#poor Audrey can’t catch a break

[alyssacat013]

I have now watched episodes 12-16 of Twin Peaks S2 and a lot happened.

Okay first things first, we wrapped up the story line with Jean Renault and killed him and proved that Cooper was innocent of the drug trafficking. I’m glad this storylines done now, it wasn’t bad but just not my favorite. But, sadly with this storyline ending we lose Denise :(. Hopefully she’ll pop back up again before the season ends. Also, Cooper is now a deputy of twin peaks which is fun.

Then, we also had the story with James and Evelyn where she and that other guy who pretended to be her brother killed her abusive husband and framed James for the murder. Again this storyline wasn’t my favorite and I’m glad it also had now ended. Also, poor Donna she does so much for James stupid ass and I feel like he doesn’t appreciate her efforts at all. If it wasn’t for her James would be dead or in jail. I get he’s going through a hard time but still. And it seems like James is going to be going away for a bit, not sure if that means he’ll still be in the show or not. Honestly I kinda hope that because I do not care about his story that much. I would rather we spend time on other things. And I hope that Donna doesn’t waste her time waiting around for him to come back, I know she loves him but she can do better.

Then, we had Ben Horne and his mental breakdown that he was processing by recreating the civil war but this time with the south winning…which okay. Despite how stupid it was I kinda enjoyed it in some parts like it was funny. And also Audrey sweet girl trying to do everything to help her Dad. Also, we now have this other business guy that Ben helped in the past show up and I can’t tell if I trust him yet or not.

We also have now finally wrapped up the whole Norma-ed-Nadine-Hank love square thingy with Hank going back to jail as he deserves, Eddie and Nadine breaking up and Ed getting back together with Norma. I don’t care for Ed much but Norma’s very sweet and she deserves a nice kind simple man like Ed to treat her well. Also, Nadine still thinks she’s in high school and is now dating Mike and she also beat up Hank which was great to watch. Anyways Nadine rules.

Now we have the main storyline going on which is between Cooper and his old partner Windom Earle. We find out now why Windom is after Cooper and it’s because the woman Cooper fell in love with was Windom’s wife! And that it seems like Windom was the one to actually kill her and now he’s after Cooper. Not sure if he wants to kill Cooper or just psychologically torture him or both, but it’s interesting to see what his endgame is. Also, Windom and Cooper are playing a chess game and anytime Cooper loses a chess piece, Windom kills someone! A great way for the show to really ramp up the stakes. Also, Windom is also in search for a ‘queen’ for some reason and the three girls he’s considering are Shelly, Donna, and Audrey. Which like stay away from my girls!!! I fear it will most likely be Audrey since she and Cooper have a connection and if Windom finds out about it he may use that to hurt Cooper further, but I guess we’ll see who he picks and why. Also, Windom has Leo currently trapped at his house and is like torturing him. I hate Leo but no one deserves that.

Then lastly, we’ve also rounded up the storyline with Josie, Catherine, Andrew, and Eckhardt. There were a lot of shocking revelations tied to this such as Josie being the one to shoot Cooper. I had thought it was Leland but I guess not. Also, Josie goes to confront Eckhardt and kills him and when Cooper and Harry go in to catch her she suddenly dies. And the Cooper has a vision of Bob and the dancing man. Then the episode ends on a shot of Josie’s face screaming in a wooden doorknob, what does this mean? Is her soul trapped by Bob and is he the one who killed her. If so why? I know that this episode revealed a lot of bad things Josie had done and yet I still just feel sad for her. She was used and abused by these shitty men her whole life and she probably felt she had no other way out. This is the only life she’s known. Also, poor Harry he’s going to be heartbroken over this. I mean imagine finding out the person you loved is not who you thought they were and then before you can get any real answers she just suddenly died in your arms. It’s horrible.

Well, I guess we’ll just have to continue watching to get all my questions answered. I can’t believe this season is almost over! Only 6 more episodes left. I’ve been having a great time and I don’t want it to end. Anyways, onward! I will update again in a few episodes.

[havenfanrewatch]

Haven season five here we go!

Rewatch time!

I love this opening sequence with Vicky drawing the flowers to distract baby Aaron. (Though I can’t help but wonder what happens to that drawing afterwards, since it also shows the bandstand which would therefore be destroyed if something happens to that notebook.)

“That lighthouse just can’t catch a break” XD

Love the Teagues; “I got shot!” / “And I be more sympathetic, if you hadn’t been shooting at me!” XD - in amongst all the death and disaster there’s some funny moments in here. Like Duke’s quip about “operating a supernatural door using nothing but a vampire novel and a positive attitude”, and Gloria’s “ever wondered who needs more sleep, babies or old people.” Just some nice little sprinklings of humour to break up all the disasters befalling everyone.

But oh, poor Nathan. He thinks he’s found Audrey and then … No.

Gotta admire Stan’s commitment to rational explanations; “The lighthouse took the brunt of the earthquake.” - Earthquake, Stan? Really? How long have you been a police officer in Haven?

Cabot’s Journal high up on the list of props I’d like to get my hands on. Might not look quite so good in real life, I suppose, but it looks very convincing on screen.

How did Mara know it was Dwight behind her? She shoots him without even looking around.

Poor Duke, so worried about Jennifer and then having to realise the sewing Trouble came from him too. “Crockers’ve been killing for a long time.” *sobs”

Nathan’s stubborn faith that Audrey is still part of Mara (on the basis of basically no evidence) is really quite something.

And what a cliffhanger right at the end there with Nathan closing his eyes like he’s dying - I mean it wouldn’t be the first time, would it? Can’t imagine watching this when it first aired and having to wait a whole week to find out what happens next.

[instructionsnotincluded]

Oh my Audrey is going to be a mess with the crash isn’t she ugh our poor girl she just can’t catch a break

[nobodybetterlookatme]

alright here’s another real short fic with some more ocs but wlw edition bc i’m gay

slight mess and contagion risk, and once again, a bitch can’t spell a snz

Erin helplessly rubbed her nose with a knuckle, then went back to holding herself as she trudged through the rain. Of all the days for her car to break down… “Hih- h’iCHiew! h’CHiew!” She groaned, trying to wipe away the mess that dribbled down her lip, but it did nothing. She finally reached her house, and unlocked the front door, immediately stepping inside out of the rain. She shut the door behind her and slumped against it, coughing weakly into a fist.

“Erin?” Audrey poked her head out of the kitchen when she heard the door open and close. She grinned when she saw her girlfriend, though her smile fell upon seeing the state she was in. “Is it really raining that hard out there? You’re soaked through!” She exclaimed, rushing up to Erin and helping her out of her work jacket.

“The car broke down. I’ve had to walk a couple miles,” she sighed, beginning to unbutton her shirt as she dragged herself to the bathroom. “I’m just gonna take a- hih- t-take a- hih- h’iCHiew!- take a shower.”

Audrey frowned. “Er, wait.” She grabbed Erin’s shoulder before she could disappear into the bathroom, turning her around and gazing into her eyes. She squinted suspiciously at her girlfriend’s flushed cheeks and cherry red nose. “Are you coming down with something?”

Feeling too exhausted to try to deny it, Erin shrugged. “I dunno,” she said meekly. There had been a cold going around the office, but she was sure she had managed to avoid it. When she began feeling off the day before, she’d assumed she was just tired. Not even when she’d woken up that morning with a tickly, stuffy nose and a slight cough did she think she’d caught anything, nor when her symptoms had worsened at work. But now, soaked to the bone and her head feeling like it was full of concrete, she was beginning to think that maybe she hadn’t been so lucky. “I- I might be catching a bit of a cold,” she admitted, sighing in defeat.

Audrey hummed, leaning down to kiss her forehead, able to feel the heat radiating off of her despite her chilled skin. “Alright then, why don’t you take a nice, warm shower, then come to the couch?” She proposed, tilting her head.

Erin nodded. “That sounds nihh- hih- h’iSCHiew! h’SCHiew! h’SCHiew!” Her hands quickly flew up to cup her nose, and she sneezed into them, not wanting to sneeze on her girlfriend. She sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand.

She chuckled softly, then ushered her into the bathroom. Once she heard the water running, she headed to the kitchen to boil some water. Some tea might do Erin some good, she figured. Maybe she would add a bit of honey to it, as well.

Steam swirled up around Erin, the hot water doing wonders for her achy joints. She was relieved when the steam loosened some of her congestion, though she quickly discovered the new problem it brought when her nose started twitching. “h’CHiew! h’CHiew! h’iSCHiew! h’CHiew!” Desperate little sneezing fits overtook her every so often, and she didn’t bother to cover them. She was alone in the shower, so what was the point of that? And since she was in the shower, she blew her nose into her hands, rinsing off the thick, slimy snot from her fingers and palms when she finished. “Hih- hih- hh- h’CHiew! h’iCHiew!” The light scent of her soap typically didn’t set her off, but today, with her nose already so sensitive, it was enough to make her sneeze. She’d finally rinsed herself off, then shut off the water and stepped out of the shower. She shakily grabbed her towel and began to dry herself off when her breath started hitching again. “Hh- h’SCHiew! h’iSCHiew!” A couple more sneezes were caught in her towel, and she just blew her nose into it, figuring she’d already contaminated it with her sticky sneezes.

Audrey could hear her poor, sick girlfriend’s sneezing fits from the kitchen, and decided to grab the tissue box from their bedroom to bring to the couch, along with some soft blankets and pillows. She set the mug of tea down to the table in front of the couch. She looked up when she heard the bathroom door open, raising a brow with a smile when she met Erin’s gaze. “Got anything on under that?”

She looked down at the robe she had wrapped around herself, then shook her head. “Too much work,” she croaked, shuffling over to the couch. She sucked in a long sniffle, though it didn’t accomplish much else apart from making her cough. “Ugh, it wasn’t this bad when I left work.”

“Well, you did walk home in the rain, love,” Audrey pointed out, helping her sit before wrapping a blanket around her shoulders. She handed Erin the steaming mug before settling down beside her.

“That’s true,” she sighed, taking a sip. The steam invaded her nose, almost instantly making her nose itchy again. “Hh- I-I’m gonna- hh- I’m gonna sn-hh-eeze..! h’iCHiew! h’CHiew! h’CHiew!” Her grip tightened around the mug as she sneezed right into her lap, spraying her wet, contagious cold germs all over herself and her mug of tea. She let out a series of sharp sniffles, then turned to cough into her shoulder.

Audrey patted her girlfriend’s back, then wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Maybe you should call off work tomorrow,” she suggested, her tone full of concern. “You wouldn’t wanna make your cold any worse.”

“It’s just a cold,” Erin argued weakly, dabbing beneath her nose with the sleeve of her robe, a bout of coughing overtaking her.

She gently touched the backs of her fingers to Erin’s fevered brow, then shook her head as she let her hand drop to cup her cheek. “And I think you’ve got a bit of a temperature to go along with it. Besides, that cough of yours sounds like it’s getting worse. I don’t want you turning this into something really nasty.”

Erin sighed. “Yeah… yeah, maybe, you’re right.” She sipped her tea for a while, every other sip punctuated by a sniffle. She set the mug down after a while, sighing as she cuddled up to her girlfriend.

Audrey pulled her in closer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Her lips curled up into an amused smile at the way Erin kept pawing at her nose with the sleeve of the robe, and she reached over to grab a few tissues from the box she’d brought. “How are you liking that tissue?” She teased.

She was about to reply, when her breath caught in her throat again. “W-wait, I’m gohh- hih!- h’iSCHiew! h’SCHiew! Hh- h’CHiew! h’iCHiew! h’CHiew! h’SCHiew! h’SCHiew! h’SCHiew! S-sorry, I just- h’SCHiew!- I c- hh- I can’t- h’iCHiew!- I can’t st-stop- hih- h’SCHiew!- I can’t stop snee-hee-zing. h’iCHiew! h’SHiew! h’SCHiew!” The fit came on too fast for her to prepare, and she sneezed freely into the open air. Erin groaned, which was followed by a few rather chesty coughs.

She winced at how painful the noises coming from Erin sounded. “Oh, darling,” she cooed sympathetically as she held the tissues to her girlfriend’s poor, cold-ridden nose. “Here, blow.”

“h’CHiew! h’SCHiew!” A couple more sneezes tumbled out, and right into the wad of tissues Audrey held for her. She did as her girlfriend said, and blew her nose, the sensation causing her to start coughing again. “You shouldn’t be near me,” Erin mumbled, clearing her throat in a fruitless attempt to make her voice less raspy. “You catch every little bug that goes around.”

“It’s a little late for that now, don’t you think?” She commented, gesturing at both their proximity and the soaked wad of tissue in her hand. “And besides-” she dropped the tissues and gently grasped Erin’s chin, pulling her in close enough that she could feel her hot breath on her lips, “-you’re well worth the risk.” Audrey gently pressed her lips against her girlfriend’s, smiling softly as she did so.

Erin kissed her back, hesitant at first, but she quickly melted into it. Much to her dismay, she was too stuffed up to breathe properly, and she had to pull away for air. “h’iSCHiew! h’CHiew!” Two loaded sneezes caught her off guard, and the warm, wet spray of snot splattered onto Audrey’s chest. “Oh, god, darling, I’m- I’m so sorry.” Erin was positively mortified, her eyes wide as she stared up at her girlfriend.

Audrey simply shook her head. “I do believe I’ve done far worse to you,” she said with a laugh, giving Erin another quick peck despite the snot that was dribbling down her nose and her lips. She plucked a fresh tissue from the box and offered it to Erin.

She took the tissue with a grateful smile, blowing her nose again in an attempt to clear her sinuses, though the only thing she managed to do successfully was soak another tissue. With a congested sigh, she slumped against Audrey, shivering as she began to feel her fever hit her harder.

Audrey held her girlfriend close, pulling the blanket up higher over her shoulders. “Do you wanna watch a movie?” She asked, holding up the TV remote.

Erin nodded. Any distraction was a welcome one. She figured she would probably be sniffling and sneezing through the whole movie, but it was still better than nothing. She snuggled up to Audrey as the movie started playing, her eyelids drooping, the bright colors blurring together into nothing. She was asleep before she even realized what had happened.

Audrey glanced down when she heard soft snores, and smiled at Erin. At least she was getting some rest. She shifted her attention back to the TV, a hand slowly and gently running up and down her girlfriend’s arm as she slept, content to stay in the same position for the rest of the night while Erin got some much needed rest. When the sun came up, she’d go to the store to fetch some groceries and sick day essentials. And probably some more tissues for the sneezy cold she would undoubtedly be catching in the next couple days.

[ladypurplejanewrynn]

The Wild Side Of Me Chapter 11

A month passed. Alfred’s and Tolys’s relationship was getting even stronger than before. Also their bosses gave them a break and let them rest for a bit. So the two were able to spent some more time together. Also of their days, they spent with their group of friends, if they were free of course. Well same couldn’t be said for Matthew, who’s boss really was a jerk and made the poor guy work even more than usually. Well at least he had his siblings who came to visit him if they could or didn’t me had anything planned. One day, Tolys called Alfred, and said it was an important thing. So Alfred, immediately left his house and went to see his boyfriend. "What’s the matter, dear?" asked the American. "Oh Alfred, you’re fast. We may have a problem with our Halloween plans." answered the Lithuanian. "Why? Are you busy that day?" asked the blond. Tolys shook his head:"No, i’m free on that day. Is just… There’s gonna be a full moon on that night. And you are aware that i can’t hold it the transformation, unless i wanna end up in pain and out of energy. What do we do now? I can’t show up as a werewolf to the rest of our friends. Not yet. And especially, I can’t go out like this with other people seeing me." "Oh Gosh, that’s really a bummer. Let me think…"said Alfred. The two thought a little until, an idea popped out in Alfred’s head:"What if you actually could go out in your werewolf form?" "Huh? What do you mean? I don’t really get it." asked Tolys with confusion in his voice. "Well, is gonna be Halloween, right? And a lot of people will be wearing costumes. So, what if you pretended that you dressed up as a werewolf? You could pretend that you have a really realistic costume. This way no one should suspect a thing." explained Alfred. "That’s not really such a bad idea." said Tolys as his face brightened up a little. "But, what if someone catches me and finds out is not a costume?" asked the Lithuanian worried. "Don’t worry about it. I’ll be there and i’ll make sure no one finds out. And I promise I’m not gonna leave your side, even for a moment. You will be safe with me. That’s a promise." said the American, stroking his boyfriend’s cheek. "Alright then. Let’s do this." said the Lithuanian as he smiled. The days we’re passing by. Halloween was getting closer. Tolys couldn’t hide that he was still nervous about, but he trusted Alfred with the promise he made for him.

