry for passing Hunters or tourists who liked a bit of local bling. No. According to his boss —his boss who had personally debriefed him—, Prince Nox had requested him specifically. Dino Ghiranze. The twenty four year old rookie gossip reporter with a jewelry hobby.

Once Dino had gotten over the minor heart attack of that revelation, he had frantically prepared for his interview with the Second Prince of the kingdom —and tried not to lose his mind from the thought of “why me?” on endless loop in his head—.

His head snapped up as the door finally opened and Prince Nox slipped in with a single guard on his heels —the prince’s Galahdian Shield, Axis Arra-Amicitia, who had also caused a massive stir when his existence came out—. Dino pasted on his most winning smile as he greeted the eighteen year old, who dipped his head in response and actually deigned to shake his hand. Underneath the part of him running through all the rote pleasantries —it’s an honor to meet you, thank you for agreeing to this interview—, the part of Dino that was a natural at hounding out hidden details was observing the prince.

And getting increasingly alarmed.

Of course he knew that the prince had lived outside royal protection until he was about fourteen or fifteen, that a lot of things could have happened in that time before His Majesty’s agents had tracked him down and brought him to the Citadel and safety but… Dino didn’t think he was looking at a kid with an occasionally rough childhood out in the backwoods of Lucis. He’d seen a lot of people pass through Galdin Quay, learned to pick out a lot of tells that put people into neat, gossip-riddled boxes and Dino wasn’t seeing the tells of a backwoods kid shoved into royalty.

Dino was looking at a soldier. No. Not even that. Dino was looking at a survivor.

Utterly silent footsteps placed as languidly and carefully as a Gralean ballet dancer, long sleeves in the middle of summer that couldn’t quite hide the tips of scars showing on the backs of his hands and peaking out from under the banged up emerald bracelet on one wrist. Blue eyes had taken in everything about the room even before fully setting foot in it —everything about Dino in a way that made him feel oddly small—, checking for threats, exits, and possible weapons with a speed that meant it was instinctive. The handshake was brisk and loose, ready to jolt away at a moment’s notice, and Dino was more than a little certain that the prince’s Shield was plotting out all the most brutally efficient but painful ways to kill him if Dino proved a threat.

Well. That was interesting to know. Even more interesting if all the rumors about the former Chancellor being the prince’s uncle were true. But that wasn’t what Dino was here to ask about, and Dino was in no mood to get thrown out —or murdered— for deviating from the approved questions.

The interview was relatively short but interesting. Once he was settled in the chair —arms loose and relaxed, ready to push himself out of the chair or pull out a weapon at any time—, Prince Nox proved to be friendly in a quiet, reserved sort of way. He even chuckled at a few of Dino’s jokes and ways he phrased the questions. The teenager was not at all like Dino had expected, all soft words and a muted, easy sort of confidence that reminded Dino of a predator at rest rather than skittish and overwhelmed —this wasn’t a teenager afraid of being fussed over and unaccustomed to royalty, this was a survivor who avoided the spotlight because it was easier to stay alive and free that way, but under controlled circumstances wasn’t afraid to talk to people like they were equals—.

Dino noted the seeming fidgeting habit the prince had of running his forefinger along the skin underneath his battered emerald bracelet —Dino had to resist asking if he’d be interested in a new piece, because while it looked nicely made it had obviously been through a lot of abuse over the years— but didn’t comment. It wasn’t on the approved list and hey, everybody had their habits and calming rituals.

After the interview had concluded, the little hand recorder had been turned off, and they were both standing up to leave, Dino couldn’t resist voicing the one question that had been bothering him for weeks now, “Your Highness,” he started hesitantly. Paused. Adjusted his cufflinks before blurting, “Can I ask ya one more question? Off the record?”

Prince Nox tilted his head, something almost amused in his gaze, like he already knew what Dino was going to say before he said it —Lucis Caelums weren’t mind readers were they?—, “Go ahead.”

“Why did ya request me? My boss said I was one of your conditions to the interview. I’m flattered, obviously, but … I’m just a rookie who likes to write gossip pieces. Why pick me to run the interview?”

For the first time in his presence, Prince Nox’s lips curled upward into a smile, “Easy. You scratched my back, so now I’ve scratched yours.”

What.

Sensing the next question Dino was barely holding back —he’d only had permission to ask one after all—, Prince Nox raised one arm and rolled back the sleeve a little, just enough for Dino to finally get a good look at the battered emerald bracelet on the teenager’s wrist. It wasn’t the most complicated piece, elegant but sturdy, like it was designed with Hunters and travelers in mind who were more interested in the natural passive magic boosts certain raw gems gave rather than the bling of them. The thick bronze wires were scratched and dented, and two of the emeralds were chipped, but it was still holding together. More than that, the design was familiar.

Too familiar.

No. Way.

Dino looked up from the bracelet, aware but not caring that he was gaping. Prince Nox was definitely grinning, a small, foxy sort of thing that radiated smug satisfaction, “I don’t know when you’re planning to go full time on the jeweler thing, or if you’re planning that at all, so I can’t exactly give a public endorsement. But I figured people would take you more seriously in your current job if you were known as the reporter who successfully landed an exclusive interview with the enigmatic second prince.”

Dino felt like he needed to sit down. Maybe with a tall glass of water —or wine, wine would be good—. Instead he sputtered, “That’s-! That’s really one of my-?”

Prince Nox flicked his sleeve back down with a nod, that smug smile still tugging on his lips, “I got it on a … whim while traveling through the Quay. Back before … all this. It’s been through a lot of nasty situations with me. Helped me pull through a lot of nasty situations too. I figured a reputation boost was the least I could do.” He tilted his head as if considering something, then casually added, “Of course, if you ever do decide to try being a jeweler full-time -which you could, you do good work-, give me a ring, yeah? I’ll give you an endorsement, maybe even a loan if you really need it. Come to your grand opening wherever you choose to open shop … buy a new piece to go with this one.”

Dino could feel his mind shutting down and going static. Someone took him by the elbow and gently led him away, and Prince Nox was definitely taking amusement in his shock as he waved the hand that wore the bracelet —his bracelet, he sold those personally, when had he met and sold one of his pieces to Prince Nox Lucis Caelum—, but the prince’s tone was genuine as he called after Dino, “Give it some thought!”

The next thing Dino knew, he was back in his hotel room, staring at the wall and clutching a glass of cheap wine, still trying to process … everything. Then, between one blink and the next, Dino started laughing just a bit hysterically. All those years of dreaming and hoping and not really thinking he could —since he was eighteen, Astrals he’d been Prince Nox’s age when he started dreaming of making his family hobby a job— and-. And a royal endorsement offer just landed in his lap.

Because somewhere, sometime, in among who knew how many Hunters and drifters and lost souls he’d talked to in Galdin Quay, one of them had been Prince Nox Lucis Caelum. He’d sold one of his emerald pieces —how could he not remember that, good emeralds were so hard to get when you weren’t a big name jeweler— to the unknown eldest son of the king and had done a good enough job on the piece to help said prince out of who knew what scrapes and deadly situations over the years —Dino could guess, he hunted gossip and rumors for a reason, heard the stories of countless refugees that acted just like the prince—. Done a good enough job that the teenager had remembered him and decided to pay back a favor Dino hadn’t even known he’d been owed —hadn’t been owed, because once he sold a piece that was it, he had his money and they had their product, if it helped them out then that was just good craftsmanship—.

Forgetting all about the article that had started all this —the article that was due in two days—, Dino scrambled for his cellphone. Wait until he called Coctura about this. She would lose her mind.

And maybe help him pick out a nice spot on the beach to open that jewelry shop he’d always wanted, because there was no way that —once he was certain it was actually real and not some dream or joke— he wasn’t taking this chance by the horns and running with it.

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nekojitachan · 5 years ago

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OK, last of the owed fics from the @aftgremix challenge - this one is for @nikothespoonklepto who guessed which fic was mine and wanted soft jeaneil. Hopefully I got the request somewhat right - this is a prequel to Qui N’avance Pas, Recule (mind the warnings for the fic, some brief, not too explicit non-con in the first section which you can probably skip, just know that Neil and Jean escape from the Nest where they’re Ravens).

Think the only warnings for this fic are that it has vague references for canon events at the Nest - nothing explicit, nothing detailed, just that Neil (Nat/Nathaniel here) and Jean are very happy to not be there anymore. That and references to Neil’s past in Baltimore.

*******

Trickle

*******

“It’s not much, but it’s safe,” Chesare told them as he placed the keys he’d used to enter the small apartment on the kitchen counter. “There’s enough food for a couple days, linens in the closet, and we guessed about the clothes based on the information your family sent.” That was directed to Nat, who stood there with a too-blank expression on his face and still dressed in the ‘borrowed’ sweatshirt he’d taken from Howard. “They’ll check in on you soon enough once it’s safe, so try to stay inside as much as possible.” While he spoke, the man (Hatford associate?) reached into his denim jacket for his wallet, out of which he took a very impressive stack of euros. “This neighborhood is safe, too, but no point in creating trouble, yes? Only go out when necessary.”

Nat gave a slight nod. “We understand. My family’s helped us out a lot, we’re not about to be ungrateful after everything they’ve done.”

“Good,” Chesare grunted. “Then I’m done here.” His tone was curt, but he gave them a friendly grin before he turned to leave; Jean followed so he could lock and bolt the door behind the man, relieved to be alone with Nat at last. The past day was a blur to him, a domino effect of events with each one more implausible than the last – the practice session where he and Nat bested Riko and Kevin, Riko showing up in their room at the Nest to exact his revenge, Nat defending Jean with such violence and Jean daring to strike down Riko for his partner, them fleeing the Nest, Nat’s family helping them to leave the States and sneaking them into Marseilles of all places….

Jean couldn’t believe that he was back in France, that he was home, even if he was a wanted fugitive from a criminal syndicate. He was home, and his partner was at his side.

Literally.

He jumped in surprise when he turned to find Nat gazing up at him, beautiful pale blue eyes surrounded by dark circles since the little imp hadn’t slept at all in at least a day, not since… it had to be at least a day, since they’d gotten up for practice back at the Nest. Jean rubbed his eyes as he tried to factor in the different time zones for a moment then gave up. “Yes?”

“Let’s check out the place,” Nat said, his voice faint with exhaustion yet his French perfect as always, just like his Japanese and German and the Russian he’d begun to learn in the last few months. It was one of the many things that Jean adored about his partner (lover), that gift with languages, just like Nat’s (Nathaniel’s) passion and loyalty.

He could have left Jean behind in the Nest, could have run to his family on his own, which would have been safer, yet he’d kept Jean at his side the entire time, had stayed awake while Jean had eventually crashed from the stress of… of everything, and hadn’t been upset when told that they weren’t going to London but Marseilles instead.

Nat didn’t seem to care that he wasn’t reuniting with his family as long as they didn’t try to separate him from Jean.

“It’s bigger than our old room,” Jean teased as they looked around the small, one bedroom apartment; it was in an older part of Marseilles, so there were hot water radiators for heat, worn wooden floors, and lots of windows (they had a corner unit, thankfully, and were six floors up) to help cool it in the warmer months.

“Almost anything would be bigger than our old room,” Nat shot back as he yanked off the oversized blue hoodie he’d worn since leaving Edgar Allan and dropped it to the floor. “Let’s hope that the shower is decent because all I want right now is to scrub myself clean then go to bed.”

Jean was in agreement with that; he wanted to wash away the remainder of the Nest from his body, of the States and all the bad things which had happened there (as if it would ever be that easy), and pray that when they woke up that they could begin a new life together.

A little more searching revealed the linens and clothes which Chesare had mentioned; Jean placed a clean set of sheets and a duvet on the queen-sized bed which took up a good bit of the bedroom while Nat grabbed some towels and clothes.

Nat then took care to set aside the phone which Cindrich had given him before they'd left the States, which Stuart had used a time or two to call him, but otherwise they shed the outfits they'd been wearing with the intent of getting rid of them for good before they stepped into the old claw-foot bathtub together. Jean felt a stab in his chest upon sight of the numerous scars littering his partner's lithe body, along with the bruises which Riko and Tetsuji had inflicted over the last few days - injuries which he swore to himself they'd never get a chance to do so again.

It took a minute or two for the water to warm, the pipes noisy the first few seconds, but Nat pressed against Jean's side and smiled, the expression tired but true, as they huddled together in a bathroom which was all their own, a bathroom with a locked door and a shower curtain and a tub in which they could soak if they wanted.

A bathroom and an apartment which was all their own, if Nat's family could be trusted.

(A family which had gotten them out of the States, had gotten them away from the Moriyamas - the monsters to which Jean's family had sold him without a care, so he'd wait and see about these Hatfords.)

As exhausted and stressed as he was, Nat actually laughed when Jean insisted on washing his hair, and joked that Jean just wanted to drown him in the water so he could have the entire bed to himself.

"Don't give me any ideas," Jean chided as he carefully tilted his partner's head back to rinse out the rosemary-scented shampoo. "Besides, an imp like you would just come back to haunt me."

"Hmm, so true." Nat closed his eyes and slumped a little more against him with a bone-deep weariness. "I'd return the favor, but I can't reach the head of a tall bastard like you, my star."

"Me? I'm perfect," Jean sneered, and felt his heart race when Nat smiled at the familiar joke.

They probably should eat something, but they were so tired after the shower that once dried they pulled on the clean sweatpants and t-shirts (Nat's comically large) and after finishing the bed (more Jean than Nat), all but collapsed onto it. Something settled inside of Jean when he could pull his partner against his chest and wrap his left arm around Nat's waist, while Nat clutched the sheathed knife that Cindrich had also given him in his hands. "Get some rest," Jean ordered, not that he believed Nat could remain awake much longer.

"So bossy," Nat murmured, already well on his way to unconsciousness.

Jean wasn't sure how long they'd slept, just that he felt better - was starving but felt better - when they were jolted awake by the ringing of a phone. It took him a moment to realize it was the one given to Nat, that it wasn't one of their 'official' Raven phones (that Tetsuji monitored and they’d left behind), and by then Nat had sat up so he could answer it.

"Hello?" He was quiet a moment then set the knife in his other hand aside. "Hi, Uncle Stuart," he said as he switched to English. "Yeah, but it's okay, I get the feeling we'll have lots of time to catch up on our rest in the next few days, right?" He smiled, the expression a bit wry, as he scooted back on the bed so he could lean against Jean. "And thank you," he offered as he hit the 'speaker' button so Jean could hear Stuart.

"Again, it's nothing, kiddo," Stuart’s voice was deep and rough as if he was a smoker. "It's long overdue, getting you out of that hellhole." There was a bit of anger in his tone as he referenced the Nest. "Is everything all right with the flat?"

"Uhm, yeah." Nat glanced back at Jean then shrugged. "The bed's wonderful, and everything seems nice. It's quiet." They really hadn't been there that long and had spent most of the time asleep, but they'd been left alone and that was all that mattered to Jean and he suspected to Nat as well.

"It's nothing fancy, but it's safe, you won't be touched while you're there," Stuart assured them, then cleared his throat. "Look, I wanted you to come here, and it's not like Will doesn't want you with the family, either. But we've already had Moriyama people all over the place looking for you, so he was right about if you come to London, it'll be trouble."

"That's fine, I don't want to cause the family any problems," Nat said in a rush, a hint of guilt on his lovely face. "It's enough that you got us out of the States. That's all we could ask, really."

"Bullshit," Stuart spat out, "you're family, it's the least that's owed. But it does look as if you're safer away from us right now, someplace those bastards won't expect you to be." He was quiet while Jean wrapped his arms around his smaller partner in a vain effort to keep him safe. "Also... you come here, I don't think you're going to be able to remain apart from the family, Abram. People are going to see us fighting for you and they're going to make assumptions."

Nat didn't say anything for a few seconds before he nodded once then spoke. "I understand."

