#oof coloring took ages

[magicomens]

Ah yes. Anthony Justdontgetstabbed Crowley.

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[katiefrog217]

Walks with Aziraphale were always so amusing, especially when he took one of his different forms. Tonight, Crowley took note of a few different reactions:

1. Much to his bemusement, quite a few people crossed the road entirely just to avoid him (he didn't know why, he thought this particular form was very charming).

2. Those who didn't avoid them either didn't notice at all, or cooed adoringly at his companion. A few snake enthusiasts tried their best to impart advice upon him (Yes, he was aware it was a chilly night to have a python outside. Yes, he was aware that he had a few extra rolls on him, and he would appreciate it if they didn't body shame him, please and thank you).

3. He had a particularly interesting encounter with a stranger who tried his best to buy Aziraphale from him (he didn't know whether to laugh or be offended on his companion's behalf when the person subsequently dropped their price offering upon learning he was male. He turned them down, of course).

This just in: local vampire hunter tries his hardest to look cool in front of his crush.

I said soon and I guess I meant now haha.

I could help but draw Crowley and Aziraphale from @mrghostrat 's new Vampire AU (thanks for the permission btw!!) and I'll be damned if I couldn't pass up the opportunity to draw Ball Python Azi after being deeply entrenched in Ball python morphs and drawing them for the past few years.

I'm also a big sucker (har har) for any kind of vampire au, so I was incredibly excited to draw this!! I'm still not confident in my ability to draw Crowley (or jackets oof) but I tried.

On that, while I have ya'll here, a few fun facts about Ball Pythons and Morphs:

Azi looks to me to be based on a Blue Eyed Lucy (Leucistic) ball python. Leucistic is different from Albino - both lack pigment, but Leucistics only lack pigments in parts, rather than entirely like with Albinism. The fastest way to tell the difference is the eye color.

Blue Eyed Lucies have eye colors that range from Black to Blue - blue obviously being the more popular eye color.

The whiter the snake, the more sought after it is (not all Lucies are pure white, depends on the morph combo)

Unlike a majority of ball python morphs, Blue Eyed Lucies don't have a distinct gene combo that defines them. Generally, their morphs included Mocha, Mojave, Lesser, Butter, etc. The combos are generally endless. A Super Mojave (Mojave bred to Mojave) will produce a fairly grey/white snake, but their heads tend to be a very dusty grey, and isn't an ideal combo for a Lucy.

A snake that seems incredibly white when hatched may change color as it ages and become less white. This is common for all morphs, and their patterns define themselves and get stronger with age.

In breeding, males are generally less desired than females, and run at a lower price generally. This is because a single male can breed multiple females, so it's less effective to have more males in a clutch than females.

Obesity in snakes IS a real thing, and generally hard to manage if you do have an obese snake. Snakes tend to retain weight well, so exercise is really the only method to help bring their weight down (plus smaller meals). Good luck if you have an obese snake that isn't particularly inclined to be active.

Ball Pythons generally tend to have what's called a 1,000 gram wall - in which a snake that hits 1k grams stops eating and will not gain more weight. No one is 100% sure why this phenomena happens, but it's incredibly common.

Not a fact but opinion: Paradox ball Pythons are my favorite morph. If you want to see some incredibly interesting genetics, look them up.

[babybluebex]

venus pt.1 | angus tully x fem!reader

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘: after being accepted as barton academy's first female student, you didn't think it could get any worse. as the fall semester progresses, you start to form a friendship with the outcast, angus, but what happens when the holidays come and you are the last two students on campus? PART 1 OF ? 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: angus tully (the holdovers, 2023) x fem!reader 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒: canon compliance (this is a complete rewrite of the film, just with the added reader insert), lots of swearing, teddy is an asshole but what's new, 70s ideals about feminism (which YES is a warning), mentions of grief/loss 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: oof here we go, part 1 of my long-teased angus fic! be aware that this is literally 11k words, so i apologize for the absolute brick wall of text you're about to encounter (but don't worry, i put a read more on it :) ) also, if i missed any warnings/tags, pls dm me and let me know if you think i should add something! other than that, enjoy!

There were worse fates than this, right? There had to be, you were sure of it. You felt every pair of eyes on you as you walked down the center aisle of the chapel, acutely aware of the overwhelming masculine energy that you were drowning in. After all, at Barton, it wasn’t every day that these boys saw a girl. You wondered how long some of them had gone without laying eyes on a member of the opposite sex (a real one; skin mags don’t count). 

It also didn’t help that the priest at the front of the room had intentionally brought everyone’s eyes to you the moment you walked in. You had tried to slip in unnoticed, but he had said “Ah, here she is now: our very first Barton lady! Come sit up front with the headmaster!” 

You anchored yourself in the frontmost pew, next to the headmaster with a hippie beard, and kept your head still and staring straight ahead. You had known very little about Barton before that school year— you were from nearby Boston, and had gone to a larger high school with, not only a more mixed gender breakdown, but a significantly different economic situation than Barton. You had been shocked, as you took the bus from town to campus, at how many Mercedes and Cadillacs you had seen near the school. You felt like a fish out of water, in more ways than one. 

The priest didn’t end his taunting when you sat down, though. “Many of you probably wondered, when you got on campus for the beginning of the semester, what the new building next to the dormitory was,” he began, and you heard a few mumblings from the row behind you, confirming their confusion. “Well, gentlemen, this year… Barton has become coeducational. The new building, Blackwell Hall, named for the esteemed Elizabeth Blackwell, is the girl’s dormitory.” 

The mumbling behind you increased to a dull rumble, and you slightly turned your head to get a glance at the boys sitting behind you. All high school boys, kids your age, staring at you and wondering what your deal was. You took notice of one boy in particular, the only one around you not gossiping with his friends, totally uninterested and picking at his cuticles. Before you could even think to wonder about this boy, someone from near the back of the chapel yelled “Is she gonna be in classes with us?” 

“Yes, she will,” the priest said. “She is a junior, so, gentlemen, make sure you welcome her warmly to our school.” 

You sat and endured chapel while burning from all the stares in your direction, and, as soon as the priest dismissed the lot of you, you shot up and made your way to the doors, clutching your handbag close to your body. The August air hit your face as you stepped out, and you started back to Blackwell Hall, where your things sat, ready to be unpacked, but someone called out to you, demanding your attention. 

“Hey, girl!” You turned to see who had shouted, and you were met with the sight of a boy with caramel-colored hair, wearing a sports coat and tie. Come to think of it, all the boys were wearing coats and ties. You hadn’t been told anything about a uniform, and suddenly your jeans felt less than appropriate. The boy had a cigarette in his hand, and he beckoned you over to him, and you clenched your back teeth as you (for some reason) obeyed. 

“You’re a junior, huh?” the boy asked, and you nodded. “What classes are you taking?” 

You pursed your lips. “Precalc,” you began. “Ancient Civ. Home Ec. Bio.” 

“Gym?” he asked, and you shook your head. 

“There’s not a girls’ locker room,” you said, hoping he understood your explanation. 

The boy ashed his cigarette, and he said, “What period do you have Ancient Civ?”

You tried to recall what you had written down, and you said, “Fourth period, I think. With Hunham.” 

“Oh,” the boy said with a winning smile. “I’m in that period too. Maybe we could be study partners.” 

You drew in a breath and cleared your throat. “Maybe,” you said softly. “What’s your name?” 

“Teddy,” he replied. “Kountze.” 

“Right,” you mumbled. “Well, um, I’ll see you around, Teddy.” 

“Um, are you going to the cafeteria?” Teddy asked hastily, like he was looking for something to talk to you about. “I-I was about to head there, and, if you wanted someone to sit with, I have a spare seat at my table.” 

“I’m not,” you told him. “Gotta get back to my dorm and finish unpacking. I only got in town today.” 

“How did…” Teddy started. “How did you get in? Your folks hear that Barton was going coed and got you in?” 

You shook your head. “I went to Central High School, in Boston,” you replied. “I was doing a research project and saw in a newspaper that Barton was going coed and having a lottery for the first female student. I sorta put my name in as a joke, and then, when I won, it… Wasn’t really a joke anymore. I had to take some academic placement tests, since Central isn’t exactly a highbrow school, and I got a scholarship that covered a lot of my tuition. The board of trustees waived the rest of it, so…” 

“You’re going here for free?” Teddy asked incredulously. “Jesus, I didn’t even know we had scholarships.” 

“Of course you wouldn’t, Kountze,” a voice said from nearby, and you turned your shoulder to see the boy from chapel who didn’t give a shit about you. He stood tall, rail thin, a mop of dark curls on top of his head. He had eyes like black holes, his pale skin so translucent around his eye sockets that he had purplish-red bags underneath. “Nobody’s going to tell the bottom scum about possible academic achievements. It’s cruel to tease people with something they’ll never have.” 

“Fuck off, Tully,” Teddy snapped. “Don’t you have some porno mag waiting for you?” 

The boy (you supposed his name was Tully) pushed his hands into the pockets of his coat and skulked away, and you scoffed under your breath. “Charming,” you mumbled, but you couldn’t tear your gaze away from his back as he left the scene. 

“Jesus, yeah,” Teddy said. “That’s Angus Tully. Biggest asshole here, thinks he’s better than everyone else. God knows why, he’s such a fuckin’ loser. He’s in Hunham’s fourth period too.”  

You furrowed your eyebrows at Angus Tully’s back, and then redirected your attention to Teddy, who was presently snubbing out his cigarette with the toe of his shoe. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow,” you said softly, and, without another word, departed for your dorm. 

You appreciated that Barton had built a separate dorm for the female students, but, seeing as you were the sole resident of the building, you were irked by it. It was too big and empty, too lifeless and soulless. Certainly, they had built it with future generations in mind, hoping that more girls would eventually enroll and prove the building a necessity, but, for now, you found yourself aching with loneliness. You missed your mom and your sisters, in your small apartment in downtown Boston, just a few blocks from your old high school. You missed hearing Linda Ronstadt records playing from your older sister’s room (the one she shared with your mom), or the ceaseless sound of the air conditioning unit buzzing away in the window of your room (the one you shared with your other older sister). Barton just felt too… Good for you. But, it was as your mother had told you: it was an opportunity that you could not afford to pass up. 

You didn’t have a lot to unpack, and you hung up your clothes as you chewed your lip. For some reason, the interaction outside the chapel was sticking with you. Not Teddy, although he certainly had made himself hard to forget. No, you were thinking about Angus Tully, apparently the head asshole of Assholedom. You would be seeing him tomorrow too, for the first day of classes, in Hunham’s Ancient Civ class. You had never taken a class like that— your old school didn’t even offer the Advanced Placement program, so obnoxiously pretentious classes like that were out of your realm of understanding— and you were almost worried that you would flunk right out. 

You tossed and turned all night, dreading sunrise and morning. Breakfast was served at 7, and classes began at 8, beginning with Precalc for you, then transitioning into Biology. After third period free, you had Ancient Civ, then an hour for lunch, then Home Ec, then your last few hours of the school day were reserved for something that, on the fax paper that you had been given at the front office, was called “Secretarial Studies”. You hated to think what that meant (surely, Barton wasn’t trying to prime you for being a secretary and nothing more), but mostly, it meant that your school day basically ended earlier than for others. 

You awoke early, showered and scrubbed yourself clean (the water pressure in the shower was better than the fourth floor apartment that you used to deal with), and you dressed yourself in what you hoped was becoming of a Barton girl. The dress had initially been purchased as an outfit for special chapel occasions, Christmas and Easter or whatever, but you knew that your regular jeans and wrinkled t-shirt wouldn’t be enough for your new shiny academy. 

Once again, as you entered the cafeteria for breakfast, you felt all eyes on you. You scanned the room for an empty seat (you didn’t fail to spot Angus Tully, sitting at the cornermost table, not conversing with everyone else) and sighed when you saw an open chair right next to Teddy Kountze. He spotted you and waved, and you made your way over. 

“Hey there,” Teddy said. “How was your first night?” 

“Fine,” you shrugged noncommittally. “Kinda quiet, though.” 

“Yeah, nobody else in the whole building,” Teddy sighed. “No roommates or anything; that must be nice.”

“Nah, not really,” you replied. “I got used to my mom and my sisters, and it was just too quiet. Not nearly enough chaos for me.” 

“How many sisters do you have?” A boy across the table from you asked. 

“Two,” you said. “Both older. And my mom lived with us too, so there was always something going on.”

“Shit, for sure,” the boy said. “Are you gonna join any clubs while you’re here? Or sports or something?” 

You didn’t exactly love the way that the boy said that. “While you’re here”. Like you weren’t going to stay at Barton for very long. “I don’t know,” you shrugged. “I’ve never really been a sporty type. I might see if the yearbook needs help or something.” 

“You could join chess club,” the boy laughed, and Teddy (and pretty much everyone else at the table) laughed too. 

“Why? What’s so funny about chess club?” you asked. 

“Nothing,” Teddy sighed as he finished laughing. “Except that Tully’s ugly mug is there.” 

“Tully?” you repeated. “Angus?” 

“Do you know him?” a different boy at the table asked. 

“No, not at all,” you said quickly. “Just… Heard some stuff about him, that’s all. How he’s apparently a douche.” 

“You’ll see,” Teddy assured you. “In class, try to challenge him on something. See how he reacts, and you’ll get why we all hate him.” 

You wrinkled your nose at the thought, but decided to not let it bother you. You made your way to class, hanging close behind Teddy and not really listening to him as much as you were admiring the school building. It was so… Old. So was your old school, but Barton was beautifully old, whereas Central was just old. Dark, shiny wood everywhere, framed oil paintings of people; it was a feat. You finally separated from Teddy when you reached the classroom for Precalc, and you hesitantly stepped in. A handful of guys were there, sitting on their desks and chatting, and the room fell dead as you stepped inside. You hazarded a small smile, and quickly made your way to the back of the room, your preferred spot in any classroom, but you were stopped in your tracks. 

Angus Tully. He sat in the back corner, close to the window, his tie loose and crooked around his neck. He was looking out the window, but his eyes slid over to you as you approached the desk beside him. 

“Hi,” you said gently. “Can I… Um, can I sit here?” 

Angus shrugged, as if he didn’t care, and you slung your bag across the back of the seat before you settled yourself down. You tapped your fingers on the desktop for a moment, wondering what the next course of action was, and you mumbled out, “I-I heard you were in chess club?” 

“Yeah,” Angus grunted out. “What about it?” 

“Oh, nothing,” you said, anxiously smoothing your skirt on your thigh. “Just, umm… I was wondering if there was, like… If you guys were open to new members.” 

“Probably,” Angus said simply. 

You nodded slowly, waiting for his next words, but they never came. “Right,” you said softly. “Okay.” 

To your disappointment, Angus Tully and you shared every class together, except for your free period and Home Ec. His demeanor never changed a single bit throughout the day, sullen and curt. He didn’t speak during class, didn’t answer questions or even seem as if he was paying attention. It was odd. You were thinking about it as you settled into a desk in the back of the Ancient Civ classroom, and you yourself were hardly paying attention to the teacher, a one Mr. Hunham, until he called your name. “Miss?” he said, and you lifted your cheek out of your hand. “Would you like to introduce yourself?” 

You blinked a few times, your face positively burning hot, and you cleared your throat. “I’m sure you all know my name by now,” you began. “Know that I went to a public school in Boston, got in here on a lottery and a scholarship… I guess there’s not much else to know about me.” 

“Have you ever studied ancient civilizations before, Miss?” Mr. Hunham asked. He seemed well-meaning, if maybe a little sarcastic. 

“No,” you told him. 

“Any experience with Latin?” Mr. Hunham asked next. 

You deflated. Shit. This was that sorta school? “No,” you said, a little quieter this time. 

“Well, that’s alright,” Mr. Hunham said. “We’ll catch you up to speed. Now, gentlemen— Ah, and lady— let’s open our books to the first chapter.” 

All during class, you felt hot tears pricking at your eyes. You were humiliated. All these words and names that everyone else seemed to know, and you had no fucking clue what any of it meant. It was all Greek to you— Latin, actually, but that didn't matter. As Mr. Hunham was mid-sentence about some sort of war, the bell to end the class sounded throughout the room, and you instantly closed your textbook and began to shove it into your bag. “Read the rest of the section tonight!” Mr. Hunham called over the sounds of your classmates packing up and chattering. “There will be a quiz on Friday!” 

You shouldered your bag and tried to avoid eyes as you skated out of the room, but a voice saying your name held you back. You hoped your eyes weren’t red as you turned to see Angus standing limply in the hallway. He had stayed quiet during Mr. Hunham’s class too, sitting again in the back corner, and you had managed to forget about him as you wallowed in shame. “Yeah?” you asked. 

Angus carefully walked closer to you, and he said, “The library has tutors sometimes. If you need help with Latin.” 

“Oh,” you said softly. “Thanks. I just… Didn’t know people still spoke that.” 

“Not really, it’s a dead language,” Angus said. “But it’s helpful sometimes in classes. A lot of Ivy League schools have Latin courses that are required.” 

“Well, thank God I’m not going to an Ivy League school,” you chuckled mirthlessly. “I’ll be lucky if community college takes me.” 

“You go to Barton, colleges will be fighting for you to go there,” Angus shrugged. 

“But I’m not somebody,” you protested. “I’m not a senator’s kid, my dad isn’t a CEO, like… I just go here.” 

“But the name is good enough for schools to want you,” Angus said. “They want the prestige, that’s all.” 

You thought on it for a moment, and you mumbled, “Thanks, Angus. I’ll, um… See you tomorrow.” 

The whole first week of classes progressed at a snail’s pace. Every day was torturous— all of your classes, except for Ancient Civ, were easy. Home Ec was a complete wash, since you already knew how to sew and cook, and Secretarial Studies was just as you had feared: teaching you to type, mostly, but nevertheless skills needed to do office work. You were a little offended; you were the only student in the class, which was helmed by the front office manager Ms. Crane. Obviously the boys didn’t have to take this class, so what was Barton trying to say? 

Finally, it was Friday night. Your dorm building was quiet again, and, even though they had provided a rec room with a radio and a few bookshelves, there wasn’t too much for you to do. You curled a loose thread from your sweater around your finger as you considered your next move, and you sighed as you grabbed your keys and shuffled into your shoes. 

You pushed your way into the boy’s dorm, and there was a palpable change in energy. The lights seemed brighter, the air thicker, sounds coming from all manner of places. Some doors were open, the residents standing and chatting, and you could distantly hear the sound of a television playing somewhere on the first floor. Much livelier, more lived in; you wished you could have been placed there instead. You followed the sound of the television down the hall, past the chatting boys, and you noticed how conversations paused as you passed by. You despised that. 

The door to the rec room was wide open, and you peeked in nervously. The television was playing some rerun of Gilligan’s Island, and boys were scattered to all corners of the room. Some played pool, some sat on the couches, some stood by the open window and smoked, but everything seemed to stop as you crossed the threshold. You made your way to an empty section of the couch and sat down, grinding your teeth as boys young and old watched you. You sighed, and you said, “What’s going on?”

The boy next to you, some kid that you knew was in your Bio class but didn’t know his name, frowned. “Huh?” he asked.

You jerked your head towards the television. “The show,” you said. “What’s happening?” 

“Oh,” the boy said, and everyone resumed their conversations. “Umm, don’t you have a TV in your dorm?” 

“Just a radio,” you said with a shake of your head. “What episode is this?” 

The boy shrugged. “Wasn’t really paying attention,” he said. 

You bunched your mouth up and sighed again, and you stood up. You could sense the disappointment as you left the rec room, but you couldn’t stand being in there any longer. You knew that being ogled at came with the territory of being the only girl at a boys’ school, but you couldn’t imagine it would have been anything like this. You slipped your hand into the pocket of your jeans and found a few errant coins in there, leftover from some excursion from God knows how long ago, and you started up to the second floor. In your building, there was a bank of phones on the second floor, and it made sense to you that this building would be the same. 

Luckily, you were right. There was just as much business on the second floor as on the first, but the little phone bank was a calm corner. You sighed and examined the phone for a moment, trying to find the slot to put your dime, and you frowned. What the fuck?

“Just dial nine, and then the number you wanna call.” 

You jumped in fright. “Jesus Christ!” you seethed, whipping around to see Angus. He sat in a shadow of the phone bank, a book in one hand and a half-eaten apple in the other. He looked a little more casual than he did in class, his tie gone and shirt unbuttoned one or two to show the top of his undershirt. Still looked a little Grim Reaper in the face, though. “You scared the shit outta me.” 

Angus huffed a short laugh through his nose. “Thought you saw me,” he said. 

“I did not,” you mumbled. “Where’s the coin slot?” 

“These aren’t payphones,” Angus told you. “Just dial nine for a non-school number, then dial away.” 

You drew in a deep breath and shoved your dime back in your pocket, and you picked up the phone and started to rotate the dial, starting with nine, then going for your family’s apartment number. You felt Angus’s gaze seering on your back, and you cradled the phone to your shoulder as it rang. “Do you mind?” you asked. 

“Do I mind what?” Angus asked. 

“Scram, man,” you sighed. “I’m trying to call my mom, and I don’t want you listening to it.” 

“Well, you shouldn’t have come to a public phone if you wanted a private conversation,” Angus said, and you tilted your head at him in annoyance. “Doesn’t Blackwell have a phone bank?”

“Yeah,” you said. “But I didn’t wanna use it.” 

“So you came here instead,” Angus said. “I think you like the attention.” 

You swallowed thickly, anger tepid but starting to rise. “You don’t know me at all,” you bit at him. 

“Why’d you come to this building to make your call if you knew that every guy would stop to stare at your ass?” Angus asked. “You knew that. You’ve been here a week, you know by now that you attract attention. I think you like it, but you can’t admit it because you have that whole quiet mystery girl thing going on.”

“Fuck off, Tully,” you mumbled. “I’m not here to be some goddamn puzzle for you to solve. And I’m not gonna fuck you if you figure out my backstory, so just go away.”    

“Who said anything about fucking?” Angus asked smugly. 

You glared at him and that stupid crooked smirk on his face. “Stop staring at my ass first and we might get somewhere,” you told him lowly, just in time for the call to pick up. 

“Hello?” your mother said, and you sighed in relief. 

“Mom, thank God,” you laughed lightly. “You took so long to answer, I was worried nobody was there.”

“Oh, no, pumpkin, I’m here,” your mom told you. “I was just in the shower.”

“Is Rachel not home?” you asked. “Or Anna?” 

“Rach is at work,” your mom told you. “She picked up extra hours at Neiman Marcus. She thinks they might promote her to manager at the end of the year.”

“Oh, wow,” you mumbled. “Good for her. And Anna?” 

“Started taking night classes,” your mom said. “She started on Monday too.” 

“Cool,” you chuckled. “What’re you doing tonight? I think ABC is showing some sort of movie—”

“I’m going on a date,” your mom said, and your mouth went dry. 

“What do you mean?” you asked. “Like… With a guy?” 

“Yes,” your mom said carefully. “He’s nice, I met him at work. He’s taking me to a movie and dinner.” 

“That’s…” you started. “Cool, Mom. Good for you.”

“What about you?” your mom asked. “Surrounded by all those boys, there has to be someone who’s caught your eye.” 

You sighed. Your lip trembled, and you closed your eyes. You were acutely aware that Angus was still sat behind you, and the fact that you hadn’t heard his book turn in a few minutes meant that he was absolutely listening to your phone call, the little shit. “No, not really,” you said. “Everyone here is either too rich, too smart, or too… Asshole-ish. Some are even all three.” You made a point to turn your head towards Angus, and you heard his little huffing laugh before you turned back to the phone. 

“Oh, well,” your mom said. “Maybe you’ll find someone. How are classes?” 

“Fine, I guess,” you said. “I’m taking a class about ancient civilizations, and apparently I missed the class where they teach Latin, so I’m sorta lost. And Home Ec sucks because I already know how to do all that. And they’re making me take something about how to be a secretary, and that’s so infuriatingly sexist that it makes me angry.”

“It’s a bunch of men, in charge of a bunch of boys,” your mom sighed. “They’re trying their best to adapt to you.” 

“I can’t even take gym class because they don’t have a place for me to change clothes,” you lamented. “Not that I wanna take gym anyway, but you see why I’m upset!” 

“I know, pumpkin, it’s okay,” your mom said. 

“Why would they go coed if they can’t even integrate girls in properly?” you sighed. “I wish I had just stayed home and gone to Central. Would’ve saved me a lot of trouble.” 

“You’ll be alright, you’re still just adjusting,” your mom assured you. “But… If, by Christmas, you still don’t feel like you belong there, I’ll pull you out and you can go back to Central. But I have to know by Thanksgiving, so I can start the paperwork in time for spring semester”

“Sure,” you said. “That sounds good to me.” 

“Alright, baby,” your mom said. “Richard will be here any minute, and I have to finish getting ready. I’ll be at work until 4 tomorrow, but call any time after, okay? I love you so much.”

