#prom is kind of a victim as well i guess?

[mygwenchan]

"I'm not that kinky", Prom said... Then again, I'm fairly sure they didn't film that doggo clip for fun.

Let me sort out the time line:

10th June:

Prom and Nant meet up at Hotel Harvey sometime in the afternoon or early evening. They film both the doggo kink clip and the suicide clip. It's all fake, Nant doesn't get harmed in any way (because otherwise he wouldn't have been able to contact his brother on the 11th)

The mask party must've happened on the evening of the 10th. Nant asks Nuth to wear the dog mask and then to keep it for him. Nant also specifically asks Jump to attend the mask party with him (I wonder why 🤔). Keen is there as well (he got invited by Nuth?). After the party (probably not on the 10th), Nuth asks Keen to hide the dog mask for him

11th June:

It's the twins birthday

Nant contacts Nont via video chat and tells him about their mom's suicide attempt. He also promises his brother to take a plane and live with him for a while. That's the last time Nant spoke with Nont

Nuth writes a diary entry on the 11th. It's probably about the party and may contain more info about Nant

Nant disappears

A couple of weeks later:

The twin's mother dies

Nont arrives to investigate his brother's disappearance

Nant's old laptop with the doggo clip on it gets "thrown away" near the Playboyy club and the abandoned building where Nuth, Soong etc. live. I suspect Prom is the one who hides it there. It's likely that Phop found the laptop shortly after

Nont get's to know Prom. At first Prom is super happy, because he thinks Nant returned (as he and Nant must've planned it), but he finds out this is actually Nont. Now what is Prom supposed to do? Tell Nont the truth and thereby risk revealing Nant's hideout. maybe even risk that the creditors find him? Or keep his mouth shut and (quite literally) fuck around with Nont for the time being?

In coclusion: Nant is being hunted down by creditors/drug dealers/daddy Jason (?) SOMEONE and he needs to get away asap! He and Prom come up with a plan that also includes a plan B (and C):

Plan A) Film a kink video with a Mr doggo who's hurting Nant with a knife, make sure the clip gets found, make also sure that Nant's ex Nuth keeps the very same mask at his home. Frame Nuth for the murder of Nant (because who would believe that a mentally unstable guy with more kinks than he can count and a good dose of aggression and murder fantasies isn't the culprit, right?) > The creditors think Nant is dead so he's free to do whatever while the guy who slighted Nant gets his comeuppance!

Plan B) If the doggo clip doesn't work, tell a sob story about how Nant's mental health was getting worse. He was a drug addict (remember? Prom was the one who told Nont that the Playboyys gave Nant drugs), did porn videos, hurt people... you name it. Then send the suicide clip anonymously to Nuth if need be. The doggo clip or some general investigation would lead the police to Nuth who would then reveal the suicide clip to them. > Everyone will think Nant ended his own life. Nuth gets fucked over, but at least he doesn't end up in jail

The overall plan was probably for Nant to lay low for a while and then eventually come back. Or to tell Prom where he was hiding, so they could be together again.

Plan C which happened without Prom's knowledge) Nant wanted to be found by his brother, not Prom or anyone else! He knew Nont would eventually try to find him, so he left his phone in a place where only Nont could discover it. He also filmed the suicide clip in a way that might arouse suspicion (you can't tell me that that boy didn't check the whole set and didn't see the hotel sign on the door before he started recording...) > Nant probably said fuck it all, my brother is the only one I want! So he faked his death (twice), got Nuth in trouble, said "fuck Prom as well, I'm not going to contact that one again" and waited for Nont to find him.

NOW the question is: Where did Nant hide? How did he die? And did someone kill him or was it an accident?

LOOK AT THE CORNER, THERE'S THE CHAIR AND THE ROPE!!!

losing my mind currently, because then those that mean that Nant isn't truly dead? the end of last episode is a coy? or after Prom helped Nant fake his death, he ultimately found death somewhere else??

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

Your meta about Twilight have me convinced that, written by anyone else, it's not a romance-- it's a horror story.

So now I'm wondering, if instead of being by Stephanie Meyer, Twilight was written by someone like Stephen King? In a horror book with the same core plot and the same blurb on the back, what's the scene everyone remembers- the equivalent to the scenes everyone remembers in The Shining, IT, or Carrie? (Or whatever horror author and work you're more familiar with, you get the idea)

There's just so many good horror scenes, and I really want your take, but like as I write this ask I just want to appreciate the ending a bit:

After she almost dies, after the venom is sucked out, smash cut to Bella the surviving heroine. The horror is over, safe back in Forks. Except the reader gets this sinking feeling. We slowly realize, no, she didn't avoid the bad ending. She's not running from it. She's choosing it, unaware of what it's actually going to cost her and how little she's getting in return. Even as a human, Bella has become the monster that will kill her in the end... setting us up perfectly for new moon where actually she kind of is the villain.

I guess I'm asking what one scene from spooky!Twilight would stick in your memory years laters, and how is it written differently to emphasize the horror?

(And if you're having fun with this, what scene for the other books)

Interesting question.

Of course, you nearly inspired an entirely too long rant between the differences of Stephen King's novel The Shining and Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation, but no one wants to sit through that.

With that though, I think we have to take a few steps back.

Stephen King Wouldn't Write Twilight

First, he's done a vampire novel, Salem's Lot, which has a similar enough premise that he probably wouldn't do a Twilight style version.

Salem's Lot is also set in a very small, insular, American town. The events take place only within the town and most of the townsfolk never cotton on to what's happening. There are a select few knowledgeable insiders who then get dealt with.

It's much more Dracula in its inspiration than Twilight, in that we have a very similar subplot to the Lucy subplot where the town slowly starts being victimized by the vampires, no one believes the protagonist except a select few who then disappear from the story, and we slowly get the reveal of the demonic monstrosity that are the vampires.

But it's similar in that it's King's "Give me a modern, small, town with vampires".

But it's more than that.

What's the core plot of Twilight that we're keeping and the blurb on the back per the ask?

The core plot is that Bella moves to this small rural town, realizes there's something strange going on with her classmates, falls in love with Edward and loves him despite him being a distinct risk to her, is hunted by other vampires, and then the story ends after James has been destroyed.

The trouble with Twilight alone is that we have no resolution and no real consequences. Twilight really is just a book that sets the stage for the follow-on books, which works if you're writing YA romance novels, not so much if you want a horror novel.

Bella's fate is undecided as of the end of the novel, her parents are still ignorant as well as alive and well, nothing terrible has happened to any of the characters we've met so far including the NPCs, the Cullens so far seem to be everything they've claimed to be including Edward who for all his talk hasn't done anything.

Compare that to, say, the plot of Carrie. The important thing about Carrie is that we get the Prom. Everything leads up to Prom, we see everything build towards it and no something terrible is going to happen, and then it does.

You can't have Carrie, as a singular novel, end at the moment she opens the door to her surprise date so she can go to Prom.

Similarly, you can't have The Shining end only when they realize that maybe this hotel is filled with malevolent psychic energy, and it might do something.

It's not a horror story unless you see when things go very bad.

He'd probably also add in a lot more of the typical Stephen King tropes that I won't comment on because this isn't the post for "weird shit Stephen King puts in his books sometimes".

Okay, So What Would Stephen King Do?

Honestly, I imagine Charlie would become our main character.

Small town divorced cop estranged from his wife and daughter, whose daughter suddenly decides to live with him (whose new stepfather may or may not be abusive) and is a total mess he doesn't know how to relate to, has the background on the Cullens and yeah they're weird but they seem so nice, as well as the even more local guy in his best friend Billy who says, "dead isn't better, Charlie, don't bury your pets in the cemetery", and life gets progressively worse and weirder as his daughter begins dating what is slowly revealed to be an abusive inhuman creep.

Add on a little former alcoholism and Charlie Swan gets the Stephen King protagonist stamp of approval.

Bella's nice and all, but she's what's lost in the series and gives the impression that she has agency. Charlie is the one who is ignorant, who tries to stop it, and only realizes too late that he moved too slowly, ignored the wrong people, and made all the wrong choices.

And we'd get the entire four novels packed into one with it starting with Bella's arrival and ending with her having been turned and having a daughter niece.

You Didn't Answer the Question

Alright, alright, fine.

I'd say the moment Charlie meets Bella after she's been turned and realizes that this isn't his daughter anymore and that he has to pretend for the rest of his life that it still is.

Of course, this requires being from Charlie's point of view, but honestly, he's the better character for it.

Bella's over there in Breaking Dawn living her best life at this point.

In Twilight itself? The meadow. Midnight Sun is its own spectacle, but the meadow even from Bella's point of view is fucking bizarre and mildly terrifying. You have Edward purposefully, just for a moment, showing what he really is to terrify her, then backing off in terror that he might lose her.

That said, the trouble is Bella as our narrator. What happens is disturbing, but Bella's so teenage in love that she doesn't care or even notice it. She has set up circumstances so that Edward will be able to get away with her murder, let him know it, and watched him rage about how easy it would be for him to kill her now. And she's having a great time.

Basically, if you want this to be a real horror novel, it can't be from Bella's point of view. Otherwise, we have Twilight.

[jewishbarbies]

https://www.tumblr.com/jewishbarbies/753685895679459328/in-my-opinion-it-really-doesnt-matter-if-she-was?source=share

also, didn’t her mother have cancer or something like that? That makes it worse, because she might have been thinking “what if my mother dies without ever seeing my face again, what if I never see her again.” I obviously cannot speak on her relationship with her mom or whatever, but usually there’s a lot of things people want to say and do with their parents before they pass. Like imagine the last conversation you had with your mom was an argument. Imagine if you’ve never said I love you to a parent. Not having a last meal with a parent. Not being able to just see your family and talk with them at least once more. All of that would have been stewing in her mind while she was trapped in that house. When my uncle in a foreign country got hospitalised, I learnt of it when I was at my school prom dance. I had a gorgeous steak in front of me but I couldn’t even bring myself to eat it because of how scared I was because I didn’t know if he was going to live or die (he’s fine now). My point is, she could’ve been given all the gifts and luxuries, all the different foods of the world, the softest clothes, everything, but she might have not been able to even indulge in them because she’s so afraid and doesn’t know what is going to happen next. One minute they might treat you well, next minute they might assault you. You never know if you’re going to live to see the next day when you’re in a situation like that. And if I, a goy, can understand that, there’s no excuse for the lack of empathy from other goyim. Disgusting. Being “treated well” doesn’t make up for all the lost time and the trauma.

yep, her mom is dying of cancer. just the knowledge she might never get to say goodbye would be psychological torture enough, on top of that add all the threats of potential sexual violence and other torture methods. she’s going to be in therapy for the rest of her life and she’ll never get those months back to be with her dying mother. kidnapping is kidnapping. and it’s truly disgusting to see this kind of rhetoric against a female victim of male violence while everyone in the western world is obsessing over the man or bear debate. i guess leftist women would choose the bear unless it was a palestinian man? or a hamas terrorist?

[abstracthappiness]

microfiction, October 30 - November 5

The General was not impressed by her little rebellion. “You’re mine, Lorelei—I’ll see you dead before I let you leave.” “The last man who tried to own me said the same—he was a king, and nigh-immortal, and he still died cursing my name. You have no power over me.”

-

Lady Black emerges from the hollow tree; her dress the color of dirt, her hands stained red. She has come to read the stars, on behalf of some fae King, underground, sleeping. She speaks with her hands and her eyes. She rarely brings good news.

-

The jack-o’lantern grins and grimaces, flickering and flinching, come alive with Nate’s soul. “Don’t you miss me, Sadie?” it asks, in his familiar smoker’s rasp. “I guess not. After all, you’re the one who buried me in the pumpkin patch.”

-

Her Halloween ghost knocks, and she wishes she could stay in bed. The first person she touches today will drop dead and haunt her for the next year. “Trick or treat,” repeats in the corner—the last words of last year’s victim. She hates when it’s a kid.

-

The demon’s touch was possessive; his eyes full of greed. “I could give you everything you want. The moon, the stars, and all the planets besides.” “And all it will cost is my soul, right?” I’d heard this tale before. “Oh, so much more than just your soul.”

-

It was a small kindness, but she knew he was not kind. She had once watched the King feed a deer from his hand, only to snap its neck a moment later. He was a clawed hand inside a velvet glove; he was a shark in calm waters, always smelling blood.

-

He traced her lips, his thumb resting on top of the Cupid’s Bow curve. “Did you know this line is called the philtrum? Such an unlovely name for where an angel touched you.” “What should we call it when a demon touches there?” Her fingers graze the base of his horns.

-

You dislike the painting in your room, a portrait of an old woman—only she seems to be getting younger. Her eyes are shut in the daytime, open at night. Sometimes she holds a knife. You wake with fresh cuts on your arms. You sleep with matches under your pillow.

-

A young woman puts on her wedding dress, twirling like a princess. Motes of poisoned dust release from the lace, mixing with light and laughter. The wedding song shifts into a funeral knell. The maid of honor, a dressmaker, comforts the grieving groom.

-

A true magician never reveals his secrets—but a foolish one might underestimate his assistant. Find himself helpless in his own top hat, reduced to white fur and quivering nose. Held up by long ears to rousing applause. Never seen again—what a legend, what a legacy.

-

The gramophone was haunted, of course—she expected nothing less from an antique that Kyle brought home. But the strangest part was when he tried playing a record. Instead of Dizzy Gillespie’s trumpet, their grandmother’s voice starting speaking to them—warning them.

-

A pregnant girl appeared at the gate, begging for asylum. She was branded with the Duke’s mark, which made Pat nervous, but he didn’t argue with me. The Riders came for her two days later. Billy shot four dead before they scattered. Now we wait for a war.

-

The record spins, a gruesome ode dragged from the grooves. It echos around the house until everyone drops dead, hearts stopped. The man in black smiles, as the music reaches what festers within the walls. The house will be well fed tonight.

-

Everyone made fun of Tara’s brother for his constant flirtation with the moon; he even invited the heavenly body to prom. A person of ambiguous gender showed up at the dance, with glowing skin, silver hair—and eyes only for Sammy, holding out impossible silver roses.

-

The characters startled when their writer appeared, anachronistically dressed and waving a battered novel. “No, no, no! It’s right here, on page 394—the origin of the beast is occult in nature, not extraterrestrial—this is a fantasy, not science fiction!”

-

The fox capers for the children (sometimes stealing one away). It pilfers pies from windowsills, laughs with the crows. A local burned the fox’s tail to drive it off; that man dropped dead at the crossroads a fortnight later, face frozen in terror—red fur on his coat.

//

read more on twitter: kattra | prompts: vss365 / GothicMicro / vssNature / vssHalloween / vssHauntedHouse / whistpr / WeirdMicro / 2WordPrompt / flexvss / HorrorMicro / vssDaily / SciFiFri / SciFanSat

[chaggiehearts]

Okay, this is gonna be long but my idea for a Hazbin Hotel Heathers AU! With explanations for the characters chosen :D (I've rewatched the musical just to write this post lmao)

Also huge trigger warnings because this post goes into the themes explored in Heathers such as suicidality (it's mainly that in this post, but I also mention things like eating disorders, bullying, murder, etc.)

Veronica -> Charlie. Oh, our lovable protagonist that sees good in everyone and is easily swayed into things. I think putting Charlie as Veronica would be an amazing way to study her character in a way the show might never do. Veronica is kind and considerate but ends up causing 3 deaths and 2 suicide attempts because she finds herself unable to stop what she's started thanks to JD. She's quite sarcastic and not too naïve, unlike Charlie, but since the Heathers laugh about her innocence in "Candy Store" I think the role could fit her well. She thinks everyone can be beautiful as a person, which is seen as naïve by others, just like what happens to Charlie with her dream. Charlie's projects getting out of her hands and causing pain and even death to the ones around her would be interesting. Veronica feels ashamed of her actions that have resulted in 3 deaths and we can see all her guilt in "Prom or Hell". Similarly, Charlie shows so much regret and guilt in "The Show Must Go On", because her decisions have led them to a point where a lot of people have died and she feels like she could have avoided that situation. Finally, I find the idea of Charlie falling victim to the race for popularity a very interesting concept. She'd try to put up with the Heathers' horrible attitude but she'd still try to keep her hands as clean as possible because she thinks they're unfair with others. I don't know how to explain it but I'd seriously love to see Charlie in a situation like the one from Heathers because I think she'd react similar to Veronica. It'd have some differences obviously but she'd also have difficulties putting a stop to JD's actions and she'd have so much trouble trying to keep her conscience clean after all she's done.

JD -> Alastor. I think Alastor could fit Jason Dean so well. They're both guys with little to no remorse over their actions, even if JD does things because of his personal (and fucked up) moral code, while Alastor has fully renounced to having a moral code and just does whatever entertains him. They both try to influence the protagonist of their respective piece of media, thinking she has potential for things and wanting to lead her towards his goals. One uses love, the other one uses deals and charm, but the manipulation is there in both cases. Obviously, in this AU JD and Veronica wouldn't be romantically invested because Alastor is aroace and I'm uncomfortable with things that involve shipping Alastor with anyone (this isn't meant to be an attack on anyone that does ship him with others, it's just a personal opinion, like everything in this post actually lol). All the romance with Charlie would go to another character, as you'll see later (but if you've um read my username you may just guess correctly who I'm talking about). Charlie would see him as a bad boy in needs of becoming a better person, someone who needs to redeem himself, and she'd start a friendship with him so she can be the good influence she imagines Alastor needing. JD's father is also terrible and he had a good relationship with his mother (before she did what she did) and as far as I'm aware that's the case with Alastor too. In conclusion, it's the fact that Alastor is remorseless enough to pull a thing like JD does and I'd be interested in exploring the idea of Alastor having some sick twisted moral code, unlike what seems to be the case in canon. They're both killers in canon so it's not like I'd be changing that part of Alastor's character.

