#past me expecting a short chapter and a pov change this time…. oh honey you had no idea what you were in fort

[dazais-guardian-angel]

oh how I love sweet, sweet vindication :’ )

Dazai truly has become Oda in every way imaginable now. :’ ) the final words he gives to Sigma are the exact same words Oda gives to Dazai in the original scene Asagiri wrote for the end of the Dark Era stage play, 後は頼んだよ, “I will leave the rest to you.”

And I really love the progression of the way his eyes look in this chapter, and how Sigma is allowed to have this moment of questioning and rebelling against all the faith Dazai had naturally been leading him to place in him up to this point, which is what I hoped would happen. He’s been confused ever since Dazai first chose him, and everything he’s ever known about how everyone sees/treats him turned upside down by Dazai’s words and actions, and just when he’s finally started to feel like he’s found some hope and lowered his guard, Dazai pulls him back underwater, instantly reinforcing all of Sigma’s trust issues and reinforcing that he should never believe in anyone, because (he thinks) everyone lives to manipulate other people. Dazai’s dark eyes here reinforce that, too, and the other panels around this point where they look white and hollow and demonic, all like Fyodor’s. He appears like an evil, looming force pulling him back under, trying to kill him, when Sigma is so close to the freedom of the air he desperately wants (aka free from pain, which is what he’s been seeking his whole life).

But then Dazai makes this face, and the first one I posted above, and Sigma understands, even without words, that Dazai doesn’t have evil intent: on the contrary, he actually is bound and determined to save his life – and the light in his eyes comes out through this determination and kindness, arguably the most light we’ve ever seen his eyes have in the entire manga (in the “I leave the rest to you” panel too). The “No” could be Dazai wordlessly telling him to not leave the water, but my first assumption was that it was Sigma telling himself no, stopping his own train of thought about Dazai being the same as Fyodor and someone he shouldn’t have trusted – he soon realizes why Dazai stopped him, and that he’s still going to try to save him, that he wasn’t wrong about him, and it’s all because Dazai’s earnest expressions get through to him.

And it’s just so heartwarming to see how far Dazai has come. :’ ) He tried so hard to save Sigma (doing the most physical action we’ve ever seen him do, really), did his best to be reassuring and comforting to him afterwards, and then reaffirmed his promise to ensure he escaped Meursault alive, his final words to Sigma echoing Oda’s and his last action being to save an orphan, just like Oda did in his last moments. Obviously Dazai isn’t actually going to die, he’ll be saved somehow, but I do think as of right now he really does think this is the end for him, and that he didn’t foresee the elevator dropping – he was examining the wires a few chapters ago because he thought he might need to know how to open the doors in case Fyodor pulled an uno reverse, hence why he looks more annoyed than shocked when the water starts, but here, when the drop collision sequence is initiated, he looks genuinely shook in comparison. There’d be no reason for him to give the thumbs up if he knew more danger was on the way, either; that’d just be cruel. No, I don’t think he saw this coming, and it’s important that that turns out to be the case: it’s important that he spent what he believes to have been his last moments saving someone like Oda wanted for him, and doing what Oda would have done in the same situation. That doesn’t mean that it’s okay that Dazai throws his life away so easily, and cares so little for his own safety; he still has a long way to go in that regard. But it’s still so beautiful to see how much he’s changed, and how much he’s truly begun to embody Oda and his legacy; the fact that he messed up and miscalculated, because Dazai isn’t infallible, but in turn didn’t hesitate to use his last moments to save Sigma. Oda would be so proud for everything he did here. :’ ) 💖

There are a lot of options for how Dazai will be saved, and by who, but personally I hope (and I kind of expect) that Sigma chooses to not give up on him and ultimately plays a role in saving his life, to return the favor and repay him for his kindness. Not only would it be a beautiful way to initiate Sigma’s ADA entrance exam as people have said, but it would bring the Dazai > Atsushi > Sigma chain full circle: Dazai saved Atsushi at the start of the series, allowing him to (spiritually) save Sigma at sky casino thanks to the growth fostered in him by Dazai, and now finally, Sigma could potentially save Dazai thanks to Atsushi kickstarting his own growth (and Dazai continuing it). Fyodor is overly cocky right now and so tunnel-visioned on killing Dazai, it’s possible that he has no idea that Sigma managed to escape the elevator and is now a wild card; even if Sigma doesn’t go as far as killing Fyodor himself (which I don’t want, tbh; that’s endgame stuff arcs down the line and imo Nikolai and Dazai should be the ones involved with that), he could throw a wrench in the jailbreak duel, and help Dazai and Chuuya get out alive. It would be poetic, and only fitting, for Fyodor to underestimate and be outdone by the kind of person Dazai told him is the strongest in chapter 77 – a self-proclaimed “ordinary man” – who could only have the strength to take such action thanks to the chain of kindness that Oda originally started. 💖

[horansqueen]

You & Me : chapter 1

A Niall Horan fanfiction ; rated MA

Sequel to AM CONVERSATIONS

NOTES:

-one chapter is her pov, the next is his. -4k -im sorry, i never proofread, i hate it. -there WILL be smut. but not only smut. -this is a romance, comedy, smut story. -for the summary, check my MASTERLIST.

- notes!!! hello to all of you, who gave AM CONVERSATIONS a chance and are ready to join me for this sequel too. thank you so so much, ill never say it enough. you make me want to write and that in itself is incredible for me. i hope i can surprise you, make you laugh, make you a bit frustrated and make you emotional, too. i really hope it reaches your expectations and maybe even exceed them, who knows! (fingers crossed!) please please please, keep the comments, suggestions, ideas, requests, questions and asks coming, it means everything to me! (ill start adding requests to the chapters a bit later btw, i need to set the story first!) so here it is.

Chapter 1 : His chapter

NIALL

Time passed by so quickly I had a hard time keeping track. I thought about Olivia every day and although I did miss the romantic relationship we had, most of all, I missed the friendship. I hadn't seen her in over a year and I was not really sure I ever would again. I did know almost everything there was to know, though, and I was also aware that she had moved to California, which was the place I lived half the year.

After I broke up with her, I had spent a lot of time locked at home just writing songs, and one of my favorite things to do was to check her father's web site and read the reviews she wrote about upcoming movies. One day, though, she published a short story that became popular very fast. She started filming it instead and turned it into a low budget online tv show. Luckyly for me, she didn't have the money to hire real actors and she ended up playing it in herself. I felt like a loser and a creepy ex boyfriend every time i'd lock myself in my room, in the dark, to watch the new episode, but I couldn't help it. She made q&a's videos and she seemed happy but for me, the more time passed, the more I realized that I needed her in my life.

My debut album was doing great and I was leaving on tour in a few months. I should be the happiest I have ever been but I couldn't hide that the songs I was about to sing every night still made me very emotional. My life was not all bad, of course. in fact, it was probably the best time of my life but it was tough for me to realize that I wouldn't be able to share it with my best friend... the girl I still wanted to end my life with.

My phone beeped as I was walking in the busy streets and I quickly searched my pockets to read the incoming text message.

'Don't forget to pick the cake for Joey at the bakery.'

I rolled my eyes and quickly typed an answer.

'Almost there.'

It was not a lie. Ten more seconds and I was pushing the doors of one of the biggest bakeries around. I didn't see the point in getting such an expensive and big cake for a birthday but I also didn't like to argue so I just went along with it.

I leaned against the counter and smiled as an employee moved closer.

"I'm here to pick up an order." I explained in a low tone. "Horan."

The lady smiled and nodded before leaving and I turned around, leaning more against the counter. I took my phone and started checking my messages until I heard it. Something I never thought i'd ever hear again. A laugh. It was clear and happy and although extremely fucking cheesy, it reached my heart like nothing else ever had in my life. I stopped breathing and my heart twisted but it took me a few seconds to react. I looked around the place but couldn't see her anywhere until I realized there was an other room a bit further. I took a few steps closer, a bit scared of what I was going to see but at the same time, I was full of hope.

I saw her first. She was standing up on the side, her head slightly down and her nose raised up. She seemed to glow in a way only she could and the thumping of my heart against my rib cage got even worse. She laughed again and something inside of me seemed to wake up suddenly from a very long slumber. It took me a few seconds to realize she was with Julie and when she noticed me, she hit Olivia's arm a few times to get her attention. With a quick chin movement, she incited her to turn to me and I held my breath when our eyes finally met. I was trying to decipher how she felt through her facial expressions but I couldn't seem to. Did we lose that connection we had? Was it gone forever?

I cleared my throat but walked up to them, trying to act casual as I sent both of them a smile.

"Hey, it's been a while."

"It has, in fact." Julie just replied. "Liam wanted to invite you over soon, so just text him."

My eyes moved to her and I sent her a small smile before nodding. "Will do."

