#robin sings his daughter lullabies to help her sleep

[46hasu]

RobinHill Guardian Angel!AU where Robin is a guardian angel assigned to protect Boothill's daughter but Boothill gets seriously injured somehow and basically needs all the prosthetics from his canon version. And despite Boothill's best efforts he doesnt have the abilty to raise his daughter alone cause of his painfully slow recovery process, so Robin decides to step in and breaks the Do Not Be Seen and No Direct Interference rules to basically take over half the parenting duties. The familys life does improve and Boothill's daughter is happier but Boothill is half convinced that his home is haunted by a suspiciously friendly ghost that he can only see from the corner of his eyes and Robin tries her best not to get caught so she doesn't get in trouble from Heaven or whatever.

[miss-kittys-magical-library]

Leon & cuddles 🥰

A Spoonful of Sugar

(A Leon x Honey One Shot)

Word Count: 1500

Warnings: None. Not a one.

A/N: Leon decides to have a conversation with his little girl before she's born. And then five years after. @crabstick requested fluffy Kostas cuddling.

Not long after Leon turned 26, Honey started to show. It was the tiniest bump on the tiniest woman he ever loved. Her stomach, he thought, looked like she had swallowed a small melon. Which Leon thought was funny because every book he secretly perused in the library said the baby was a turnip.

Honey started to wear skirts and dresses more often. Clothes she sewed from scraps or outright stole from Jonny. Occasionally Leon's shirts would end up on her, a belt below her breasts to make it suitable. Anything to hide the coming changes.

They decided her pregnancy was nobody’s business which made their living arrangements harder. Honey and Jonny fought over the bed. Leon was torn between them. He gave up begging Honey to tell just him, just his best friend. But she would hold her stomach and her ground until her fiancé relented.

But then, in the middle of the night, Honey would cry. She would beg Leon’s forgiveness about the secrecy. That she didn't mean to be such a bitch. How she worried she wasn't attached enough to their daughter.

Leon held Honey in his arms and kissed away the tears. “Gracie, it's your body. You aren't a bitch. You’re just scared about being a mum. Your family isn't here to help is all.” He rubbed his nose along the top of her head. “You're really certain the turnip’s a girl?” His family was mostly men. Honey’s family was mostly men. How could they be so lucky?!

Honey would twist herself up in Leon's hair. Her fingers untangled a curl and watched it spring back in place. It crept past his shoulders. There were times she couldn't tell his from hers when they laid together, it was so long now. His mustache and goatee were slowly starting to follow.

“Our daughter from the future told me!” Her sudden laughter rang through Leon’s entire body. “And you! But not you?” Honey’s arm tightened around his waist.

“From the future? Blimey, why would I still look like this if I was from twenty years in the future?! Reckon I'll still be fit at fifty? If that girl was this baby, maybe he was our son?”

Leon started off teasing, but now he grew serious. His green eyes stared at the window while his eyebrows scrunched in thought. There it was, Honey grinned. His mouth slacked open. She kissed it deeply, her tongue a distraction.

Leon pretended to whine her name inside of her lips. Then in one dizzying motion, he laid Honey on her back. She shrieked in delight as he propped up on his arms. His hair hung down in waves on either side of her face before he leaned down to kiss her again.

Honey locked her knees around Leon's hips. She responded to his mouth and tongue when they blazed a path from her breasts to her bellybutton. He held her back in an arched position that made her believe he was going to keep heading south inside of her legs.

When he got to Honey’s stomach, Leon stopped. He brushed just the tip of his nose along the swell in her skin and muscles and womb. He kissed the bump tenderly before pressing the side of his face to it.

“Hello, poppet.” Leon’s greeting was soft and melodic. “I know Mummy talks and sings to you. She is simply mad for you already. Honestly, I am too. I might have to tell her that bit more often.

Honey took a ragged breath. Silent tears spilled down her cheeks. Her fingers combed through Leon’s mane while he kept on holding her and talking. His beard and warm breath sent goose pimples along her skin.

“Mummy says you're going to be a little girl. Are you then? You’ll be the first on both sides. All of your mummy’s side is boys, and I'm the only one on my side. Oh you'll have loads of cousins because I have loads of them, but I'm an only child. Wasn't always like that. My brother died when I was 16. So whether your mama likes it or not, you'll have to accept Uncle Jonny. And Mama will give in to telling him about you. Right?”

Honey snorted and rolled her eyes. She hated when Leon was right. But she also hated only finding out right now Toula and Nick had another son. Still that was her fiancé’s business, and she knew he would've eventually told her when he was ready.

“I think one day you'll have a brother of your own. But you'll be bigger than him and will have to take care of him. Kostas men don't do well without a woman to kick us in the arse,” Leon laughed. He kissed Honey's stomach again.

“Don't tell your mum, but I hope you are like her. Her long hippie hair, and those soft curved hips she's always planting her fists on. Her lovely, big dark eyes and cheek. Bloody hell I hope you have her cheek. I quite resemble a drunk giraffe, so it's best if you look like her.”

“Leon,” Honey tried to interject.