The day finally arrived. It was night time. The full moon appeared. And of course Tolys turned into his werewolf form and Alfred was there for him. Lucky all of it happened before their friends arrived. And when they arrived, all of them were really impressed when they saw Tolys. "Wow, bestie you really slayed with that costume. It looks so realistic and amazing." said Alice. "Yeah, you look like totally cool man." said Feliks as he joined the conversation. "Thank you guys…" said Tolys. "By the way, Matthew just texted me and he won’t be able to join us. His awful boss decided make him work on Halloween." explained Alfred. "Geez, poor guy really can’t catch a break. Can he?" said Audrey. "Well, Vash and Rose aren’t going as well. But that’s because they still are finishing moving and settling down to their own new house." said Alfred. "So there’s only going to be the awesome me, Tolys, Alfred, Alice, Feliks, Audrey, Roderich, Francis and Arthur then." said Gilbert. "Yup, looks like it." said Francis. "Alright, everyone. Let’s go before they take all of the candies from us." said Arthur. Then the gang went on their way. Arthur dressed up as a sorcerer, Francis as a vampire, Gilbert as a dark knight, Audrey as a witch, Roderich as a ghost, Alice as a banshee, Feliks as the devil, Alfred as Batman and of course Tolys who pretended to be dressed up as a werewolf. The group had so much fun trick or treating. They went from a house to another house, gainning more and more of the sweets. Also, since everyone thought that Tolys has a very realstic costume, thanks to this he gained even more candies as people were really impressed. Good thing no one knew he truly was a werewolf. After trick or treating, the group went to Feliks’s and Alice’s house for a small party between friends.

"So, let’s see how much candies we have collected together." said Alice. Everyone gathered their bags and emptied them from the candies. There was a tone of them. "Holy shit, that’s a lot. Maybe even more than the last time we went trick or treating." said Alfred. "Well, last time our costumes weren’t this good as this year." answered Audrey. "That’s true. But, we like totally did rocked this year. Especially you Tolys. Who would have thought that you’re so good at making very realistic costumes." said Feliks. Tolys covered his face as he felt blushes appearing on his cheeks:"Guys, stop. Is not that good." Alfred saw that Tolys was a bit troubled, so he rushed to his rescue:"Anyway, is such shame the others didn’t come." "True. That’s really a shame. Especially for Matthew. His boss truly is an asshole. I bet the poor guy would a lot of fun as well, celebrating with us." exclaimed Gilbert. "And Vash and Rose. I mean is understandable, they’re still moving in into their own new house. Also there’s Vash’s younger sister as well, Lili. She’s almost grown up, but she’s still not an adult yet." said Roderich. "That’s true." answered Arthur. "Guys, what are we doing? We came here to have fun. Not to get sad over some of our friends not being able to celebrate with us today." said Francis. Everyone looked at the French man. "He’s right. Is not like there’s not another year for that. And who knows? Maybe at that time Matthew will find a better job." said Arthur. "Very well then. Let’s get this party started!" shout it Alice in excitement and switched the music on. There was a lot of laughing, chatting, singing and even dancing. Some didn’t feel like dancing though. "Hey love, care for dance with me?" said the American, giving his hand to his lover. Tolys looked away from him:"I’m not sure. I mean, I would love to but…" Alfred placed a hand on the Lithuanian’s cheek, gently stroking it:"Is gonna be alright. I promise. Nobody’s gonna find out. But if you really don’t feel like it or don’t feel comfortable, than that’s okay. I won’t be forcing anything on you." A smile appeared on the werewolf’s face:"You know, you are right. But still, can I get ready first? I really don’t feel confident about dancing in this from in front of everyone." "Of course. I understand. But if you really don’t feel like doing it, please just don’t push yourself to do it. I don’t want you to feel forced to do it." answered him Alfred. The party was going smooth, Feliks and Alice went on the stage and decided to preform a really romantic dance together. And Audrey and Roderich joined them in a small friendly competition between friends. It the end, they end it up having a draw. "That was pretty fun, wasn’t it?" asked Alice. "It was fun indeed. Looks like the two of you have gotten even better since last time, we had a competition." said Roderich. In the end, Alfred and Tolys end it up not dancing at all at the party. After all was over, everyone went home. The Lithuanian decided to lead his lover home. "I’m really sorry about not dancing with you at the party." An apology escaped from Tolys’s mouth. "Is fine really. I’m not mad at you. And I told you to stop apologizing so much, especially for the small things." answered Alfred. "I’m sorr… I mean. Alright." said Tolys. Then an idea popped out in Alfred’s head:"How about we have a dance in my house instead? There’s gonna be no one beside you and me out there." Small blushes appeared on the werewolf’s cheeks:"Sure. I would love that." When they arrived to Alfred’s house, they immediately start it dancing. In the end, Tolys end it up staying at Alfred’s house till the next day.

Versailles (Audrey Bonnefoy) belongs to @hopelessly-austroholic

[angstyaches]

Ooooh you have a delicious writing style- it's so descriptive! I'm afraid I'm quite new so don't know your characters much yet, but if this scenario could fit I bet you'd write it amazingly! Perhaps Character A is down on their luck, longterm or short-term wise, and is walking through town, having not eaten since the morning prior. Suddenly a store window catches their eye, displaying all sorts of amazing baked goods or meat cuts, and they can't help but stare while their hunger pains have them wincing openly. Character B notices them staring before Character A even realises what they're doing.

Agh, what a beautiful prompt. I think this is actually the first hunger fic I've written on request, so thank you, anon! I hope it’s okay that I used fancy pizza; I really wanted to use Payton for this and pizza is one of the few foods they would genuinely go weak over.

Pre-Payton and Autumn Getting Together

CW: hunger, hunger pangs, stomach noises, mentions of character unable to afford (decent) food, stress, overwork (it's Payton, what did we expect?), food mention

___

Payton sighed as they felt the drizzle start to fall around them. They stepped under a deserted bus shelter and stared out, wondering if the rain was going to get worse before it cleared up.

It was a fitting end to the day – or rather, the week – they’d been having. They couldn’t wait to get home and take off the stifling shirt they’d worn to a job interview that morning and then worn all the way through their shift at the café. They just wanted soft clothes and their bed and maybe a podcast to fall asleep to.

It all seemed so far away still, their energy sapping by the second and leaving them stranded five minutes away from the tram stop. Their feet stopped moving, rooting them to the pale grey concrete.

A gorgeous smell turned their head. Frantic interview prep, snooty employers, and stuffy clothes all faded from Payton’s mind. They were stopped across the street from the city’s most expensive food store. Built into a complex from the late 1800s, it was the kind of place where a sandwich cost €12. The kind of place that sold imported goods and “foodstuffs”.

An elaborate window was positioned behind the delicatessen section of the shop, where a chef was artfully piecing together a pizza on top of a copper paddle while another sat in a brick oven. The smell of the crisping dough must have been piped out deliberately onto the street, to entice those with money to burn, and to tease those without.

Payton fell into the latter category lately. With all the time they’d been spending on interview prep and assignments, they’d been taking shorter shifts at the café. Rent was going to clean them out this month. Today’s shift hadn’t even been long enough to warrant a full lunch break; they’d only taken fifteen minutes, and had spent thirteen of them taking a nap at the break room table.

Only now did they feel the twists of hunger in their stomach, the shakiness in their legs. Payton didn’t even realise that they had edged closer to the bus stop so they could sit down on the bench, one hand resting on their belly. Their stomach hurt, and it really was no wonder when they thought about it.

The last thing they’d eaten had been a bowl of cereal at seven a.m., the same cereal they were planning to have for dinner when they got home.

Payton’s stomach groaned unhappily at the prospect, and Payton groaned too; I’m right there with you, they thought miserably, rubbing at their stomach and continuing to watch the pizza chef through the window.

They didn’t know how long they grimaced and gazed across the street before they were interrupted.

“Payton? Hi!”

Payton jumped, head snapping up to see who’d said their name, and their heart skipped a beat.

A navy polka-dot umbrella sat over her shoulder. She was wearing tight leggings and an oversized sweater, her shoulder-length hair thrown into a lazy side-bun. She was wearing no makeup and looked a little sweaty, like she was heading home from the gym or dance practice.

She was a sight to behold, as always, even as she fumbled with her umbrella.

“H-hey,” Payton stammered, stumbling to their feet and trying to appear as though they weren’t so light-headed they were seeing stars.

Autumn glanced across the street, her eyes lingering there for a moment. “Uh, you don’t take this bus, do you?”

“I – no,” Payton admitted, glancing at the timetable and list of stops. “I was just sitting. Long day. Spaced out a bit.”

“Yeah, I could see that,” Autumn said, glancing across the street again. She let out a little laugh, though she seemed to consider holding it in for a moment. “I thought you were going to start drooling.”

“What?”

“The fancy pizzas.”

Payton’s heart dropped. Their face was feeling hot under their bangs. “Oh, I, uh, I didn’t even realise I was… staring.”

“Don’t be embarrassed! I watch them all the time when I’m waiting for the bus,” Autumn laughed.

Payton still blushed deeply, since they’d had no reason to sit down at the bus stop except to stare through the shop window. They were suddenly hyper-aware of their hand resting on their belly. They felt their stomach quiver under their palm, a low growl working its way through.

“You doing okay?” Autumn sat down on the bench, nodding for Payton to join her. She didn’t seem to hear the complaint from Payton’s belly. “Feels like forever since we last talked.”

“Y-yeah, sure does,” Payton half-laughed. Their shaky legs and dizzy head were thankful for the relief as they sank back down, leaving what they hoped was a healthy number of inches between the two of them. “I’ve been, um… I’m okay? I think. And – and you?”

“I’m actually… I’m great,” Autumn grinned, tucking some hair behind her ear. “I, um, I just found out today that I’m going to be Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.”

“Are you serious?” Payton smiled, their mood genuinely lifting a bit at the sight of Autumn’s proud, shy little smile.

They often envied her for her absolute passion for musicals and acting, since they were failing so spectacularly at finding their place in the film world, but right then Payton was happy just knowing she was happy.

“Yeah! I still can’t really believe it.”

“I can.” Payton extended a long arm to pull Autumn towards them. “You’re brilliant.”

“Agh – ew, P, you don’t want to hug me!” she laughed, pulling her shoulders up tightly. “I’m all sweaty and damp!”

“I don’t care!” Payton wrapped their arms around her and pulled her close, so that their cheeks were just inches apart. “Your news deserves a hug.”

Autumn gave a deep, happy sigh as she leaned into the hug, probably unaware of the fact that the contact was setting Payton’s heart racing. It almost felt selfish, holding her like this when they were clearly getting more out of it than she was. They went to remove their arms from her, their chest fluttering as she buried her face deeper in their shoulder and kept her arms firmly around their waist.

It was lovely.

And yet, for the first time in a while, Payton felt a pang of loneliness, their core aching with the knowledge that they couldn’t hold her like this all the time. Deep in their bones, Payton wanted to kiss her hair, tickle her sides, and whisper happy little declarations of affection in her ear.

They didn’t whisper anything to her, though. They didn’t say anything as they held her. But their empty stomach was still twisting itself into shapes, and it clearly didn’t get the memo on holding Autumn quietly. A sharp growl had Payton wincing and trying to clear their throat (to cover up the noise) all in the same breath.

“Whoa, is that your stomach?” Autumn asked, lifting her head from Payton’s shoulder.

Payton’s body stiffened. “It… might be.”

“Are you okay? You must be starving.”

“I’m… Yeah.” Payton swallowed hard, letting a hand rest on their belly again.

Autumn moved back to give them some space. She was staring like she expected an explanation, eyes wide and eyebrows furrowed. Payton’s stomach rumbled under their hand again, bringing a twist of pain, and they didn’t know if they wanted to laugh or to cry.

“I guess I haven’t been taking care of myself too well.” They flinched again at the crack in their own voice.

Lifting her umbrella from where it had been resting against her leg, Autumn got to her feet. “Come on.”

Payton looked up at her, blinking behind their bangs. Exhaustion weighted them to the bench. “Come on where?”

A little hum escaped Autumn’s throat as she jerked her head. Her umbrella popped open and she stepped out of the bus shelter. The rain pattered against the fabric, a little heavier than it had been before.

“We’re gonna go eat pizza. Not – not there,” she clarified, gesturing towards the expensive deli. “I was thinking top floor of the Greene Centre. They sell by the slice and it’s super cheap.”

Payton swallowed again, guilt piling itself on top of the embarrassment. They felt as though they’d somehow coerced Autumn into offering to buy dinner, and the thought made them physically shudder. They got to their feet and moved a little closer to Autumn so she could hear them.

“I probably still can’t afford it,” they mumbled, staring at the ground.

“It’ll be my treat today, okay? You can pay me back by letting me ramble about my show.”

Payton gave her a shaky smile. “Are you sure?”

“Hundred percent.” That shy smile crossed Autumn’s face again. “It’s gonna sound weird, but when I found out I got the part… You were the first person I wanted to tell, Payton.”

“I... Really?” As they chewed their lip, a deep rumble came from Payton’s tummy. They frowned and folded their arms around it, noticing how Autumn's gaze drifted towards it too.

"Come on, I can't listen to your poor belly complain anymore." She lifted her umbrella a little higher with one hand – Payton was a few inches taller than her – and stuck out her elbow for Payton to link their arm through hers. “Shall we go?”

[unmaskedagain]

Truth is Subjective

            This post is based off a prompt by #galahadwilder. I give all credit to them for the idea.

This did not turn out the way I wanted it to. AT ALL. I completely missing the mark; or in this case prompt. I couldn’t figure out how to make it work like I had envisioned when I first read the prompt. And now I’m just like ugh. L

  When Ladybug saw Alya frantically waving her down from where she was on top of her apartment roof. It was, nearly after midnight. She just finished off an Akuma. However, emotions had been running high among the students in her class so Ladybug didn’t hesitate to see what was wrong. Alya made not have been her best friend, or any type of friend, anymore but Ladybug was still a hero.

           A hero who was not happy to see Lila Rossi standing next to her.

           The Italian girl looked pleasant at first glance but anger was clear in her eyes. Alya had her phone out. It took all of two seconds for Marinette to figure out what was going on. Alya wanted an interview with Ladybug and her supposed best friend. Lila was sure Ladybug would reveal the truth like she did last time.

           Marinette fought to keep the grin off her face. She had idea. A rather wicked idea. She had taken to spending a lot of time with Jagged and Penny and Audrey Bourgeois, watching how they manipulated the news to better suit their individual brands. She now know that even if she told Alya what a liar Lila was, Lila could and would easily spin it to say that “Ladybug said that to protect me”. And Alya would just believe it.

           Not this time, Marinette vowed.

“Ladybug!” Alya beamed and immediately jumped into the interview, “I’ve been trying to catch you for months.”

“I know,” Ladybug said coolly.

           Marinette had decided that if Alya couldn’t check her facts, then Ladybug couldn’t work with her. She had been reporting too much false information and more or less become a site dedicated to shipping Ladybug with Chat Noir and promoting Lila’s B.S.

           Alya didn’t seem to notice the frost in the air. “We’re live streaming for the Ladyblog,” She said. “Ladybug and Lila Rossi; best friends forever.” She said waving her phone between the two. “Ladybug, Lila what’s it look being friends. Lila said she helped you rescue a bunch of people when you still lived in Italy. Before you became Ladybug!”

           Lila looked sick, “Now, it was so long ago. She probably doesn’t remember.”

“I’m sorry, Alya, but this interview is over,” Ladybug responded and before reporter could protest, she added. “I refuse to give an interview with my stalker.”

           It was like the wind was punched out of Alya, “Sta- Stalker?”

           Lila just stared with her mouth opened.

           Ladybug nodded gravely, while inwardly Marinette cheered, “Stalker. What else would you call someone who constantly follows you around? Interfere with my rescues. Fantasize scenarios where we’re close personal friends and tells people about it. Try to convince everyone that those tales are real. Maybe it’s a coincidence that she transferred into only class in the entire school, out of all the public schools in France that has had the most akumas thus students I see regularly.  Despite her mother being an important diplomat? Who knows?” Ladybug pitched her nose. “For god’s sake, Alya, she even got close to you, the only journalist I deal with on a continuity. You keeping spinning out her stories; feeding her delusions. Why do think I started avoiding you? I saw you were friends with her. I can’t be around her. I won’t.”

           It went silent. Alya’s mouth had dropped opened. She looked shocked and slightly ill. Lila looked like she was considering murder. Marinette was five seconds away from doing her happy dance.

“Alya,” Ladybug said seriously. “Be honest, Lila’s said so many stories about so many celebrities but there’s no real evidence backing it up. Her grand adventures with Jagged Stone, Prince Ali, Clara Nightingale; it’s all in her head. At least point, I’m started to think they may have been her past obsessions. She claimed I healed her so many of different diseases, I thought someone was going to try to give me saint hood. Do you really think Jagged Stone would write a song about an underage girl without her parents knowing? Or that Clara Nightingale stole her dance moves. Do you know how bad that looks? Not to mention that model kid Adrien Agreste. From what I heard, what she’s doing to him is borderline sexual harassment. I think they’re victims,” She stressed the word. “Like me. If I wasn’t concerned about my secret identity, I’d have gone to the police by now.”

“Police!” Lila squeaked.

           Ladybug shook her head, “I know people. Maybe I can just do a cease and desist order on the Ladyblog. But this has to stop,” She told Alya. “It’s the middle of the night, which is dangerous enough as it is. But there was an akuma as well. You called me, again in the middle of the night, to meet with my stalker. Do you know how scary that is? How that makes me feel?” She asked.

“I’m sorry!” Alya said with tears in hers, her phone still streaming. “I didn’t know.”

           Ladybug threw up her hands, “You didn’t even bother to ask! At any time in the last year, you could’ve checked with me that you were reporting the truth.”

           Alya sobbed. Lila just glared. She was too busy thinking of ways she could spend this.