I pushed both my hands in my pockets, feeling suddenly nervous to be around her. Her eyes finally met mine and she smiled to me sincerely. I expected her to be a bit embarrassed, or to feel uneasy, but she tilted her head and I let my eyes roam on her face. She smelled exactly like I remembered, the addicting scent of vanilla and honey invading me completely, and once again, my heart skipped a beat.

"It's been even longer for us." I just said, making her nod slightly. "How are you? How's your boyfriend?"

She chuckled and shrugged. "We're both good, thanks for asking, what about you and your girlfriend?"

"Good, we're good."

My eyes moved on her features and I licked my lips, suddenly wondering if hers tasted like they used to..

"Congrats on your tv show, by the way, it's incredible" I added, trying to keep the conversation going. "I'm very happy for you."

We both heard Julie's phone ring but I kept my eyes on her, giving her all my attention.

"Thank you! I'm having a blast with this I mean, who would have thought acting was so much fun, you know? I knew I loved writing but this is... beyond my expectations." she expressed with passion, making me smile more. "Oh and congrats on your first album!"

"Oh thank you, thanks!"

I moved slightly and opened her mouth to say something just as Julie came back and we both turned around as she hung up.

"Okay so Liam says we have to pick 'chocolate'."

I frowned and suddenly remembered where we were, my eyes roaming around the bakery and I licked my lips again. They had a few plates placed on the counter in front of them with pieces of different cakes and I realized it was probably for a wedding cake.

"I thought we were the ones in charge?" Liv frowned, moving her hands up while looking at Julie. "Since when does he get a say in this?"

"Wedding cake? Can I taste?"

I moved forward and grabbed a fork, taking a bite from the chocolate one.

"Mmhm dis one's gweat!" I replied, my mouth full, making Olivia roll her eyes with a smile. "I agree with Liam." I continued with a smirk after swallowing.

I hadn't seen Liam in a few months and now I knew why he wanted to invite me over. It was only a matter of time until he'd ask Julie to marry him. After all, they had been dating for years and nothing would ever tear them apart. It reminded me of my mistakes and all the things I regretted. My eyes found Liv again and I swallowed the lump in my throat. The way I broke up with her and especially the reasons why I did it were horrible but we would end up together, I was still sure about that, as pathetic as it sounded. I didn't tell anyone, I knew they would say i'm delusional and I didn't want to let them kill that conviction or even make it falter.

"Thanks for your input, Niall." Liv joked, raising her nose up with a smile. "Your opinion's been noted."

I laughed and it made her laugh too and for some odd reason, it brought a bunch of memories in my head. That time we played football together and I fell on top of her... or that time we danced in the living room and tripped over each other... that time we fucked on the stairs of a radio station and had to rush down and out not to be caught... that time we made love for the first time next to my christmas tree... that time...

"Niall?"

"Mm?"

"You okay?" she asked with a frown, a smile still gracing her lips.

"Oh yea, sorry it's just... it's good to hear you laugh again."

This time, her smile turned into a fond one and I smiled too. We kept staring at each other for a while and all I could think about was how beautiful and radiating she was. Even in the way she was standing up and moving, I could see that she was more confident and happy and that her insecurities weren't as bad as they used to be. It was not just a facade.

"You're... glowing." I let out, feeling suddenly uncomfortable with my confession. I chuckled, a little embarrassed, and scratched the back of my head, trying to think of something to add before she could answer. "It's crazy that we meet, I mean, we both moved here and it's a big city."

She nodded, understanding that I didn't want to talk about the first thing I had mentioned and she finally just shrugged and shook her head.

"Yea well, you know what they say, it's a small world after all." she just replied, making me smile more.

"L.A. is a world in itself, it's true." I agreed before laughing again. "Love how you quoted disney, and also not surprised."

"Some things never change."

Her words made something twist in my stomach. The only thing that never really changed in the past two years was the love I felt for her. It was sad how it was still strong and burning my insides. I was still in love with the girl I broke up with a year ago, a girl I was seeing for the first time in months, a girl that did so fucking well without me.

"Just like your love for coffee, yea?"

I glanced up only to notice Julie was tasting cakes, making sure to stay further to give us space, but knowing her, she was probably listening to every single word Liv and I were sharing.

"I.. still love coffee."

"Good, how about one, tomorrow, to catch up?"

Her lips parted and I knew why she hesitated. It was a mix of what we used to mean for each other, the hurt I put her through, the fact that we were both taken and also, the uncertainty of us still getting along after all this. The truth was, I needed a 'yes'. I needed to see her again, to talk to her again. I needed her in my life. This whole plan of us ending up together was based on us becoming friends again but reality had just hit me. If she didn't want to be around me anymore, there were barely any chance left for us to date again. That was something I hadn't thought about too much.

I took my phone out of my pocket again and handed it to her after unlocking it. She glanced at it before looking back in my eyes and I just shrugged.

"If you want to add your number." I proposed gently. "I mean, unless you think your boyfriend wouldn't like that."

The truth was, I didn't care at all, and I knew that would trigger her into doing the opposite.

"He's never tried to stop me from seeing anyone. He's not the jealous type."

I didn't say anything, I just raised my eyebrows with a smile and she finally grabbed the phone from my hand while rolling her eyes with a smile. I stared at her with a grin as she typed and when she handed it back to me, I quickly sent her a smiling emoji to make sure she also had my number. Her phone made music as it received my text message and my smile faltered. I remembered when it was my voice she had used as a ringtone and as a notification for her messages. Of course, I couldn't expect her to have kept it after all this time but it still did something to me to realize that she was now using something else. So many things had changed and despite what I tried to make myself believe, it really fucking hurt.

"Oh is that... the theme of your tv show?"

I knew damn well it was but I didn't want to make it seem like I was obsessed with it only to see her face, even if it was exactly that. When did I fall into this disgusting pattern of regretting my own decisions? Now that I was standing right in front of her, I realized that it was a bit creepy of me but at the same time, I couldn't help myself.

"Yes! It's good isn't it?"

It was, in fact, very good, and I also knew exactly who wrote it and who was singing, but once again, I didn't mention it.

"Yea, definitely."

She sent me a smile that I sent back and we suddenly went quiet. I kept staring at her, wondering what she'd do if I'd just cup her face and kissed her but also knowing i'd never have the guts to do it. Having her so close made all my feelings so much more real, vivid and alive that I could barely breathe in her presence.

We had been friends for decades and had dated for a year but never before have I felt like this around her. Everything about her was shining in a way it never did before and what emanated from her was reflecting on me and illuminating my soul. I had no idea how she did that and most likely, she wasn't even aware of the effect she had on me.

"It's just... so good to see you." I let out, shaking my head as she raised her eyebrows and smiled.

I had missed her. I had missed her energy, her presence, her vibe. I had missed her laughter, her touch and her kisses. I had missed her friendship and her love. It was hard to believe I actually broke up with her for... for what, exactly?

"You too, Nee." she just said, tilting her head. "I'll text you."

I knew in the way that she was looking at me that we weren't on the same page and even though I didn't want to admit it to myself, I sort of wished she would still love me the way she used to. Hell, even just half of the love she used to feel for me would be enough. But there she was, standing in front of me, acting like we didn't have this painful and crazy history, and that hurt in a way I couldn't explain.

"Liv, are you gonna help or not?" Julie let out from a bit further, sticking her fork in one of the pieces of cake. "I'm getting a bit nauseous, you know I don't have a sweet tooth!"

Olivia looked back but turned again to me and chuckled without answering her. It made me laugh a bit when I saw her expression. Finally, something that was still exactly the same.

"Sorry, i'm gonna have to-"

"Yea no, it's cool." I replied, cutting her and frowning as I shook my head and shrugged. "Just text me."

"NEIL HOREIN?"

I grimaced at the sound of my name being mispronounced and cringed slightly, making Olivia laugh even more.

"I should be used to this but I never will." I admitted, my eyes closed. "You'd think after a few platinum albums, people would get it right."

"Well, keeps you grounded doesn't it?" she joked, trying to suppress a laugh.

"For sure." I just agreed, rising my nose up before sending her a smile. "Take care yea?"

Without thinking, I brought my hand up and my fingers brushed against the skin of her arm and I realized I hadn't touched her in over a year. It gave me a shock that seemed to cross my entire body and I held my breath, taking my hand back. She didn't seem fazed at all by this connection and she just raised her hand up as a goodbye sign. I took a step back and finally turned around to reach the front of the shop to pay. I turned to look at her again but she was back to trying out cakes and I took the box the lady behind the counter was handing me before thanking her and leaving.

Everything seemed surreal as I stepped foot out and I held my breath and closed my eyes until I heard my phone beep again. My heart skipped a beat at the thought of Olivia messaging me already but it dropped when I noticed it was only my girlfriend again.

'So? The cake?'