"Just... think about what you want, okay? I'll be there in a couple of days and we'll figure things out. Until then, be careful and stay out of trouble."

"I will," Nat promised. "Be careful yourself."

He was quiet after he ended the call, until Jean gave him a slight hug; he tilted his head to look up and smile, then patted Jean's arms in a signal to 'let go'. Once Jean did that, he got off the bed, put the phone aside and went to the bathroom. After he came out, hands running through his hair and bangs which were slightly damp from when he'd washed his face, Jean entered the room so he could use it.

When finished, he found Nat searching through their kitchen, all of the cupboards left opened while his partner checked the drawers. "You French have no appreciation for a proper tea," Nat grumbled, an adorable frown on his face as he motioned to a box of black tea on the counter - a box of tea yet no kettle.

"At least there is black tea," Jean pointed out with a slight chuckle; he'd heard so many complaints about that over the last several years, while Nat 'suffered' with the green tea available to all Ravens.

"Oh, shut up," Nat muttered while he started a pot of coffee (of course there was coffee, Jean was smug to notice), then made do with boiling water in a pot. "I'll text Stuart about the tea."

"Hmm." Jean held up some eggs, to which Nat nodded; there was oatmeal in the cupboards, but they were starving so it would be best to go with something quick - eggs, some of the ham in the fridge, and toast.

It had been years since either of them had to cook, but they'd (more Jean than Nat) had experience from before they'd been sold off to the Moriyamas and it wasn't a complex meal. After a few minutes, they sat down at the tiny table in the kitchen with pleased grins on their faces to eat, Jean with his coffee and Nat with his tea, and it didn't take long after that before the food was gone.

It was... it was one of the best meals in Jean's life, at least that he could remember.

Once the plates were left to soak in the sink, they refilled their mugs and sat at the table to talk. "So, Marseilles," Nat said with a slight smile. "You must be happy."

"It feels like a dream," Jean admitted. "As if any moment now, I'll wake up and it'll be time to start our morning practice."

Nat grimaced as he held his mug between the palms of his hands as if to savor its warmth. "More like a nightmare. You know we can't ever be Ravens again, it would be better to stick our heads in that oven right now than to let that happen."

No, Riko would never forgive them for daring to fight back, let alone to run, while Tetsuji would never allow a slight to his authority. The only question would be, just how long would they suffer before the Moriyamas (most likely Tetsuji) would finally put them out of their misery? "I agree, so what now?"

It was quiet while Nat sipped his tea and considered the question. "Well, as far as I can figure, we stay here or we go to London and officially join the Hatford organization."

"But your uncle didn't seem pleased about that," Jean pointed out - Nat didn't seem happy about it. "Why is that, when he went through the trouble to bring us here?"

"Because... because my mother didn't want that life for me, as far as I could tell," Nat confessed in a faint voice as he gazed into his mug. "Or else she would have left my father after I was born." He glanced up and gave Jean a wan smile. "I heard her argue on the phone with my uncle about it, once. If she went back... well, she’d have to a Hartford again, we both would.”

“And being a Hartford means what?” Jean asked as he reached out to wrap his larger hands around Nat’s – everything about his partner was smaller, was finer-boned, yet Neil wasn’t made of anything breakable, wasn’t fragile. No, after being raised by the Butcher and sold to Tetsuji (after being handed over to Tetsuji’s psychotic nephew), he was… he was like one of those Japanese blades which hung in Tetsuji’s office back in the Nest – was something finely crafted out of iron until it was beyond worth. Nat (Nathaniel, a name which Jean knew he disliked because it was too like his father’s) used his fragile appearance to his advantage, to fool people with an improbable image until he tore them to pieces.

“And what about you?” Jean asked. “What do you want?” Because Nat often used that unbreakable will of his to protect him, to taunt Riko and bear the madman’s abuse so Jean didn’t suffer, had killed three people so Jean… Nat bore too much because of Jean, so whatever Nat wanted was important.

It was quiet while Nat nibbled on his full bottom lip, the lip which Jean adored kissing gently because of such abuse. “Uhm… I doubt it would be too bad, working for my uncles, but I want to stand on my own – on our own,” he said in a quiet voice. “If we join them, we’ll be tied to them forever. I’d rather avoid that if we can. I think that’s why my mom didn’t run to her brothers when she had the chance.”

“Then we find another way,” Jean agreed; after escaping one life of servitude, he was with Nat in that it would be foolish to throw away their newly found freedom so quickly.

Their future decided for the time being, they washed the dishes then spent more time exploring the apartment and rearranging things since it appeared that they would be staying for the immediate future. Jean threw out the clothes they'd worn yesterday, wanting to keep nothing from their time at Edgar Allan other than their shoes (they would need to go out and buy new ones) while Nat made up a shopping list. Once that was done, they turned on the small television and sat down to watch what was available, something they never were allowed to do at the Nest.

They avoided anything to do with sports in unspoken agreement, and scanned through the available channels with interest, only to stop when they reached a news channel. They watched since they were out in the 'world' again, a world which went beyond the walls of an Exy court and the gossip of the Class I division, and needed to be caught up as quickly as possible. They watched on with rapt attention until the banner at the bottom of the page announced that there had been an accident near the Edgar Allan campus which had cost the lives of several Exy team players, including two of the Perfect Court, and that Riko Moriyama had sustained injuries which would prevent him from participating in several upcoming games.

Jean changed the channel to one showing some asinine variety show after that, his fingers numb and a strange ache in his chest. "They've officially announced us as dead."

"It's not a surprise, Tetsuji probably doesn't want to explain to the main branch that we've run away. This way he can cover for Riko, as always," Nat spat with bitterness as he tugged at his bangs. "He probably hopes that he can track us down quickly and make the story real before Kengo figures out the truth."

"Which is why he's harassing the Hatfords." It really was for the best, them standing on their own, to avoid a fight between the two families.

"Yeah." A mulish expression came over Nat's pixyish face as he stared at the screen in front of them, yet there was a distant look in his pale blue eyes. "I think... I think it's best that we make ourselves valuable enough that it's more effort than it's worth for the Moriyamas to try to pry us out of here and that the Hatfords aren't continuously having to fight for us."

That... Jean shook his head as he got up for more coffee. "I'm not sure I'm following you. How do we do that? We're two kids, not two criminals." He thought about that for a moment as he regarded his partner, who sat there with a knife tucked beneath his left thigh, who had killed three people for him yesterday. "Nat... I'll do anything for you," he confessed as he held an empty mug in his hands, "but I'm confused right now."

The look his dear friend gave him was one of understanding instead of contempt. "I know, my star," Nat told him with overwhelming affection, the pet name making Jean's chest ache in the best of ways. "It's... I remember hearing my... hearing him complain one day." Judging from the amount of venom in Nat's tenor voice, he referred to his father, the Butcher, just then. "About a guy who crossed one of his people, but he wouldn't let Romero take him out - he needed someone who wasn't known to associate with him to handle things so the police couldn't trace it back to them." He gave Jean a lopsided smile. "That's what we need to be, the guys with no obvious ties to anyone who get things done."

For a moment, Jean wanted to say 'no', to ask why did Nat - crazy, impulsive Nat who never backed down even when he should, when it would spare him so much pain - think that they could be those people... and then he thought about the last few years. He thought about how they'd endured so much, had dealt with everything Riko and Tetsuji had dealt out, had commanded and carved into their skins, and wondered if there was anything out there in Marseilles which could be worse than what they'd suffered in the Nest.

(Technically, yes, but he knew there were some lines which Nat would never cross, not after what Riko had done to them, would never ask Jean to do, so it would be all right.)

"If it means that I don't have to live on British soil, then it's fine," Jean sneered before he poured the last of the coffee in his mug.

That led Nat to complain that he would adore being British, just adore it, and come over to hug him from behind while Jean brewed more coffee. Jean sniffed and insisted that the wonderfulness of France had clearly overwhelmed the fool, and when Nat doubled over in laughter (a truly rare occasion), slung the impudent imp over his shoulder to carry him back to the small couch where they occupied themselves by watching movies for most the day (another impossibly rare occasion) save for when they made something to eat or napped.

It was… if anything brought home the fact that they weren’t Ravens anymore (as well as the fact that they hadn’t been abused in the past twenty-four hours or so), it was that they were able to rest, to do nothing but sit down and be near each other without having to go out on court, to practice and practice and practice, to wear themselves into exhaustion at Tetsuji’s command (the Master’s command). Jean felt it when Nat’s body would twitch against his from time to time as if to jump from the couch and go, to run to the court or the exercise room or somewhere, when his fingers would flex as if to grab a racquet, but there was no court, was no schedule anymore.

Not for them, not when they were no longer Ravens.

(At least not officially – Jean suspected there were some things that weren’t so easily discarded.)

Despite them leaving the Nest, it had left its mark on them, or at least its schedule had, and they soon found themselves growing tired early in the evening; it wasn’t so much the change in time zones as them struggling to adjust to a twenty-four hour day once again. They took turns in the bathroom to prepare for the ‘night’ and then once more curled up together in bed.

That ‘night’, they didn’t sleep without interruption; Jean woke three times to find Nat tense in his arms and whispered his name until his partner’s fingers unclenched from the knife and his heartrate stopped thundering in his narrow chest.

It wasn’t unusual for one of them to have nightmares, not with everything they’d endured at the Nest, with what Nat had endured at his father’s hands. Yet Jean wondered if part of what caused them that night was what had happened right before they’d fled the Nest, was what Nat had done to protect him.

He held his partner (his love) tighter to his chest as his hands soothed along Nat’s trembling body.

The next two days were spent much like the first, with them sleeping when they were tired and cooking when they were hungry, with them watching whatever they found interesting on the television to while away the time. Jean could tell that Nat grew anxious from being ‘trapped’ in the apartment – not even the hours of sit-ups and pushups he did on the floor could burn off the excess energy. Yet when they ran low on food at last, Jean insisted that he be the one to leave the safety of the apartment to go shopping: he was less recognizable with his black hair, could blend in the crowd better than gorgeous, fiery Nat.

Nat… Nathaniel with his auburn curls and pale blue eyes, with his striking features and short, lean body always drew attention, and that was before he opened his mouth, before he unleashed his sharp tongue and sharper wit. No, Jean knew how to be quiet, to blend in and keep his head down so he’d slip out, find the nearest store and be back as quickly as possible.

All it took was a polite question or two and he found a small store down the block, where he was able to purchase enough food to last them a couple more days with the cash that Chesare had left. He was halfway through the alley leading back to their apartment when an older man stepped out of a doorway and in his path.

“Moreau.”

Jean stilled at mention of his name spoken with a British accent, especially since it sounded familiar. He was about to swing a bag of groceries at the man when he caught sight of a gun pointed at him, right before he was motioned toward the doorway. “Ah, best to behave right now,” the man said in English.

“You’re… your Nat’s uncle,” Jean realized as he followed instructions. Why was Stuart Hatford threatening him?

“Clever boy.” Stuart nodded once and, after a long look, put away the gun in a holster he wore beneath the jacket of a finely made grey suit. “I wanted a chance to talk to you alone before I saw Abram.” His fine blond brows drew together in obvious displeasure. “Why are you out of the flat, eh?”

“We need more food, and I thought it best that I fetch it instead of Nat.” Jean scowled at the man while he held up a bag; Stuart was a few inches shorter than him but taller than Nat (who wasn’t?), and had blond hair cut close to the scalp and pale grey eyes – he resembled Nat’s mother, who Jean had seen in a picture Nat cherished (which had been abandoned at the Nest).

“At least you know that much,” the man muttered as he folded his arms over his chest. “Still, anything could happen to you out here.”

“We didn’t know when you were coming, were we to starve while waiting?” Jean shot back.

“Hmm, awful lippy for a man asking for help.” Stuart gave him a cold look for a moment before clicking his tongue. “I’m not here for a bitch session, though. The main branch has found out that Tetsuji’s lost the two of you and Kengo’s not pleased.”

Jean nearly dropped the bags upon hearing that. “What happens now?” Did they have to go to London and join the Hatfords after all?

Stuart continued to stare at him in an intent manner. “What if I told you that they’re never going to stop trying for you and Abram, hmm? That the only way I can see this ending is if we give them something to appease them.”

“And that is?” Jean asked as he slumped against the stone wall framing the door.

“Well… Abram is a Hatford, and Kengo understands family ties. You? You’re not family.” Stuart gave him a cold look. “If we send you back and take Abram in? That might work.”

Jean closed his eyes and thought about it, thought about going back to the States and what the Moriyamas would do to him for daring to run, for harming one of their own… but if Nat would be safe then? As long as his partner (lover) could have a life?

It would be worth it.

“All right,” he said, his voice quiet and not free of a faint quiver, then opened his eyes. “I’ll go. Just… just don’t tell Nathaniel, okay? Not the truth. Tell him some gang got to me or… just not the truth or he’ll never stop until the Moriyamas are destroyed.” The foolish, loyal imp never knew when to let go, he thought with fond amusement despite having just signed his death sentence.

Stuart continued to study him for a couple more seconds before he rubbed at his face as if tired. “Fuck, but you’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Eh? Aren’t you?” Jean was confused, especially when the man shook his head.

“I just… I wanted to see how serious you are,” Stuart said as he motioned down the alley, toward the apartment, “about Abram. We might not have been able to do much about him, but we know him, he’s blood, whereas you?” He gave Jean another intent look. “All we know about you is that you play that damn sport well, that Abram wouldn’t leave you behind, and that… well, that you’re with him. So I wanted to see if you’re worth the trouble.”

Heat suffused Jean’s face as the meaning behind those words sunk in. “But… we’re partners,” he tried to argue as he set the bags down on the ground so he could rub at his own face (hide it behind his hands).

“Don’t lie to a liar,” Stuart muttered as he shifted about; Jean lowered his hands to watch the man light a cigarette then blow out a plume of smoke. “Like I said, Abram’s family so we kept tabs on him in the Nest, we know things.” He gave Jean a narrow look while he lowered the lighter as if slightly displeased. “At least he seems to have better taste than Mary so far, but mess with the kid? You’ll wish I had sent you back to the Moriyamas.”

“It won’t happen,” Jean swore as he picked up the bags of groceries. “Now are you done? Much longer and Nat’s going to tear the city apart looking for me.” The suffering he’d endured the last few minutes was almost worth it when an expression of panic flickered across Hatford’s face and he mumbled something about his sister.

Nat clearly had been ready to search Marseilles for Jean when they reached the apartment (he had his shoes and a jacket on, and knife in hand), and only the arrival of his uncle kept him from interrogating Jean on what had taken him so long to fetch the groceries. Jean allowed the two a few minutes for a private reunion (a bit uncomfortable on his partner’s part since he wasn’t used to grown men who obviously cared about him touching him without harm), and then the three of them settled in to talk about Nat and Jean’s future.

Stuart appeared a bit taken back when Nat argued for them to stay in Marseilles and why, and how they could help out the family as ‘independents’ – taken back but pleased in the end. He appeared to understand Nat’s logic, though he offered suggestions which Nat considered and eventually accepted. For his part, Jean was quiet and as long as Nat felt that it would work out well for them, he went along with his partner’s decisions since all he really knew was Exy and that Nat wouldn’t betray him. He caught Stuart giving him those intent looks again during the discussion from time to time, and noticed an approving gleam in the man’s grey eyes when he would defer to Nat.

“It won’t be easy for you,” Stuart confessed before he left (with the shopping list from Nat in hand), “but to be honest? I think this is more along the lines of what your mother would have wanted for you.” That appeared to be directed at Nat. “She always wanted to stand on her own, it’s why she went to the States.” Grief washed over the man’s expressive face for a moment before he shook his head. “If you’re willing to do some hard work, I’ve some people I think who’ll only be too happy to keep you busy, people who’ll also give those Moriyama bastards pause about causing any trouble.”