“Love you too,” you mumbled, and you held the plastic phone by your face as you listened to your mother hang up and the dial tone drone. After a moment, you hung the phone back up on the hook, and you readied yourself for Angus’s petty insults as you turned to leave the phone bank. But they never came. You eyed him, sitting there on the wooden bench, his dark eyes focused on yours, and you snapped, “What?” 

“Nothing,” Angus said lightly, sliding back into the darkened corner and picking up his book. “Nothing at all.” 

That was your weekly exercise. Week in and week out, all you did was classes. You wanted to avoid as many interactions with the others as possible, so you stayed quiet during class, kept to yourself, didn’t accept invites to parties or football games or to sit at lunch tables. You took to having lunch with Ms. Crane in the front office, and she seemed to commiserate with you about all the boys. “Some of these kids are real stinkers,” she told you. “But they’re teenage boys. I think it’s a law that they have to be.”

Your saving grace was the deal you had made with your mom. If you could just wait until Christmas break, you could go back to your old school, to your old friends, and you could forget about the hell that was Barton. You kept your grades up, so that Central could see that you hadn’t turned into some kind of slacker, and you consistently got B’s and A’s in your classes. Except for Ancient Civ. 

The exam booklet slapped down on your desk, a red F blazoned across the front. You sighed and started to thumb through it, trying to figure out where you went wrong as the other boys also realized their grades were low, and your heart sank when you saw all of the multiple choice questions without a flaw. So it was your essay question that led you astray. On the very last page of the booklet, you found your essay, handwritten yesterday on something about ancient philosophers, and a red note in Mr. Hunham’s handwriting. See me after class. 

You could hardly pay attention to the conversation between Teddy and Mr. Hunham. Your mind was racing, wondering what he wanted to talk to you about. You should have gotten a perfect score, but something held that back. Surely he didn’t think you had cheated? Or copied someone else’s work? You thought that you and Mr. Hunham got along (as well as any student can get along with their strict, hardass teacher) and your heart sank at the thought that you had definitely somehow disappointed him. 

“... Offer a makeup exam” got your head out of the clouds, and you focused on Mr. Hunham at his podium. “You’ll all get a second run at this after break.” The class muttered and mumbled, only to be cut through by Mr. Hunham’s next words: “Of course, it will not be the same exam. You will now be responsible for new material as well. Your grade will be an average of the two.” 

As Mr. Hunham instructed the class to open their books to a new chapter, you were shocked, along with everyone else, when Angus spoke. “No offense, sir,” he began, and you sucked in a breath. You had learned that, whenever any of the boys at Barton didn’t intend offense, that offense was certainly on its way. “But is this really the best time to be starting a new chapter? I mean, we all appreciate the, uh, makeup exam gesture… But our families are here.” 

You rolled your eyes. Speak for yourself, Tully. Your mom had to work that day, as did both of your sisters, and you gotten instruction to take a Greyhound into Boston and someone would meet you at the bus station to bring you home. It wasn’t exactly the best plan, but it was what worked. Your mom had arranged with Barton to let you back on campus during break to empty your dorm room, and you sighed a thing of relief. Almost done. You were so close to leaving Barton in your dust and washing your hands of the entire school. 

“Most teachers have already canceled class,” Angus continued. “We have chapel in forty minutes, then we’re out of here. I mean, our heads are elsewhere.” 

“And where exactly is your head, Mr. Tully?” Mr. Hunham asked, and Angus shrugged. 

“Uh, I don’t know. St. Kitts.” 

Jesus. Of course Angus Tully was going to fuckin’ St. Kitts for Christmas. You would be lucky if your family could afford to have the heat turned on for Christmas. 

Your annoyance turned to dire anger when Mr. Hunham decided to scrap the idea of a makeup exam and dismissed the class without another word. You hurried to shove your exam booklet in your bag, and you glared at Angus as you edged out of your row. “Thanks a lot, dick,” you mumbled, then left the room, not even waiting to see Angus’s response. Your heart raced as you tailed Mr. Hunham, and you finally called his name as he approached the door to his private office. 

“Ah, Miss,” Mr. Hunham chuckled. “Yes, yes, let’s sit down and discuss your exam.” 

“I-I didn’t do anything wrong,” you said hurriedly as he unlocked the office door. “I didn’t cheat or plagiarize, you didn’t even mark off any points. I don’t understand why I failed.” 

Mr. Hunham said nothing as he led you into his office, and you wrinkled your nose. God, it smelled bad in there. Nevertheless, you sat down in one of the chairs across from his desk, and you waited with bated breath as he sat down in his seat. He examined you for a moment, for long enough for you to start to feel weird under his walleyed gaze, and, finally, he said, “In actuality, Miss, you didn’t fail. You got the highest score in the class.” 

“B-But I got an F…” you protested. “Angus Tully got a B!”

“I wrote an F on your paper, but you actually got a 98,” Mr. Hunham told you. “Near-perfect score, I only took off in your essay question for misspelling ‘Periclean’.” 

“Oh,” you mumbled. “Then, why’d you write an F on my paper?” 

“Because I was disappointed in you,” Mr. Hunham said. You felt sick. Your skin was hot and your stomach roiled, and hot tears pricked at your eyes. “I heard from Ms. Crane that you were leaving Barton.” 

You nodded silently. 

“And why is that?” Mr. Hunham asked. 

You sighed. “I miss my old school,” you admitted with a thick throat. “My old friends. Nobody likes me here, and I… Just think I’d be better off back home. I’m not a Barton person.” 

“What is a Barton person to you, Miss?” Mr. Hunham asked. His hands were clasped at his chin, his bifocals in his fist. He seemed genuinely concerned about you. 

“Someone not me,” you said. “Rich… Smart… Important. All those guys are gonna go to good colleges, and I’m gonna be stuck waiting tables my whole life.”

“You are smart, Miss,” Mr. Hunham told you. “You passed all your classes with flying colors, you made Latin look like a piece of cake. If you wanted to, you could go to any college in the country. Or the world!”

“I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for that stupid lottery,” you mumbled. “I don’t belong here, sir, we both know that.” 

Mr. Hunham fixed his mouth in a thin line and sighed, and he said, “Of course. Well, I do hate to see you go. Your essay on the siege of Troy was… Very good.” 

“Thanks,” you mumbled. “Umm, have a nice Christmas, I guess… See you around.” 

Chapel that day felt exactly the opposite to your first chapel at Barton. The dread that had filled the air at the beginning of the semester had now changed to an excitement about going back home, and, even though you still felt like everybody was staring at you, you couldn’t shake the feeling. You were done. You had made it. After you moved during break, you’d never have to lay an eye on Barton or any of those boys ever again. You had to admit that you were going to miss Ms. Crane, and maybe even Mr. Hunham too, but the positives far outweighed the negatives. 

After chapel let out, you hurried back to Blackwell Hall and grabbed your suitcase and changed out of your nice dress, and you made your way to the front of campus, where a Greyhound bus sat, waiting to take kids into the city. You stepped on board, taking a seat towards the back of the bus, and you looked out the window at one last gaze at Barton Academy. Although, you couldn’t admire the architecture or the pretty way the snow glistened in the midday sun. No, you could only see the tall, lanky, dark-haired kid standing on the steps of the chapel, waiting for someone. 

Even though you despised Angus Tully and didn’t really care if he lived or died, it was a sad sight to see him waiting like that. He looked so dismayed and forlorn, his suitcase at his feet, his hands in the pockets of his winter jacket. Maybe in another world, you and Angus could have been friends. Your mind wandered, thinking of meeting Angus somewhere else— your mind conjured the image of a bookstore, reaching for the same book and having a little back and forth on who should have it, before Angus acquiesced, but not before writing his phone number in the book. 

The rumble of the bus nearly lulled you asleep on the two and a half hour drive to Boston, and you roused yourself as the bus pulled into the station. Gathering your things, you departed, along with a handful of other Barton boys. They quickly found their families that were waiting on them, and you wandered through the station. Your mother hadn’t indicated who would be picking you up, or where in the station to meet them, and you made your way to a payphone. You were sure she was at work, but you wondered if you could call the restaurant and ask for her. Before you could put your dime in the phone, though, you heard your name being called, and you looked to see an older man smiling at you from across the room. 

Fear flashed hot in your face, but you kept your composure as the man approached you. “Hey, you look just like how your mom described you,” he laughed. “I’m Rich.” 

“Who?” you asked. 

“Rich,” he repeated. “I’ve been seeing your mother for a few months. She’s working the afternoon shift, and your sisters are both busy, so your mom asked me to get you.” 

“Oh,” you nodded. “Right, yeah. It’s nice to meet you.” 

“You seem tired,” Rich told you. “Long day?” 

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” you chuckled. “I’m just glad to be done with Barton, that place can go to hell.” 

“I thought Barton was a boys’ school,” Rich mumbled. 

“It’s a long story,” you sighed. “But whatever, that’s in my rearview now.” 

“Alright,” Rich said. He seemed confused, but he took up your suitcase for you. “We already put fresh sheets on the pullout, so when we get back, you can take a nap if you want—”

“The pullout?” you repeated. “Am I not sleeping in my room?” 

Rich winced. “Ah, well,” he began. “You see, my daughter is sleeping there, and—”

“Your—” you started. “Why is she in my room?” 

“The bed was vacant,” Rich shrugged. “She’s lived there for a few months now.”

“And why is your daughter living with my mom?” you asked. “Do you… Did you move in?” 

“Well, when your mother and I got married, we figured it was the logical thing to do.” 

Your heart nearly stopped. Married. Your mother had gotten married, and hadn’t told you a single thing about it. No wedding invite, no pictures, not even a ‘hey, Rich and I are getting hitched!’ You felt sick and lightheaded, and you tried to take a steadying breath. It just sounded all shaky and unsure, though, and it made you feel even worse. “I, uh…” you began. “I…” 

“What’s wrong, pumpkin?” Rich asked, and the camel’s back broke. Nobody can call you that but your mom. 

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” you asked. “Rolling in here, doing all this bullshit, and for what? Are you trying to prove something? Win an award or what? Let’s see how quickly we can marry the single mom, that’ll go down great with her three adult children!” 

“Rachel and Anna said they were okay with it,” Rich said. 

“But you didn’t ask me!” you cried. “God, this is exactly what she wanted, huh, throw me in a boarding school and forget all about me? Fuck this, I don’t need this.” You snatched your bag from Rich and turned on your heel quickly, and you didn’t even hesitate when Rich called “Where are you going?” 

“Anywhere but here!” 

You begged and pleaded with the Greyhound driver to take you back to Barton. He said that he had to stick to a schedule and was really sorry, but he changed his tune when you dug into your bag and grabbed your pocketbook, pulling out a few 20s. You didn’t have a lot of money in the first place, and watching those bills go in his pocket hurt, but, in the end, you got back to Barton just as the sun was starting to set. You knew that whoever was staying over break would be shocked to see you (maybe even elated, depending on who it was), but you didn‘t care about reactions. You just didn’t want to think at that moment. 

You followed the low din of boyish muttering to the cafeteria, and you steeled your nerves for entering. You could discern only two voices, maybe a third if you listened through the thick door hard enough, and you quickly pushed on the metal handle in the middle of the door to slam the door open. 

Heads whipped towards you. You didn’t recognize a lot of them— some younger kids, and a guy that was on the football team and was a senior— and your heart sank into your stomach when you saw Teddy Kountze sitting at the dinner table. So you would be spending Christmas break with Teddy. Great. 

But the bad feeling got worse when you saw who was sitting one seat down from Teddy. Angus fucking Tully. He stared at you with no joy or humor in his eyes, and you huffed out a breath. 

“Miss?” Your gaze went to the head of the table, and a little bit of relief washed over you as you saw the face of Mr. Hunham. Was he supervising the holdovers? “What’re you…?” 

“Got room for one more?” you mumbled, approaching the table and securing the seat between Teddy and Angus. You instantly reached for the serving dishes, wanting anything to occupy your shaking hands, and you slowed to a stop as you noticed the whole table staring at you; even Angus wasn’t trying to hide it, his black eyes as big as dinner plates. “What?” you barked, and the energy resumed at the table in a snap. 

Dinner was finished soon after, and Mr. Hunham pulled you into the hall as the boys were cleaning up. “I thought you were going home to Boston for the holiday?” he asked gently. 

“I can’t…” you started. “It seems like I don’t even have a place in my own family.” 

“What do you mean?” Mr. Hunham asked. 

“My mom got married without telling me,” you told him. “And the guy and his daughter moved into our apartment, which could barely fit me and my mom and sisters in the first place, and now they’re there, a-and she’s in my room! That fucking bitch is in my room, and I-I—” 

“Easy, easy,” Mr. Hunham said, putting his hand out to placate you. “Calm down. Listen, I understand that this is hard, it’s awful, but resorting to that is not what’s going to help you. We’ll find a place here for you tonight, and tomorrow we can call your mother and try to get this straightened out.” 

“Can I not go to my dorm?” you asked. 

“The school shut off heating and plumbing everywhere except the main building,” Mr. Hunham explained. “We’re sleeping in the infirmary.” 

“Jesus Christ,” you huffed. You were so angry that you could kick something. “So now I gotta bunk up with them?” 

“It’s definitely not ideal,” Mr. Hunham mumbled. “But it’s just for one night. We can put up a partition, if that would make you more comfortable.” 

“Fuck it, whatever,” you sighed. Your eyes hurt, and a headache was starting to throb at your skull, and you said, “I don’t care.” 

The boys were split into two rooms, the youngers (and Angus) in one, and Teddy and Jason in the other. The only other empty bed was in Teddy and Jason’s room, and you were quick to settle in and start off for the bathroom. Just as you were leaving, though, a beanpole in a white shirt and flannel pajama pants stopped you in the doorway. 

“Hey,” Angus said curtly. “Where’re you going?” 

“Shower,” you told him. “Brush my teeth, stuff like that.” 

“Why did you come back?” Angus asked. “A little birdy told me that you were quitting Barton.” 

“I…” you started. You wanted to tell him everything, but you were worried about the leverage he’d have if he knew. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.” 

“Nah, I think it is,” Angus said with narrowed eyes. “We know why everybody is holding over. His parents are on a mission trip, his family is in Korea, Kountze The Cunt’s having his house remodeled, and Jason’s dad is waiting for him to cut his hair. Why’re you here?”

“Why’re you here, Angus?” you asked. “I thought you were going to St. Barts or St. Kitts or something.” 

“Obviously not,” Angus said quickly. 

“Then, I’m obviously not quitting Barton,” you said, and instantly regretted it. “I might be… Haven’t decided yet.” 

“What, don’t you like it here?” Angus asked. “Isn’t it a glorious beacon of education and brotherhood—” He stopped himself, dramatically clenching his fist in front of his face. “Oh, that’s right. Brotherhood.” 

“Shut up,” you huffed. 

“C’mon, man, leave her alone,” you heard Jason start from the room behind you, but Angus either didn’t hear or didn’t care.

“You left, and then came back,” Angus said. “What’s wrong? Mommy decided she didn’t want you anymore?” 

You couldn’t help yourself from letting your tears spill over your lashes, and you clenched your teeth. Angus held your eye contact for longer than you thought he would, and he only averted his eyes when your tears gathered at the corner of your mouth. You drew in a shaking breath, aware that everybody was staring at you, watching you cry, and you sniffled and left the room without another word. The showers were empty, and you jerked the handle to start the water, then locked the door to the room. 

Your tears flowed freely then, and you sat on the tile floor and sobbed into your hands. You hoped that Angus could hear you crying from down the hall, and you hoped that he felt bad about his words. Knowing him, though, he had forgotten about you as soon as you left his eyeline. 

By the time you finished your crying and your shower, the lights were off in both the rooms, a soft snoring coming from Teddy and Jason’s (and your) room. Your pajamas didn’t feel like they were enough for the cold in the infirmary, and you edged by the snoring Teddy in his bed to get to yours. The sheets were crinkly and dry and rough, and you bundled the wool blanket up to your chin as you tried to sleep. 

That was destroyed, though, when you heard a “Psst!” come from the doorway. 

You sighed. “Fuck off, Angus,” you mumbled sleepily. 

“Just— Can I—?” Angus huffed. “I’m trying to apologize to you.” 

“I don’t want your fuckin’ apology,” you said. “Just leave me alone.” 

“I shouldn’t have said that to you,” Angus whispered. “I was… Out of line. Or projecting or something, I don’t know. My mom and stepdad went to St. Kitts, but uninvited me so they could celebrate their honeymoon. I guess I’m just familiar with how it feels to not be wanted.” 

You sighed and rolled over to face the doorway, and you settled yourself up on your elbows. “Can you just…” you started. “Think before you speak? I know it doesn’t really seem to matter to you, but sometimes, words hurt. Like, really hurt.” 

“I know,” Angus mumbled. “I’m sorry.”

“You really have to work on not being a huge asshole,” you told him. “You know, nobody here likes you. They all call you names and shit.” 

“I know,” Angus said. “I don’t care. But you’ve gotta try to not be so judgmental. I think you write off everyone here because we’re from different tax brackets. Some of us don’t have it easy.” 

You pressed your lips together. “Fair enough,” you said finally. “I’ll, um… Keep that in mind.” 

“Alright,” Angus said. “Good night, then.”

“‘Night,” you said, and you watched Angus stalk out of the doorway and back to his room. You sat for a few moments more, thinking about how easily Angus had read your thoughts, and you wondered if the other boys could see right through you as easily. You were almost humiliated all over again at the thought that everyone could read you like that, but it didn’t matter. When the morning came, you’d call your mother and work out whatever the problem was, and you would be home in Boston by the next night. 

It didn’t work out that way. You called your mother twice in the morning; the first time, she didn’t pick up the phone, and the second, she would hardly talk to you. “Mom, I just wanna know what happened,” you pleaded. “Why didn’t you tell me? I-I would’ve been supportive!”

“Would you?” your mother asked. 

“Yes!” you sighed. “I wouldn’t have been happy, but I would’ve accepted it if you were happy!” 

“Then, why can’t you accept it now?” she asked. 

“Because you didn’t tell me!” you replied. “You didn’t ask me how I felt about it, if I wanted it to happen, if I even like the guy—  I hadn’t even met him once before you did it!” You paused, chewing your lip, and you said, “Mom. Tell me the truth. Are you pregnant?” 

“No, pumpkin, I’m not,” she sighed, but you could tell she was nearing her wit’s end. 

“Is that why you hurried to marry him?” you asked. “I-I’m telling you, I don’t care that you got married, I’m just upset because you didn’t tell me!” 

“Okay, stop,” your mom said firmly. “I thought you’d be happy for me, baby.” 

Anger flared in your stomach. “Dad hasn’t even been gone for a full year yet,” you mumbled. “And you’re already replacing him.” 

“We all mourn differently, pumpkin,” she said. “I’m sorry that you can’t see that Rich makes me happy. I... I don’t feel lonely with him.”

“Well,” you sighed. “If this is how you mourn Dad, I don’t think I wanna come home. I think I’ll stay at Barton.” 

“Where are you gonna go after the holiday ends?” your mom asked. 

“Staying here,” you said plainly. “I can personally go up to Central and withdraw my paperwork over break. If you want to erase me and my father from your life so bad, then you’ve got your fuckin’ wish.” You slammed the phone back on the receiver with shaking hands, and you turned to leave the front office, only to run straight into— 

“Fuck off, Angus,” you sniffled, side-stepping him and starting down the hall, back to the infirmary. 

“Wait, wait, wait,” Angus said quickly, snatching your wrist in his hand and tugging you back. “What happened? Are you going home?”

“No,” you sighed. “I’m staying here. I never wanna see any of them again.” 

“You said something about your dad…” Angus mumbled. “Is that true? Your dad’s dead?” 

You wiped at your eyes, and your chest went hot. “I don’t wanna talk about it,” you mumbled. 

Angus sighed, and, for once, he did something nice for you. He pulled you into an embrace, not too tight but not so loose that it felt like he didn’t care, and you pressed your cheek into his shoulder. “My dad’s dead too,” Angus whispered. “You don’t have to talk about it, but… I sorta get it.” 

You sniffled again, and you finally let your arms wrap around Angus’s thin body. You sat in silence for a moment, hugging each other, and you only parted when you heard a small scuttle from down the hall, near the infirmary door. Your head turned to see the youngest kid, Alex, standing, watching you two, and you stepped away from Angus and wiped your face. “Guess I’m staying,” you mumbled. 

“Guess so,” Angus echoed. 

The days were monotonous. Hunham would wake you up when the sun rose with a declaration of “It’s daylight in the swamp!”, and you would go through the routine of studying, then exercise, then more studying, then a little bit of free time. In the absence of gym class for months, the exercising was a little difficult, and you were left exhausted and panting every time, and you felt awkward with the guys around. However, after that brief moment with Angus, he had started to be… Better. He was still a dick most times, but he would do little things for you now; pass you the lunch dishes instead of sliding them in your direction, offer to sharpen your pencil during study time. It seemed that finding a similarity had broken his shell for you a bit, and you appreciated it. 

You had taken to helping the cook with meals. Mary Lamb was a good woman that you had minimally interacted with (she had come and given a lesson in Home Ec about cooking, which really nobody paid attention to, but you had made a point to), and you felt a special kinship with her because of her Curtis. She was the only one you told the truth about your father to, and you knew that Mary wouldn’t say anything to the others about it. She seemed as if she appreciated the help in the kitchen, especially from someone who was competent there like you were. You liked talking to Mary, hearing her stories and letting her hear yours. 

Just as you were starting to think that maybe break wouldn’t be all that terrible, less than a week into it, things changed. You shivered in the cold library, despite your sweater, and you tried to focus on the textbook in front of you, but it was nearly impossible. Angus was sitting next to you, and, every so often, his hand would inch out and he would doodle a little figure in the corner of your notebook. You rolled your eyes jokingly at him, trying not to laugh so Hunham wouldn’t fuss at you, and you shifted in your seat a bit to reach Angus’s notebook. You began to crudely sketch him, big dark eyes and messy hair, and he stifled a snort. Mean, he wrote underneath your sketch. 

Accurate, you countered. 

Before either of you could write anything else, there came an odd sound from outside. It was quiet at first, but it grew louder and louder, and you looked upwards, as if the ceiling of the library would allow for any sort of view of what the noise was. It was a loud chopping noise, growing ever louder and louder, drawing the attention of all of you, and even Hunham closed his book and said “What the hell is that?” 

But, from across the table, a smile grew on Jason’s face, a knowing grin, and, all at once, everybody stood from their seats and went to the window. You couldn’t see as well as the others, being shorter than everyone else, but Angus put a gentle hand on your side and pushed you in front of him, letting you get closer to the window. His hand, positioned just above your hip on your torso, made a shiver run down your spine, but you attributed it to the sight of a goddamn helicopter buzzing overhead, lowering itself onto the snowy, abandoned football field. “I knew it!” Jason exclaimed. “He finally caved, the big softie!” 

“What the fuck is that?” you asked quickly. 

“Jason’s dad owns a helicopter,” Angus explained under his breath as Jason pushed away from the window with excitement. 

“Any of you guys like to ski?” Jason called as he left the library, and the younger boys gasped with excitement. You all caught onto the idea at the same time, and the boys filed out, following Jason, but you stayed still at the window, watching the helicopter’s blades slow to a stop. 

“Miss?” Hunham asked, and you closed your eyes. “Aren’t you going with them?”

You shrugged, hoping to seem less hurt than you actually were. “I can’t,” you said. “I don’t have any skiing gear or whatever, I’ve never even done it before… And anyway, I’m not about to call my mom to ask for permission to do that.” 

You sat in the hallway outside the office as Hunham called all of the boys’ parents, being granted permission for the excursion, listening as each boy reacted with glee. It felt like a sick joke; of course you were left all alone again. Before you could ruminate on it for too long, the beanpole came and sat himself next to you, quiet as he scratched absently at his chin. 

“Want me to get you anything from up there?” Angus asked. “Fridge magnet or postcard or…?” 

You shook your head. “No,” you managed with a heavy, thick throat. “Thanks, though.” 

Angus sighed, his eyebrows furrowing together as his jaw tightened, and he tilted his head towards you. His dark eyes looked soft, kinder than you had ever seen from him or thought was capable, and he said, “Sorry.” 

You couldn’t help yourself. Your tears spilled and you clawed your fingernails into your palm, trying to stop from sobbing and heaving, and Angus moved closer to you, until his hip touched yours. He slung a skinny arm around your shoulders and pulled you into his body, his hand gently pressing into your head and ushering you to hide in his neck. He shushed you, whispering “If Hunham sees you crying, he’ll think I did it”, which did nothing other than make you laugh a little and sniffle hard. 

You quickly parted from Angus’s warmth, wiping your eyes with your hand and seeing your mascara smear on the back of your hand. “Gonna go to the bathroom…” you mumbled, and Angus nodded, keeping his seat as you stood up and hurried down the hall. The women’s bathroom next to the office was hardly used, only ever you, Ms. Crane, and the lone visitor using it, and you clutched the porcelain sink as you gasped for breath. Jesus Christ. Would anything ever go your way? Being stuck at Barton over the holidays with the other boys sucked, sure, but now you were all alone with Hunham and Mary. Alone again. You wondered if you’d always be alone. 