I sighed, slightly annoyed, but typed a quick answer as I was reaching my car.

'Got it. On my way.'

                                                        -----

I quickly opened the door and took my shoes off before closing it with my foot and walking to the kitchen. I didn't know where my girlfriend was and simply put the cake in the fridge before sitting down in the living room, grabbing my guitar and putting it on my lap. I took the notebook I had left on the coffee table and started scribbling the two-line lyrics that had been stuck in my head the whole drive until home.

I was not ready for a new album yet but that didn't mean I couldn't work on new music while waiting and I just stared at the words written for a few seconds without blinking. Quickly, I added a few words before and worked on the verses. I could feel my heart beat hard against my rib cage as I re-read the words and I finally took my guitar and started playing while recording myself. I didn't know if half an hour had even passed when I heard footsteps coming from downstairs and I stopped recording, barely believing I had written something decent enough to be used in a future album. I was so lost in my mind that it took me a few seconds to realize someone was taking to me.

"Niall? Hello?"

"Mm?" I blinked a few times and turned my head, my eyes meeting my girlfriend's. "Sorry love, what did you say?"

"The. Cake." she let out very annoyed, after probably repeating it a few times.

"The. Fridge." I replied meanly, feeling suddenly a bit guilty for being rude. "You're gonna have to try and trust me, you know." I added slightly louder as she reached the kitchen.

She came back with a bottle of water and sat next to me, swallowing half of it quickly. She was wearing her work-out clothes and pushed her high ponytail over her shoulder, taking one of her earbuds off.

"I thought you were going out for a run?" I asked, frowning for a second before closing the notebook in front of me.

I didn't want her to read what I had written or to ask to hear it but I knew it was not likely that she would. She had stopped caring about things I enjoyed a while ago. Why did we start dating again?

"Wasn't in the mood to be photographed." she let out with a grimace, making me chuckle.

"Oh yea? Since when?"

She turned to me and if looks could kill, i'd be fucking dead on the spot. I cleared my throat and shrugged a shoulder, leaning against the couch. I wanted to point out to her that I was right but instead, I closed my eyes, humming my new song and feeling something twist in my chest. How could one person inspire me so much? Was she also going to be the muse for my second album? I desperately wanted to believe i'd be back with her soon and be able to write a few happy songs for the second one but after the short encounter we just had had, I was not even sure she still had feelings for me. It did the opposite for me, though ; i was now totally sure that I was still in love with her.

"Okay well, can you order?" my girlfriend asked, taking me out of my daydream as she put her hand on my thigh. "I need to rehearse a bit more, okay?"

She didn't wait for my answer and just got up, running back downstairs with her water bottle and I closed my eyes again. After I broke up with Olivia, I decided to go out every night, have fun and fuck whoever I wanted. The first few times felt amazing but the more I was fucking around, the more I realized it was not for me. The flirting part was nice enough, and the sex wasn't so bad most of the time but the feeling i'd get when i'd wake up in the morning was horrible, like a bitter aftertaste of some expired milk that remained in your fridge for too long. The truth was, sex with a stranger is good, but never as good as sex with someone you love, for many many reasons. When feelings were involved, there was clearly something stronger coming from the whole moment and after a while, you know that person so well that you know exactly what she wants and what it means when she does a certain face, or moans a certain way. There was something important and safe in the choreography of our bodies and I hadn't found that special feeling and connection with anyone else,  not even my current girlfriend. No, sex was not everything, but with the right person, it was ecstatic and emotional at the same time.

I grabbed my phone and looked at our conversation. There was only the smiling emoji I had sent her yet and I started nibbling on my bottom lip. She hadn't messaged me yet and I was a bit scared she never would. I started typing a message slowly, telling myself that if she'd never message me, at least, she'd know how I felt.

'If honesty means telling you the truth, well i'm still in love with you'

I blinked a few times, staring at the words I had typed from the song I had written, until I couldn't read them anymore due to the tears in my eyes. I couldn't believe I was crying, I couldn't believe it would hurt so much to see her so well without me and at the same time, that thought was so selfish it made me feel guilty. After all, I was the one who had broken up with her, and she didn’t owe me anything. She hadn’t spent the last year dwelling on the past or crying for me.

I swallowed, ready to hit 'send', when my phone beeped. I wiped my eyes quickly and the left corner of my lips raised up. I felt like someone had taken a load off my shoulders and I breathed in deeply as I read her message.

'Coffee tomorrow afternoon, are you free? 🤪'

I chuckled at the emoji and quickly, I deleted the lyrics I was about to send her to replace it with an answer to her question. I wanted to see her and if she had asked me to drive to her at this exact moment, I would have in a heartbeat. Everything I did in the past year was only to lead me to this exact moment.

'Always free for you 🥰'

[twoidiotwriters1]

Pure Blood 3 (Sirius Black x F!Oc)

A/N: I am sorry that this chapter is so short, BUT something big is coming. And I also want to give a notice, as you already realized, I stink to update on Wednesday, so I can't promise to update one day, but if I can promise that I will update often, thanks for the support :))

Words: 1,484

Warnings: None!

Pt. 1 // Pt. 2 // Pt.3 // Pt.4

Percy POV:

After several days, the weekend finally arrived. I can’t believe my first week has been so stressful! And I’m aware that all this anxiety is inside me, outside everything is good: Classes were easy and our work was simple, the only difference was the warnings about our OWLS. All my friends got scared, but not me. It’s nothing I can’t handle.

All I usually care at school has been shadowed by the whirlwind of thoughts destroying my head and distracting me from my normal life. I tried to keep myself busy, so I finished all my schoolwork for the week and now I’m sitting here, under a tree in front of the lake with my legs tightly against my chest and my chin resting above them. My eyes fixed on the water.

I feel a knot in my throat and something stinging on my chest, each day grows uncontrollably, the memories from my past vacations coming back harsh as ever.

They were a family. They had done nothing wrong and I… I didn’t do anything to stop their terrible fate. Even though I had the chance.

Tears are pouring over my face, my father’s dark eyes chase me and his screams resonate in every single one of my nightmares.

My own family expects me to become a muggle murderer. Voldemort and all his followers are starting to grow and my parents are more than willing to participate but this family… they hadn’t done anything wrong. I could see the terror in their eyes… in the boy’s eyes.

I couldn’t do it.

The muggles are scared. Like us, they have jobs and families, they have… a destiny that has nothing to do with ours. What makes us different is magic, but they don’t know that. They don’t know we exist. Most of them, anyway.

Is it different with muggles parents? Being a half-blood, why am I supposed to hate them? Why are my parents so blind that they see muggles as enemies?

If a conflict arrives, we have resources, more than them. All magical, but, if they have none… Why do we have to hurt or kill them? Why do we hate them?

“I see you’re losing your time,” I jump slightly at the voice. Raising my head, I see my older sister Juno.

I let out a sigh and turn back to the lake.

“I don’t have anything else to do,” I see her sit next to me by the corner of my eye.

“Why the long face? Oh, don’t tell me you’re still crying about what happened back home,” I clench my teeth and she just chuckles, “I admit that at first it’s hard, and a little weird, won’t lie about that. But then you get used to it, you even enjoy it. Get rid of muggles and traitors…”

“And what if I don’t want to get used to it?”

“What?”

“I don’t want to,” I blurt out.

“Stop being a baby and face your fate, Persephone,” She replies passing a hand through her hair.

“You’re sounding like Dad,” I huff.

“And what’s wrong about that?” I close my eyes for a moment, and when I open them, I decide to face her.

“You’ve never wondered why do we all hate muggles so much?”

“Don’t start that,” She rolls her eyes, “just do what Dad says and-”

“Wait, you mean I just start to kill people and nothing else? Oh, right. Cause that’s so easy. How did I never think of that?”

“I knew you’d be the weakest. You know, for a moment I believed all your act, you could fool our family and I think even yourself by annoying all the muggleborns in our school, but just look at you while after seeing my dad in action, getting rid of a few scum. I guess your real you finally came out. I’ll wait to see what kind of punishment does my dad use on you once we get to your imminent treason.”

She gets up and starts to walk towards the castle, my anger only grows and I scream before I think it through.

“You know nothing, Juno!” She turns around.

“Oh, the princess wants to defend herself?” She mocks, but the smile vanished from her face in a matter of seconds, “Stop pretending and do the whole family a favor: Disappear.”

Her words sting. I can’t believe that my older sister has turned into a monster, the same girl that used to play with me, that gave me advice. That hugged me when Black abandoned me. The one that promised to look after me… now wants me gone.

“What have they done to you, you weren’t like this,” I whisper.

She gives me a devilish smile, but before she can answer, someone interrupts us.

“A fight between sisters? Interesting,” Says James Potter, we look in his direction to see he’s with Remus and Sirius.