Chandler -> (female)Adam. I want to keep the Heathers as all girls so that why I'd genderbend Adam for this (though I'm using he/him pronouns here to avoid confusion. Also, I'll keep calling the clique "Heathers" for the sake of simplicity). But yeah, what's to say about the parallels between the 'dickmaster' and the 'mythic bitch' that isn't obvious? They're both self-centred, they're spoiled (one for being a pretty girl and the other one for being the first man), they mistreat others all the time, they don't care about who they have to crush to gain what they want and they are really resentful, never actually forgiving someone who has betrayed them (Chandler with Veronica and Adam with Vaggie). Adam would really enjoy being admired and looked up by his classmates and that power would get to his brain. He'd be the almighty leader of the Heathers because, as you'll see with McNamara and Duke, I've made a parallel here between the Heathers as a group and the exorcists, specifically what I assume to be the elite, the top girls (McNamara and Duke are respected by everyone else because #popularity but they take any rude comment and humiliation from Chandler because she's above even them, just like I imagine would happen to Lute and Vaggie with Adam in the hierarchy of exorcists) (also, just like with the exorcists, the Heathers can't make a wrong move because, if they do, they might be thrown away like trash). Him singing Candy Store to (a very confused) Charlie!!! He'd be the first to die so that fits too (we're not counting sir Pentious here cause he got redeemed). He'd 100% torment Charlie's peace of mind for fun after his death. That scene where Veronica is telling Martha that she was the one who forged the love letter and she starts mimicking Chandler's gestures. Charlie becoming similar to Adam in a way because of Alastor's influence is once again something that sounds interesting to expand on through this AU. Bonus here, imagine Adam saying "Fuck me gently with a chainsaw", it's just come to my mind and I find it very funny for some reason

McNamara -> Vaggie. Gotta say this was the very first role that came to my mind and from which the rest of this AU originated, so I'll explain this with many details lmao. To accentuate the Heathers=exorcists parallel, I'd use for this AU the concept of a Vaggie that never left the exorcists, so she's the deeply loyal obedient person (who never questions hierarchies or the way things are done) we can imagine she was when she was under Adam's orders. Throughout the AU she'd grow as a person, question what the others are doing and finally leave them, gaining agency, in that specific moment from the Seventeen Reprise where Charlie would extend her hand towards her. I can seriously imagine Vaggie going along with Adam and Lute while they do horrible shit because she feels like she has to do it or else she'll be thrown away, not only in this AU but as their dynamic before the fateful day™. McNamara is obviously the nicer Heather, even if she's done bad things herself, just like Vaggie is not as bloodthirsty as her superiors and has enough kindness in her to spare that little child. One little detail I noticed is that in Big Fun the ones that mock Martha are Chandler and Duke, even if McNamara is the one who leads the piñata thing later. I can imagine Vaggie hearing the others' idea to humiliate Martha, not being very enthusiastic about it, them noticing and somehow forcing her to do what happens later under the threat of her losing everything she has if she doesn't play along. Charlie would absolutely see Vaggie's hesitation and Vaggie would probably leave the party after Charlie does because she doesn't want to confront Adam and Lute. Vaggie is someone who struggles with a lot of self hatred but tries not to let that hold her down while she does her job. McNamara does the same but her job is being popular and shit. Vaggie singing Lifeboat and later on being ridiculed by Lute in Shine a Light (Reprise), specially the lines "Your ass is off the team, go on and bitch and moan, you don't deserve the dream, you're gonna die alone" (which fits their canon situation too). Vaggie isn't as trusting as McNamara but I can imagine her coming clean about all her worries, anxieties, fears and regrets in front of others if she's reached a tipping point (because in this AU, since she's the Vaggie that doesn't hate Adam and Lute, she'd be devastated by Adam's death). McNamara comes across as kinda dumb and airheaded so I'd probably remove some of her sentences so the character fits Vaggie better. Also, I'd remove the fact that she's the one to call Veronica when the Kurt and Ram thing happens. In this AU, it'd be Lute calling Charlie without Vaggie even knowing. What I'd add though is a romance subplot with Charlie because of course I'm making this chaggie somehow haha. So yeah, I'd make Charlie have a (reciprocated) crush on Vaggie during this, since she wouldn't have one on Alastor. I can see Dead Girl Walking happening between Charlie and Vaggie after they leave the party and then Vaggie asking her to keep their encounter a secret so the other Heathers can't use the info to blackmail them both. I keep going back and forth between the idea of Adam and Lute, specially the latter, blackmailing Vaggie because she's a lesbian and that would make her lose her popularity if it was found out, since the kids in Heathers seem to be anything but gay accepting, but as I'll explain later I'm making Ram and Kurt female so idk how it could work tbh since three of the popular kids would be lesbians here and, even if Vaggie hid it to avoid being ostracized, I'm not sure what the other two characters would do.

Duke -> Lute. Finishing the Heathers with the other important exorcist because I really want to imagine what Adam's, Lute's and Vaggie's dynamic was like before the latter fell. Anyway, Lute. The main thing here is the parallel between Duke taking Chandler's place as the queen bee after she dies and Lute taking the commander of the exorcists title after Adam's death, both becoming even more ruthless than their predecessors were (Duke because she so desperately craves validation and popularity and Lute because she's motivated by vengeance and pure unfiltered hatred towards demons). Lute puts up with Adam in canon, just like Duke takes all of Chandler's insults and "shut up"s. Don't get me wrong, Adam certainly cares more about Lute than Chandler about Duke, which is why I'd tone down Chandler's insults and comments, but in the end I still think Adam would be a bit insensitive (for example, I can imagine Vaggie being the only one deeply worried about Lute's ED and telling her to see a doctor, but Adam would not make the "Bullimia is so '87" comment, he'd just awkwardly stand there). She'd be delighted to succeed Adam as the next main Heather of High School. The way she tries to keep McNamara in line after Chandler's death fits too, I can imagine Lute being quite aggressive to remind Vaggie not to step out of line if she doesn't want to lose everything she has, even physically holding her if needed (Seventeen Reprise). However, McNamara and Duke seem quite close when they're still under Chandler's ruling and the Duke ruling over McNamara only happens after Chandler's death, so you can draw some parallels to the situation of this trio in canon (to an extent obviously). Little detail, but in some adaptations of the musical McNamara helps Duke get up during the Candy Store riff, which is definitely something Vaggie would do out of worry for Lute.

Anyway, Charlie and Vaggie would probably start officially dating after Vaggie gets away from Lute's manipulative grip in the finale. I really like the scene where Veronica comes to McNamara's aid during her attempt so I love imagining Charlie saving Vaggie here. The vibes would be a bit different since Charlie and Vaggie would already be extremely in love with one another by this point. Vaggie throwing herself into Charlie's arms because despite everything she has someone she can share her pain with, someone around whom she doesn't have to fake a smile, someone who came when no one else did and proved her she wasn't completely alone. Charlie wouldn't care at all about Vaggie's popularity and any social convention, she'd just want to keep the love of her life safe ;w;. I imagine Vaggie hiding her suicidal ideation from Charlie as a way to avoid worrying her/making her think she's a bad (unofficial) partner, because that's certainly something Vaggie would do. Last little detail, Vaggie is a great fighter in canon, so she'd be able to get the head cheerleader title with a lot of ease thanks to her acrobatic skills and agility. I'll stop rambling now, I just really love Vaggie.

Martha -> Emily. I don't really know what to say about her since I think it's quite self explanatory. Martha is a sweet girl who hopes for happy endings despite all the pain she goes through and, similarly, Emily is a kind girl who believes in Charlie's dreams of redemption and, in a way, happy endings. Charlie and Emily being childhood besties is everything to me <3 Charlie would stay by her side throughout the years no matter what. It makes me a bit sad to make Emily so lonely here but in a way it could fit her, we don't know how many actual friends she has in Heaven since she's probably seen as someone of a too high status to truly befriend. I also see Emily gullible enough for the letter thing (and later the piñata thing) to work :( I'd keep the crush on Ram, though as I've explained in Vaggie's part, Ram is gonna be a female character and I'm not sure if I'd make homophobia an important topic in this AU but, if it were, I can imagine Emily being naïvely open about her lesbianism and that becoming another reason why she gets picked on. Sadly I wouldn't be able to make this AU emilute unless Lute worked hard on herself because it'd be very toxic otherwise, but we can't have all that we want.

Little explanation here, but I wanna explain the red scrunchie thing in this AU because I have many thoughts on it. Instead of a scrunchie it'd be a red bow and you might be guessing where I'm going with this. Adam would first wear it and then Lute, after taking the queen bee place, would take it for herself as a reminder of Adam and a symbol of her newfound power. This goes like in Heathers. However, in the finale, Charlie would take the bow from Lute and, instead of taking it for herself, she'd put it in Vaggie's hair after she joins Charlie and Emily in the song. This way, the bow/scrunchie wouldn't only symbolise the hierarchy and power imbalances between the kids of Westerburg High, it'd also become a symbol of love, of Charlie's devotion towards Vaggie and a symbol of how things can improve if they let themselves be seventeen without being evil. The bow would be the symbol of redemption and by this point the person who would have abandoned the evil status quo to become better as a person would be Vaggie. Just like in canon, she'd be the first one redeemed but not necessarily the only one. She's just the beginning of the change that both she and Charlie will bring into this place with Emily's support :)

Ms. Fleming -> Sera. I don't have that much for her, but Ms. Fleming comes across as someone who has good intentions but who's also really hypocritical and concerned with how she comes across to others, trying to keep her image clean despite what happens between McNamara and Duke while they're being recorded. This is all very similar to Sera hiding the things that can look unpleasant about herself (like the "approving the Exterminations" thing). I can easily imagine Sera filling this role, trying to help the students, failing miserably and trying to save face after the failure. Oh, and she'd also be quite superficial with the mental health aspect just like Ms. Fleming, since she'd still disregard the bullimia thing and only care about the Heathers being in the restroom during class hours. I don't think I'd make Sera and Emily related here, but who knows, it could be interesting :)

Not entirely sure about Kurt and Ram. I had thought Vox and Valentino would fit these roles (mostly because Val's uh horrible tendencies fitted "Blue" really well and because Vox picking on Alastor in the beginning was fitting enough too) but I had two problems: the biggest one was that the idea of them being the closeted gay dads came to my mind and I liked that idea a lot better, the second one, as dumb as it sounds, is that I personally see Emily as a lesbian and couldn't imagine her having a crush on either of them, which threw most of Martha's storyline away :') plus McNamara was kinda dating Kurt and since in this AU McNamara is Vaggie... Yeah. I'm kinda thinking about Velvette (because she was portrayed as Vox and Valentino's daughter figure in early versions of the show so it'd be a callback to that plus she is quite bitchy. Oh and some people used to ship her with Vaggie because Vags was supposed to be a sinner who had died in the 2010s and Velvette probably died during that decade too, so though I wouldn't make them date in the present because Charlie and Vaggie would be a thing in secret, I can imagine them as exes or something) and uh Cherri (maybe? Because she's also quite carefree and prone to conflicts so she has the intended attitude. I had never thought of Emily x Cherri before but it's an interesting ship). I feel bad giving such nasty roles to characters I like tbh idk if I'd remove some things about Kurt and Ram just so I don't have to imagine Velvette and Cherri being so horrible. I'm a bit at a loss here really haha

Kurt's Dad and Ram's Dad -> Valentino and Vox. Look me in the eye and tell me "I Love my Dead Gay Son" doesn't fit them. The moment when the dads make out with each other reminds me of their passionate kiss in "The Show Must Go On" lmao. I'm a bit confused on whether the song starts with Kurt's or Ram's father but here it'd be Valentino starting the song (because I can see him being the most open one about being pansexual) and then revealing he had an affair with Vox. Also, although it's the opposite of what I had first thought, I'd make Valentino Velvette's father because I'm NOT making him Cherri's dad when she hates his guts so much in canon lol.

Veronica's Parents -> Lilith and Lucifer. This one is quite obvious but yeah. I want to believe Lilith's not bad and she would have an intense reaction to her daughter's fake attempt in this AU. Also, they're the worried parents that are a bit goofy and don't know how to help their daughter, like Lucifer is in canon.

McNamara's Dad -> Carmilla. Yes, we don't know much about this man who's mentioned once, but we're told he's really rich because he sells engagement rings so it came to my mind that Carmilla could fit the role, since in canon she's quite influential as a result of being the only angelic weapons dealer. That and the fact that I love Vaggie Carmine AUs so I had to put it here :)

Angel Dust, Husk, Niffty and sir Pentious are the other students. I don't really have specific roles for them and I also don't think they'd laugh about Vaggie sharing her suicidal ideation but I had to put them somewhere. In my AU I'd probably remove that little detail because it doesn't fit at all.

Still, I really like your idea too! During the rewatch I was trying to imagine the characters as your picks and it came really easy to me (specially the Veronica/Chandler confrontations and Veronica not being able to keep her mouth shut on the fact that she was the one behind Chandler, Kurt and Ram's deaths), so I think that says a lot about how well you picked the characters!

Fuck it, it had to be done.

HEATHERS AU!!

Vaggie as Veronica

Charlie as Martha

Adam as Heather Chandler

Lute as Heather Duke

Emily as Heather McNamara

And just because I'm out of people.

ALASTOR AS A PLATONIC J.D.

Thank you. *bows*

[littlenymphie]

like

bojack horseman is a groomer.

he groomed penny.

she was 17. he was 50 (ish). he became her friend, her confidant…..her date to prom. like. he was allowed to eat at her family’s dinner table. he was allowed to be alone with her in his car. he was allowed to enter her bedroom, sit on her bed, and sure! her mother was present at the time. but he was still allowed in there.

my parents did not even allow guys my age to go to my room when i was her age. and they allowed a 50 year old man.

and yes. he said no. he pushed her away when she kissed him. but he manipulated her. all this time. he used her as a surrogate for charlotte. was it intentional? no. was it subconscious? yes, for the most part, until he uttered the words. “you look so much like your mother.” he said that while slow dancing with her.

“penny, go to bed” which bed? he left the door open. he didn’t say “your” bed. he didn’t even say “go to sleep”. he said go to bed. and he left the door open.

it’s legal. and nothing happened. but it was going to.

he fucking groomed her.

and the fact that so many people still care and love him, myself included, paints a better picture at how most abusers actually are.

they’re complex. they’re grey. they’re human.

so often the media portrays abusers as greasy men with breaths reeking of alcohol. they are harsh, ugly, brash. they are clearly the bad guy, lashing out and hitting their wives. they visibly intentionally pick their victims. they’re the unsubs on crime shows. they’re just so clearly bad.

and yes, they exist. the clear bad exist, but they’re painted as inhumane. we never talk about the other kind of bad. the unintentional. the subconscious. the self destructing. the humane.

bojack horseman is an abuser. he abuses his power over women. time after time again. did he do it out of malice? no. did he do it out of greed? selfishness? self hatred? yes. maybe. the facts are he had sex with the president of his fan club. he had sex with sarah lynn, a daughter figure to him. he kissed diane when she was engaged. he had a relationship with his own agent, an assistant at the time. he had sex with that same president in front of his half sister.

he groomed a 17 year old child.

and we still love him? we still want to see him succeed. we still want to see him heal. at least, i do.

i don’t really know how to seamlessly add this analogy but i think…….i think we aren’t supposed to look at it like this. i don’t think we are meant to look at him and label him as xyz, abuser, groomer, predator. i don’t think that’s the point that the show is making and i don’t see how that’s beneficial to anyone. because facts are devoid of nuance and feelings and trauma.

right. the analogy. well, it’s like the sun. we can’t look at these facts directly, it hurts us, but more importantly, it blinds us. i think we’re supposed to look at how it permeates his actions, his identity, his healing.

and i’m not saying that like, “we must pardon every abuser and predator because they’re human too!” no! that’s not what i’m saying. im just saying. this is fucking hard. and this is the fucking reality. its ugly. its messy. there is no definite right answer. in fact, i don’t expect you to agree with me. in fact, it pains me to admit that i still feel for bojack after i have sat down and looked at his actions rationally. i guess it’s the same pain that diane feels, less intently of course.

and maybe this is just me clinging to the perception that abuse is inhumane and that the only people capable of traumatizing others that way are the big bad. the slime balls. the unsubs.

look. this is just me rambling about a show that makes me think a little too much and my heart sink way too often.

[devilsskettle]

what i love about the loved ones 2009 is that lola and her father are totally irredeemable characters, literally everything they do is for their own selfish enjoyment while they inflict pain on countless people, beyond those they directly inflict violence on. like the b plot of the friend and his date at prom seemed completely irrelevant at first, but the reveal that her missing brother was one of the boys lola kidnapped shows the far-reaching consequences of her actions, as well as the focus on brent’s mother and girlfriend when he goes missing (and the reveal about why the man who caused the accident that killed his father was there in the first place). like i think a lot of slasher movies use the people who get killed just as carnage and a body count, which is fine depending on what kind of movie it is, but i think that it’s so much more impactful in terms of pathos for those characters to highlight the consequences on the people they leave behind. it’s also impossible to give this movie the "girl power” treatment that so many movies get by setting up a false men vs women dichotomy (especially if the men are in the wrong), and while there are absolutely a place for “women getting revenge on shitty men” narratives, it’s refreshing to see a completely unsympathetic female villain who doesn’t warrant the “actually she was right all along” mentality (like how a lot of people talk about gone girl, for example, entirely missing the point of that story). like we get all kinds of male killers who are great villains because they’re just in it for the entertainment - leatherface, michael myers, stu macher, patrick bateman.... the list goes on - so why are female killers expected to require a motive, usually ones involving trauma and/or problems with men? it’s way more fun and scarier for the killer not to have a very clear/strong motive, like they can’t be reasoned with at all. and like the level of entitlement that lola feels is so fucked up on so many levels and it really does feel like an effective subversion of slasher conventions, where usually women are victims of violence by men who feel entitled to their bodies and their attention, without being like “look at us subverting gender expectations in horror! give us a gold star for not being sexist!!” which i find is a trap a lot of female-driven movies of any genre have a tendency to fall into. i also think in general the characterization of the women in this movie are varied and complex and interesting and realistic so like. gold star for not being sexist i guess lol. genuinely though i think all of the characters are really well developed and compelling, and the strength of the characters is matched by the strength of the plot, and how visually interesting the whole film is 

[liliaeth]

Fix it’s for Teen Wolf

I can think of a few things that would have made Teen Wolf better.

1.  I wanted more focus on Scott’s emotional response to what happened to him.  I don’t mind that Scott isn’t the type who complains about getting hurt. The problem for me was that the show rarely dealt with the consequences of Scott’s pain, and thus to the casual viewer often made it look like he simply didn’t mind, that being hurt didn’t bother him at all. Or worse, that nothing all that bad had happened in the first place.

 Doing this undermined many of the hallucination scenes.  For example, in Season 2’s Party Guessed, we get hallucinations for Stiles, Jackson, and Allison which give us a view into psychology, letting us know their issues without spelling them out.  For Scott, we got Allison making out with kanima Jackson.   Compared to the others, it felt shallow and confusing.  The writers couldn’t even bother to give us dialog.  He received the same treatment in Season 5, when they read the book designed to trigger their memories about the Dread Doctors. Stiles gets yet another scene about his dead mother who has been crucial to his story since Season 1.  Lydia sees her grandmother and her connection to both Lydia’s powers and Eichen House, as well as foreshadowing her treatment at the hands of Valack.   Malia about her Mom and sister’s death at the hands of the Desert Wolf, which is her entire arc.  And Scott?  He gets a nightmare about a dog that was never mentioned before and would not be mentioned after.

 2. I wanted more focus on Scott’s trauma in general. In Season 1, Scott was repeatedly mentally and physically violated by Peter, terrorized and abused by Derek, and hunted by the Argents, and it was taken as a given.   Even the recaps at the beginning episodes in other seasons barely show any of that.  For example, Gerard attacking Scott in clear view at the hospital, stabbing him, and threatening his mother, never appeared in any of the recaps, even in episodes where it would have been important to remind the viewers about it.

While the show had no issue showing us over and over again how Stiles or Derek or Isaac or Allison or any white character really was hurt, they did not focus on the pain Scott was put through, and thus let the viewers conclude that those events didn’t matter.

The show literally had Scott try and kill himself, twice in less than two days, first in Frayed, by refusing to let himself heal, and then again in Motel California, yet neither of those suicide attempts are mentioned even once afterwards. And this while it would have been a good call back in s5b, when Scott is once again not letting himself heal after Theo killed him. and yet again, no mention whatsoever.

 3. I wanted more consequences for certain characters.   I liked that Scott and to a lesser extent Derek were confronted with the consequences of their actions. When they screwed up, they got called out on it. When they did something wrong, it wasn’t excused.  Then they made up for it.

In contrast, certain characters, especially Stiles, got to do whatever they wanted and it was either dismissed as funny or used to make them look sympathetic.  Stiles got to be mean and cruel, and the narrative still treated him as if he were the best friend ever.  He got to assault people, hurt them, and it was treated as if somehow he was the victim. 