           Ladybug looked around, with suspicious, “Do your parents even know where you are?”

“Well, I, I mean,” The glasses wearing girl stuttered.

           Marinette raised her hands in surrender, “No. I’m done. You’ve gone too far. You put yourself in danger. And you put me in danger. All for an interview. No more. You obviously don’t take this seriously; being a journalist, your blog, your life, anything. I’m done. I won’t work with you again. I can’t risk it.”

           And with that Ladybug, yo’yo’d away. When she transformed back to normal and safely got to her house, Marinette fell to the floor laughing. Tikki joined her. Revenge was sweet.

           The bluenette plopped down her bed. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow. For months and months she had been accused of bullying Lila, of being jealous, by tomorrow all of France would know what happened on the rooftop.

           Lila wasn’t outed as liar like she thought she would be. No, Marinette, Rossi got a much worse fate.

           When Marinette woke up the next morning, it was like the world had caught on fire. Nadja was having field day. Celebrities Lila had said she knew vocally denounced every knowing the girl. The world cried, “Poor Ladybug.”

           Marinette blinked at the sheer quiet of her class. She had expected chaos. Maybe they didn’t know. Maybe Lila was able to spin it around for the class.

           No that wasn’t right. Nino was comforting Alya, who had red eyes and messy hair.

“What’s going on,” She asked Adrien, one of the few people who were still friendly with her in class. She may not have had a crush on him anymore but she still thought he was a decent friend.

“You don’t know?” Alix asked, with shock on her face. “How could you not know? All of Paris is talking about Ladybug’s stalker.”

           Marinette scratched the back on her head, a look of faux-confusion on her face, “I got up late again, I didn’t have time to look anything up,” Looks of understanding came from the students. “Wait! Stalker?!” She took a dramatic pause. “…You know?”

           Alya stood up angrily, “You knew!”

           Marinette took a hasty step back, “Of course I knew. Don’t you remember I got you your first interview with Ladybug? I know her.” Alya looked somewhat placated but still angry. She told me all about it. She was really freaked out. But I promised I wouldn’t say anything,” She defended. “I don’t break my promise. Yet I tried to warn you as best I could. I tried to warn everyone.” Marinette shrugged. “And look what happened. Most of us aren’t even friends anymore.”

           Her words were a slap to the face. Most of her former friends had the grace to look ashamed.

           Marinette just shrugged again and went her seat.

“I’m ruined,” Alya cried into Nino’s shoulder. “My fans hate me. Half of them think I was lying to them. The other half hate me because I hurt Ladybug. How was I supposed to know Lila was a nutjob?”

“You could’ve fact checked,” Marinette told her. “Listen to me even one of the hundred times I told you she was lying. Asked Ladybug. Asked Chat Noir. Read the twenty percent of the Ladyblog’s comments that she said was lying. You could’ve done a lot to find out the truth.” She stared hard at her former friend. “You chose not to.”

           Alya cried harder.

“Harsh, dudette,” Nino glared at her.

           Coldness went down Marinette’s back. She stood up, “Harsh!” Marinette yelled, everyone flinched back. “Yeah maybe it’s a bit harsh. But you know what was worse? Losing all my friends. Being called a liar. A jealous psycho. Being bullied by people who I’ve known forever. Getting mean, nasty texts that could have the sender charged with harassment.”

           The bluenette glared around the room; at the paling, stunned faces of the other students.

“Harsh,” She hissed at Nino. “Well I’m sorry if the truth is a little harsh. But I think after falling for so many lies, maybe Alya deserves the truth for once. You all do.”

           Alya pulled away from Nino, and nodded. “She’s right,” she sniffed. “I’m sorry, Marinette. I’m so sorry.”

           Marinette looked at Alya, her former bestie. Nino the boy she thought always had her back until he stabbed her in it. Kim, her friend since they were in diapers, who had no problem accusing Marinette of awful things. Alix and Mylene, who led the charge against her. Nathanial who had sat and done nothing when they spilled and destroy her designs.

“Sorry’s not always enough,” Marinette admitted, hurt filling her. “There’s another truth for you.”

“My dad’s furious,” Adrien said, gaining everyone attention. “Everyone knows he insisted Lila do the photoshoots with me. An insider even revealed that I made it clear I was bother by Lila. They think he doesn’t take sexual harassment at work seriously. Brand’s taking a hit.”

“Ladybug must be so scared,” Sabrina put in. “My dad told me about some crazy stalker cases he’s seen. They got really obsessive. One guy even kidnapped a kid because he though it looked like his and this woman’s future child. Said the child was theirs. Dad wants me to stay away from Lila. He doesn’t want me getting her attention. Who knows what she’d do?”

           Sabrina words sent shivers through the students. A few who watched true crime stories looked particularly green.

“We should’ve caught on,” Alix frowned. “None of her stories even made sense. Saved a cat from being hit by a plane? Really? Are we morons?”

“Something must be seriously wrong with her,” Rose offered. “Maybe she just needs help.”

“She needs a nice white jacket,” Kim growled. “And a padded cell.”

“Where is Lila?” Marinette asked.

           Surprising it was Juleka who answered, “Hiding in her house. Reporters everywhere want a one on one with Ladybug’s Stalker. Her face is all over the news. She’s trending on Twitter. So’s the Ladyblog.”

           Alya groaned. Her blog, her life’s work was finally getting the attention she always wanted but in the worst possible way.

           Nino hugged his girlfriend, “At least no one will ever be fool again,” He offered.

“Undoubtable,” Max agreed. “I foresee that Lila is well on way to be the most famous stalker in recent history. They’ll use her as a textbook example one day, if this carries on. People will base their doctorates on her mental health.”

           Marinette smirked.

           Lila was going to get the all attention she’d ever want.

[classic80sand90smovieloves2]

Meeting and Dating Seymour Krelborn

(Not my gif) (Requested by anonymous)

(Audrey 2 is sort of mellowed out in this and is still called Audrey even though I’m sort of omitting Audrey 1 from this)

- Skid Row is arguably one of the worst places you’ve ever had the “pleasure” of living in. You absolutely hated it and yet, even Skid Row had a little bit of a silver lining; Mushnik’s Flower Shop. 

- Every week, you’d stop by the shop and have a look around, scrounging up enough money here and there to buy a little bouquet to brighten up your dreadful looking apartment. And, as of lately, to see the adorably nerdy florist. 

- You first met Seymour a few months after you moved to Skid row. You’d been cautiously wandering around the city, trying to find some interesting place that you’d actually like to visit. That was when you finally came across Mushnik’s shop. 

- It was everything that you were looking for, cozy, comforting, ...not dangerous. It soon became routine for you to visit, especially after a rough day. 

- You had the pleasure of meeting Seymour a week or so after you first found the place. You’d just been looking around when he cautiously approached and asked if he could help you with anything. The two of you had a short, pleasant yet awkward conversation and you left. 

- Things went on like this for a while, you’d visit, make some small talk with the man and then you’d leave. You’d never really had any serious or in depth conversations with the bespectacled man but you didn’t mind, it was nice just speaking with someone who didn’t ogle or creep you out. 

- It took him quite a while to ask you out; just cut him some slack, he almost didn’t do it at all. 

- You’d been looking at Audrey 2 for a while when you heard someone beginning to approach, prompting you to turn around. That was when you tripped “over your own feet” and fell... right up against Seymour. 

- Believe me, you have no reason to be embarrassed, he knows exactly whose fault it is and it isn’t yours; if you catch my drift. Audrey 2 had to hear Seymour gush about you for weeks and lets just say the mean green mother had had enough. 

- Poor Seymour could hardly even manage to say a single word to you, too shocked to form coherent sentences as he straightened both himself and you out. 

- You apologized, embarrassed and contemplating never returning, before you quickly made your way out of the store; though not before taking one last look at the big odd plant. 

- Seymour had a feeling that it would be a while before he saw you again and decided that he would finally just try his luck. He followed after you, calling your name and all but running to catch up. After a moment of panting, he nervously stuttered out an offer for him to take you out to lunch the next day. Obviously, you agreed.

- As promised, he showed up at your door the next day with an odd yet pretty, exotic potted plant and took you to a nice restaurant nearby. 

- I don’t think it’s possible for someone not to fall in love with Seymour so; of course, you were happy to see him again. In fact, you were more than happy to never stop seeing him again. 

- The two of you had your first kiss after he got chewed out by Mr. Mushnik for dropping a bunch of flower pots. You went after him, trying your best to comfort him before you told him that you loved him. His eyes snapped wide open and it took all of three seconds for him to smash his lips to yours. 

-  You have a bit of an odd relationship. One day you’re at a cafe making goo goo eyes at each other and the next you’re scrubbing blood off of a giant plants pot.

- He loves pda. The fact that you actually want to be seen with him blows his mind so being able show people that you’re a couple and express his love for you out in the open is wonderful to him. 

- Holding one of his arms whenever you walk together, usually with his coat draped over your shoulders. 

- This mans lips are ... so soft?? Yet his kisses are so strong. They’re perfect, you can’t get enough of them.

- You get your very own unique nickname once you start dating. It’s something special about you or something you experienced together and it makes you smile every time he calls you it. 

- He nerds out whenever you go to flower shops/anywhere with odd plants. He pulls you along, telling you all about each and everyone of them while muttering quiet ‘wows’ to himself. It’s adorable.

- He most likely got you a job at the shop so that the two of you could spend more time together. Plus, he didn’t want you getting swindled by a less reputable business. 

- You’ve definitely caught him singing about you when he doesn’t think you’re around. 

- He always gets embarrassed when you ask him to sing for you but he secretly enjoys the fact that you think he’s a good singer and want to hear him. 

- Stealing his baseball caps. 

- Straightening out his glasses and ties for him.

- Wearing his button ups when he stays the night. You would do it when you stay the night at his place but he lives at the shop and you’d rather not be interrupted by Mr. Mushnik. 

- He never watches you change, it doesn’t matter how long you’re dating. He won’t do it unless the two of you are married, he just feels like it’s disrespectful. 

- You’ll most likely be the one to initiate a lot of things: cuddling, kissing, hugging, ...sex. 

- He doesn't really have a favorite way to cuddle, he’s happy as long as he’s holding you. 

- He’s incredibly easy to fluster. Believe me, even if you think you’re bad at flirting with or seducing people, you’ll manage to find success with him. 

- He sort of just lets you do whatever you want to him. Poke his cheeks, play with his hands, mess with his hair, etc. It confuses him but he allows it. 

- Getting tugged into kisses by your waist. He’s probably dipped you into a kiss before and it was more wonderful than you ever could have imagined. 

- He compliments you every day. Even before the two of you started dating, he would try to compliment you or say something sweet every time he saw you. He makes you feel like the most beautiful girl in the world and to him you are. 

- He would 100% bridal carry you if your heels were hurting you or if you for some reason couldn’t walk properly yourself (like if you were drunk or hurt). 

- Any nickname or pet name you give him makes him melt. 

- He prefers quiet nights in with you over any other kind of date; there isn’t much to do in Skid Row anyways.

- Talking about your dreams and aspirations with each other. The two of you are constantly promising each other that you’ll one day leave the city together and never look back. 

- He would genuinely do anything for you. If you ever needed anything, anything at all, he’d be there for you. 

- He’s the most loyal guy you’ll ever meet. There’s only one girl out there for him and that’s you. In fact, you’re really the only girl he’s ever loved and he’s certainly not ashamed to admit it. 

- You’re probably taller than him, especially if you wear heels, so he’ll occasionally ask you to grab things off of the top shelf for him.

- He stands behind your chair whenever you’re sitting, holding and rubbing your shoulders while he talks with someone or watches what you’re doing.

- Picking up different gardening books from the library for him.

- Letting him show and gush to you about his new plants. You’re often asked to help take care of them, especially if you like gardening. 

- He always gets this big smile on his face whenever he sees that you’ve kept the flowers he’s left on your doorstep/given to you. 

- Helping him whenever he clumsily breaks something or hurts himself. He’s torn between staying quiet and cherishing the moment or trying to make jokes in an attempt to make himself seem “less pathetic”. 

- Going with and supporting him when he goes to speak with news/radio stations. 

- Twoey has definitely touched your ass before. Seymour has had several stern talking to’s with him.

- Trying to persuade him to put an end to the Audrey 2 fiasco before it’s too late. 

- You help ease his guilty conscience. If he was truly a bad person, why would he have a girl like you by his his side? 

- Warm and comforting hugs. 

-  Walking home with him everyday. Skid row is a dangerous place and he wants to make sure that you’re alright.

-  If anyone hurts or insults you, they mysteriously disappear very soon after. He never directly tells you that he had something to do with it but you can guess what happened. Plus, Twoey has proudly told you exactly what happened on more than one occasion.

- Even though he loves you dearly, he feels like you deserve better. He thinks you deserve the world, not some loser like him.

- He’s definitely an insecure person and that isn’t going to change anytime soon. He overthinks everything and is constantly apologizing, no matter how many times you tell him he doesn’t have to apologize. It’s just the way he is. 

- A part of him feels as though it isn’t his place to get jealous, that he should be lucky you’re even with him, so he tries his best to keep it to himself even if he gets jealous. 

- The two of you don’t fight, you just don’t. He doesn’t have it in him to get angry at you or bring himself to start a fight and the two of you rarely have anything to fight about. 

- Shy and nervous “I love you’s”. 

- Oh to live in a world of green with you. What better life could he live?

[hotrod2007]

focal point

i wrote a buddie fic abt buck being reckless and eddie being stressed <3 i owe all my thanks and love to robin for encouraging me to write it she owns my heart mwah! (here is the link if u would like to read it on ao3 maybe n drop a kudos or a comment even 😳)

Bobby’s hand slaps against Eddie’s back as he hurries them towards the exit. He’s sure Bobby is yelling at him to move faster, hurry, but over the building collapsing behind them, Eddie can’t hear much else besides his own labored breathing. Hen and Chim are ducking their heads, barreling forward in front of him, and he trusts that Buck is following closely behind Bobby. They’re so close to the exit, he can see the flashing lights of trucks and engines from the other stations, and the closer they get, the more the smoke thins, and breathing gets a bit easier.

Bobby practically pushes him out of the small exit when they reach it, and he slams into Hen’s back, and they both fall through the opening with a shout and then take several deep breaths as they inhale fresh air as much and as quickly as they can. Eddie’s staring up at the sky, mask off, letting himself breathe before remembering he has to get up and move farther away from the building, but as he gets up he sees Bobby arguing with Buck at the threshold of the building. Before he can think he’s on his feet and walking towards them as fast as he can – he knows what Buck’s doing.

“I heard someone, Bobby!” Buck shouts, his voice is raspy from the bad air and it cracks. “I have to go back!”

“Buck, no! It’s too dangerous! The building is becoming less and less stable the longer we stand here. Come on!” Bobby points towards the line the police have marked off, Chim and Hen stand by it, watching them, trying to decipher what’s going on.

“Exactly! So I should go now!” Buck counters and Eddie wants to pick him up, throw him over his shoulder, and march back to the safety barrier.

“Buck do not–” Eddie steps towards him and reaches out, but Buck cuts him off.

“You know I have to do this, I’m sorry.” Buck gives them both a pained look before turning and running back into the haze of smoke and fire.

“Buck!” Eddie hears two other voices yell in unison with him, but he’s the only one Bobby is dragging away.

Hen and Chim are trying to push past the officers at the barrier, stressing that they need to get to Eddie and Bobby. Eddie distantly hears them arguing, but he’s too busy trying to break free from Bobby’s grip to pay attention to what exactly is being said. He’s yelling and twisting, but Bobby won’t let go of him, and he watches the rectangle Buck ran through getting smaller and smaller. In a last-ditch effort to get out, he stills and feels Bobby’s hands relax for a second, and in that second Eddie throws his full body weight forward and just barely slips through Bobby’s fingers.

He takes maybe three steps before he stops in his tracks, staring forward in horror.

The building gives a giant moan. Eddie freezes. The front collapses. Time stops. The sound of the flames gets louder. Time begins again.

In his peripheral, he sees Bobby grind to a halt next to him, he imagines a similar look of horror sits on his face. The only exit now sits in front of them, burning, and smoke billows out of the windows surrounding it.

Before he can process what’s happening, police officers are pushing him back, shoving at his shoulders causing him to gracelessly stumble backward. His eyes don’t leave the building. Buck is in there. Buck is in there. With no way out. The last thought makes him want to be sick.

He’s guided to the 118 engine where he meets Chim, Hen, and Bobby gathered around a radio, exchanging worried glances.

“Buck?” Hen says into the radio. “Buck?” She tries again.

“Anything?” Eddie bounds up to them, breathless, pushing down the sick feeling in his gut and trying to focus on what he can do at this moment.

Hen opens her mouth, presumably to say no, but the radio crackle interrupts her.

“-en? Hen?” Comes Buck’s voice through the tiny speaker. “Hen, I can hear you.” Buck’s voice sounds tired and worse than it did the less than two minutes ago Eddie had seen him.

Hen briefly rests her forehead against the radio and lets out a small sigh of relief. Bobby and Chim both look up and give short relieved breaths. Eddie stays focused on the radio, watching the red light blink. As long as that light is blinking, Buck is okay. That’s what he keeps telling himself. Red light means he’s alright. It becomes his new mantra that he chants in his head over and over again.