You ripped off a paper towel and dabbed at your eyes, trying to fix your makeup, and you pressed cold water to your face to try to calm yourself down. Fuck everything about this. It was unfair. Maybe Hunham would take it easy on you, loosen the reins a little. You trashed the paper towels and adjusted your sweater, trying to seem put-together, and you stepped out of the bathroom to see Hunham and Angus standing outside the office, embroiled in an intense conversation. “... Just one more time, please,” you heard Angus say, and Hunham put his hand up. 

“There’s no point,” Hunham said. “The front desk says they’re not answering. He says they’re away on some excursion.”

You started closer, and you watched Angus’s face fall, his eyes narrowing. He mumbled something under his breath, and Hunham harrumphed. “I’m as disappointed as you are, if not more so,” he said. “I could’ve been spending the rest of my vacation reading mystery novels.” 

“Angus?” you said, and he slid his eyes over to you. “Are you… What’s happening?” 

Angus shot Hunham a deathly look, and he side-stepped your teacher, brushing past you, his arm knocking your shoulder. You locked eyes with Hunham, then quickly turned and started off after Angus. His long legs had carried him down the hall quicker than you were capable of, and you sped up a bit. “Angus!” you called for him, and you finally came up on him at the door to the infirmary, taking his arm in your hand. “What’s going on?” 

“I’m staying here,” he said bitingly. “Mom and Stanley aren’t answering their phone.” 

On some level, you were glad Angus was staying. At least it wouldn’t be just you there. And you were glad it was Angus, as opposed to Teddy or someone else. “Oh,” you managed. “Well, umm…” 

“You don’t have to say anything,” Angus said flatly. He leaned up against the doorway to the infirmary, listening to the other boys packing up, and he added, “In fact, I’d rather you didn’t say anything.” 

You sighed, flicking your eyebrows. “Got it,” you mumbled. Your eyes lifted from the floor to see Ye-Joon, bag in hand, and he softly bid Angus a happy holidays, giving you a curt smile as he edged out of the infirmary. Jason lightly touched Angus’s arm as he told him to take care, doing the same to you before he departed, and you made eye contact with Teddy as he shouldered his bag. He didn’t have his sights set on you, though; he spoke to Angus. 

“I guess that just leaves you and the chick, huh?” Teddy asked. “Be sure to do all your homework— and no funny stuff while we’re gone.” 

If you could have swung a punch at Teddy, you would have. All the boys at Barton were the exact fucking same— Secretarial Studies, sex jokes, it was never-ending and never-changing. You watched Angus’s neck go flushed, and Teddy added, “Oh, almost forgot! I found that picture you were looking for.” Quickly, he stuck a square Polaroid in Angus’s shirt pocket, and a smile crossed Teddy’s face. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Tully. You too, Miss. See you after break.” He winked at you, making your skin crawl, and he departed the room with a chuckle as Angus snatched the picture from his pocket. From your vantage point, you couldn’t see what it was, only the back that read HAPPY HOLIDAYS, but Angus’s mouth screwed up at it, and he flicked it down onto the ground. Your eyes followed it, and you saw a portrait of a family, a mom and dad and a boy, and you recognized the dark eyes and sunken features of the boy. But, in a blank space of the picture, in Teddy’s handwriting, an arrow pointed to the boy and declared “Fuckwad”. 

The cold was biting, even through your coat, as you stood on the football field and watched the boys load into the Smith’s helicopter. Your hands were deep in your pockets as you stared into space, wondering if it could get any worse. As the helicopter took off, the wind blew your hair back, and you watched as it rose, up, up, and away. A heavy energy fell over you three, and your teacher let out a heavy sigh. “Well, let’s make the best of it,” Hunham said, flat but trying to put fake life into his words. The look in Angus’s eyes was harsh enough to kill, and Hunham averted his gaze from him over to you, his two little wards, the holdovers. “Shall we?”

[lokorum]

Your art so surreal, did you take inspiration from African masks it’s amazing. You have probably gotten this question before but what’s your process and how do plan these beautiful pieces out. I am a beginner artist and would like some advice on how start doing digital painting.

thank you for bringing me back from the dead with your kindness, (i was so sad today ughhhh i think watching vampire diaries starting to affect me hjkhjk), i really, really deeply thankful that you spend your time to write something so sweet (also sorry it took me literally ages to reply phphp THE USUAL)

yeah, in buryatia shamanism like the big thing, so when i went to search what's out there in the masks department - google's mess of the results for once was helpful and showed this massive collection of beautiful african masks. the one that was inspo for tiisha lived in my head rent free for weeks before the character was even born phphph now i cant even imagine her without it 

(here is little tiisha for you before i'll proceed to be not helpfull phphphph)

oof advices are not my strong side , like..........my process mostly is just sleep through the whole thing i guess..........................i very rarely do sketches, i hate study anatomy and perspective, drawing cubes makes me physically sick etc etc my approach to drawing were "fuck around and find out", always about chill and fun and barely ever about learning. imho thats why im so shitty at drawing simple things but not bad at coloring. so yeah, my biggest advice always and forever will be - be gentle to yourself, please

digital or traditional or whatever else is out there, dont forget you make it for yourself and for yourself only okay? it supposed to be fun, not sad tiring and competitive 

advices for digital specifically tho - very objective, apply with caution

learn all the keyboard shortcuts, ideally to press them without thinking 

explore more instruments than just brush. it will be tedious and sometimes feel like a chore so mb pick one victim once a month and browse youtube for a stuff like SECRET ULTIMATE TIPS ABOUT MAGIC WAND TOOL THAT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE (they indeed will save your life) 

check if your drawing program has artboards - turning it on will give you more freedom over canvas positioning  and your refs will always be there and not in the separate window 

idk about others but using auto tone, auto contrast and auto color often gives me well needed perspective on what im doing 

in 99% cases be sure that you can reanimate even the most messiest artpiece you ever did. working in digital gives you the chance to mess with shapes, colors and perspective at any time so if you dont want to gave up on something - you absolutely didnt have to

from time to time while you are still learning - go out there in the wilds and search for the new brushes. tweak with them if you want. i have like ~500 and i use 6 max, but those 6 i found by at some point trying to draw with all of the 500

MADE. BACK UPS. and i mean not like save layers just in case before merging them (tho that's too will help) no, i mean click SAVE AS once an hour and create A NEW FILE. PLEASE. i lost so much stuff to sudden power outage. its never pretty and you loosing will to work for days

watch at least one tutorial about the whole rgb srgb and cmyk thing - i did, understood not a thing, but at least im not playing dora the explorer with my colors after the export now 

uh idk think thats it? tried to think about those that id hope i knew when i started so hopefully something will help 

have fun with your drawings!! 

[eyrina-avatar]

Explaining Periods to The Sullys

synopsis: reader explains what a period is to the Sully kids (with the help of kiri)

pairings: neteyam x reader implied couple(aged up), reader x sully kids + spider

genre: idk, informative??/ comedy???

author's note: you guys didn't forget about dr. max patel, right? I barely see him in anyone's writing. proofread once

warnings: mention of female bodies(?), periods, blood, slight gun mention(nothing violent), maybe a few swear words, slight suggestive comment, slight stabbing threat(threat was made as a joke- calm down guys)

word count: 1.6k words

"OOF" you rubbed your forehead as your butt had just landed on the floor.

"I'm always forgetting that my avatar form is taller than my human body" you sighed as you got up.

"This is the third time this week that you've bumped into that doorpost" Norm snickered before hitting himself on the light bulb above him that was illuminating the lab.

"Crap" he murmured, rubbing the top of his head in pain.

"Ha!" you let out in retaliation.

Spider and Lo'ak laughed at the scene unfolding while Kiri and Neteyam rolled their eyes.

"Anyways, what was it that you kids wanted from the lab?" Norm squinted at the Sully kids, weary of their intentions.

"We just wanted to see where it is that y/n does all of her experiments" Lo'ak responded as he played around with the light fixtures, flipping through some different light colors illuminating a plant.

"Whatever, just don't break anything or the top scientist with have my head for any more expenses." Norm warned

"It's alright, Norm. I'm watching them. They won't break anything. And if they do, I won't take Lo'ak hunting again." You reassured him.

"Hey, what do I have to do with that! You know if you don't teach me how to use one of those rifle thingies then I'll have to wait for my dad. And you know how that is. The last time he taught me was months ago, he's been too busy teaching Neteyam." Lo'ak side eyed his older brother.

"Pff, it's not my fault that you're not responsible enough and that dad gets nervous every time you have a gun in your hands." Neteyam shot back.

"But-"

"Then you'll just have to stop touching everything you see in the lab, Lo'ak. You see? Easy peasy. Problem solved. Then you won't break anything and I can give you your next lesson tomorrow." You patted Lo'ak's back and gave Norm a reassuring smile. 'Don't worry,' you mouthed and turned around, focusing your attention on the Sully kids.

"So, what's the plan?" you tilted your head in question.

"Well, I've gotta get a new oxygen tank for my mask and-" Spider headed for the cabinets

"SPIDER, are you for real?"

"What?" he shook his shoulder in question.

"You're still using those crappy RDA masks that need a wire and oxygen tank and all of that. I thought Norm gave you the new ones, from my research company."

"You own a company?" Max teased as raised his eyebrows at you.

"No... you know what I mean. I mean the science department that I'm part of. The new scientists that came to Pandora after your disastrous RDA was kicked out." You shot a look at the doctor.

"Really, you didn't have to go that far..."

"Oh, lighten up Max." you patted his shoulders. "Anyways, where are those new masks? Spider needs one, he's still using those outdated ones."

"Really, those old masks shouldn't even work anymore." Max shook his head and handed Spider a mask, "Here you go, kid."

"I thought Norm gave him one." Max crossed his arms while conversing.

"Nah, I guess Norm's been too distracted with the Na'vi school he took over after Grace" You shrugged.

"Yea... well, see you later guys, I have some more research to work on." he waved before walking away.

"So, Spider, let's get this thing on. All you have to do is take off all of those wires and that old mask. Next, just put this one on like you did the old one and adjust it and it should start working immediately." You helped Spider with the process while Kiri visited her mother's avatar body.

"No tank or anything?" Spider questioned.

"Nope, this has a little filter thing that automatically filters out the carbon and nitrogen inside the mask. No more heavy tank for you to use." You threw the old air tank to the disposal pile and was headed towards one of your plants before being interrupted by Lo'ak.

"Hey y/n, what's this?" Lo'ak held up a packet of pills.

"Lo'ak, put that back." Neteyam scolded before snatching the pills from his hand and placing it back on your table.

"It says, birth-control," Lo'ak scrunched his eyebrows while reading the words on the wrapper.

"Take once a day to prevent pregnancy..."Spider read aloud before putting the pills back.

"Woah..." Lo'ak and Spider let out in unison before giving you and Neteyam looks.

"Are you guys...doing ummm...having errr" Lo'ak stumbled as tried to get the words out of his mouth.

"First of all, that's none of your business! Second, those pills aren't even for my avatar body. They're for my human body, and not for what you think it is."

"Then for what?" Spider raised his eyebrows at you.

"They're for my period. But only for my human body because my avatar doesn't get periods." You sighed in having to explain periods to fifteen-year-old boys.

"What's a period?" Lo'ak asked.

"Women things." Kiri responded as she rolled her eyes at her brother's nosiness.

"And how would you know? You're a na'vi." Spider interrogated.

"Because girls talk to girls about things they don't talk to boys about. Duh." Kiri shot back.

"So, what is it?" Lo'ak waved his hands in question.

"Yea, what's a, um- a period? Isn't that the little dot that goes at the end of a sentence? At least that's what Norm taught me..." Spider trailed off.

"Yea, you're partially correct, Spider," you gave a small nod as you thought about how you were going to explain things.

"But umm.. I'm talking about a different type of period called menstruation. It's when a female human bleeds for 5-7 days straight each month." you let out as you saw Spider's and Lo'ak's faces change from curiosity to shock.

"L M F A O- Is that how you spell it? FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS STRAIGHT?? You've got to be kidding me. You don't expect us to believe that, right? I mean, sometimes Spider and I do dumb things but you don't expect us to be stupid enough to fall for that, right?" Lo'ak simply stared at you, waiting for a response.

"No, she's right. You guys could definitely learn a thing or two about humans." Neteyam rolled his eyes at his younger brother's ignorance.

"Wait, wait, wait," Spider held his arms out in shock, "You actually bleed for up to a week and don't die? How the hell do you not die?"

"And why do you bleed for that long? And from where are you bleeding?" Lo'ak pitched in.

"She's bleeds from her pu-"

"Kiri." Neteyam warned.

"What? It's true. Might as well be blunt with these two skxawngs." Kiri rolled her eyes again.

"So basically, when a human female starts getting more physically mature, sorta like coming of age.. Her body starts preparing for pregnancy every month. It basically lines the uterus and gets ready for a baby. When the body sees that there is no baby, the uterus starts shedding it's lining for about 5-7 days until it's cleaned up. The shedding comes out in blood and that's what causes the bleeding."

"..."

"What?" You cocked your head in question.

"So basically, because you didn't get knocked up, your body bleeds?" Lo'ak squints his eyes, trying to understand the information he was just given.

"What's so hard about that?" Spider shrugged.

"WH- WHAT'S SO HARD ABOUT THAT?! Are you guys kidding me or what?" You mouth drops at the nonsense you hear coming from the younger boy's mouth.

"You bimbos, it's not just bleeding. It involves many symptoms such as heavy cramping, back pain, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, mood swings, headaches, appetite changes , and more." Kiri stated as she crossed her arms.

"So the symptoms of a cold, big deal." Spider spat out, trying to minimize the severity of everything.

"Oh I'm sorry, did you just say big deal? Maybe I should put a fucking knife in your stomach to see if that's a big deal or not because that's what the cramps feel like. Or maybe, better... I should kick you in the fucking balls, right?" You lashed out at the boy in front of you.

"Damn, chill, he didn't mean it, right, Spider?"Lo'ak tried to calm the situation, "Maybe she's on her period right now..." he whispered.

"Avatars don't have periods you dingbat" Neteyam let out.

"Well maybe her human form is experiencing cramps in the link pod and so the emotions are traveling through the conscious connection and that's why she's so cranky." Spider stepped back, not trying to get on your bad side.

"..."

You only blinked in response as Kiri and Neteyam bursted out laughing.

"What in the name of eywa..."

"I've never heard so much bullshit come out of someone's mouth before." Neteyam shook his head at the human boy's imagination. "You know, y/n told me that humans usually read a big guide book before joining the avatar program... well maybe you should read one on human biology. It's only fitting since you're ehh, you know..." Neteyam trailed off.

"Ha, I'm glad I wasn't the one to say something stupid this time" Lo'ak applauded himself.

"Nah, you too Lo'ak. How about you read it with Spider so you can both giggle at the pictures and whatever shit you two happen to read" you turned away from the boys as you went back to examining the plants you were experimenting on.

"Does she really bleed from her va-" Lo'ak was cut off.

"And for a week straight..." Spider chimed in.

"Shut up!" Kiri's voice rang through your ears as you quietly giggled to yourself.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

should I make more fics like this; reader teaching the sullys some human things? Tell me what you think!

as always, comments/reblogs are much appreciated❤

do not steal my work and please don't post it on ao3 or wattpad

© eyrina-avatar

colors used: #01DBFA and #01B3CC

[in1-nutshell]

Hey me again maybe a few more interactions with team bee and old Predacon buddy maybe a bit more hijinks and stuff and maybe seeing prime again Predacon buddy will most likely berate Optimus and then hugging him because of them missing their Orion pax basically just overall acting like a mother hen and just overall fretting over team bee

I went with a little reunion with Buddy and Optimus... then I had a little fun with it.

Hope you enjoy!

Bot Buddy the Old Predacon reunites with Optimus Prime

SFW, Platonic, Slight angst, mentions of injury but nothing too graphic, Familial, Cybertronain reader

RiD 2015

Buddy was with the rest of the team fighting this ‘Megatronus’ character.

They were not impressed by the name.

Buddy and Grimlock took over most of the heavy hits and hitting, but even Buddy was struggling against the mysterious mech.

They blamed it on the age and years of damage to their frame.

Oh, they would have given for some years shaven off right about now.

Megatronus was going to get the jump on Bumblebee when Buddy tackled him.

The mech easily got them off and slammed them to the ground.

Buddy was very familiar with wounds after years of being in the arena and war. They know what a stab wound feels like, especially one near a vital area.

Buddy looking up at the mech with hatred in their optics.

Megatronus has both of his servos together raised above his helm.

“I think its about time to finally get rid of you Predacon scum from the face of this world.”--Megatronus

Buddy hears some of the bots scream for them.

All they can focus in was the sneering pain in their gut and the slow-motion servos coming straight for their helm.

This was it…

At least they would see Prime again.

A blur of red and blue tackled Megatronus down.

Out of the corner of Buddy’s optics they see him.

“Optimus…Orion…”—Buddy

Buddy’s vision gets darker and darker.

They could feel their frame get colder by the minute.

The older Predacon knew that it was a bad idea to close their optics.

But they were so tired…

They forgot to take their nap today and the ground below…

A little nap wouldn’t hurt right?

Buddy heard some pede steps heading their direction, but they had already closed their optics as the fading sound of yelling disappeared.

Buddy woke up with the sight of the last rays of sunlight hitting their face.

They groaned propping their elbows up a bit, flinching at the pain in their gut. Where the giant sword used to be was now replaced by some expert wielding. It’d take a bit of buffing out and coloring to get rid of that thing.

Buddy looked around and noticed they were in the scrapyard. Specifically in the section where they had most of their medical supplies.

It was quiet.

Too quiet…

Buddy swings their pedes to the side of the berth and tries to sit up.

That was an immediate regret.

“Primus… this is going to hurt like the Pits…”--Buddy

Buddy pushes themselves off the berth and stumbles to the wall next to them.

They slowly prop themselves up thanks to the wall.

“Now… where are the others…?”--Buddy

Buddy hears multiple pede steps coming their way.

They grabbed the closets object near them, which was a crowbar and held it tightly in their servos.

The intruding bot turns the corner and Buddy, out of pure instinct, whacks them on the helm.

“OW!”--Bumblebee

“Bee! Sorry about—Oof!”--Buddy

Bumblebee gets over the whack and hugs Buddy tightly, yet mindful of their injuries.

Buddy could feel him quiver a bit.

They patted his back a bit before he turned to them.

“You shouldn’t be out walking.”--Bumblebee

“I know, but it got too quiet and I needed to see for—”--Buddy

“I made sure they stayed quiet.”—Ratchet

Ratchet stood behind Bumblebee with his arms crossed with a tired smile.

Buddy’s optics widen in surprise.

“Ratchet?! Ratchet!”--Buddy

Buddy tries to walk over to Ratchet but the medic walks to them instead.

Both Bee and Ratchet try and drag Buddy back to the berth.

“You know what I’m going to say...”--Ratchet

Buddy does a mocking salute.

“Got it Dr. of Doom.”--Buddy

“Don’t call me that. Anymore moving and you’re going to mess up my wielding job.”--Ratchet

Buddy sits back down on the berth trying to hide the pain that flared up when they did.

“How did you get here anyways. Not that its bad or anything.”--Buddy

“I followed his signal.”--Ratchet

“Who’s—"--Buddy

“Mine.”--Optimus

Buddy’s optics widen when they see Optimus standing by the corner.

He slowly approaches Buddy’s side.

Buddy just stared at him in disbelief.

“I know this may be a lot of information to say all at once Buddy… but I am—”--Optimus

“Prime.”--Buddy

Optimus quiets down and looks at Buddy’s optics that had started to spring leaks.

“Just…just come over here…”--Buddy

Buddy opens their arms and Optimus goes in for the hug.

Buddy tries their hardest not to cry when Bee and Ratchet join in.

They really do try.

“I swear to the Primes above, if ANY of you wise bots decide to pull a stunt like that… Great I can’t even threaten you guys now, thanks a lot. There goes my reputation…”--Buddy

The four of them ended up catching up a bit before the rest of the team came back from patrol.

Finally, Prime was home.

[lili863]

Do you think you can do one where reader is really shy (not innocent) but starting to exploring herself to the point she asks Ominis if he could teach her how to self-touch as she feels weird not having a proper structure to learn... to the point Omnis begin and keeps on teasing reader while seducing her to touch him and their supposed 'one-side lesson' soon turn into loss of virginity where Ominis let his dark side takes control of him while making love to MC both gentle and dominant at the same time?

Touch me

Ominis x MC

🔞 NSFW! Minors DNI

Ominis Gaunt x Reader, extreme smut, MDNI, NSFW

AN: Yall this was based off a request I got wayyy too into it. This poor anonymous persn sent this request ages ago and I hope if they are still active that they get to read it. I have beeen superr busy so havnt been active for a while but hopefully yall enjoy much love!

_________________

It all started after 7th year of howarts. You were finally in the last stretch of your academic career with big dreams, high hopes and a fresh start in the world of magic after living your whole life with the muggles. After successfully defeating Rankrok and his followers, you found yourself with free time you'd never had before—not that you were complaining.

Yet it was Ominis Gaunt who took up most of your newly available hours. He wasn't like anyone else you'd met before. A true gentleman, he defied your expectations for how young men typically behaved. He'd been your rock, guiding you through the maze of challenges that filled your fifth year at Hogwarts.

Being with Ominis felt honest and effortless. He could be a worrybody sometimes, but you would be lying if you said you hadn't come to rely on it, it was endearing if anything. And now that the whirlwind of secret missions and dangerous adventures had subsided, you started noticing little things about him you'd overlooked before.

And today was no exception. As you watched Ominis alight from his carriage just beyond the castle grounds, your breath caught. "Ominis!"

His head whipped around at the sound of his name, a warm smile lighting up his face. Abandoning your bags, you sprinted towards him, your heart pounding in time with your footsteps. As if expecting the enthusiasm in your dash, Ominis opened his arms wide. You hurled yourself into them, confirming, once again, how right everything felt when he was around.

With an "Oof!" the tall Slytherin absorbed the force of your hug, your arms locking around his neck.

"MC," he breathed your name, hugging you back tightly. An involuntary sigh of contentment escaped his lips as he felt the comforting contours of your body meld against his.

"God, I've missed you. This summer felt like an eternity."

"It did," he agreed softly.

You pulled back before gently cradling his face, examining his features, oblivious to his hands lingering on your waist. As you studied his cloudy eyes, pronounced jawline, and distinct beauty marks, surprise flickered through your eyes.

He had changed, grown. The boyish softness from last year had given way to a more defined, mature appearance, leaving you momentarily taken aback by the transformation.

"Wow.." You softly chuckled."You look different. In a good way, of course. "

His gaze lowered, emitting the comforting warmth you craved every time you looked into those intriguing eyes before a small smirk made its way to his face.

"I suppose you haven't changed one bit, still standing on the tips of your toes"? He quipped, a teasing note coloring his words.

Your smile dropped, and you had to look down momentarily, embarrassed that you were indeed doing exactly that.

You quickly set your heels to the ground, causing his fingers to brush against your curves tightening ever so slightly.

"Excuse me?! For the record, I'm still growing. My healer insists that a growth spurt is right around the corner—'

"And perhaps you'll gain a hard-earned inch. I wouldnt worry darling, thats what the accio charm is for"

Your hands flew to his collars as you tugged him towards your face.

"Accio isn't the only charm I've got up my sleeve, Gaunt"

Ominis looked caught off gaurd for moment, feeling the warmth of your face and breath.

"In fact, I've been meaning to show you all the other spells I've learned. Only if you care to finally join me at Crossed Wands"

Raising an eyebrow, the slytherin huffed a laugh, "I've got better things to do than go to a children's club?"

"Afraid of a little public humiliation?"

You watched as his hands rose to meet yours, clasped firmly around his collar. With a swift motion, he unlatched your grip.

"I'm sparing you the public embarrassment of defeat dear". Your face flushed a deep red when he gently turned your hands over, his lips planting a searing kiss on the palm.

"No need to remind you of our last game, do I"? his low voice vibrated in the little bubble you two were stuck in, unaware of the looks other people were giving you two. You caught your breath, the softness of his lips lingering on your skin

His words triggered memories of your past dueling defeat. A defeat you'd hoped he'd let slide, especially after you'd arrogantly challenged him again. So much for thinking the 'blind kid' wasn't a threat. In truth, he could've been an excellent Auror if he'd wanted to.

""I—it was just one time, Ominis," you stammered, your words mirroring the erratic beat of your heart. As the amusement on his face faded, he smiled his hand sliding past yours, "I'm just teasing"

The air between you thickened as he gently pulled you closer, his hands thumbs circling the curve of your waist. Your cheeks blushed fiercely under his gaze. "I've missed you, MC," he whispered, his voice deep and laden with an intimate huskiness.

Caught off guard, you stayed slient. "The summer was a nightmare at my parents' house," he continued, "but thoughts of you were my escape, my quiet refuge."