For example, I would have liked Stiles a lot better, if when he tortured Scott with lacrosse balls, punishing him for who-knows-what, if someone else had called him out on it or if Scott had got to defend himself, instead of just taking it because Stiles was angry.  Scott allowing Stiles to hurt him to maintain their friendship was a pattern between them, just as much as Scott taking responsibility for things that aren’t his fault.  He keeps on doing it over the course of the show, but it would have been nice if the show at the very least had made it clear that that didn’t make Stiles behavior acceptable.

Just like I wish that Peter had actually faced consequences for his actions – and/or shown some kind of true remorse for his misdeeds--instead of the others just letting him hang around after all the horrible things he’d done or reduce it pettiness.

 4. I would have liked more time spent on Melissa and the McCall family in general, especially on Melissa’s initial reaction to Scott being a werewolf. In the show, they barely spent two minutes total on Melissa’s reaction to finding out her son has been turned into a werewolf.  By the end of s6b, she was barely even behaving like a mother anymore. Even to the point where we don’t even get a conversation between her and Chris about his attacks on her son before the two of them start dating.  Now don’t get me wrong, I liked Chris and Melissa in a relationship, but it was missed opportunity to humanize both her and Scott that they didn’t bother to show her finding out about that and her reaction to it.

Instead we got the whole horror reaction, of her being horrified at seeing her son’s other face, the reaction that any LGBT kid fears when they come out to their parent. Which could have been a great metaphor, especially if they had then made it clear that Scott was bisexual.

 5. I would have liked more focus on Boyd.   The production time spent on Isaac and Erica, while Boyd’s arc was treated as almost an afterthought. We barely even got any hint on his past, in the episode before they killed him off.    They started out with Boyd as the one who wanted to be like Scott, and then never explained it.  Why not focus more on that, and their relationship?

(similar complaints go about Mason, and how little we knew about Mason, outside of him being Liam’s friend. Like... what was his relationship like with his parents? What is Mason interested in, what does he want to do with his life... how did he deal with the after effects of the Beast...

 6. I would have liked more focus on Alan Deaton. The show had such huge potential with this character’s backstory, not just with the Hales but as an emissary in general.  There was this whole mythology about druids that they barely even delved into.

To not even start on how little we knew about his personal life? Why did he and his sister have different last names? What was their relationship like?

Does he have any romantic relationships? Friendships, relationships in general?

Or how about more time spent on his role as a father figure to Scott, we got so few crumbs of their relationship when we should have gotten so much more

 7. I would have liked more focus on Scott and Theo’s interaction in Season 6.   I get that in 6a, they had Scott primarily focused on getting Stiles back, but I’ll never understand why they then didn’t use 6b, to deal with the fact that Theo had tried to murder Scott and was trying to make it up to him and the pack for what he’d done to Scott and the others.

I don’t mind Theo interacting with Liam.  Those scenes were great, but they should have at least one scene with Scott and Theo dealing with the issues between them.  For Theo’s sake, as much as Scott’s.

 8. I would have liked a complete rework of Season 6A in its entirety.  If you’re going to focus a season on an actor who isn’t available, then you have to make it about his impact on the others. Show us what difference this character made, by showing us the effects of his absence, rather than just try and make it about a romantic ship. (I’ve written a post about this already in greater detail, so limiting it to that, but seriously, that season was such a huge wasted opportunity.)

 9.  Actual character growth for Stiles. For a character who had as much screentime as Stiles did, it’s shocking just how little character growth Stiles had over the course of the entire show. This contrasts in a really bad way, when you look at how much every single other character grew and changed over the course of the show.

Just look at the last four episodes of 5b, to give an example. After almost an entire season of watching Stiles at his worst, focusing on emotional scene after emotional scene with him, he suddenly got relegated to comic relief. Why? Because they didn’t want Stiles to grow, because unless he grew, there was no way for him to go but down. If Stiles had taken responsibility for his actions, then they’d have had to admit that he did wrong in the first place. And they couldn’t have that happen.

 10. And last but not least. More moments of the kids being kids. Even if it’s just proms and beach parties. Moments where we see the characters spend time together, when they aren’t trying to stop some bad guy. Where we can see them be friends, hang out with kids their own age. Even just to remind the audience just how young these children are. And where the viewers along with the characters can rest in between the horror, because doing so makes the horror hit far more strongly in contrast to the light.

 11. Also, a better lighting budget, pretty please Davies, were a few more light bulbs that much to ask for?

[nightshade-minho]

-Blue Book- (6)

Warnings: suggestiveness, future smut

Word Count: 2.4k

Chan knows what happiness is. He's felt it before in mild amounts- like the time when he was 7 and his dad bought him that toy truck he'd been wanting, or when he ate his favorite food.

As the years went by though, he found it harder and harder to feel even an ounce of that elusive emotion. It wasn't like he was a particularly sad person, either. He was just...existing.

Which is why he found you so intriguing. He watched as you rambled away between sips of your boba, accentuating your words with wild gestures. It was cute, how passionate you were about art and how happy you got when you talked about it. Chan loved making his music too-it was a welcome distraction from his hectic life. He never found himself feeling this level of enthusiasm, though.

"And yeah. That's why I think Bernini is objectively better than Michelangelo."

He smiled, nodding, though he hadn’t really paid attention to what you had been rambling about. God, he couldn't help but be fascinated by you.

This was bad. He couldn't lie to himself anymore- he was definitely starting to feel things for you that went beyond mere intrigue. It was easy to pretend he didn't like you when you weren't around...But when you were right in front of him, Chan found himself hating the way he wanted to spend more and more time with you. 

Suddenly, the door to the cafe opened. You looked up when you heard the tinkling bells, a frown growing on your face as you watched Minho walk in with Miyoung right behind him. 

You sat up immediately, glancing at your watch and shooting a quick, apologetic smile to Chan. “Uh, I just remembered I have somewhere to be, so-”

Too late. Minho smirked as he walked over to your table.

“Chan, thought you’d be here. Can we talk?”

Chan’s eyebrows knitted as he slowly looked away from you. “Okay, I guess.” He stood up, following Minho as the two boys walked out. You looked up at Miyoung, who offered you a shy, genuine smile before sitting in Chan’s spot.

“Hey, Y/n. How are you?”

“Hey. I’m good. You?” You said slowly, slightly cautious. Miyoung was one of those girls who hadn’t been particularly mean, but it wasn’t like she’d gone out of her way to befriend you either. 

“I’m alright...” She smiled again, trailing off a little awkwardly.

Her smile seemed genuine enough, but would she have smiled at you the same if you weren’t with Chan? Probably not, You noted with slight bitterness, sighing under your breath.

“Do you want some?” You spoke up, gesturing to the untouched cheesecake in front of you, tilting your head.

She shook her head, the same smile fixed on her face. “Nah, I’m on a diet. Thanks, though.” She opened her mouth, looking like she wanted to say something else, closing it and fiddling with her fork.

Awkward silence.

“I...” Miyoung looked at the fork in front of her, avoiding eye contact. “Are you happy?”

“Hap...py?” You questioned, a little confused.

“With Chan. Are you happy?”

“Oh..well yeah, I guess.” You frowned. “Um...we’re not actually dating yet, you know that, right?”

“You’re not?” Her eyes widened a little. “Oh...the way he acts around you, I thought...” She shook her head, sitting up straighter. “Anyway, I’m sure he’ll make it official soon.”

“Hmm.” You stared at the girl, her expression a little sad as she looked up, staring out the window. You tilted your head, following her gaze to Minho and Chan, who seemed to be having a conversation.

You looked back at her. “Why’d you ask that question? Are you not happy with Minho?”

“Wha- no, I am! I just... ” She paused. “Forget it. Hey...you want to come with me to the mall later?”

You raised an eyebrow. A week ago you had no friends, and now some of the most popular people at school were lining up to spend time with you. Huh.

“Sure.”

***

“Why do you want to talk? What’s up?”

Minho rolled his eyes. “Nothing much, really.”

Chan frowned. “Why’d you take me out here, then? I’ve got to get back to Y/n-”

Minho narrowed his eyes, leaning against the wall. “Chill, dude. She’s with Miyoung. She’s not going to die if you leave her alone for a few seconds. Why do you care, anyway?”

“What are you talking about?”

Minho pressed his lips together, observing the uneasy expression on Chan’s face. 

“...Whatever. Just know prom’s in a few weeks, and Miyoung’s whipped for me.” He smirked. “You better get that book fast~” He turned around, walking back towards the cafe door.

Chan watched him leave, fists clenching as he watched Minho go up to the table, greeting Miyoung and steadily ignoring you. He watched the slightly hurt expression on your face uncomfortably. He felt so much anger, all of it directed at Minho...and some of it at himself.

***

Miyoung quickly put a smile on her face as Minho entered, standing up as he slunk a hand around her waist. 

“Hey, baby.” He smiled down at her. “Let’s go, my parents aren’t home~”

“Oh...actually, Minho, I kind of made plans with Y/n.” The boy frowned at that, glancing at you. He opened his mouth to protest, interrupted by her.

“Um, we were planning to go to the mall, but you can come too! And so can Chan.” She said, smiling sweetly up at him and running a finger up his chest. “Please? I’ll make it up to you later...” She winked.

“Fine.” He gritted his teeth, looking up as Chan entered, placing a hand on your shoulder. 

“But we’re going in my car.”

***

Miyoung was a sweetheart, really. She just wasn’t the kind of girl you’d usually befriend- but someone was better than no one, right?

She ran her eyes over the jewelry on the shelves, humming under her breath. “Hm, I’m not sure which necklace would match my belt...what color is your prom dress?”

“Oh...I haven’t exactly bought one yet.”

She looked at you, her eyes widening in shock. “What? Prom is two weeks away!”

“Yeah, I know. I might just wear one of my mom’s old dresses.” You shrugged, looking at the brooch Miyoung was holding. “Ooh, that one’s nice.”

Miyoung shook her head incredulously, putting the brooch down and grabbing your wrist. “Come on. I’ll help you find a dress, just follow me.”

You groaned but let her pull you along, deciding to entertain her for the time being. After all, she was your only female friend in years, and you didn't want to lose this yet.

***

People passing by the two boys sitting at the table and sharing their fries would probably think they were friends. Two dudes, hanging out and enjoying a fun guy's night. If only they knew.

Minho slipped another fry into his mouth as he tilted his head. "So you're sure you're going to get the book within the next few days?"

"Um, yeah. I know she trusts me. We've gotten really close."

"Yeah...I can tell." Minho raised an eyebrow, swirling his next victim in the small tub of ketchup.

Chan frowned as he took in Minho's expression. "What's up with that tone?"

"Don't you think you're getting a little too close to Y/n? You could easily steal that book if you wanted to, you spend every day with her now and I'm sure she's left her bag unguarded around you." He smirked. "Part of me wonders if you actually want her around. If you're dragging this out on purpose."

Chan turned red, the implications of what Minho was saying making him swear internally. "Wh- what are you talking about? I only hang out with her cause you made that bet. Or I wouldn't have looked twice at her." He said firmly, almost like he was trying to convince himself.

Minho shrugged, devouring yet another fry as Chan's mind started racing, the familiar feeling of confusion rising up again.

***

"We shouldn't keep Chan and Minho waiting." You groaned, Miyoung choosing to ignore your pleas as she tossed yet another dress at you.

"Shh, they'll be fine. They're at the food court, and you know boys and their relationship with food of any kind. I assure you, they're not missing us. Now come on, I just know you'll look good in green." She smiled.

You sighed, tiredly clutching the dress as you went back into the changing room for the nth time. For the last half hour, you'd repeatedly tried on dresses to the point where you were ready to collapse from exhaustion. However, the excitement Miyoung was radiating made you want to please her...and it was kind of nice, the way she oohed and aahed each time you changed into a different dress. Was this what it's like to have a friend?

You stared at your reflection in the mirror once you managed to get the dress on, your eyes widening. Wow.

The silk was dark green, hugging your waist perfectly. The cut of the dress flattered your body like it was made for you. It was the perfect dress. You fell in love with it the more you turned around, assessing your reflection from every angle.

Slowly, biting your lip, you checked the price tag hanging off it. You sighed. Just as you thought.

You knew your mom would never be able to afford a dress this expensive. A sudden rush of guilt ran through you as you dropped the tag, running a hand through your hair as you moved to take the dress off.

For a minute, your hand paused on the zipper, your eyes travelling back to your reflection. For a moment, you let yourself imagine attending prom wearing this beautiful dress.

An image of you and Chan, slow dancing under the dimmed gym lights settled itself in your brain. You let a small, dreamy smile take over your face as you removed the dress. Even if you'd be wearing your mom's old floral dress, at least the Chan part of your fantasy would remain true.

***

You hadn't had this much fun in ages. So this was what it was like to hang out with friends. You wished you'd met Chan and Miyoung earlier.

The only problem? Minho. Your worst nightmare, in the form of a handsome high school boy with a devilish smirk and a weird, unprovoked hatred towards you. The fact that you were now left alone with him was probably the only downside to an otherwise wonderful day.

Miyoung had dashed into a shop, saying she'd be out in a second, and soon after Chan had dipped saying he had to go withdraw some money at the ATM. By pure, rotten luck, you somehow winded up sitting next to Minho on the mall bench as the two of you waited for your partners to come back.

You stared ahead of you, determined not to look at the boy sitting next to you. He'd always ignored you, treated you like you were the dirt on his shoe. You weren't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing you hated him as much as he hated you.

After a few minutes, Minho smirked, glancing over at you. "Why do you look so worried? Afraid your boyfriend's gone to cheat on you?" He asked, his tone dripping with fake sweetness.

You turned to look at him, glaring. God, this dude was so annoying.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Minho's eyebrow raised slightly, as he hadn't really expected you to reply. His expression faltered for a moment before his usual sneer took over his face once more.

"There isn't anything wrong with me, darling." He said, looking up and eyeing a lady in a crop top. You followed his gaze and let out a snort.

"What an asshole."

"Excuse me?"

You turned to him, anger taking over your entire being again.

"Miyoung's a sweet girl. She deserves a lot better than a lying dickhead who can't even keep his eyes to himself." You scoffed. "You should stop using her like this."

Minho's mouth opened slightly, the slight shock giving way to amusement as he grinned.

"I'm using her?" He pouted. "Hm. I guess that is wrong...I should probably take lessons from your boyfriend, yeah? Since he's so perfect."

"What do you mean?" You narrowed your eyes, slight discomfort settling in you as the man shifted closer to you on the bench.

"Just saying." He shrugged. "Channie isn't who you think he is." Leaning in, you shuddered as you felt his lips graze your ear. "I'd watch my back if I were you, sweetheart~"

He quickly drew back as he noticed Miyoung emerge from the shop, expression neutral as he stood up to go over to his girlfriend.

What was he talking about?

***

"Hey, you okay? You seem...out of it." Chan said gently, glancing at you from the corner of his eyes as he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.

"Oh? What- no, I'm fine." You nodded, carefully staring at your lap. Chan turned to look at you, frowning.

"You sure?"

"Uh huh." You said slowly, staring out the window as Chan drove you home. There was silence in the car, and Chan hated it. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension. He wanted to do something about it, but you looked so closed off and guarded ever since he got back from the ATM.

"You can...you can always talk to me, you know." He said gently, as he stopped the car in front of your house.

"I know." You mumbled, looking up at him. "I'm sorry. Thank you for today, it was fun. See you tomorrow?"

"I wake up at 5 am every day for you, now." He whined, glad your smile was back on your face. "You know, going to school that early should be a crime."

You giggled as you got out of his car, closing the door and going over to his side.

"Well then, arrest me, officer~"

Chan blushed slightly, gripping the wheel. "Bye, Y/n." He laughed, as you blew a kiss and turned to enter your house.

Chan let out a sigh under his breath. He realized slowly that for the entirety of the day, he hadn't felt all that much jealousy. He'd been too focused on you to even notice Minho's desperate attempts to induce envy in him. And after Minho's sly accusation, Chan didn't know what to believe. Could it be...

This was bad. This was really bad.

[thebrotherssalvatore321]

Keeping Secrets Ch. 39

Keeping Secrets Masterlist

Pairing: Katie(oc)xKlaus. Warnings: None that I can think of. Let me know if I need to add one.

Katie and Klaus were spending their morning rolling around in bed, giggling and laughing when her phone started ringing. “Ignore it.” he told her between kisses when she looked over at it where it sat on the bedside table.

“It could be important.” She argued as she wiggled out of his grasp and grabbed her phone. She looked at it to see an unknown number and cautiously pressed talk. “Hello?”

“Scarlett, hey it’s me.” a male voice replied.

It took a few seconds for the voice that called her by her middle name to register. “Dad?” she asked, confused.

“Damon called and let me know you were back.” He told her. “I hope it's okay that he gave me your number.”

“Uh, yeah it's fine I’m just…surprised, I guess.” She told him as she pushed herself back to lean against the headboard.

“So I was hoping that we could get together sometime and try that talk again.” He told her.

“I’d like that.” she told him with a small smile as she watched Klaus move to sit beside her.

“I’ll come by your house this Saturday?” he asked, sounding happy.

“Actually the founder’s council has been cracking down on us vampires lately. They’ve even put vervain in the town’s water supply.” She informed him. “So that’s probably not a good idea.”

“Oh, okay.” He sounded disappointed.

“Why don’t I come to you?” she asked in an attempt to save the conversation. “You can text me the address of where you want to meet and I can come whenever.”

“What about school?” he asked with a fatherly disapproving tone.

“I’m homeschooling now.” she told him. “So long as my assignments get emailed to the school, I’m free to do as I wish.”

“Well, you always were independent.” He commented. “So when can I be expecting you?”

“Well, I don’t really have any plans so it’s up to you.” Katie told him feeling awkward.

“The sooner the better.” He told her with a bit of a laugh to his voice.

“I’ll leave tomorrow morning.” She told him.

“I’ll text you the address and see you then.” Her father told her.

“See you then.” Katie echoed back then hung up the phone. A minute later the address of a bar and grill called Rousseau’s was sent to her in a text message.

“So you’re leaving town?” Klaus asked.

“Yep.” She answered and moved around to straddle him. “I promised my mother I would find my dad and talk things out with him. I owe it to her to give him a chance.”

“Would you like me to accompany you?” he asked as he slid his hands up her thighs under the red satin night gown she wore. “New Orleans is after all one of my favorite places in the world.”

“Really?” she asked, a little surprised. “Why? I mean, I know you lived there once, that’s why my father lives there now, but what’s so special about the place?”

“It’s rich in culture. They like to preserve their heritage. There’s also music, art and really good food.” He told her as he slipped his hands down her thighs to rest on her calves.

“Good food?” she asked as she slipped her fingertips over his chest.

“Have you ever had gumbo?” he asked and she shook her head no. “You should try it. I think you’ll like it. So are you going to answer my question?”

She thought about it for a second. “This is something I need to do alone. Besides, you’re needed here…Silas…impending end of the world and all that.” she answered, slipping her finger tips over his chest, drawing nonsensical shapes over his soft skin.

“Do you know how long you’ll be gone?” he asked and the tone of his voice implied he was going to miss her.

“I’ll definitely be back before prom.” She answered. “And I’ll keep in touch.” She kissed him then pulled back and stood up to look at the framed, hand written letters that hung over his bed. “I’ve been meaning to ask you…what’s with the letters?”