Nat glanced at Jean, who nodded at the proposal, before he smiled at his uncle. “It can’t be any worse than Exy practice for ten hours a day – sixteen-hour days at that, so tell them we’re in business.”

“Definitely a Hatford,” Stuart said with obvious pride. “Give me a few days to set up the new identities for you two and to gather everything on the list, though it might be Henry or Jamie who stops by with the stuff.” He grinned as he held up the list. “The family’s eager to see you and I got an earful about being the one to come this time.” The grin turned a bit sharp when Stuart glanced at Jean; years of dealing with Riko set off warning bells in Jean’s head at the thought of him meeting the rest of the ‘family’.

He had some dark thoughts about his partner and all the trouble the damn imp had dragged him into (and out of) over the years, until Stuart left the apartment. Nat was quiet as he stood by the door (locked and bolted), his eyes hooded and full lower lip caught between his teeth, until Jean tucked back a stray lock of his unruly (lovely) hair. “That went well?”

The troubled expression was quickly replaced with a smile as Nat nodded. “Yes, it did,” he assured as he caught at Jean’s hand to lead him back to the kitchen. “He won’t have agreed if he didn’t think it would work, nor would he risk any contacts to help us out. The family also can’t risk us falling back into the Moriyamas’ hands because it’ll make them look bad, so he must think it’ll work.”

Jean didn’t particularly like Stuart after the little ‘trick’ he’d pulled earlier, but he had to admit that Nat was right about the man having reasons to want to keep them safe, to keep Nat safe. He shook his head while he watched his partner (his love and reason for being) wash the dirty mugs. “Of course it’ll work, all of your insane plans do even as they leave chaos and mass destruction in their wake.” He sighed deeply while he glanced heavenwards. “I need to find the nearest church so I can light a candle,” he paused to think about that, “make that a few dozen candles.”

“Ha, there’s that wonderful sense of optimism of yours which I adore,” Nat grumbled as he set the last mug on the dish rack then reached for a towel to dry his wet hands. “I’m surprised you’re not adding ‘check out burial plots’ to the list.”

“Hmm, what a wonderful suggestion.” Jean gave the imp a blank look when Nat growled beneath his breath and came over to smack his fists (with little force) against his chest. “All right, check out my burial plot, you insane demon,” he clarified as he wrapped his arms around his beloved tormentor to hug him close.

“You know I’d never let something like that happen to you,” Nat murmured as he gazed at Jean’s chest, eyes downcast and a slight frown on his lips.

No, Nat (Nathaniel, the Butcher of Baltimore’s son and a Hatford, the Perfect Court’s number Three and the one Raven whom the Moriyamas could never break) never would, no matter how much pain and abuse Riko heaped upon him (the beatings and cuts and handing him over to- no, no more). “I know,” Jean breathed out as he hugged the most precious person in the world tighter against him.

Nat’s smile blossomed even as it took on a sad note. “I won’t. So if you want to walk away, to find your sister and live somewhere quiet together, somewhere away from all the-“

Jean didn’t give the fool a chance to finish such an improbable, generous, Nat-like offer (sacrifice); he lifted his love into a passionate kiss which served as his answer. Yet in case that wasn’t definite enough, once a certain spawn from hell was left gasping for air and clutching at his neck, Jean broke it off to speak (after he drew in a deep breath). “There’s no way I’m going to allow you to run around my beloved country unsupervised, you destructive little imp. There’ll be nothing left standing within a week.”

That earned him a pleased smile. “You underestimate me.”

Jean closed his eyes and offered up a prayer for patience even as he rubbed his partner’s back, then sighed again when Nat wiggled free.

“Come on! We’ve a lot to do before Stuart or whoever comes by with the stuff,” Nat insisted as he tugged Jean to the living room. “I should be able to teach you how to pick pockets and some basic fighting skills by then.” He seemed to consider something as he began to push the small coffee table out of the way, his lower lip once more caught between his teeth. “Maybe if it’s Henry or Jamie, they can help with the fighting.”

Jean had a feeling that he’d be running out to the store again very soon, that time to buy wine; he rubbed his forehead at the thought of what Nat and the Hatfords would soon teach him, of what his new life would be like, and sighed in intense weariness.

Still, Nat was at his side and he was free of the Moriyamas (mostly), could look forward to the day when the two of them held no obligation to anyone but each other. The thought of that future in mind, he pushed any doubts aside and taunted his partner to do his worst.

*******

Okay, so there’s that. Now I have to get to work on the Reverse Big Bang fic, last of my owed fics, and then... we’ll see?

#nekojitachanfics #aftg #neil josten #Jean Moreau #raven!neil #aftg au #stuart hatford #qui n'avance pas fic #mumbling into the void #jeaneil

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the--sad--hatter · 6 years ago

Text

Phantom Pain (13)

FANDOM - MARVEL MCU

PAIRING - Bucky X Reader

WARNINGS - Bad Habits and Rough Sex, Angsty and Dark AF.

DESCRIPTION - Everybody in the world knew of you, but not who you really were. Some called you a vigilante, some called you a criminal and some called you a hero but all of them called you The Phantom. Only two people knew your real identity and they swore to never tell anyone but when The Avengers need to infiltrate a high-security facility, Bruce Banner deduces that you’re the only one who can pull it off. That decision puts you and Bucky Barnes on a path you can’t turn back from, even if neither of like where it’s leading.

Series Masterlist

Chapter Thirteen - Affairs and Petty Theft

“I can’t believe you let me be unkind to The Phantom.”

Steve was pacing across the kitchen.

“I can’t believe you knew who she was and didn’t tell me.” He huffed at everyone.

You grinned in bemusement at the random turn of events. It was so befuddling and amusing that you almost weren’t even stressed about your father having escaped. Almost.

“Steve, think we’re focusing on the wrong issue here?” Sam asked.

“Hey, don’t be rude to Captain America.” You snapped, your shoulders shaking dangerously with contained mirth.

Steve went a little pink and Bucky rolled his eyes.

“I told you to tell him.” Bucky said to you, inadvertently drawing attention to himself.

“Ninety years of friendship Buck, and you didn’t tell me!”

“Is Cap really fangirling? Have I had too much to drink? Did I have a stroke? Is this really happening?” Tony whispered like he was afraid to break the moment.

“He’s been obsessed with The Phantom since she tied those three muggers to a lampost and walked the old lady home.” Sam informed Tony.

“I’m not obsessed!” Steve insisted.

“She’s a vigilante with manners Sam, they should be giving her a medal, not hunting her down.” Sam mocked, doing a startlingly good impression of Steve.

“And that was before he found out she was Ross’s niece.” Clint pointed out.

Steve’s head snapped around to look at you and he looked at you reverently.

“You are defying the Accord’s even though your Uncle is in charge of them.” Steve stated, pride and admiration shining in his tone.

“Yeah well, he blew me up. I owe him nothing.” You said with a shrug.

“About that... Your father and uncle blew you up?” Clint backtracked.

“I’ve got this one. Princess here figured out something strange was going down at the company and did a little snooping, once she found out they were using Gamma Radiation she tracked Banner down and asked him for help. She snuck me and Brucey into the facility where we found the radiation bomb about to blow. Radiation fallout would have killed millions and the containment chamber could only be closed from the inside. Bruce and I were arguing about who got the do the heroic sacrifice and she snuck past us and locked the containment chamber herself. Then she died horrifically and became Casper the not so friendly ghost.” Tony summed up.

“What happened to the bomb?” Natasha asked after everyone gaped for a moment.

“They never found out I was there and the project was classified a failure and shut down.” You said.

“I have to ask...” Sam began and you looked at him and gestured for him to continue.

“When you said you died, do you mean you’re actually dead? Are you a real ghost?”

“She’s not dead, her heart beats, she has brainwaves.” Bruce said emphatically before you had a chance to answer.

“I can just turn invisible, walk through walls and am biologically frozen the way I was when I died.” You said, rolling your eyes.

“Frozen?”

“I’m not ageing.” You clarified.

“So everybody knows everything now. Cool. Yeah, awesome.” You said.

“Want to focus on something else? Like your father?” Tony offered.

“Now we know it wasn’t Miss King, I mean The Phantom, who did help him escape we need to figure out who did.”

“Well first of all, you can call me by my name, or one of my thousand nicknames since for some reason nobody ever uses my actual name.” You quipped.

“Second of all, how did you break out?” You asked Tony.

“I have a question.” Clint said, raising his hand.

“The Widow and Phantom teamed up to incarcerate me. It was not as much fun as it sounds.” Tony explained.

“Agadoo doo doo.” You sang under your breath and Tony glared at you.

“I wasn’t under lock down, after I managed to pick the lock on the door I just walked out.” He said, flipping you off.

“What about Ross? We’re all in agreement that he’s a slimy bastard and we don’t trust him.” Clint put out there.

“I don’t think so. Uncle Thaddy is set to lose a lot if anyone finds out about my dad, he wouldn’t risk his reputation like that.” You said.

“Alright, here’s the plan. Natasha, Bucky, Loki, Wanda, Clint, you five interview everyone in the building and look for anyone that seems suspicious. Tony, look into everyone who works there. Everyone else with me, we’ll look for physical evidence.” Steve said, slipping into Captain mode before turning to you with an excited look.

“Phantom... can you snoop around? People say all sorts of things when they think nobody is listening.” The Captain asked hopefully.

You didn’t really want to get tied up with The Avengers like this, it wouldn’t be to difficult for anyone to put the pieces together if The Phantom started working with The Avengers the same day you moved into the compound but... Steve looked so hopeful and he was giving you the puppy dog eyes.

“Aye aye Captain.”

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

“Anything to report, Phantom?” Steve asked through the comms.

“Beth from the third floor is cheating on Craig in human resources with Kyle from the cafeteria.” You offered.

“Beth is such a hoe.” Clint said.

“Alright, anything else?” Steve asked.

“I stole a Mars Bar from the vending machine if anyone’s hungry?” You suggested.

“I’ll have one.”

“Get me a snickers.”

“Do they have m&m’s?”

“Can you get me a can of coke?”

“Guys, we’re not engaging in petty theft. Does anyone have any mission related news?” Steve reprimanded.

There was only silence over the comms until Steve sighed heavily.

“I’m running out of energy, I need to find a place to unghost for a bit.” You admitted.

You had been holding the invisibility non stop for over thirty minutes straight which was a record for you and it was taking it’s toll.

“There’s a place on the fourth floor, I’ll make sure it’s clear.” Bucky told you.

“Alright Phantom, take a beat. We’ll keep looking.”

You wearily made your way to the fourth floor and saw Bucky standing outside a door. You whistled lowly to him and he opened the door and you followed him inside the maintenance closet. As soon as you reappeared your fatigue kicked in and you stumbled. He hurriedly caught you around the waist and held you up. Your head lolled against his shoulder and he frowned at the heat radiating off you.

“Domniţă, are you alright?” He asked, placing a hand against your temple to check your temperature.

“You’re burning up.” He said worriedly.

“Happens when I stay intangible for too long.” You muttered weakly.

“What can I do?” He asked briskly.

“I just need to rest for a minute.” You said, stiffling a yawn.

He jostled you for a second and the next thing you knew, he was sat on the floor with you cradled in his lap.

“Can I take a cat nap?” You asked hopefully, nuzzling into his chest without thinking about it.

“Ten minutes, I’ll watch over you.”He vowed, his fingers absent-mindedly toying with your hair.

That was all you needed to hear and you drifted off. He couldn’t help but notice how perfectly you fit against him as your breathing evened out. You didn’t even hesitate to trust him to keep you safe, you didn’t even think about flinching away when he held you. The door opened abruptly and Tony found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.

“Disturbing as that is Barnes, you have something on your lap.” Tony sniggered.

“Snark, go away or I’ll punch you in the kneecap.” You threatened.

“You look awful princess. How long did you ghost for?” Tony demanded.

“Half an hour.”

“She was burning up and nearly passed out.” Bucky informed him.

Tony looked ticked off and Bucky glanced down at your sheepish expression.

“Everytime I use my powers I... I burn. The way I did when I died, it’s like dying all over again.” You admitted sheepishly to Bucky.”

Bucky looked horrified.

“You let her do this?” He said, glaring at Tony.

“No, of course not. But she doesn’t listen to anybody.” Tony scoffed.

“Because I’m a grown woman who can make her own choices, now go away, you’re interrupting naptime.” You said, shooing him away and yawning.

You closed your eyes again and heard the shutter sound of the camera on Tony’s phone.

“Snark, I’ll murder you in your sleep.” You muttered.

“I’ll help.” Bucky offered.

“It’s a date.” You said, before promptly passing out.

“Is she ok? Really?” Bucky asked.

Tony tilted his head to check you were actually asleep before he answered.

“At the risk of sounding like I care, be careful with her.” Tony warned.

“I’m not going to do anything to hurt her.” Bucky assured him.

“That’s sweet but not what I meant. Princess might not be what the tabloids say she is but there’s truth in the rumours. She doesn’t date, doesn’t fall in love and she absolutely will eat you alive and spit out your bones.” Tony said.

“There’s nothing going on Stark and I don’t plan on falling in love with her.” Bucky lied.

“Nobody ever plans it, it just happens.”

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

“Well I found absolutely nothing of use.” You told Clint as you sat down in the back of the quinjet.

“Me either, sorry.” He said apologetically.

“What about you?” You asked.

“I just said I didn’t.” Clint chuckled.

“I was asking him.” You said, gesturing to Loki.

“Um, there’s nobody there.” Clint pointed out.

You gasped loudly and Loki smirked.

“Oh no, can you see other ghosts? Is there one here right now?” Clint asked, looking around nervously.

Loki reappeared and Clint breathed a sigh of relief.

“Wait, you can see him when he does that?” Clint asked, turning round in his chair fully to look at the two of you.

“Tell nobody about this and you will be the only person who remains safe from the havoc.” You offered.

Clint looked between you and Loki and your matching evil smirks.

“Deal.”

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

Steve: I'm not fangirling. Tony: Sure Jan.

Bucky: I'm not going to fall in love with her. Tony: Sure Jan.

Miss King: I'm an adult. Tony: Sure Jan.

So the fourth (and final) chapter of the day. I'm going to go and get some well-deserved rest now. You let guys let me know what you thought of this chapter and what you're hoping for from the next ones and I'll get to writing some Avengers shennanigans when I wake up, Deal?

You can ask to be added to or removed from tags at any time folks, just comment or inbox :D @drdorkus @gravedollie666 @sadsoldat @bigplantdaddy @moodyruth @likes-to-smell-books @shirukitsune @inquisitor-selvala @myfandomlife-blog @markusstraya @adeleoctobre @vajeenparty @sexyvixen7 @love-nakamura @buckitybarnes @littledeadrottinghood @pinkisokay @jsmith509 @brownlee-22 @angieptt @thosesexytexasboys @liveonce-sodoitright @tarastudiesalot @spnrvt @dahkness @dilaila95 @rororo06 @mizzzpink @release-the-cathyrchkn @thefridgeismybestie @fairislesheets @strangersstranger @life-wanderer @uuuuuuuuggggghhh @curiositykilledthepepe @musingpredilection @boxofteenageideas @thelostallycat @demonlover87 @cutie1365 @mcuthemusical @missursulacalmet

#hattersmarvelverse #Bucky Barnes #bucky x reader

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hetalialoverwrites · 5 years ago

Text

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Part 5

First - Previous - Next

You woke up on your bed, the two mattresses laid on the floor and opened your eyes to see Mal. Sitting up, you looked over to your nightstand to see the letter you were supposed to send last night to Aurora. It reminded you of last night. Everything seemed to go wrong. Once you found out where the wand was with Evie's magic mirror, which her mother had surprisingly given to her before you all left, you found out it was in a library. Once you got there, there was an issue with the security guard needing to fall asleep and the door opening. Luckily it was just a few spells and another minute for you and Mal to make everyone invisible. But then it took ages to find where the wand was, it was also protected by a magic barrier which Jay just had to touch, and then the alarms went off. Luckily Carlos managed to soothe the authorities with a convincing lie, but then you also found out that the mailboxes were locked up at night for some reason. So obviously, nothing went right last night. Sighing to yourself, you got ready for school.