You gulped not recognizing this kind of intensity in his eyes, almost as if they could suck you in and trap you in them for eternity.

"...Ominis-"

"Are you two about to kiss"? Both of you jumped at the intruding voice of your firend.

Ominis sighed, now turning to the voice of his firend.

Sebastian flinched playfully. "Oops, should I come back later?" His teasing had you huffing a laugh, a welcomed break from the tension. You licked your lips nervously, watching the two with a small, nervous smile, secretly grateful that Ominis couldn't see the flush on your face.

But the moment's intensity was far from forgotten. That night, as you lay in bed, the scenes with Ominis replayed in your mind, each one leaving you more restless than the last. Your thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions, each memory with your best friend intensifying your inner turmoil.

Ominis had filled out, a lot more than you expected. His physique had blossomed, revealing a strikingly defined muscle tone that commanded attention. It was impossible to overlook the way his biceps seemed to strain against the fabric of his pristine white shirt. Though not bulky, the undeniable truth was that he no longer resembled a slender, lithe boy – his presence now exuded a captivating aura of strength and maturity.

You caught your breath, an instinctive reaction as your thighs rubbed together subtly. The lingering sensation of his arms wrapped around you remained, an imprint of solid muscle and strength. And those fingers—Merlin, those fingers. Their ethereal paleness was etched with a web of green veins, elevating their beauty. Always impeccably manicured, they were long enough to make even the largest textbooks look small when held in his grasp

An irresistible curiosity welled within you, envisioning the sight of those digits gliding across your bare skin. Imagining their journey from your chest, down to your stomach, and delicately tracing the contours of your hip. As desire consumed you, your chest heaved with anticipation. You moistened your parched lips, feeling a bead of sweat forming on your flushed skin. And then, finally, his fingers would trace over the delicate mound of flesh and delve right to your-

"Ahh-"!

Instantly, your hands flew to cover your mouth in shock at the noise that just flew out of your lips.

Suddenly, you found yourself in the midst of soemthing very intimate with your hands stuffed down your panties hovering over your aching core.

With quiet pants, you stayed still listening for any shifts from the other girls across the room. Fortunately, only silence ensued as you tried to swallow down your humiliation before slowly resuming, feeling the folds in between your fingers.

With a nervous heart, you began to rub your folds in a clockwise motion. A small flicker of something awakened in the pit of your stomach, causing you to gasp at the unfamiliar sensation. Your heart raced as you continued your ministrations.

However, as quickly as the feeling came, it soon subsided, leaving you perplexed as your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Without hesitation, you switched to a faster state.

Nothing.

Soon, you began swiping, dragging, and pinching before you finally gave up in frustration.

Nothing. You felt nothing.

Were you doing something wrong? You weren't entirely naive. You had heard other girls talking about touching themselves down there, and they all claimed it was a euphoric sensation like no other.

Maybe this was a mistake..

What were you thinking? Touching yourself to the thought of your best friend.

Your arm swung over to cover your eyes in embarrassment, followed by disappointment. Perhaps it was best to just go to sleep now...

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

A week passed, and you held onto the hope that the strange feelings you had for him would fade. But fate had other plans.

Professor Hecat's class was always rowdy. Flying spells were common, and both you and Ominis were accustomed to them. But today, Leander Prewitt and his cronies chose to act up.

Seated beside Ominis, your jaws clenched as Prewitt initiated a verbal confrontation, belittling Ominis and doubting his dueling abilities. Sebastian retaliated swiftly, but an inexplicable surge of rage coursed through your veins in response to Prewitt's petty taunts at Ominis, and you promptly decided Leander was going to learn today.

Just as you began to rise from your chair, Ominis seemed to read your intentions. With a sudden, commanding grip, he seized your thigh, pulling you back into your seat with a force you couldn't ignore.

Your eyes widened, muscles tensing under the sensation of his fingers digging into the soft flesh of your thigh. Your gaze met his for a fleeting moment before drifting down to where his grip tightened, locking you in place.

"I've got this, MC. Save your energy," he murmured, his voice low but clear. His words weren’t a boast, but a quiet assurance.

Rising gracefully, Ominis shed his robe with a fluid motion, placing it neatly aside. He then proceeded to loosen his tie, the emerald fabric slipping through his fingers with practiced ease. Rolling up his sleeves,

You watched mesmerized at the sight that unfolded before you, captivated by the visual of his forearms, adorned with prominent veins that seemed to pulsate with intensity, emanating an aura of restrained power.

Clenching your thighs, you swallowed hard, forcing yourself to look away.

"Care to duel, Prewitt?" Ominis asked, a hint of malice lacing his voice. "You seem to have plenty of time to spew nonsense."

Ominis would never waste the time of his day on someone like leander. But here he was, standing before you with a look in eyes that had your stomach doing flips.

Prewitt snorted, exuding arrogance. "Don't go crying to Black when I best you, Gaunt."

The entire class excitey swarmed past you more than intrigued to see this fight. And eventually, even you couldn't help it.

The duel was a spectacle. Ominis dominated the arena. You knew he was powerful, but seeing him dismantle Prewitt—a seventh-year known for his formidable dueling skills—left you a little breathless. The calculated dodges, the crackling spells—each move he made sent a thrilling pulse through you, stirring something you hadn't felt before

You'd never openly admit it, but ever since that duel, only thoughts of Ominis managed to ignite even the faintest sparks of pleasure within you. Everything else left you feeling disconcertingly numb, as if disconnected from your own sensations.

You'd imagined his fingers tracing patterns on your skin, the timbre of his voice urging you toward the edge, the warmth of his lips promising release. And yet, frustratingly, that elusive climax remained just out of reach.

The experience was as maddening as it was mortifying—each moment teetering on the cusp, only for the feeling to dissipate into nothingness.

Days later, you saw him leave class, chatting amicably with Sebastian, a playful smile gracing his gorgeous lips. As you leaned against the hallway wall, you found yourself at an emotional crossroads, wrestling with whether or not to take the next step.

The young Gaunt walking beside Sebastian slowed in his steps, letting Sebastian walk ahead with Garreth when he suddenly sensed your unmistakable magical presence.

His head turned your way as you stood up straighter, caught off gaurd.

Before you were able to think, Ominis called out your name.

"MC"?

You sucked in a breath before forcibly smiling, not that he could see.

"Hey....can we talk for a second..."?

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

You sat nervously in your room of requirement after sending Deek off for the night. You were expecting Ominis to walk down those stairs into the room any moment now.

Today, when he beckoned you over, you couldn't resist inviting him to meet you tonight—despite your internal protests. Restlessness had overtaken you, and if there was anyone who wouldn't judge your upcoming request, it was Ominis. As you pondered your own audacity in calling him here, a tight knot formed in your heart at the mere thought, causing a flood of second thoughts to assail your mind.

But just as they threatened to spiral out of control, a surge of panic gripped your gaze, capturing sight of Ominis descending the staircase.

Shit. Your shaky hands now fell to your sides as you stood from the couch to acknowledge his presence as normally as you could.

"Good evening Ominis".

The moment your voice reached his ears, a soft smile played on Ominis's lips. "Evening, darling,"

You tried to ignore the way his smooth tone cut through the quiet air of the room.

As Ominis strolled towards the couch, your gaze inevitably followed him. His shirt, a few buttons undone, subtly revealed his well-defined chest, adorned with a smattering of black beauty marks.

Strands of hair that were usually slicked back had fallen forward, adding a touch of casual charisma to his look. With one hand nonchalantly tucked in his pocket and the other holding his wand, he moved with a confidence that was both understated and captivating.

'Had he always been this striking?' you wondered.

He gracefully took a seat on the couch next to where you stood. Heart pounding, you took a seat beside him and offered the tea you'd meticulously prepared earlier.

The room was thick with silence for a few beats before Ominis finally spoke, cutting through the tension.

"So," he started, a hint of playfulness in his tone, "caught a cold, have you?"

"What?"

"You sound as if you're speaking from the other end of the room," he observed with a slight, teasing tilt of his head.

In that moment, you became acutely aware of your own timidity, practically recoiling from him, from where he sat. Your tongue flicked nervously over dry lips, a gesture you had repeated countless times throughout the day.

"Oh..."Before a single word escaped your lips, his keen intuition sensed that something was amiss.

"MC, is there something wrong?"

You shook your head, perhaps too vigorously, "No, not at all! I didn't call you here for anything bad," you assured him, lowering your voice on the last part.

You notice his eyebrow tense with a slight scrunch "Well with that tone you're not exactly putting my concerns to rest," he noted, patting the cushion next to him. "Come here; I'm not going to yell across the room to talk to you."

A moment went by before a soft chuckle escaped you as you inched closer to Ominis. "The couch isn't exactly spacious," you remarked, but the playful tone in your voice dwindled to a hush when his fingers delicately found yours. With a gentle tug, he erased the scant distance left between you.

Your breath caught in your throat, the heat of his body radiating against yours in a comforting yet unsettling way.

"Alright, whats on your mind"?

You bit your lip, a nervous habit that not even the daunting OWL exams had provoked. 'I'm... it's hard to find the right words.' You hesitated, feeling the weight of your own vulnerability. 'This is...embarrassing, something I've never had to voice before. Yet, with you, it feels different. It feels safe" The sincerity in your voice was as clear as the mixed emotions that danced in your eyes

Ominis listened intently, his features softening.

"The thing is I have been struggling with something that I didn't quite expect to struggle with, actually even you would be surprised if you knew"

"Perhaphs, as long as I get it hear it" The small smile his face did no such thing to help the nervous one diminish on yours.

“In fact, it’s almost laughable when I think about it. No other girl seems to be troubled by it. In fact, I might be the sole person in this entire school befuddled by something so trivial. It’s ironic, considering all of the feats I’ve accomplished with far less trouble—”

“MC.”

You halted abruptly, feeling his hands gently squeezing yours.

“What is it” Ominis pointed out softly.

Swallowing hard, you murmured almost inaudibly, "Could you... help me find... pleasure?"

Silence lingered for a moment, each second intensifying your unease.

It was as if time itself paused when you noticed the subtle change in his demeanor. His breath hitched, momentarily caught in his throat, as his eyes widened ever so slightly. The usual confidence in his gaze gave way to a flicker of surprise, or perhaps realization. "Oh..." he uttered softly, the word barely more than a whisper, yet it resonated with unspoken understanding.

Upon hearing Ominis's reply, your heart sank. In a rush of emotion, you stood up abruptly, mumbling apologies as you prepared to retreat. Your eyes, unable to meet his intense gaze, shifted downwards, while internal doubts echoed that perhaps this was all a mistake.

Just as you were about to suggest ending the evening, a gasp slipped from your lips. Ominis, his grip still firm on your hand, drew you back with a swift pull, causing you to tumble unexpectedly into his lap. Your heart pounded wildly as you looked up at him, your eyes wide with surprise. "Don’t go," he whispered softly, his voice soothing yet firm, his hands securing you at your waist as if fearing you might flee.

"I don’t want to make you uncomfortable," you stammered, your voice barely above a whisper.

He shook his head gently, his hand cupping your face. "Trust me, you aren’t," he reassured, his thumb softly tracing your cheek. His fingers tenderly explored your face, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It’s been so long since you let me touch you," he murmured, his voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and relief.

Your stomach fluttered, acknowledging the truth in his words. You had been avoiding him, distancing yourself in a futile attempt to evade the complexity of your feelings.

"Is this why you’ve been so distant these past few weeks?" he inquired, his tone laced with curiosity.

"You noticed?" you replied, a hint of surprise in your voice.

Ominis would have been a fool not to. Despite his attempts to feign indifference, the absence of your presence, the lack of even a fleeting conversation each day, weighed heavily on him. The way you would hastily exit a room upon his arrival haunted his nights.

He had always harbored a silent obsession with you, yet he considered himself too cowardly to confess it. After all, you were perfection personified in his eyes—the savior of Hogwarts, his savior. He had thought your kindness in befriending him, a blind student, was the pinnacle of your generosity.

But now, he realized he might have underestimated the depths of your caring nature.

"I have" He answered.

"Oh, was I that obvious"? You tried to hide your embarrassment but it was all out in the open now.

Leaning closer, he whispered teasingly, "Quite so. Can I assume that I am to blame for this delightful situation?"

Your nervous laughter filled the room. "Delightful isn’t the word I’d use for the sleepless nights you’ve given me," you confessed, immediately wondering if you had revealed too much.

His smirk grew slowly, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Sleepless nights, you say? How troubling. I wasn’t aware I had such an effect.'"

But of course, he knew. His courtship had been subtle yet deliberate: anonymous bouquets, offers to help with your studies, each a breadcrumb leading you unknowingly back to him. He noticed the other suitors too, drawn like moths to your flame, each trying to surpass the others with their affectionate gestures

Realizing this, Ominis's tactics shifted. He was no longer just a smitten boy; he became a calculated seducer. His methods were more than just charms and touch; they were whispered promises, the intentional caress of his fingers against your cheek, and his hand's firm yet reassuring grip at precisely the right moments.

He had never seen himself as that kind of man until he felt you envelop yourself in every sense he ever had.

It was torturous to be able to smell you, hear you, or even touch but just never enough to satiate his growing obsession with you. At one point he even considered secretly wedding you under his name just so he could have you without question.

You had sensed a hesitance from him, perhaps because of the gentleman he was. So gathering the remaining bits of your courage you slowly shifted, draping your legs across his lap, pressing your back against his solid chest. A flush of heat rose to your cheeks, and your heart thundered in your chest as you leaned into his embrace.

Ominis's breath hitched as he felt your weight settle against him, the faint scent of you enveloping him. For a moment, he was motionless, as if caught in a dream. Then, instinctively, his hands found their way to your hips, anchoring you.

Your voice, barely above a whisper, broke the charged silence. "What are you waiting for, then?"

"Touch me"

His world seemed to shift at your request, opening a door to a path he never imagined traversing. Heart hammering against his chest, Ominis drew you closer, his breath a soft murmur in your ear. "With the utmost pleasure".

As you nervously bit your lip, Ominis's fingers had already begun to glide toward the hem of your dress, delicately folding it back to reveal your lower half.

His fingers danced cautiously across your abdomen, "Use my hands, he whispered softly, "show me how you touch yourself."

The words were complete filth, but how he made it sound so angelic was beyond your comprehension.

Aligning your shaky fingers on top of his, you guided his pretty hands that you daydreamed about so much right down to your core already aching in anticipation.

Ominis suppressed a noise and nearly cursed out loud at the feeling of the warmth of your clothed cunt that bled through to his fingers.

The soft fleshy feeling had his cock twitching in his trousers already beginning to harden.

He began to rub you hearing the shaky breaths leave your mouth. A smirk slowly etched on his face as he realized how sexually innocent you were. He barely started and you already were writhing at his touches

"Lift your hips for me"

Your eyes that closed shut snapped open at the gentle command.

As you turned slightly to look at him, he mirrored your movement, his lips brushing against your cheek intimately. "Trust me..." he murmured. Your eyes fluttered at the fuzzy feelings that engulfed you.

Using your hands, you pushed against his thigh lifting your hips. Ominis smiled faintly pleased at how well you listened before feeling for your soft lacy undergarments and hooking his fingers under the hem. It all bit took him a few seconds as he delicately peeled the thin material down your legs.

Discreetly, he slipped the tiny undergarment into his pocket and then lightly tapped your hips, a silent cue for you to sit back down.

You hadn't bothered with a bra, assuming it was unnecessary since Ominis couldn't see. Yet, sitting bare in your thin, flimsy nightgown, you felt starkly exposed.

His other hand slid around your waist, adjusting as he leaned back against the couch, seeking a more comfortable position. In response, you unconsciously shifted, spreading your legs wider. The movement caused your nightgown to gather up, its fabric bunching around your hip.

Red crept up your cheeks and you prayed Deek didn't leave anything behind after he left because you were completely exposed at this point.

"You feel so warm." Ominis slid his fingers through your folds, exploring every crevice of you shamelessly as you gasped and flinched.

"It..ng- it feels a little strange. I've never felt like this before".

The young Slytherin caressed your bare thighs, addicted to the smoothness of it "Perhpahs we can fix that"

Ominis glided his digits up your folds feeling a delicate arch, before uncovering your clit. With a smirk he applied firm pressure on the nub causing you to gasp, tensing in his lap.

"W-what was ..that" You whispered breathlessly.

"There we go… feels good doesn't it"?

You could barely respond to his question as he began circling the nub rhythmically.

Ominis smileding feeling your body wrack from the hard breaths you were giving. He didn't expect you to be this inexperienced.

"Darling..give me your hand"

You obeyed with a whimpers before feeling his damp fingers take in yours. Taking them to your clit, he encorugae you as you curiusly circled it, flicnhing at the waves of electricty shotting through at very momvemnt. Ominis chuckled quietly, turned on by the reactions you were feeding him.

"This..is so strange" You spoke. New was the word, but to explore such a vulneraable moment with someone like him, it felt..embarressing. Almost as if you should know this by now.

Ominis took a breath, before taking over. "No. Not strange. It's natural".

You bit your lips. fighting not to close your legs at the way he was touching you "Is it natural to get this..wet"?

"Well if I do this correctly" he began "Pretty soon you'll be soaking" His sultry voice shot straight to your pussy causing to you clench.

"I feel..hot ughn-"! Another wave of pleasure washes over you as he works his magic, teasing and swiping you repeatedly.

This is… too much," you whimpered, overwhelmed by the intensity.

Ominis grunted feeling you bounce slightly over his strained cock. Without a second thought his other hand grabbed the straps of your slik nightgown, sliding it off your shoulders and doing the same with the other. You were clouded in a haze far too high to notice as he continued assaulting your clit. The room soon began to be filled with the sounds of squelches.

The gown slid off, exposing you entirely. Ominins traced his fingers down your collarbone relishing the warm smooth skin before feeling your the flesh of you plump breasts.

With a quiet groan he cupped you, his thump circling your nub and swiping over them, causing them to perk up.

You whined arching your back pushing all your weight on his cock.

"Fuck MC, you're driving me crazy".

As his ring finger delicately circled your entrance, a sharp intake of breath escaped you.

"O-Ominis! Please, ugh—!" your plea broke through the thick air.

"Come on, love, you can take it," he coaxed, his voice a mix of encouragement and desire.

"No! I can't!" Your voice escalated, edging towards a cry as a wave of intense sensations began to coil deep in your belly.

To Ominis, you were a vision of breathtaking beauty in this state of abandonment. The sounds you made were so intensely arousing that it took all his self-control to focus on your pleasure first, rather than his own.

Your hips involuntarily began to buck against him, seeking friction against the growing bulge in his pants. The young Slytherin grunted, using his free arm to steady you while his fingers worked relentlessly, intensifying the pleasure.

As his fingers rhythmically flicked your clit, his command broke through your haze. "Face me."

The simple instruction barely penetrated your overwhelmed senses, but you managed to obey, turning to face him.

"Lean forward… and kiss me," he whispered, his voice laced with a mix of longing and hesitation.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ominis was seized by a sudden fear that he had asked for too much.

But before he could retract his words, you silenced his doubts. Your lips crashed onto his with an urgency that left no room for second-guessing. Your hand found its way to his hair, gripping and pulling with a desperation that matched the intensity of your kiss.

The two of you shared each others breaths, as he groaned into the kiss, pressing himself closer to you. Not even a moment passed by before he suck his tingue to swipe over your bottom lips before intruding your mouth. Both of you groaned at the taste of each other, rocking and bucking your hips.

Had it not been for the single thread of sanity his mind was desperately clinging on to, he would have completely forgotten that you were a virgin and plunge his cock into you as deep as he could go.

However, nothing fed his ego quite like this. Nothing in his years of living could compare besides you spreading on his lap and letting him defile you like this. And he would be damned if he would let another man try now.

Quickly you grabbed his other arm and shoved it to your perked nipples beggin for some atention.

Breaking the kiss in desperation, you gasped, "T-touch me here…"

His touch in response became rougher, rolling your nipples between his fingers, as you gushed onto his digits.

"You're making a mess, sweetheart," he murmured against you, his hips subtly rolling to meet yours.

You could feel the smug smirk of his lips against yours. Licking your swollen lips, you tasted him again, your senses torn between the overwhelming touches and his intoxicating flavor. "Its all your fault" you managed to say between ragged breaths

"My trousers are soaked, and yet it's my fault?" he teased knowing damn well you were right. In response to your attitude, his fingers tightened around your plump flesh, nearly drooling at the thought of taking them into his mouth.

Frustration mingled with your desire as you retorted, "Yeah? Well, why don't you do something about it, then?"

Ominis briefly stopped his minitrations taking in your words.

You panted eyes darting back and forth between his.

"I will."

In an impulsive motion, Ominis drew back and slid his hands beneath each of your legs. With an effortless strength, he lifted you, responding to the unspoken urgency between you. Simultaneously, the Room of Requirement seemed to attune itself to the escalating intensity, morphing subtly to accommodate the unfolding desires

Looking ahead, the room suddenly turned pitch black.The once-lit fireplace, which had filled the room with a comforting orange glow, was now extinguished, plunging everything into the deep dark, you saw a stunning vision materialize

Floating candles flickered to life, encircling a bed draped in rich black satin sheets. Their light cast an ethereal glow, creating an island of illumination in the otherwise dark room, with the bed as its sole focus.

It was..ominous. Yet seductive.

A surge of realization quickened your heartbeat. This daunting setting wasn't conjured from your fantasies. It was a manifestation of someone else's.

Just as you had realized it was Ominis, he released you into the bed conveniently placed in front of you as you fell back with a bounce.

"Omi-" You gasped as he grabbed your thighs and pushed them apart, exposing your gushing pussy, dripping from your juices onto the satin sheets.

Your eyes widened, you never saw him like this before. Jaw clenched, eyes dark, and towering over you like a menace.

Feral.

It was a far cry to the shy and reserved guy you were us to seeing.

Ominis inhaled your scent, with his throbbing cock already leaking precum into his trousers. Qucikly removing his shirt he dove in, feeling abdomen and pressing searing kisses down until he felt your wetness press agaisnt his nose. Without hesitation he slicked a solid stripe up your puffy folds before taking in your clit into his wet hot mouth.

"Ahhg- fuck!" you cried out, the world spinning as Ominis continued his fervent ministrations. He sucked on your swollen numb catching your dripping jucies on his chin

Your eyes rolled back as you arched your back crying loud enough for the whole Castle to hear. Your hands shot to his head gripping his soft hair unconciously rolling your hips into his face.

"Nghh-feels so go-good"!

Words failed you, your mind whittled down to incoherent babbles under his relentless ministrations.

He groaned against your cunt, swirling his tongue around the nub, repeating the motions over and over as you convulsed.

One of his hands slowly unwrapped itself from your thighs before rimming your entrance. Just as another load of juices spilled, Ominis seized the opportunity to slowly insert a finger causing you to flinch at the intrusion and clench around his long digit.

"That's it Darling..just relax" He whispered.

Your eyes began to flutter as Ominis pumped his finger back and forth/

"Can you take another, Darling?" His husky voice cut through the haze, demanding your attention. You whimpered shaking your head, overwhelmed by the sensation of his finger. "I dont think so"

"Yes, you can, sweet thing. Just relax," he coaxed, his whispers punctuated by a kiss on your clit before he climbed up to hover over you, caging you in.

"Merlin, Ominis," you gasped, breathless, "This isn't what I… asked for, uggnh—" Your words struggled to form as you felt his finger curl inside you, deftly stroking your sensitive walls.

"Pretty soon, you'll be nothing but a babbling mess, and I'll barely understand a word," he teased, his voice a blend of amusement and desire.

Frowning at his smug demeanor, you reached up to his neck, pulling him closer to your face. "Careful, Gaunt, I can still—ugh," you tried to warn, your words faltering, "I-I can still hex you."

Licking his lips, Ominis's eyes darkened, a devilish smirk playing on his lips. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"

"Yes. And one you'd do well to—agh!" Your protest was cut short as he slid another finger inside you, stretching you further.

His smile was a triumph as he leaned down "I'd take every hex you could ever throw at me if it means I can touch you like you this again".

You swore your stomach did a flip as redness took over your face.

A reply just sat on the tip of your tongue but before you had a chance to reply, his hands slid to the back of your neck pulling your hair at its root to expose your neck before sucking and kissing the sensitive skin.

You grunted at the feeling of his canines pressed to your throat while he plunged his long fingers mercilessly. "Fuck" You murmured. It felt so good.

You were so slick he was easily able to finger your squelching core, clenching around his digits every chance it got.

Ominis didn't want to go too hard on you yet, but unable to control his speed much longer. His fingers began to fully thrust into you, curling and hitting a squishy spot.

Suddenly he hissed as felt you rake your nails down his back while you cried out in pleasure. Grabbing the back of your neck, he muffled your cries, shoving his tongue down your throat while fingering you harder.

He wanted to be gentle, but clearly, you were going to make it impossible.

You moaned feeling a tear slide down your cheek at the overwhelming feeling. Truthfully, it stung a little, but a tight coil building up in your stomach overrode every sting you felt.