“I was wondering when you were going to ask.” He told her and she looked down at him. “They are mementos.” He answered simply a little afraid to tell her they were taken off the dead bodies of his victims.

She noticed they were all love notes. “Did you take them so you can simply relive and revel in the deaths of the people they were taken from or to serve a greater purpose like making you feel something?” she asked, making him look up at her with a frown. “And there goes my nose, poking around where it’s not welcome again.”

“Your perfect little nose is always welcome in my business.” He told her as she sat down beside him. “Your understanding of my mind still catches me off guard once in a while.”

“Caroline told me that Elena said that during Stefan’s humanity-less time in the twenties, he would write the names of his victims on a wall in his apartment.” she admitted. “The only difference between that and this, is the fact that all of those letters were written from one lover to another.” She pointed out and he didn’t say anything back. “You know, vampires talk about the humanity switch like it’s a magical fix all. Damon and Stefan made it sound like all emotions cease to exist, but…even when it was flipped…when I was as numb as I was going to get, and when I really didn’t want it, there was still one emotion that tried to fight its way in.”

“And what emotion was that?” he asked, looking at her across his shoulder, wondering where she was going with this.

“The one more powerful than hurt and hatred.” She answered and looked across her shoulder at him. “Love.” He blinked, giving her the look that said she was once again doing that thing where she decoded and understood the cracks within him, the same cracks she shared. “I guess what I’m so poorly trying to say is…” she pointed up at the letters on the wall above them, “I get it.” she dropped her hand to her lap.

As usual when she did that, since he wouldn’t let himself tell her he loved her, he slid his arm between her back and the headboard and pulled her around to straddle him and pressed his lips to hers in a deep kiss, pouring it all into her. “You are truly one of a kind, Little Phoenix.”

Katie smiled and looked down at his chest letting her mind wander to lighter subjects like prom that was coming up soon. “I have a question.”

“I may have an answer.” He replied as his hands slid down her back to hold her rear.

“If I asked you to let Tyler come home would you?” his face turned hard. “Not for good, just for prom.”

“Katie…” he sighed.

“Please?” she begged giving him her best puppy dog eyes. “Caroline’s my best friend and she is working her butt off to make prom perfect for everybody. Her night should be just as perfect as everyone else’s”

“Fine, but his welcome wears off at eleven.” He told her.

“Oh, come on, prom isn’t even over until ten thirty. At least give them until twelve.” She reasoned.

“No.” he told her flatly.

“Yes.” She argued with a half serious glare.

“No.”

“Klaus…” she drawled his name out warningly.

“Katie…” he mimicked her.

“Please, for me?” She pulled puppy dog eyes again.

“You,” he grabbed her sides and moved her around to lay on her back making her laugh when he tickled her sides and moved to hover over her, “are lucky you’re cute when you’re being demanding.” She slid directly under him and wrapped her legs around his hips. “He better be out of town by twelve or he’s dead.” He told her and she gave him a bright smile.

“Thank you.” she told him, still smiling.

“You’re gonna thank me with more than just words.” He told her with a lustful glare.

“Oh I am, am I?” she asked with a laugh and he hummed. “In a minute.” She told him as she turned on her stomach and slid up to grab her cell phone off the nightstand.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked.

“Telling Caroline the good news.” She replied as she started texting Caroline. A yelp and a giggle left her lips when he grabbed her ankles and pulled her back to him. As she texted Caroline he peppered her back with kisses seeking out her ticklish spots just to hear her laugh. “Okay, where were we?” she asked as she rolled over and smiled up at him.

After a two hour flight she landed at the airport, hailed a cab and gave the driver the address of Rousseau’s. She texted her father to let him know she was on her way to the bar and grill then texted Klaus to let him know she had landed and arrived safe and sound. When she got the bar and grill and walked in she easily found Bradley sitting at a table near the window. “Scarlett.” He smiled when she walked over and sat down.

“Hi.” She greeted feeling awkward as she hooked her purse over the back of the chair and sat down.

A pretty young brunette waitress with a gap between her two front teeth walked over and took her drink order. “You should try the gumbo.” Bradley spoke up and the waitress looked at Katie. “Sophie here is the best cook in the French Quarter.”

“I don’t know about that, Bradley.” She told him with a flirty smile then looked at Katie.

“Sure.” Katie told Sophie with a nod remembering that Klaus had recommended she try gumbo.

“I’ll get that right out.” Sophie told her then walked away.

“So how have you been?” Bradley asked.

“Good, believe it or not.” She answered, still feeling awkward. “What about you?”

“Better now that I know you’re okay.” His answer pissed her off and he could tell. “Look, I know you probably hate me for leaving you with your grandfather, but I did it to protect you.”

“You thought that leaving me to come here and search for people that haven’t lived in this area for at least a hundred years was protecting me?” she asked, trying her best to contain her anger. He sighed and looked down at the table. Sophie walked over with Katie’s drink and a bowl of gumbo and set them down in front of her. “Did you know you and mom have empty graves in the cemetery?” she asked and he shook his head no. “I grew up telling myself stories about where the two of you disappeared to. That you guys were entered into witness protection and weren’t allowed to come back to me or that your bodies were buried in the woods somewhere or eaten by bears or something. Why didn’t you just come home and be a father to me?”

“Because a vampire was the last thing you needed in your life.” He told her quietly.

“And I call B.S.” she told him then took a sip of her sweet tea. “You, even as you are now, would have been better than Grandfather.”

“I was going to pay him a visit and give him a piece of my mind before I left Mystic Falls, but he wasn’t there.” He told her.

“Yeah that’s because I killed him.” she told him with a straight face and he looked at her, his green eyes wide. “Oh don’t judge me when you’re the one that killed my mother.”

“How were you able to speak with her again?” he asked clearly aggravated that she’d learned that bit of information.

“Bonnie Bennett brought Jeremy Gilbert back from the dead and in doing so cracked the door to the other side open. A witch on the other side wedged it open and let the supernatural spirits be able to interact with our side. For a while we were able to see and feel them. Mom found me and we were able talk before Bonnie fixed the balance.” She explained. “She is the only reason I’m here right now.”

“I’m really sorry I didn’t come for you sooner.” He told her seriously. “Maybe if I had you wouldn’t be what you are now.”

“Which is?” she asked as she picked up her spoon and started stirring the gumbo. It looked disgusting despite its mouth watering smell.

“A vampire…and whatever getting Hannah’s memories has turned you into.” He answered then watched her playing with the gumbo. “Would you just try it already?” he asked with a point to the bowl of chicken and sausage gumbo.

“Fine.” She answered and took a bite. “Holy shit.” She commented as she covered her mouth then swallowed. “That’s really good.”

Her father laughed. “Told you.” things got quiet and she was almost through with her gumbo when he asked, “So how’s everyone back home?”

“Well, let’s see, Sheila Bennett, Mayor douche wad and Carole Lockwood, Caroline’s father, Elena’s parents, her aunt Jenna, Jeremy and John Gilbert aka Elena’s bio dad, along with most of the other council members that got blown up in the pastors farm house are all dead. I’m sure I’m leaving some people out, but that’s all I can think of right now.” she told him. “Oh and Caroline and Elena are vampires too. Other than that there’s the impending threat of hell on earth being unleashed, but that’s another story for another time.”

“Wow.” He said, taking time to let it sink in. After a few minutes he blinked out of his thoughts. “So you said you’ve met all of the originals?”

“Yep, even momma and poppa original.” She answered.

“And you live to tell about it.” he observed.

“What can I say, the Mikaelson siblings like me.” she told him with a shrug.

“A little too much if you ask me.” he commented.

She rolled her eyes and looked up at him. “Please tell me you’re not still mad that Elijah and I found each other.”

“My family, your ancestors, devoted their lives to keeping the reincarnations from remembering Elijah.” He told her with a glare.

“I’m sorry, the reincarnations?” she asked with a frown and a shake of her head as she pushed her bowl away from her.

“You think you’re the first of Hannah’s reincarnation attempts?” he asked with a tilt of his head.

“Uh, yeah, I don’t remember any lives other than Hannah and this one.” She answered, completely confused.

“That’s because the reincarnations were never allowed to live past their sixth birthday.” She just stared at him. “Legend has it that Jonah was so disgusted with what his mother had done that he killed his daughter to keep her from turning into his mother…to keep her from suffering at the hands of the Mikealson men.” he explained. “Every Finnegan female was either killed at birth or just before her sixth birthday. I couldn’t kill you so I did my best to protect you. I had Sheila block your memories and after I turned I didn’t come back because if I did it was more likely, with a vampire in your life, that you would become one and break the dam in your mind. I hoped that you would live and die as Katie, never becoming Hannah. I hoped it would break the cycle and free the women of our family.”

After a few minutes of letting it all sink in she sighed and looked up from her empty bowl to her father. “Then I guess I should thank you for not killing me and tell you that the cycle is broken.” he frowned in confusion. “I’m no longer linked to or with Elijah.”

“Really?” he asked with raised brows.

“Yep, the link broke when my soul shattered.” She answered.

“So you’re free of the Mikaelson’s?” he asked.

“Um…” she pulled one side of her mouth up and squinted an eye. “I guess you could say that?” she scratched the back of her neck uncomfortably.

“What does that mean?” he asked a little confused.

“Klaus and I are kind of…together.” She answered.

“Klaus is not an acceptable partner for anyone, much less my little Scarlett.” He told her.

She scoffed and before he could say anything, a guy who looked to be in his mid to late twenties with espresso skin and nice eyes, walked over to them and slapped his hand down on Bradley’s shoulder. “Who, may I ask, is this lovely lady?” he asked, giving Katie a bright, charming smile.

“My daughter, Scarlett.” Bradley answered. “Scarlett, this is Marcel.”

Katie gave Marcel a wave and a polite smile assuming that he was the same Marcel that turned her father. “I hate to pull you away from your family reunion, but we have business to attend to.” Marcel told Bradley.

“Alright.” Bradley told Marcel who walked off giving the father and daughter time to bid each other goodbye. “How long are you planning on staying in town?”

“I’m flying back in the morning.” She answered. “Prom is coming up soon.”

“What time is your flight?” he asked.

“Seven thirty.” She answered.

“We’ll meet here for breakfast at six?” he asked and she nodded. “See you in the morning.” He told her and she gave him a smile and a wave and watched him leave with Marcel.

“Refill?” Sophie asked as she walked over with a pitcher of tea in her hand. Katie slid her empty glass to the edge of the table. “Would you like more gumbo?”

“No, but it was delicious.” She answered then gave Sophie a smile as she picked up her glass of tea. “Thank you.”

She was still sitting there, sipping on her tea, fiddling with her necklace, thinking about everything she and her father had discussed when Sophie walked by with a sizzling plate of fajitas and her stomach flipped. She frowned and ran to the bathroom with her hand over her mouth and barely made it into the stall before her gumbo came back up. “The hell was in that gumbo?” Katie sighed as she shut the toilet lid and flushed it.

“It wasn’t the gumbo.” She heard Sophie say from outside the stall. “You’re tea, however, had a very powerful mixture of herbs in it. A roofie…kind of.”

Katie pushed the stall door open and turned on the sink. “You’re a witch.”

“Yep.” Sophie answered.

“I’ve seen a witch roofie in action, the dude didn’t get sick.” Katie said as she cupped her hand under the stream of water and rinsed out her mouth.

“Yeah that’s not the roofie, that’s morning sickness.” Sophie told her watching her grow weaker and weaker.

“That would imply…that I’m pregnant. I’m a vampire, I…can’t…” she passed out.

Sophie watched her fall then knocked on the door letting Jane-Ann, her sister inside. “This is stupid, and risky, you know that right?”

“We will talk about this later, for now we have to get her out of here without being seen.” Jane-Ann told her.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie woke up in a cabin in the woods, crickets and frogs could be heard outside. “Where am I?” she groaned as she sat up in the cot she was laying on.

“The bayou.” Sophie told her.

“Why?” she asked with a glare.

“Because like it or not, you’re pregnant with Klaus Mikaelson’s child.” Sophie answered reminding Katie what she’d told her before she passed out.

“It’s not possible, I’m a vampire. We can’t have kids.” She sighed, feeling ill. “How would you know anyway. You’re a witch not a doctor.”

“I’m a witch with a gift of telling when a woman is pregnant. I sensed it as soon as you walked into the restaurant.” She told her.

Katie, sure that Sophie was wrong, got quiet and listened. At first she only heard Sophie’s heartbeat and her own, but eventually she heard a small, fast heartbeat and slid her hand over her lower abdomen. “Holy freaking hell…”

“Congratulations?” Sophie asked awkwardly.

“How the hell is this possible?” Katie asked, sounding like she was in shock.

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Sophie shrugged.

“So what do you want with me? Why kidnap me and bring me out to the middle of nowhere?” Katie asked, trying to think about something other than what Klaus was going to have to say about this or the thousand other questions that were running through her head.

“Marcel has been keeping my people under his thumb, but now we have you.” Katie shook her head not understanding. “Your boyfriend is famous in this town. Witches tell bedtime stories about the vampire Klaus. Marcel was nothing but an orphaned street rat until he made him what he is. Now he’s out of control. He does what he wants. He kills who he wants. We’re gonna stop him and you’re gonna help us.”

“And how am I supposed to do that? I don’t even know you people.” Katie asked with a scoff. Jane-Ann walked in. “Who are you?”

“My name’s Jane-Ann.” She answered. “And to answer your question, you’re going to get Klaus here and you’re going to get him to help us.”

“What makes you think I have any control over Klaus?” Katie asked with a glare.

“Because he’s been texting you every hour on the hour for the past day and a half.” Sophie answered holding up Katie’s cell phone. “A guy doesn’t do that unless he’s worried and people only worry when they care.”

“Prom is today.” Katie sighed realizing how stupid that sounded since she just found out that she’s pregnant.

“Yeah, Caroline’s been texting incessantly about that.” Sophie told her. “I’m sorry but you’re going to have to miss it.”

“I gathered as much.” Katie scoffed.

“We need to get started, Soph.” Jane-Ann said.

TVDTVDTVD

After performing a million different witchy tests on her Sophie tossed Katie a clear blue pregnancy test. “Just for shits and giggles. The outhouse is that way.” She told her with a point outside.

“Watch your language Soph.” Jane-Ann scolded her little sister as Katie stood up and went outside.

After taking the pregnancy test she put the cap back on it and watched as the word pregnant showed up on the screen. She headed back inside and showed it to them, then tucked it into her pocket. “How the hell is this even possible?” Katie asked herself more than them.

“Did I hear you tell Bradley that your soul shattered?” Jane-Ann asked, having been at the bar while Katie and her father chatted.

“Yeah, why?” Katie asked as if it were no big deal.

“No one, witch, human, vampire or wolf has ever come back from that before.” Jane-Ann answered. “We have no records of what that can do to someone.”

“Even still, that doesn’t explain Klaus’s roll in this.” Katie pointed out.

“He’s a hybrid, magic made him a vampire, but he was born a werewolf and is the first of his kind. Nature is full of loopholes.” Jane-Ann explained.

“Awesome.” Katie sighed and fell back to lie on the cot hoping to go to sleep and wake up from this nightmare.

TVDTVDTVD

After making sure Tyler was out of town Klaus returned to his mansion to find a note, left for him by Katherine. “Klaus, I hear Elijah has refused you the cure and in return you have refused me my freedom. Shame on you both. But while you boys sort out your problems, I have one last thing to offer you. I’ve caught wind that there is a witch in New Orleans named Jane-Anne Deveraux holding your precious Katie hostage. Hunt her down. What she has to tell you about Katie will rattle you so deeply to your core that chasing little old me will be the least of your concerns. It’s been a fun five centuries, Klaus, but I’ve worn down too many good heels running from you. Love and hate, Katerina.”

Klaus dropped everything, packed a bag and bought a plane ticket to New Orleans.

TVDTVDTVD

Twenty four hours later Katie sat on a wooden bench in a tomb in the middle of a cemetery in New Orleans. “We can talk freely here.” Katie heard Sophie say. She also heard another set of feet walking with Sophie.

“Then I suggest you start talking.” Elijah’s voice made Katie perk up, just happy to hear a familiar voice. “What did your sister want with Niklaus?” Katie tried to leave the tomb, but a couple of witches stepped in her way.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Sophie asked. “We have a vampire problem, and we need help. Marcel has an army backing him. The witches have been trying to fight back, but we haven’t had much luck. Until my sister, Jane-Anne and I met a girl, a vampire girl passing through the quarter from a small town in Virginia, the daughter of one of Marcel’s day walkers. She has a special…connection to your brother.” Sophie explained to him. “By the look on your face I’m guessing you know who she is.”

“What do you want with Katie?” he asked, his tone guarded.

“Wait, are we talking about the same girl? Bradley called her Scarlett.” Sophie asked.

“Scarlett is her middle name.” Elijah answered growing impatient.

“She’s pregnant and the father of the child she’s carrying is your brother, Klaus.” Sophie told him.

“That’s impossible.” Katie could hear the shock in his voice.

“Nothing’s impossible, especially not when it comes to a hybrid and the first being to ever recover from a shattered soul.” Sophie explained. “Let her out.” She called.

The men stepped aside and Katie whooshed out of the tomb, stopping in her tracks when her eyes landed on Elijah, looking at her with narrowed eyes.

He looked at Sophie, “Give us a moment please.” Sophie nodded and jerked her head for the witches to leave them be. Elijah put his hand on Katie’s lower back and led her into the tomb where she sat back down straddling the bench. He started pacing. “So it’s true?” he asked and she nodded. “Have they been holding you here against your will?”

“They witch roofied me, brought me out to the bayou and did all these witchy tests.” She told him then pulled the pregnancy test out of her pocket. “But even the plain old clear blue confirmed it.” She showed him the word pregnant on the test. “I thought it was just a really weird dream at first, but this is really happening…I’m really pregnant.” She tapped the test on the bench, attempting to hold back her tears, then tucked it back into the pocket of her jeans.

Elijah sat down and pulled a leg up on the bench to face her and cupped her cheek in his hand making her eyes slip shut for a second. “How are you dealing with this?”

“I’m shaking in my freaking boots.” She answered, tapping the toe of her shoe down into the tile floor of the tomb. “What if he doesn’t want it…or me?” she asked with a shaking voice. “I can’t do this alone.”

“You are not in this alone.” He assured her. “I do not believe he would turn his back on you.” He wiped her tears away. “Niklaus has never truly been happy, but I believe that you and this baby can achieve the impossible and save him from himself.”

Katie grabbed his wrist and moved his hand from her face. “No pressure or anything.”

“That wasn’t my intent.” He told her apologetically.

“No, I know.” She assured him. “I’m just…a little overwhelmed, I guess.”

“Katie I know I’ve broken my promises to you in the past, but I need you to trust me when I say that no harm will come to you or this baby if I can help it.” he brushed her loose hair behind her ear and rested his hand on the side of her neck.

She took his hand off her and held it in both of hers. “I’m trusting you, please don’t make me regret it again.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” He told her seriously.

She took a deep breath and let go of his hand. “We have to convince the witches to let me tell Klaus about the baby. It’s my business to tell, not theirs.”

“Request heard and granted.” Sophie told her as she walked in.

“What precisely is it that you want and what does it have to do with Katie?” Elijah asked as he stood up and walked over to Sophie.