In Remedial Goodness 101, you spent your time taking no notes and drawing in your notebook. Mal was doing the same but was much better than you at doing realistic artwork. You, on the other hand, were better at doodles or pretty designs that you would decorate your paper with. Less realistic and more... Animated. So, while Mal was answering all the questions Fairy Godmother asked for the class, you were drawing your friends as patterns. You had Carlos as a spikey and fiery pattern of lines, Jay as smooth and masculine lines, Evie as fluid and feminine flowers, and Mal as sharp scales and fire. A girlish squeak caught your attention and you looked up from your doodling to see Fairy Godmother's daughter, Jane in an old and plain looking pastel blue outfit. Her hair was a straight bob that wasn't very flattering on her. She glanced back at you and your friends with a frightened look and handed her mother a clipboard, "Oh, hello dear one." Fairy Godmother greeted warmly.

"Hi. You need to sign off on the early dismissal for the coronation." Jane stared at you all cautiously as Fairy Godmother signed the paper. "Everyone here remembers my daughter Jane." Fairy Godmother said causally to the 'class', much to her daughter's displeasure. "Mom, no!" Jane whispered. "It's okay!" Her mother reassured her brightly, "Jane, this is everyone!" Fairy Godmother introduced, gently nudging Jane towards you five. "Hi..." Jane almost whimpered out, a frightened look on her face once again. She was surprised to see small smiles on everyone's faces, all a little different from the others. Evie's was gentle, yours was soothing, Mal's was polite, Jay's was causal, and Carlos' was friendly. She was a little confused as she passed once again, still just as quick but she didn't squeal in fright this time. The class continued with Evie and Mal making plans silently through only eye contact. Once the boys were fighting loudly on top of their desks for something you didn't care enough to pay attention to, the class was dismissed.

You went outside with Mal and Evie and after a few minutes, you broke off from them to find out how to mail the letter to Aurora. Wandering around the school, looking for a mailbox, you were surprised when a raven flew in front of you. It landed in front of you and looked around, noticing you two were alone. You looked at it oddly before it changed into Diaval. You gasped in delight and hugged him, "Diaval!! You made it through the barrier in time!" You squealed, feeling him hug you back. You both pulled away enough to look at each other and grinned at one another, "Of course! Did you think I was going to leave you all to yourselves on this journey?" He questioned, his giant grin never faltering. You laughed happily, "Thank you! And I can see you're ecstatic to be able to change into your true form now." You observed with an amused grin. Diaval just changed into his raven form and cawed loudly in what you could only guess was a delighted yell.

You laughed as he turned back and hugged you tightly, lifting you up and spinning before letting you back down. Suddenly, you got an idea, "Uncle Diaval!" You exclaimed, making a delighted and touched look come over the man's face. "Yes?" "Would you mind sending mom's letter to Aurora? It would give you a chance to fly some more. That and I really can't find a mailbox anywhere in the school to mail the letter." You paused a moment, thinking aloud, "And it would probably be a little suspicious if a VK decided to send a letter anyway..." You realized. Diaval nodded, "No problem, little one. I'll take it straight to Aurora, promise! And I will let the faeries know to expect you, your sister, friends, and your Mother soon." You smiled thankfully and watched as he turned back into a bird. You took out the letter and rolled it up before tying it to his leg. He nodded to you and flew off to deliver the letter, making you sigh happily. Now that was done, you could focus on getting the magic wand.

You checked the time on the clock tower and realized you had awhile till the bell rang and your next class began, so you went to find Mal. After looking around for a bit you spotted her purple hair by your lockers. Jogging over, you grinned, "Mal!" You called, catching her attention. She stopped spraying her locked and looked at you, smiling as she saw you and catching you in her arms as you jumped into them, hugging her tightly. "Mal!" You exclaimed happily, making her laugh. "Hey (Y/n), what's up?" Mal asked curiously, hugging you back before pulling away to look at you. You whispered excitedly, "Diaval got off the isle! He's taking Mom's letter to Aurora right now!" You were practically shaking in her arms from excitement as you told her. Mal could feel a weight lift off her shoulders and she sighed in relief, grinning brighter, "That's great! Good job sis!" She praised before hugging you again. After a moment, you both pulled away and the sight of her locker caught your attention, "Are you spray painting your logo onto your locker?" You asked curiously, looking at it closer. "Yeah, figured I might as well. Brings back a bit of home, you know?" Mal looked at the locker as well. You hummed, glancing at yours just a locker away, "Mind if I borrow some?" mal glanced at you curiously for a moment but realized quickly what you meant as you studied your blank blue locker. Smirking, Mal nudged the bag of cans towards you, "Go for it."

A few minutes before the bell rang, you and Mal packed the cans away and threw away the empty ones. Using magic, you both dried the paint so you could touch your lockers and open them to get your books for your next class. Once you both were done, you closed your locker and were shocked to see Ben standing super close to you, leaning against the lockers. You could feel the heat radiating off him against your wing and you pulled it away. "Hey." Ben greeted, his voice smooth as he stared into your eyes. You ignored a small feeling in your chest as you and Mal replied in unison, "Hey." "How was your first day?" He asked with a twinge of playfulness in his voice, glancing at Mal to let her know the question was towards her as well. You couldn't help the slight smile that came onto your face, "Great." "Super," Mal said sarcastically. He studied the lockers for a moment, Mal's decorated with 'Long Live Evil' written on a figure that looked like Mom, green flames around the whole thing. Yours looked a lot like what most people assumed magic to look like. Sparkly, ethereal, and warm. It was gold just like your magic and in the background looked to be a forest. "You know, you should really take this talent off the lockers and into art class. I could, uh, sign you two up if you want." Ben said, his eyes flicking towards Mal before landing on you once again.

Mal opened her mouth to respond before catching sight of Fairy Godmother's daughter Jane. "...Way to take all the fun out of it. See you later (Y/n)." She waited a moment for your reply before following Jane. "Oh. What about you, (Y/n)?" Ben asked, focusing all his attention on you as he awaited your response. "Sorry, I don't like being graded on my art. Makes my hobby a job, you know?" You asked, leaning against your locker, mimicking his stance. You watched a small smile creep onto his face, and he dropped his head a little, laughing quietly, "Yeah, yeah I can see that." He agreed, lifting his head once again to look at you. You felt your cheeks heat up slightly and you cleared your throat, "Uh, is that all?" You asked, stepping back to put more distance between you two. "Oh! Yeah, sorry." Ben apologized sheepishly, though he didn't seem to look all that sorry. You shifted your weight on your feet for a moment before nodding, "Okay, well I have to get to class. See you." You said, leaving before he could manage a reply. Ben stared after you with a small grin on his face before looking down to his feet, grinning wider, glancing at your locker, and turning for his back to rest against the locker fully. He leaned on them, looking out into the yard, "...Huh."

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Thank you so much to fanfiction.net user DOAWOTA for asking "where is hades during this time?" You helped me out a lot, making me realize that I had a lot more story to plan out. I really appreciate questions and comments like this or even ones that are just about how you feel towards the story. To answer the question, more information about Hades and how he relates to the story and to the girls will be released gradually into the story until he is introduced. Thanks so much for the question!

#descendants #descendants au #romance #ben x reader #reader insert #maleficent #mirror mirror #hetalialoverwrites

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justanoutlawfic · 6 years ago

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Pursue what catches your heart: A Red Snowing Ficlet

Summary: Ruby arrives in time to save Snow and David from an eternal sleep.

@queen-of-the-merry-men prompted: Have either of you written a thing where Ruby comes back to town and finds out Emma almost let her parents die to save Hook?

This is a canon divergence of S6, taking place in Awake. Not C$ friendly but also not bashing Hook or Emma really, just critical of how they act in the name of "love".

Also on AO3

Ruby came through the portal, the cool Maine breeze washing over her. The immediate smells from Granny’s diner wavered over her and she could hear music pounding from a nearby bar, while the dwarfs could be seen dancing through the window. She definitely wasn’t in Oz anymore.

She knew that Granny would want to see her and that she should probably go see her first, but they had time. There was somewhere more important that she had to be.

Ruby had spent the past year split between the Enchanted Forest, the Underworld and Oz, attempting to find herself and feel at home. Yet, no matter where she went, nothing fit. She thought that Dorothy was her happy ending but as it turned out, the romance was just too quick. Ruby didn’t fit in, in Oz and while Dorothy was kind, she wasn’t the one. Ruby had spent so much time chasing where she belonged, when in reality she had left the one place she did. It was the one place that her two true loves were.

Snow, David and her had a romance in the Enchanted Forest. It had started off as nothing serious, she just joined their marriage for sex. Overtime, feelings were developed, but before she could say anything, the curse was cast. There was so much drama and over time, she felt like it was just too late. They had missed their window. Snow hadn’t stopped her from leaving Storybrooke and she had pushed her towards Dorothy, so she figured that she didn’t feel the same.

It had been Dorothy that pointed out while Snow and David hadn’t fought for her, she hadn’t fought for them either. It was time to do just that.

She walked to the loft where they lived and found their cars parked out front, alongside Emma’s bug. She headed up the stairs and went to knock on the door, only to have it open. God, they needed to get better at locking it.

The second she stepped inside, something felt off. Maybe it was Emma kissing someone, Hook if she remembered correctly or maybe it was the fact that Regina and Henry sat on Snow and David’s bed, looking as if they were holding vigil. Taking a step forward, the floorboard creaked, causing the four of them to look at her. A smile of relief spread across Henry’s face and he ran to her, hugging her tight. Ruby was caught off guard, but hugged him a bit tighter.

“Ruby! You’re back!”

“I am, kid, yeah.” She gently kissed the top of his head and only then, noticed that Snow and David were asleep. “What’s going on?” She walked over to the bed, Henry, Emma and Killian following behind her. She could see the look on Regina’s face and it sent dread down her spine. “Regina…what the hell happened?”

Regina’s voice came out hoarse and full of regret. “I split myself from my evil half and she poisoned their hearts so they would share a sleeping curse. Only one could stay awake at a time, but it got worse and both of their hearts have failed.

Ruby dropped down on the bed, shaking both of them. No, no. This couldn’t happen. This wasn’t going to happen. These two had survived so much worse, how could they be defeated by a sleeping curse? Tears sparked in her eyes and she rest her forehead against Snow’s, allowing one to trickle down her face.

“There has to be a way to save them,” she whispered. “This can’t be their fate, not after everything they’ve been through.”

“We had the only cure,” Regina explained. “But…Emma took it.”

Ruby’s head snapped up and she looked over at Emma. “What?”

Emma’s cheeks turned pink. “Killian was trapped in Neverland. The pixie petal was my only way to get back to him…”

Ruby couldn’t hear the rest of the explanation. She slowly rose to her feet, the anger radiating inside of her. If she had a mirror, she’d be able to see her eyes darkening and her muscles visibly tightening. Snow had explained why they had ended up in the Underworld and she had thought it was selfish of Emma, but let it go. No one else had been hurt by it, as Killian had paid the price. Now, however, it had gone too far. There were other ways to save Killian, she was sure of it. Forget her missed opportunity to be with them, this had been Snow and David’s last chance at life.

The next few moments were a blur as Ruby’s fist extended and collided with Emma’s face. She stumbled backwards, Killian wrapping an arm around her while he yelled at Ruby. She didn’t even care, she was about to give him a taste of the same medicine, when Regina gently but firmly held her back.

“He had nothing to do with this,” she said, softly. “He didn’t know what Emma was doing.”

“But she did!” Ruby exploded. “She let them die!”

“I had to save his life!” Emma screamed, holding her now bleeding nose. “You don’t understand!”

“I understand perfectly! I understand that your parents have done everything for you and you keep fucking them over! What about your brother? Did you even think about him?”

Emma didn’t say anything. She simply swallowed, her eyes growing wide a bit. Ruby looked at the crib, where Neal was waking from his own sleep and fussing a bit. Henry went over, picking up his uncle and cuddling him close. She shook out her bruising fist and turned back to the bed, sitting down beside Snow. Pretending Emma wasn’t even there anymore, she looked back up at Regina.

“What are our options? There has to be another way.”

Regina studied her face, until her own suddenly had a smile. She moved around the bed to sit beside Ruby and took hold of her hand.

“You love them, don’t you?” She whispered.

Ruby couldn’t even hide it anymore. “With everything in me.”

“I know that they love you.”

Her eyebrows stitched together. “What? How…”

“I know Snow White very well. That’s what happens when you spend an entire lifetime chasing after her. They didn’t want to let you go Ruby, and they regret it. They share true love with each other, but I am betting they also share it with you. If you’re willing to take a risk, I think there’s a way that we can save them.”

Ruby quickly nodded her head. “I’d do anything for them.”

“The curse is powerful and it was strong enough to wipe both of them out, but if they shared it with you…it might be enough to wake them up and then they could wake you.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Ruby,” Emma took a step forward, her nose clearly bruising and still bleeding a bit. “This could kill you.”

Ruby’s head snapped up and she glared at her. “Unlike you Emma, I’d do anything to save your parents’ lives.” She turned to Regina. “Do it.”

Regina nodded and reached into Ruby’s chest, removing her heart. Ruby gasped, placing her hand over its place as she looked at the throbbing organ, mostly red with two telltale specks of black, symbolizing Peter and her mother. Regina turned to Snow and David, removing the halves of the same heart that they began to share shortly before Neal’s birth.

They looked different. Ruby knew her loves had some darkness in their hearts, but these were purely black and not pulsing like hers was. The sight alone would’ve broken her heart if it was inside her chest. She could hear Emma gasp and start to sob, but Ruby didn’t jump to comfort her. It didn’t seem that anyone did. Ruby did feel for her, in another life she would’ve been her mother and a part of her would always consider Emma her child in some form, but she was so disappointed in her in that moment.

Regina used her magic to have some potions appear by her side. She mixed something together, gently spreading it over all of the hearts. Ruby’s darkened a bit more with the evidence of the sleeping curse, but Snow and David’s lightened once more, their few sins being the only black dots remaining. Regina turned to Ruby, holding up her heart first.

“Are you sure this is what you want? There’s no guarantee it will work.”

“It’s worth it,” she said. She looked down at the two of them, giving them each a kiss on the forehead. “No matter what, you two will always be the loves of my life.”

Regina smiled at her, a true genuine smile and she returned Ruby’s heart to her chest. The last thing Ruby saw before sleep, were Snow and David getting their own hearts back.

Snow had woken from a sleeping curse enough to know when it was happened. Perpetual darkness turned to light and a gasp escape her lips. This time, however, there was another gasp beside her. She turned and found David, starting to sit up, placing his hand over his chest to feel his pulse. Snow instantly shot up in bed. It had been forever since she could gaze into those beautiful blue eyes.

“Charming,” she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.

He cupped her face instantly, clearly crying himself. “Snow.”

Their lips connected and she never wanted to let go. In that moment, the how didn’t matter. She briefly forgot all about the pixie petal and Emma’s drama with Killian. All that mattered was that it was over. Her husband was awake, she was awake. Nothing would ever tear them apart again, she was going to see to that.

When the two finally did separate, Emma ran to them, catching them both off guard with a hug. They returned it and looked up to find Killian standing there looking sheepish. Snow could feel David tense up beside her and she squeezed his hand with her free one, to let him know that it would be okay. They’d talk to Emma, about everything. Now that Killian was back, it was time to have a conversation about exactly how these two had treated them. She realized that she had given Emma the pixie petal and felt an immense wave of guilt. That had been the wrong choice and she knew it. Yet, without it…

Snow looked at Regina, who’s arm was around Henry with baby Neal in his arms. “How did you do it?”

“I had some help.”