Breaking the kiss, his forehead rested against yours panting from the kiss "I can feel it. Your close".

"I..I feel something in my stomach. I don't think I can take it-anymore" You whispered, barely able to catch your breathe.

"Go ahead darling" The young Slytherin peck on the lips again smiling against them "Come for me"

You whimpered fisting the sheets beside your bed, arching onto his fingers. Suddenly, the coil in your stomach snapped as white hot blinding pleasure flew over you. Your muscles began to contract before you felt your pulsing walls close in on his digits still buried inside you. You gasped, mouth wide open eyes squeezed shut unable to make a sound from the pure bliss.

Ominis felt every wrack of your body, hearing every silent little noise you made, quietly observing your state. Nothing could compare to the beauty he was witnessing. Nothing made his pride swell up in his chest before like you did. And nothing very made him regret the state of his eyesight like you did. Even blind, you were so beautiful.

"Still quivering from the aftershocks of his touch, you gradually relaxed into the soft sheets, each breath a conscious effort to steady yourself. Ominis, tender in his movements, leaned down to plant a gentle kiss on your forehead. A smile tugged at your lips, and you wrapped your arms around his neck, drawing him closer in a silent invitation for more intimacy.

In the quiet that followed, a subtle shift brought your legs to encircle his waist, and you could feel the pronounced tension against you from his trousers.

'Ominis?' your voice was soft, yet laden with unspoken desire.

"Yes, love".

A boldness took hold of you. "Please, make love to me. Here, in this bed."

With a sharp intake of breath, Ominis jumped up and grabbed your hips, pulling them to meet his hips causing you to yelp. His tone was low but reverberated throughout the air leaving the place silent under its domineering tone" With the utmost pleasure"

___________________

There you lay as Ominis slows his pace, feeling your uncontrollable clenching pussy squirt onto his cock like a hose.

Your entire body shook from the intense pleasure, your thighs trembling as you back arched. Ominis sinster's smirk was a strong indication if any that he felt no remorse for bringing you to your 3rd orgasm as tears slid down your already dampened cheeks, absolutely in love with how greedy your pussy clamped down on his cock.

But he was far from done. In the time he spent with you tonight in this room, somewhere he tried to be accommodating and doting as he usually was but that option flew far out the window as soon as you decided to make him cum faster by topping him.

You learned a hard lesson today. Ominis doesn't like brats.

It wasn't long before Ominis started railing you again, taking it to new heights

“wait—slow d-down Omi’—hngg!” you moan, nails clawing at his back, scraping the pale skin. He was sure he was full of marks by now that Sebastian was going to interrogate him about later, but he couldn't a give damn right now.

You felt your body recoil, pushing up against the bed with each sharp thrust as he pounded into your worn-out pussy, dragging every inch of his length in and out. Your knees were bent at your ears this time, feet dangling by his head as his hips slammed into the back of your thighs.

"Such a pretty slut aren't you? Look at how well you take my cock". You couldn't understand a thing before realizing Ominis had slipped in pareceltongue while he was plowing into you.

The forbidden language only had gush aroused even further.

“Fuck baby” he sighs “Bet that pretty pussy is just begging to be filled again”

"I cant-" your cry comes out strangled already feeling another orgasm coming. It was painful how much you clenched around his girth of cock by now.

In response, Ominis leans in, trailing a path of wet kisses up your chest. As he approaches your mouth, you instinctively lean forward, anticipating another kiss. But instead, he releases your thighs, his hands moving to grasp your hips firmly. 'One more round, darling,' he whispers against your lips. 'I'll make you come so intensely, you won't have any more sleepless nights. How does that sound?'"

At this point, you were sure Ominis was lost in the pleasure as he grounded up your saturated pussy.

"And what if I do" You whispered breathlessly

He chuckled leaning in and giving you another heart-melting kiss. You knew you were done for.

"Now that you belong to me, I can assure you you won't"

Before you had a chance to reply, Ominis deftly maneuvered you, effortlessly turning you around in the bed. You landed softly on your stomach, the sheets cool against your heated skin. His hands traced a path down your back, pausing at your ass to grasp and squeeze your flesh firmly, followed by a sharp slap that made you squeal in a mixture of surprise and arousal.

Then, without any warning, you felt him align himself, and he plunged back into you, his entry swift and decisive

Before long he's drilling into your sopping cunt, his tip kissing your womb, whispering vulgarities into your ear. The lewd sound of his balls slapping against your ass and both your groans fill the room as your eyes watered at the sheer width of him.

One hand firmly gripped your hip, while his other slid up your lower back, pressing you firmly into the bed. He angled your body, creating a deep arch that allowed him to drive into you with relentless force prying your cunt open with his cock slamming into you at a bullying speed.

Your ass recoiled with every snap of his hips and soon you felt another orgasm hitting you like a spell. As it overtook you, you found yourself crying out his name, your fingers clenching the bedsheets as you convulsed around him.

Ominis grunted bringing you up to press a searing kiss as he pounded his seed into you, unleashing his load enough for it to drip down your thighs.

As the kiss broke, you both lay there, chests heaving, caught in the aftermath of the storm of passion and connection you had just weathered together

You felt utterly exhausted, and Ominis, perceiving your fatigue, showed a hint of concern. He hadn't intended to be so fervent, and despite your lack of complaints, he wondered if he had gone too far. Then, you turned towards him, gently tugging at his arms, urging him into the bed with you.

"MC—" he started, but you cut him off.

"I'm sleepy. And I don't think I'll be able to walk for a while, so the least you could do is stay the night," you murmured, your voice a mix of fatigue and affection.

Ominis's initially surprised expression softened into a smile at your words. He leaned down, placing a tender kiss on your forehead. "I did make a promise, didn't I?" he said softly.

You couldn’t help but grin, pulling him down for one last gentle kiss.

'Keep your word, Ominis.'

His smile mingled with yours in the kiss, and he drew you closer, his embrace a comforting presence. 'You know I will,'

[talesofesther]

is it too late to call you mine? | ch 2

Sebastian Sallow x Reader

Summary: In Sebastian's prettiest dreams, you'd wear a gown of a color that matched his tie, he'd take your hand and dance all night until morning came. But those dreams felt like a farfetched reality. Would you even consider going with him? As more than a friend?

A/N: Right I lied before, we're gonna have one more chapter for this story after this one lol. Written for @spaceyaceface's HL Writing Challenge. Hope you guys like it. <3

Masterlist | Read ch 1 here

"One would think that with a library of this size, the school would have more books about this," you mumbled under your breath, brushing your hand over the cover of the thick book to rid it of the dust.

Hogwarts library had to be one of the most enchanting libraries you've ever been to; with its tall dark wooden bookshelves, high windows, spiral stairs leading up to the second floor, paintings, warm orange lighting, and desks and armchairs scattered about for each student to read to their heart's content—it all made you adore spending hours in here. It was common for Sebastian to join you, you'd both sit together and exchange thoughts about the books you've been reading until Madam Scribner had to kick you out so you'd be back in your common rooms before curfew.

Today, however, you were alone; skimming between stacks of books which were mostly forgotten and had a layer of dust covering them.

The Yule Ball was less than a week away, and it only just occurred to you that you didn't know the first thing about dancing. At least not the kind of formal dancing that one does at an event like this, with a partner.

You stared down at the book in your hands for a few long seconds before closing your eyes with a sigh.

Praying that the single book you managed to find would help you, you turned around to make your way to Madam Scribner's desk so she could check out the book for you. Once you rounded a corner, however, you bumped straight into something firm and warm, a startled oof escaping your lips as your feet lost their balance.

Only it wasn't something, it was someone. Gentle hands quickly took hold of both your elbows so you wouldn't end up falling to the floor. When you finally looked up, you were met with a familiar array of freckles and a dazzling grin.

"Picking up a new book? Without me?" Sebastian slowly pried his hands from you, his dark eyes giving a quick glance up and down before he laid one palm over his chest; "I'm wounded."

You chuckled, your knuckles going white around the book because of how close he was standing. "I'm not picking up a new book… Well, I am," you hesitated, "but you won't be interested in this one, I'm sure."

Sebastian raised a curious eyebrow at you, the golden candlelights of the library shaping the outlines of his face and highlighting the auburn of his hair to perfection. "Oh? And what book might that be?"

You bit at the inside of your cheek, not directly answering him but loosening your grip on the book ever so slightly. There wasn't a thing you could hide from him anyway.

Reaching a hand out, Sebastian tilted the book away from where you held it against your chest, coming to stand right beside you so he could properly read what was on the cover. And you could suddenly feel the warmth radiating from his body; his shoulder brushing yours and raising goosebumps on your skin while your lungs already lacked air. You could hate Sebastian for the obvious effect he has on you.

"Dancing techniques through the ages?" Sebastian read the title of the book out loud, and when he turned to look at you, the expression on his face was nearly comical, "are you even interested in that?"

You gave him what was half a smile and half a grimace, hugging the book closer to your chest again and taking half a step away from him. If you weren't so flustered you probably would've noticed the slight bit of hurt that flashed through his eyes because of your movement. "Yes?" You tried, and then groaned, "not really, but I kind of have to read it."

"Why? I don't remember us having any classes on dancing," Sebastian shrugged, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his pants.

"Yeah, I know, I know," you sighed, then closed your eyes as you spoke, much quieter; "it's because of the Ball."

"The… Ball? Why would you-" Sebastian cut himself off when he finally understood, he hesitated, his plump lips hovering for just a second, "oh, you don't-"

"No, I don't know how to dance," you huffed, feeling your cheeks immediately warming up. You avoided Sebastian's eyes then. There was really no reason to feel ashamed, dancing wasn't a skill everyone was expected to have. Yet, you couldn't help but feel at least a little self-conscious under the gaze of those dark eyes.

"And you expect to learn that from a book?" The smile could be heard clearly in Sebastian's voice; not mocking, at least not your lack of skill, maybe just your choice of a solution.

You glanced up at him again, raising your eyebrows as if to say; 'yeah, what of it?'.

An amused chuckle stumbled past his lips just before his cheek molded back to that smirk of his. "It's like learning to duel by reading a book about it. Doesn't work."

More often than not, Sebastian frustrated you to no end. It was just his luck that he looked damn good while doing it. "How else am I supposed to learn anything about it, Sebastian? The Ball is in less than a week." You argued, dropping the book on top of the nearest table as you grew restless.

Sebastian stayed quiet for a few beats, his lower lip stuck between his teeth as he apparently mulled over his next words. "I could teach you… If you'd like."

He refused to look you straight in the eye as he spoke, and you doubt you'd ever heard him sound this… timid. Hesitant. Changing his weight from one foot to the other as he picked at a loose thread on his sweater while waiting for your answer.

Sebastian was nervous.

"You know how to dance?" You were surprised at how your own voice sounded somewhat shy. The thought of Sebastian teaching you—his hands holding you close, guiding your movements; his body close to yours, personal space forgotten—made you feel all warm.

Sebastian hummed, his teasing smile making an appearance again, "you pick up a thing or two if you attend enough parties. I could teach you the basics at least, you won't be completely at a loss of what to do then."

You breathed in deeply, pursing your lips as you nodded. "Alright." It was a much better option than just reading a book about it anyway.

"Alright," Sebastian repeated after you, his throat working through a gulp, "meet me near the Undercroft entrance after curfew tonight."

"Not in the Undercroft?" You frowned.

"Not quite," his sultry voice kissed your ears, "no music in the Undercroft, after all."

── ·❆· ──

The hallways of the Defense Against the Dark Arts tower were completely empty as you walked, the pristine tiles reflecting each of your steps. It was past 10 PM and the moon was high in the sky, you could only hope you wouldn't run into any of the ghosts… again.

Sebastian waited for you with his back leaning against the wall near the Undercroft, just as he said. His arms were crossed over his chest as his foot tapped the ground rhythmically. He perked up once he laid eyes on you, a gentle and sincere smile coming to his lips.

"Ready for some dance lessons, my lady?" He asked in an over-the-top courteous voice that got you endearingly rolling your eyes.

"As I'll ever be," you smiled softly then, feeling your hands growing a bit sweaty, "thank you for doing this, by the way."

Sebastian only shook his head, his own smile still playing on his lips. He avoided your eyes, "don't mention it," he told you quietly, before pushing himself off the wall and walking past you, "come on then."

You followed Sebastian up the stairs, trailing behind him until a gentle, familiar classical tune reached your ears. He lead you to the enchanted violins and cello that were constantly playing in the tower, and now you finally understood why he said 'not in the Undercroft'.

"I suppose it's close enough to what will be playing in the Ball," Sebastian gestured to the enchanted instruments.

You chuckled, taking half a step closer to him, "clever."

As the soft melody swirled around you, the air seemed to shift between you and Sebastian. Different from the usual commotion during the day, the DADA tower was entirely too calm tonight; dimly lit as it was bathed in various shades of golden coming from the candlelights that reflected against the polished floor, completely devoid of any presence save for you and him—what once reminded you of Professor Hecat's assignments, now felt like a private ballroom, tailor-made to hold this moment alone.

Sebastian cleared his throat. You wondered if he felt the shift too. "Right so, in a dance, you'll want to be as relaxed as possible, trying to move in sync with your partner," he told you, "I doubt that-" he hesitated then, words seemingly heavy on his tongue, "I doubt that Weasley is much of a dancer, so if you know a basic waltz it should be more than enough."

There was something about the way the candlelights shone against Sebastian's features, all soft and pretty, turning his expression into something akin to adoration. For you.

Your heart was suddenly in your throat. Sebastian's stare was almost too much. You'd gladly drown in that 'too much'. It holds you hostage, pierces like the afternoon sun.

"May I?" He asked, one hand outstretched, waiting for your permission to hold your waist.

You only nodded, not trusting your voice.

Sebastian looked as nervous as you felt, and you didn't want to dwell on why that was. Not now.

With a delicacy only you had the privilege of knowing, Sebastian placed a hand on your waist; the other finding your own hand so he could intertwine your fingers with his. His chest was a hair's width away from touching yours.

Your free hand came to rest on his shoulder then, as if your souls were always meant to be this entangled. You refused to look him straight in the eyes, praying that he wouldn't feel the shaking of your fingers when you squeezed his hand.

"Relax," Sebastian whispered, his voice so close to your ear that it sent shivers down your spine.

But the shaking of the syllables betrayed his own statement. Sebastian's hand on your waist tightened its grip, as his mind drowned in the possibility of you and him. Here, in this fraction of a moment, with your heartbeat following the rhythm of his own, the dream felt almost within reach.

You didn't know, but every minute with you was torture for him. Every minute you dangled something in front of him, something he knew was unattainable.

Every minute that you weren’t his was another droplet from his bleeding heart.

"What now?" you breathed suddenly, quiet as to not break the peaceful bubble around you, yet still startling him back to reality.

Several emotions were swimming behind Sebastian's eyes then, too many for you to put a finger in any of them. A soft blush formed under his freckles, barely noticeable against the faint candlelights.

But you saw it. There was a beat before either of you said anything, a beat where you just looked at each other, wondering whether the other person’s feeling the same way.

"Right, it's not hard," Sebastian straightened in his posture, adjusting your joined hands as he took one deep breath, "just try to follow me, slowly, from one side to another."

Surprisingly, Sebastian was quite a skilled dancer. At first, he did most of the work, guiding your body through each step and turn, getting you comfortable until you were aware enough to follow him quicker and on your own. And you found that it was easy to follow him; your feet, hips, and hands complemented his movements as if you were one.

You weren't sure how long it had been, all you knew was that Sebastian's hands were warm on you, your body feeling as light as a feather as you waltzed around the empty tower. Any tension any of you had felt before was long gone now. Sebastian's smile was soft and his chuckles were a music better than the one of the enchanted violins. Your soul moved in tandem with his and your bold hands pulled his body closer to yours.

If anyone were to glance, you two could easily be mistaken for the dancing ghosts that sometimes appeared around the castle.

"I think it's safe to say you're a natural," Sebastian said in between laughs, amused at the way you were dragging him around now.

You felt the squeeze of his hand on your waist, fingertips tracing the curve of your spine. "It's much more fun than I thought it would be," you told him, just a little breathless. "But I had a good teacher too, I suppose," you teased, tilting your head with a smirk.

You let go of his shoulder then, allowing him to twirl you around and then straight back into his arms. This simple night turned into a moment you'd be happy to live in forever.

Sebastian's own smile gets a little loose and gone when you do this—staying too close, smiling at him, touching—but you seem oblivious to it.

Whatever the future may hold, he was happy to say you were his; if only for this night.

⋆* ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

Read ch 3 here

Thank you for reading this little story. Feedback and reblogs are literally what keep me motivated to continue posting here, so I’d appreciate it if you could take some time to reblog and comment if you want. <3

You do not have permission to repost, copy or translate my works on any platforms (even with credit), please respect.

Sebastian’s taglist: @milkiane @v1ci0us @auxiliare @arawai

[flowerpot-broppy]

Atlantis au

Omg I'm so glad I got all these done before Halloween!!! I LOVE how everyone came out, but moving forward I'm probably just gonna do line art and flat colors cause oof... doing all this took WAY too much effort.

(pt. 2/2)

Thrash - (75) an eccentric millionaire, industrialist, philanthropist, and an old friend of Rosiepuffs from their school days. He only makes public appearances when necessary. Otherwise, he is reclusive and only allows those closest to him to meet with him, often letting his daughter be the figurehead of their business. He is financing the trip to Atlantis due to a long lasting deal he had with Rosiepuff before her passing.

Barb - (23)  the extremely skilled and majorly dangerous daughter of reclusive Millionaire Thrash, began learning combative arts and multiple different languages at an early age, she was introduced to Creek at 17 when she began to learn tactics and firearms training. She currently works as a bodyguard, personal assistant, and chauffeur for her father.

Creek - (24) born into a military family, Creek resolved to follow in his father's footsteps and joined the military at age fifteen. There, he exhibited a remarkable talent for leadership, owing to his analytical mind, charisma, and refusal to acknowledge the white flag surrender. He was recruited to lead the expedition but seems to have his own motives for this little research trip.

Peppy - (8,800+) The King and ruler of Atlantis at the height of its power. In his arrogance, he uses the Heart of Atlantis as a weapon and begins a campaign that sees him conquer and colonize other lands and cultures. This would end up bringing about his downfall as his pride is carried over into his army, which results in the accidental weapons discharge that creates the Great Flood that sinks the city. Additionally, his eldest daughter is chosen by the crystal in an act to save the central city from being destroyed outright. With the city no longer the empire that it once was, and recognizing how his actions brought about their situation, Peppy had virtually all of their history erased and the Crystal locked away in a chamber under the throne room

Viva - (8,800+) previous acting Queen of Atlantis, she tried to help Poppy during the Great Flood, however she was caught and bonded by the crystal light and was carried toward the heart of Atlantis while her crying sister looked on. She took Poppys bracelet with her.

[captainlilyuniverseworld]

Let's Play Pretend

A/N: Karlach really wanted to make her thoughts known and this was the result. Full length on AO3 and as always happy reading

A/N2: If you ever wanna see specific scenarios feel free to poke my inbox :) im enjoying seeing where this goes

Let's Play Pretend

Gale tugged at the sleeve of his robe once more. He used to enjoy going to parties, granted it was often because he was performing feats of magic most people could only dream of doing. But the conversation was also stimulating. 

He wasn't meant to rub elbows with Lords and Ladies. Or rather, he didn't want to. And he was really only there because-

“Gale!” 

Gale let out a soft oof and chuckled as he was enveloped in Karlach’s arms. He hugged her back. She smelled less of sulfur and the hells this time around. More like oranges and sandalwood. It’s warm, but not a burning type that might sear his skin if he’s not careful. It’s comfortable. 

Familial. 

She was happy as they let go of each other. And he admired her choice of attire. Simple, elegant and entirely her. Her dress, Gale notes, is in the Ravengard house colors. Form fitting, sleeveless but with thin straps over her shoulders and a slit up the left side to show off her toned legs. 

“Do you like it?” She does a small twist this way and that. “It was the least god-awful thing I could get them to make me. No movement in anything else ya know? What happens if we have to go into battle?”

“And what would we be fighting?” Gale asked. 

“These stuffed up tarts,” she answered. “Minus Wyll and his father.” 

“If I’d known we’d be doing that, I would have brought my quarterstaff,” Gale joked. She smiled and leaned against the wall next to him with her arms crossed over her chest.

“How ya been Gale? Feels like ages since we’ve seen each other,” she nudged his shoulder. 

“Just about a year I think,” he nodded and sipped his wine. “How have you been?” 

“Oh you know, fighting imps, killing demons…found a forge master fixed my engine right up,” she grinned and tapped her chest. “Part of the reason we're here. Wyll’s been a real friend, keeping up with me in Avernus and first thing I told him once my engine got fixed and could survive out here, we'll take a break so he can spend time with his dad.”

They both looked over and saw Wyll talking with his father. Both Ravengard’s enjoying each other's company. 

“I ain't complaining about the break either. Even got my own little private villa,” Karlach grinned. “And his dad really knows his cigars.” 

Gale smiled. “I'm glad. You deserve it Karlach. You both do.”

“So where's Fangs?” She asked. “Figured he'd be all up for a chance to rub elbows with all these stiffs.”

“He had some business to take care of. We agreed to meet here,” Gale answered. He drank more wine and scanned the room for one of the servers with another tray of glasses. 

“And things are good with you two?” She asked. 

He doesn’t miss the inquiring tone of her voice, borderline skeptical. 

“Of course, why wouldn't they be?” He asked. 

“Just, two of you, kinda sudden ya know? We all go our separate ways then Withers gets us all together and you and Astarion are living together, engaged. I mean fucking hell, am I gonna come back after another year to find out you two adopted or something?” 

Gale snorts into his wine and coughs. He quickly sets the glass on the table to keep from spilling the remainder all over himself and a few people are looking their way. Karlach usher’s him outside to one of the emptier balconies patting his back. 

She’s joking. He knows she’s joking but god’s does that still make him squirm. Marriage, even one of willing convenience is one thing. But a child? He wouldn’t even subject Tara to this kind of life let alone a child. 

She winced and checked over her shoulder to make sure they weren’t being watched by prying eyes. 

“Sorry, sorry,” she apologized. “Bad joke?” 

He coughed and took the napkin she offered to wipe his mouth, and let out a potentially strangled laugh. “Just a bit Karlach.” He patted her shoulder. “And...it just sort of happened.” He wanted his wine. 

“Alright well, how?” She asked. 

“What do you mean?” He frowned. 

“You say it just sort of happened, but you've never actually answered the question. Even then, ‘oh ya know, just one of those whirlwind things’,” she tried to imitate his voice. “‘You know Astarion, he’s never one to do things half-assed.’ ‘Just swept me off my feet…’”

“My voice is not that high,” he crossed his arms over his chest and caught the engagement ring in question on his finger. 

Gold band with ruby center. Diamond’s set on either side. It’d been enchanted, so the only way it was coming off was if Astarion wanted it off or Gale cut off his own finger. He just didn’t have the nerve. 

“It kinda is,” she replied. 

He ran a hand through his hair. “There isn’t much to tell Karlach. It really sort of just…happened. I was surprised as you were but, when he looked at, when he asked me, when he…when he told me, I suppose I got caught up in it all. Isn’t that what they say love is supposed to feel like? Like your hearts caught in a vice?”

“Are you asking me or telling me?” Karlach put her hand on his shoulder. 

“There you are!” 

They parted as if burned. Astarion stood in the open doorway with his hands on his hips. Red eyes flitting between Karlach and Gale. Her hand still hovered in the air from where it’d been on Gale’s shoulder.

Continue

[jacksgreysays]

ooooh glad to see your requests are open again!! how about- "things you said that i wasn't meant to hear" for shikako and kakashi?

Oooh, anon, the first thing that came to my mind with this prompt was pretty mean. Like… I’m going to explain what it was after, but I think it might be TOO mean to actually write in full:

---

Naruto is the one to go through the pictures, of course, the colors faded with age; but the bright blue of his father’s eyes and deep red of his mother’s hair still visible. He presses uncharacteristically gentle hands against the worn fabric of a light pink kitchen apron, a jacket with bold patterns around the red Uzumaki spiral, an unused baby blanket with his name embroidered on it. The soft sentimental things, remnants of a family that should have been, this is what Naruto focuses on as he finally, belatedly, goes through the inheritance that should have been his all along.

Kakashi says nothing, turns away so as to give his student a small amount of privacy, but does not leave him. Not this time.

Down the hall, his other students are focused instead on the more practical items: Weapons and armor. Storage scrolls—some of which are labeled, but the majority of which are not. Fuinjutsu research notes both in Minato-sensei’s slanted chicken scratch and Kushina-san’s looping, cresting hand.

“This is fine,” he hears Sasuke say, no doubt using his Sharingan to pick up any hidden, lingering security techniques. “Something’s weird about that shelf, we should skip it for now.”

“Look at all of this,” Shikako’s words are followed by the rapid rustling of paper. “This is beyond ingenious, this is… this is impossible.”