“Are you okay?” Hen asks, biting her lip with worry after letting the talk button go.

It takes a second, but Buck replies, “I’m okay. I was right, though. Tell Bobby I was right.” And Eddie can practically hear his shit-eating grin, which makes him relax a bit.

“You can tell me yourself when you get your ass out of the building,” Bobby replies, leaning forward a bit so he can be closer to the radio while Hen holds it.

“Yeah, yeah,” Buck replies. “Hey Eddie, I found a new best friend,” Buck jokes, but his voice is tighter than it is when he’s usually joking around. Eddie knows this tone, they all do, he’s trying to play it cool for whoever he’s with.

Eddie plays along. “Oh yeah?” He tries to sound light and happy when he says it, but his voice gives out at the end and he knows he’s doing a shit job of covering up his stress.

“Yeah. Her name’s Audrey, and she’s the coolest third grader I’ve ever met.” Eddie imagines Buck gently kneeling with her, letting her use his mask and air.

Bobby leans back in, so Hen presses down on the talk button again for him. “Hey, Buck,” he begins, “The exit collapsed.” There’s silence for a moment, and they all hold their breath. Then comes the crackle from the other end.

“Yeah.” Buck sighs, his voice closer to the radio and quieter than before. “I heard it.”

“What’s your exit plan?” Bobby responds.

“Uh, right now, I’m trying to get to the other side of the first floor and find a window, and get,” Buck pauses to take a few slow breaths, “Audrey out, and then I’ll follow her.”

Okay. He has a plan. He knows where he needs to go, and a general sense of direction. That’s comforting to know.

“Be safe, Buck,” Chim tells him and his voice is hard, and they all know it’s more of a command than a well-wish. Briefly, Eddie wonders if he’s told Maddie about what Buck did.

“You know me, caution is my middle name.” And that time Buck sounded like himself again. “I’m gonna start moving Audrey and me towards the other side of the building. Radio me if something changes.”

Eddie’s stomach sinks at the thought of not talking to Buck on his radio for several minutes, but instead pushes it down and takes Hen’s radio into his own hands and says, “That goes the same for you.”

“We’ll be extra careful for you, Eddie.” Buck radios back. He hears Audrey muffled in the background, and then Buck says, “Audrey made me promise her that we won’t get hurt, so now I’m going to be extra safe.”

Eddie hands the radio back to Hen and they all turn to face the building, the fire spreading despite having hoses from three different stations trained on it. All he has to do is get from one side to the other.

The captain from one of the other stations jogs up to Bobby and asks for his help on something, and Bobby gives him a clap on the shoulder and a head nod before he heads off with the captain. Chim peels away from him and Hen to go call Maddie and update her about what’s going on, and Eddie’s selfishly glad he won’t have to listen to Chim talk Maddie out of coming down here and storming in herself – he can’t handle the added stress.

“He’ll be okay, Eddie,” Hen says, giving him a soft look. “He’s done shit like this before, he’ll be okay.”

“I’m gonna kick his ass when I see him again,” Eddie says and he bites the inside of his cheeks to keep himself from crying. His eyes are stinging and his vision is blurring, and the last thing he needs right now is a meltdown.

Hen laughs a bit, and she looks down at the ground and kicks at some loose gravel. “You two are gonna be the death of me.”

They fall into an easy silence for a few moments, and Eddie opens his mouth to say something in response to that – to shrug it off, to point out her poor choice of words – when they hear shouting, and they both run out to stand in front of the trucks and engines to try and get an idea of what’s going on. He hears the creaking again, but before he can register what’s happening, Hen’s radio crackles to life.

Buck’s voice comes through, “Eddie–!” and just as soon as Eddie was flooded with relief, dread replaces it as Buck is cut off and the line goes silent.

They both hear a crash and their heads fly up from the radio, and they watch, panicked, as another section of the building collapses right in the direction Buck was heading. A truck turns its water on the newly collapsed part, and people are shouting directions around them. He and Hen both look down at the radio at the same time.

There’s no red blinking light.

Eddie feels the color drain from his face. Hen looks up at him, her eyes wide with fear and brows furrowed. Chim runs up to them and before he can say anything, Hen just lifts the radio towards him.

“Maddie’s driving down.” He sounds as if he’s realizing she might be driving to the scene of her brother’s death. “I couldn’t stop her.”

Bobby rounds the corner of a truck and his eyes catching on the radio Hen is limply holding in her hand. “I know you guys are worried about Buck, I’m worried about him too, but we’re still on the job and there’s still people to look after and care for.” He’s using his Captain Voice and Eddie knows his heart is as close to breaking as theirs if just one more thing goes wrong. The three of them look at Bobby, exhausted, but ready to listen. “Hen, Chim, go to the ambulances and help them attend to the people there.” He nods at them and they split off, hustling towards the few ambulances remaining to take care of those with minor scrapes and bruises. “Eddie,” he turns his head to Bobby at the mention of his name, “You need to be here, present, mentally. We aren’t any good to him just standing here, staring at the building, okay?” Eddie mutley nods at him. “Good. I need you with me. We’re going to talk to the other captains about what to do next.” Bobby turns and walks away from Eddie without looking back, and Eddie hurries after him.

There’s so much noise going on all around him – news choppers, reporters, police yelling at people to stay back, people shouting, the fire, the hoses – but all Eddie can focus on is the clear and heavy absence of Buck. He pulls his radio out of his jacket pocket and clips it to his shoulder, watching for that blinking red light.

The other captains are gathered around the back of one of the engines, slightly hidden from view of the building, but Eddie adjusts himself so he can still see it. He doesn’t know how long he stands in the circle with Bobby and the others, just staring at the fire, trying to will Buck to stumble out of it, but he rejoins the conversation when Bobby slightly shoves his shoulder with his own.

“We need more water. More engines, more trucks, just more.” The woman who’s saying this has a patch on her jacket that reads PARKER. “The whole building could come down soon and then we’re really at risk of it spreading.”

“So what do you suggest we do?” Asks a man with the name HARRISON patched onto him.

“Radio other districts for help. We need to douse this thing.” Parker explains and Harrison and Bobby nod in agreement. “Then, we move everyone back and prepare for building collapse.”

Eddie frowns when he sees Harrison agreeing again, and shoots a look at Bobby. “But wait, we still have a man in there, Captain Parker.”

“Diaz is right. There’s a firefighter and a little girl still inside.” Bobby calmly explains and Eddie thanks whatever God there is that Bobby’s there to back him up.

“Any word from him?” Harrison asks after a brief silence.

“Not since the second collapse, but–”

“Where was he when it collapsed?” Harrison interrupts him.

Eddie falls silent, so Bobby speaks up, “He was in the general area of it.” Eddie catches the other captains shooting each other knowing looks.

“He’s not dead!” Eddie exclaims and they all turn to him.

“Look at the facts, Diaz. He was near the collapse, you haven’t heard from him in minutes, he was in the area, and he’s probably out of air by now.” Parker tells him matter-of-factly, though her eyes are sad. Her tone softens as she says, “I know this isn’t easy. But we can’t put two lives above everyone else’s.”

Eddie knows she has a point. He knows she’s right. But it’s not just any person, it’s Buck. “We can’t just… we can’t leave him – them – to burn!” And Eddie feels his eyes stinging again. “He’s alive! He has to be.”

Parker turns to Bobby, softness almost gone and commands, “You need to get him in check. This isn’t an easy decision, but it’s what we have to do, and you know it.” She puts her helmet back on, and Harrison follows her lead. “I’m going to make a call to another district. Harrison, I want you to help the police back everyone up.” She gives Bobby one more serious look, and then she’s gone.

“Eddie, what did I tell you earlier.” Bobby turns to him once they’re alone.

“Bobby, I know, but it’s Buck,” Eddie says again like if he keeps saying the words, it’ll explain everything.

“Eddie, we all want –”

“No! No, because it’s different for me!” And Eddie grits his teeth as he feels tears run down his face. “It’s different for me.” He repeats, but softer, and his voice cracks. He’s staring hard at the ground as he leans against the engine.

Bobby pauses before responding. “Eddie, we have to start moving back.” He’s using his Dad Voice on him now and Eddie might laugh if the situation was anything but this. “We don’t have to move fast, we can lag behind. We can stay here as long as we can, but if Buck isn’t… but when the building comes down, we’re at risk.”

“He has to be alive, Bobby.” Eddie knows how he sounds – defeated, worn down, desperate. “Because if he isn’t… if this is the time that…” And he trails off, knowing Bobby understands where he was going with it.

Bobby doesn’t say anything else, but he leans against the engine with Eddie, watching police move the barricades and moving people back. They’ll have to drag Eddie kicking and screaming from where he’s standing.

Eventually, Parker makes her way back to them and fixes Eddie with an unimpressed look, and only addresses Bobby while she talks, “You have to move. We’re backing everything up now, and last to move is apparently this engine, a truck, and you two.”

Eddie opens his mouth to argue with her, ready to lament about how he won’t move unless she can pick him up herself when he sees a shape moving in the smoke and haze. He doesn’t let himself get his hopes up, not yet, it could be someone that was doing a last-minute look at the building to assess it. But then he sees a smaller figure slide off the first figure, and then they’re both running towards the lights as fast as they can, and Eddie’s so relieved he wants to scream. So he does.

“Buck!” He shouts and Buck takes Audrey’s hand and leads her towards Eddie and Bobby.

Parker’s head twists around fast and before Eddie can be smug about being right, she’s yelling for someone from the ambulances to come get the girl. Hen and Chim are heard before Eddie can see them, he’s zeroed in on Buck.

His face is covered in ash and there’s a sizable gash across his left cheek and his chin, but he’s smiling and telling Audrey something as he runs over. It finally clicks into place that Buck’s coming towards him, the little girl in tow, and he starts walking towards Buck without a second thought. Bobby’s telling Parker that they’ll move back in a second and agrees to help her move the engine and truck to appease her, and she takes him around the engine.

Hen and Chim are getting closer and yelling out Buck’s name and some phrases a child probably shouldn’t hear, but Eddie gets it. He’d be yelling too if he wasn’t on the verge of sobbing.

When Hen and Chim get to him, they call him a dumbass before dropping to their knees and asking Audrey if they could pick her up to take her to the ambulances. She nods at them and when they pick her up, Eddie notices that her feet are cut up and she’s wearing a nightgown and feels a pang of sadness. He doesn’t realize he’s stopped walking until he looks at Buck who has also stopped walking and is just staring back at him. He flashes Eddie a smile, scratches the back of his head awkwardly, and that sets Eddie back in motion.

When he’s within arm’s reach of him, Buck throws his hands up and opens his mouth, “Look, Eddie–” But Eddie will never know the end of that sentence.

Because he walks right up to Buck, ignores him trying to talk, and kisses him. He’s gripping the front of Buck’s jacket in his hands and holding on tightly as if he’s worried the fire will pull back in. Buck makes a surprised sound in the back of his throat but quickly wraps his arms around Eddie, pulling him in closer. Buck tastes like the mint gum he was chewing earlier and ash, but Eddie doesn’t care.

Eddie screws his eyes shut as he presses in closer to Buck, and he can feel his face getting wet again from his tears, but it doesn’t matter because he has Buck. He has Buck in his arms and he’s kissing him. He feels Buck’s hand move up to his face and he smiles into their kiss, Buck’s hands cupping his face, and Eddie never thought he’d enjoy feeling small, but right now it’s the best feeling in the world.

Unfortunately, there’s still a burning building at risk of collapsing, so they break apart, Eddie wipes at his eyes and pretends he doesn’t see the fond look Buck is giving him. For a moment, it’s just them standing in silence before Bobby comes over and drags them both back to the new barricade.

“Nothing is ever easy with you two.” He grumbles, but there’s a hint of a smile on his face. He unceremoniously dumps them at the edge of the barricade before he walks off to talk to Athena.

Eddie keeps his eyes staring straight ahead because he can feel Buck smiling at him with his megawatt grin, and he’s trying to play it cool. He glances over at Buck and finds himself grinning back. Playing it cool is overrated anyway.

“So,” Buck says as Eddie turns to face him. Buck’s jacket lays haphazardly at his feet now, and he’s got his arms crossed in front of his chest, eyes bright and smile wide. “Is that gonna happen every time I do something reckless now?”

Eddie rolls his eyes, dropping his jacket to the ground too. Feeling bold, he says, “It doesn’t just have to happen then, you know.”

Eddie’s eyebrows shoot up as if he hadn’t considered that. “I’d like that.” Is all he says.

“Good. Me too.” Eddie feels his cheeks flush a bit.

“Are you blushing?” Buck exclaims. “I made Eddie Diaz blush?”

Eddie tries not to smile, trying to look upset. He fails. “Shut up.”

Buck’s expression schools itself one of confidence, and he drops his arms, taking a step towards Eddie. “Make me.”

If Eddie wasn’t red before, he sure as hell is now. Still, he leans in and whispers, “Okay, Buckley.” Before connecting their lips again.

[reallyhardy]

regent’s open air theatre LSOH (2018) breakdown

act one. herein, two years later, i try to remember as much as i can about this production with the help of gifs i took from the trailer and shutterstock images. let’s go!

THE BEGINNING. i went to see a matinee so it was daytime, but the stage set was all black-and-white very newspaper aesthetic. my sister and i were very close to the front, five rows back:

and here we are, excited for everything to begin. (note my giant tooth earrings. was really hoping they’d catch matt willis’ eye.) soon enough crystal, ronette and chiffon took the stage for the prologue, belted their faces off and got me hype from the first moment. their costumes were kind of punky, street style (my favourite look was on the girl with the green jacket and shiny leggings:)

skid row was great. the grey set really highlighted the colourful costumes, and for this first number the set stayed black-and-white so the only colour were the main characters and urchins, and the ensemble wore black-and-white costumes.

and i remember being so thrilled by the costumes - in this photo seymour is wearing yellow socks but by the time i went to see it they were pink (to match audrey’s hair!) and audrey is wearing fluffy slide slippers in the promo photos but when i saw it she wore a pair of blue open-toe kitten heels.

once the song ended we got to see some character personality: marc antolin as seymour was adorable. he was (for most of the first act at least) very goofy and beamed a lot, he had a very cute smile. his voice was quite high and nasal and silly and i honestly had a really big crush on him. jemima rooper as audrey was equally sweet and adorable - she had a cotton candy pink wig and started off in kind of a sexy-ish outfit, with a sheer off-shoulder top over a bra. her eye makeup was light blue (and the bruise bright purple) and she was really short compared to seymour. mushnik was super tiny and greasy looking.

every interaction seymour and audrey had was just! so cute. at the start where audrey and mushnik discuss orin (the ‘you don’t meet nice boys on skid row’ conversation,) seymour is stood behind them kind of goofing around and he flips his shirt collar up pretending to be orin and acting macho but at the end of the scene audrey goes quiet and carefully fixed his collar back down before she left and it was!!! emotions.

da doo i can’t remember anything about how things looked :( during grow for me it really highlighted how…cute seymour was. he beamed the whole time, and the plant puppet in its baby form was fantastic, (the pod head at the top opened up and had little human teeth lmao) and they used like… household objects painted green for plants. the roses were red toilet brushes:

with red ink on them so when seymour touched the bristles there was visible blood on his finger which was fun. lots of attention to detail in this production.

seymour on the radio i think happened off-stage? so we just hear him being interviewed while we watch mushnik and the urchins listen to the radio together. the choreography during you never know was really fun too, with seymour and the urchins dancing together, seymour did a lot of hip wiggles and kept trying to stop audrey ii from trying to bite at the urchins as he danced. one of the green ping-pong balls fell off the puppet but nobody slipped on it so it was fine. also GOD the voices of the urchins were just so good in this one.

somewhere that’s green is a song that makes me cry most of the times i listen to it or watch any versions of LSOH, but this is the first time i’d seen a version where audrey was also crying. during this number the actress climbed up onto the top of the mushnik’s store prop and she still had the bright purple black-eye makeup on as well as the cast on her arm so she looked so beat down and sad and it was just toward the end of the song at ‘i’m his december bride’ where her singing started to break down and she started crying, and covered her face by the time she got to ‘far from skid row’ with her voice breaking oh my god the tears were flowing VERY much from my eyes.

and as a note the actress did not have this beautiful wig on when i saw it, she wore one with much less volume - it could have been the same wig just styled differently, (tucked under/trimmed to be just sort of...round?) but it was just... so much less cute lmao, you can just about see it here in this cast mirror selfie:

anyway. then it was time for closed for renovation! this one was fun, audrey and seymour i think were just...arranging plants and other things? the ‘mushniks’ shop prop might have expanded a bit? they turned it around?

there were some cute little dancey bits with the three of them together:

then audrey & seymour talk a bit. audrey gives seymour the kind of advice that she also needs to be taking herself -- seymour asks audrey if she’d go shopping with him, and then orin arrives on the scene.

dentist was amazing. i’ve seen a lot of bootlegs of kind of lackluster orin scrivellos but… well, me and my sister decided we were absolutely going to see this production when we found out matt willis was playing the dentist. (we were big busted fans lol) he wore this insane painted leather jacket with this tooth-themed biker gang design (he and his backup dancers all had hell’s teeth on the backs of their jackets) and his dentist coat underneath had the sleeves ripped off to show his tattoos… they gave him white foundation to make him look i guess more ill/joker like? it totally worked. he honestly kinda stole the show and he totally exceeded my expectations (which is saying something because my expectations were that he’d be perfect for the role and that i’d enjoy his performance thoroughly!!!)

then he comes into the shop, comments on the plant, poses around, treats audrey terribly. and not only does he abuse audrey in front of seymour who iirc was watching horrified (as you would) but also poor seymour gets his junk grabbed twice by villains in this production too lmao, orin grabs and squeezes seymour’s junk while he’s yelling at audrey. it’s a theme i guess???