Regina gestured to the floor, causing the two to pull apart from Emma. There laid Ruby, her eyes closed and hand over her chest. They both dropped down on either side of her, checking her over.

“What the hell happened?” David asked.

“She showed up shortly after Emma saved Killian,” Regina said. “She shared your sleeping curse, so you’d be able to wake up.”

Snow bit her lip, pushing back a lock of Ruby’s brown hair. “But…why…” She swallowed at the same time David did. They thought that Ruby’s feelings for them had vanished, but they had remained, just as theirs had for her. “Oh, Ruby…”

“You can wake her up. If this worked, that means that True Love’s kiss should, between the three of you.”

David and Snow exchanged a look, before smiling themselves. They kept their hands clasped together as they each bowed their heads to kiss a temple a piece. A rainbow ripple fell over the loft and yet another gasp could be heard, followed by Ruby’s beautiful green eyes flickering open to greet them. David and Snow helped her sit up, before gathering her into their arms. She hugged them back instantly.

“You’re okay,” she whispered after a long while.

“Because of you,” Snow said, pulling apart to put her hand on Ruby’s cheek.

“You still love us,” David added, biting onto his lip as he kept his grip on her.

Ruby tilted her head. “Of course I do. I always have, always will. I just didn’t think…”

“Letting you go to Oz was a mistake. We only did it because we thought it’d make you happy.”

“Dorothy’s a nice girl and all, but…she’s not my Prince Charming…” She looked over at Snow. “Or my Frosty.”

Snow giggled in spite of her tears. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“I know, and we’ll have time. I’m back for good.”

“Really?”

“It’s what I came back to tell the two of you, before I found you the way you were.”

Ruby’s eyes drifted to Emma. The blood had stopped, though the bruising had continued. She did feel a slight twinge of guilt, violence was never the answer, no matter how angry.

“I’m sorry I punched you,” she said.

Emma bit her lip, looking anywhere but her. “Thank you for saving my parents.”

“We have a lot to discuss too, Emma,” David said. He looked between her and Killian. “All of us do.”

Killian shook his head. “Trust me,” he whispered. “You won’t have to worry about me anymore.”

“Killian!” Emma’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“This isn’t right, Emma. Look at how many lives we hurt. You let your parents die to save my life. Do I really bring out the best version of you?”

Emma furthered the bite on her lip. “I just…I don’t know.”

“Like you all said,” Regina stepped in. “You have a lot to discuss. And we’ll take Neal, so you can do that.”

It wasn’t worked out in one night. There was lots of arguing and back and forth. Emma was in denial for a pretty long stretch of time, not wanting to admit she had a problem. It took her and Killian sitting down, listing everything bad that had happened as a result of them, to make her realize the truth. He took up Nemo on his voyage around the sea and Emma gave him her ring once again, trading it in for therapy sessions with Archie and her parents, both solo and family. She had a lot of work to do, but she wasn’t unredeemable.

Ruby, David and Snow took their time too. They talked a lot, fought a bit themselves over why they let it take so long but eventually, they went on a date, followed by another. Ruby was staying with Granny when she first returned, but once the final battle had been fought and Snow and David were looking to buy a house, they invited Ruby to look with them.

And one year later, Snow dug out Eva’s old ruby engagement ring, ready to officially make Ruby her and David’s wife.

#red snowing #red snowing au #anti captain swan #red snow #red charming #snowing #red snow au #red charming au #snowing au #ruby lucas #snow white #mary margaret blanchard #david charming #david nolan #prince charming #emma swan #henry mills #ouat au

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luvfoole-blog · 5 years ago

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𝗼𝗻𝗲.

the clock hit midnight, and it was officially your favorite day. your birthday. you were only ten, and you radiated happiness everywhere. you begged your parents for that perfect overpriced barbie cake from the grocery store, and your mom let you borrow her pink lipstick to match. everyone, including your aunts and uncles, joined in your backyard to celebrate you. and there was singing, and laughing, and dancing. and you were so ecstatic. so happy. you were too caught up watching everyone sing, that you didn’t notice your crazy drunken uncle come up behind you. you were smiling and laughing one second, and the next your face was slammed into your perfect dream cake. tears fell down your face as you screamed in embarrassment and anger, as he just laughed in your face. that was the first time you experienced humility.

𝘁𝘄𝗼.

you were an only child. a mistake honestly. but from the moment, your parents saw your big blue eyes and your lopsided smile, they were obsessed. you were their pride and joy. literally. you could snap your fingers and they’d come running. you’d ask to go to the park for hours and hours, and they’d sit there watching you with a smile on your face. the park was your happy place. luckily for you, you lived down the street from one. and you used to swing until you reached the clouds, race down the slide until you fell in the sand and ran away without a care in the world. you were swinging and humming to yourself when you watched a younger woman confront your dad. you were confused. you didn’t know what was going on, and they screamed and screamed and screamed. until finally, she slapped him and stormed off. that’s the day he got exposed for cheating on your mom.

𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲.

you answered the door, and there was a stranger woman in a business suit greeting you with an overwhelming smile. asking for your parents. and then she came in. and then she sat down at your table. in your spot. and said a conversation needed to be had. she said you were too young to understand. too naive. but your parent's marriage was falling apart. she didn’t blame you, but you felt her harsh words. both of your parents sat down on opposite ends of you and just stared. and then she asked. which parent do you like better. which parent would you want to live with when it happened. when the divorce came. and you just sobbed. your family, the love you thought your parents shared was crumbling right before you. and you couldn’t even answer. because you loved them both equally. so much. it broke you in half.

𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿.

coping with problems as always been easy for you. see, you’re a swallower. you swallow them down and bury them deep within the contents of your soul. your tongue has scars from the number of times you bite it to remain quiet. but you couldn’t help but explode. your dad took you out for ice cream after school, and you were thrilled. surprised but overjoyed. you loved quality time with him, and after the divorce, you felt like he had pushed you away. but the ice cream wasn’t what you thought. it wasn’t a fun gesture of love, it was a peace offering. because your dad was dating someone else. he was truly in love with her. and she was young, blonde, perky and fake. and that was the worst part. when you would go over there, she would sabotage you in ways you despised. like feeding you sweet potatoes even though you were allergic, knocking you over on accident, making you sleep in the attic because there weren’t enough beds. see, that’s the thing about love. it consumes you. and she wanted your dad all for yourself. and sadly for you, she won. that’s why you haven’t seen him since you were 15.

𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲.

you had many friends. that’s one of the good things about you. you were so friendly and likable. but you had one best friend. aimee. and yes she was a complete bitch sometimes but to you. she wasn’t. to you, she was suffering and she was kind. and you really did love her. you guys would tell each other your deepest secrets. and when you got a boyfriend before she did, she acted happy for you. but really she wasn’t. and she tried to let it go. but when you lost your virginity before she could even get a guy’s attention, she was absolutely livid. she threw a party with the sole intention of announcing to everyone that you had an std. that you were a slut. that you were worthless. that nobody should get within five feet of you. and you were mortified. that was your best friend. that was your safe zone, and you lost it all. all over envy. and you sobbed rivers, running up to the bathroom to hide. you wanted to drop out of school. you wanted to change your name. but you did none of that. now, you just don’t trust people that easily.

#( CHARACTER STUDY ) karlie vanderwaal.#hehehe

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ask-the-infiltrators · 7 years ago

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Last minute business...

Featuring Ace and Aurora from @ask-acepony

Hearth’s Warming eve was here once again and everypony was spending time with their families and friends, save for a unicorn clad in dark purple armor. He trod through the ice and snow as he held fast to a neatly wrapped gift held aloft in his magical grasp. It was wrapped in green wrapping paper and tied up with a pretty looking pink bow with white hearts stamped all over it.

Normally a package like this would be tucked away in his saddle bags, but that right now had its lips pursed, barely able keep its contents from spewing forth. He had to walk slowly to just keep everything under wraps. Regardless of his pace, it was going to take him a little bit of time to reach his destination as he had a bit of a harder time finding his way around due to all the snow. Large open expanses of white just seem to confuse him, though unlike his last snowy excursion, he was smart enough to have a map with him this time.

He eventually came upon a house and rapped on the door. However, the pony that greeted him at the door was not the unicorn mare that he was expecting, but a hot pink earth pony with a mane of multi colors that baffled him even more than trail of snow behind him. He cleared his throat and addressed the mare, “Umm… Hello ma’am? I’m here for a Miss Aurora. Is she home?”

The earth pony mare raised an eyebrow at him and stated, “Yeah, but she’s kind of busy at the moment. May I ask what she did?”

“Did?”

A wave of realization crashed into him, though it was more like a truck, as he remembered that he was here in armor. There was no doubt in his mind that a random guard coming up to your door asking questions about those in your home would raise some suspicion. She even gave off the feeling that this wasn’t the first time any guards have came knocking on this door. For the sake of both of their sanity's, he quickly dispelled the air of trouble, “Oh, no ma’am, you have me all wrong here. I am just here for a friendly chat, but if she’s too busy, can you tell her Platinum came by to drop this off?”

He levitated the present into sight and held it out to the mare, “I’ll be back after the holidays are over and she has more free time.”

The earth pony mare accepted the gift and acknowledged him, “I’ll let her know. Thank you.”

Before she could close the door and allow him to leave, a familiar voice could be heard behind her, “Platinum?”

The pink mare was gently shoved out of the way as the unicorn mare stepped into the doorway from within the depths of the home, “Thanks for getting the door Ace, I will handle things from here.”

Ace, the earth pony mare with the odd mane looked between the two of them briefly before seeming to look through him, an act that he was not lost on as she dismissed herself, “Not a problem. I’m going to go put this gift with the others.”

As the mare left the two of them at the door, she gave him one last look as she vanished into the background. He asked, “So that is Ace, she is a lot more… Interesting, in person.”

Aurora nodded as she looked at where Ace had slunk off too before looking back at the guard, “She’s not normally like that, actually. Do you think she knows?”

He shrugged, “About us? Unless you told her, I am not sure how she would. As far as she and everypony else should be concerned, we are just friends.”

Aurora frowned, “I haven’t told her yet… Not sure when really, if at all.”

“I understand. Take your time, I am willing to wait for you.”

Aurora blushed lightly, getting nearer and nearer to the shade of red of her Hearth’s Warming themed coat, “Thank you. I’m happy to hear you say that, and may want to hear more, but i’m afraid we’re all a little busy right now. In a little bit, we’re going to be taking a train to Manehatten to spend time with my Uncles and spend the night over for Hearth’s Warming.”

He sighed, “I figured you’d have plans for the holidays. Wish I was able to get time off sooner, but things have been swamped in the archives.”

He was going to give another reason why he was late to their appointment yesterday, but she put a hoof on his mouth to silence him, “Don’t worry about it, I understand how hard work can be, but at least you made an effort to be here.”

Now it was his turn to blush as she removed her hoof from his mouth. He was going to speak, but his words were caught in his throat. Noting his silence, she motioned for him to come in, “You know, I can’t exactly send you back out into the cold after you came all this way just to see me, come inside, we can talk over a little tea, but then I am afraid I must be off.”

Platinum was surprised by her offer, expecting her to be too busy to ‘have a chat’, a sentiment he made known as she left his horseshoes at the door, “But what about your train to Manehatten, you’ll miss it!”

Aurora shrugged as she lead him into the kitchen, where she levitated a pot over to the sink and started to fill it with water, “There is a reason why we leave early in the day, or at least try to. There will be other trains I assure you, but as for meeting with you, the window is already small enough, is it not?”

He relented, though he still held onto a pinch of guilt as he was taking up her precious preparation time, “Business before pleasure with you then? Let’s get through this quickly, I don’t want to eat much more of your time.”

As the pot met the stove, Aurora asked, “You mentioned in your letter that you wanted to discuss the paperwork for the magic wings?”

He nodded as he placed his saddlebags on the table. Off came the latches and out came the very same wings they were discussing as well as a folder no doubt filled with all the legal documents they would be discussing. Thankfully, he assured her that they won’t need to go through all of this, “I just about have everything done, I just need to make clear some of the concerns the guard had with their design and obtain some signatures.”

The mare chuckled, “Is that all? I don’t see why you’re so worried about time then.”

Platinum sighed as he opened the folder and pulled out a piece of paper, “I’ll start with probably the most baffling of documents.”

Aurora gave him her full attention as he continued, “It would appear that there is some competition in similar wing designs used by a Mister Borealis. Have you ever heard of them?”

Her curious and overall positive expression immediately soured at the mention of that name. She was outraged, and rightfully so, but not at him. She gritted her teeth and took the offending document from Platinum so she can see it for herself, “What the buck is this?”

At least she wasn’t mad at him… Though she was still mad, “I thought I had been rid of that name for years.”

“Care to explain?”

She glared daggers at him, but as she noted his worried expression, her features softened. Clearly he didn’t know about this, as it was a part of her life she was purposefully keeping hidden, but of course it would come up in some way, it always does…

She sighed, “I am Borealis. Or rather, I was. That part of me is long dead, and yet it still haunts my every hoof step.”

Aurora tossed him the paper which he promptly placed it back into the folder, “I see…”

The mare took a seat at the kitchen table and looked over the beautiful looking wings that the two of them made together what felt like so long ago and stated coldly, “Platinum, I would like that name removed from my documents. I don’t want to have to deal with it again in the future.”

He nodded, clearly seeing just how much this bothered her, “I’ll do what I can. Being an archivist has its privileges.”

“Thank you.”

The two of them stayed there in silence for a few minutes more until the pot on the stove started to whistle. This prompted Aurora to rise from her seat and prepare their tea cups, at which point Platinum elected to continue their discussion, “Ok… The next concern that needs to be brought up is the worry of possible magical radiation given off by the complex layering of spells and enchantments the wearer my encounter.”

As she poured a cup for the two of them, she asked quizzically, “Radiation?”

He chuckled softly as if he expected her to know what he meant, “I know right? My enchantments are air tight, but they still wanted to be sure to tell you about that. It’s silly, really.”

Seeing as he didn’t explain it outright, she figured it would be best to just drop it. After all, he says there is no trouble there at all, so why worry about it? She blew upon and took a sip of her tea, savoring the flavor of ginseng as it passed her lips. Setting her cup down gently on it’s trey, she asked, “What other ‘absurd’ worries do the guards have?”

“Well…”

Oh no, perhaps there actually was something to worry about. She raised an eyebrow at him and motioned for the stallion to continue, and continue he did, “I was able to deal with a lot of the paperwork myself, but there was one thing I really could not do myself. They asked if these wings could be used as prosthetics.”

Thankfully for her, she had some time to think about this as Rarity had mentioned it a while back, she knew just what to ask him, “If a pony were to wear them, is there any string of spells or enchantments that could allow them to be used as such?”

Platinum nodded hesitantly, “Actually yes, though, Earth ponies and Unicorns lack the proper muscles and natural magic to do that. There is also an issue of durability, as I doubt these ones could match up with the rigorous conditions a Pegasus would be using them in.”

She glanced at the wings resting on the table briefly before looking at him again, “But it is doable? I see.”

Platinum extended one of the wings and looked them over, much like the day when they had their first date, “Of course, all of these things can be dealt with during the enchanting process, I just need to know before hoof if they are meant for fashion or function. My question to you is, would you be fine with such an option, as I have little doubt it would bring a lot of attention our way.”

He was right! Creating a new wave of realistic prosthetic wings that can match the durability of the real deal would take equestria by storm. There may be no turning back if they go that route. In fact, even these wings as they are could cause a buzz too. Can she handle the pressure of the public eye she sought so hard to escape now that she is more experienced and older? She nervously sipped on her tea as she thought this over.

Noting her behavior, he went over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder and offered her some words of comfort, “Listen, Aurora. As a friend, I would encourage you to think long and hard about this. As a business partner, i would encourage you to do whatever it takes to stay relevant in the industry. But…”

He drew her close so that way they would be muzzle to muzzle, “As somepony that cares for you very much, I want you to know that no matter what choice you make, I will support you all the way.”