“I mean that! How lucky could I get to have two of you?” Leon squeezed Honey tightly in his arms. He spoke to her as much as her stomach while they both clung to each other. “And I can't bloody wait to find out what she's called.”

Honey had a name in mind, but didn't want to jinx it. “How about Sugar for now?” The moniker came out tentatively. Like she was trying it on for the first time.

He buried his face completely in Honey's body now. There was a humming that his fiancée immediately recognized and whinged playfully, “LEON NOOOO! Don't! I'll sing it for days!”

“A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!! The medicine go doooownnn!! The medicine go down! Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down! In a most delightful way!” He belted at the top of his lungs with an exaggerated Cockney accent while he sang.

“STOP!!” Honey begged, but Leon only held her like a vice.

“NO!! You're stuck with it as long as we have a little one!”

He reached up and placated his partner with a kiss before lying back down on the pillows beside her. His arms around Honey's shoulder and across her chest. She settled down into his chest before falling asleep immediately. Leon hummed himself to bed not much after.

---

“PAAAPPPAAA!! SING!”

“Seeelinnnaaa it's 4 in the morning. You'll wake the dead with that whinging!! And Sunny!! Enough!”

“Yía yía says Sunny will gobble up flies in his sleep,” the little girl pointed at her brother. His mouth opened wide while he slept nearly upside down in his own bed.

“Oh yeah? Don't you reckon Ben will snatch them first?” The massive raven raised its head from under a wing to gaze at Leon and the little girl. “Πήγαινε πίσω για ύπνο (Go back to sleep).”

To Leon's shock, it obeyed. He turned back to his daughter who stared up at him with her large dark eyes. Honey's eyes. How he loved to look into them. She got to her knees and held his face in her hands, a deadly serious look on her own.

“I need you. To sing me. To sleep, Papa.”

“Am I being threatened by a five year old?!”

Selina batted her eyelashes; Leon snorted. Of course he gave in to her. As long as his little girl breathed, he would do anything for her. Even if that was to sing to her at 4am.

So her daddy scooped her up in his arms. He cuddled her. One large hand cradled her head so she could hear his heart beating for her. Like it did for Honey. Like it did for Nicklaus. And maybe a part of Leon was ashamed, but maybe not, because it drummed loudest for Selina.

“A robin feathering his nest has very little time to rest while gathering her bits of twine and twig,” he sang at about a quarter of the original tempo. The lovely song became a lullaby over the years.

The little girl joined in between yawns, “A spoonful of meee helps the med-cine go down.. Papa?” she asked. “What's that mean?”

“That yucky stuff is better with sugar.”

And that was true Leon thought as he fell asleep sitting up with Selina in his arms. Nicklaus made his world brighter. Honey held him together. But Leon's life was sweeter with Sugar.

Tag: @neuroticpuppy @bisexualnathanyoung @elliethesuperfruitlover @magic-multicolored-miracle @nightmonsters @super-unpredictable98 @vonkimmeren @messengeronthemoon @frogs--are--bitches @070188 @the-freckled-luba @forenschik @firstpersonnarrator @duck-noises @a-ghoulish-tale

[ohmy7hearts]

Being the daughter of Pamela Isley and Tim Drake’s significant other includes:

A/N: Well... I’m alive? No excuses, I just had no motivation to write or continue whatever is on this blog. BUT I love Poison Ivy... So here’s that... Guess I’m back to writing on this blog heh. So... Should I finish all my other work??

Requested by: @xiaolinweretiger

Let’s be real. Your father must be immune to Pamela in all the right ways because your mother is death on legs. And he must be special as well!! To appeal to her desires than her killer instincts. 

And let's be more real. Your mother probably had thought of aborting you. Not because she can't take care of you but more of fear that she can kill you before you were even born and the fact that she's a criminal means an uncertain future for you. 

The first trimester has her more aggressive and harder to catch, the second has her on radio silence and the last trimester has her getting help from Selina and Harley. Having her on radio silence for so long put Batman on edge so when he did find Pamela, she’s attending to her plants while singing lullabies? Well, that’s new.

He watches her for a few moments before dropping down to investigate. Hearing an intruder, her plants immediately circle Batman as a warning and Pamela has her eyes in slits and a scowl on her face. 

The sudden commotion from the plants is unsettling hence when the crying started, Pamela is at a crossroad and Batman watches as she keeps glancing somewhere and back at him with uncertainty. Only when the crying turn to wailing did she retreat behind her plants. 

Walking around the plants which cower with your crying, Batman followed Pamela and to his surprise, found a green baby huddled by her. She’s cooing at you and reassuring you that everything is okay while letting you play with her fingers. With your giggle, comes her smile, one that Batman never sees on her before tonight.

He put two and two together and resigns. Before he can fully walk away, she calls out to him, 

“There will come a time when I can’t take care of her. I’ve made my mark on this world but she doesn't deserve that. The life that intertwines with mine is not bright nor is it fulfilling. So Batman, please, I’m begging you. When that time comes, take her away from me. Give her a life she deserves and make sure she doesn’t turn out like how I did.”