(hell of a promotion image, that one.) then orin and audrey leave and it’s time for mushnik and son. they did a lot of the usual ‘awkward-tango’ choreo and it was just excellent really. there’s nothing i didn’t enjoy about the number, plus mush was quite a short guy but had a real big voice.

you get a good view of all the fun things they used to represent plants here too: cleaning brushes, feather dusters, hairbrushes, a small fishing net, a bubble wand...

so feed me was great because it starts off of course with the plant puppet prop:

but then by the second verse (when it comes to ‘does this look inanimate to you’) they opened up the puppet’s leaves like a mouth and audrey ii in drag queen form emerged (to thunderous applause). [i found a short clip someone got on instagram a while back, you can watch it here!] she was holding a microphone in her hands so when it came to seymour’s responses she held out the mic to his mouth and it was :’) really funny. and seymour gets his junk grabbed again:

because he can’t catch a break. staging wise i think i remember this was very bisexual - it’s important to note that the first wig audrey ii wears strongly resembles the wig that OG audrey wears - and at times during this number audrey ii acts quite flirtatious with seymour and he seems receptive to it and has to visibly shake himself out of it.

audrey comes back for her sweater (iirc it was a VERY jazzy 1990s looking one in aqua green and pink) and seymour and audrey ii make up their minds about what to do with orin.

so seymour heads out - the dentists chair was just a beat-up shopping trolley with various things stuck on (see there’s what looks like a plunger, wrist restraints too lmao) and orin had a bunch of bloodied weapons such as a power drill instead of a dentist drill:

anyway i usually don’t enjoy now(it’s just the gas) as a number when i’ve seen it in bootlegs but again matt willis had tremendous feral energy and he pulled it off. plus the gear was quite retro-futuristic very cool looking:

it was also especially funny just after ‘now’ because after seymour runs off with orin’s body in the trolley he comes back in with it all chopped up and he was pushing dismembered limbs (the arm was even painted with matt willis’ tattoos and nail polish which was a GREAT detail) into the windows of the prop mushnik’s building that audrey ii was inside of, and he even threw up into the audience which was :’) gross but funny. it was yellow. i didn’t see if it splashed anyone.

then... intermission. will continue this in [part 2, which is here!]

[litniche]

For as Long as We Both Shall Live

Damie Fic, Read on ao3   

From a few pews back on the bride’s side of the aisle, Flora didn’t look at all splendid. She looked perfect. She was beaming. Her eyes shone and her grin split her features as the groom recited his portion of the vows.

 “I take you to be my lawful wife.” 

 Jamie balanced too many things in her hands as she tried to unlock the door upon arriving home. Like her, the thing was stubborn. Ultimately, she gave up and jammed the manila envelope she held in one hand into her mouth, holding it gingerly between her lips as she finally managed to twist the key and the knob at the same time--the trick to it. 

 “Well the queue was shite!” she called into the home, knowing Dani will have been home by now, “but I’ve got it. Our union is officially civil.” The gardener smiled at the notion, and tossed the documentation onto the catch-all by the door. 

 “To have and to hold,”

 Dani had put on that movie again--the one Jamie couldn’t remember the name of, but knew had Audrey Hepburn. Dani couldn’t seem to get enough of the woman. Jamie might be jealous, but she wasn't the possessive type. Besides, as she curled up next to Dani, weaving their legs together as she opened a book, it turned out she needn't be. Audrey was good, but she couldn’t make Dani laugh the way Jamie could. As Dani grinned and chuckled at the movie, Jamie felt a small smile find its way to her lips. She planted a gentle kiss to the former au pair’s chest before leaning further into the woman to rest her head there. She felt Dani’s head rest atop hers. Dani’s heartbeat was strong and steady, and at peace.

 “From this day forth,”

 Jamie shook her head. She was already halfway home from the Manor. There was no point in turning around to go back now. She’d see Dani tomorrow or soon enough. Why go back now? Besides, the woman was clearly not ready to start anything. Though, if Jamie were being honest with herself, she knew that wasn’t true. The au pair was haunted--literally haunted. Her ex was taking up space in her life that he no longer had claim to. That wasn’t Dani’s fault. Jamie found herself thinking she would gladly chase away his dark shadow. Because Dani was ready. Every brush of Dani’s hand, every smile, every laugh, every mind-blowing kiss, and every tangential remark about a certain pub located just below a certain flat, was a gesture. Dani was ready. She’d made it pretty clear, in more ways than the gardener could count. 

The problem remained: was the gardener ready? Up until now, Jamie fancied herself a lone wolf of sorts. People simply weren’t worth it. Plants took your devotion, your time, and they showed you something for it. From leafling to bloom, they rewarded your every effort. People, on the other hand, were more likely to punish you for it. Right now, her life was good. Boring. Dull. Of little consequence. But good.

So why turn around? Why go back to Bly Manor? Why ask Owen to stick around (because, let’s face it, Hannah was less and less there these days and someone needed to watch the kids if Jamie was going to steal Dani away)? 

At last, the gardener paused on the road, because she finally knew the answer to her questions. Why go back? It was simple: it had been a rough day. Maybe Jamie’s life was good because it was boring, but what about Dani? The au pair could use a bit of boredom-- a break from far too much excitement that life was determined to send her way. From this day forth, Jamie had a strange feeling she’d fancy being that bit of boredom. 

  “For better,”

  “‘I’ll have no problem setting up the bed, Dani!’” the former au pair quoted the gardener, eyeing her with accusatory daggers and gesturing toward the very-much-unfinished bed setup.

The gardener was busted. She had zero excuses. Quite simply, she’d forgotten to set up the bed, distracted by the far more interesting needs of their new shop, The Leafling.  By the time she’d remembered the bed, and read the paltry leaflet of instructions, she’d discovered the bed's setup was more of a two-man job. Or, two-woman job, as it were. 

“I’m sorry,” she started, giving Dani a sheepish, pleading look. She stepped forward, encircling the blonde in her arms and going for that spot on Dani’s neck that she knew Dani couldn’t resist. Before long, Dani giggled and the gardener could practically feel Dani’s eyes rolling, but her arms wrapped around Jamie’s shoulders as she laughed. The gardener held the woman even closer, slipping one leg between the other woman’s as one of Dani’s hooked around her hip. 

 “I’m sorry!” Jamie said again, chuckling. 

 “Better be,” Dani laughed out the empty threat. 

  “For worse,”

  Something was wrong. Something had been wrong for a while, but Dani wasn’t telling her what it was. Here they were, about to be ‘officially civil,’ and Dani was pulling away. Jamie could feel it. She could feel every inch of Dani slipping away from her, but the woman wouldn’t tell her what was happening. And Jamie was afraid to ask. But that wouldn’t do, would it?

“ Are we going to talk?” Jamie finally managed to say, drying a pan Dani had handed her as the blonde scrubbed at a plate. 

 Dani was silent, scrubbing harder and refusing to look at Jamie. 

 Jamie closed her eyes for the briefest of seconds, disallowing the hurt to sink in. “I’ll take that as a ‘no’,” she said, and turned to put away the dish. 

 The gardener turned back to look at Dani, but the blonde didn’t appear to be staring at the water to ignore her--she looked possessed. Suddenly, Dani gasped and stood back, dropping the plate so that it shattered all over the kitchen.

 “Jesus!” Jamie stepped toward the blonde, her brows furrowed with worry. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

 Dani was still staring at the sink; her breathing was irregular and heavy, like she was running from something, and tears trailed down her cheeks. “I saw-- I saw her,” she whispered. “She’s there.”

 No. Not yet. No.

Jamie checked the sink and then looked back at Dani. “What did you see?” she asked. 

 “Her,” Dani whispered still. “I keep seeing her.” 

 “Okay,” Jamie nodded slightly. “Right.” She stepped over the larger shards of the plate and hurried to turn off the sink, letting the water drain. “Okay, it’s gone,” she said, hoping to reassure Dani. Everything would be fine. It had to be. 

 “Is it?”

 “It’s okay.”

 Dani just shook her head as she finally made eye contact with Jamie, a horrible expression of fear written all over her beautiful face. 

 Jamie shook her head, too. She refused to let this happen--to stand idly by. “You’re going to be okay,” she said. “You can’t think the worst, all right? Okay?”

“Jamie,” Dani whispered, unconvinced, and her gaze drifted once more.

 “We don’t know what this means!” Jamie said with desperation now. “We--We could have so many more years together.” She held Dani’s face, trying to regain eye contact. “Dani,” she scanned the woman’s face, “we could have so many more years.” 

 The gardener didn’t know whether she was trying to convince Dani or herself at this point, but at last, Dani nodded. 

“Okay? We’ll keep an eye on it,” Jamie said lamely, “and it’ll be fine.”

 Dani breathed more easily now, and watched Jamie’s words form on her lips, as if concentrating on them would make them true. 

 “Okay? It’s going to be okay,” Jamie reassured her. She held Dani’s face in both hands, then rubbed her shoulders in an attempt to soothe away her fears. “I’ll do the washing up from now on. Yeah?” She cocked her head, saying “You’re shit at it anyway.” 

 Dani laughed. She laughed, and it was as if the air returned to the room. It would be okay, just like Jamie had told her. It had to be. They could have so many more years.

  “For richer or for poorer”

  Dani was biting her lip and carding her fingers through her bangs as she bent over receipts and invoices atop the counter in The Leafling . Her eyes - one brown, one blue - scanned her notepad as she double-checked her work and a smirk started to tease at her lips. “I can feel you watching me.”

 Jamie’s brows arched as she played with a bit of baby’s breath, not really doing anything. “Oh you can, can you?”

 Dani made a final swipe at their bank book with her pen before closing it, evidently finished. “Yep,” she said with a pop at the end. Her smirk was fully on display now and was downright devious. Jamie might have to figure out a way to wipe it off that beautiful face. For the moment, she watched as Dani crossed one leg over the other on her stool, her legs on full display beneath a little black velvet skirt. 

 Jamie’s eyes trailed their way from those far-too-tempting limbs up Dani’s form until their eyes met each other. Dani was practically grinning now. The Yank knew exactly what she was doing to the poor gardener. “And what if I like staring at you?” Jamie asked. 

 Dani’s grin disappeared beneath her teeth as she bit her lip in response. Anyone save Jamie might not have noticed that her eyes became darker and her chest moved up and down a little quicker as her breathing sped up. 

 It was the middle of the day and though things hadn’t picked up in the shop just yet, Jamie was expecting a rush. It was Valentine’s Day, after all, and Americans loved spending their money to show each other how much they care. At any moment, they might have been interrupted, and that was the only reason Jamie was still only staring. She could feel her own breath quicken and she made a conscious effort to remind herself that as soon as they closed, it was her and Dani’s Valentine’s Day, too. 

 “You seem in good sorts,” Jamie said and flailed to change the subject, “are the books looking good?”

 Dani sighed, carding her fingers through her hair before leaning onto the counter. “They’re fine. We’re not poor, but we’re not rich.”

 The gardener shrugged. “I’ll take it,” she said, turning back to one of their ready-to-go Valentine’s Day bouquets of red roses and baby’s breath to fiddle with its arrangement for the eighteenth time. Idle hands. 

 Jamie shiverred when a pair of arms wrap around her waist from behind. Dani caught one of her ears between her teeth gently before she whispered, “I’ll take you,” in a teasing manner.

Laughing and scrunching her nose in mock disapproval of the lame word play, Jamie stopped to hold Dani’s arms in place. They rocked back and forth, and Dani sprinkled soft kisses across Jamie’s shoulders. “I love you,” she whispered.

 They could have watered the entire shop’s worth of flowers from the puddle those words had just made Jamie. “I love you, too, Poppins.”

 “In sickness and in health,”

 Dani looked ready for war. Upon returning from the drug store and banging around in the kitchen, she appeared armed with vapor rub, cough drops, nasal spray, warm wash cloths, honey and citrus tea (made under strict instructions Jamie had once left on a note on the fridge), tissues, and most of all, very big and very worried eyes. Jamie almost felt more sorry for Dani than for herself. 

 “You know, it’s just a cold, Poppins,” she said from the bed.

 “You don’t get sick,” Dani said, and she frowned. She sat beside Jamie on the edge of the bed. “We’ve had The Leafling for years and I don’t think I remember you skipping one day of work before this.” She worried her lip as she looked down at the warm wash cloth she was folding.

 Humoring her, Jamie closed her eyes and let the woman dampen her forehead. Then she let Dani apply the pungent vapor rub to her chest--that bit wasn’t so bad. Pillows were fluffed and her temperature was taken. Jamie drew the line, though, when Dani made as if to apply a tissue to Jamie’s nose for her to blow. 

 “I’m fine, Poppins. Honestly. I just need a day taking it easy. I’ll be back down in the shop tomorrow, love.”

 The former au pair shook her head. “Only if you’re better.”

 “I’ll be better,” Jamie assured her. She reached for Dani’s hand and linked their pinkies before bringing them to her lips so she could kiss her own thumb in a promise. 

 “Well, it’s a Tuesday. The shop shouldn't be that busy anyway, so I’ve left a note with our number in case anyone needs something. Meantime, I’ll keep you company.” She smiled and tucked a strand of Jamie’s hair behind an ear. “Can I get you anything else?”

 The gardener nodded her head and curled a finger to direct the woman to come closer. Concern in her eyes, Dani hovered above Jamie as she waited for instructions. Instead, Jamie pulled her down on top of her, grinning when she heard Dani giggle with an “oof!” It made her laugh and that caused a bit of a coughing fit that made Dani spring back as if she’d scorched the gardener with a hot fire-poker. “I’m so sorry!”

 “Oh baby, come here,” Jamie managed. She patted the spot next to her. “I swear to you, I’m fine.”

 “Well, I think you should rest.” “Good, you’re my favorite pillow. Don’t make a sick woman ask again.”

 Dani rolled her eyes, but climbed into bed after removing her shoes. After settling against the headboard, she guided Jamie to rest on her chest. “Do you want me to put something on? A movie?”

 Jamie nodded as she nuzzled further into the woman, closing her eyes. “You pick.” 

 “I’ve already got a good one in. I’ll just play that one?”

“Sounds perfect,” Jamie said in a haze. She could feel herself drifting. 

 At some point, Jamie woke up, but it was dark out. She couldn’t tell if it was late evening or the middle of the night. She looked up to see that Dani was still awake. “How long was I out?”

“A few hours. You hungry?”

 “A girl could get used to this,” Jamie smiled. She kissed Dani’s chest. “A bit of pasta with butter would sit right, I think.”

“I’ll go make it,” Dani said eagerly. She kissed the top of Jamie’s head and gently extricated herself. 

 “Dani?” Jamie called.

Dani stopped just before leaving the room. “Hmm?” 

 “Thank you.” 

 Dani’s expression softened. She leaned against the doorframe of their bedroom as she smiled at Jamie. “Anytime.” 

  “...for as long as we both shall live.”

  The groom finished his vows and Flora’s grin was still brilliant. It was her turn now, and Jamie remembered all those years ago at Bly Manor--how Flora so enjoyed reciting her own lines. She was surprised Flora hadn’t written her own vows, in fact, but then again it had been many years since the budding theatre artist had written and performed anything as far as the gardener knew. 

 “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Jamie imagined saying to Dani. “Doesn’t she look happy?”

“Like us,” Jamie imagined Dani saying in return. Then she would have weaved their arms together as she leaned in close to her side. 

 “Like us,” Jamie nodded in agreement with the phantom Dani. She caught Owen’s tear-glistened eye and smiled fondly. The poor sap. 

 “He’s such a romantic . Always has been ,” Dani would have told her. Jamie could almost imagine the feel of Dani squeezing her hand. “Such as shame he never found anyone again,” Dani might have said.

Jamie disagreed with that. “The vows are ‘for as long as we both shall live,’ love. I don’t think anyone would measure up to Hannah for him. No one could ever measure up to you.” 

Dani would have tsked and told her she hadn’t really tried. In truth, Jamie hadn’t. People were exhaustive. Every great once in a while, you might find the walking personification of a moonflower, but she’d already done that. She had experienced so many years of beauty and devotion and love. It hadn’t been enough, but it had been more than she ever thought possible. 

 The rest of the day blurred from one aspect of ceremony to the next. Before she knew it, Jamie was back in her hotel room. She checked the mirror, then the sink, and even the tub, but knew she would only see herself. With a crack in the door and the lights turned off, she was ready for bed. Or, rather, she was ready for a nap in the chair facing the door. On the off chance Dani might decide to join her, she would be waiting and ready. For as long as she lived. 

[catalinaroleplay]

Gender & Pronouns: Demi man, he/him or they/them

Date of Birth: February 14th, 1989 (31)

Place of Birth: Catalina Island, California

Neighborhood: Avalon

Length of Residency: Native — Returned January 2020

Occupation: Former Child Actor

Face Claim: Oliver Jackson-Cohen

BIOGRAPHY

TRIGGERS: Drug Use, Alcoholism, Violence, Rehab, Divorce.