“Talking about siblings, What did you do with mine, Singh? He looks like a lost puppy, looking everywhere for you,” Adds Sirius. I bite my lip, drowning in guilt.

“Since when do you care about him, Black?” I retort.

“Oh, please, little Reggie’s still part of the family, which means he’s related to me and… let’s say that it might affect my reputation with girls if he can’t stand being away from you for long periods of time.”

I’ve been evading Regulus all week, but if I’m honest, the last thing I need is Reg asking me how am I doing every five minutes, I have enough with Jenna, all worried about me. I know both of them have good intentions, but I can’t deal with it right now. I’ll talk to him… later.

“And what a reputation you have, Black. They know you with many names, Traitor for example,” Says Juno.

Sirius’ miles tenses slightly, his attitude changing.

“Sorry, but I only can talk with one crazy lady at a time”

Juno laughs.

“Always so funny, what’s the use of that? I guess your family must be so proud of you. You think I should write to your mother? You know, just so she knows everything you do in school.”

Sirius closes his fists and James seems to notice, putting a hand on his friend’s shoulder and trying to calm him down.

“Alright, we better start to cool off,” Sirius brushes his hand away, James and Remus shared a worried look.

“And what if I talk to your Father, Juni?” My sister clenches her teeth at the nickname, Sirius used to tease her a lot with it when we were friends.

“They won’t believe you,” Both of them step closer.

“Oh, but daddy Ares doesn’t want any kind of rumors surrounding his daughter, right? But sure,” He chuckles, “you’re the least important Singh, I know that. I guess you’re right, maybe they won’t care at all”

“Sirius,” I gasp, the boy knows that’s a sensitive subject for my sister.

Juno glares at Sirius with all her anger and for a moment I think that she’ll take out her wand, but she just shakes her head.

“I don’t have time to argue with a child like you,” She scoffs, turning around and walking towards the castle.

“Juno,” I try to stop her, but the only thing I get from it is a harsh push that makes me fall flat on the ground. She doesn’t look back.

I ignore the pain on my elbows and back, standing up. I turn around towards the boys, standing in front of Sirius.

“Happy?”

“Actually yes, I am quite pleased,” He smirks.

“Well of course, cause now you’re taking advantage of the pain you cause on other people, right?” Once again, he seems angry.

“Don’t get things wrong, honey. I’m not a snake”

“You have all to be one though, just ask Severus.”

“He deserved that,” Says James, but we both ignore him.

“Now you defend him? Are you going to change my brother for Snivellus?” I pass a hand through my hand, exasperated.

“I can’t believe you! Why do you even care Who I date or don’t date? why are you waiting for me to make a mistake so you can shove it on my face?”

I step forward and he steps back, taken by surprise.

“What if I want to date Regulus? What if I don’t? Who do you think you are to criticize my every action?”

He stays silent and it’s then that I notice how loud I was talking. Luckily it’s just us but now I’m crying again. I step back a little, ashamed of my own outburst. I look down, biting my lower lip, shaking.

“Forget it. Just… forget this happened and leave me alone”

I run back to school without looking back, at this point, I just want to go back to my room and never leave my bed.

Taglist.

@treestarrrrrrrr  @siriuslysirius1107 @thagreenmoonblack  

@madmaiden2890​

[rareandbeautifulthing]

Updated my Ari & Dante fic with a Christmas Eve chapter :) Did something a little different, as it’s in Cecilia’s POV. Read the whole thing here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/19470853/chapters/52363339

CECILIA

It’s been so long since I’ve seen my family. Well, not Sylvia - we get together every couple of weeks for house-cleaning day. We rotate between her house and my house, and we just spend the day sipping on wine, catching up, and doing a thorough cleaning while the kids play together. We have this arrangement where I do the “dry chores,” like sweeping and dusting and vacuuming, and she does the “wet chores” like mopping and scrubbing. She doesn’t mind the wet chores, and I don’t mind the dry chores, and it works out perfectly. One of the perks of being twins, I guess. In many ways, we’re either just alike, or else we’re polar opposites. 

But I haven’t seen the rest of the family for months. We were supposed to come for Thanksgiving, but then Mrs. Quintana had the baby, so Sylvia and Juan and the kids just came over and we had a smaller Thanksgiving at our place. 

I’m not even going to pretend that I’m not dying to meet this family that has completely upended my family’s life and transformed my little brother and my parents. Sylvia told me all about Ari’s birthday dinner, and how he and Dante are so grown up and comfortable with each other, and how my dad actually talks and laughs now, and how Ari actually talks and laughs now. I couldn’t quite picture it. Our family has been always been so...closed. So private. Just a bunch of private people, living private lives, at least since my dad got home from his time in Vietnam. Sylvia and I were the exceptions, but only when it came to each other, and I guess that doesn’t really count since we’re twins. I mean, of course we’re close. 

It was kind of funny when my mom told me Ari and Dante had gotten engaged, because she started out saying, “Do you remember me mentioning Dante?” 

I was like, “You mean the guy Ari almost died for? Yeah, Mom, you’ve mentioned him. You talk about him as much as you talk about Ari, or Dad.” 

My mother said, “Yes, well. I’m sure Syliva told you that he and Ari took their relationship to the next level.”

“She did. I think that’s great. Can’t wait to meet him.” 

“Oh yes, you’ll adore him. And they’re not just dating now. They’re engaged.”

That was a little surprising. “How’s that going to work?” I asked, genuinely curious. “They can’t actually get married, can they? And they’re so young.”

“They can get married. It may not be acknowledged by the government, but marriage is about commitment, not a piece of paper. And I know they’re young. But when you see them together, Cece...well, your dad and I were young, too, and I’ve never regretted a day of it. And they’re just so good for each other.”

This was over a month ago, obviously, and she’d also told me all about the baby that was coming, and it was crystal clear from how she talked about the Quintana family that they had somehow integrated right into our family. Almost like our family had simply expanded.

So when I’d called her to talk about Christmas a couple of weeks ago, it wasn’t a total shocker that she talked about the Quintanas’ home like it was an extension of our own. 

“You and Leo can stay at the Quintanas’,” she’d said. “So can Sylvia and Juan. It just makes the most sense. We only have the one guest room, as you know, and they only have one guest room, so the boys will stay together here in Ari’s room and all the little ones can stay here - well, not Joaquin, obviously, but all the grands. They can stay with us in the guest room. We’ll put down a bunch of sleeping bags. They’ll have a blast.”

“Really?” I’d asked. This sounded a little too good to be true. I love my kids more than life itself, but having them stay with Abuela and Abuelo while Leo and I were in a totally different space seemed like a mini-vacay. “Are you sure the Quintanas are okay with this?”

“Of course, honey. Why wouldn’t they be?”

“You talk about them like they’re family.”

“They are.” 

So that was that. 

The first time we encounter Ari, I see immediately what Sylvia was talking about. He had always been so dark in this way. So sheltered in himself. When we get to the house and come in, he bounds down the stairs and doles out hugs like it’s not the first time he’s ever done so, and I have to consciously keep myself from staring, because he has somehow gone from exuding darkness to exuding light. He looks like a different person, just from the look on his face and the smile in his eyes. And the hugs. So many hugs, for all of us. Like he hadn’t been a kid who shunned physical affection all his life. 

Who is this Dante, I think, to have changed him so completely? Was it just Dante that had changed him? Had almost dying had something to do with it? My mind is full of questions as I smile back at him, speechless. 

Leo and I offer to help with dinner, but my parents insist that we take it easy, so Leo and I pour ourselves some eggnog and settle into the family room with the kids, who are coloring in coloring books on the floor. A little while later the front door opens, and I assume it’s my sister Sylvia. I mean, who else would just walk into the house without knocking? 

Leo and I have a clear view of the foyer from where we’re sitting on the couch, so we see that it’s not Sylvia. It’s a teenage boy I can only assume is Dante, except it’s a little hard to believe. For one thing, he walks into the house like he owns it, which I guess shouldn’t actually be surprising considering my mom’s whole “they’re family” comment. But he’s disarmingly confident, and also he’s  just...old. He looks like a young adult, and while I can objectively see that Ari is also a young adult, I still see him as a kid. I can’t not. I mean, he’s my brother. When I look at him I don’t really see him. I see his essence. And while, yes, his essence has changed, I still hadn’t really appreciated him as a “young adult.”

But this guy definitely is. He’s fairly tall, and he’s got dark brown hair that was clearly cut short at some point, but has grown enough that it looks tousled, like he can’t be bothered with a comb. His faded jeans are so worn they have frayed cuffs and a couple of holes in them, and his sweater looks like it might have once almost fit, but it’s been stretched out and now just hangs on him like a rag. He toes off his beat-up sneakers in the foyer, revealing mismatched socks. His facial features stand in contrast to all this chaos; they’re sharp and defined and truly lovely, almost catlike. He’s quite striking, to be honest. 