The part of Kakashi that isn’t constantly grieving feels second hand pride on behalf of his mentor.

“You do the impossible all the time,” Sasuke’s response is somehow flat yet still conveys exasperation.

“Not like this,” she says, her tone absolutely certain, not just the usual flavor of humility and self-doubt. “I can’t even imagine… to have been able to learn from either of them—from both of them?—I would have been able to do so much.”

Sasuke says something after that, but the words don’t make it through to Kakashi. The constantly grieving part of him rises swiftly as guilt, flooding his ears with white noise. Because he knows Shikako would never imply it, but he can hear it anyway:

Had she been Minato-sensei’s student, had she been the child practically adopted by Kushina-san through force of will alone, had she been there, then, if it had been her…

She would have been able to do so much better than Kakashi did.

—

Okay, it’s pretty short and I took a lot of the sting out of it, but the original idea was basically going to JUST be Shikako and Kakashi going through some of Minato’s old fuinjutsu notes and then Shikako kind of accidentally implying that had Kakashi bothered to learn under Konoha’s, perhaps, greatest fuinjutsu master (I think Minato apparently perfected a lot of things Tobirama only had protoypes for?) then a lot of tragedies, both personal and public, wouldn’t have happened or been as bad. I think the meanest one that came to me was that Rin wouldn’t have died since Minato had been working on a way to temporarily transfer a jinchuuriki seal from a person onto an item—probably in preparation for Naruto’s birth—such that they both could have made it home to Konoha where then the actual sealing masters could fix the seal on Rin which, uhhhhh, so sorry Kakashi T_T

There were other things like—a student of a sealing master (especially one that had Sharingan) would have noticed and been able to tweak or remove ROOT seals or find Orochimaru’s fucked up laboratories, etc. etc.

Just me bullying Kakashi, the saddest string bean in the world.

But at least I made it a little nicer? Oof, soooo sorry, anon, I can’t really think of anything else that is as meanly compelling as this.

[casinotrio1965]

Disney Descendants: Who Where You? Before they Broke Your Heart?

By Me and @hannahhook7744

Summary: In one world, the likes of Kyle White, Joyce 'Joy' Foxworth, Haul Bjorgman, and Amira Bint Aladdin Bin Cassim Al Hamad of Agrabah were a part of Hannah Hook's crew. 

This is not that world. 

(Part of the Killer Queen Universe).  .....

“Well this outta be good” Joy, now sixteen, said as she pressed play on the old video camera.

The video wobbled as the person holding it ran around erratically. Taking sharp turns around counters and giggling—only to almost immediately run into a pair of legs. 

“Oof.”

“I wonder who’s video camera this is,” Joy said out loud to herself and no one else.

“Nadia? What are you doing with Luke's camera?” An unfamiliar girl, around Joy’s age, giggled. Kneeling down to the camera’s eye level to reveal that the girl wasn't so unfamiliar after all…

Because it was Hannah Hook.

“Holy cow... is that our new ruler who destroyed my father’s old home and EVERYTHING that I’ve cared about?!” Joy shrieked, suddenly becoming more angry.

The one holding the camera didn't seem afraid, however. No, instead she just giggled harder. “Se-kret!” 

Which in turn caused Hannah herself to giggle as she took the camera from her. “Don't tell Luke see you with this thing or he'll never make you cookies again.”

“Huh, she is kinda cute for a nutcase .. maybe I can use this video as dirt against her?”  Joy thought out loud, weighing the pros and cons.

The camera spun around to show a little tan girl with long black hair and big brown eyes in a white dress. She looked to be around two or three years old, and just pouted at the camera.

She was holding a tiny stuffed monkey. 

Joy wasn't seeing any kind of dirt so far which frustrated her, though she did wonder how some one so cute could go completely bonkers.  

“Hey! Has anyone seen my camera?! That thing cost me sixteen apples?!” A voice in the distance called. 

“SH–SUGAR HONEY ICE TEA!” Hannah swore, nearly dropping the camera before quickly shutting it off. 

“Well that wasn’t helpful! “ Joy muttered.  “Well maybe... if I go back to where I found the camera there might be more dirt somewhere!”  ....

“Why are we doing this again?” Kyle gripped. Wiping the sweat from his brow as he dug in one area of the abandoned house on the isle where Joy had found the abandoned camera. 

“Because Joy wanted us to?” Haul suggested quietly, his long blonde bangs falling in his face. Searching another part of the house. Just as sweaty as Kyle was. 

Which, if you asked Joy, they deserved for wearing black leather jackets on such a hot day when she had clearly told them they were going exploring.

They should have taken a page out of Amira’s book and worn short sleeves and lightly colored clothes but nooooo…. They just had to wear their leather jackets. 

“Because we are looking for more tapes for the camera” Joy responded, rolling her eyes.

“Why do you even care about that stupid camera so much?” Kyle grumbled. Rolling his eyes as he threw some of the random junk that had been left behind across the room and out of his way. 

Right into Haul’s way. 

He said nothing, as usual.

Amira, on the other hand….“Hey!”

Joy rolled her again, though she was starting to admit that maybe this was a stupid idea after all. Not out loud of course but still… “ I care Because I just do ok ?! “ Joy Snapped.

Kyle didn't accept that for an answer, unlike the other two because of course the son of Snow White just had to be as difficult as always. “You haven't even told us what's on the crappy thing. You can't blame us for being curious.”

“Ok fine! You know the girl who destroyed Neverland and took over Auradon? Well she’s in this camera.”

“WHAT?!” ....

The camera was less shaky this time as it ever so slowly zoomed in on a sleeping Hannah Hook, from when she was about ten.

Her face was pressed up against the steering wheel of a ship, which she was leaning on. No, practically laying on as she sat on a barrel. 

 “Well that’s an  uncomfortable looking way to sleep” Kyle muttered. “Who Would film someone while they slept ?” Amira questioned.

The camera turned out to reveal a giggling ten year old boy with red hair and green eyes—one who looked and dressed suspiciously similar to Hannah Hook's right hand man, Luke Tremaine-Westergaard. 

“I told her she drools and yet—” he zoomed in further on the brunette. “There she is! Here's my proof, Bam-Bam!”

“Lame! Who says Bam-bam?” Kyle asked, rolling his eyes.  

“It's clearly a nickname you idiot.” Amira snapped, clearly tired of his non-stop complaining. 

“Will you two be quiet like Haul ?!  I’m trying to see if there's more !” Joy snapped at both of them.

The brunettes both rolled their eyes. But only Kyle spoke. “Haul’s always quiet!”

“Yeah and you two could learn a thing from him, ” Joy muttered under her breath”.

The camera turned off. .....

“Hannah?” The boy from earlier called out. Zooming in on the girl in question, who looked about seven now instead of the ten in the other video.

Seven and holding a bundle of something in her arms.

“Yes?”

“What's that?”

“...a… small human?”

The camera hit the ground, causing the video to shake as a pair of running sneakers came into view. “No!”

Hannah could still be heard in the background, yelling “yes!” As a baby gurgled. 

“Why is she holding that baby?” Joy wondered. 

“I heard a rumor that she has a lot of little kids in her crew…” Haul quietly replied from where he sat a little aways from  the rest of them. As he always did.

“So her crew consists of babies ?” Kyle snorted. “Apparently,” Joy replied.

“He didn't say it consisted only of babies. He just said there's a lot of them.” Amira pointed out. “And he would know, seeing as her crew did destroy his home and family.”

Joy had forgotten that. “Gosh Haul I’m so sorry that happened to you” Joy said to the blonde even though it was cold comfort.

The blonde didn't look up from his lap. ....

A loud scream rang out as the next tape played.

“Man could they scream any louder ?” Kyle Complained. “Turn the volume down !”

“Fine whatever.” Joy responded, rolling her eyes as she turned the volume down.

The screaming continued as the camera zoomed out to reveal a ten year old Hannah Hook, screaming bloody murder as she clung to a fourteen year old Harry Hook's back. 

All while he looked down at a cat sized spider with thinly veiled disdain.

“Woah, that spider is HUGE!” Joy exclaimed.

“I think he looks friendly.” Haul mumbled.

“You think EVERY ANIMAL looks friendly !” Amira snorted.

“MAKE IT GO AWAY! MAKE IT GO AWAY!” the ten year old wailed. Looking pale. 

“I wonder if she’s still scared of spiders ?..” Joy mused, secretly thinking of a revenge plan in her head. Then there was this voice in her head saying NO ! Revenge is not the answer. What she needs is some serious help! “Nevermind it’s stupid idea” Joy muttered out loud.

“Aw man, I wanted to see where that thought was going.” Kyle whined. 

They all ignored him.

“Hold your bloody horses, I'm going.” Harry huffed, before holding out his hook towards the spider—glaring. “Shoo!”

The spider didn't move an inch. 

“I said shoo you bloody menace!”

“Is that the brother who was executed by King Beast?” Amira asked.

“Former King.” Kyle corrected. “and yes.”

 Poor Hannah..” Haul said sympathetically. 

Kyle almost looked as if he agreed with the other boy. 

“You guys might have a point .. “ Joy mused. “Losing your older sibling can’t be easy…”

Harry scowled down at the spider and kicked it, causing it to hiss and scurry off. Basically the spider version of a bad guy’s ‘I’ll be back!’ speech. 

Hannah whimpered and buried her face in the ravenette’s shoulder. Still hiccuping. “Is it gone?”

“Aww poor Hannah .. that spider was so mean !” Joy started. “ Guys .. I think Hannah Hook needs a support group ..”

“Don't let your parents hear that or they might disown you.” Kyle mumbled. “She did still destroy Neverland, even if she didn't kill most of its population.”

“True.. but honestly.. I don’t know WHAT to think anymore!” Joy replied. ....

“Hi Luke! Sorry I tooks your camera but I hads to make this video somehows since our bir-th-day is coming up ands I wanted to gives yous a gift!’ a six year old Hannah Hook rambled as the camera turned on. 

She had two missing front teeth and a freshly healing black eye as she wiggled around in the oversized coat, dress, and boots she was wearing. The oversized hat on her head sliding down her face. 

Yet she was smiling.

“So here it ‘tis! My gift to you!”

She started to tap her foot. 

“Yo! My b-best friend, b-best friend 'til the very end!”

She stumbled slightly.“Ok I CAN’T take this anymore!” Joy shouted. “ I Can’t believe I'm saying this but I feel sorry for Hannah Hook !”

“Same.” Haul was, surprisingly or not depending on who you asked, the first to agree with her. 

“Me too..”Amira sighed. 

“Ditto.” Kyle replied, far less reluctant than anyone was expecting.

“There’s gotta be a way for her to step down peacefully!”  Joy said.

“'Cause b-best friends, b-best friends don't have to pre-tand!” Hannah hopped from one foot to the other, stumbling back. A nervous smile on her face as her goggles slid down her nose. “You need a hand?”

She held out her hand before pointing out at herself. “and I'm right theres right be-sides you!”

“So ..anyone got any ideas for how we get her to step down?” Kyle asked.

“None whatsoever. I'm bad with people…” Haul  winced. “But… then again, maybe if we treat her like an abused cat—”

“Would that work or would it just piss her off more?” Amira interrupted.

“We have to try,” Joy said with a determined expression.

“You in the dark? I'll bes da bri-ght light to guide you!” Hannah fell forward onto the camera, causing it to turn off. 

“Come on guys, “ Joy said. “ We have a scared little girl to see.”

The End

[therottenkingsreckoning]

As it turns out, writing the sections after the big reveal are significantly harder. Nevertheless, I have completed another chapter for you, and have plans for many more!

As bonus, I'll also add at the bottom the lil clipart that inspired the Emperor's Treasure. Nothing special, but I might as well include it.

Enjoy!

~Little Flame, Chapter 6~

Frank loved bugs. The shimmering beetles and bright butterflies; cute fluffy moths & beautiful, deadly mantises and hardworking ants. Even the creatures that weren't technically bugs: spiders spinning their webs, snails with their elegant spiral shells, worms crawling blissfully under the dirt. As much as he loved studying them, they loved to catch them even more, the thrill of the hunt and the joy of exploring all in one. It was his favorite thing to do.

And today was the perfect day for it.

Net in hand, they scanned the horizon, eyes landing on the shimmer of a beetle's wings amongst the leaves. A pretty thing, orange and blue and white, as yet unaware of the approaching scientist. Slowly creeping forward from a crouched position, he took the swing and-

WHAP!

"Gotcha!" Frank shouted triumphantly, holding the scuttling insect inside their net. Quickly scooping it into a jar, he stood up, hissing and groaning as their joints protested the movement. "Oof, I'll have to get used to that," he said, hand on the growing belly that stuck out of their shirt. "You make this hard to do right now."

He was about 20 weeks in by now, Frank had kept track of that. Both for their own love of organized notes and with the encouragement of Jaya, who was naturally eager to be kept abreast of his health and the baby's. My baby, he thought contentedly. They still couldn't believe that it was actually true. All those daydreams & what-ifs, all the things he'd only imagined they'd ever have- all of that was real now. He had a home to call their own, a bunch of friends, a husband to love and who loved them back. And soon, a family.

"daydreamin' love?" A familar voice piped up from behind him, the mailman stepping off the road to stand beside them in the shade of the trees.

"Eddie!" Frank exclaimed. "What a pleasant surprise. You're not normally over in this part of the woods."

"Well, thought I'd drop by and see how you're doin'," Eddie said with a chuckle. "Even if it does mean being in the... buggy part of town."

"Aww, my brave man," Frank teased, kissing him sweetly. "You don't need to worry about me sweetheart, I'm doing fine. Just, well, thinking about our little one."

"I still can't believe that's true!" Eddie said, "I'm gonna be a daddy soon." He pulled his mate into a careful hug, the cautious, floaty grasp he'd been doing for several weeks.

Frank let out a huff, making the concious effort to squeeze him tighter. "Oh honestly, you treat me like I'm some china doll right now. I promise I won't break if you hug me. I'm stronger than that."

Eddie broke away and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I-I know that's probably true," he said. "But Poppy told me..."

"Poppy worries," Frank stated matter-of-factly. "She worries constantly about everything. Last thing I need right now is both of y-"

He froze, eyes wide as a flash of color suddenly appeared over their husband's shoulder. There was no mistaking it: the rosy and curlicued wings of an Emperor's Treasure.

On instinct they crouched down low, motioning Eddie to do the same. "I never thought I'd see one in person," they breathed in awe. "They're so rare!"

Eddie turned to look at what was so important behind him, then carefully crept out of range of mate, chuckling softly. He knew what was about to happen.

Slowly, cautiously, Frank raised their net. This was it. The prized jewel of their collection, the one he'd longed for for ages. If they could just catch this one, all his dreams would come true. They tensed his muscles, aimed and-

WHAP!

The net hit empty tree bark, its prey fluttering quickly off to settle on a different branch.

"Aww, ya almost had it!" Eddie laughed, starting to rise from his spot. "You'll get it next-"

WHAP!

Another miss. The butterfly flew higher now into the branches of the tree, seeming almost to mock Frank with its refusal to run away entirely. They started to reach up, preparing to climb, but a hand on his shoulder stopped them. "H-hey now darlin," Eddie started, all laughter suddenly gone from his voice, "please don't be climbin' things right now. I know you want it, but that's really not-"

Frank shrugged him off without a word. Their mind was a lazer beam of focus at this moment, a frenzied loop of the single desire to catch. that. bug. he scaled up, net in mouth until they reached a point where he could swing, the butterfly so close that he could practically already feel it in their hands. Releasing one hand from the branch it was holding, he began to pull the net from their mouth, preparing to take his shot.

It might've been the strange position he was in, the unaccustomed added weight put on a single branch admittedly just a bit too small to support it. But suddenly, with a horrid CRACK the branch splintered and broke, the scientist letting out a yelp of shock that was drowned out by Eddie's scream of "FRANK!!!"

Wind rushed out of Frank's lungs as they collided with something on the ground. Or rather, two somethings, those being the arms of his husband who had dove to catch them. "Frank..." Eddie grumbled, not yet looking up from where his face had hit the dirt.

Above, the butterfly soared on, its brilliant pink hues disappearing into the sky. "Oh, hurry!" Frank exclaimed, reaching around for his net. "There's still time, I can-"

"Frank."

"Just gotta-"

"FRANK YA AIN'T LISTENIN' TO ME!!!!"

Frank paused, hand still reaching out towards the net. It wasn't just the sudden shout- a thing Eddie rarely did at all- but the undeniable note of pain inside his words. They turned to look at him, and as they'd suspected he was...crying, fear and anger and grief plain to read on his face.

"Eddie..."

He sniffled. "I love you. I... Frank, I love you both so much." His voice was small and fragile now, his hand laid over his partner's belly. "Can't begin to tell ya...how happy being a father makes me."

Frank carefully put a hand over their love's, looking into his teary eyes.

"And..." the man continued, "I don't...I don't know what I'd do if I lost either of ya. And I know ya think I'm overreactin', I know ya think it doesn't matter, but...p-please...please just..."

"Ok."

Eddie looked up at this, and met Frank's eyes which themselves were now brimming with tears. Gently cupping his face with a hand, they went on. "I'm sorry. You're right, I wasn't considering you or the baby at all. That's not fair to you."

They sighed. "And you're right. Much...much as I hate to admit it, I do need to be more careful now. At least until the baby's born." He straightened up and said "from now on, no more catching bugs."

Eddie chuckled weakly, wiping the tears from his eyes. "W-well, I wouldn't go that far. I just don't want ya climbin' trees about it or nothin'."

"Ah."

"I wouldn't be that mean." he pulled his mate into another hug this time, squeezing tighter than before although he was still taking care not to press too tight.

"You're not mean," Frank huffed gently, leaning gratefully into the embrace. "I get it, you do it because you love us."

They kissed him. "And we love you too."

[gamerbearmira]

Trinkets - Ballet au

Alma had asked all three of her balletos to visit her in her room for something very important. Her face was stern, and her steps were quick paced. The three grandkids didn’t know what was going on but decided to follow her anyway. Once all four madrigals were in her room, she closed the door and her face softened. She turned back around to face them with a smile. 

“Ok, now that I have you here, I have something special for all of you” Alma walked over to her bed where three items were neatly placed on it. 

“Mirabel, you first” Alma smiled softly as she picked up one of the items, her first pointe shoe from when she was 16 years old. Mirabel stepped closer to her abuela, slight confusion etched in her features. 

“Abuela?” Mirabel’s brow lifted as she stared at the shoes. 

“I got these shoes when I was just sixteen years old. I was so happy to the point where I was fighting with myself on whether I should take them off” the older woman chuckled at the memory. “Now with a little polishing and some magic, they are now…yours”

Alma hands her the pointe shoes and Mira…just stared in shock and awe. She didn’t know what to say or do. After a few seconds Mirabel takes the pointe shoes and some tears fall down her cheeks. 

“Th- thank you abuela” 

Alma pulled Mirabel into a tight hug and patted her head “It’s ok nieta, no need to cry”. Mirabel hugged her back tightly and after a few moments she let go. The young girl took a moment to really grasp the situation and sat on Alma’s bed, just thinking about how long Alma had the shoes and how important they are. 

The next two items on the bed were for Luisa, a silk bow and the beaded magenta bracelet. Alma picked the two items up and walked up to Luisa. 

“These are for you, nieta. This bow-” Alma gestured to Luisa to bend her head down and she obliged. After a few seconds the light pink bow was tied into Luisa’s bun, “was something I put on every time I practiced in my younger years, and now it belongs to you.”

Luisa was too stunned and well…grateful to speak. Before she could say anything Alma then put on the magenta colored bracelet on her wrist. She, Mirabel, and Antonio already know the sentimental value behind but now…it’s hers. Hers to keep and cherish for as long as she could. Like Mirabel, she let the water works flow out. 

After another minute or two of comforting Luisa it was now Antonio’s turn for his gift. He really didn’t get why his primas were crying and continuously asked them if they were ok. Alma took the final item off the bed and kneeled down to Antonio’s level. 

“Now tonito, this final item is for you” The older woman revealed to him a music box. “I used to dance to the music it made all the time at your age and so much older” she took a necklace off her neck and at the end of it revealed a key. 

She put the key into the keyhole and twisted it around. After a few turns she stopped and the small circular box opened to reveal a small twirling dancer. The little person spun as the music played out of it. 

“Wow…” Antonio stared in awe as the little dancer that spun. Tonito carefully took the music box and Alma placed the key around his neck.

Now Antonio isn’t stupid, he’s fully aware of how important the thing in his hand is and he highly appreciates it. “Thank you Abuela, I promise I’ll never break it!” 

“Wh…why are you giving these to us?” Mirabel finally spoke up after practically crying while clutching her gift in her hands. 

“Because you all worked hard for it so you deserve it- oof!” Before she could say anything else all three grandchildren crushed into a tight loving hug. 

As the days & weeks pass the three balletos can’t find it in themselves to really part with their gifts outside of their room or Casita. Luisa refuses to wear her bow or bracelet when doing chores just barely wears them while practicing. 

Mirabel won’t put on the pointe shoes unless she’s performing. And even then she hates it because she doesn’t want to scuff them up. Antonio mostly uses the music box when he draws, reads, or feels like dancing to the music. If you ever catch him doing it, it’s an adorable sight. 

-

Idea 1:

Just for funsies, let’s add Bruno to the ballet thing (but only if it’s ok with you). Now this man just barely has Antonio’s experience in ballet. But he’s only there to bond with his mama and be a total goof in the studio otherwise. I imagine that if he stayed in the au, his gift isn’t in high demand so he could pop in and “practice” from time to time. 

But, when it came to the nutcracker he actually did perform surprisingly well. Granted he improvised because he didn’t know much ballet at the time but he’s a theater kid so he made it work. And trust me, it took EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING in him to gather the courage to play the role. And it took even more courage for him to not run off stage. 

Of course Alma had him wear the beaded bracelet and yes he took a picture after the play and it hangs up in the studio next to the others. Alma is a little upset that she doesn’t have a trinket for her to give him but she’s trying to find something. 

Idea 2; 

When it’s a no practice day Alma likes to share stories from when she was younger and doing ballet or just stories in general. Bruno, Luisa, Mirabel, and Antonio love listening and it’s a great bonding experience for them. 

Idea 3: 

After Antonio gets his gift he absolutely slays the role of Snow white in plays and he knows it very much. 

Idea 4 angst tehe: 

The other three grandkids + pepa feel like Alma doesn’t notice them as much anymore. Mostly at dinners Alma talks about whatever new skill one of them learned or the conversation surrounds all of them and ballet. 

Julieta, Agustin, and Felix don’t mind it at all. They actually find the way their kids/brother/mom light up when they discuss the topic adorable. Whenever the other three grandkids try to discuss what their day was like it just gets brushed off and the attention is focused on Mirabel again, and by extension the others. 

The way I see things; Alma helps Mirabel, Luisa, and Antonio get better at their ballet skillset every other day of the week for hours at a time. 

Mirabel’s schedule is from Monday to Friday for 3-5 hours. Early morning from 9am to 12 or 9am to 1pm. 

Luisa’s schedule is from Monday to Wednesday for 3 hours. Afternoon from 1pm to 3pm or 12pm to 2pm.  

Antonio’s schedule is every weekend for an hour each. So his sessions are from 1pm to 2pm or 2pm to 3pm. 

I’m not sure whether Bruno would have a clear schedule but I’m sure he would prefer weekends. 1 hour each after Antonio, but only if Alma isn’t too tired. 

So, I’m not really sure if Alma would really have time for the others, but honestly tell me what you think. I could honestly see a rift between the grandkids because of it but I’m not so sure. But also…do you think Casita would collapse in the au or not?

THIS IS SO CUTEEEEEEE……

Alma keeping that stuff for all those years and then. Giving to them. That’s so sweet I’m gonna cry. And she gave it away, and they were fully understanding as well. She definitely was so happy when they accepted them. Also it’s so sad but so sweet how they don’t want to use it outside their rooms. Like. Dies.

So if Bruno was in the AU, it’s entirely by accident. He had been contemplating on coming back. He has the same vision (or not, it might be different, not sure yet), and he saw that Mirabel and Alma were close. The cracks weren’t…as bad, and the magic seemed fine. So he was really thinking of coming back. How he needed up down ballet by accident, he was in the studio at night, checking it out. Alma came in cause she forgot something and Bruno managed to convince her he was a figment of her imagination and it was dream.

Yeah that’s what he thought. She was like “Oh if this is a dream. Then I can teach you ballet as well.” Bruno had no choice but to play along 😭 he really thought he had her fooled. But by the 3rd or 4th session, she had figured it out. And after she revealed he did, she managed to convince him to come back. He still continued ballet, and yes, since his gift wasn’t in demand, he would be able to do it more often.

Yes, Alma loves telling stories, tbh she’s actually got a lot of them, you’d be surprised 💀 Antonio indeed does, he had his animals play in the play in exchange for food.