From the moment Nath could think, he’d known himself to be something in between a shadow and a cloud. A constant ebb and flow between two states, he is neither a fully-formed being nor a person of his own, for his birth had been to plug the hole of whatever had been left behind of Audrey Edelstein’s heart. A life shrouded by the black cloak of death, the woman had nowhere else to give her love but inwards, and out of her projections, Nathaniel is born. 

A birth, marked by the death of others, he shoulders his mother’s pain. 

And life is a show for young Nathaniel , who’d always felt more comfortable wearing another’s skin than his own. A cry for help from a young wisp of a soul, ephemeral as a cloud of smoke, and Audrey, ever-encouraging towards her young child, mistakes his precocious ability to chameleon himself into an array of emotions as a want for something bigger. 

Nath likes it enough, of course. But what he likes even more is seeing his mother happy — it isn’t lost on them that she is alone, without a partner by her side. Hints of sadness, the lightest shades of doom coloring her face, all he wants is to see his mother smile. 

Bigger roles come, and so does the media, rabid for the next sweet thing to grace their screens. A rocket ship to fame and riches galore — what more could a young child want? But still far too young, Nath does not understand that all good things must always come at a price. 

Stardom is a deep hole, always starving, always wanting, and it eats Nath alive. Thrown into the pit with no lifeline, how is he expected to crawl his way out? Just fourteen and yet already reeking with desperation, Nath does not know who he is anymore — neither a man, nor a child; not a person, nor a boy. Applauded for a career he does not think he deserves, revered as a genius for feeling less and less like himself every day. If he cannot climb back up, there is nowhere to go but down. It isn’t long before everyone else catches on to the ever-building shit in his life threatening to overflow at any second. 

They call him every name in the book: a wild child, misguided teen, a privileged little fuck. All of it is right in some way, but any intention to stop is always met with another wall of insults by people who never bothered to understand. 

And yet, he supposes he deserves what happens next. The movie had been his last hope ( his mother’s last hope ) to solidify his place in this world. And it all ends with an ill-fated punch to his co-star’s face over an argument that he fails to even recall the next few days — a fight stemming from a drunken stupor, it is the last straw. Already sixteen and they send him away to an isolated treatment facility for three months. The last face he sees is of hers, tear-stricken and all-too regretful of his ( her ) choices.  A week of the goddamn shakes and sweats, but a lifetime of hunger for something that he can no longer touch. 

Nothing breaks as much as it crumbles over the course of two years. The calls stop coming, and he pulls away from his mother, arguments frequent more than ever and everything dries up like his resolve to climb back up to normalcy. How fickle of the world to think nothing of him, moving on like Nath had never existed in the first place. He doesn’t understand when his mother quietly suggests he find another path, doesn’t understand when he sees that his money is gone. Uncontrollable, spinning out into something, he feels his hand itch towards the bottle. 

The book becomes his anchor. A way to hang onto whatever little narrative he still has control over — he goes for the one thing that young Nath had been determined to protect: his mother. 

Ghostwritten by another, titled Rich Privileged F*ck, as an homage to his most notorious of nicknames, Nath finds the spotlight once more. Of course it’s the mother; it’s always the mother, leading their poor child down the wrong path. 

What comes after, is a blur. 

He is alone. Painfully, undeniably, wholly alone. A single pillar in a desert, he falls back to the devilish comforts of alcohol and everything else that could numb him from the pains of living. Always so sensitive, always so soft, but the world could not see it. After all, what faces the world is the picture of someone erratic and cold, without any regard for the charmed life he has been given — so what else is there to do? Walking into the dark is the easiest when everyone is guiding you from behind, so that is what he does. 

Washed-up, with royalties running thin, he is given one last chance. Ten years and nine different agents; ten years and countless of interviews done under the influence — a single person. A new agent. It is all that he needs. A person to believe that he can pull himself from the pit he dug for himself so long ago. They say to never put your sobriety on anyone else, but he gets better for them anyways. After all, they had their own demons to conquer, and there is no better way to overpower them side-by-side, with another. 

And yet — how can he save another when he can't even save himself?  

He lapses. And he lapses. And again and again until six hundred and some days pass and he is back in the pit. A hand is extended once more, before it is gone — and ironically enough, it is enough to push him into sobriety. 

At the end, Nath moves back to the island. Quiet and unassuming, he is assigned another agent — this time, they say, it’s his last. Nothing else to do but scrape up the remnants of his career, to sort through the rubble, to find out what they can salvage. 

If there is anything he has control over, it is his ability to capture media attention. His baggage is heavier and more visible than most, and his agent draws up a contract. A year-and-a-half of his life for a chance at forgiveness for what he has done. 

Eleanor Hirsch is in some ways, the exact opposite of him — though she’s had her fair share of media attention, her life is, for the most part, private. The vultures could speculate all they wanted, but they would never eat her alive like they’d done with him. 

So what better way to drum up publicity than to have them date? Ellie would receive a hefty amount of attention, all the while without sacrificing her personal life — only carefully crafted media posts and strategically placed paparazzi. And for himself, a renewed image painted in sobriety, approved by an award-winning actress to boot. 

Nath, as always, is indifferent. He will do it, because someone has told him to do it, and he will continue his career, because what other choice does he have? A chameleon, a trail of smoke, a puff of air — Nath knows everything in life is impermanent. 

Sometimes, when he sits by the beach, he wonders if he will blow away and become one with the wind.

PERSONALITY

Positive: Independent | Observant | Protective

Negative: Aloof | Possessive | Gullible 

Nathaniel Edelstein is portrayed by Say.

[amwritesitall]

Sarah Paulson AHS Characters as Khalid Songs

Masterlist

Ah yes my specialty, posts no one asked for, needed, or even wanted. I’m posting this today because I ran out of archived posts to use on Sundays for my days off. (This was queued before I asked for hc requests. Those are starting tomorrow :) ).

Y’all are probably hating my music taste or at least questioning it. I’m not going to lie, this one was harder than the other two. Now let’s get to it.

Billie Dean Howard

“Location”

Send me your location, let's Focus on communicating 'Cause I just need the time and place to come through (place to come through) Send me your location Let's ride the vibrations I don't need nothing else but you

Billie Dean being smooth trying to solve problems in a relationship. Billie Dean always gets the lady killer songs and I feel bad for always doing that but I can’t help the vibes I’m getting.

“Talk”

Yeah, started off right I can see it in your eyes I can tell that you're wantin' more What's been on your mind? There's no reason we should hide Tell me somethin' I ain't heard before Oh, I've been dreamin' 'bout it And it's you I'm on So stop thinkin' 'bout it

Billie Dean is a milf, what else can I say?

Lana Winters

“Saved”

The hard part always seems to last forever Sometimes I forget that we aren't together Deep down in my heart, I hope you're doing alright But from time to time I often think of why you aren't mine But I'll keep your number saved 'Cause I hope one day you'll get the sense to call me I'm hoping that you'll say You're missing me the way I'm missing you So I'll keep your number saved 'Cause I hope one day I'll get the pride to call you To tell you that no one else Is gonna hold you down the way that I do

I have no proof for this whatsoever, but I feel like this is how Lana would be after a break up. Again I have no evidence to support this. All I have are the vibes I’m getting so you’re going to have to trust me on this one.

Cordelia Goode

“8TEEN”

Your love seems to cut me deep, the sharpest You'll always have a part of me A part of me Losing you has always been the hardest I wish it were the old days (oh I wish it were the old days) 'Cause I was eighteen And I still lived with my parents Yeah they're not like yours Well yours were more understanding I never fell in love I saved those feelings for you When we did all the stupid shit that young kids do Just me and you

This explanation is grouped with the next one.

“Saturday Nights”

Family feuds, saying Mom's confused I'm for sure she doesn't wanna learn My daddy's gone, say he's never home And wishin' only makes it worse 

I guess there's certain dreams that you gotta keep 'Cause they only know what you let 'em see

And all the things that I know That your parents don't They don't care like I do Nowhere like I do

Both of these songs give me hella teenage Cordelia vibes. Like teen angst of dealing with the pressure of being the Supreme’s daughter and Fiona’s parenting being less than ideal. I have a lot of thoughts when it comes to teenage Cordelia.

Bette and Dot Tattler

“Keep Me”

We were ridin' down Dyer with my top down Singin' our favorite songs But the funny thing is Every time we did, you'd always get the words wrong And I was your biggest fan You should never forget it I bet your new man Doesn't love you like I did

This gives me pining after the twins vibes? Like the narrator is describing them. Big friends to lovers vibes.

Sally McKenna

“Young Dumb & Broke”

We have so much in common We argue all the time You always say I'm wrong I'm pretty sure I'm right What's fun about commitment? When we have our life to live Yeah, we're just young dumb and broke But we still got love to give

PRE GHOST SALLY. I stand by this.

“Paradise”

You go searchin' for paradise You sit back and close your eyes We're burnin', yet so alive And now you got your hands up Hopin' you catch the high Feels like the summertime Chasin' the Northern Lights

Life don't stop the more we pray All your wrongs from yesterday Smokin' Himalayan haze Won't wash all your sins away

Sally is out here searching for paradise. You know I’m right. Out of all the characters, she is the one looking for this the most. The yearning one if you will for that escape.

Audrey Tindall

“Shot Down”

You've been here before, surrounded in the cold You take me to places I've never known And you push me to places I'll never go I would die for you Tell me the truth Am I all that you would need? If we're keeping it a hundred, you're all that I need for me From the jump until forever from now, I would ride for you

But you got me shot down by love You got my heart now

Audrey wants someone to love her so much, but that genuine love is hard to find. To me this kind of feels like her thinking she’s finally found the one for her.

Ally Mayfair-Richards

“Love Lies”

Don't be afraid to tell me if you ain't with it (You ain't with it) I see you're focused, yeah you're so independent (Independent) It's hard for me to open up, I'll admit it (I'll admit it) You've got some shit to say and I'm here to listen So baby, tell me where your love lies Waste the day and spend the night Underneath the sunrise Show me where your love lies

After Ivy, Ally has some trust issues when it comes to relationships. How could you not after that? This makes me think of her rediscovering love after all the shit she’s been through with that past relationship.

Wilhemina Venable

“Another Sad Love Song”

I must be honest, I have a lot of pride But I'm broken inside I guess this sounds like another sad love song I can't get over how it all went wrong But, I let the words come together Then, maybe I'll feel better

Poor Mina has to get all of the angsty songs. I wish I could just give her wholesome songs, but those aren’t the vibes I’m getting when I pick songs for people. I feel like this really fit her when it talks about having a lot of pride because Mina masks her insecurities of herself (and her back) with her pride. 

-

You might like:  Sarah Paulson AHS Characters as Rex Orange County Songs or  Sarah Paulson AHS Characters as Hozier Songs

[ai-katsuu]

Jack and Audrey (2/5)

chapters: 1  2   3   4   5

 previous       next 

do any of you play fe3h?

---

“Jack!” they heard someone yell. It was unfamiliar to Audrey but very much so to him. 

He gasped, “It’s them! Hey!” he yelled and ran forward to greet them. 

“Jack! You idiot you’ve been gone for days!” Hans exclaimed. 

“Where were you?” Snow ran up worried and asked. 

“I was trying to break my curse of course,” he explained. 

“Any luck?” Noki asked. 

Before he could respond Merlin looked on ahead. His breath hitched. Audrey made eye contact with him and something came over the both of them. Nostalgia? Merlin’s face was neutral but his eyes were wide, Audrey’s face looked focused as if trying to figure something out. 

“Jack, who is this lovely lady?” Arthur asked. 

Audrey looked at the green dwarf. Including him and Jack there were six dwarfs and two other humans; the boy and girl. Audrey looked at their fingers and saw matching rings. 

“My name is Snow White!” the shorter girl went forward and introduced herself. Audrey felt at ease at the cute girl in front of her so she gave a warm smile, 

“I’m Audrey. I helped Jack here through the woods as well as saving him from getting engaged to a fish,” she smirked at his direction. 

The five dwarves and the human boy laughed, “Seriously, Jack? You of all people?” Merlin taunted him. 

“Oh I wish I could’ve been there,” Arthur said. The triplets couldn’t say anything and only fell on the ground laughing. 

Jack rolled his eyes and chuckled “Oui, oui, that’s enough, haha fun times,” he then quickly whispered to Audrey “I thought that was supposed to be kept between the both of us.” she smiled and shrugged. 

The two continued to talk while the six males looked at the pair, then at each other, then looked back and forth. 

“Oh, apologies I forgot to introduce you,” Jack brought up, “This is Hans, Arthur, Pino, Noki, Kio, and that poor excuse of a pretty boy is Merlin.” 

“Hey,” Merlin glared at him only for Jack to shrug him off.

It was nearly nightfall and the nine of them had decided to camp out before returning back to Goose Avenue. They had camped out on a cliff near a waterfall overviewing the lake. The F7 remained near the fire as the girls sat near the cliff eagerly talking about whatever subject. 

“Hm, is that how girls talk looks like?” Arthur asked. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know, sword boy,” Merlin ate one of the carrots. “So Jack, is she the one to break your curse?” he asked. 

“Audrey? Non, I doubt it.” Jack crossed his arms, “We’ve only met for a day how would I know.” he laughed.

“I dunno, you seemed to have a lot of chemistry with her when you two were arguing. You seem pretty smitten with her too. #obvious.” Kio mentioned while messing with a small contraption. 

Jack scoffed, “How on earth was I obvious?” 

“When we were headed here she lightly stumbled from a pebble and you ran up from the back of the group to ask if she was okay.” Merlin folded one of his spells. 

“It’s not weird to check on your friend when they trip!” Jack ripped open a face mask. 

“So she’s your friend now?” Hans pressed on. “Yes..no? Of course, she is?” he stumbled on his words and sighed, “Look I don’t even know if she’s interested. She doesn’t even know about the cure for the curse.” 

“Why didn’t you tell her?” Arthur asked. 

“Because she might feel obliged to do so, or she’ll think I only became friends with her for that, and I don’t want to drag her in,” he said, applying the face mask on gently. 

“Sounds like you care for her a lot.” Pino suggested. 

“Yeah, besides it doesn’t matter if you only met her for half a day. I mean tons of princes and princess fall in love get married after only knowing each other for like one evening. Cinderella, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty,” Arthur pressed on, “Heck even Merlin and Snow White fell in love after like two evenings of meeting each other!” 

“True, true!” Merlin nodded and pointed his carrot at Arthur then at Jack, “You, my friend, have really got a chance with this girl.” 

Jack only grumbled, “Shut up I’m not supposed to be talking with this on.” 

Meanwhile, Audrey and Snow were laughing on the edge of the waterfall. “You have a crazy story, Snow White. And benching 250? Heck, I can’t even properly lift a tree bark off the ground” Audrey laughed. 

Snow giggled “You can just call me, Snow.” Audrey happily nodded. “How about you? Do you have any cool tricks you can do?”  Snow asked. 

Audrey looked out into the sunset as she thought for a while and then proceeded to nod, “Yeah, I’ve got something cool.” 

“What is it?” she eagerly asked. Audrey gestured for her to look at the waterfall. She moved her arms in a manner that a few big droplets came out and floated towards them, “Oh wow! Is that magic?” she asked right away.

“Not really, or at least I don’t think so.” she moved her fingers up and down as if she were manipulating a puppet and the water dancing around Snow before it splashing to her face causing her to laugh. 

“That’s amazing, Audrey.” Hans had called them for dinner and Audrey was able to talk to each of the other dwarves. 

Through their conversations, Jack found his eyes wandering to Audrey. He didn’t know why, but her expressions were just that amusing. They had decided to call it a night when Arthur somehow accidentally threw Excalibur in the stew pot, enraging Hans and causing fits of laughter from the other. 

Morning rose and Audrey awoke to the sound of someone’s voice being called out. 

“What..” she rubbed her eyes and sat up. Everyone else was still asleep with the exception of Snow and Merlin. She stood up and walked towards the waterfall to freshen up. She cupped her hands through the running water and sighed once she drank it from her palms. Audrey repeated the process and splashed the water on her face. 

She then heard shuffling from the right of the forest and she decided to take a look. What surprised her was when Merlin jumped out of the bush causing Audrey to scream. 

“Sorry! Sorry!” he got up removing leaves from his hair. 

“It’s fine.” she put her hand to her chest. Audrey saw that Merlin looked shaken up, “You look troubled, is everything alright?” she asked. 

Merlin sighed, “I can’t find Snow White anywhere. She was already gone when I woke up.” he rubbed his head. 

Audrey thought for a bit, “We should wake the others up.”

“Snow White? No, I was fast asleep the whole night.” Hans said. 

“I wonder what could’ve happened.” she pondered. 

“Snow White’s gone?” Jack woke up yawning. Audrey put her hand over her mouth and looked away trying to hide her laughter. He looked at her strangely “What?” 

“You didn’t remove your face mask,” she snarked. 

“My face..?” he put his tiny fingers to his face and gasped, “But I did! How did this-” the triplets started to laugh and Jack understood before throwing the mask at them, “This had special ingredients you owe me another!” he shouted. 