If this is Ari’s fiance, well. Good job, Ari.

He proceeds to the living room, which is just past the stairway and therefore still in view, and proceeds to start unpacking the paper grocery bags full of gifts he’d carted in with him. As he goes, he rearranges the gifts that were already there, and I’m again struck by how he didn’t announce his presence or greet anyone, and how he’s now taken complete control of the Christmas tree space. For one absurd moment I wonder if this kid actually lives here, and my parents just forgot to tell me. 

As if he can feel our gaze, he looks up at Leo and me. His face immediately lights up into a brilliant smile full of bright white teeth, and a moment later he’s standing in front of us, hand extended. 

“I’m Dante,” he says. “I’m Ari’s prometido. You must be Cecilia and Leo.” 

The use of the Spanish word for “fiance” catches me off guard. I’d forgotten that Dante was Mexican, too; he doesn’t look it. I glance at Leo, who is glancing at me, and then I stand and take Dante’s hand. “I am. Nice to meet you, Dante.” 

His handshake is like everything else about him. Strong and solid and warm. He reaches for Leo’s hand next. Isabella and Rafael have clambered up from the floor and shimmied over to us, and now they’re looking up at Dante expectantly. Not surprising. We’ve raised them to own their space in the world. 

Without hesitation, Dante crouches so he’s at their level. “And you must be Isabella and Rafael,” he says, pronouncing their names perfectly. He is extending his hand to them just as he did to us. “I’m your Uncle Dante.” 

I have to admit, I’m impressed. 

I’m even more impressed when Bella shoves him and yells, “You’re it!” and takes off running. Isabella is my shy one. She doesn’t typically initiate play, and only rarely does she engage with strangers. But here she is, dashing out of the family room, and as if he’d expected it, Dante is close on her heels. They round the corner and disappear from view, but I can hear her shrieking in delight. Instinctively, Leo and I step out to where the family room opens out into the hallway, Rafael hovering close. We can see into the living room, and also down the hall into the kitchen where my mom and dad and brother are cooking. As we stand watching, Bella appears around the corner, darting expertly between her grandparents and her uncle. Ari has just taken a pan of cookies out of the oven with a potholder-clad hand, and he lifts them far above her head as she whizzes by him. 

Then Dante appears. He also blazes between my parents, but I can see him slow a bit because of Ari. “Hey,’ I hear him say, and he plants a kiss on Ari’s mouth mid-run. He’s quickly brought up short, however, because my brother snakes his free arm around Dante’s waist and stops him mid-run. 

“Hey yourself,” I hear my brother say in a husky voice I’ve never even imagined could come out of him. Then he pulls Dante against him, and Dante immediately responds by pulling on him, too, and then they are kissing so thoroughly I feel myself blush. Bella has stopped right here in front of us and is staring down the hall just like Leo, Rafe and me. Just staring at her uncle Ari and her uncle Dante making out in the kitchen while my dad bends over the oven, checking the temperature of the meat and my mom scoots around the hot pan of cookies that is still in Ari’s hand. Neither of my parents seem to even notice that my brother is sucking face with a dude right in front of them until my mother scoots around the cookies for a second time just as Ari shifts. I wince, because she almost gets burned by the hot pan. 

“Boys! There’s too much going on in here,” she chastises, and immediately Ari and Dante break apart, laughing. 

Then they let go of each other and a second later, Dante is back in the game, charging for Bella. She squeals in delight and takes off again, this time stopping just around the corner, on the other side of the stairs, and peers through the banisters. She hovers there as Dante skids to a stop in front of us, hovering as well. They look like two feral cats with only a staircase between them, dancing back and forth on their feet, sizing each other up. 

“Why were you kissing my Ari?” Rafael asks in a quiet voice.

Dante answers matter-of-factly without looking away from Bella, still involved in the game. “Because I’m in love with him.” My heart absolutely melts. I mean, really? This awesome, adorable young man, in love with my sulky little brother? And yet I believe it. Anyone who witnessed the way they just kissed each other would believe it. 

Then Dante does look away from Bella, turning suddenly to Rafe, a quizzical look on his face. “Wait...are you playing?” he asks, and then he makes his hands into claws and hisses at my son. Rafael screams in delight, and I realize he wanted to be included. How did Dante get that when I didn’t? A moment later Rafael has taken off towards the kitchen, and Dante is fast on his heels. Bella doesn’t want to be left out, so she circles back in front of us and races after Dante. 

“Dante!” my dad bellows as the three of them dart through the kitchen, and for the millionth time since Dante showed up, I do a double take. My dad is not the bellowing type. “Take it outside!” he yells.

“You heard your abuelo,” Dante hollers back to the kids, taking a detour through the back door. “C’mon!”

And then my kids are through the door, following their new uncle into the backyard, and I can feel Leo’s eyes on me. I look back at him, as amazed as he is.

Who is this guy?

“Okay, this sounds awful, so please forgive me. But you were always such a sullen little loner, Ari.” I say over dinner. Sylvia catches my eye, and she’s smirking. I ignore her and continue on. “How did you manage to land Mister Sunshine here?”  

This makes the entire family - meaning my parents, Dante’s parents (who arrive a little while ago and greeted all of us with kisses like they’d always known us), my sister and her husband (who had also arrived a little while ago), and the boys themselves - erupt into laughter. I feel slightly irritated, because I don’t get what’s so funny, but it’s hard to get too annoyed because the sight of my family belly-laughing is too good to be true. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before. 

“Well, ya know. I played hard-to-get for a while, but he eventually won me over,” Dante says, which provokes more hysterics. Then Dante speaks again. “Seriously, though. I pined after him for over a year, and the whole time he was like, what a cool bromance we have.”

“I never used the term ‘bromance,’” Ari argues, the disgusted look on his face betrayed by how his eyes are dancing with amusement, and I can’t believe how playful my brother is now. It makes me wonder if he’d been playful before, and none of us caught on, or whether Dante inspired something new in him.

“Well, you may as well have,” Dante retorts, and Ari smirks at him. “At any rate, Cecilia, yeah. It took him a minute. Worth the wait, though,” he finishes up, leaning his head onto Ari’s shoulder. Ari leans over and kisses his forehead. I can’t do anything but stare. 

After dinner, everyone crowds into the family room. My dad lights a fire in the fireplace, and Mrs. Quintana sits down at the neglected piano and plays some Christmas carols until Joaquin wakes up from his nap (my parents actually have a bassinet in the family room, just for when the Quintanas are over), and then she picks him up and feeds him in the rocking chair (which is also new, and seems to be just for this purpose). I snuggle up against Leo on the sofa, feeling young again, and try not to stare too hard at Ari and Dante, who are so entangled in an armchair that it’s hard to tell whose jean-clad legs are whose, or my parents, who are standing close together with their arms around each other like they’re teenagers in love. Sam and Juan are on the floor with all the kids, playing a board game with them in front of the fire. Sylvia is on the sofa on my other side, leaned up against me with her head on my shoulder. 

This is the warmest, sweetest Christmas Eve this family has ever had. It makes me think about Bernardo. I want to say something, but I know the topic is off-limits. Except maybe it’s not anymore. There are photos of him on the wall, now. There hasn’t been for years and years. 

“Mom?” I ask, tentatively. She looks over at me. “Have you...heard from Bernardo? It’s just, I noticed his pictures are up.”

She smiles sadly and shakes her head, but then Ari says, “I have.”

Everyone turns to stare at him except Dante, who is smiling widely, clearly aware already.

“You have?” my dad asks. Ari suddenly looks flustered.

“Yeah,” he says. “I wrote to him.” He shrugs. “He wrote back.” He smiles at his parents. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I happened to get the mail the day his letter arrived, and then once I read it, well.” I see Dante put his hand on Ari’s thigh and give it a reassuring squeeze. “It’s wrapped. Under the tree. For you guys to find tomorrow. But I guess I just spoiled the surprise.” He doesn’t look the least bit sorry about it, and neither do my parents. Their faces are both lit up brighter than the Christmas tree in the next room. 

“What...what did he say, Ari?” my mom asks, quietly.

“Go get it. It’s the present in the big box.”

My mother hurries into the living room and returns a moment later with a box big enough to hold a record player. “This one?” 

Ari nods. “I put it in a big box so you wouldn’t guess what it was. It was Dante’s idea.” Dante nods proudly.

My parents sit down on the sofa next to Sylvia and together, they unwrap the present. Once they get the letter out, they read it in silence. My mom starts crying, and then my dad does, too, which is quite jarring--I’ve never seen him cry. Everyone’s looking at them. 

“What does it say, Mom?” Sylvia asks. My mom just shakes her head, unable to speak, so my dad reads it out in a shaky voice. 