“We want to run Marcel and his vampires out of town. Klaus is the key. Everything Marcel knows about being a vampire he learned from Klaus. Marcel trusts him, looks up to him. He won’t see the betrayal coming.” Sophie answered.

“Yes. Well, I’m sure you’re aware, my brother Niklaus doesn’t like to be told what to do.” Elijah told her and Katie found that she still liked to listen to Elijah talk.

“Marcel drove the werewolves out of town decades ago. Do you really think he’s going to welcome a hybrid baby to the neighborhood?” Katie placed a hand protectively over her stomach at Sophie’s words. “Convince Klaus to help us and no one has to know about the newest member of the original family.”

“That sounds remarkably like blackmail.” Elijah told her.

“Like I said, I’m desperate.” Sophie told him with a hard voice and face.

“Well, then. We have our work cut out for us don’t we?” Elijah asked with a look back at Katie.

TVDTVDTVD

“What are we doing here?” Katie had been sitting on the bench in the tomb, bouncing her foot nervously since Elijah left to find Klaus. When she heard the younger brother’s voice she stood up.

“You want to know where Katie is and what the witches have in store for you?” Elijah asked rhetorically. “Follow me.”

A few seconds later Elijah and Klaus walked into the empty tomb to see Katie standing in front of the bench with her head held high, doing a good job of covering up how much she was freaking out inside. “Before you get mad, I haven’t been ignoring your texts and calls. The witches took my phone.”

“Are you alright?” he asked as he walked in and slid his hand over her cheek as he pressed his lips to hers. She savored the moment, knowing that after she told Klaus that she was pregnant it may very well be the last time he kissed her.

When the kiss broke she looked around Klaus to Elijah, “Leave us, please?” she could tell he didn’t want to, but he gave her a nod and walked out of the tomb. “I have been wrecking my brain trying to find the right words to tell you this, but I can’t. So I need you to do me a favor.” She told him and he blinked at her as she took his hands in hers and held them to her chest. “Close your eyes and listen.” He rolled his eyes at her as if she were being silly. “Just…do it please.”

He closed his eyes and listened to everything around him. She knew he’d heard the baby’s heartbeat when he took in a deep breath, his eyes shot open and he jerked his hands from hers as if he’d been burned.

“How is this possible?” He whispered looking into her eyes as a tear slipped down his cheek. He wanted the baby, she could see it in his eyes, but if he was willing to let himself have it, to have happiness, she couldn’t tell.

“I am the first known person to come back from a shattered soul and you are a hybrid, the first of your kind. Apparently nature loves loopholes.” She told him quietly to hide the fear in her voice. After a few minutes of silence passed it became too much for her to handle. “I feel like I’m about to have a panic attack, please say something.”

“What do the witches want with you?” he asked, not putting her mind at ease.

“They want you to overthrow Marcel and get them out from under his control.” She answered.

“Why should I?” he asked with a hard face.

Before Katie could answer, Sophie and a few other witches walked into the tomb. Elijah walked over and stood next to Klaus and Katie moved to his other side, looking at the three witches blocking them into the tomb. “Because my sister gave her life to perform the spell that put the lives of this girl and her baby in our control. If you do not help us take down Marcel…so help me Katie won’t live long enough to see her first maternity dress.”

“Whoa, hey, you’re threatening me?” Katie asked shocked at what she’d just learned. “I’ve never been anything but cooperative with you people.”

“We appreciate that, but we aren’t so sure he’ll be as understanding.” Sophie told her with a hard face and a point at Klaus.

“Enough of this.” Elijah told Sophie, “If you want Marcel dead he’s dead. I’ll do it myself.”

“No. We can’t. Not yet.” Sophie argued. “We have a clear plan that we need to follow and there are rules.”

“Sophie can you guys just back the hell off and give us a minute please?” Katie asked and Sophie gave her a look that asked, seriously? “Just a few minutes then you can get back to your threats, blackmail and bullshit.”

“Fine, but just a few.” She nodded and motioned for the witches to leave and followed them out.

With them gone Katie sank down on the bench and placed her head in her hands with a heavy breath. “This is a trick.” Klaus growled being his usual paranoid self.

“No, brother, it’s a gift. It’s your chance. It’s our chance.” Elijah argued.

“You know I would never lie to you. Or is our trust really that one sided?” Katie asked as she stood from the bench and walked over to him.

“It’s not one sided.” He told her with watery eyes.

“Good, then do me a favor and put the witches out of your mind for a second. You haven’t said and I need to know. Do you want this baby?” When a tear betrayed her she quickly wiped it away.

He stared at her for a minute then said one word, “No.”

It felt as if someone snatched the air from her lungs and a pain shot through her chest. She wanted to break down, cry and let it all out, but she wouldn’t let him see how much he affected her. So she held her head high. “I call bullshit.” she told him in a quiet yet strong voice. “I know you want this baby, you want us. I saw it in your eyes.” she didn’t bother wiping her tears away this time. “You made hybrids because you wanted a new family. Well,” she held her hands out to the side, “you’ve got one standing right in front of you. All you have to do is say the word and we’re yours.”

“Listen to her, Niklaus.” Elijah spoke up making Katie look at him then back at Klaus.

“You once told me that Elijah was my first love and you intended to be my last. If you reject this baby again, that will never happen.” His lips drew together, pursed in defiance. “So, I’ll ask one more time. Do you want this baby?”

He leaned down and looked her in the eyes, “No.” he saw hurt flash in them then turn into a blazing fire that he hated seeing directed at him. He thought she was going to hit him, but she didn’t.

Instead she grabbed the silver pendant hanging around her neck in her fist and jerked. Elijah watched her grab Klaus’s hand, put the necklace in his palm and closed it. “Thank you.” he gave her a questioning look. “For reminding me that love…is for children and fools.” She shoved his hand and turned her back on him, leaving the tomb.

One of the witches thought she was trying to leave the cemetery and grabbed her arm. She grabbed his wrist, knocked him to his knees and twisted his arm behind his back, almost breaking it. “You lay a hand on me again and it will no longer be attached to your body.” She shoved him to the ground then looked at Sophie, “Proceeded with the blackmail and bullshit, I’ve gotten the only answer I cared about.” She walked over to the steps of another tomb and sat down on them, crossing her arms over her knees, rested her head on them.

Katie zoned out and lost track of how much time had passed before she felt someone touch her shoulder and she looked up to see that it was Sophie. “Come on.” She jerked her head back to the tomb. “Klaus and Elijah are gone for now, but I’m sure Elijah will be back.” Katie just nodded and stood up.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie sat on the wooden bench in the tomb listening to the witches talk about how Marcel and his vampires were out of control when one of them asked, "What makes you think you can control the hybrid?"

"She can't." Elijah spoke up and everyone looked to see him leaning against the doorway of the tomb. "I'm not entirely certain I can either." He pushed himself off the wall and walked into the tomb. "But now that your coven has drawn his ire, I have a question. What prevents my brother from murdering you instead of cooperating?"

Sophie walked over to the wall of the tomb and grabbed a straw doll off of a shelf. She took a needle out of it and poked her hand. Katie winced and looked at a spot of blood that pooled in her palm. "Are you freaking kidding me? She linked me to you!?" Katie asked angrily.

"Yep. Anything that happens to me, happens to you." Sophie told her then looked at Elijah. "Which means her life is in my hands. If she so much as sets a foot out of this town I will be able to tell." Katie gritted her teeth with flared nostrils. "Klaus may not care about his own child, but it's very clear what it already means to you. If I have to hurt Katie or worse to ensure that I have your attention, I will."

Elijah took a step closer to Sophie. "You would dare threaten an original?"

"I have nothing to lose." Sophie answered. "You have until midnight to get Klaus to change his mind."

Elijah turned and left the tomb.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie was sitting outside the tomb, getting fresh air when she heard the midnight bell toll then let her head fall back. She was staring up at the sky, waiting for the witches to come kill her when she heard someone walking up and looked up to see Elijah carrying a body wrapped in light brown linen. Curious, she followed him inside the tomb. “Klaus does not care about the child.” She heard Agnes, one of the witch elders say.

“I do.” Elijah spoke up getting their attention. “And I bring proof of my intent to help you. The body of your fallen friend.” He kneeled down and placed the body on the floor. “Which I procured from Marcel himself.”

“Jane-Anne.” Sophie sighed and fell to the floor beside her dead sister.

“May she be granted peace.” Elijah told them. “Klaus will agree to your terms.” They all looked at him. “I just need a little more time.”

“You’ve had your time. It’s passed.” Agnes argued.

“Shut up, Agnes.” One of the other witches spoke up and moved to stand next to Sophie.

“For now, accept the deal.” Elijah told them. “Katie and the child remain unharmed, or Klaus will kill you all” He turned and started walking away, but stopped and turned back to look at the witches. “And I will help him.”

TVDTVDTVD

The next morning Katie was brought back to the cemetery. “When can I have my cell phone back?” she asked as she walked in and sat down on the bench. “I’m bored out of my mind.”

Sophie pulled Katie’s phone out of her back pocket and held it up. “You can’t tell anyone about your pregnancy.”

“Duh.” Katie commented and Sophie slapped the phone into Katie’s palm. “Thank you.”

She was going through her texts from Caroline, Klaus and Bonnie when Elijah and Sophie walked in. “Klaus has agreed to help us. You’re free to go, but don’t even think about leaving town. If you do, I’ll sense it and kill both of us.”

“Ten four, rubber ducky.” Katie sighed sarcastically as she pushed herself from the bench and walked over to Elijah. When they got out of the cemetery she asked, “So, how’d you get him to agree?”

Elijah opened the passenger door of his car for her. “Unlike you I didn’t give up on him.” he answered as she slid inside and he shut the door.

“I didn’t give up on him. I’m just done wasting my breath begging people to give a shit about me.” she replied not looking at him as he cranked the car and started driving.

“Do you really think he doesn’t care about you?” he asked and she just shrugged. “He cares, Katie.”

“Yeah, well, he has a funny way of showing it.” she scoffed.

“He is scared.” Elijah defended.

“And I’m not?” she asked, raising her voice.

“You’ve been a parent before. You know how to love unconditionally. Klaus doesn’t because he’s never experienced it.” Elijah reminded her.

“Can we just…stop talking about this, please?” she asked, getting aggravated.

“Of course.” He drove her out of the city and to a plantation house. “Welcome to your new home.” He parked outside the huge two story white house with large columns, black shutters and a black door.

“Well, it’s a lot better than a tomb or a swamp.” She commented then got out of the car.

After he let her inside and gave her a tour, she picked a room with a window seat and pulled the dust covers off of the bed and the rest of the furniture.

She was sitting on the window seat, her back to the door and her head leaned on the wall, looking outside when she heard someone walk up behind her. A bouquet of six red roses appeared in front of her face and she recognized the hand holding them as Klaus’s. She took them, held her hand out to the side then dropped them to the floor. She heard him sigh then a pint of strawberry ice cream and a spoon appeared in front of her. She took it and he thought she was going to drop it too, but she stood from the bench and left the room. He followed her down stairs to the kitchen where she pulled open the icebox that was made to blend with the white cabinets and stuck it in the freezer. When she turned around he gave her a curious look. “I don’t believe in wasting perfectly good ice cream.”

She walked around the island and had to pass him on the way to the door, but he gently grabbed her arm, stopping her from walking away from him. “Please accept my apology.”

“I have yet to hear one.” She pointed out as she took her arm from his grasp.

“I’m sorry.” He told her quietly. “I…”

“Acted like a pig headed dick.” She filled in for him since he couldn’t find the words.

“That’s putting it lightly.” He told her with a nod.

She took in a slow, deep breath then heaved it out, walked back over to the icebox, grabbed the ice cream and the spoon she’d tossed into the empty sink at one end of the island and set the container on the counter across from where Klaus stood on the other side. “I’m really going to miss alcohol…” she stabbed the spoon into the pink frozen treat and took a bite. “I’m sorry too.” She admitted then swallowed. “I shouldn’t have cornered you with an ultimatum like that.”

“How long have you known?” he asked instead of acknowledging her apology.

“I found out not long after I got here. I was hanging out at Rousseau’s after my dad left with Marcel when Sophie walked by with a plate of Fajitas. The smell made me sick and let me tell you, Sophie’s gumbo was freaking awesome, but after it came back up I don’t think I’ll ever be able to even smell it again.” He smirked at her confession, a little happy she had taken his advice and had gumbo. “That was right before I passed out from the witch roofie Sophie put in my tea.”

“Does your father know?” he asked.

“As far as he knows I skipped the breakfast we planned and left without saying goodbye.” She told him. “And I’d like to keep it that way. Bredley is one of Marcel’s day walkers. Marcel sired him and I don’t know where his loyalties lie.” She took one last bite of ice cream then put the top back on it, stuck it in the freezer and washed, dried and put away her spoon. “Speaking of Marcel, can I ask what history you have with him and this city? I know you guys had to leave in 1919, but that’s about it.”

“My family and I practically ran this town. Marcel was just an unnamed boy, a slave, when I found him, named him and took him under my wing.” He told her as he walked around the island to stand across from her where she leaned her hip against the counter. “I made Marcel everything that he is. I loved him like a son, and when my father chased me and my family from here a hundred years ago we believed Marcel was killed. We each mourned him in our own way. Yet when I returned, I found not only had he survived he had thrived. Instead of seeking us out, instead of sticking together as one, he made a choice to take everything my family had built and make it his own. Now he is living in our home. He is sleeping in our beds. There’s an M he stamps everywhere but it doesn’t stand for Marcel, it’s for Mikaelson. I want it all back. I want to be king.”

“And this baby and I…Do we have a place in this kingdom of yours?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Every king needs a queen by his side.” he replied as he slid his hand over the side of her neck. “And an heir to his throne.” He leaned into her and pressed his forehead to hers, looking her in the eyes. “Stand with me, be my queen?” he asked and she pulled her head back as he pulled her necklace out of his pocket, the clasp now fixed.

“Let me hear you say it…out right, no talk of kingdoms.” She told him, not giving in to him yet.

His mouth opened to say something but he closed it. She nodded and tried to turn her back on him to walk away, but he grabbed her arm and spun her around, catching her lips with his. It took a few seconds before she let herself kiss him back. When it broke he pressed his forehead to hers. “I want you…both of you.” She gave him a small smile as she gathered up her loose auburn waves and lifted them as she turned her back on him. He put the necklace back around her neck. “And I never want to see this necklace leave your neck again.”

“Good, because I never want to take it off again.” She told him as she slid her fingertips over the smooth metal then put her hand on his cheek. “I’ll be your queen or your little phoenix or…whatever you want to call me.” she smiled to herself more than him. “You’ve really got to stop giving me nicknames.”

He chuckled, happy they were back on good terms. “The nicknames are endless because you…” he grabbed her hips and picked her up, setting her on the island next to the sink, “are my everything.” His words knocked the breath out of her in a good way this time. After taking in a deep, forced breath she caught his lips with hers and the kiss quickly turned heated and a moan left her lips as she pulled him closer with her legs. A sigh left his lips as she started kissing his neck.

She was kissing his lips and about to grab the hem of his shirt and pull it over his head when she heard someone clear their throat. Klaus stopped kissing her and rolled his eyes as they both looked at Elijah, leaning against the door frame. “I see you two made up.” Katie unwrapped her legs from Klaus’s waist.

“We were working on it.” Klaus answered with a smirk that Elijah ignored and made Katie look at the floor with a blush.

“Is it done?” Elijah asked Klaus, making Katie look up at them, confused.

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Klaus answered. “Your underhanded deal worked quite well. Marcel was only too happy to accept my blood, even as he accepted my heartfelt apologies. His man Thierry yet lives and I remain a welcome guest in the French quarter. My only concern now is this coven of impudent witches.”

“You do know I’m linked to Sophie right?” Katie asked Klaus who gave her an interested look. “If she dies I die and while I will come back, the baby might not.”

“I believe them to be honorable though.” Elijah spoke up. “They did release Katie to me, although they haven’t been entirely forthcoming. Marcel obviously has something that they need. They don’t want him dead. There must be a reason why.”

Out of nowhere a wave of nausea rolled over Katie sending her rushing to the bathroom. She was flushing the toilet when Elijah asked, “Are you okay?”

“Ugh.” She responded and rested her forehead on the toilet seat knowing it was clean since they’d just moved into the house. “Please look away.” She groaned.

Instead he walked inside, grabbed a washcloth, wet it and rang it out. “You forget this isn’t the first time I’ve seen you sick.” He pointed out as he handed her the cloth. She took it and his offered hand when he offered it.

He pulled her up. “I didn’t forget. I caught the flu back in Ireland and wouldn’t let you give me your blood.” she remembered then wiped her face and mouth and rinsed the cloth out and draped it over the faucet. “Why was that again?”

“You said it was a human experience that you needed to get through so that you wouldn’t get sick again.” He reminded her.

“And Jonah ever so politely told me I was being stupid.” She said as she put her hand on the counter and leaned on it.

“You were running a fever and not thinking straight.” he added. “Jonah convinced me to heal you while you were sleeping.”

“And I thanked you for it when I woke up.” She gave him a small smile. “At least this time you don’t have to pick stew chunks out of my insanely tight curls.”

“I didn’t have to do it then.” He pointed out with a small smile of his own, reminding her that he did it because he loved her, not because he had to. “And if I may…” he grabbed the rag and rinsed it out then wiped at a spot of puke on her cheek that she’d missed. When he was done he tossed the rag into the dirty clothes hamper behind her.

“So,” Katie started realizing that reminiscing wasn’t the best idea, “Where did you go after I woke up and you left Mystic Falls?” she asked, as she hopped up to sit on the bathroom counter, wanting to stick close to the toilet in case she got sick again.

“I’m surprised Niklaus hasn’t already told you.” he told her as he leaned back on the wall across from her in the small guest bathroom. She just looked at him and shrugged. He narrowed his eyes, thinking about not telling her. “Katherine contacted me and said she had the cure. She thought we could be of mutual use to one another.”

Katie bit her lips closed and narrowed her eyes back at him. “You were with her, with her weren’t you?”

“Katie I-” he started

“Stop, rewind and forget I asked. It’s none of my business.” She interrupted him. “I told you we needed to move on. So you moved on just like I did.”

“I tried to move on.” He corrected her. “It did not work.”

She wanted to ask why. A small part of her wanted to know if he couldn’t move on because he was still hung up on her, but another… much bigger part dedicated to Klaus, didn’t care. “Good.” She saw curiosity flash behind his pretty brown eyes. “You can do better than the colossal bitch that is Katherine Pierce. Now,” she hopped down off the bathroom counter and walked over to the bathroom door, “if you don’t mind I really need to shower.”

She was getting out of the shower when she heard the all too familiar sound of Elijah in pain. With a whoosh she wrapped the towel around herself and went to where she’d heard the sound only to find an empty room. She went back to her room and got dressed then started searching the house. After an hour she found a hidden room containing coffins, one of which reminded her of her bedroom in Klaus’s house in Mystic Falls. She noticed Elijah’s coffin missing and after searching the room thoroughly she found two silver daggers.

TVDTVDTVD

She was removing dust cloths from some of the furniture out of the need to do something when she heard the front door open and close. Klaus heard her and found here. “Where’s Elijah?” she asked flatly.

“Exactly where he needs to be.” Klaus answered and did that thing where he looked down his nose at her.