He turned his attention to Audrey who didn’t bother hiding her laughter anymore. Unbeknownst to him, seeing her laugh made him smile a bit and laugh as well. The triplets grinned at each other from the sight. 

“Um yeah, sorry to interrupt but my wife is missing!” Merlin crossed his arms. 

“Don’t worry,” Audrey clipped her coat on “I’m sure she couldn’t have gone far,” as soon as she had said that they heard a voice from below 

“Hey!!” 

Merlin and Audrey looked at each other then ran to the edge of the cliff. Down below was Snow waving at them. 

“Snow! What are you doing down there?” Merin yelled. 

“I went exploring and got us some fish for breakfast!” she called back. 

Audrey’s eyes widened, “Snow no! That lake isn’t meant for fishing! It’s the home of a-” she was cut off as Snow White screamed as something dragged her in the lake. 

“Snow White!!” Merlin yelled. 

“What happened?” the dwarves rushed to their side. 

“Snow fished in the lake of a Deummare, that’s like...” Audrey tried to think of a comparison, “Stealing from the Beast’s castle!” 

Merlin grunted and jumped from the cliff onto passing rocks where Snow had been dragged. 

“Merlin wait!” Audrey yelled. She jumped on the same rocks he had and tackled Merlin to the ground who already took one of his spells out. 

“What are you doing?! Snow is in danger!” he argued trying to get his wrists free from her. 

“Your magic is lightning is it not?! You’re gonna electrocute her if you use that! She’s under the water!” she shouted back. 

Merlin’s expressions softened from an angry one to a worried one. “Then what do you suggest we do?”

Audrey stood up and looked at the lake. “I’ll get her back. You need to start packing everything up.” she addressed the F7. “As soon as Snow is back with you guys you run right away. There is no way we’re fighting a Deummare.” she turned to the lake once more and saw a large blob of water rise up. The entire body was made of water but it almost looked like a chubby octopus. 

“What about you?” Jack shouted. 

“I’ll catch up with you guys! But you have to make sure you run as soon as she’s with you guys!” Jack frowned and hesitated. 

Audrey walked towards the water. Merlin’s eyes thought they were deceiving him but her feet didn’t seem to sink into the surface. They were on the liquid.

 “Merlin,” she spoke, grabbing his attention. A few meters offshore she bent down and placed her hand in the water for a few seconds. When she pulled it back up there was water dripping from her hand, but something formed around it. A whip. A whip made of water. “Start climbing back up. I’m gonna throw Snow to you and you have to catch her.” she cracked it once on the water. 

“Now that’s bloody amazing,” Arthur stared in awe. 

“Could she do that?” Hans asked Jack. 

He nodded, “I’ve never seen her use it like this though.” “

Alright..'' She faced the Deummare. She started a walk that changed to a fast pace to a sprint then sunk underwater. 

“She’s drowned!” Hans screamed.

 After he had said that Audrey popped up right in front of the water beast and jumped mid-air. Her eyes scanned but she couldn’t find Snow. 

“C’mon no time to watch! We have to get all this stuff!” Kio shouted at them. The three dwarves nodded and run to the triplets to help, Jack looked back once more before joining them. Audrey lifted her hand up to support herself as a geyser of water came up which she stood upon. “Snow!” she yelled, 

“Mheri!!” she heard a gurgle. 

Her eyes saw Snow at the bottom left tentacle. “Hang on!” she yelled. She threw the whip in her direction, it went past the body and wrapped itself around Snow’s waist. Audrey gripped it and pulled with all her strength but the body of the beast had too much pressure. Clicking her tongue in annoyance she lifted her fingers off the whip and raised her hand up in the air. A blast of water arose below Snow and pushed her out of the body. 

“Merlin!” she shouted, not knowing if he would hear her. Luckily he had just gotten up to the cliff and heard her. 

Audrey used her arms to throw Snow his way. The whip was made of water, meaning it could extend a great length but that would also mean the water thins as it goes further, depending on how much volume of water she used. Snow screamed as she was swung all the way across the lake into Merlin’s arms, who tumbled back as she crashed into him. “Snow, are you okay?” he asked. 

“I’m fine,” she said getting up and squeezing the water out of her dress. 

“We’re done here let’s go!” said Noki. 

“What about Audrey?” Snow asked as she was guided by Merlin. 

“She said she’d meet us! Let’s go!” he urged her. 

They ran off into the thicker part of the woods. Something irked Jack’s mind, however. Something didn’t seem right. He tried to ignore it the first few steps but he just kept looking back. He had to go back. 

 He grumbled and turned his heel “You guys go on ahead, I’m going back!” he stated. 

“Jack no!” Snow reached out. 

“Trust him!” Arthur spoke. “We have to get away!” 

Jack ran back as far as he could. Meanwhile, Audrey was struggling to escape the beast. She had tried making a run for it but it’s arms just kept pulling her down the water. She grunted as she tried to lift a pillar of water up but it didn’t respond. 

She then realized “The entire lake is the monster..” this was bad. 

Jack had seen Audrey get lifted up by her wrist. “I’ve got to distract it..” he thought. He then saw the still-alive fish that Snow White had caught earlier and that’s when the idea rushed to his head. 

“This was a bad idea..” Audrey said to herself as she struggled to free herself. The water no longer responded to her and she couldn’t free the water from her own vials. “Crap..crap..crap..!!” she panicked. “

HEY!” the blob shifted (what Audrey and Jack assumed to be-) it’s head. Jack stared it down, he looked it straight in the eyes as he raised a live fish in his hand and hit it against the rock. Audrey scrunched her face when she heard the sound. There was a loud deep groan that resonated through the forest making it shake. The blob dropped Audrey into the lake as it went after Jack, throwing in a blast of water at his direction.

Jack quickly covered himself in his cloak and dodged it, not stopping anywhere in the chance he might get hit, seen or not seen. Audrey rose to the surface and lifted her whip up, throwing it to a nearby branch and pulling her out of the water. 

“Jack!” she called out once she hit the grass, “Where are you-” 

“Right here!” 

“Ah!” she screamed as Jack unveiled himself right next to her. 

“Are you okay?” he asked, helping her up. 

“Yeah thanks, let’s get out here!” she ducked with him a blast of water made its way towards them. “This way!” she grabbed his hand and turned the other way. They sprinted through the thick forest, dodging water pulses every now and then. 

Jack, now a human, felt his heart race. It probably could have been the fact that they were running away from the certain death that was creeping upon them, but something told him otherwise as he looked at his hand that was currently clasped by Audrey’s. 

He can’t be falling for her, can he? He took a look at her short wavy brown hair. They were giving off a scent..what was it..lavender? Oh...was Kio right? Did he really like her?

“Jack? Jack!” he jolted at the voice as he looked up at Audrey, her face filled with concern as she looked at him. “Are you okay?” 

He cleared his throat as his face suddenly became warm which was ironic because he was soaking wet “Yeah, I’m fine don’t worry.” 

“Guys!” the two heard Merlin’s voice and saw the rest of the group. 

“Audrey, Jack! Are you guys okay? I’m so sorry!” Snow White ran towards them 

“It’s alright, Snow. You didn’t know, I’m just glad you’re okay.” she smiled. 

“Jeez, Jack, you’re soaking wet!” Arthur looked at him. 

“Yeah, Audrey, how are you not wet?” he asked, squeezing his sleeves off. He didn’t really fancy getting his clothes wet twice the past two days. 

“I can choose not too.” she shrugged. 

[emeraldinthesky]

STRANGE TRAILS - Chapter 2 - Kiss for the Dead

Victoria was smoking by the backdoor: it was about mid-morning, and they hadn't slept since their departure from the headquarters. The dark circles under her eyes were more prominent than ever, and her facial features appeared almost stretched by gravity. She took a long, lazy drag from her cigarette but when that gesture yielded no results, she searched the pocket of her lab coat for her lighter. The flame danced around in the moist wind then vanished under the metal lid of the zippo. She stared ahead, now with smoke-filled lungs, although she could hardly make out any detail of the wooden, pine-y area at the back of the building. The air was fresh, although she knew it would only give her a more difficult time to readjust to the pungent scent of rotting flesh she'd gotten so used to in the past few hours. They were certainly past the tricky part: that hour of the night when they are both unable to verbalize their thoughts, as if fatigue saw shut their mouths. These were usually the minutes the investigation came to a painful halt - painful, because they weren't making progress, and that also meant they couldn't go to sleep anytime soon. Their colleagues, Chris and Jeremy chose that very time to return to the hotel and catch up on some sleep. Albert was somewhat sore about it, but Vicky didn't bat an eye; if they're ready with their work, by all means, they shouldn't stay for the entertainment of two (frustrated) pantomimes. Luckily, that period passed just half an hour after the boys left, and since then, they were bouncing ideas off each other, at some point resorting to grotesque and eccentric reenaction of the crime. The denier checked on them, only to spin around and leave the very next second.

 It has barely been minutes since she was away. Of course, she had met the doctor and two other men down the hallway, but it never occurred to her that she would arrive back to an already escalated fight, or that their investigation was going to be cut short. Cooper and the Sheriff were already there and Vicky could hear the arguing from the end of the hallway – and stepping into a room filled with angry men pointing at each other sure made her consider taking a longer break. However, it changed instantly when she learned about the reason. '...Cuff him!' Albert insisted, instructing the agent. 'He won't release Laura's body to the funeral. He's not human.' Doctor Hayward opposed as he was joined by Harry. The woman knew this was only fuel to the fire; she heard enough of Albert's doubts about the sheriff's mental capacity, and just as she expected, her boss was quick to voice his opinion. It happened in the blink of an eye, and the forensic scientist received a punch from the town sheriff, that sent him right on top of the DB in question. Cooper sent his new colleague out to the car, and Victoria took the opportunity to soften – and potentially talk some sense into – the agent. 'Look, Dale, I don't like to agree with Albert.' She began after rushing up to him. 'But we can't properly perform an autopsy in a day.' 'Vicky, this funeral is important to the people. They need it to pay their respect to their passed loved one.' The black-haired man explained. He remained calm and spoke with a gentler tone, so she knew she could still persuade him into another couple hours or even a day. 'I know, but is the ritual more important than finding out the truth?' She darted back, trying with all her consciousness left to keep her voice quiet and decent. Apparently, she failed. 'Miss Davis.' Cooper's voice changed uncharacteristically authoritative, and his posture became more erect. 'We need the body to be handed over to the funeral. You knew the time limit before you started your work.' The woman's face turned bright red, even under the paleness from the all-nighter. Her brown eyes turned darker and despite the glasses, Cooper would've sworn to feel little sparks darting off from them into his direction - and not the type he enjoyed. 'Oh, I hope you'll have a time limit on your work once.' She muttered without batting an eye, but then refocused her attention to the old doc. 'Please, give us a second to clean up the body so we can hand it over in proper shape.' She asked in a surprisingly respectful, calm manner, then turned to Mr Horne investigating the corpse. 'Sir, Mr...?' 'Horne.' The man replied. 'Mr. Horne. Remind me again why are you here?' 'I am the representative of Laura Palmer's family in their absence.' 'Splendid. Then with all due respect: leave and don't come in 'till I say so.' Then, she spun around to her now a bit disheveled superior. 'Albert, you give me that or God sees my soul I'll drill a hole into your forehead.' 'You'll need my help if you want to be ready by noon.' The forensic pathologist pointed out. 'You won't be any help if you keep screwing around.' Vicky retorted. Cooper left the autopsy room with a mischievous smile on his face, keeping down a chuckle as he walked back to the police car. He knew he was somewhat responsible for the scene that escalated from the other, and he admittedly enjoyed how bossy Victoria was able to be, even around men; or especially around men. She'd singlehandedly put all grown men in the room to their place, and she was the only one that could manage Albert's behaviour - but, truth to be told, Coop feared he would be the next in line for his attitude. He did phone her after returning to the Great Northern the night before, to invite her to the funeral, but after this slip of his, he doubted she would join them in the cemetery.

 Even when Albert delivered the reports and results in the conference room, she was nowhere to be found; this definitely signaled to Dale that he might have overstepped a line, because Victoria was eager to attend to these meetings - she often did more than analysing the evidence before her, peeking behind the curtains. The red velvet ones. Although they weren't always so glamourous. However, it was only the sour scientist, describing their findings while not missing one single opportunity to make a foul remark which ultimately prompted the sheriff to storm out of the room. Dale took this opportunity to enquire about the current state of the woman in question (interestingly, that not being Laura Palmer) - or rather his state on her dashboard. 'Why weren't you joined by Miss Davis?' 'Oh, you two had a quarrel alright if both of you call each other by their last name.' Albert noted with his usual, straight face. Cooper knew this spelled trouble: she rarely resorted to referring to him by his surname; not to him, specifically, but to others, unless they were in a stiff or unfamiliar setting. Her boss, however weird that sounds, did not check that box. 'So she's angry?' The agent insisted. 'I've been having my ass kicked since you stepped out of the morgue if that answers your question.' The other man admitted. 'Coop, even I wouldn't take that entitled authoritarian handling from you lightly. And it is quite unlike you to begin with.' 'You're right, Albert.' The other nodded. 'I don't know what got into me.' 'Anyway, make amends with her as soon as possible, because she takes the case from here.' 'What do you mean?' 'She's getting a promotion.' The scientist explained. 'Only a formality, but this is her test run. You two will have to work closely together so it's better to be on speaking terms.' 'I don't argue she well deserves one, but I admit, this promotion seems quite out of the blue for me. Did something happen I didn't know about?' The black-haired man insisted, a strange feeling twisting his stomach and chest. He wasn't short of fleeting theories, yet his reaction was primarily emotional - and he was feeling worse than at the beginning of this conversation. 'Seemed like the right time to me.' The scientist shrugged.

 ***

 A Ford pickup parked just by the cemetery and the mourning crowd; its light blue upper section was still shining clean, but the darker-toned half was covered in dust and dirt. One would have expected a tall, well-built man to step out from the driver's seat, but instead, a young woman dressed in a long black dress emerged; although much of her attire was covered with an elegant coat that cut off mid-calf. Her shiny high heels dug deep into the moist ground as she hopped out of the car. She had her dirty blond hair up in a tight french twist to cover her unkempt locks, and her makeup made you forget she had just arrived there from more than 24 hours spent above a dead body - the very corpse they were about to hoist to the ground. Cooper's eyes must have lingered on her longer than they should have, as the sheriff nudged him from his left. 'Friends, are we?' He asked with a knowing smile. Vicky joined them, after Cooper gestured her to stand by his side. He put his arm around her shoulder - he knew she would probably faint into the grave gaping before them otherwise. Little he knew of the coming scene. Audrey shot a jealous look towards the pair; her blue eyes were ice-cold and ready for the kill. A poisonous feeling emerged from her heart and she puffed her face in anger, slightly pouting her mouth. It was almost unacceptable that someone, almost ten years older than her, could blow her out of the picture. Yet it wasn't the teenage beauty starting the scene, but Bobby Briggs as he caught glimpse of the biker his late girlfriend was seeing behind his back. The tragic gathering took a turn for the grotesque, the whole turmoil culminating into the father falling on top of the coffin and the levers misfunctioning at the worst possible time.

 It was the second man falling on top of the poor dead girl that day.

 After the mayhem died down, the agent accompanied his colleague to her truck: 'Miss Davis, can I interest you in a coffee at the Double R? You have to try that pie.' 'Only if you quit calling me Miss Davis.' Vicky smiled back, and from the mischievous twinkle in her eyes, it was oblivious that she was open for reconciliation. 'You're staying in Twin Peaks?' Cooper asked as she hopped into her car. 'Since Albert refuses to.' Vicky smiled then gestured to the man. 'Hop in, Coop.'

 As they stepped into the diner, the agent had his arm around her waist. Although he barely even touched her, it was a gesture that bordered being protective, defending her from the weather and her slim figure from the curious eyes of other men. They unconsciously leaned in towards each other, already laughing loudly at an earlier case; the woman was never able to stay mad at him for long. She faintly pushed his chest away as she walked up to the counter, and Cooper followed, sitting down by her side on a barstool. 'Your wife, Agent Cooper?' Norma asked as she placed the clean white cups in front of them. 'Oh, I wish!' The man replied with a wide smile. 'Victoria Davis, forensic pathologist. She came to help me investigate the Palmer girl's case; an extremely skilled investigator I'm happy to have on my team.' 'So you'll stay with us, Miss Davis?' Norma turned to her as she served them coffee, filling the empty cups with the hot, dark beverage. The aroma instantly filled the air, and Victoria couldn't help, but inhale a little deeper to fill her lungs with the scent that was much more refined than the one of the coffees at the lab. 'Well, as long as they don't relocate me to somewhere else. I'll assist the Sheriff and Agent Cooper with the forensic evidence.' She explained. 'Now Miss, I haven't slept in two days and this man promised me a pie. What would you suggest?' 'I'd recommend the blueberry pie, fresh from the oven.' The woman in the turquoise dress replied in her usual, melodic tone. She was always a delight, and seemingly found joy in the playful conversation, but especially now, it was as if she was up to something. 'Sounds perfect. Two slices, please.' Cooper ordered, and Norma left with a smile.