“Dear Ari. First of all, I’m really glad you wrote. You were always my favorite.” This gets an emotional laugh from all of us. “I can’t believe you’re so old. You’re a man, now, and all I can picture is you as a boy. I wish I knew what you looked like. I can’t say I’m not a little weirded out about you being engaged to a guy, but at the same time, it’s cool. I’ve met a lot of different kinds of people in here, and one thing I’ve learned is that the ones who have your back aren’t always the ones you think. There’s a guy in here that I’ve gotten to be pretty tight with, and he’s gay. When I first met him, I hated him just because of that. But he’s been kinder to me than anyone else, and he actually listens, and thinks about things, and he’s really funny, and after a while I realized I didn’t care that he’s gay because he’s just a good dude. He’s my bro now. That’s made me reflect a lot on what I did. I don’t know how much you know about that, and I don’t really want to talk about it. It makes me feel kind of sick, to be honest. I was a different person then. Really lost. It sounds like you were lost for a while, too, and I’m really glad you aren’t anymore. 

It’s not so bad in here. Not anymore. It was at first. Thanks for telling me about Mom and Dad. I feel too awful about all that to think about it, which is why I haven’t written to them. Maybe I will someday, now that I know they’d still want that. I figured after what an ass I was, they wouldn’t want to hear from me. I was just ashamed, and scared, and angry. I don’t even know why I was angry. Anyway I don’t want to talk about it. But if you get a chance to tell them I love them more than anything, do it. Same goes for Syl and Cece.

Merry Christmas and happy engagement and all that. You should write again if you feel like it. Getting a letter from you was the best thing to happen to me in a really long time, and I wouldn’t mind another. Maybe send a photo of yourself, and your boy, too. I’m curious to see what you look like now, and I want to see this guy who captured your heart. Bernardo.”

We all sit in silence for a while. I have tears coursing silently down my cheeks, and so does Sylvia, and my mom is holding on to my dad, sobbing. “Thank you, son,” my dad says quietly, and Ari smiles at him and nods. 

Mrs. Quintana eventually hands baby Joaquin to Ari, and he takes him like it’s second nature, like it’s something they’ve done a million times. Then she leans down and kisses my mom on the temple, and goes to the piano to play some more. That helps shift the mood a bit, and after a while my mom stands and takes the baby from Ari and stands there, rocking him back and forth, singing the lyrics of “O Holy Night” quietly to him as his mother plays it. She’s still crying a little, but just a little. 

After a while, my eyes are feeling heavy. I look at my watch and realize it’s close to midnight. 

“Oh my,” I say. “Kids, it’s time for bed!” That breaks any remnants of emotionality in the room.

The kids - all five of them - set up a howling lament. 

“Don’t even start,” Leo says next to me, just as I say, “It’s way past your bedtime.” Juan is nodding his support as Sylvia sits up and runs her fingers through her hair. “What your tía said,” she murmurs. 

Bella gets up and climbs onto Ari and Dante. They shift around a bit and Ari wraps an arm around her so she doesn’t fall off their laps. “Are you going to be here in the morning?” she asks Dante.

“Yep. I’m spending the night with Uncle Ari, so we’ll both be here when you wake up,” Dante assures her.

“Do you like to spend the night with Uncle Ari?” she asks.

Dante gets this wicked little smile on his face.

“Oh, yes. Sleeping with your Uncle Ari is my favorite thing in the whole world,” he says earnestly.

“Dante,” his mother admonishes, while Sam groans and my dad closes his eyes and shakes his head and my mother rolls her eyes, embarrassed. Ari flushes and bites his lip to keep from laughing. 

“Uncle Dante?” Sylvia’s son, Max, says, standing up and drifting towards their chair. “You weren’t always part of our family.”

“No, Max. I wasn’t.”

“Will you always be part of our family now?” Max asks. Dante grins. 

“Yes, I will. I’ll always be here. You can get used to me.” And then he snakes out an arm and pulls Max onto their laps as well, and both kids are giggling and squealing. 

“Can Uncle Ari and Uncle Dante put us to bed?” Rafe asks, and I smile at him, because I know he’s a little jealous of the attention his sister and cousin are getting.

“It’s okay with me,” I say, glancing over at Leo and then at Juan and Sylvia. They all nod in agreement. “If they want to,” I add, glancing at Ari and Dante. They’re both beaming. 

“Of course. Get in line, kids! We’re making a train,” Dante says, carefully depositing Bella and Max on to the floor so he can extricate himself from Ari and stand up. “Ari, you be the caboose.” 

Ari scowls at him playfully. “Why do I have to be the caboose?” he asks, his eyes narrowed. 

“Because I’m always the caboose,” Dante says over his shoulder, winking, and Ari’s eyes get wide and he doubles over laughing and frankly, I’m a bit embarrassed. I have no idea what the statement even means, but it’s clearly something sexual because Sam is groaning again and Mrs. Quintana says, “Dante!” again in an exasperated tone. Thankfully, none of the kids have a clue that Dante keeps making jokes about his sex life with their uncle, so I just lean into Leo and laugh. 

“This whole situation is so bizarre,” I say, once the kids have all kissed us goodnight and made it upstairs. 

“Tell me about it,” Sylvia says. She’s pulling on her coat, as are Juan and the Quintanas, so Leo and I follow suit. 

“I’m not sure you can understand,” I say to the Quintanas. “How much my family has changed because of you guys. Because of Dante.” 

Mrs. Quintana smiles, and then she says, softly, “I think we do understand. At least somewhat. Dante was never as...sad...as Ari was, but he was always alone. No matter how many friends he had, it was clear he was alone. Sometimes Sam and I would worry about him, worry that he would never find a soulmate.” She glances to her husband, who nods. “The day Dante came home from the pool and told us he’d met the coolest guy in the universe, we knew something was different. He was glowing. After he went upstairs, Sam looked at me and said, ‘everything just changed.’”

“So you knew?” Leo asked.

She glanced around at the other parents, unsure how to respond. My mom is the one who answers. “I think we all knew,” she says. “But we all took different amounts of time admitting it to ourselves.” 

I smile at them, in awe of...well, everything. 

“We’ll see you in the morning,” my dad says, pulling me into a hug. I can’t remember the last time he hugged me.

I hug him back. 

[artificialqueens]

Objects in the Rear View Mirror (Craquameron) - Chapter Eighteen - Saiphl

And say maybe our hearts could heal or break, this could go either way - Chapter Eighteen

Kameron PoV

Now come on over here

Let’s be in love tonight

God knows what we’ll be by the morning light

I wake up early in the morning, both Aquaria and Brianna are sleeping spreaded on the bed, I start doing my packing trying not to wake them up. Seeing them sleeping, makes me wonder if it will always be like these, if we will be so in love in the future, for me, the answer is clear: I will always be in love with them, with the three of us together.

I’m in the shower when I hear them coming to life, Brianna groans to the morning light that Aquaria let in opening the blinds. “Good morning Kam!”, her chirpy voice making clear she’s more awake than Brianna and I together. “You should’ve wake us up, I wanted to help you packing babe.” She pouts through the crystal of the shower and I laugh, turning off the water and pulling my robe to get out.

“You were so peaceful, I didn’t have the gut to break your rest.” Aquaria pouts even more, and I melt to her sad doll face. I go towards her and kiss her on the lips. “Good morning beauty, you look prettier if you smile”, I cup her cheek, running my thumb over her lips, making her smile in the process. “Is Bri up already?”, I ask stretching my neck to look back in the room.

“I am, and not by my own will”, she answers, stepping out of the bed and looking half sleepy, half disappointed. “What time is it now?”, she asks, bending to reach her phone to look at the clock. “Holy shit! It’s past ten! and I still need to pack my things at home”, she hurries to the bathroom “move ladies I need to shower, and you can join me if you promise to behave Aquaria.” We both laugh, and I leave them to shower, while I finish getting ready.

“We still have half an hour here, then we’ll need to hurry, otherwise, we’ll have to eat at the airport!” I yell at them, and they mumble ininteligible words, I close the door. Taking one last look to my childhood bedroom makes me nostalgic, I thought this trip was going to be something totally different, and even that everything changed, it had been for good. I take my time getting ready, and finish packing what I’ve used when the girls came out from the bathroom.

“We won’t take long Kammy, are you done packing?” Bri asks, still shaking her hair on a towel to dry. Aquaria throws her towel on the now vacant chair, and starts rubbing lotion on her naked body, my mouth dries to the sight and Brianna gets distracted by her. “Aqua, honey… if you keep doing that, I’ll have to eat you up, and we have no time.” Aquaria winks at her, openly provocative, and I sigh loudly at the idea of Bri’s head between her thighs.

“Alright you two, get dressed while I take my luggage down, you have ten minutes, then I’ll drag you out of here however you are.” Even though the idea is so tempting, Bri is right: we have no time to waste, and I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time when we get back to New York. “Hurry up ladies!” I usher them taking my luggage and going downstairs.