“Where he needs to be is here, with us, but he’s not.” She replied, her nostrils flaring a bit. “I searched this house over and do you know what I found?” she asked rhetorically as she closed the space between them and glared up at him. “Daggers and coffins…one of each missing and one coffin that looked suspiciously like it could me mine.” He sighed and blinked at her. “Start. Explaining.”

“The white coffin is yours.” he told her and she took in an angry breath, but kept her mouth shut. “I had it custom made when I thought you were dying and I haven’t been able to convince myself to get rid of it. I have no intention of ever seeing you in it.”

She had to admit, he was smart to lead with that. She found it touching that he’d had a coffin custom made for her to be buried in style…or on the even creepier side, kept with him in style. But she shook herself out of her thoughts and put the glare back on her face. “Get to the part where you tell me where Elijah’s at.”

“He was a weakness. Marcel was nervous. It was bad enough that one original returned to town, but two… His crew was getting antsy. He wanted Elijah gone. So I gave him a peace offering.” She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. “I have a plan to keep you safe. Gain Marcel’s trust, dismantle his empire, and see to it that our baby is born into an environment free of wolf hating vampires and witches threatening to kill you.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I am taking care of you the only way I know how.” She gently grabbed his wrists and took his hands from her face. “Katie…”

“We will continue this conversation after I calm down.” she told him with a tight voice and a hard look. He let her walk away.

She was sitting at the dining table and had finished off the ice cream that Klaus had bought her when he dared to show his face to her again. She didn’t say a word as she watched him pull out a chair and sit down across from her. “Calm yet?”

“As much as I’m gonna get.” She answered, then tossed the spoon into the empty container and pushed it to the side. “Elijah’s not a weakness or a bargaining chip. He’s an asset. With that being said, tell me the full truth. You didn’t dagger him just because of Marcel, did you?”

Klaus sighed and looked down at the table then back up at her. “Contrary to his escapades with Katerina he is still in love with you, Katie.” She gritted her teeth. “I heard the two of you, reminiscing over a time when it was him taking care of you.”

“New flash,�� she started with an attitude, “We have seven years of memories together and from time to time those memories are going to resurface. Yes, I look back on them fondly as I’m sure he does too, and yes I still love him, but I am not in love with him and he is not the Mikealson brother I want. You are and you know it.” He nodded, letting her know he understood and the look in his eyes told her he was sorry. “The reason he is an asset is because the old saying, it takes a village to raise a child is incredibly true. Parents are the most important people in a child’s life, but they also need aunts and uncles, people that round out their world. If you keep daggering our village this child doesn’t stand a chance.”

“It will take time, but I will find a way to get him back.” he told her quietly.

“Good.” She stood up and walked around the table to lean her hips against it and look down at him. “And if I’m not mistaken, don’t kings usually keep their queens informed on battle plans?” she asked, with an arched brow.

A small smile pulled at the corners of his lips as he clasped his hands in front of him with his elbows resting on the arms of the dining chair. “I will also do a better job of keeping you in the loop.”

“Thank you.” she told him with a nod and he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her over to stand in front of him and rested his head on her stomach. They both got quiet for a moment, listening to the fast beat of the baby’s heart. “Is there anything you wish to ask of me?” she asked knowing that he was used to doing what he wanted when he wanted and now he was having to accommodate her.

He picked his head up and looked up at her. “As much as I want to show you New Orleans I need you to stay here.” he told her. “If your father sees you out and about in the quarter he’ll start asking questions. As you’ve already pointed out he is part of Marcel’s inner circle. You need to remain a secret.”

“And if my father runs into you in the quarter?” she asked. “He knows we’re together. He’ll want to know where I am.”

“You went on a pre-graduation road trip. Last I heard you were in Chicago.” He told her.

“That actually sounds like something I would do and answers why I’m not in Mystic falls in case he went looking for me. It’s a given that my friends back in Mystic Falls can’t know the truth either huh?” she asked and he nodded, knowing she would hate lying to her friends. “Then they get the same story.” she agreed. “But if I’m going to be locked away in here I’m going to need a few things.”

“Like what?” he asked curiously.

“Internet, a laptop and a three in one printer.” She answered. “Even if I can’t make it to graduation I fully intend on getting my diploma and I have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Your wish is my command.” He told her with a closed lipped smile.

“As yours is mine.” She told him then placed her hands on the arms of the chair and leaned down, looking him in the eyes. “Thank you.” She pecked him on the lips and he smiled.

[lucywritesreid]

I know what you are

Notes: I’ve been re-reading twilight and watching criminal minds (it’s almost like I’m trying to relive my youth!) and the scene where Spencer doesn’t know what ‘cullen’ is just kills me every time.

 Summary: Y/N is excited about the release of Midnight Sun. Spencer still doesn’t know what all this hype is about. But he’s about to get involved.

 Word count: 1.5k

 “Y/N, oh my gosh! C’mere!” Penelope shouted in glee, pushing herself away from her computer desk and waving her arms around her face. “You need to see this!” You ran across the room towards her and leaned over her shoulder to read what was on the screen.

Midnight Sun, the new release from Stephanie Meyer.

“Holy shit!” you laughed and squeezed Penelope’s shoulder at the same time. “I didn’t know this was actually coming out!”

“I don’t believe it either y/n but I know I’m gonna need a marathon watching session beforehand!” You both giggled and carried on reading all the details on the screen. Sure, you were both grown women, but you’d be damned if that meant you weren’t excited about the hot vampires and werewolves. “Okay,” Penelope looked up at you, a serious expression across her face. “On the count of three we both need to say which team we are on. 1, 2, 3…”

“TEAM EDWARD!” 

The happy news of the book release followed you for the rest of the day. Penelope couldn’t help herself making twilight puns whenever she spoke to you. You’d managed to get JJ on board with your excitement, although you were slightly disappointed when she declared her support for Team Jacob.

“Listen guys… I just like looking at them with their shirts off. The vampires, not so much,” she’d shrugged, and you’d happily accepted her explanation. Emily was slightly more reluctant about getting involved, but couldn’t resist looking at all the pictures of ‘topless werewolves’ that you googled during your lunch break. You were still discussing the saga towards the end of the day just as Spencer had walked over to ask if you were ready to go home yet.

“Reid! You haven’t seen the twilight films have you?” Emily asked with a smirk, fully knowing what the answer would be.

“I-I haven’t, no,” he stuttered with a furrowed brow, also guessing where this conversation was headed. “I’m just not really into the whole thing.”

Your jaw almost hit the floor when you looked up at him. How had he not seen them? More importantly, how had you lived together for nearly a whole year and didn’t know he’d never seen one of your favourite film series?

“Well sweet boy you’re gonna have to catch up because there’s a new book coming out and your darling y/n is going to become mega obsessed all over again,” Penelope responded on your behalf. You were slightly smug that someone else was pointing out he should watch them.

He could hardly say no in a room full of witnesses. “Sure thing, Garcia,” he laughed and reached out for your hand.

…

 Two days later, and you’d had the most exhausting day. You’d agreed to start Thai boxing with Emily after work, and although you enjoyed spending time together, there was very little energy left for your evenings. You stepped in the front door and set your gym bag on the floor. It was oddly dark and you reached out for the hall light. That was strange. You knew Spencer was home, he’d left before you went boxing. “Spence, babe? Are you here?” You called out and edged into the front room.

You could hardly believe what was in front of your eyes. Spencer had moved all your furniture to the side of the room and out on the floor lay a large pile of throw pillows and blankets. Every shelf and surface was littered with lit candles, vanilla and cinnamon swirling around the room. You noticed a plate of red velvet cupcakes and two full glasses of red wine on the edge of the blanket. It looked so inviting. And to make the scene even more perfect, Spencer was stood in his black silk pyjamas in the middle of the room, a proud smile on his face.

“Honey, what is this?” you asked, a mixture of confusion and excitement in your voice.

“Well, after you were talking about your new book coming out the other day, I realised that I have neglected that part of your personality. This is one of your hobbies and I want to experience it with you. So, we’re going to watch the twilight films. This is gonna be our set up every night for the rest of the week. I’ve left your pyjamas on the edge of the bed. The matching ones of course.”

You raced across the room towards him, careful not to stand on any of his decorations. “You are going to love this, I promise!” You wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss, before he pulled away a minute later.

“Go get changed bloodsucker,” he laughed.

….

Twenty minutes later and you both sat cross-legged on the blanket, fully indulged in the film. Spencer’s scepticism was noticeable from the beginning but you knew he was trying his hardest to enjoy himself. To make the experience more enjoyable, you had refrained from sharing trivia about the cast. Instead, you were profiling each of the character’s as you first met them.

The most enjoyable was when the Cullen family first arrived in the cafeteria. “Okay, here we go!” Spencer sat up and cracked his knuckles. “Well, he’s clearly got some kind of hidden trauma. He’s the most uncomfortable one there,” he pointed to a figure on the screen.

“Yeah honey that’s Jasper, you won’t believe the poor things that guys experienced…”

“And her! The one with him. She reminds me of you,” he turned away from the screen and gave you a smile.

“Alice? How come?” your cheeks were reddening. But you were not about to reveal that you’d desperately wanted to be Alice when you first read the books all those years ago.

Spencer shrugged. “She looks happy. Kind. Caring. And next to the rest of them who all look so miserable, she stands out. Just like you.”

The rest of the film was filmed with commentary about the character’s odd movements and behaviours. Spencer declared his favourite part was when Edward covered his mouth when Bella came into the classroom. He couldn’t stop laughing, and you couldn’t help but join him. “There are serial killers who don’t look that intensely at their victims!” he roared.

“I suppose he kinda wants her to be a victim, Spence. He wants to drink her blood.”

“Even so, you think a guy that’s been supposedly a vampire for such a considerable amount of time would be a little more subtle about it.”

You smirked. You couldn’t help but put yourself in that situation. Imagining discovering Spencer was a vampire, a beautiful immortal. How it would feel if his teeth bit down into the softness of your warm skin…

By the end of the first film, you were recreating the end scene. As soon as Spencer saw them going off to prom, he’d stood up from the blanket bed and asked for your hand. “Let’s join them,” and you were quick to follow. You danced around the living room, arms around his neck and his chest firmly pressed against you. You didn’t have to look up at the screen to know that your dancing was far better than the one on the screen. More passionate, more loving.

“I’ve really enjoyed this, y’know…” he whispered softly, inches away from your mouth. “Same again tomorrow?”

You nodded and melted away into his arms as he leaned down to kiss you.

 …

The next day, you were relieved to come home to the same setup as the day before. This time, you had red wine again, but it was accompanied by popcorn. The smell of your favourite candles lingered from the day before. You settled down into your pillow bed, this time choosing to sit practically on Spencer’s lap, your head nuzzled up into his neck. “This one makes me sad,” you sighed softly just after Edward left Bella in the forest. “I couldn’t imagine you doing this to me…”

He reached out and gently caressed your hair with his fingertips, “Never gonna happen,” he kissed your hair, “besides, they’re going to have a lovely reunion in Italy towards the end. Maybe we should go on vacation to Italy in the summer…”

You gasped. Escaping from his embrace you picked up the nearest cushion and gripped it between your fingers. “Spencer! How do you know that?! Did you watch this without me?” You pouted, teasing him by raising an eyebrow.

He looked down sheepishly and said quietly, “I may have read all the books when you went to sleep last night, y/n.”

You tapped him on the shoulder with the cushion. “No fair! I can’t see your genuine reactions now when you know what happens!” It was hard to fake being annoyed at someone so heartbreakingly adorable. “What will I do now…”

“We,” he interjected, “will finish these films and you can enjoy my now well-informed commentary.” He smirked. “And then we’ll get round to booking that holiday.”

You set down the pillow and went back to your previous position with your head on his shoulder. “Okay, fine. But you have to promise we can have a little vampire roleplay when we go to bed later.”

“Definitely,” Spencer agreed, “you look good enough to eat!” He said in a terrible Count Dracula-like accent.

“That’s not even how they talk in this…” you giggled.

“Well maybe it should be.”

[90spumkin]

Unexpected Switch (Part Five)

Summary: Things start to get heated when there’s a new development in the case.

A/N: I finally finished the update! I hope you all enjoy! I am hoping to finish the series very soon! Also my taglist is open just let me know if you would like to be added to it.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Fem! Reader

Warnings: swearing, criminal minds talk, detailed crime scene, implied panic attack

Word Count: 1565

“Damn it. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”, Spencer’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. I looked up at him from my place on Emily’s couch. We had finished the cognitive interview only minutes prior.

“It’s a dropped chocolate bar. Stop being dramatic.” Emily scolded Spencer but there was a small smile playing on her lips. I smiled at his dorkiness and walked over to him.

“Here take mine.” I offered him with a shy smile. He raised his eyebrows as if asking me if I was sure. I gave him a simple nod and he took it from my hand.

“I kind of feel bad taking this since I bought it for you.” Spencer unwrapped the candy bar as he spoke.

Emily snickered, “Yeah you’re real tore up about it.” I laughed as he narrowed his eyes at her and took a bite that was a little more dramatic than necessary.

He finished the bite he had taken before he spoke again, “So was the interview helpful?”

I looked away and walked back over to the couch, trying to conceal the tears that threatened to spill. I cleared my throat, “Well let’s just say if I had the qualifications I do now I could have spotted all the signs with no doubt.”

Spencer stopped mid bite of his candy bar, “Elaborate please.” I looked at Emily letting her explain knowing I would not make it through without choking up.

“Y/n couldn’t remember much, but what she could remember is disturbing to say the least. She could remember how any time Tessa would get in trouble it was like it did not affect her. Of course, this could seem normal as some 2-year old’s are describe as defiant. What sets Tessa apart is she tended to throw toys and things at the other children and was happy when they would end up hurt no one ever saw this of course, except her sister.”

Spencer’s eyes were wide the whole time he was listening talk, “Wow that’s a lot for any kid. Studies show that psychopathic tendencies can be shown as early as 2 years old, but no one ever starts to think anything of it until the child is about 4 years of age. A lot of the times the child is 12 before anyone notices, and sometimes not even then.”

Emily and I both nodded, “We figured I blocked everything from my time at the foster home subconsciously, especially since most people can’t remember things before the age 4 to 5 years old. I figured my parents didn’t want me growing up with those memories so when they told me I was adopted they painted a very different picture.”

Emily looked at me and said, “I hate to say it, but I would have most definitely have done the same thing.” Spencer and I nodded in agreement. That’s when Matt poked his head in the door.

“Hey guys there’s been another murder, and there’s something else.”

---------

“How the hell did this even happen?” Emily stood at the head of the table her hands in fist at her sides. Rossi sat back in his chair when he said, “Garcia is working on it, but we have a working theory someone back in Massachusetts leaked the fact that y/n’s twin is the unsub and her involvement with us on this case. They haven’t given her a name yet thank God. JJ is working on getting a handle on it.”

Emily nodded, “Good, that explains why she hasn’t jumped states, Okay what’s different about this murder?”

Tara was the one who spoke and pulled up the crime scene, “She staged the body this time.”

The scene in front of me was beyond gruesome. The girl was tied to a tree, her throat slashed. She had on a prom gown and the words ‘Miss Perfect’ carved into her chest.

I was standing behind the table to anxious to sit, I felt myself backing up, well more like falling, when I felt firm hands on my waist. I looked up to see Spencer. He leaned his head down to whisper in my ear, “You okay?” I nodded and he started to move away, but before I could think I quickly grabbed his hand not wanting the warmth of him near me to leave. He looked down to where my hand was on his, he turned his hand over and interlocked our fingers. We shared a smile, his filled with understanding and mine filled with gratefulness. I didn’t miss Luke watching the interaction or the smirk on his face.

Once I tuned back to the conversation happening before me, I heard Tara say, “There’s something else. There is another message besides what is on her chest. Local officials want us at the crime scene.”

-------

“This is my life now. I have climbed this hill and now I will die upon it.” Luke stood at the top of the hill looking slightly out of breath.

Rossi being the sassy Italian man he is responded with, “Shut up asshat. We’ve only been walking for 10 minutes.”

Spencer and I was walking behind Rossi trying and failing at concealing our laughs. Luke just glared at us before continuing the hike towards the crime scene. Really Tessa? Middle of the woods? Come on!

The team profiled that Tessa is starting to evolve because this murder was so different than the others, more organized. Emily made the decision for me to visit the crime scene because of what Tara had told us, we are hoping something will be triggered in my mind to help catch my sister before anyone else gets hurt.

“Hey, you sure you’re up for this?” Spencer had placed a hand on the small of my back, bringing me from my thoughts.

I nodded, “Yeah I just hope whatever this ‘message’ is, triggers something. I have this feeling like I’m missing something, like there has to be something about her consistency in slashing the victim’s throats and now this.”

Spencer supported my thoughts, “I was actually thinking about that earlier when they showed us this new murder. This way different than just slashing girl’s throats on the street. Whatever her reasoning for staging this body is important and we need to figure out why and fast.”

I muttered an agreement right when we reached the crime scene. The smell hit me first, the body was found only a few hours ago according to the local sheriff, but the Virginia heat was speeding up the decomposition.

Luke and Rossi had reached their destination before Spencer and I; Luke was examining the girl’s legs, “Y/n, I think you need to see this.”

I walk over to him; they had the victim’s dress hoisted up to her mid thighs and it looked as if there was writing on them. “Her legs were broken, you can tell by the deformation here”, he pointed to a spot right above of her knees, “and I am going to take a pretty good guess and say this is the ‘message’ Tara was talking about.”

I moved closer to him and I could feel Spencer and Rossi behind us. On her right leg Tessa had carved some numbers, ‘4-17’. “What does that have a significance to?” Rossi asked out loud.

“There are actually a lot of different symbolism for each number individually and together. For instance- “Spencer’s rant was cut off by the look on my face. I had stood up and was backing away, “No that was the date of my senior prom, I remember because I swore to never drink again after that day because I broke my leg at an after party and it ruined my basketball career. I had made a new friend at the party, I was kind of buzzed but I remember we laughed about how similar we looked.”, I took a deep breathe, “It was Tessa.”

Luke spoke up from where he was still squatted down, “Hey guys the skin on the back of her left leg has been removed.” About that time the Sheriff walked up holding several evidence bags, “One of my deputies just founds these scattered a few yards from here. They all have numbers carved on them like the ones on her leg.”

I felt like I was going to be sick, I rushed past the Sheriff and back down the hill, I couldn’t breathe. Just like before Spencer was there bringing back from the edge, “Hey focus on my voice, come back to me y/n.” He put my hand on his chest, “Focus on the beating of my heart, that’s it good.” I broke into a sob; I didn’t care how unprofessional I was being. Spencer wrapped me in a hug with no hesitation, a hand on my head and arm around my waist.

I collected myself and pulled back slightly in his arms to make eye contact and say, “She’s been watching and interacting with me this whole time. Spencer how could I not realize my twin sister was a part of my life.”

He pulled me back into him when something hit me. I pulled completely out of his arms, his face was full of confusion and worry but the emotion it held completely changed when I said, “I know what her trigger was and I may know how we can catch her.”

*

*

*

@criminalmindzjunkie​ @hendersonsshadow​ @brooklynxnicole​ @martinafigoli​ @misschil3​

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

This ask is a bingo card free space to talk about Stephen King stuff, cuz your last ask makes it seem like you have interesting stuff to say.

I don't know about interesting, and these are more personal opinions than anything else rather than meta of any kind, but I guess I can give it an answer.