Alma does notice them, they just don’t realize it 😭 they just don’t really make an effort to try and communicate cause they’re scared of how she’ll react. But she won’t realize what’s happening if they don’t TALK. And they just think that, but Alma regularly talks to them and says things to them. Literally any given time she’s not in the studio, she’d be talking to literally anyone else. It’s insane what tunnel vision can do 😨

And the other adults not minding makes sense, they see it as Alma not being so uptight and strict all the time. Also, if they just speak up, Alma might actually try and engage in conversation. Let it be Isabela, suddenly no one has a problem 🤨

I think the schedules would work. On the days she can, Mirabel would probably try and dance with Luisa in the afternoons, and then come and watch Antonio on the weekends <3333

[lostonehero]

What remains after eternity

Moving forward and backwards

"Jonny, before you leave, I am being hailed." Aurora grabs Jonny with mechanical hands.

"And my brats left before this came through." Jonny sighs. "Alright, I'll answer it." He watches a screen pop up as he is placed down. Tim had followed his brats. "This is Jonny D'ville first mate of the Aurora."

"Captain!" Aurora corrects.

A woman with an eye almost identical to Tim's except for the color of the glow appears. Her normal eye is yellow with scales surrounding it. She had bolts in her neck and tall metal antenna from her head that both seemed to spew electricity. She smiled as she had too many sharp teeth in her mouth. "Aha! This explains the sudden hail. I am Isabella Drezturn. You may refer to me as Izzy. I am the scientist of the Dread Knot. It's quite nice to finally meet the man the others talk about."

"My brats talk about you guys a lot." Jonny crossed his arms. "We do have plans on getting to Xeonia. However, for the moment, we are in Thanos."

"Ah, that is good to know, we were preparing to leave since we've done all we could here, and it's currently thriving. Would you like us to meet you guys or wait here?" Izzy smiles seemingly relaxing. "I didn't think it would have taken this long, and I want to apologize for making them wait so long. We also do have to find Lazarus. He took the wrong ship again."

Jonny smiles softly. "We found him..." The screen glitches, and he gives a soft oof as two people crash into him.

"Lazarus what the fuck?" Mae growls. "I'm allowed time with my husband." She grabs Laz by the neck as they both scramble to their feet. "You know what you've been avoiding him for ages you fuck. What the fuck do you have against him?"

Laz purposely looks away. "I don't have to tell you shit."

Jonny jumped up, grabbing both of them by the ear. "How about you both shut the fuck up."

"Oh hi, dad!" Mae growls. "I'm still mad at you."

Jonny clears his throat, and his voice is strict and sends shivers on the four that hear it. "Lazarus explain to my daughter, and Sallie Mae, you will explain the husband comment."

Laz swallows. "I knew Noel... er Charlie before I was turned into an acolyte."

Mae looks at the ground. "Charlie is my husband. We've got an open marriage, and we always seem to come back to each other, so it makes sense to us. That's why I have the golden ring on my tail."

Jonny sighs. "Fine. Now go say hi to your crewmate." He motions to the screen.

Mae's eyes light up. "Hi Izzy! We found Laz before you."

"You didn't find me, Brian found me." Laz smiles softly.

"So you knew Charlie when he was going by Noel?" Mae smirks.

Laz huffs. "Don't push it."

"I'm glad to see you're not drifting in space." Izzy sighs. "I'll let you three talk. Just let me or Hal know if you want us to come to you guys." She signs off.

Jonny turns back to Laz and Mae. "I'm disappointed you didn't tell me you were married." He turns his gaze directly to Laz. "Face your past for my daughter, or I'm stranding you here to find a way back."

"Understood." Laz rubs his arm.

Mae flinched. "I'm sorry."

"And since I found you first, tell your two brothers and one sibling that they lose and no day trip to the Vegas quadrant." Jonny sighs. "I have to find Tim. Join me if you want, but I'm heading out."

"Motherfucker." Mae groans. "Come on, you sad sack, we're going back, and you're talking to Charlie."

"I want my husband." Laz scowls.

"I want my husband too so fuck off shut up and come on." Mae throws him over her shoulder.

Jonny smiles watching them leave.

"I do not like that tone of voice." Aurora interrupts once the pair left.

"Get used to it. I'm a father, Aurora. You have to figure out a voice to get your kids to listen." Jonny rolls his eyes. "Where the fuck did Carmillia go?"

"She is hiding on your mother's ship, refusing to set foot on the planet." Aurora pauses. "It is quite amusing to tease her."

"Well, have fun. I'm heading out and alert me if she gets out so we can leave her here." Jonny takes out his harmonica to play.

Aurora gives a thumbs up.

......

"You don't belong here." A New Texan growls low and dangerous.

Marius flinched. "I'm just... we're just..."

Janet popped up from his back, cursing in New Texan. She hopped off, confronting the other woman.

Ashes raised a brow. "My New Texan is rusty, but I think this is actually a eugenics argument."

Brian blinks. "You're right."

Marius slowly stepped back. "We can just go another way. I'm sure it will be fine."

Ashes grabbed Lyf and shook their head. "Don't, Marius has dealt with this shit too often, and it's a response we don't try to change in case he gets cornered by himself."

"What Ashes means to say is that when Marius stands up for himself in these situations, he is out numbered and out gunned. As you can see by the others coming out of the sand." Brian stopped. "Fuck it's a ambush."

Ashes pulls out their lighter, gearing for a fight when loud screams were heard and gone as the group was dragged deep into the sand.

Marius blinks. "Um...."

A man comes into focus. "I told you that we didn't find all of them."

A deeper voice from a mouth in his neck huffs. "Maybe next time we check the borders!"

"You insufferable me -" The man stops as Janet rushed him.

"Hiya fledgling long time no see. Thanks for the save. You know how these eugenics fucks are." Janet chuckles.

"Aha, it has been a while." The deep voice seems fond. "Who are you traveling with? I don't recognize them."

Lyf approaches slowly. "You know this guy?"

"Guys, Arthur is the blind one using the normal mouth, and John is his eyes and the mouth on his neck. Yeah, we've run into him a few times, well me and Trevor, less so with everyone." Janet smiles. "Ah, they're the fledgling God together. This is Lyfrassir Edda, Yog Sogoth acolyte. The Xeon is Marius. The dermoid is Brian. Ashes.... I'm not actually familiar with your species."

"Where is your brother?" Arthur raised a brow. "He promised us a game of chess. Uh Trevor not Thomas."

"I knew who you were talking about." Janet shrugs. "He was sleeping when I left, and Mae was already deep into exploring."

"What do you mean by fledgling?" Brian crossed his arms.

"You're the new god." Lyf hums.

"I wouldn't call us new, but compared to the others, that would be correct." Arthur sighs. "It's a bit complicated." He dusts himself off with one hand and turns to march forward. "You would think that the ripple would bring the best or the ones who need help. However, it indiscriminately takes what it plesees and you -" He is cut off as he falls down a hole.

Janet snickers. "Think that's a new record."

"Fuck you." Arthur and John say at the same time.

The four exchange glances.

........

Marius didn't mind Arthur and John. They seemed nice and mostly harmless. His arm hurt, though, just right where he was given the vaccine. He knew he was lagging behind, his limbs just felt like they were filled with lead. His head felt like it was being filled with cotton. He had a feeling that he wasn't going to be sticking around for whatever was happening next. He only shut his eyes for a moment, but he couldn't see the group ahead of him. Someone was speaking, but he couldn't make out what was being said. His vision went black as he fell on the sand.

Byron woke up holding his head. The people who took him on their ship were weird and had very strong drinks. He didn't think they liked him, but he didn't understand what they were saying. He looked down, seeing the metal arm he was still getting used to. That was still there. He suddenly sat up, realizing he wasn't on the ship.

"Whoa, relax. Byron, just breathe, won't ya?" It was a woman with long hair speaking the only language Byron knew. He knew her voice. "Never thought I would see you again."

Byron gladly takes the warm mug of a bright red liquid. "Misery."

"The one and only." Misery laughs. "How'd you even get stuck in the desert?"

"Desert?" Byron furrows his brows. "No, I was on a ship. A doctor made me a new arm and took me aboard. Have they finally let me go home?"

Misery frowns and sits next to Byron. "Byron...." She sighs. "Maybe we can figure this out together. It's been a while since I've seen you, buried Zaza a long time ago and our brother I don't know what happened to him." She held an expression on her features. Byron didn't quite understand, but she looked tired.

"How long has it been?" Byron gripped his mug shaking.

"Breathe. I'll explain everything." Misery smiles. "I've written so much of this down to record, but I'll start at the beginning like all good history lessons."

Byron cracked a small smile staring at his sister. Misery was tall and built like a wall. She was broken, her own heat mate killed in the conflict, causing her to look different than a normal Xeon. She had two large leathery wings covered in eyes that she kept folded on her back. Her ears were longer than Byron's. She had curled horns on the top of her head. She even had a mouth on her stomach. Although he didn't really recognize the outfit she was wearing. He didn't dwell on it as she started to explain everything.

Mister held both of Byron's hands. "That's why I have to ask, how much time has passed for you? Did you get sucked through the ripple? Byron, you have to believe me."

Byron was crying. "I don't... I don't know. The last thing I remember is being on that weird empty ship. I.... what do you mean I went through heat?"

Misery gently guides Byron's hands to his horns, and she listens to the soft gasp. "Come on, I've got a lab on my ship."

"You have a ship too?" Byron wipes his eyes.

"I have a lot of things, comes with age and time. Let's figure this out together. I honestly thought you died when you vanished eons ago. Didn't think you would have been experimented on and kidnapped." Misery smiles, trying to joke.

"I don't actually know if they even wanted anything." Byron hums. "Tell me more about eternity and...." a name extremely distorted from his lips. "Is it alright working for them?"

"Now I don't really work for them. I do my own thing. However I can tell you about my friends." Misery smiles. "Some of them even stuck around."

"So please tell me I've missed you a lot. I wonder who my mate is. Can't be any of the people I was traveling with. None of them are Xeon like us." Byron hums. "I wonder if they're tall."

"If our partner survives the heat, we can bond with other species." Misery chuckles with the soft gasp.

"Have you tried again since it's been so long?" Byron tilted his head.

"I wanted to. I just haven't found the right creature." Misery pats Byron's back. "Come on, let's find this group that took you to get answers."

Byron nods.

Misery's ship wasn't anything fantastical, but her lab was fascinating. "Now this will sting." She takes a large needle syringe and takes blood from Byron.

Byron waits a creeping dread was filling his mind. It felt like worrying that wasn't his own filling his thoughts. "Misery?"

"What is it?" Misery was looking at the results feeding Byron's blood into the computer.

Byron bit his lip, blood threatened to spill. "I... uh...." He hugs himself tight. "I think something is wrong with my mate." He's seen too many of his friends on the battlefield collapse in anguish from losing their mate. Is this how it starts? He remembers that when Misery lost hers, he could never forget those screams.

Misery whipped her head around and gasped in relief. "No, Byron. No, you're, they're ok. Didn't I teach you how the heat bond works? You have a piece of them, and they have a piece of you. They are probably worried they can't find you. I can tell by the levels of hormones in your blood that this bond is quite new and it's not uncommon for memory to be an issue in the beginning, but this also means you didn't bond to a fellow Xeon." She turns back to the results. "But this doesn't make sense."

"W-what?" Byron could feel his own worry mix with his partner's.

"It says you've got the virus, but that would mean you would be nearly as old as I am with how long it's been in your system." Misery frowns. "I think there must be a mistake. You look nearly identical, save for the metal arm from the day you were drafted to fight."

"You -" Byron is cut off by a bright rainbow static he tries to block the brightness with his metal arm.

"Oh thank the fucking gods you're ok!" The blue skinned being runs at Byron pulling him into a hug.

Relief floods Byron's system as he relaxes into this stranger. No, not a stranger, his mate. This was his mate. He didn't know their name or species, but that didn't exactly matter. He returned the embrace with all the force he could muster.

Misery clocked the interaction almost immediately and smiled. "You must be Byron's mate."

The being spun around to see Misery. "I uh... I don't know what you said." They responded in common.

Misery raised a brow but began to speak in a language Byron didn't know.

"My name is Lyfrassir Edda.... he's reverted that far back again?.... er, yes, it's been happening a while." Lyf nodded and sat next to Byron. "I don't know how long exactly..... uh yes actually Yog Sogoth.... no, Byron isn't. He's a Mechanism. Of course, I know who Jonny is he attempted to poison my drink like two days ago and refuses to tell me what he used because it tastes good."

Lyfrassir Edda, that was a very nice name. Byron stared at Lyf, not understanding a lick of the conversation. Lyf was very, very, very nice looking. He wanted to hold his hand. This was his mate. The one who survived against his heat. Would he even like him like this? He had a metal arm, and he wasn't their species. He has a soft looking tail, too. He wanted to study every inch of them so he couldn't just forget who and what his mate was. He makes a small yelp noise, feeling his tail get interwind with Lyf's. His face was lit up with a bright blush. He wasn't some teenager anymore. He wasn't... he had a mate, and he... he was amazing.

Lyf paused, looking over at Byron. "Oh! I'm sorry, do you want me to move my tail back? I don't wish to make you uncomfortable."

Maybe it's a combination of not being able to understand anyone or just his hormones because Lyf is his mate, but Byron leaned forward and locked his lips with Lyf's. He even tasted like a dream. He could feel a twinge in his back and can recall when Misery got her wings and how they lost their fur and grew armor and eyes when her mate was killed. Of course, this mate bond was new he hasn't gotten his wings yet. Oh, Lyf was in his lap now.

Misery cleared her throat. "I will leave you two to get this out of your system. The new information will help." She waves to the two men as Byron was tugging off Lyf's clothes.

......

"I'm not actually mad at you." Mae rubs her arm as she looks out the window of the hyper rail.

"I... I know." Laz sighs. "Your dad is scary."

"When he wants to be." Mae huffs out a short laugh. "Your personal traumas are yours. I don't have to know. Thomas doesn't tell me anything, and I respect it."

"It was a really low part of my life. I was a drunk of a priest who was looking for a purpose. I put my faith into a man who was into something I was in no way to process. There was a light until he cut off my arm, stopping a creature from possessing my body. He dropped me off at the hospital, and I never saw him again. Noel... er Charlie did come back. I already went back to the bottle. I tried to put my hope into my faith, but gods like I thought existed never did." Laz grips his cross. "I never did give up my faith. I still know the prayers. Thomas knows this. He knows all of it. I just... I spent a long time with Scratch getting on my feet again. At the time, he was still Lilith."

Mae reached out, stopping Laz. "That's enough. I don't need to know everything. Things sucked but now you have my brother and whatever future shenanigans we come up with. Tie up your loose ends, and I'm sure my brother will come along to support you."

"I'm not telling him I ruined his bet." Laz cracks a small smile.

"Fuck you." Mae matches the small smile.

.......

Misery picks up the ringing communicator. This was probably Lyf's, and well, they were busy. She hums picking up the call. "Hello, I know this is Lyfrassir Edda communicator. However, I am not them, and they are currently preoccupied with Byron at the moment, so how can I help ya?"

"That explains the missed calls." A hologram appears a woman with scales and gills on her neck. Her ears were fins and held her head, and she was shaved, revealing a mechanical implant. "Janet has informed us that Lyf has vanished to find Marius, which is assuming by how you referred to him he is currently Byron again. Before or after his arm."

"After, and you must be Ivy." Misery hums softly. "I have extensive records of you Mechanisms in my library. I must thank you for keeping dead civilizations stories alive. Anyway I like to consider myself a historian. You may call me Misery because that's as close to common as my name gets. I am Byron's older sister. Well, we aren't related. We were adopted, but unfortunately, I was plucked and became an acolyte, to-." The audio glitches horribly.

"Historian? Do you keep records?" Ivy focuses straight on the communicator.

"I have my journals and recordings and even some video. I've been at this a long while." Misery raised a brow as the woman is replaced with an androgynous looking person.

"Don't get her started. Ashes O'Reilly quartermaster, what is really going on with Mar- Byron?" They scowl looking at the screen.

"I could show you if you want." Misery picks up the communicator. "However, the bond is new, so what they are doing is moving the process along to a more stable line of growth so they can function normally. It is really different when it's not two Xeon." She holds up the communicator and turns the camera.

"Turn it around! Turn it around! For fucks sake. I'm good with a lot of weird shit but fuck..... seriously what the fuck." Ashes gags as the communicator is handed off to another with wings.

"Can I have a recording to study that?" The woman puffs out her mechanical wings.

"....no." Misery shuts the door behind her. "Some things are meant to be private. I only showed you guys to prove that they are both safe and fine because you obviously don't trust me."

"You've been at this a long while." A Russian accent speaks up.

"Yes, and I've been warned about you guys. You're quite an interesting lot. I've met with your first mate ages ago now. Got my information from him back in New Texas. Is he still in his little palace?" Misery clicks her tongue.

"No." Mulitple respond at once.

"Ah well, they both will be back at it for a long while, so I'll call you guys back later." Misery shuts the device and goes back to her lab work. "I'm glad I wasn't there to witness this nightmare. I can cure it at the original state, but this has mutated, and his body is adapting." She sighs and cracks open a new notebook. "It's been a while since I've had a true challenge, and I get to help my brother."

.......

Jonny raised a brow and opened his communicator. "Is someone dying?"

"No, but do you know a Misery?" Nastya sighs.

Jonny chuckles. "She's still doing her thing? Ha, I thought she would have gotten bored of herself proclaimed notion to record history as it laid out before her. She's a acolyte of a god I can't actually speak, or I'll break this damn thing. She claims she is Marius's adopted sister or some shit. Wasn't awful a bit weird about biology but not Raph levels of mad science. Spent a few centuries telling her about Aurora and the crew and didn't accept her offer to leave with her. She's dangerous when crossed, but she's friendly with everyone." He hums. "I guess she mentioned me."

"Huh." Nastya clicks her tongue. "So she's honest?"

"Oh, she can't lie for shit. She's worse than Tim. I didn't think I could meet someone worse than Tim when it came to lying." Jonny snickers. "She's shit with ranged weapons, prefers close combat, don't underestimate her if you pick a fight. So why are you concerned about her?"

"She has Marius and Lyf, and Marius is back to going by Byron, but post arm." Nastya sighs. "So I just didn't want him to get in trouble."

"To think you used to hate the man." Jonny chuckles. "Anyway, the both will be fine. I have to stop Tim from accidently shooting his siblings. Who the f-" The call cuts out.

"Shit, I forgot to ask who called Aurora." Nastya huffs.

"Aurora won't tell you?" Brian raised a brow.

"She says it's a fun surprise." Nastya crossed her arms.

"That could mean anything." Ivy hums.

"Fucking I know!" Nastya groans.

........

"Aha!" Thomas jumps out of the sand.

Arthur screams along with John.

"Oh fuck it's only you." Thomas groans. "I'm looking for my sister, not you."

"Didn't your father teach you decency?" John regretted the words as soon as he watched Thomas smirk.

"Wellnhe taught me to lie, cheat, and steal. He's also an immortal space pirate, so what do you think, John?" Thomas snickers.

Trevor pops out next, causing more screams. "I would have at least liked to see golden boy and not you two."

"No, he's here." Alex waves pointing at Charlie. "Fuck really thought Mae would be over here with him."

"Are you three quite done?" Arthur sighs, smoothing down his shirt. "Charlie, where is that wife of yours?"

"Behind you." Mae chuckles at the frightened scream. "Brought Laz back with me, and dad found me first."

The three say fuck at the same time.

"Mae, are you ok?" Charlie gets up.

"Pffft, I'm fine. Landed on my dad it's all good." Mae hums, pushing Laz forward. "Collect your husband, Thomas. I already have one."

Thomas rolls his eyes. "Oh fuck off you wish he was yours." He approaches Laz and hugs him. "Happy I'm back on my feet."

Laz nods. "Of course I'm happy to see you whenever you're near."

"Your voice is familiar." Charile walks over. "Excusing your little disappearing act, who are you?"

"You knew me before this you three did." Laz sighs, and in a puff of black smoke, he returns to how he looked like for Scratch. "I go by Lazarus these days, but you can just call me Laz to make it easier. Please don't use my old name."

"Os- Lazarus, it fits. It's nice to know you didn't uh well.... that isn't important." Charlie pauses. "How do you do that?"

Laz raised a brow. "Do what?"

"You look normal." Charlie motions to Laz. "I have to hide stuff still."

"Oh! Uh, practice mostly. The arm thing is tougher. My body doesn't excatly like me missing an arm." Laz turns to Arthur. "It's nice to see you looking healthy." He rubs the back of his neck.

Arthur smiles. "I'm glad to know you survived. I didn't... look, we have a lot to say." He takes a breath.

"You got married." John interrupts.

"John!" Arrhur huffs.

Laz chuckles. "I did." He snaps himself back to normal. "He's a bit feral, but he keeps me sane."

"Oh, you flatter me." Thomas snickers jumping on Laz's back. "Now that I'm able to you're fucked."

Laz laughs like a weight is taken off of him. "Come on backpack, I believe Arthur and I have some catching up to do. Charlie and fuck off with Mae."

"Gladly." Mae picks up Charlie from behind. "I've got to show you all the new tricks I learned."

"Gross." Alex stocks their tongue out in mock disgust.

"Slut." Thomas flips his sister off.

Arthur follows Laz and Thomas chuckling at the banter.

.........

Lyf shuffled out of the lab covered in various fluids and bits of flesh of his and Byron's. He was completely naked. "Shower?" His voice was hoarse, and he looked like he was about to collapse.

"It will dry and peal off." Misery waves him off.

Lyf grumbles, and there's a growing sound of static.

Misery sighs and turns around. "Return to my brother and ask again when he's awake. It's not going to kill you."

Lyf narrows his eyes, but he does feel drawn back to Byron. Why did he leave? He wanted his mate back. He slipped back into the lab and snuggled up against Byron using his wings as a blanket. His own back ached, but it was probably nothing. Byron's wings were soft, and he wasn't awake enough to determine if it was feathers or fur.

Byron wrapped himself around Lyf and mumbled something incomprehensible before drifting back off to sleep.

.......

Jonny stepped onto Misery's ship. It's been a few weeks since they landed, and everyone was doing their own thing. However, Marius and Lyf still were MIA. He knew a bit more than he wanted to about heats for Xeon thanks to Misery, so this wasn't unheard of. He managed to get Tim to stay with Bertie and his siblings while he headed over here. It was as he remembered, and he knew Evelyn and Aaron were lurking about.

"Jonny?" Misery spotted Jonny passing the room she was in. She watches him stop and enter. "It is you. It's been awhile."

"It has." Jonny smiles meekly, taking a spot next to her. "You already know why I'm here."

"I do. Unfortunately, both of them are still out of it. Not mentally, they've just been eating and sleeping as they recover. There used to be health centers just for newly formed heat bonds, but that was before everything. Only read about that in books." Misery raised a brow. "So you you found your kids."

"I did." Jonny smiles softly. "I'm assuming you've already met them."

"Oh, I have, but I didn't know they were yours when we met." Misery chuckles. "Heard your palace became a museum."

"I wasn't fucking there to stop it." Jonny rolls his eyes.

Misery smiles. "How is it? I haven't visited. I got sucked through the ripple on my travels. I've been here a while, I was going to check out Xeonia, and I heard it was finally healed up. The Dread Knot crew did a good job that the Xeon here are even moving back."

"My kids like running it when they get sent back there, but it's nothing new." Jonny snickers. "I suppose that is your thing."

"I am a historian, after all." Misery hums, attention turned to Lyf stumbling back out.

Lyf was much skinnier than what he was when Jonny last saw him. He had new discoloration all over his body from Marius various fluids. His lower back was slightly swollen and looked painful. He was completely naked as he rubbed his eyes. "When did you get here, Jonny?"

"Today." Jonny hums. "You weren't lying."

"I was not." Misery sighs.

"And what is today?" Lyf rubs his face more. "Fuck I want a shower."

"It's nice to want things." Misery smirks when Jonny snickers. "What is Byron doing?"

"Hmmm?" Byron was equally disheveled and naked. He had his normal scars and the ingrained metal from his mechanism spreading. His eyes were glowing a soft purple, and the new changes to his body were on full display. He was developing thicker skin, which will eventually become armor on his chest and back. The nice pudge he built up and was proud of was gone, replaced with dense muscle. The spurs on his shoulders have tripled on both sides. He had new ones on his knees and elbows. There was a soft fur slowly growing on his legs as well. That's all Jonny could tell from staring on the surface wearing his goggles.

"Byron, are you alright?" Misery got up switching back to Xeon.

Byron nods. "Mmh, hungry and off balanced."

Misery smiles. "I'll teach you how to keep them folded. They are on your lower back like mine, but they are much wider, so we'll figure it out."

"Can we eat first?" Byron huffs.

"Yeah, yeah, you can eat first." Misery smiles.

Lyf stumbles to the table. "How long?"

"A few weeks, nothing crazy. How are you feeling?" Jonny grimaced seeing Lyf's back up close.

Lyf glares at Jonny. "How do you think? My back feels like it's going to explode, and I am starving."