I’m giving one last check to our boarding passes on my phone when they come down, laughing playfully, soon Aquaria is sliding her hands on my waist, and Brianna at my side, kissing my cheek. “Eight minutes baby, are we good or what?”, she says to my ear, making me quiver, I turn to give her a peck on the lips.

“Well done my loves, let’s go, to do your packing and to get Aqua’s luggage too.” Aquaria is the first to leave the house, taking my luggage to the car. Then Brianna leaves, taking the trash bag with her. Finally I step out the now empty house. There’s a lot of memories that I’m leaving here and this is the last time ever that I close this door. My father’s deep laugh comes to my memory, also does the warm feeling of my mother’s embrace. Now I know, it doesn’t matter how bad things turned out, it doesn’t matter that our little family is broken, what actually matters is, that no matter another family will live here soon; this will always be my home.

Let’s be the flesh and the sweat on the sheets

Let’s fill the darkness with passion and grace

Let’s leave a mark that will never erase

Once we’re in the car, Aquaria starts driving. I can’t help feeling like the sixteen year old girl that left in the middle of the night so many years ago, what’s different this time, is that I feel hope and happiness while the orange house gets smaller while the car moves away. Aquaria is looking at me through the rear view mirror, a question showing on her ice blue eyes. The question that she doesn’t dare to ask, but Brianna does. “Everything ok, Kammy?”

I nod silently, suddenly overwhelmed by the power of the moment. “I… think I am”, I say doubtful. “It’s just, I never expected for this trip to end like these. I just want you to know girls, I love you and I’m ready to start a life with you.” Aquaria smiles, mouthing an ‘I love you too’, and Bri turns her face to say it out loud too.

We reach Brianna’s parents house sooner than I expected, and we hop off the car. Bob is waiting for us at the front door and holding Lester who’s happily yapping and wagging his tail. “I was about to call you girls, it’s late and Brianna has a mess upstairs. Did you have something for breakfast already?”, she manages to say while greeting and kissing the three of us, ushering us in.

Bob cook for us while we help Bri to finish her packing, and it was actually as messy as her mother said before. A soft smell of bacon and toast fills the whole house when we go downstairs. Shane is already pouring coffee cups for the five of us. “C’me on girls, s’gettin’ late you’ll have to hurry”, he says, with a smile, we sit at his left, while Bob is serving plates of fresh made omelettes.

“I know it’s not as good as Bri’s food, but this will keep you up until you get to New York.” Her smile is sincere and has all her white teeth on display. My heart warms realizing that Brianna has the exact same smile as her mother’s. There were so many things I’ve never had the chance to notice and now I’m grateful of being able to share this simple domestic moments, it makes me feel at home.

We’re half done with breakfast when the doorbell rings, Shane goes to open the door and a few seconds later, he’s coming back with Alaska and Sharon, both of them pulling Aquaria’s luggage with them. “Good morning everybody!” Alaska speaks cheerfully, still slurring her words in the process. They put the luggage besides a couch and go to the table to greet Bob, then to hug their daughter and kiss Brianna’s and my own cheeks.

Sharon sits besides Bob, who’s handing her a cup of coffee, Sharon thanks her silently, holding her hand and the cup between her own. “Bob called us to say you arrived, we wanted to save you some time bringing Aquaria’s luggage here”, Sharon’s words are calm and Alaska teases her poking her in the ribs. “Hey Lasky!” Shane laughs looking at Sharon’s offended expression. “We want to go with you to the airport girls, we’re not seeing you before Christmas, so we expect to spend some more time with you”.

“That’s great”, I say putting down my fork. “I know  both Bri and Aqua will miss you all, and I think I’ll miss you too” my face blushing with those words, making them laugh a bit.

“You’re the shy one, aren’t you?” Alaska asks to me, and I nod. “Well, you better learn to have us all around, we are kind of bear parents and we’ll checking on you three.”  She smiles at me, and I hear Aquaria hiss and Brianna laugh.

“Momma, I love you insanely, but I’ll need some space with my ladies”, she says, mocking her mother with her words. Alaska fakes an outraged expression and Sharon affectedly wrap her shoulders with one arm. “I know… I know… manners, right Mom?” Aquaria pouts and Sharon laughs looking at her daughter.

“Don’t worry Sharon, I’ll make sure Aquaria doesn’t miss your calls” Brianna mocks and gets a poke on the ribs by our girlfriend. “Ouch! Aqua, that hurts.” Aquaria throws a raspberry to her, just to lean on my shoulder after that. “Alright miss thing, no icecream for you until we get to JFK.” Both their parents laugh and then we finish our breakfast. I help Bob to take the dishes and cutlery to the kitchen and all the others start taking Bri’s and Aqua’s luggage to the car.

Not long after that, we spare between Shane’s and Aquaria’s car, driving to the airport between short conversations and an empty highway. From my spot in the backseat, I can see the reflection of Shane’s car behind us in the rear view mirror, they seem to be laughing and having some fun. I think this is what having a family really means, I know aunt Chad and Morgan will fit very well in all of these.

God knows what we’ll be by the morning light

Now come on over here

Let’s be in love tonight

We arrived to the airport with enough time to register our luggage and have some time for the farewells. “Well… I think it’s time for us to leave”, I say to my parents in law, they look at us, their faces indecipherable. “Thank you… for everything Sharon, Alaska, Shane, Bob. I’ll take care of them, I promise.” Alaska takes a few steps towards me, and opens her long arms to hug me, I let myself melt on that embrace, that’s soon joined by Sharon, Shane and Bob. They all say they know I’ll take care of their daughters, and that I’m a part of their family too.

Then they  start doing the same with their daughters, half crying, half laughing and telling us they hope we travel safe and make our way home soon. We are about to go through the checking point when an agitated voice calls my name. “Kameron!”, I turn my head to look at my mother walking hurriedly to our little group followed on her tracks by a middle aged man with a gentle face. “Oh God! I thought I wouldn’t make it.” I walk to my mother without a word, and I hear Sharon and Shane following me a few steps back.

“Mother… what are you doing here?” I ask, still in disbelief of her being at the airport. “I mean, thanks for coming, but how did you know I was leaving today?” She looks at me, and doubtfully reaches to take my hands.

“Kameron I’m so sorry, I know I’ve been the worst mother and that I have no right to say a thing”, she says, tripping on her own words. “I just… I wanted you to know I’m sorry and that I want to be a part of your life” those last words are barely a whisper. “Please Kameron, forgive me… for everything I’ve done, forgive my stupidity and my lack of understanding.”  Her plea takes me by surprise, and I don’t know what to say.

She leans to hug me, and I hug her back. I’ve missed my mother’s touch for a long time, and even when I don’t know what to think, I still crave her closeness. At last, she’ll always be my mother. “I… mom, we barely have time to go through the checkpoint.” I say to her ear, and I hear her breathe hitching. “We need to talk.” I say, making some distance to look at her eyes, she’s on the verge of crying. “I’ll call you as soon as I get home, and then we’ll can sort a way to have this conversation.”

Mom nods and I wipe a tear falling down her right eye. “I’ll wait for that call Kameron. I will”, she says, a half smile on her face, as if the mere possibility of that conversation gave her a little hope.

“Is everything ok, Kameron?” Sharon’s strong voice snaps me out of my mother’s face. “The first call for your flight has been made, darling.” She says and I turn my head to look at her.

“Thank you Sharon, this is Katlyn Michaels, my mother”, both Sharon and Shane open their eyes wide, then I low down my hand, looking for my mom’s hand. “Mom, they’re Sharon Needles, mom of my girlfriend Aquaria, and Shane Cracker, father of my girlfriend Brianna.” Mom looks confused and Shane puts a hand on her shoulder.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you ma’am, but the girls have a plane to catch and it’s getting late”, he says, fighting back his accent for the first time since I’ve met him.

Sharon’s face hardens looking at her. “We’ll answer your questions Katlyn, but this ladies have to leave right now, otherwise they’ll lose their flight.” Her voice is calm, but I can see the storm in her ice blue eyes. We all walk back to the group and finish our farewells, Brianna greets my mother coldly, recognizing my mother instantly, even tho she looks clearly older, the resemblance between us is uncanny.

We go through the checkpoint, barely making it on time to board. “What was your mother doing here Kam?”, Aquaria asks once we’re sat on our places, her eyes full of concern.

“She wants to come back to my life… she apologized and I know she regrets everything that happened back then.” Aquaria gasps and Brianna instinctively holds my hand.

“A little late for that”, Brianna’s voice sounds hard and cold. “She gets rid of you and ten years later she’s sorry of throwing you away like garbage? I’m sorry Kammy, I know how much you missed your mom along this years, but I can’t help being mad at her”, she sighs, then leans her head on my shoulder. “She hurt you so bad, and she managed to hurt me too in the process.”