A blush grew on her muzzle until she was a bright crimson, at which point the two of them leaned in and exchanged a long chaste kiss. By the time it broke, their teas had gone cold. They didn’t care, as they were in good company, though they were not truly alone. The Pink Pony before, Ace, was standing in the entryway to the kitchen. Just how long she was standing there the couple couldn’t tell, but judging by the expression on her face, it probably was a while.

The two of them chuckled nervously as she spoke, “I hate to ruin this moment, but everything is packed up and Bee is starting to get anxious.”

That is right, Aurora didn’t tell them about the plan to wait! They are waiting for her! She stood up and sighed, reluctantly shrugging off Platinum’s grip on her, “Sorry. I’ll be right there.”

Ace nodded and slipped away leaving them alone once again. The taller mare groaned as she sat the cups and pot into the sink, “I am sorry Platinum, but we’re out of time.”

He chuckled softly as he started putting all of ‘his’ stuff away in his saddlebags, “Don’t worry about it. We both knew our time together was limited this time anyway. Have fun.”

After a few moments and quick thinking, she asked, “Hey Platinum, why don’t you come with us? You said you don’t have any other business for the holidays, right?”

He nodded, seeming to pick up on what she was throwing down, “Yeah, I’m free… I would be honored to spend the holidays with you.”

He bowed, leading to an embarrassing moment where he accidentally fell over due to his loose saddlebags shifting its weight around, prompting Aurora to giggle lightly as he flailed around, “Here, let me help you.”

She helped him to his hooves and he gave her a kiss on the hoof in gratitude, “Many thanks my princess~”

Now there was a pet name that wasn’t thrown around all that often, but every time it left the stallion’s lips it brought a blush to her face. The fact that he would address her as such despite not being royalty spoke volumes as to how he felt about her and was really touching. He continued as he pointed to the exit, “Allow me to repay your kindness by paying your way to Manehatten.”

Normally she would have insisted on paying for the trip herself like the independent mare she is, but she got the feeling she wasn’t going to win that fight, so instead, she stated, “Why thank you… We can finish up business once Hearth’s Warming is over.”

They nodded in agreement and headed out of the kitchen and soon, the door to the house.

#long post #story #ask-acepony #aurora (ace pony)#Platinum #ace (ace pony)

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allianceinternational-blog · 6 years ago

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writebethany · 8 years ago

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Vega talks to Cat about possibly being in love/having sex/relationships. She feels too awkward talking to her moms about it because even though she knows they love her, she's a teen. What fucking teen wants to tell their parents they want to have sex. Especially when one is a scientist. (Is still desperate to get the presentation of "where babies come from" out of her head) And Kara can't keep her trap shut. So. She goes to Cat. Cat won't tattle.

Previous parts

Vega’s fifteen and in the middle of her sophomore year in high school when her thoughts turn back to relationships and sex. People around her are starting to actually get into the relationship game more seriously now. It’s not the giggling ridiculous two days on before calling it quits thing that it was in middle school. She sees all these people joining up and being happy together and while she thinks she’s not ready for it now, she wants to know more about it.

There’s only one problem with knowing more, she has no idea who to ask. She could just Google everything she wants to know, it’s not like the internet wouldn’t have the answers she’s looking for, but she would have to weed through a lot of bad advice and just plain fake stories for the truth. Since she has no real clue, that seems like it might do more harm than good. Which leaves asking someone around her for advice.

The first and obvious choice would be her parents, but god, she’s still cringing over that power point her Mom had showed her when she was little and her Ieiu’s knowledge comes mostly from Krypton, which had sexual mores even more archaic than Earth’s so she’s not sure how far she’d get there. And while her Mom flails around sometimes and just plain screws up her Ieiu is the one that’s more likely to freak out in a more…interesting way, so they’re definitely off the table for reasons other than the fact that who in the world wants to talk to their parents about this stuff anyway.

The next is one of her honorary aunts and uncles. Winn is a no because he’s about as awkward as they come, though he did eventually manage to find a nice girl just as nerdy as him, and Vega really does like Lyra, but that was definitely luck on his part and not knowledge. James is a possibility, but while he’s the one who always listens when she needs to talk there’s just something about this that Vega thinks wouldn’t work out. Lucy is the best candidate, but Vega isn’t sure that whatever she says wouldn’t eventually make it back to her Mom, if only by accident. Working at the DEO is stressful and she knows things can slip under those conditions. If she can’t think of anyone else, though, Lucy will be who she goes to. Kara’s never on the table because she’ll tell Vega’s Mom everything out of some worried aunt/sisterly duty.

But the thought of Kara brings about the thought of Cat. Cat knows pretty much everything and Vega knows that the woman can be trusted with secrets. There are more than a few accidents that she got into with Carter when they were younger that Cat had never told her mothers about because Cat knew her mothers would freak out more than warranted. Not that Cat hadn’t sat them down and explained why what they had done was dangerous and not to do it again, but it had been calm and reasoned, and honestly made Vega feel bad about what they’d done because Cat was disappointed that they weren’t more careful and had stopped her from doing it again more effectively than any rant from her mothers would have. So Cat would give her any answers she wanted and wouldn’t sugar coat them, which, right now, when high school is more than a little confusing with everything, is kind of what Vega wants.

Vega texts Cat late enough one night that she’s sure the other woman is home from the office. “Hey, Cat, can I ask you a few questions? Um, about relationships?” She agonizes over the words for a long time before just hitting send and hoping.

Cat messages back with all her usual efficiency with a “Come over, there’s an abundance of tacos since Kara is off fighting the villain of the week. The balcony is unlocked.”

Vega quickly changes into the all black outfit that her Mom had mandated every time she went out flying. Once she’d hit high school they’d started to allow her to use her powers sparingly provided Vega followed the rules they set. Flying meant all black and a black face mask so no one could figure out who she was. Honestly, in another couple years when she stopped growing and finished filling out Vega thought that the mask wouldn’t be necessary. She looked so much like her Ieiu that people would just assume Vega was her. But that wasn’t now. And so she slips out of the door after shouting down the hall that she’s going to Aunt Kara’s for a little bit and getting the shouted back ok from her Mom who actually isn’t on whatever mission that Kara is right at the moment.

Cat’s penthouse is one of the many places that feels like a second home. Vega steps in and goes straight to the kitchen where Cat is plating up what is a really massive quantity of tacos. Vega’s mouth waters. God, she really loves tacos.

“Hi,” Vega says, slipping onto the stool by the island.

Cat shoves the plate of tacos at Vega. “Hello.” She grabs a plate for herself and then grabs them both bottles of water before sitting next to Vega. “So, relationships.” She’s never been one to beat around the bush.

Vega picks up a taco to stall for a second, gathering her thoughts. “Uh, yeah, I guess I just…I’m kind of confused. And I think I want one, but like, not right now, and I don’t even know who I would be with, but.” She shrugs.

Cat hums. “High school is confusing like that, most definitely.” She laughs, a bit bitter. “Especially when you’re attracted to other girls in an era that isn’t very friendly to such inclinations, but at least this day and age is a little better. A little. Is there anything specific you want to know?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think I know enough. Like. I got the whole where babies come from talk from Mom and I just…never again Cat, never again, there was a power point.” Vega stuffs the taco in her face and chews, hoping that the taste soothes the cringing that her soul is doing. It does somewhat.

Cat chuckles at that. “That does sound like your mother.” She takes a bite of her taco thoughtfully. “I think the most important thing to know is that there’s no real right way to have a relationship and that you don’t have to be ready when everyone else is. You can take your time and when you’re ready you can venture into the dating world. No one gets to decide for you.”

Something in Vega does relax at that. She needed to hear that. She didn’t even know she did, but Cat had.

“What is it like, being in a relationship?” Vega asks.

“It depends on the other person you’re with. With Kara it is warm and safe but there’s sparks of excitement. With other people I’ve been with it’s been thrilling like a rollercoaster ride or calm and serene like a lake without a breeze. They were all good for a while for me, but I found that I couldn’t be all excitement or all lazy and relaxed without eventually burning out. For you it could be different. And it won’t always feel great because every couple has disagreements, but as a whole it should be good. If it isn’t, then that’s a sign to leave. You have to support your partner and they have support you back for it to be worthwhile.”

Vega nods at that. That…it makes sense to her in a way that nothing has before about all of this.

“How do you know if you’re even interested in someone like that?” Vega’s had so many problems trying to figure out what were romantic feelings versus just straight platonic. Or more what she wanted to be romantic feelings that just weren’t.

“That’s something else that will be different from person to person. But I can tell you what it feels like for me. It’s, it takes a while for a person to catch my attention like that because I need to feel as if they are my match before I’m ever interested in them. When I finally do see them in that light it’s, there’s this warmth that sits at the bottom of my spine and it radiates outward. It feels like I’m being lit up from the inside. And sometimes that goes nowhere, but when it does, well, sometimes there’s sweaty palms and a thundering heart and maybe a bit of trouble breathing, but I’ll never admit to such cliche symptoms. In all cases, I think you always want to be closer with that person no matter what.”

Vega eats in silence with that information for a while. This is helping, she thinks, but it’s all still so vague, but maybe that’s just the way it is. There’s no exact science to it, but there are some ground rules that everything branched off of. She was only going to know the ground rules until she actually went out and dated herself.

“What about guys versus girls?” She looked away for a second. Vega hadn’t been able to figure that out either. She knew that she found both pretty to look at, that was about it.

“Both are good, at least for me. I didn’t stop being bisexual when I married Kara, nor did she when she married me. We just stopped looking. That’s just another thing that no one can tell you how to feel. If you like boys only fine, girls, ok, both, more the merrier.” Cat snorted. “Though if you want my opinion, at least women can find the damn clit.” She took her empty plate and stood walking over to the sink.

Vega blinked at that for a second, blushing. Well, she supposed that did lead into her next question. “And sex?”

“Sex is…” Cat sighed. “You know I’m not giving you a lot of definite answers here, but it also depends. Sometimes you go out and have a one night stand and it’s good, sometimes you’re in a relationship and it’s terrible. In the right circumstances it’s an experience on another level. You’re joining with the other person and giving and receiving pleasure in the most intimate way possible. It’s a connection that can’t be denied. Bad sex, is one of the most awkward things that will ever happen to you. Then there’s sex that’s just normal. It’s good but it isn’t anything to write home about. And if you don’t want it, that is always fine too. There are other aspects of relationships that are just as fulfilling.”

Cat starts to clean up dinner as Vega finishes up her last taco. “I think everything about relationships and sex boils down to don’t force yourself into something before you’re ready, and when you are ready, be safe about it. And if you have any questions along the way feel free to talk to someone, to talk to me again. God knows I have enough relationship experience it might as well get some use somewhere.” She turns to smile at Vega. “Some of the stories.” She laughs.

Vega smiles at her before getting up and starting to help Cat clean. Somewhere her mothers and preening because look at their daughter and her proper manners. She feels a little less confused now, and more sure that this isn’t something she’s quite ready for yet. So her peers can continue on their way with all the dating and drama that comes with it. She can wait for the good aspects of dating until she’s sure, even if she wouldn’t mind companionship now.

“Thank you,” Vega says, as the last of the dishes is slipped back into the cabinets.

Cat just lays a hand on her shoulder and squeezes. “Of course, darling. Any time, I mean it.”

next part

#general danvers #alex danvers #astra in-ze #supergirl #cat grant #vega danvers #Anonymous

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salty-dracon · 7 years ago

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CGAU- Paradox

Consider this a slightly-less-cool sequel to ACAU. This fuses aspects of HalfwayDead, SECRET Agents, and TMX. With some of the Life as an AJ and TANML OCs too. It follows the plot of Caligula, an anime I’ve been watching recently.

Our heroes attempt to escape Rubicon City, only to find themselves trapped within it. The entity keeping them confined is the city’s guardian angel, Grey. However, they receive a clue from an anonymous person, telling them where to go next.

“I’ve done endurance training before.“ Brooke flexed her muscles. “I can do it.“

Five minutes later, Brooke found herself walking, trying to regain her energy. Trying to run full speed away with her necessities on her back wasn’t the best idea.

Dad...

Brooke thought about her father.

A glitching orange and white face. His wrinkles and lips curled upwards in a smile before it faded into static. She tried to remember him. Remember him before he became young. Before he became nothing... nothing but a lie created by a false god.

The Angel shone like the sun behind her balcony, with a warm smile on his face. “Don’t be sad,“ the Guardian said, touching her cheek. “I’ll make sure your father is everything you desire.“

She thought about what Narin had said.

“Don’t you get it, Brooke Malone? You killed him. You yourself killed the father you loved so much!“

“You’re wrong!“ Brooke mumbled. “You’re wrong, you stupid bitch! If I’d known Grey would’ve done that to my father, I wouldn’t’ve-“ She roared. “I wouldn’t’ve asked for jack shit in the first place!“

Growling to herself, she walked up to the nearest bus stop just as it arrived, and boarded.

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

“Take us to Piedmont.“ Lily pulled herself into the car with her duffel bag. “I’ve got enough money to take care of the fare. I think. Two hundred bucks should be good, right? I tried looking it up... “

Venus pushed his suitcase into the front seat, hopped in, and closed the door behind him. “We’re all set. Let’s go, Lily.”

With that, the driver started up the car. Lily stared at the driver’s face. It had been a long time since she had seen any face besides Venus’s, but... it showed up clearly in the rear view mirror. The actual head behind the seat was covered in orange glitches.

The ride was quiet. Lily twisted the little ring around her finger while she waited. She covered her face, trying to shut it out. Her eyes opened as she felt a warm pair of arms around her shoulders.

“We’re going to be okay,“ he whispered in her ear. “We’re going to go to my uncle’s place, okay?“

“Okay.“

“There’s the bridge,“ Venus said, after a few moments of silence.

Lily glanced up. The two towers of a suspension bridge appeared on the horizon. At the same time, the cab slowed and stopped by the side of the road.

“We’re going to Piedmont, mister.“ Lily protested, leaning forward.

“This is as far as I can take you.“

“Guess we’ll cross the bridge on foot, then.“ Venus pulled the suitcase out. “Come on.“ He threw a small fare into the front seat.

Lily pulled herself and her duffel bag out, and followed Venus as he walked towards the bridge.

The ring on Lily’s hand, Venus thought, as he glanced at it. What was it worth?

“I was thinking of buying you something nice... “ They stopped in front of a jewelry store together. He knew this one- it was expensive. A single item here was worth an entire month’s worth of food. “Something I know you would like. Like, a watch or something. But you don’t want a watch unless it’s solar powered, right?“

“Get me a ring.“

“Huh?“

“Get me a ring. A nice black one. Like, all black.“ She smiled at him. “A really badass, cool one. And... I’ll get you something cool too. Like... like a new patch for your coat. You want an Inversion patch, right? I’ll get you the best patches I can find! And maybe some other stuff!“ She grabbed his shoulders. “What about tea cakes? Have you ever had them? They’re so good! Oh, I have so much I want to buy for you... “

He tried to remember the taste of the tea cakes Lily bought for him. They were so sweet and so buttery. They had fun together, dipping them into jam and Kool Whip. He watched carefully as Lily sewed his patch onto his jacket, taking care with every stitch.

It was a fun day.

So then why did it all feel so worthless now?

Why did it feel like Venus was all alone? Vulnerable? And even more scared for someone who was probably equally scared for him?

“It’s going to be okay,“ Lily whispered to herself. Her voice was choked. She sounded like she was on the brink of tears.

If they weren’t running, he would have pulled her close and wrapped her up in his jacket. He wanted to tell her- the both of them- that it was going to be okay. That there was nothing to fear.

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

It was drawing him.

Groceries in hand, Arthur followed the bristling of his hair- the soft breeze pushing him towards the answer. He had always had two strong instincts. One was to understand everything. The other was like a gut feeling, to warn him away from danger.