Stephen King is a great novelist. I will start off with that immediately. The Dark Tower Series, while I have my gripes, remains one of my favorite fantasy series to this date (the first four books at least, after that is... for the second half of this post). Carrie, despite being his first novel, is iconic and memorable for a reason and packs a hard punch even when you know the Prom is coming.

This isn't really King so much but while there are many shitty film adaptations of his work there are several unbelievably good film adaptations to include The Green Mile, Stand by Me, the reboot IT Part 1 (Part 2 was... alright but not nearly as good), The Shining, and I'm sure others I either haven't seen yet or am momentarily forgetting about.

He's not one of my favorite novelists, but he is very good, and he's written some great works.

That said, he has his hang-ups and weirdness that he will almost always dump into a story.

What I was referencing in this post was that Stephen King has certain... I guess we'll call them Stephen King tropes. These are things that will pop up more often than not in Stephen King novels. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, but you get an idea what to expect if you read enough of his work.

Rape/Sexual Abuse

There's a lot of rape in Stephen King novels and a lot of the time it's fucking weird.

IT, infamously, in the book has a gang bang scene where all the twelve your old boys have sex with the girl to save the universe. (No, seriously, this happens in the book. Funny that no film adaptation kept that one).

In The Dark Tower series we have the incubus/succubus that shows up more than once, and yes, part of it is that the story is based on Arthurian lore where there is canonically rape that's very important (Morganna's seduction of/sleeping with Arthur under false pretenses) but it's also just... really really uncomfortable and weird.

It's not every novel, but sometimes you see it and you just want to ask King, "Why?"

"Why, Stephen King, am I reading this scene which I'm not sure needed to be in this book? Did you really have to put this in here?"

The Stephen King Villains

Stephen King has a few types of villains, there's your primordial inhuman evil that takes advantage of human weakness (see the hotel in The Shining, the cemetery in Pet Semetary, IT in IT, etc.) and then there's your human cast of villains.

These vary too, but there's a certain flavor of them that I don't see anywhere else, and that's his teenage villains.

Usually, they themselves turn out to be victims of domestic abuse, which informs their violence in turn as they're caught in a tragic cycle, but you get these hyperviolent/vindictive kids who are just going to fuck up your life for little reason.

(The closest non Stephen King counterpart I can think of is Harry Potter's Marauders and specifically Sirius Black whose goading Severus Snape into nearly getting eaten by a werewolf is exactly the kind of shit that would happen in Carrie.)

I actually do like his villains, both his eldritch evil and the human pawns, and I like that the humans do tend to show depth in that they have reasons to become what they do and that usually a choice involved to become worse for some reason.

That said, they are a trope of his, and you know them when you see them.

Other Tropes

There are other things that come up, but as I haven't read most of Stephen King's works, or even most of his famous works, I don't feel comfortable extrapolating in the case that there really are counterexamples out there.

I've just come to expect that when I read Stephen King I'll get great stuff but I may also get fucking bonkers things as well. Sometimes the bonkers aids the story and sometimes I could do without it.

[thebestpersonherelovesbucky]

A Flower, A Note, A Secret

Summary: Bucky Barnes gets to school and finds a flower and a note taped to his locker. He figures it’s someone setting him up. Then again...it might be from someone wonderful.

Characters: Steve Rogers x Bucky Barnes

Word Count: 1.2k

Tags: high school, mentions of recreational drug use, fluff

written for @captain-rogers-beard​‘s  Flex Your Writing Muscles Challenge 

Prompt: The language of flowers, pajamas, a secret passageway

Bucky stops short right there in the middle of the hallway. Taped to his locker is a yellow flower. With it, an envelope--his name scrawled across it in messy handwriting. 

People are staring at him. Some giggling. Some impatiently. Some shocked. Probably because Bucky Barnes, their resident charity case and outcast has a flower and a note on his locker. It’s probably some sick joke. Just another asshole in this insufferable school trying to fuck with him.

With all those eyes on him, Bucky plucks the flower off, gives it a sniff, and then opens the envelope. Inside, is a folded up piece of paper. Written on it, is the name of the flower and what it means. 

Yellow Chrysanthemum = Secret admirer.  Meet me behind the locker room after 9th.

Not that many people know about that room. An old weight room, Bucky thinks. Shield Preparatory School’s own secret passageway. Bucky’s gone back there to get high when he just needs to get away from all these snobs.

When the two buddies he does have in school--Natasha and Clint--get wind of it, neither of them are willing to let him miss this opportunity. 

“You gotta go,” Clint urges. “Maybe someone’s gonna ask you to prom!”

Bucky scoffs. “Doubtful. I’m gay. Which fucking guy here is gonna ask me to the prom?”

“What about Sam Wilson?” Natasha suggests. “He’s a cool guy.”

Captain of the baseball team, student body president, and member of the LGBTQ Alliance Club. 

He is a cool guy. For all the complaining Bucky does about most of the student population, there are a few exceptions and he’s one of them. Bucky had quite the crush on him last year. There’s only one problem.

“He’s already going with Maria Hill,” Bucky says. “Besides, what would Sam Wilson want with a guy like me?”

Both of them punch him in the arm, and since they’re on either side of him, it means both arms get punched. 

“Ow!” he exclaims, even though that really didn’t hurt. “Totally unnecessary.”

“You’re going,” Clint says. “You’re not talking your way out of it.”

Flower in hand, Bucky sighs. He doesn’t really want to admit it, not out loud anyway, but there’s a part of him that really does want to go. He’s sort of dying to find out who’s behind this. But there’s an even bigger part that’s dreading it. Because it wouldn’t be the first time that someone’s fucked with him.

He’s been a target in this damn school since the first day he came to it. He’s a nobody. Just a kid from a public school who wrote an essay that was good enough to earn a scholarship. Which meant assholes like Brock Rumlow and Helmut Zemo, kids of very powerful alumni, decided to make him their personal victim. Whether that meant punching bag or verbal harassment, they’ve been on his case for the past three years. 

If this flower came from one of them or one of their friends, and they make a laughing stock out of him, Bucky’s not so sure he’ll get over it.

“What if...” His voice cracks. “What if it’s a joke?” Bucky keeps his eyes on their lunch table. “What if it’s one of--”

“If it’s one of those assholes,” Natasha says, “I’ll rip off their dicks and make them choke on it.” 

“If it’s big enough,” Clint adds.

The remark, while so totally absurd, makes Bucky laugh so hard he nearly falls out of his chair. Neither of them is actually capable of such a thing, but they truly mean they’ll kick some ass if someone is fucking with him. 

Which is the only reason he says, “Okay. I’ll go.”

By the time 9th period is over and Bucky’s on the way to the locker room, he’s starting to wish he just stayed home in his pajamas today. His heart is in his throat. Pounding. So hard he can hear his pulse thudding in his ears. 

Just in case, Natasha and Clint are waiting for him right by the door--his backup. His bodyguards, he likes to think of them as, even though he’s very capable of throwing a few good punches if need be. More than capable. Just because he’s in drama and writes for the literary magazine instead of making touchdowns or three-pointers doesn’t mean he’s out of shape.

Bucky sucks in a deep breath and goes into the room.

At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be anyone there and he’s sure he’s been had. Then someone stands.

“B-Bucky?”

Bucky nearly falls over when he sees who’s there. For a second, he actually thinks it is a joke because there’s no way that Steve “All American” Rogers, quarterback and captain of the football team and artist and going to Yale next year and homecoming king and probably soon-to-be prom king, left him a flower that means secret admirer. 

Not only is the idea of Steve being his secret admirer just crazy, there’s no way Bucky’s that lucky. He’s had a crush on Steve since he met him when he tutored him in history. 

Out of all the people he’s met that aren’t Natasha and Clint, Steve is his favorite. He’s most decidedly not an asshole. In fact, he’s the opposite. He’s kind and sweet and both shy and social at the same time. Everyone likes Steve and those who don’t are total assholes who Steve hates right back. 

“Steve?” he questions. “Did you--” He lifts the flower. Remembers that Peggy Carter’s locker is right next to his and this is probably meant for her. “Sorry I, uh, I thought this was for me.” Bucky hands it back to him. “I guess you want this back.”

“What?” Steve shakes his head. “No, I...” A blush fills his entire face. “It’s for you. From me. I’m...” He scratches the back of his head. Shifts from foot to foot. “I’m sorry. This looked a lot romantic in my head.”

“Wait, I’m...confused.”

“Well, when I pictured asking you to prom, I thought this would be super cute, having you come to the secret room and now I’m looking around and it looks creepy as fuck and, Jesus, Steve, you suck at this. I’m sorry. Sorry, just forget about it, I’m such an asshole.”

Bucky lets out laugh that echos through the room. “Steve Rogers, are you asking me to the prom?”

“I, uh...that was the idea.” Steve sighs. “I...would you want to go with me? I understand if you don’t, I can’t imagine why someone as awesome as you would want to go with me.” 

“What?!” Bucky shrieks. “I’ve had a crush on you since day one!” Face flushing, Bucky can’t believe he just said that out loud. 

“You...really?” Steve blinks a few times and then his jaw drops. “I’ve had a crush on you, too! Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” He laughs and drops a hand on Steve’s shoulder. “If you’re really asking me to the prom, my answer is yes!”

“Y-yes?” Steve's mouth tugs itself in this adorable smile. “You wanna go with me? Really? Like, not just as friends, as...maybe more? If you’d...maybe wanna go get some pizza beforehand? I mean, like, this weekend?”

“You mean, a date?”

“Uh...yeah.” Steve nibbles his lip and, seriously, how is it fair that everything this guy does is adorable?

“I’d love to, Steve.”

Steve, stepping closer, gently cups Bucky’s cheek in his big, athletic and artistic hand. He looks like he wants to kiss him. 

“I hope you know,” Steve murmurs, leaning in closer, “I’m gonna get you more flowers.”

And he seals that promise with a soft, tender kiss.

[viscariaa]

Day 7 - Saiouma Week - AU - Prom Night!

Ship: Oumasai/Saiouma

Words: 1352

Type: Fluff/Prom AU

Trigger Warning: None

Posted: 08.08.20

Description: Kokichi Ouma is walking to Hope’s Peak Academy Prom until he stumbles across a sad Shuichi Saihara.  

“Stupid, stupid, stupid...” Kokichi kicks a small pebble as he walks along the cement sidewalk.

It was 11 pm. He should be planning more pranks, or hell even study for his insanely hard criminal justice class. Instead he is walking, alone, in an uncomfortable white suit with his signature scarf instead of a tie, towards Hope’s Peak Academy.

“That damn avocado and robot!” Kokichi bites his nails, “I shouldn’t have agreed to this!”

Don’t get him wrong, he loves a good party. But he doesn’t want to see him. Kokichi cringes at the memory. “That kind, needy detective just had to get asked out by that girl, huh?”

“I mean who wouldn’t ask him out…” Kokichi sighs.

He remembers Shuichi’s midnight hair, milky white skin, and on the rare occasion he takes off his emo hat, his striking golden eyes. Shuichi’s gentle voice whenever he speaks or his outbursts of confidence when he is locked in a debate. Despite Kokichi’s terrible reputation, Shuichi is still caring, thoughtful, and listens to what Kokichi says.

Kokichi’s heart pounds at the thought of Shuichi, heat rising to his pale cheeks. “Awww, come on! You came to prom so you can forget about him, idiot!”  

Kokichi shoves one hand into his suit’s chest pocket, taking out the crumbled love letter. He doesn't know why he brought it with him...maybe hoping Shuichi will accept his confession?

“Tch…”

Embarrassed, he inserts it back with a huff before placing his hands behind his head. Kokichi begins to admire the scenery around him, the night sky with twinkling stars, and the slightest breeze. The houses around him looked identical and in the distance, he could make out the city still alive, buzzing with activity.

Sniff, Sniff. 

Kokichi pauses. His head snaps to the house on his left and is shocked by what he sees.

There sits Shuichi, hugging his knees while on the house's stone stairs. He wasn’t wearing his hat, causing his ahoge to face Kokichi. A withered rose bouquet and his phone lay next to him, notifications buzz through, but Shuichi doesn’t seem to notice.

“S-Shumai?”

Shuichi jumps upon hearing the all familiar nickname, “K-Kokichi?!”

Both boys stare at the other, not knowing what to say until Kokichi breaks the silence. “Shuichi, why are you upset?”

This sent chills down Shuichi’s spine. Kokichi’s voice was icy, layered with seriousness, which Shuichi never thought he would hear. “No wonder DICE listens to him when upset…”

“Shuichi. I asked a question. Why are you upset?”

“I-I-I’m not upset!” Shuichi tilts his head down, avoiding Kokichi’s gaze, but forgets he doesn’t have his hat on.

He could hear Kokichi’s steps on the stone pathway before stopping directly in front of him. Kokichi grabs Shuichi’s chin, forcing him to look into Kokichi’s amethyst eyes. Kokichi’s face was scarily calm but his eyes were focused on Shuichi like a predator hunting a prey.

“You’re a terrible liar. Explain your mascara dripping down, or the bouquet, or your totally wrinkled suit!”

Shuichi slumps his shoulders, making Kokichi let him go. “All right, I’ll tell you. But can you run to my room, and get the stuff to fix my mascara? The door is unlocked. Thank you...”

“Deal,” Kokichi said before rushing inside.

Shuichi touches his face before getting the black liquid all over his fingers, “have I really been crying this much?”

He pulls out his handkerchief from his chest pocket, wiping his fingers. He glances down at his black tux, smoothing out the wrinkles and adjusting his neon blue tie. Shuichi picks up his phone, ignoring the texts from Maki, Kaito, and Kaede, and re-reads the texts from his ex-date.

Kitani Katsu: “I’m excited for tonight.”

10:46 PM Kitani Katsu: “are u ready?” Me: “yes! I’m really excited to see you!”  

10:50 PM Kitani Katsu: “hahaha. I can’t believe u would think I would ever go on a date with a loser like you!” Me: “you are joking right?”   Kitani Katsu: “suck to suck!”   Kitani Katsu: “see you never!”

Shuichi lets out a heavy sigh as Kokichi comes back with makeup wipes, mascara, and a small hand-held mirror. He goes to get them before Kokichi holds out a finger at him, “nope! I’ll fix it!”

“You know how to put on mascara?”

“I’m friends with Rantaro.”

Shuichi sighs and closes his eyes, waiting patiently for Kokichi. But, Kokichi is trying to calm his beating heart and blushing face. “Calm down, calm down! Oh Atua, my heart is going to burst! Ahhhh!”

He opens up the mascara, pulling out the wand before going closer to Shuichi, their noses accidentally touched and Kokichi bites his lips to hold back a yelp. Kokichi glances down, noticing Shuichi’s pink lips.

“No, Kokichi! Calm yourself down! Don’t do anything weird!”

` Kokichi moves a bit back and musters up the courage to apply the mascara.

“I can’t believe I am doing this. If Miu or Rantaro see me, I’ll never hear the end of it…”

“S-so! What or who made my favorite cry?” 

“You know Kaitani Katsu, the popular girl from the classroom next to ours?” Shuichi begins, “well, she asked me out to prom, but it was all a ruse. I guess she wanted to show off to her friends how many dates she could get…” 

Kokichi could feel fury well up inside of him, “how dare she! She made my favorite cry! Looks like I know who my next victim of pranking is going to be!”

“K-Kokichi? Are you all right? You’re acting strange...”

“If he says what I think he is going to say-” 

“You are being...really serious, right now…”

“Oh, thank Atua!” 

“Well, someone hurt my beloved! Of course, this is serious! This is an emergency!” Kokichi exclaims, finally finishing the first eye. 

“I appreciate it, Kokichi. I’ll have to find a way to make it up to you!”

Kokichi immediately knows what he wants, but he bites his tongue instead. “No way, Kokichi. He probably doesn’t even like you. So don’t ask him to go to prom with-” 

“You can go to prom with me.” 

“I want to bury in a hole and die. Good job, Kokichi. You just lost your one chance-” 

“Ok.” 

Kokichi stumbles back, his eyes widening at Shuichi’s answer. “W-w-wait! You-! Yes?! W-wha-!?” 

“Is there something wrong, Kokichi? Is the other eye done?” Shuichi cocks his head. 

“Y-yes, it’s done…”

Shuichi opens his eyes before fanning them with his hands. Both stay there in silence, Kokichi trying to calm himself down while Shuichi is drying off his mascara. “May I get the mirror?” 

Kokichi’s hand wobbles as he gives the mirror to Shuichi. “So, how is my amazing work? I have no ideas how you can do this everyday! Seriously!” 

“It’s actually not bad…” Shuichi admires his eyeliner, “you get used to doing it.”     

Soon, Shuichi puts the mirror behind him and locks his house. Then, he holds out his hand to Kokichi, “let’s go!” 

“Hold up!” Kokichi whips around, pulling out the love letter, “let me ask you properly!” 

Kokichi turns back around, placing the letter in his beloved’s outstretched hand, “Shuichi Saihara, would you accept the honor of accompanying the ultimate supreme leader to a gala of fun?” 

Shuichi giggles, “yes, yes, I will!” He kisses the back of Kokichi’s hand, smiling at the flustered leader. 

Kokichi laughs before grabbing his hand and together walking down the road to the Hope’s Peak Academy Prom. 

Bonus:  

Shuichi is humming with a goofy grin on his lips before Kokichi interrupts him. “Someone seems weirdly happy about this!”  

“I really wanted to ask you, but I was scared of letting Kaitani Katsu down…” Shuichi sheepishly said. 

“Why were you sad about her standing you up, then?” 

“It still hurts to get played like that…”

“Awww!” Kokichi pats his head, “don’t go all emo like that on our date!”

“D-date?!”

“Of course, it doesn’t have to be one…” Kokichi tries to let go of Shuichi’s hand but Shuichi holds onto it firmer.

“I’d love for it to be our date!” Shuichi laughs and soon Kokichi does as well.

Yipee! All seven prompts are finished! The first time I ever finished a saiouma week so I’m proud of myself! Prompt #7 - AU by @saiouma-events, all the prompts you provided were amazing ^-^ I might take a bit off to try and avoid a writing burn out, but more will be coming! Sending virtual hugs! - December             

[letsbenditlikebennett]

When Wolves Knock || Ariana & Orion

TIMING: Before Winn ran off.  PARTIES: @3starsquinn​ & @letsbenditlikebennett​ SUMMARY: Ariana goes by Ricky and Winston’s to surprise them with venison stew. They’re not home, but Ariana and Rio end up hanging out. 

With how much kindness Ricky and Winston had shown her, Ariana had wanted to drop by with a nice surprise for them. This batch of venison stew had come out wonderfully and she knew Ricky especially would appreciate it. There was nothing quite as tasty as fresh venison and she liked being able to share with the people she loved most. As she knocked on the door, she hoped one of them was home. She could easily leave the cold bag on the porch, but being able to hang out and chat for a bit would be nice. When the door opened, she was surprised to see a new face. That’s right, Winston had mentioned they had a new roommate. She shifted the bag on her arm and greeted, “Hey, you must be the new roommate. I think we spoke online before. I’m Ariana. I’m friends with Winston and Ricky. I brought some venison stew by.... Figured it’d be a nice surprise. Are either of them home?”