Aquaria joins holding our hands in hers. “Guess she regrets losing the time when you became this wonderful woman.” Her lips kiss my left cheek, and I can’t help smiling. “Still, I think she’ll need more than ‘I’m sorry” to get a space in your life again.”

“I longed so much to hear her say those words, now I’m not sure if I want her back.” They both look at me, clearly surprised of hearing that. “Katlyn will always be my mother, that’s something I can’t change, but right now my life is so different and so wonderful. I’m not sure if I have the will and the time to live with her beliefs.” I sigh, tired. they both squeeze my hand.

“Just think about it Kammy, and whatever decision you make, we’ll be here for you.” Aquaria hums in agreement, and in that moment the plane starts moving and we are on our way back home.

Let’s be in love tonight

Time life is just time

Leaves on a vine

Pasted or wasted away

[guns-n-zeppelin]

Never say die - Chapter 2

Pairing: Axl Rose x reader Words: 1552 Summary: Reader accidentally time travels back to 1985 where Axl, Duff, Slash, Steven and Izzy find her. A/N: So this one might be a bit boring to be honest, i have no idea haha. But i promise it’ll get better in the later chapters. Let me know what you think. I don’t know how often i can update, i have a lot studying to do right now. But i try to write when i have time.

Axl's POV

We were standing in front of a bar, smoking cigarettes, we had just finished our gig at the bar and were heading back home soon. We had been drinking a bit but not too much to get totally wasted, not tonight.

”I'm fucking starving, dudes,” Slash whined.

”Yeah me too. I haven't eaten in hours,” Duff said and drank the rest of the liquid in his vodka bottle and threw it to the garbage can near him. ”Is there any pizzerias near?”

”Dude all the drunk people go to a pizzeria at night. It's about a ten minute walk away,” I told and dropped my cigarette I had finished on the ground. ”Can't blame them though, their pizzas are fucking best but the place is stuffed.”

”Let's go to see what's the situation then,” Steven laughed and we started walking down the street. It was almost midnight and there were nobody else near than us.

But soon we heard footsteps and coughing in an alley. We saw a young girl walking towards us, struggling to maintain her balance and not fall on the ground. She was holding her stomach and behind her hand I saw blood on her shirt.

”Miss, are you alright?” I asked but immediately after she fainted and was now laying on the wet street. All of us ran towards her.

I turned her body so she was laying on her back. I took a quick look at her before trying her pulse on the side of her neck.

”Oh thank god, she's alive. She just passed out.”

”Who is she anyway and what happened?” Izzy asked, confused. Just like we all were.

”I have no fucking clue,” Duff commented.

Her hands were all bloody, same as her grey shirt. I lifted her shirt just a bit so I could see how badly she was hurt. I furrowed my brows. There were nothing, not even a tiny scratch.

”How is there not anything? Then who's blood is that?!” Slash asked and pointed her body. ”What the fuck are we gonna do now?” Duff and Izzy were totally clueless.

”Well we can't just leave her here,” Steven said panicking.

”Yeah, we can't. Someone take her bag,” I commanded and took her on my arms.

---

We lived together in a small apartment. It was nothing special, the cheapest we could afford. And it sure did look like it. Duff and Steven washed the blood away from her body and also changed her shirt to Steven's old black t-shirt. Better than her dirty one atleast.

”Bring her here, she can lay on my bed,” I recommended. ”Where the fuck did she come from? What was she doing in the alley anyway? Especially on her own.”

”I don't know, man. But she sure is hot,” Slash remarked and grinned. Izzy punched him on the shoulder.

”Are you seriously thinking about that right now?” Izzy asked but Slash just shrugged.

”Hey i'm just saying. And that's a compliment anyway.”

”I'm gonna go to see if there's some food left in the fridge though, i'm gonna go to bed after i've eaten something. Try to keep her alive, see ya in the morning,” Steven announced and left to the kitchen.

”Are you sure she's alright? I don't want dead corpses in my house,” Duff huffed.

”She's just passed out, she'll be fine. I'm sure she's gonna wake up in the morning and tell us who she is,” I said and covered her with a warm blanket. God, she really was beautiful.

--- Three days had passed but she still hadn't woken up. Nothing had changed, it was like she had fallen in a coma or something. We had been practising new songs and writing lyrics and all that crap during these couple of days. Now we were just drinking beer in the living room doing nothing, bored as hell. We were all silent for a moment, until Steven opened his mouth.

”Wait. She had a bag with her, didn't she? Why haven't we still checked what she has in there? Maybe there's some clues or something about who she is etc.” The rest of us just nodded.

”I think I left her bag in the bedroom.” Duff got up from his seat and put his beer bottle on the table which was full of stuff already. Soon he came back with the leather bag and Izzy made room for it on the table. Izzy was the first one to put his hand inside the bag.

”Okay, so. Here's keys, not helpful at all. And a bottle of water. Or if she's anything like Duff it could also be vodka,” Izzy mumbled. Duff just shrugged and nodded.

”That would obviously be my kinda girl,” he grinned.

”Let me have a look,” I said and took some metal object on my hand and scrutinised it a while. It was rectangular and really thin and it apparently had a camera on it. ”What the fuck is this?”

”Well, uhm, a camera?” Slash said but a bit unsure.

”Yeah but cameras aren't that thin.” Then I accidentally pressed some button and a picture of two girls and a guy appeared on the screen. One of the girls was the chick who was sleeping in my room right now, I thought. ”Okay, let's study it more later. What else does she have in there?”

”Oh, here's her passport!” Steven exclaimed. ”Okay, so her name is Ruby Amy Adams.”

”Neat! Looked more like Alice to me but,” Duff shrugged. Izzy was going to answer something to that but then Steven furrowed his brows and opened his mouth again.

”Uhm, no, sorry. This is fake.”

”Fake? Why would she keep a fake passport in her bag?” I asked confused.

”Oh, fucking fantastic. Thanks, Axl, thanks so much for bringing a criminal to our apartment. Maybe she's running away from cops or something,” Duff huffed and rolled his eyes. Izzy just shook his head.

”No, this has to be fake unless she's somehow time travelled from the future to this year,” Steven laughed. ”Look, it says that she was born in 1997.” He gave it to Slash who took a closer look to the passport.

”Nope, looks quite real to me,” Slash stated and shrugged.

”Oh my god,” Steven gasped and put his hand on his mouth. ”That movie, Back to the future, came to the movies just a while ago. This is a sign. It's happening in real life. Holy fuck.”

Duff punched Steven on his shoulder. ”Oh god, don't be silly.”

I took some ticket from her bag and almost choked on my own spit. Slash looked at me curiously.

”Are you okay, pal?” Slash chuckled.

”Dudes, we're gonna be so successful.”

”What do you mean?” Izzy asked.

”This is a Guns N' Roses ticket to a concert. In 2017. In the fucking 21st century.” I told and showed the ticket to the others.

---

She was passed out one more day but when I went to take a new shirt from my closet one afternoon, i noticed she was slowly waking up. It took four fucking days but she finally woke up.

”Oh, great! You're finally awake!” i said.

The girl, who's name was apparently Ruby, stared at me with wide eyes and i was just about to say something when the girl got up very quickly and basically screamed the words out of her.

”Where the fuck am I?! Who– what–?!”

”Woah, calm down. I won't hurt you.” I held my hands up as if defeated and kept a short pause. ”My name is Axl Rose and we just want to help you.”

”Oh stop with the lies!” she screamed. ”You're not Axl Rose.”

”What? Yes I –,” I started but couldn't finish when the rest of us already came to the room after hearing talking from here.

”Hey, you're alive,” Duff said and smiled widely.

”Wow, okay,” she chuckled. ”Great, so i'm dead. This is either heaven or hell, can't decide. Okay. This is definitely heaven...” she mumbled to herself but shook her head.

”You're not dead, honey,” I chuckled. ”We found you from the street four days ago, you had fainted and were all bloody everywhere,” I explained. ”So we took care of you, we don't want any harm to you.”

”Four days? I was passed out four days?” She just kept staring us, not saying even a word for a while. ”You guys looked so much older from the distance. What the fucking kinda lotion do you use to keep yourself so young?” she asked, almost whispering.

”Oh my god. You really are from the future, aren't ya?” Steven asked full of excitement. Izzy and Slash just rolled their eyes.

”What?” she asked, very confused. ”Wait… What year is it?”

”It was still 1985 when i last time checked,” Duff said and shrugged.

”You're kidding me, right? I mean, i know it was my birthday and i wished i could time travel to the past but i did not expect it to really happen,” she said, talking faster and faster, already panicking.

”Oh it was your birthday? Congrats, dude!” Steven said, smiling widely.

”I need to breathe,” she said and walked out of the room and the whole apartment to inhale fresh air in her lungs.