Usually he listened to the former. In what was up till now a safe world, he always listened to his curiosity. But the more he turned it over in his mind, the less sense it made.

His gut told him of danger. But it also spoke of a truth. A truth Arthur would not be able to reach until he faced it head-on. A friendly warning.

Was it the answer to his conundrum?

Arthur turned away from the downtown area and began walking. At five miles per hour- that was how fast humans walked, anyway- he would likely reach the edge in about one hour.

Arthur closed his eyes and tried to remember.

I love Nemo more than anything.

He tried to remember the name he took the little pup home from the shelter. He remembered carefully training it to sit and be quiet and scratch the door when it needed to use the bathroom. He remembered how Nemo whined and cried when Arthur went to school. His mother would take the little pup in her hands and calm him down.

And Mom and Dad.

Olivia and Albert Mink. They loved him too. Both of them. They knew school, and life in general, was hard for him sometimes. But Arthur had their support, and for him, that was enough.

His family. His poor family. Everything twisted. Not them, Arthur thought, as he laid eyes upon the orange glitches over their faces. Not them too.

Just a few more minutes. He could sense it. Just a few more.

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

The edge of the city was mostly trees and shrubs. Brooke would have loved to practice scavenging here for food, but now wasn’t the time. The edge of the city was just up ahead, and she would make it there, no matter what.

She had a cousin. Luce, was it? After an argument with her uncle, he left the house completely. But he still left Brooke a phone number, to call if she ever needed him. Luce was the closest thing Brooke had, sometimes. She hadn’t called his number in ages, but she knew he was somewhere in Boston, living in a dirt-poor apartment with friends. She closed her eyes, trying to remember his face.

Suddenly, the bus stopped. “This is the final stop.”

Brooke’s eyes opened. The driver was staring at her with a sickly sweet smile on her face. Behind all those glitches, anyway.

“F-Final-“

“This is the final stop.“

“The final-“

“This is the final stop.“

Brooke forgot how creepy the recorded lines were up until that moment. Immediately, she grabbed her bag and left.

Fine then, I’ll just... walk to Boston.

As she walked over the highway, she saw a hill up ahead. And as she climbed it...

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

Lily watched a city cab cross the suspension bridge over the lake. “He didn’t want to drive us out of the city? That’s weird.“ She followed the sidewalk towards the bridge. “Come on, the exit for the bridge should be up ahead.”

Venus nodded and followed. The two of them walked over the sidewalk and through the grass, until they eventually reached...

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

Arthur’s eyes opened. His heart beat resolutely inside his chest, pounding like a drum. It was like Arthur stood at the border between life and death itself- like standing on a cliff.

In front of him stood an orange barrier. It glowed with the same light as an aurora. As Arthur held out his hand to touch it, he watched little artifacts appear around his hands.

What is this place?

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

“What the hell...?!“ Brooke backed away from the auroras. In a fit of anger she tried to punch them, but they were as immovable as a brick wall. She attempted to claw at the smooth surface, kick it, and even bodyslam it, but there was no way through.

As she was about to consider stabbing a hole through the barrier, a voice spoke.

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

“I apologize. I have not finished creating this part of the city yet.“

The angel gently touched Lily and Venus’s shoulders. “Are you dissatisfied with Paradise, my children?”

“But, my uncle-“ Venus started.

“He’s visiting your home.“

“Like, an NPC version, or... “

“He is as real as anything else here.“

“No. I don’t want him here.“ Venus gently pushed Grey’s hand off his shoulder. “Thank you, though.“

“What about you, Lily?“

“... I was only following him.“ Lily closed her eyes. “May I ask something?“

“Yes, my child?“

“Why didn’t you tell us?“

“Because I didn’t want you to worry, and in the end, you are happier. That is reason enough, isn’t it?“

Venus could sense that her heart screamed “no”, but she quietly muttered “okay” instead.

“We’re sorry for bothering you,“ Venus said.

“It is of no consequence. Please, enjoy all that Paradise has to offer.“

With that, he disappeared completely. The barrier stayed, however. The two stared at it before turning around and running back to the highway.

--------

The Grey that touched Arthur’s cheek felt the same as he always did. A radiating warmth over his body.

“What do you desire?“ he asked. “I shall create it for you.“

At first, Arthur thought about his family, but that wasn’t right. He closed his eyes and asked, honestly, from the bottom of his heart.

“Is my family okay?“

“They are fine, my child. Return home and you will see.“

“I mean my other family.“

“They are fine as well.“

“Grey?“ he asked. “Why am I here?“

“Because I felt your suffering. Because I wanted, above all, to save you. Do you feel lonely here? Do you want more friends? A handsome face?“

Arthur thought for a moment. “No. I don’t want anything.”

“Are you sure, my child?“ Grey took Arthur’s hands. A small, glowing object floated in between before landing in his palms. A pile of beads, tied together with string. Arthur rotated it in his hand- it radiated a healing energy.

“A necklace?“

“You are always safe here.“ Grey gently stroked Arthur’s hair before disappearing.

Arthur rotated the necklace in his hand. It was a little rosary, with a feather-formed cross dangling from the center.

“Safe... here... “

“If you ever need us, we’ll be happy to help, Arthur.“

The girl with pink hair waved goodbye. The little butterfly floated from her shoulder into the air. Arthur watched as she typed a series of words into her phone. Two seconds later, Arthur felt his phone vibrate. The Storyshow page had just updated. He glanced at it. There was a new post. “Let’s call the curtains on this false sense of safety.”

When he glanced up from his phone again, the girl was gone, along with the talking butterfly.

Arthur pulled up his screenshot of the message. It was still there. “Let’s call the curtains on this false sense of safety”.

Call the curtains? As in... a curtain call? As in a stage show? But where would I find a stage in this city that students could access? Wait, is she talking about-

His eyes widened. He knew where he needed to go.

------

“Hey, Google, define curtain call.“

“Here’s the definition for curtain call. The appearance of one or more performers on stage after a performance to acknowledge the audience’s applause.“

“Hey, Google, where would I find a stage in Rubicon City?“

“Theaters in Rubicon City mentioned on Wikipedia include the Rothsdale Theater, Rubicon Opera House, and others.“

“Hmm.“ Brooke stared at her phone. She would figure this one out somehow.

-------

“Hey, Venus?“ Lily asked, as she sat next to him in the taxi. “There’s a post on Storyshow. I think I have an idea of where we need to go next.“

“Where?“ he asked.

“Remember you said you had some friends that were planning a coup or something behind the stage in the high school?“

“Yeah, but they were all turned into monsters!“

“According to this-“ Lily showed him her phone- “that may very well be our ticket out of this place.“

--------

The area behind the stage was surprisingly clean. Arthur traced his fingers over the floor, finding no dirt. Around him he found a backstage room, speaker sets, and a control board for the room’s lighting. There was also a door towards the back of the room.

Arthur pulled his phone out of his pocket and turned on the flashlight. He shined the beam over the door crack. Sure enough, there were footprints, made by a single pair of sneakers. He turned the flashlight off and walked up to the door.

He knocked. There was no response.

Finding the door unlocked, he opened it.

His eyes widened when he saw the backstage area completely clean. There were shelves covered with posters and props, and prep materials everywhere, none of them covered in dust. There was a girl sitting on a chair nearby. The butterfly was floating near her shoulder.

“Hey, Arthur.“ The girl smiled and waved. “I knew you’d come looking for answers.“ She stood up. “My name’s Allie. Nice to meet you again!“

#secretagents #halfwaydead #TMX #weareanml #life as an aj

0 notes

philipeisagoldengod · 7 years ago

Note

DO ALL OF THE ASKS, BBY - Alexandre

OKAY HON I WILL!!! MME. HIBBINS WOULD DEFINITELY APPROVE OF MY ANSWERS!!• Anubis: How do you feel about death?

o Oh, death? I guess it’ll happen when it’ll happen, y’know? I’m not too worried! I’d just rather not die painfully through like an infection or poison or something like that.

• Atum: What are your greatest imperfections?

o Nothing, I’m perfect :)

• Bastet: Do you have any cats?

o Yes, one deplorable character called Nestor, who always somehow finds a way to pICK A FIGHT WITH ME

• Hathor: What brings you joy?

o Everything beautiful and bright! But more specifically, pretty girls, puppies, children, curly hair, science, plants, sunlight, makeup, glitter, and bracelets.

• Horus: What is one thing you've had to fight for in your life?

o Hmm... not much, to be honest. But, I’d have to say Victoire, ma belle rose, the love and light of my life~ Circumstances just wouldn’t let us be together, until finally we could!

• Osiris: Do you believe in the underworld?

o But of course! I don’t think of it as hellish, though-- rather, I prefer to believe in a more neutral setting where the deceased wander aimlessly and think of their life. Or, reincarnation may be an interesting theory!

• Ra: Do you have any major responsibilities or importance?

o Oh, of course. I am central to my household. They would do nothing without me. Maybe cry.

• Thoth: Do you like to read/write?

o I love both! I consider myself a fabulous writer, although my brother does say otherwise… But I believe in myself!

• Arawn: What is the most terrifying thing you've ever done?

o Ooh, this is hard, since my whole life has been quite an adventure! I’d have to say sneaking into Victoire’s house that one time she was mad at me and I wanted to make it up to her. I… I still have nightmares about Alphonse *shivers*.

• Bran: How is your health?

o I am in perfect health! Really! I have a ridiculously sexy body. And I always make sure my skin, hair, nails, lips, and teeth are properly cared for~ The only issue I might have is that my stomach often gets upset. But I don’t think you want to hear any details about that!

• Brighid: Tell us about your relationship with your father.

o Oh… My father? I mean, I didn’t know him all that well, since he died when I was very young, but he seemed nice, I guess? My mother used to tell me that I was just like him! The one thing which stood out to me about him was the story my mother told me of my name; she and my father had both wanted to actually name me “Philippe,” but come the day of my birth, my father had drank an alarming amount of absinthe and was in the hospital himself while my mother was in labor. When the time came to name me, my mother asked my father to sign it, and unfortunately, he spelled my name as “Philipe” instead.

• Cernunnos: What is your favorite animal?

o I love puppies! They are so loyal, friendly, warm, and loving, traits which I feel are of utmost importance for a pet.

• Danu: What is your relationship with your mother?

o My mother was probably one of the most important people in my life. She was really caring and gentle, and really stayed firm despite anything that happened to us. She wasn’t just laid back, either—after my father died and his estate went to our uncle, Antoine’s father, she managed to convince him that we would manage it well and was able to fight for us to keep it. In addition, she raised us on her own in a city foreign to her and never wavered or showed any regret for our presence. She and I were… very close. I really do miss her still, since she passed only about six years ago.

• Morrigan: What do you think happens when we die?

o Didn’t I answer something similar? I believe in a fairly neutral underworld, possibly reincarnation. Oh! But you know what would be great? An afterlife where I’m surrounded by hundreds of buff, ginger, bearded men all wearing revealing outfits and caressing my cheek as they praise me and sing me poems they’ve composed for me!

• Olwen: What is your favorite flower?

o I love so many, it’s hard to choose! My favorites are probably a tie between roses, lilies, and lavenders—I love them all equally!

• Rhiannon: Have you ever been betrayed?

o Hm… my brother has turned his back on me many times, but I wouldn’t count that as betrayal, more bitter teenage angst. So no one, I guess; everybody loves me!

• Bragi: What kind of music do you listen to?

o Oh, I looooooooove Gregorian chant! It’s so hip, so cool, so nouvelle, so swell and popular with the kids~~

• Freya: Have you ever been in love?

o OH BOY DO I NEED TO ANSWER THIS??!! YES!!! VICTOIRE!! LISETTE!! RANDOM UNNAMED GIRL FROM PROVENCE WHO I FORGOT!! ROBERT!! JOSEPHINE!! ALAIN!! ANATOLE!! EUGÈNE!! DELPHINE!! MICHEL!! HORTENSE!! LISELOTTE!! LUCIEN!! BENOIT!! AND MANY OTHERS, I’M SORRY IF I LEFT YOU OUT!!

• Freyr: Do you have any children?

o I have two beautiful, perfect, outstanding, brilliant, bright children, who I treasure more than life itself. Louis Chevalier, a brave and gentle soul who loves all and creates, never destroying, and Henriette Chevalier, a bright fiery ball of passion, dedicating to leaving the world better than when she first encountered it.

• Hœnir: Are you a silent or talkative person?

o I’d like to consider myself a brooding, silent romantic hero, but Victoire always says I open my mouth too much and ruin my image :(

• Iounn: How old are you?

o That’s for me to know and you to ponder about, my dear ;)

• Loki: What is the best trick you've ever pulled on someone?

o Oh dear! I’d have to say it was that time when I was mad at me brother for letting his hair grow soooooooo long his bangs covered his eyes! I didn’t know what to do, since our stylist was out sick, so I asked Mme. Hibbins to work some magic with her gardening shears and… well… it was magic, all right.

• Odin: What is your family like?

o My family is like the solar system, and I am the sun! Let’s see… Mercury would probably be Céleste, since, like the god Mercury, I always sends her running around on errands and to carry messages and such! Venus would, of course, be Victoire, because her seductive allure and dazzling splendor just could not keep me away! Earth would be Dorian, since he would cry if I separated him from his precious vegetables and because he appears very… fecund. Mars would, of course, be my brother, because of his belligerent spirit and desire to be as cool as I am (spoiler alert: he’s not). Jupiter and Saturn would be my lovelies Henriette and Louis, since they are the biggest things in my universe

• Thor: Would you consider yourself pretty powerful?

o Oh yes, I’m a Philipe-shaped bottle of raw, rough power! (That sounded better in my head, oh well!)

• Tree: What have you done with your life? What are you going to do with it?

o I… uh, what have I done? I mean, I have a nice house? And I love my family! So I just plan to spend the rest of my life basking in my own glory, I guess.

• Aphrodite: What do you think of yourself?

o I consider myself the hottest thing alive since the burning witches in Salem :)

• Ares: Are you an easy person to anger?

o I mean, normally I’m not, buuuut… sometimes, when I do get angry, I lash out very easily and say things I don’t mean.

• Athena: Would you consider yourself an artist?

o But of course! This self-portrait just says it all:

• Apollo: Do you play any instruments?

o I play the electric triangle! And yes, Raphaël, that is a real instrument, stop laughing at me!!

• Dionysus: Do you drink?

o I mean, I drink a little wine or champagne in moderation, ignoring the engagement party absinthe, but generally I never drink too much—seeing what it did to my father has deterred me from indulging in excesses, you know?

• Hades: Do you have a bad reputation?

o Of course not, everybody loves me!

• Hekate: Have you ever tried to communicate with the dead?

o What? No! Maybe Mme. Hibbins did that one time in the local cemetery late at night in September, but I wasn’t there! I didn’t dig open a grave! I didn’t pour in a sack of moldy potatoes! I swear!

• Hermes: Have you ever stolen anything?

o Everyone’s hearts~ ;)

• Poseidon: Are you a moody person?

o Yes, I am fairly prone to sudden changes in mood—like, one moment, I’ll be at the dinner table thinking about how hamsters blink one eye at a time, and the next, I’m filled with emotion and want to have sex with Victoire on top of the church roof. I know, I know, I won’t do it… I guess…

• Zeus: Are you a confident person?

o I would say I’m pretty humble, but Raphaël keeps hitting me when I do, so for my own safety, I’ll have to say yes.

• Jupiter: Would people say that you are intimidating or fairly approachable?

o I think people think of me as fairly approachable! I’d hope so, at least!

• Pluto: Where do you think we go when we die?

o I’VE ANSWERED THIS QUESTION TWICE BEFORE

• Apollo & Dianna: Do you prefer to be up during the day or at night?

o I like sunshine and brightness, so the day! Although, I do enjoy… my nightly activities… heh

• Mars: Have you ever gotten into a fight?

o Yes, a few times. Not a physical altercation, but I’ve fought with pretty much every person I’ve ever met. Wow, is that an accomplishment?