Orion still didn’t really know what to do in the house by himself. Maybe he wasn’t 100% comfortable inside of a house that he didn’t really consider his, despite Ricky and Winston’s countless attempts to make him feel as at home and welcome as possible. It wasn’t that they hadn’t done a great job or anything, Rio just thought that they vastly underestimated how awkward Rio was as a person. For example, Rio was in the kitchen, finding snack food when he heard someone approaching the front door. For a moment Rio completely froze, unsure what to do without Ricky or Winston there to answer the door for them. Eventually, Rio realized that he was apparently in charge of that for the moment. But that didn’t stop him from sulking towards the door slowly and deliberately. He didn’t look ready for visitors, with an oversized hoodie, sweatpants and a baseball cat smashing his pink hair down. But oh well. Beef jerky stick in one hand, he used his free one to open the front door. He was immediately hit by that way too familiar sensation. Werewolf. Since only one person stood around him, it wasn’t very hard to deduce who it was. A girl, younger than him and carrying some kind of food with her. “Hey there…” Rio started, more confused and apprehensive than anything else before realizing that it probably sounded pretty rude. “Sorry. Hey!” he snapped from his funk and took a bite from the jerky stick. “We did! Nice to meet you in person. I’m Rio. That was nice of you! Uh sorry neither of them are here right now…” He shrugged, wondering exactly what he should do in this situation. Anybody could stroll up claiming to know them right? But the girl didn’t seem malicious or anything. “Do you want to come in? We can put the stew in the kitchen. If you want you can hang out until one of them gets back.”

There was no time like the present to make friends with their new roommate, though he did seem just a little bit awkward. That didn’t really bother Ariana though. By nature, she was a social creature and she could make this work. Ricky had an open invite for the couch so it was only right to befriend the third roommate. She knew he had solid taste in Oreos which is a strong starting point. She offered a wide smile and nodded, “You’re all good. That’d be great though. I can go ahead and put it on the stove. It can literally sit there on low heat for like… ever. I know my last venison dish was a huge hit with Ricky and they’ve both been super great to me, so kind of thought it’d be nice to keep the love going, you know?” She realized she was rambling a little excitedly, but she followed him in toward the kitchen. From the last time she cooked with Winston, she remembered where the pots and pans were. She reached for a big pot to dump the stew in and left it on the stove. The sweet smell of venison, stock, and onions was already permeating the air. Ulf’s trailer still smelled damn good because of it. Ariana turned back to Rio and said, “I hope I wasn’t interrupting or anything, but hanging out would be kind of nice. How long have you known Ricky and Winston?”

Ariana seemed more comfortable with the place than Orion did. “Yeah. They’re both super great right?” He chuckled, seeing her work her magic in the kitchen, pulling out pots and pans that he didn’t even know the location of. It wasn’t shocking or anything, Rio hadn’t been here that long. Plus he wasn’t exactly an expert cook or anything. Most of his meals were Little Debbie's. “Make yourself at home!” Before it was even cooking, the stew smelled good. He could only imagine how good it must taste. “Not at all, I don’t really have a life.” Rio shrugged. He had meant it as a joke, though it may have come off as more pathetic sounding than that. “Uh a couple months. Not that long actually. Just a few months, really. We became fast friends. How about you?”

“Oh, yeah, love them both to death,” Ariana answered as she gave the stew a quick stir before leaving it to simmer for a while. She had no doubt it’d be a welcoming smell when Winston and Ricky got home. For now, she’d make it a point of making friends with their third roommate. He seemed nice albeit a little shy. “Thanks,” she said, taking the invite to pour herself a glass of water and pop down on the couch. “Aw, I’m sure you do. Having a life doesn’t have to be, like, exciting. Sometimes it’s just totally boring things that you enjoy.” It was funny, they’d known Winston and Ricky about the same amount of time. They really were just a friendly, kind-hearted bunch and she loved them for that. “I met Winston first a couple of months back. They offered help with my math class, but I’d already found a tutor. So we went to that farmer’s market.... Pro tip, don’t fucking buy the watermelons, they bite, but they brought Winston and I together… and Ricky by proxy. Who’s also great, he totally hyped me up to ask this girl on my soccer team to prom, so you know, totally stan a hype man.” She took a sip of her water before setting it down on the coffee table. “So outside of having stellar taste in Oreos and snack foods, what do you like to do for fun?”

At least Ariana had good taste. It made sense that she would love Winston and Ricky, they were both awesome. “Oh yeah. If you count reading as having a life then totally. I have a lot of lives then.” Orion shrugged and grinned shyly. “But Winston and Ricky keep me company at least so it’s not all bad.” Rio had heard about Winston’s time with the vampire watermelons, but hadn’t known that Ariana had been the one with him. “Oh! I know those things! A friend of mine and I also got attacked by them. It bit my arm!” Rio would have shown off the scar, if it didn’t blend in with the others. “Yep that totally sounds like Ricky.” While Ariana got comfy, Rio found himself curling up in a chair across from her. “I like gaming, reading, uh and definitely some other things too. Like eating.” Okay, he could definitely use some more work when it came to social skills. “What about you? How do you spend your free time?”

While reading wasn’t necessarily her thing, Ariana thought it was a cool enough hobby. She liked stories. Dyslexia just made reading a bitch. “It totally counts,” she answered with a small smile, “Not my thing, on account of I suck at sitting still and I’m dyslexic, but you know different strokes or whatever.” It was seeming like more and more people were having bad luck with the watermelon vampires. “Damn, yeah, that had to hurt. Thankfully, my combat boots were the only victims in our case. Sorry you got bit, those shits have sharp teeth.” She leaned against the arm of the couch and nodded along as Rio spoke. “Reading and gaming, nice. I do love eating, too. Also, pretty good at the cooking thing… which I guess you’ll see later. There’s totally enough stew for everyone.” Rio seemed a bit more on the shy side, but she could appreciate that. Sometimes she was entirely too… not shy. It was a good balance or something. “I like pretty much anything that involves moving. I run a lot, I like cooking, building things is always fun and will be my profession soon, and I love soccer. I’m actually coaching a camp this summer with my friend Athena. If my boss approves it, I’ll also being doing some work study with Ricky to get some more insight on wood-working. So yeah, basically the opposite. I can’t sit still for long periods of time. I’m like energizer wo- bunny. Bunny.”

Orion patted at his arm through the sleeve, almost like some kind of badge of honor. Those that survived the attack from the vampire watermelon things. “Luckily it wasn’t that bad of a bite,” That wasn’t exactly the truth, but the hunter healing may have helped, “It’s all healed up now. Can’t even tell that it was there in the first place.” That may not have been the entire truth either. It had definitely left a faint scar. But compared to all the others, this barely scratched the surface. Definitely didn’t make a distinctive first impression. “That’s great! I’m really excited to try the stew. It smells amazing.” Rio pointed back towards the kitchen. He could smell it from his seat, appreciating the layer of scents. “Sports and stuff are super fun, I’ve heard. It was never really my thing, but my sister loves them.” And speaking of his sister… Ariana…. Knew her? Oh no. Oh god. Oh no. Ariana was a werewolf. Rio was pretty sure of that. But Athena couldn’t know that, right? At least… no, she couldn’t or else Athena would have taken matters into her own hands. What the heck could Rio do about that? She couldn’t tell Ariana about Athena. Should Rio just not say anything at all? Just ignore it and move on? That was the best choice, Rio was sure. “Athena?” Rio heard himself asking before he could shut himself up. God, no. “Uh- wow small world. That’s my sister.” Rio found himself nervously giggling, using it as a guise to distract from the fake that he had started shaking. “She is very athletic. So uh- cool thing with the coaching camp. I’m sure you’ll both rock it.”

It dawned on Ariana that they could both believe in vampire watermelons and she could just leave it alone, but that really wasn’t her style. Maybe one day it’d bite her in the ass, but it hadn’t yet so she’d take her chances. She leaned back into the couch and kept her eyes on Rio. “So, you seem pretty chill about the whole there being vampire watermelons thing. I’m guessing the crazier parts of White Crest aren’t exactly news to you?” One of her brows arched at him hoping to get a truthful answer. Ricky was a selkie and Winston could do magic, it wouldn’t be totally off base for them to have another supernatural roommate. There was a shrug as he mentioned not liking sports. “They’re definitely not for everyone. I just happen to have a shit ton of extra energy by default. Gotta get some of it out for the sake of not being a crazy person.” When Rio mentioned that Athena was his sister, she had to quickly swallow the water she was drinking causing her to let out a small cough. If Winston had been seeing their new roommate’s sister and Rio’s sister was Athena, that meant Winston had been seeing Athena. Ariana’s mind was effectively blown. Her lips formed a small “o” and her eyes were wide before she caught herself. “Dude, that’s cool. She mentioned having a twin brother, but clearly didn’t connect the dots until just now.” The topic seemed a little uncomfortable for him, so she shifted in her seat and added, “But yeah, soccer camp will be pretty cool. I like kids and soccer. You got any plans for the summer or anything?”

Considering Orion was talking to a werewolf at the moment, it definitely went without saying that he was familiar with the supernatural. Of course, there was no way for Ariana to know that Rio knew. It muddied the water and always made things more difficult. It felt like some power move, an upper hand that Rio didn’t deserve. But he supposed that was the whole point, for hunters to get the upper hand. That tingling sensation had been sort of bittersweet to him. On one hand, he loved learning about the supernatural, and meeting people other than regular humans. On the other hand, it made him feel downright creepy. “Oh yeah, uh. I mean I know some. Enough. That it exists.” He constantly battled between how he could tell the truth while also… not telling the whole truth. Luckily, Ariana didn’t seem to have too many questions about his sister, thank god. “Summer plans? Well… not much aside from hanging out with them too. I just sorta tag along with Winston and Ricky wherever they go, honestly.” That, and spend a bunch of time in the Scribe building. “How long is the soccer camp? All summer long? Do you actually like… stay at the camp or is it like a ‘go home at the end of the day and come back the next morning’ kinda camp?” Rio had no idea how camps worked.

The explanation Rio had provided was really more of a nonanswer. Sure, he knew about the supernatural, but how? Ariana tried to get a lock on his scent, but she didn’t notice anything off about it so he wasn’t like Ricky or some other sort of shifter. Maybe he just grew up here and wasn’t totally blind to everything that happened around him. She hoped her attempt at being subtle had worked, but she was about to be truthful anyway. An arm absentmindedly wrapped itself around a couch cushion as she explained, “I guess it’s hard to avoid any of it living here. I mean, I knew about it before moving here, but full disclosure-- I’m a werewolf. Which Ricky and Winston both know so it’s not like a huge secret or anything. Maybe just don’t mention it to anyone outside of here.” Seeing as she had an open invitation to sleep on the couch in the midst of her current hunter drama, she figured being truthful with Rio was the right thing to do and she trusted Ricky or Winston hadn’t mentioned anything about it previously. She nodded along with his summer plans, which seemed to be a little lax, which was nice. Sometimes relaxation was needed, not that she was very good at it, but still. “Sounds pretty chill. I hope you enjoy it. Everyone needs a good reset every once and awhile.” A brow raised as Rio asked more questions about the camp, she thought he’d know because Athena but she did remember Winston mentioned things were complicated there so she answered, “Nope, not a sleepaway thing, it’s here in town. We watch them for the day and do soccer stuff while their parents are working or doing whatever it is they do while their kids are at camp.”

Orion had to physically stop himself from leaping off of the chair in excitement as Ariana disclosed her secret about being a werewolf to him. In a lot of ways, he felt so honored and happy to have the knowledge entrusted to him as well. Though even with that, there was a sort of sinking feeling in his stomach. If Rio had been any other hunter, what would they have done with this knowledge? Sure, Rio had already known because of his ability. But if Athena knew about it, if Ariana told Athena about it… Oh god. That wouldn’t be good. For anybody. Luckily, the excitement at this exact moment outweighed the fear. So it was pretty easy to pretend to be shocked at the news, despite the constant tingling feeling raising the hairs on his skin and reminding him of her species. “Holy woah…” Rio began, finally rising from the chair and sitting at the edge of it, giving Ariana his full attention. “That’s so freaking cool holy crap. I don’t really know that many other werewolves. I mean I know like two.” Or three, really. But the fact that Rio knew wasn’t exactly a topic of discussion. Not yet at least. “But of course. I promise your secret is safe with me.” He wanted to support her, even if he couldn’t be completely honest with her himself. It just complicated things. There was no easy way to tell a werewolf that he was a beast hunter. Not without that look of fear and hatred in their eyes. Rio was familiar enough with that look from himself. But that brought things to a whole other topic. Ariana and soccer camp. And Athena. “That’s really cool. I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun.” He began, smiling and trying to determine how to phrase his next sentences. “So uh- weird request. Is there any chance that you could… not mention anything to my sister about knowing where I live? It’s like… a whole thing. I’m kind of in a fight with our parent’s right now and don’t want them to know where I’m at.”

Living with Winston and Ricky, Ariana had much doubt that Rio would take the whole werewolf thing well. She did have a standing invite for the couch so she figured honesty was probably a good call. The story of her current not so ideal situation could be told if she ever did have to take Ricky up on that offer. It was cool that he seemed pretty excited about it though. She smiled and responded, “Thanks, I like to think so. Definitely comes in handy with some of the crazier things going on in White Crest.” Came with the disadvantage of being hunted, but she’d still never change who or what she was. “I appreciate as much,” she answered, “Winston and Ricky know, but I haven’t said anything to your sister. Kind of figured you should know since Ricky’s pretty much offered the couch to me for whenever I need it.” Her face shifted to concerned when he asked her to not let Athena know he was living here. She kind of figured as much what Winston had vaguely mentioned before, but opted to nod along instead with her brow furrowed. Family could be tough. Not that she had her own blood family left, but Celeste’s parents had shown her well enough that families could be complicated. “You got it,” she promised, “I won’t tell Athena or anyone else you live here. I’m sorry about your parents though. That has to be tough.”

Ricky’s place seemed to be some orphanage for the wayward and supernatural. At least, it had been for Orion. He didn’t know much about Ariana’s past, but if she was offered a place to stay he could only assume that she may have a reason to need to escape at some point. Which was totally something Rio could relate too. He wished he knew them beforehand, so he didn’t spend so much time sleeping on a dusty bed in an abandoned building. “That’s great! Well just so you know, I am totally cool with that. Not that like… it would matter per say if I wasn’t. Because this isn’t my house. But that doesn’t matter. Because you are. Welcome here, I mean.” He really had a way with words, didn’t he? “Anyways, ignore me. You uh- You’re like… safe here in town right? No crazy people trying to hurt you because of the werewolf thing?” Jesus, what kind of question was that? He was such a disaster. “My family’s complicated but uh- you know things are okay now. At least, now that I’m far away from my family things are great. I’m way happier than I have been in a long time.”

There was something so wholesome about Orion. While Ariana could tell he tripped over his words a little, she found it to be kind of endearing. She supposed as much made sense since his hobbies seemed to be stuff you do alone. “Thanks,” she stated calmly, “I appreciate as much. Even if it is technically Ricky’s house, I wouldn’t want to make anyone living here uncomfortable. That’s not cool.” The frown that followed the question of her being safe was unavoidable, especially knowing now that her bounty had been picked up. She wasn’t entirely safe and it sucked to admit. She supposed the sooner Celeste’s parents arrived the sooner this could all be over, but it still left knots in her stomach. She fidgeted nervously with her hands before opting to just hug one of the couch cushions. “Not exactly,” she mumbled before speaking up, “It’s kind of a crazy story, but here goes. My sister/guardian isn’t biologically my sister. She’s actually a hunter that saved me instead of killing me when I was like three and her parents killed my parents. Her parents apparently have a bounty on both of us which has been picked up… so that’s been a fun time. Hence the whole Ricky offering up the couch if I needed a place to lay low. You know how he is. Dude has a heart of fucking gold… or really whatever is like more valuable than gold.” Her fingers played with the fringe of the cushion and added, “Sorry if that was like, a lot. If I do end up crashing here, figured it’s only fair you know.” She listened carefully to his own family troubles, glad he had somewhere accepting to stay. “Well, whatever is going on, I’m happy you have Winston and Ricky. And that you’re happy. That’s the most important thing.”

Orion sat silently, completely speechless as Ariana recounted her tale to him. “Holy crap.” Was all Rio could say for a long while. His brain was still processing the news. And there was a lot to unpack. Ariana’s parents were murdered by hunters. An obvious reason for Ariana to despise hunters. But… she was saved and taken in by a hunter? That was insane. Sometimes Rio truly thought he was the only one that had wanted a different fate for supernatural creatures. Not just a hunter tired of killing or exhausted with the lifestyle, but someone that truly wanted to save the supernatural from other hunters. And to defy her own parent’s? “Your guardian… she sounds pretty incredible.” Rio whistled. He could only wish that he had the strength to do what she had done. Instead, the image of his former teacher, lifeless on their guest house floor kept flashing through his mind. Something he wished he could unsee, or even better, he wished he could have stopped. “I- uh. Jesus. I’m so sorry. That’s terrifying.” Did either of them know about Silver Bullet? What if the bounty had reached the hunter bar? Anybody around town could spot Ariana. Rio hadn’t gone since the fall out with his family, but maybe he could sneak by when he knew his parents wouldn’t be there? Check the board and tear anything down that shouldn’t be visible. “Platinum has always been considered to be one of the most valuable metals. For almost all of history, it has been more expensive than gold, but not always. Mostly because Platinum is a lot rarer than gold.” Rio rattled nonchalantly, barely realizing that he had just spouted off the random and unnecessary information. Despite this story, Ariana seemed as casual and cheerful as ever. Rio definitely liked her. “You don’t owe me an apology. And you definitely don’t owe me an explanation. I appreciate it, but you don’t have to ever feel obligated to tell me anything. Secret’s are sacred and all that… But uh- I hope everything is okay now. In town.” Rio found himself falling back into the chair and becoming a bit more relaxed now. Having this stuff laid out on the table for both to see was a bit therapeutic. “Thanks. It’s definitely been a healthier environment. They accept me for who I am and all that sappy stuff.”

Ariana knew she had dumped a lot on him, but if she ever did take Ricky and Winston up on their offer for a place to crash at and lay low, it was only fair Rio knew the full story. Plus, anyone that was a friend to both Ricky and Winston was a friend to her. All things considered, Rio had taken it all pretty well. He seemed like a kind and understanding person that she would now consider a friend. “Oh yeah, Celeste is amazing. Total nerd, but amazing nonetheless,” she agreed. It seemed wrong to compliment her sister without throwing at least one little jab in there. Teasing her was always fun. Maybe she had become so desensitized to how bad her current situation sounded, but she kind of shrugged it off. It was bad. She knew it was bad and the threat of danger was always there, lurking and waiting, but didn’t want him to worry. “It’s okay, really. Well, you know, as okay as it can be. We have some protections set up and friends who are helping us.” There was no need to throw in that the bounty was already picked up and worry him more. Everyone had so much else going on, they didn’t need to worry about her, too. When she told Celeste she wanted to stay here no matter what, she knew this day would eventually come. It had to. If they ever wanted to build roots anywhere, there was no avoiding it. Though now he was saying something about platinum and he brows knitted together in confusion. Yep, it was official. She broke Rio. That was way too much. “Good to know,” she assured him, easily, “And sorry for dumping all that on you. Hopefully crashing on the couch won’t be necessary though.” She gave him a comforting smile hoping it helped. Her smile only grew wider at his mention of this was a much healthier environment and how accepting Ricky and Winston were. “Good, you deserve all that sappy stuff. And Oreos, you deserve Oreos.” The last part may have been her own sweet tooth kicking in, but she returned to the kitchen to get them both snacks to enjoy while they hung out.