 'I'm glad you came to the funeral.' The man said as he took the cup into his hand. 'It was an experience. I've seen men mourning their daughters, but this was quite a spectacle. Seems like this whole town gone crazy by this tragedy.' 'There really is something, isn't there?' 'The poor girl can't even rest peacefully in the ground, that's for sure.' The blonde eyed the steaming coffee ahead of her. 'She couldn't on the autopsy table either.' 'You mean Albert?' She finally turned to Coop. 'You know how he is. He's tired from the car ride here, we pulled an all-nighter and now he's throwing a tantrum like a kid when you try to tear his toys from him.' Cooper chuckled and took a sip of his coffee. His eyes wandered to her hands that were lazily caressing the edge of the cup. 'You look lovely.' He said, and they both paused for a moment when they caught each other's gaze. 'And you are sharp as always.' She smiled back. A brief silence settled between them: the woman turned her attention the brown beverage before her as if she was staring into a crystal ball - and indeed, her eye colour matched the shade of the coffee so perfectly, it could have easily been mistaken for a mirror. Coop eyed her intently, but with patience; and admittedly, he reexplored her features since they last met a month ago, still in the burning deserts of Nevada. Her skin hanged onto some of the gold freckles obtained under the bright sun (or she visited home in-between, but he brushed that idea from his head), and the scar on her neck was still faintly pink. Her hands were dry from the weather and the endless handwashing, fingernails cut short without any nail polish, and nothing on her fingers beside that small birthmark on her left index finger. A scent of amber, spices and orange lingered around her; the very perfume that enchanted him at their first handshake. She was the same woman he said goodbye to in Las Vegas, but something seemed different besides her tired posture. 'Vicky, is everything alright?' He asked and his voice gave away how worried he was. 'Oh, yeah. Sorry I just zoned out… You know how it is.' 'Are things going well?' 'I'd say so.' She nodded after taking a premature, hot sip of her coffee. 'There're just… Many things going on at the same time.' 'I've heard they offered you a promotion.' 'They did. I haven't accepted it just yet. We agreed that this case would be a sort of… Test.' She was twirling a cigarette around in her hand, then turned to Cooper without lighting it. 'You, on the other hand. Seems like you enjoy your stay here.' Vicky pointed out, her attitude much more easygoing now. 'I do!' The agent exclaimed. 'Have you seen those tall trees? Douglas firs.' 'They're mighty for sure.' She agreed as the pies were placed in front of them, and they both gave Norma an enthusiastic smile of gratitude. 'They look like they could reach the sky. And I did miss a little greenery in Las Vegas.' 'That was one hell of a Christmas.' He nodded as he took a bite of the pie. 'I wasn't this excited on Christmas Eve since I was 7.' Vicky became much more enthusiastic, especially since the combination of caffeine and sugar hit her bloodstream - and also, since she was having a lighthearted conversation with her best friend; all four of which, minus the caffeine, were missing from her everydays. 'Well, the New Year's Eve of the last year of the decade was certainly memorable.' 'Yes, you were like James Bond.' She joked nudging him from the side. 'Although you weren't able to sport this tan coat there. Is that why you prefer this climate?' 'There is something intangible about this place that makes me gravitate towards it. The people here; they are simple yet there's so much complexity and warmth. I haven't experienced this combination anywhere else.' He took a sip of his coffee. 'This town. It's so mundane, and the people living in it are so - human. I have grown to consider investing in a property here.' 'I knew you craved simplicity but so much so?' 'It is not so much about the simplicity but the community.' Cooper corrected. 'I see.' She nodded. 'So… Am I invited for the housewarming?' 'Vicky, you're invited to my house at any and all times.' This was the moment when they were painfully reminded of the fact that they both still had keys to the other's apartment; but that might be up for a change, in both of their lives, very soon. They simultaneously darted their eyes towards the table. 'As a matter of fact, I have grown to know you as someone who appreciates the simple way of living.' Cooper pointed out. 'And warm weather.' She added. The man knew that well: they were in the middle of dating when she invited him over to her family's vacation house. It was in a rural area of Texas, surrounded by forest and not a single soul besides the neighbours half a mile away. They sometimes got together for a barbecue night, or Vicky begged them to let her ride the horses, but the two of them spent most of their time alone. It was actually one of the afternoons he remembered most clear - they settled down at a field after an especially strenuous hike, lying in the grass as the sun slowly sunk under the horizon. She rested her head on his chest, and they listened to the faint change of sounds as daytime blended into evening; but the weather remained comfortably warm. 'Dale, I gotta admit, I'm pretty tired. Do you mind if we return to the hotel?' 'Not at all.' He replied in a softspoken tone he haven't used in a while. One that implied closeness and caring, that made him lose his composed façade; one he last used in the middle of August, 1987.

 He drove themselves back to the wooden hotel – it has been a hot minute since he was on the driver seat of the truck as Victoria was always insistent on driving. She might have driven his own car more than he, himself.

 'Vicky…' Coop began before they departed in the hallway. 'I am so sorry about how I talked to you today at the morgue.' 'It's okay, Dale. We have a stressful job and are human.' 'No, it is not okay.' The man insisted. 'You are my co-worker and friend. Your input into the investigation is vital and I should appreciate the work you do. My attitude didn't represent those values I hold dear, nor did I gave you the respect you deserve. I can assure you it won't happen again. Not to mention that you were right.' 'What you say my dear? I'm afraid my hearing is…' She imitated an old woman, cupping her ear with her hand and jokingly leaned closer, but Cooper was already grinning. 'I said, ma'am…' He elevated his voice and leaned towards her ear himself. 'That I'm sorry for your loss of hearing!' They burst into laughter that echoed through the wooden corridor. The pair surely woke a couple residents, but it was the least of their worries. They were friends again.

 Right?

[imthepunchlord]

LfM Ch 15

Ao3

One morning, the hotel was in an excited hustle, with butlers and maids rushing everywhere to make sure things were cleaning and lovely and that the hotel will be at its best. Amber and Chloe dodged the employees skillfully, both of them used to busy bodies darting around them. As they passed one of the royal suites, Amber strayed a little to glance inside, curious to see just how royal they wanted this room to become.

They learned yesterday that they would have a true royal guest coming to Paris; an actual prince who was visiting in good faith of France, coming to visit children’s hospitals and offering up donations of wealth and toys. Prince Ali Kowar of Achu was his name, and Amber wasn’t able to hear too much else about him.

Chloe wasn’t so curious about him, seeming smug and eager while hearing that there was a prince coming to their hotel. Amber could already foresee the clinginess ready to jump out and latch onto the poor boy.

Though, he was a prince, so perhaps he wouldn’t mind? Who’s to say what modern princes were like these days. 

“Ah, there are, my princesses!” their father loudly exclaimed, delighted to see his girls coming down to join him. The rehired butler stood quietly near him, hands behind his back, and their father continued, “I have your morning presents!” 

Chloe stepped forward expectantly while Amber made a slight face. The butler came forward, presenting a white box that Chloe snatched out of his hands. She opened it and took out a black beret, eyeing it critically.

When the butler turned to her, Amber waved it away, stating, “I’ll look at it when I get back home,” and slipped past them, ignoring the frown her father shot after her. Her mom raised her to not accept empty gifts from desperate men who want to buy her affection. Amber wasn’t interested in that and had better things to do than pile her room with things she didn't want. She’d rather make most of what her father got herself, and then she’d know it was be well made, because she was the best at what she did.

Well, one of the best, she corrected, thinking back to Marinette. It reminded Amber that she’d need to step up her game, since that hat design easily impressed her mother. Audrey Bourgeois was not an easily impressed woman.

Feeling pumped, Amber headed to the limo, ready to start the day. 

.

Be a storm. 

It's what Aurore was told and it's what she embodied. She was a storm; fierce, loud, imposing, and commanding, leaving awe in her wake. 

But how could a storm be when there was no direction? No flourish of energy, nothing to help it thrive and exist in stupendous momentum. Aurore had to admit that she felt rather… aimless. 

She lost the weather girl competition. 

Her crush on Adrien was a wasteful blunder. 

So now Aurore had found herself a tad aimless, slouching at her desk, idly spinning her parsol around and watching the clouds on it twirl around slowly. It was even worse that Marinette wasn’t there, being very, very late today. 

It was something Mendeleiev took notice of, having spared their desk one sharp look before she turned and started the lesson. Aurore winced, knowing that Marinette was going to be hearing about it when she finally joined the class. With a sigh, Aurore leant her umbrella against her desk and started to focus on the lesson.

Nearby, there was one blonde who wasn’t paying attention. Amber had her eyes on her sketchbook instead of the board, sketches of Ladybug on the page, different designs laid out before her. Ladybug with winged themed cape. With a black jacket over her suit. With boots and more padding for some. More black. Some white. Longer ribbons. Biker Bug. Punk Bug. Princess themed.

“She’s going to notice.” 

Amber paused, sparing a glance at Felix, then Mendeleiev. She whispered, “I’m getting this out of my system.”

Felix released a breath beside her, but let her go, knowing full well that Amber would do what she wanted, risky or not. Like grabbing an akuma on a whim; insane, but she’d do it.

“Is that chicken scratch I hear?” Mendeleiev loudly called out, to which Amber promptly put her things away, having her notebook replace her sketchbook.

Felix’s lips twitched up and Amber hissed, “Shut up.”

.

“Thank you, Ladybug!” the kid cried out, taking their cat back from the hero. They ran off to their mom, shouting happily that “Mittens” was safe. Ladybug smiled after him and waved, then threw her yo-yo out and swung away. She sighed to herself as she landed.

She hadn’t even reached half the day yet and she was wore out.

It seemed like today was the day that everything that could happen would happen. A last minute delivery her parents wanted her to do before school started, a falling helicopter, an old man walking into the street, Officier Roger needing to go on a bathroom break and grabbing her to direct traffic for him, and now a cat stuck in a tree.

And she hadn’t even had a chance to get to school yet, and was so late Mendeleiev was going to kill her.

Ladybug opted to not think about that, just get there, better late than never.

However, when she landed near the school to detransform, Tikki dropped like a brick and Marinette had to rush to catch her. “Tikki?” she asked in alarm. 

She was answered with a cute, tiny sneeze. The kwami cracked her eyes open, blinking them as she peered up at Marinette.

“Are you ok?” Marinette asked, alarmed.

“Hm? Oh, oh yeah, I, I’m fiiii—choo!” Tikki sat up with a wobble, rubbing her cheeks with a wince. “Ok, maybe a... a little under the weather.”

“My kwami’s sick,” Marinette uttered, a panic starting to set in. “My kwami is sick. What do I do? Like, uh, a vet?”

“Marinette.”

“Can I take you to a vet? No, no, I can’t you to a vet—”

“Marinette!”

Marinette went quiet, turning to Tikki with big, worried eyes. Tikki smiled and waved, insisting, “I’m ok! You, you three don’t need to worry.” She fell back in Marinette’s palm, squinting.

“Tikki!”

“You have school,” Tikki reminded, giving Marinette’s thumb a pat. “I’ll be ok, I just need cookies. Cookies solve everything.”

“You really just need food?” Marinette asked.

“Yeah!”

“Ok, ok. There’s cookies in the purse, eat away, and we’ll see how you’re doing at lunch.”

“And school!”

“School! Yes! Right! School, I gotta go!” Marinette was off, frantic to get back to school as quickly as possible.

.

Tikki did not get better, which was made very clear while in the middle of a lecture for their career day when Tikki let out a loud sneeze that fired her right out of Marinette’s bag. When all glanced Marinette’s way, she coughed awkwardly, her smile tight and awkward as Mendeleiev narrowed her eyes at her. As the class resumed their focus on the teacher, Marinette reached out with her foot and gently slid Tikki under her desk, where the kwami safely crawled back into the bag.

Marinette anxiously waited for lunch to arrive and was off before the bell even rang, missing Aurore’s surprise gape after her.

“Wow, she must be super busy today,” Ondine offered as she came by to stand beside Aurore. “Since she’s busy, you want to join me for lunch today?”

Out in the hall, Marinette went to the most reclusive corner she could find, holding her purse to her chest. When she felt safe, she opened it, peeking in to see Tikki curled up. “Oh those cookies did not help.”

Tikki shook her head, not even opening her eyes. “You need to take me to a healer.”

“A healer, ok, um… the vet? Do I take you to a vet? Or—”

“A kwami healer.”

Marinette went quiet, surprised. “There’s a kwami healer?”

There was someone else out there who knew about kwamis? There was the wonder of how Tikki came to be in her room… maybe this healer was the one who gave Tikki to her?

There was a cough and Marinette snapped out of it, her eyes becoming firm. She got up, starting to head outside the school. “Can you guide me to them?”

Tikki gave her a weak nod, starting to tremble in the bag. Between rushing through the school and keeping a watch over Tikki, Marinette wasn’t watching where she was going, and didn’t see the open school bag, or that she was heading for it till her foot went right inside, tripping her up and sending Tikki flying outside her bag.

“Marinette! Are you ok?!” Jean cried out in alarm as Marinette drew away from Adrien catching her, regaining her balance.

As Marinette calmed Jean down, Chloe paused from outside the limo. Rose had been sent away, the letter torn up and dropped at her feet. Chloe looked over, seeing something red on the ground, and headed for it as Amber headed for the limo. Picking it up, Chloe decided to keep it, deeming it be a nice little toy for the prince, even as ugly as it was.

“Chloe!”

She jumped, looking up to see Marinette rushing her way, hand outstretched. “That’s mine!”

With a smirk, Chloe rushed inside her limo and commanded the driver to go. “Bye, Marinette!” she cried out smugly, waving the toy about in clear view of the distraught girl.

“Chloe, what did you do?” Amber asked as Chloe dropped back inside, smug.

“None of your business,” Chloe answered, making sure to hide the toy away so Amber wouldn’t see it. She received an annoyed look but her twin let it go, drawing away in her dumb book.

When they arrived at the hotel, they were immediately ushered in to see the prince, with Chloe trying to inconspicuously look over the toy she swiped.

“Chloe!”

The twins jumped, whipping around to see some girl in a red helmet, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, holding a box of pizza.

“Greasy food!” Chloe shrieked in fear, jumping into the elevator. Amber was quick to follow her, horrified at the risk of greasy coming near her sketchbook. She slammed on the close button over and over again, and both sagged in relief as the doors closed, keeping the greasy food away. Safe.

When they got to the room where the prince was, Amber leaned out a little to eye him, seeing what appeared to be a sweet boy with bright eyes. She narrowed her own, falling into place behind Chloe as their father eagerly introduced them.

Unease shot through Amber as Chloe offered her hand to be kissed. What was she doing? Trying to make the biggest scandal? To have someone above you status-wise kiss your hand was going to upset people and cause political turmoil, Chloe why.

Amber’s fears were put to rest when the prince simply raised a brow at first, then with a cheery smile, took Chloe’s hand to shake it, much to her twin’s offense. Crisis averted, Amber happily smiled as the prince turned to her, eager to give him her handshake as Chloe went off to the side with a scowl.

At least, Chloe thought to herself, she had a special gift to get a leg up, her lips curling up into a slight smile with the “toy” clutched tightly in her pocket.

In that pocket, Tikki hoped Marinette would get there soon.

.

After the craziness of the afternoon, Tikki was finally safely back in Marinette’s hands. However, the relief didn’t stop her as Marinette was restlessly making her way through the streets, desperate to find the healer to fix Tikki. Then, she’d have to come back for the akuma, already knowing that Chat was out of commission.

And then, she’d have to get some answers.

With Tikki’s instructions, Marinette found herself at a little massage shop. It was one of the smallest buildings she’s seen in Paris, and one that would be easily overlooked. Coming to it, one hand in her purse to hold Tikki and let her know that Marinette is there, she tentatively knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

With a deep breath, she slipped inside, filled with anticipation. Inside, she found a familiar old man, meditating on a mat with burning incense near him. He opened his brown eyes and smiled warmly at her. “Hello, Ladybug,” he greeted.

She blinked at him, surprised. “You… you were crossing the street earlier today!” she cried out, jaw going slack. This was the old man she saved earlier!

He looked sheepish. “Ah, yes, that time was not intentional.”

“Not intentional? That time?”

He chuckled. “That wasn’t our first encounter, Ladybug. Do you remember your first day of school?” he asked, voice full of fondness.

Marinette did, the first save she did that year coming to mind. That was him.

His smile grew at the remembrance shining in her eyes, and he commented, “It really stood out to me as a possible hero that I could rely on.”

“I did what anyone would’ve done,” she said, rubbing her arm.

The old man just smiled, looking pleased.

Clearing her throat, Marinette became serious as she approached him, dropping to her knees and taking out Tikki. Presenting the kwami to him, she explained, “She’s sick. She said you can help her?”

He looked concerned, gently taking the wore out kwami from her. “This was caused by overuse,” he told her, watching Marinette reel back, looking horrific and apologetic. “Tikki’s a workaholic,” he reassured, setting the kwami on a table, “she’ll always bite more than she can chew. Just, in the future, be more aware and decide when you truly need to transform.”

“Yes, I will. So, uh, you can help her?”

“Yes, she just needs to be rebalanced. It won’t take too long.”

She sighed in relief. Then with a determined look, she voiced, “I will be coming back, after the akuma’s been dealt with.”

“For answers?” he guessed, watching her nod. He eyed her for a moment, truly considering it, then he nodded. “Very well, I will tell you what you need to hear.”