• Minerva: Do you generally give good advice?

o I think I do, but whenever I give advice, Céleste sighs, Victoire shakes her head, Raphaël leaves the room, Dorian closes his eyes and pretends he’s not there, and basically everyone in my family acts like they don’t trust me, I’m very hurt.

• Proserpine: Have you ever felt trapped?

o One time, Victoire handcuffed me to the bed, but the key fell behind the radiator and the curtains somehow caught fire. We had to call the fire department, while I was in a burning room handcuffed to a bed naked. It was… an experience.

• Plutus: Do you have a job?

o Nah, not really; I don’t need to if I have enough of an inheritance to support myself. Most of my income comes from the property I rent out, anyway.

• Venus: Have you ever had your heart broken?

o Mine? No, not really. It’s hard for me to feel broken or hurt by things like romance. Usually, I’m the one who leaves, but if someone leaves me, I’ll either persistently nag my way back to them or just move on.

• Vesta: Do you like being home or do you try to get out whenever you can?

o I try to get out, I love going outside!

• Morpheus: Do you daydream often? Of what?

o I daydream… of things which are too obscene, even for me, to speak of! Let me just say one involved a bag of autumn leaves, my naked body, a man from the future named Nicolas Cage, and a 5 meter tall bottle of Cheez Whiz.

0 notes

canhandledecisions · 8 years ago

Text

Part 3

Silas peered nervously over the brim of her fan and past the edge of the doorframe, trying not to tremble. Her gut churned with fear that even the steadying pressure of her father’s hand on her arm did little to help. She felt like she might vomit, or worse, pass out during her entrance.

Despite the pounding of her heart against her ribs, her eyes remained dry. She was too overwhelmed to cry, although the rest of her family had shed more than their fair share of tears already that morning. Her mother had barely looked at her since they had arrived at the entryway, but from the few glances they’d shared, she could tell that Ethel’s face was full of shame.

“Silas?” She didn’t respond to the sound of her name. Her father’s voice sounded muffled and far away, almost as if she had imagined it. “Silas, are you all right?”

Of course she wasn’t all right. It was a ridiculous question, and it should have made her angry. Instead, all she could manage was a weak and unconvincing, “Yes.” The single word was hard enough to force from her trembling lips, so she didn’t bother saying anything else.

“Can you move?”

Once again, Silas hesitated. She wasn’t sure. Her legs felt like water and her head was spinning. The few steps it would take to pass through the door might be too much, even with her father’s arm for support.

“I… I don’t know.”

The grip on her elbow loosened, and she managed to turn her head. Her father’s brow was furrowed with worry, and he looked only slightly less awful than she felt. “Silas, I’m not going to make you do this. I always swore I would never force my children to marry, no matter their status. If you can’t go through with this, I’ll help you run. I can buy you a few minutes, at least—”

This time, Silas managed to speak. “No,” she said, with far more confidence than she felt. Her answer came out cracked, and she tried again, soft and resigned. “No. You know what will happen to our village. What will happen to our family…” She flashed back to the memory of her mother and uncles encased in metal prisons, and a spike of panicked pain pierced her chest.

“It doesn’t matter,” Ethel said, finally meeting her gaze. Silas almost recoiled at the pain in her mother’s eyes. They were angry, and sad, and full of anxiety and self-loathing. “Your father is right. You were right. We can’t just give you to them like some kind of prize to flatter their ego—”

Silas shook her head. Despite her fear, she was level-headed enough to know that running would only make things worse. “No, Mom. I’m just one person. If they… need me to prove a point to their ‘Empire,’ I’ll do what they say. As long as she keeps her promise to leave our home alone.”

Evegeni did not seem convinced. “But what if she doesn’t?” he whispered.

“I… believe her.” It felt strange to say such a thing, especially about Sylphene, but it was true nonetheless. “I don’t trust her, but she wouldn’t have agreed to this if she didn’t want it to work. She had her chance to fight, and she didn’t take it. That has to mean something, right?”

Her father let her go, a look of resignation crossing his face. “I hope it does. But…” Whatever he had been about to say, he couldn’t manage to finish. Instead, he straightened her robes. They were beautiful, from what Silas remembered of the brief glimpse she’d taken of her reflection while dressing, but she didn’t much care.

I don’t want to look pretty for her.

The heavy tones of the traditional Elven wedding processional began to play, and Silas had no more time to stew. On either side of her stood her parents, escorting her out into the hastily bedecked hall, but she had never felt more alone. She could feel the tension in their postures, but as much as they might have wanted to comfort her, there was nothing they could say to make this better. The fan that she held over her face was her only consolation. At least everyone else wouldn’t see how miserable she was, wouldn’t realize if she began to lose her composure.

The great hall of the High Elf palace wasn’t that big, but the walk still felt like it was a hundred miles long. Just keep putting one foot in front of the next, she told herself. The only thing worse than enduring this wedding would be collapsing in the middle of it. Passing out wouldn’t even do any good. They would probably just have me dragged up to the altar anyway.

Somehow, she managed to make it between the rows of guests without falling. Many of them were people she had known for years, and yet she barely saw them, keeping her eyes on her feet. She nearly tripped over them when she reached the platform, but she kept her balance long enough to reach her designated spot.

Her parents left her at last, breaking off to take their seats in the high-backed chairs behind the altar. At least there was a friendly face waiting to take their place. Mors had volunteered to officiate at the wedding, and though Silas still resented him for having supported this in the first place, she took a crumb of solace in the Boy’s faith in Sylphene’s underlying decency.

“Hey there, Silas,” Mors whispered, a reassurance kept quiet enough so only she could hear it.

Silas looked up from behind her fan, and immediately, the quiver in her legs went from bad to worse. She’d been so focused on keeping her eyes down that she hadn’t seen her intended until that moment. Sylphene wasn’t bad looking by any means, but now she was just so… striking. The dress she wore wasn’t that different than her usual attire, but it was more impressive, decorated with silver braid and well-tailored to fit her trim but toned frame. In it, she radiated power and authority, but the aura around her was warm and inviting. At this distance, Silas felt it more strongly than she ever had before, and her body couldn’t help but respond.

Spirits! Why is she having this effect on me? It’s not right.

She was so flustered that she missed the first several sentences of Mors’ speech. “… gathered to join Sylphene and Silas in the loving embrace of marriage. It is our hope that their union will represent the strong bond shared between these villages and the High Elf Empire, and cement a new era of peace.”

For a moment, Silas’ mind was taken off both her impending doom and the striking figure. It was kinda funny that Mors took it upon himself to write the entire script for the ceremony. The thought that her new friend had actually played a big part in the ceremony confused her, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. She was already dealing with far too many emotions to keep track of.

She almost looked over at the front row, where some of her old friends were looking at her nervously, but instead, she found herself stealing another glance at Sylphene.

Only the sound of Sylphene’s soft warm voice snapped her out of her trance. She felt her heart race and refuse to slow down. “As a gesture of goodwill, it would be my honor to present my betrothed’s parents with a gift.” Although she was afraid, Silas couldn’t resist peeking as Sylphene left her place at the altar and took a small porcelain cup from one of her father’s attendants. She balanced it carefully, approaching Suyin and giving a respectful bow. She looked extremely uncomfortable despite her attempts of hiding it. “White dragon tea, the rarest brew I could find. And with it, I ask for your blessing.”

Silas half-expected her mother to smash the gift on the floor, but after a long hesitation that almost bordered on rudeness, Ethel accepted the steaming cup and saucer. She sipped slowly, and then nodded her head once. It was the only grudging approval she seemed willing to give.

An awkward silence reigned for several moments. Mors cleared his throat, hurrying to continue. “Um—I guess we should get on with the vows,” he muttered, fumbling with a wrinkled sheet of paper. Sylphene returned to her place, and as Silas lowered her fan, she suddenly found it difficult to breathe. She only hoped she would be able to say the single word required of her when the time came.

Do you, Sylphene, take Silas as your wife? Do you promise to cherish and care for her, just as you cherish and care for your Empire?“

A sour, disapproving look crossed Mors’ face, and Silas almost burst out into frantic laughter. Although Mors’ hand in the script was obvious, Sylphene’s father had obviously had something to do with the writing of the vows themselves.

"I do,” Sylphene said. Suddenly, Silas didn’t feel like laughing anymore.

Mors turned toward her, and Silas’ stomach flipped. “Do you, Silas, take Sylphene as your wife? Do you promise to love and honor her, just as…” His lip curled, and Silas could tell she wouldn’t like what was coming next. “…just as you love and honor your Empire?”

Silas froze. She tried to form a ‘Yes’, but it lodged in her throat, refusing to budge. She swallowed hard, and her fan slipped several inches. Sylphene’s eyes locked onto her face, pleading her to speak, and an answer finally tripped past her lips. It was stammering and uncertain, but thankfully audible. “Y—yes.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Sylphene’s face, and for an instant, Silas could have been fooled into thinking it was genuine. Now that the words were out, relief and dread warred within her. She had done what she had to, but there was no turning back.

By the time she could perceive anything else, Sylphene lowered her body, and Silas returned the gesture mechanically. She dipped low when Sylphene rose, and rose when she dipped, while next to her, Mors recited the traditional phrases. He explained that the four bows honored the spirits, the gods, the families of the newly-weds, and each other, but his words were little more than a hum in Silas’ ears.

Once the sequence was finished and the pair stood upright and faced each other again, Mors said looking close to tears, “And now, you may kiss the brides.”

Silas’ whole body tensed as she was pushed forward and she watched as Sylphene leaned up towards her. A part of her wanted to pull away, but she felt trapped, not just by the weight of social pressure, but by the force of the other elf’s aura. It was so potent as to be overwhelming, and something deep within her wanted to feel the her lips on her own. Sylphene’s hand settled safely on Silas’ shoulder, drawing her in closer, and she held her breath as the two of them moved together.

It was hard to imagine any part of Sylphene being soft, but her lips were surprisingly gentle. Urges to retreat and advance warred inside of her, leaving her unable to do anything but let this happen. Sylphene applied a slight amount of pressure, and at the mix of softness and power, Silas couldn’t help herself. Her cheeks flushed, and a tiny whimper slipped out before she could stifle it. Though it was inaudible to everyone else, she realized with horror that Sylphene must have heard her. However the other elf made no signs of acknowledgment, and she let their embrace linger for an eternity of seconds. When she finally pulled back to the applause of the crowd, Silas could only stand there like a statue. As much as she’d expected to hate the kiss, liking it was even worse. ____________________________________________

Sylphene held open the door to the bridal chamber, standing aside and allowing Silas to pass through first. Though she tried to remain stoic for the sake of their audience, she couldn’t resist stealing a quick glance at her new bride. Silas’ red and white-trimmed wedding robes didn’t reveal much skin, but the cut did highlight her curves in a pleasing way. Sylphene had almost enjoyed watching her walk down the aisle, at least until she had gotten a glimpse of the terror on Silas’ face. Perhaps it was foolish and sentimental of her, but she had never imagined her wedding going quite this way. Growing up, she had hoped her future mate would love her, or at least like her. I suppose that was childish. And she probably won’t be any friendlier once we’re alone. Although, maybe… She blinked slowly, remembering the kiss she and Silas had shared at the altar. Silas had been surprised, but not exactly reluctant or disgusted. Sylphene shivered as she recalled the small sound of desire that had slipped into her mouth just before they broke apart.

Sylphene snapped out of her haze and realized that several stares were fixed on her. Mors was standing a yard away, wiggling his eyebrows and wearing a silly look that could only be described as mocking yet understanding.

She met the half-elf’s eyes briefly in an effort get him to stop before turning to Ethel. Her new mother-in-law’s glare was sharper than a blade, but Sylphene didn’t flinch. Ethel could disapprove all she wanted, but it would make no difference.

“We’ll see you at the banquet,” she said, politely but firmly dismissing the onlookers. “Please, don’t wait to start the festivities…” She hesitated, but in the end, even if she knew it was inappropriate, she couldn’t resist a slight dig. “We may be a while.”

Ethel fumed, but Mors hastened to fill the gap before she could explode. “Good idea,” he said, in a chipper voice. “Silas looked a bit faint up there. She might need a minute to rest.” He practically dragged Ethel away by the arm, cutting off the brewing conflict before it could start.

Sylphene decided not to goad her new mother-in-law any further. Ethel wasn’t the type of woman to pick fights, but the look on her face had been almost murderous. Instead, Sylphene slipped into the bridal chamber, closing the door behind her. Silas had crossed to the opposite side of the room, most likely to get as far from the bed as possible. The lights were tastefully dimmed, but Sylphene could still read the expression on her new fiancé’s face. It was all fear.

“You don’t have to plaster yourself against the wall like that,” she said, trying her best to sound calm. “I told you last night, I have no intention of hurting you.”

Silas clutched her fan in a death-grip, but her eyes flashed with anger. “I don’t know why you expect me to believe that. Your army was prepared to execute my family and invade my city a week ago.”

“They were.” Sylphene would not deny her empire’s actions. “But it was my father’s command and not mine, also that was politics. Everything He does is to advance the interests of his Empire. How would harming you do that?”

“You think I know what’s going on in your twisted head?” Silas demanded. “I assume you’re going to just have your way with me. Isn’t that what I’m here for?”

Sylphene took a deep breath, trying to decide on a response. All during the ceremony, she had been feeling a decided pull of attraction to the other elf. Even in her anger, Silas was beautiful, and her presence, the soft pull of her aura was more than enough to draw Sylphene in.

But her heart felt differently. Even if it wasn’t for Ethel’s threats, the thought of hurting Silas held no appeal, and if Sylphene tried anything now, that was what she’d be doing. The prospect clearly terrified Silas. True, she’d had a physical reaction when they kissed, but that wasn’t the same thing as her true desire. Perhaps their wedding had been an awkward, tortured affair, but Sylphene would not cap it off with a rape.

“I won’t lie, I do feel a physical attraction towards you,but I have no attentions to act on it, not like this. Whatever you and your family may think of me, I am not that kind of monster.”

For a moment, her words seemed to have the desired effect. Sylphene could hear the slight exhale of breath as Silas’ chest relaxed and the fear receded from her eyes. “I… appreciate that,” she said softly.

“It is nothing,” Sylphene replied, feeling a touch of hope. “Whatever you think of how we came to be wed, we are bound together now. We should make the best of the situation.”

The moment didn’t last. As quickly as Silas’ softness had appeared, it vanished once more. “Don’t make too much of my thanks,” she snapped. “Showing some minimal decency and not assaulting me doesn’t make you a good person. You’re still the daughter of a tyrant, and just because I’m married to you doesn’t mean I’m going to help you run this terrible empire they’ve built.”

Sylphene shook her head, trudging over to the armchair on one side of the bedroom. The soft cushions were comfortable after standing through the ceremony, but her mind was harder to relax. Clearly, she had hoped for too much from her gesture, and at first she wasn’t sure what to say next. Silas didn’t seem to have any better idea, because once her outburst had ended, she retreated to the far wall, keeping her head pointed towards the carpet.

“Maybe you should lie down,” Sylphene finally told her. “Or sit. We are going to be here for some time.”

“What do you mean?” Silas stammered. “You said you wouldn’t…”

“I won’t.” She mentally kicked herself for not being more careful with her words. She had not meant to summon Silas’ fears back to the surface like that. “But there are expectations that have to be met, and appearances to keep up. It wouldn’t do for us to go back out there too soon. We will wait in here for a time, and then change and join our guests. I don’t expect you to lie about what we did, but a discreet silence on the topic would be appreciated.”

“Fine,” Silas agreed, but her sullen tone made it hard to count her acquiescence as much of a victory. She sat down on the edge of the bed, facing away from her, and Sylphene sighed. It was going to be a very long couple of hours.

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