"No need to be pissy pillow princess." Jonny smiles softly. "I'll feed you."

Lyf nods and follows Jonny, getting back up. "Although I do feel less foggy, and I can think clearly."

"Gee, I wonder why?" Jonnys voice was laced with sarcasm. "You two needed marathon sex, exchanging as many fluids as possible. Unfortunately, I have an uncomfortable level of intimate knowledge of Xeon heats, with the same species and without. If you ask me why or anything about it, I will shoot you."

"Fine, fine." Lyf blinks. "How about a small question, and you can stab me in the back."

Jonny raised his brow. "And why do you want me to stab you?"

"Pressure, way too much pressure like my back will explode." Lyf groans. "I don't.... I can't do it myself."

"Do you want me to count down or just surprise you?" Jonny walked behind Lyf.

"Just- FUCK." Lyf gasps out as the pressure releases. Rainbow static colored feathery wing unfolded out they were wet and covered in gore. "I think.... no, I'm gonna...." Jonny catches him as he passes out.

.......

Jonny watches as Byron groomed Lyf's wings, ignoring his own. The blood and gore didn't bother him, and he knew the reasons why they were left unspoken. To think he used to adore the idea of going to war. Things change when you take pride in something, he guesses. That wasn't right. His kids just disappeared, and a civil war broke out. He quickly flipped open his communicator to see his family group chat filled with various things. He relaxes, they were fine just fucking around.

Misery handed a plate to Jonny. "It's something you can eat, and it won't kill you." She sat next to him. "You alright?"

Jonny nods. "Yeah. Thanks for this." He takes the plate and slowly eats. He watches Lyf eat almost robotically. He wasn't entirely aware, but he seemed stable enough. "So how long will Lyf be out of it?"

Misery sighs. "Hard to tell, you did do him a favor, but his body needs to recover. Thankfully, Byron is fine he just needs to eat some more, but he's in caretaker mode for his mate. Once Lyf is more aware, that will end."

Jonny nods. "I'll try to stay, but I make no promises. I have my own man to look after."

"Oh, congratulations." Misery smiles. "I'm still searching, but eventually, I'll find that again. Keep an eye on my brother, I don't want him to be broken like I am."

"Yeah, I will don't worry about that." Jonny sighs.

.......

Lyf groaned in relief as he sunk into the hot bath. His wings were new but not as sensitive as he would have thought. Byron was with him. It was an enormous tub, and it felt like paradise. The wings are a bit shocking, but he wasn't entirely well versed on Xeon biology or how it would affect himself. Misery promised to translate some heat books for him. Apparently, the new changes on Byron were normal. This explains the panic when it first happened. He will look physically different when it's finally over.

"Lyfrassir, are you alright?" Byron sits back up.

Lyf wasn't one for muscles. He never liked the gym rats on Asguard, but Byron looked very nice. He rubs his face. "I'm fine, just happy to finally get clean. Are you ok? You've changed."

"A-ah, right, you aren't Xeon. This must be confusing to you." Byron moves to sit next to Lyf. "The transformation is normal, and it's a point of pride when it finishes. You get stronger tougher and just better overall. Although...." He sighs. "My sister lost her mate in the civil war. The transformation gets worse after being broken, and she's stronger terrifyingly so. She lost her fur too, and got more armor. I'll keep you safe, I promise."

"Isn't it rude to call Misery broken?" Lyf raised a brow leaning on Byron.

"Huh?" Byron sounded confused. "No, that is the proper term for a Xeon to survive a break in their heat bond."

"Oh right, my apologies." Lyf rubs the back of his neck. "Are you ok? I mean.... would you believe me if we've had this conversation before? I know I'm not Xeon. Are you ok with that?"

Byron frowns. "Why wouldn't I be? You survived, and I didn't kill you." He slowly traces the patches of discolored skin on Lyf. "I have a piece of you in me, and you have a piece of me in you. To be loved is to be changed and we are changing together from our union." He lifts up Lyf's chin to stare him in the eyes. "I couldn't imagine anyone, but you. I can't tell you why, but deep in my own being, we seem to fit perfectly together, and I can't possibly think being a different species would change that. I feel as if I've known you for lifetimes. My body knows you better than my own mind, and I can only trust it to guide me to eternity with you in life and death."

Lyf sucked in a breath he knew he was glowing bright with rainbow static. "It is so unfair that you have such a great way with words." He leans on Marius in the sudsy warm bath. "I love you."

"I love you too, my everything." Byron smiles.

.......

"I do have to ask. How did you get Byron to not freak out about Lyf?" Jonny raised a brow.

"I may have stretched the truth." Misery sips her drink. "I knew it's way longer than our normal lifespan when I first caught him. His blood isn't the right color either. It is common for the initial heat bond to mess with memories, but that would only last a day at most in the post heat puddle of fluids, not.... not as long as it has been." She frowns. "I didn't realize your Marius was also my Byron till I saw him collapse in the sand. He's the only living family I have left."

Jonny nods. "Sometimes we all need a gentle lie now and then. I try not to lie to my children, but it does happen. It's easier to just omit the truth. Don't let them look at your books on me or New Texas. Just do me this favor."

Misery had a knowing look. "As you wish. I look forward to collecting that favor one day. I shall keep them from Ivy as well."

"Thank you." Jonny sags in his seat. "You want to hear about Marius and the truth of what he has been going through?"

"I would like that. However, before, would you like some more tea?" Misery smiles softly.

"That would be lovely it's not a short tale as it is still unraveling as it will for eternity." Jonny gives a sad smile. "It starts with Nastya....."

[justanotherblogger]

A World Without Him

Chapter 14

Tang was uncomfortable in the taxi. The sun was barely above the horizon now, and he just felt plain awful from his apparently non-hallucinated “ghost of debatable deals”. He also noticed how Zach gave him nervous glances through the mirror, probably noticing how he had talked to himself and gave a wide variety of meaningless expressions to the empty seat.

The tension, for Tang at least, was so thick he could probably cut it with a butter knife. Zach had tried to make everything less weird; putting on music, rolling down the windows, and making small talk to name a few examples. Nothing really lifted the atmosphere though, leaving Tang to stew as Zach continued on that third option to fill the awkward silence.

“... but yeah, I don't get why her sister would up and leave with a guy she didn't know, right? I would obviously be pissed too if someone I cared about, even if we didn't talk much-” The car hitched up, causing the passengers to jump in their seats.

“OOF! Dang, another pothole. Gotta watch the road Zach… anyways, as I was saying, I don't blame Elsie for freaking out at her sister for what she did-” He had been going on for about half an hour at this point, rambling about some movie by a corporate overlord rat Tang didn't bother remembering the name of. He had been shocked out of his trance by the bump, making him refocus onto his surroundings as he started to hear the driver's talk again.

But as soon as he came out of it, he tried going back into that dull state of mind immediately. He hadn't been paying that much attention in the first place anyway, zoning in and out the entire ride as he tried to get his mind to blank. Zach didn't seem to mind. Tang just didn't like how many thoughts were swirling around his head at the moment.

Then his hands had started to twitch as he tried to zone out, needing something to do as a mindless distraction. He went to the bell around his wrist, examining it closely to see if it was still solid (and how maybe he was just imagining it all of this… a baseless wish).

It seemed to be made of some sort of metal based on the signs of rust inside of it. On a closer look, he saw there were intricate designs carved into the outside, so thin Tang wondered how it was even possible.

The images were mainly shapes; circles, diamonds, and waves were all around the outside. It seemed to have a dark color highlighting the markings, making them noticeable compared to the color of the bell.

He felt it in his hands; it was rough, chipped, and definitely aged from the amount of wear on its sides. He rolled it in his palm, unconsciously tuning back into what Zach was saying.

“... which is the most pointless reveal ever! There was almost no buildup, and nothing we could've seen to clue in that he was a villain! I know they probably wanted a twist villain to finally be impactful and unseen, but some clues in his behavior or what people could say about him with Anne would have been nice to clue in that he's not who he exactly seems!” Zach took a breath, readjusting his mirror, slowing down for a sharp turn, then going back to his rant.

“But noooooo. They had to resort to almost no clues whatsoever because the writing team couldn't think up anything clever or interesting!”

Tang nodded along to what Zach was talking about, even though he didn't understand much of it. He looked back out the window as Zach started to go on about unnecessary sequels, tuning the driver's voice out as he saw the last bit of orange trying to fight off the coming night. Tall pine trees covered the light's effort, gifting the road with long, fading shadows.

He closes his eyes again, letting the white noise lull him into a sense of peace as the bumpy road comforted him. He was actually going. Leaving and going to figure out how to fix himself.

The diminishing light covered the car in a soft golden hue. Zach paused his blabbering as he noticed the movement in the back seat ceased, then looking back and seeing Tang dozing off with his face squished against the window. A look of concern flitted across Zach's face briefly, but he only shook his head before looking back at the empty dirt road.

With the new silence, Zach looked around the back road and found he could see the mountain ranges around them: how they towered in the distance with trees all over until the top, which glistened with pure white snow. Fog had started to appear after Tang went to sleep, refracting the remaining light in all sorts of directions as it obscured the tops of the trees.

Zach didn't pay the thin fog much mind, turning on the headlights and continuing down the dirt road. This part of the Golden South province didn't have many towns or man-made settlements, mainly because of disputes with the unresponsive locals and zoning issues which in turn, let nature take its own course on the place most of the time.

Today, only some original settlements from before these disputes were littered near the middle of the place, making them basically shut out from the outside world except for each other. Zach couldn't remember what the names were as he didn't drive in the area often, but those quaint towns seemed to be doing alright as he’d seen people from those places more often lately. They seemed happy enough.

Zach smiles at the oncoming memory. I hope they’re doing alright. They seemed like a nice family. That girl ran all over the place with that poor man trying to run after her through the grocery aisles. I guess that's where the guy’s gray hairs came from. The old woman next to them kept talking with me until the other two came back and then they had left together. They looked at peace with each other.

He glanced back to Tang’s sleeping form leaning against the taxi window. Zach wondered if Tang had that same type of support, remembering how the guy seemed exhausted, falling over and mumbling stuff to himself. He probably needs that rest.

Looking back to the road, a deer suddenly jumped in front of the taxi, displacing the fog and staring the headlights down-

*SCREEEEEEEEECH*

The driver slammed on the brakes, his heart beating rapidly into his ears as his chest was slammed into his seat belt. The deer just continued to stare into the lights, almost looking Zach Right in the eyes. He quickly honked the horn once, startling the thing as it jumped back into the trees.

Looking to the back seat to check on his passenger, Zach saw how Tang was still fast asleep, just leaning forward onto his seat belt from the sudden stop. He saw the guy was breathing just fine, snoring quietly as he continued to hang over the seat belt. Zach sighed and decided not to do anything with that: now he knew the guy really needed that sleep.

He took a deep breath before continuing down the road, trying to get his heart to stop beating so fast. Zach saw how the fog had thickened quite a bit as he went deeper into the woods, the barest hint of light only creating shadows through the branches.

After he got his bearings, Zach realized he hadn't been on one of these back roads this late at night before. That deer was weird. It was unsettling him, and he started to drive a bit slower. The fog seemed to settle onto the floor, causing the ground to be shrouded in the cloud-like cover.

Only the headlights could help them see where to go now; the road was barely recognizable under the fog and the sun had finally set, leaving the woods in complete darkness. Cell service was basically non-existent out here, which is why he couldn't use any GPS in the first place, relying on his memory. Zach tightened his grip on the steering wheel as an uncomfortable feeling welled in his gut.

Tang only then started to stir as he pushed himself off of the taxi window, wiping the drool off of his mouth and sitting up straight. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, putting them back on a blinking a few times to refocus.

He looks at Zach. “How long was I asleep?” He asked, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

“Just about half an hour. I haven't been out here this late before, and I think all this fog is pretty neat, along with all those deer! If a bit creepy, heh…” Zach awkwardly replied, nervously sweating and avoiding eye contact.

“Uh huh.” Tang said with disinterest, looking back to his wrist and seeing the bell still securely stuck to it. He grimaced at his hand heavily.

A sudden stutter in the car has him snapping his head back up, seeing how the headlights began to flicker through the road, and eventually go out entirely. The inside lights were still on, with the engine running fine; only the headlights had shorted out.

Tang anxiously spoke up. “What just happened?”

Zach looked worried, sweat forming above his brow. “I don't know. This hasn't happened before. I'll get a flashlight and go check it out. You can stay in the car.”

Tang just nodded, a bit tense as Zach unbuckled and reached for the glove box, grabbing a small flashlight and getting out of the car. His steps displaced the thick fog on the floor, making a ghostly trail behind him as he looked at the front of the car.

Shining a flashlight onto the bulbs showed they were shattered; pieces of glass were rattling behind the plastic covers. A cold sweat ran down Zach's neck as he walked back and opened the driver's door, leaning his head in.

“The bulbs are shattered. Can't replace them unless you have any extra light bulbs in that backpack of yours.” He said lightly, trying to make sure Tang wouldn't freak out.

He reacted better than Zach expected. “Heh, just great. Well, these things happen, I guess. Is there anywhere nearby to pick up more; we can't go on without them, right?” Tang asked, wringing his hands together nervously.

Zach nodded. “Yeah, we kind of need them to get through the fog. Moonlight can't get through, so we're stuck here until we can get new bulbs or the fog clears. Now I'm totally gonna be late…” He mumbled. He started moving to get inside, hand on the door handle.

“But yeah, there isn't anywhere modern that close by, but there's one of those remote places past some of the trees that way. I think it was called something starting with a B-”

A shrill scream echoed through the woods as Zach was pulled violently out of the car, leaving the door he was about to close wide open. Tang quickly unbuckled his seat belt, scrambling to duck under the back seats on the floor next to his backpack.

The outside was unnaturally silent as Tang covered his mouth with his hands, trying to quiet down his erratic breathing. He was hunched over trying to hear anything else happening outside. The lights in the car went out after a few seconds, the car shutting off as it left Tang in the dark.

Then long, heavy footsteps sounded from the side of the car. Slow and deliberate, as if whatever was making them was looking for something- trying to find its prey. Tang continued his attempt at silencing his breathing, digging his nails into his cheeks in a panic.

Whatever was out there sniffed the air, growling something deep that shook Tang's resolve. The footsteps trailed off in his ears, almost like they were leaving… He carefully took his hands off of his face, looking up at a nearby window.

Fast steps suddenly bombarded his ears, growing louder as they got closer and closer. He had barely any time to react as something rammed into the side of the car, making it flip towards the wooded area.

He screamed as he was thrown about, his voice burning as it was already raw from before. His head hit the ceiling, then he landed on his right shoulder as he rolled and got thrown onto his back. It flipped again as he got his nose slammed into the side door, and then landed harshly onto his stomach as the car finally came to a stop, causing him to cough violently.

His glasses were hanging off of one ear, with his bag on top of one of his legs. He groaned in pain as he tried to push himself up by his elbows, making it to his knees before the thing ran into the car again, crumbling the two front seats as Tang stared in horror.

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD, I CAN'T STAY IN HERE THAT MUCH LONGER-

He heard the thing start to back up again, leaving the area in complete, utter silence. Tang knew what would happen next as he scrambled to open his side door that was luckily unblocked from the crash. The door clicked and swung open after a few pulls; Tang quickly tried to run out but his leg got caught onto his backpack strap, making him tumble face first into the floor of fog, grass, and pine needles with his bag still hanging off his foot.

He was just in time too, as almost right after he fell he heard the fast footsteps again, and a deafening crash behind him from what he assumed was the rest of the taxi he was in. All he could hear was ringing in his ears as he grabbed his bag strap and his behind a nearby tree, begging to whoever listened that he wouldn't be found so fast.

He heard the thing's steps slow, stalking the area again presumably looking for him. His breathing was heavy and he felt something drip from his nose but he couldn't really think about those things right now. What is that thing!? Why am I being attacked!? How do I get out of here!? Is Zach okay?! Oh no oh no oh no-

He heard sniffing again, then heavy steps coming towards his hiding place. This stopped his spiraling as the world seemed to stop. The steps got closer as Tang's heart beat faster, trying to break out of his ribcage if he had to guess.

It crushed the dead leaves on the forest floor, walking through the trees loudly, as if to taunt him. Suddenly, he heard the steps grow a bit faster, heading in his direction. He was panicking as the sounds got closer and closer, not knowing what that thing would do if it found him.

He could feel the tremors coming from its direction, and he knew that he didn't have much time left to make a decision. He quickly rubbed his nose, blood now covering his scarf and hand as he saw his blood flow through the crevices of the bell on his wrist-

*Ding*

A small chime rang out, echoing through the trees. The bell started to glow as a huge gust of wind blew around him, picking up the fog and displacing it everywhere creating a smokescreen. Tang could only shield himself with his arms, scared of what was happening.

‘I see you've already gotten yourself into trouble’

Tang's head shot up (getting a bit dizzy in the process). “What the hell…?”

Cian stood in front of him, in all its golden glowing glory, leaning over Tang in a mocking manner. It stared into his eyes.

‘You don't have that much time. I have done what I could, but I can't help you anymore unless I lend you my strength.’ It explained briefly, grabbing Tang’s bell and lifting him up to his feet with ease.

Tang quickly spoke up in defense, shock and fear clearly on his face. “What?! I can't do that! I know that-”

A loud, furious growl interrupted him. It sounded dangerously close, as if it would jump out at him at any moment. He was right, yet again, as the fog suddenly parted. All he could catch were red eyes and black fur before it pounced. Tang dodged, tumbling out of the way as its claws got embedded into the tree he was hiding behind, struggling to get them out.

‘You know you won't make it out of this alive without me.’

Tang shook his head as he got up and started to run. He weaved through trees and fog as he heard a crunch from behind. Out of instinct, he looked back and only paled at what was looking straight back at him.

It stood on two legs. Long black hair cascaded from its head to its back as its red eyes stared Tang down, locking onto him as it flicked the remaining bark out of its claws.

Tang ran faster. His legs felt strained and his ankles felt like they were about to collapse but he had to run. Hide. Do anything to get away from that demon.

Cian just floated with Tang’s vision, hovering in front of him as he ran. ‘Just let me help you. You need to make it back to those friends of yours, right?’

He grunted angrily at Cian as he made it back to the road somehow, running across it, going into the opposite piece of woods and sliding to a stop back against another tree.

Putting a hand on his chest, his legs wobble as he doesn't think he can take anymore running on his ankles. The ringing in his ears hasn't stopped. He doesn't think he'll make it out of here in one piece.

He focussed back into reality as loud steps came closer and closer yet again, making Tang freeze in his hiding spot. The steps thankfully passed behind him, going further away as he slumped down for the moment, resting his legs.

“*cough**cough* Ugh…”

This isn't something from the demon. He quickly looked towards the noise, glancing anxiously past the tree to a nearby one. The fog obscured most of it, but he could see a vaguely human body slumped on a tree a few feet down.

It was Zach. It had to be Zach. Who else could it be? Tang didn't know what to do. Zach could be dead. Should he help? Will that get them both killed…?

He decides to risk it, trying to run over to Zach’s (hopefully) unconscious body. The demon immediately knew what he was doing, locking its eyes onto him and starting to run at full speed towards the open shot. It was faster than before, with Tang stumbling back as it caught up to him in seconds and aimed for his neck.

He raised his arms subconsciously, fortunately only costing him only some skin on a forearm instead of his limb as he fell back. The gash was still deep, though, causing blood to slowly drip through the ripped cloth as he landed on his side into the thick fog.

Tears ran hot down his face. He looked around frantically for a way out before the demon's next strike, seeing how it rolled its shoulders back, as if preparing a final blow before taking slow, heavy steps towards him.

‘You know this won't end well.’

Shut up.

Pure red looked deeply into his eyes as he scrambled backwards.

‘Just agree to my offer. I can help you break this pathetic worm in no time.’

No, no, stop talking.

Its slow steps echoed in the silence, continuing its pursuit even when its prey was already cornered.

‘LISTEN. If you die here, what was the point? In making your bonds, maintaining everything you have, trying to fix yourself?’

I can't change anything…

It started to move faster. A brisk pace as it snarled and dragged its claws through the fog. Agitation started to build in Tang’s gut.

‘You would leave everything behind without showing everyone who you could’ve become from this feeble failure that you insist on dying as.’

His breathing was too shallow. It was coming at him fast. 12 feet, 8 feet, 3 feet-

‘You could have been someone special. They could have DEPENDED on you, had you not selfishly given up. You could finally be someone worth living for.’

“FINE!” Tang screamed, shaking the trees and parting the fog around him.

This seemed to shock the demon out of its reverence, making it step back at the sudden noise and hold its ears in pain. It narrowed its eyes at Tang, who couldn't care less at the moment.

Blood and tears mixed onto Tang's scarf as he continued. “I accept! I will take this fucking deal if that's what you want! Just do whatever you like, because what's the point anyway! I'm a lost cause, MIGHT AS WELL DIE KICKING AND SCREAMING!”

The wind started to pick up as Tang's words became more heated, with the trees bending in all sorts of ways at the force and the fog colliding and becoming some sort of tornado around him, forcing the demon to stumble away further.

Orange light started to build up in the middle, growing brighter and brighter until it became blinding to anyone witnessing it. A beam of orange light shot into the sky, parting any fog, trees, or clouds in its way.

Then the light thinned almost immediately, clearing out the remaining fog as Tang's body fell to its knees. His hair was wild as it blew in the harsh winds whipping through the forest. Both the demon and Tang had regained their composure, Tang standing up tall as the demon went defensive, a sliver of fear in its eyes.

Rolling up his sleeves, Tang ran a hand through his hair, sporting an unnatural grin on his face as his forearm glowed orange in the wound. He laughed, cracking his knuckles before staring the demon down, now dawning pure white eyes.

“Now, let's finally get this started!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tang woke up sitting against a tree. His head was killing him, with his hands feeling like they were thrown into a blender overnight. He rubbed his temples and lazily looked to his side, seeing Zach in a similar position as him, with the crushed taxi in the distance.

Seeing those sprung Tang into action as he stumbled over to Zach, feeling that his pulse and breaths were steady. He did see a big bruise on the guy's back peeking through the shirt, but he couldn't really help with something like that at the moment.

He fell back against the tree in relief, seeing the moon high in the sky as it graced everything in soft shades of gray. Looking back at his hands through his dirty glasses, he saw the knuckles were bloody, with dirt and black blood covering his arms and hands.

He also saw the bell was still on his wrist, maybe it was a part of whatever deal he made… oh no.

He groaned heavily into his hands, remembering that he had made a deal with that pest he's still 15% sure is a hallucination. “Awwgh… just great.” He groaned, crossing his legs and leaning back. He is alive though, and that has to count for something, he guesses.

All he remembers was yelling at Cian, then agreeing panicked to that offer, then… nothing. He decides not to think too much about it, as Cian isn't here, that demon isn't here, and he has an unconscious body to take care of plus find somewhere to crash for the both of them.

He readjusted the backpack on his back before trying to wake Zach up. He yelled, hit, and shook the guy with everything he had. Apparently, that wasn't enough as Zach was still unconscious after all that effort. Sighing internally, Tang decided to lift him onto his shoulder, and start dragging.

As you probably expected, this wore him out. By a lot. He had to take breaks every 2 minutes just to be able to carry the guy again. But he still did so, as he didn't want that demon coming after him again and staying in the same place he was attacked was not good for that sort of thing.

He remembered Zach saying there was a place past a few trees over… that way, he guessed. So, now with direction, Tang began to drag this guy's body through the woods, hopefully going to find some help.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After what felt like hours maneuvering through the forest, getting lost, and then yelling at the sky that Zach was still unconscious, Tang finally found something other than trees and weird deer. It was a billboard next to a small dirt path. The writing was so faded that he couldn't make much out, but anything man-made here was a good sign.

Quickly taking a breath before throwing Zach over his shoulder again, he started going along the dirt trail, hoping to find literally anyone with something to at least wake the driver up.

After a couple of minutes, Tang saw smoke rising in the distance. He immediately brightened, going faster than his usual pace. His face was definitely red with exertion at this point, but he really didn't care as he got closer and closer to the smoke, seeing light through the branches.

When he finally emerged, he saw houses, people, and campfires littered everywhere. He collapsed almost immediately after getting there, with his ankles and upper body strength suffering at the sudden use. He could hear people stand up and crowd around them, but farther than Tang would usually think of crowding. Raising his head, he saw everyone there was at least 6 feet away from him, whispering to each other.

When he tried to sit up after a few seconds, everyone went deathly silent, he only got to his knees when every single person drew a gun on him and Zach, some with lasers even aiming at their heads.

He was shocked at the response, looking around the area trying to make sense of the harsh treatment when he saw a wooden sign behind some of the crowd. A very familiar sign, he might add. it said “Welcome to Bellfield: part of the 4TA!” in a loopy font.

His face dropped immediately, shooting daggers at the sign as fell (slowly, don't wanna get shot here) back onto the floor, trying to erase that stupid sign from memory.

“Of course, it had to be Bellfield…”

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