“She’s not better off with me. And you will make a great mother, Pamela. You don’t have to do what you did now that you have her. Stay away from that life and I will not disturb you.”

“I’m not asking you to adopt her; that’s suicide!” she scoffs before her voice softening. Eyes flitting from his to admire your sleeping form, a smile curling on her lips and fingers petting whatever little hair you have. “Just leave her somewhere safe, away from Gotham. I can’t possibly be a great mother if she has to grow up here and has my enemies breathing down her neck. Besides, criminal life doesn’t pay, you know?  I can’t possibly ask Selina to continually steal on my behalf.”

“I can’t promise you that.”

She smirks coyly at him, “Think about it. You have someone of my powers on your side and that’s a win as it is.”

The last he’s seen of her for the years following is her back walking away - with her plants curling towards her like she’s their sun - and humming filling the quiet night.

You grow up on the outskirts of Gotham in what others might call an abandoned house. Vines curling up the walls of the house while shrubbery and overgrown grass filled the grounds around it. The forest right at the backyard helps with the aesthetics.

But the interior is what one might call “homely”: neutral coloured walls and earth tones furniture while plants hang from pots from the ceiling, by the windows and on the shelves. Your world is limited to your home and the occasional visits from your two aunts. Though you don’t mind, your mother is worried. 

You can’t go to school with your green skin as you have yet to master how to control the poison in your body. And with no funds to back you up, that’s a no-go. 

Whenever she worries, you’ll just reassure her that you’re okay with just the two of you - and your two aunts, of course - and that the world is mean anyways - which she has to have a conversation with her beloved plants later about that - while sending her a grin which shows your empty gap of a front tooth which fills out as you grow taller. And that’s life for the two of you.

You’ll spend days with your mother attending to your friends, watering them and giving them nutrients - which you soon learn comes from the poopies (manure, your mother reminds) of your horse -  and your evenings be filled with playing in the forest by the lake or the plain fields around your house riding your horse - your mother still wondering where your Auntie Harley got a horse from. Nights are sacred to both of you; her teaching you from books about your friends while a cat - from your Auntie Selina - will interrupt you at times or she telling you of stories about superhuman beings, one residing in the city you can see in the horizon, while braiding your hair and that same cat in your lap. 

Apparently, your life isn’t like the fairytale your mother talks about. You fall sick. Or it’s more like you’ve been sick but your body is prolonging the symptoms. 

Panicked and in disarray, she brings you to the city, wreaking havoc and threatening the lives of doctors. Demands from a madwoman with plants engulfing the walls of the hospital and eventually caging them in have the doctors yielding. 

It takes hours for the police to arrive and not long after to realise that the plants yield to no one but Poison Ivy. Even if fire kills them, more will grow in an instant and build a thicker wall between the hospital and the police force.

When the night falls and Batman arrives at the scene with his trusty Robin, there is little that even he can do against a desperate mother. Desperate himself, he has to turn to Selina and Harley for help.  

The police are dispersed before the arrival of the four, leaving only Jim Gordon. Hearing the familiar voice of her two friends, she allows them in. Though they find it surprising that the deeper they venture into the hospital, the more blood they found splattering the walls and floor. 

When they did find Pamela, she is crying by your bed, holding a pale - paler than usual for your skin tone - hand whose owner doesn’t seem to be faring any better. She can only croak out a call for help through her tears and hiccups which has Harley by her side while Selina watches you and the machine you are hooked to. 

When Pamela has calmed down did Selina and Harley inform her of Batman’s deal: saving you in exchange for Pamela turning herself in. She looks distraught and is screaming her head off at the two before your wretched coughs bring her back to reality.

This reminds her off the deal she made way back when you were a baby. So after a kiss to your forehead and a necklace she weaved for you when you were living together in your palms did she leave with a heavy heart. And just like that, the caged hospital falls to give way to a defeated Poison Ivy.

“Remember what you promise me.” She left, following Jim and leaving Batman to bring you to the doctors who treated Poison Ivy. Though Robin is confused, he knows better than that. So he watches your slow breathing as Batman carries you with great care as if you’re fragile.

He drops by night after night, out of curiosity and obligation, observing how your skin slowly giving way to the natural human colours and your breathing much calmer. 

When you eventually woke up, the moonlight fills your dark room and questions fill your panicking mind. You couldn’t hear the constant buzzing of your friends but the buzzing of the machines you are wired to instead. Groggy and confused, you move your aching and limp body to get out of the bed you seemed to be glued on. 

When you sat up, more questions swarm your mind at the sight of your hands - not green, a major point to take note of and great time to panic - but when your focus diverts beyond your hand and at sight of someone else in this room - a costume-wearing person, a major point to note that they are not normal at all - did your mind go into overdrive and you scream for help from your friends and for your mother.

[secondgenerationnerd]

Her Name is Mar’i

Author’s note: So after the last Ask where someone asked me to write a Dickkory Drabble, I very much fell in love with the idea of the Titans’ universe Dickkory having a baby Mar’i. This fic is testing the waters (and does not follow the end of season two at all because fuck that noise) to see how people like it. I tagged most of the characters in it even if they don’t necessarily speak. This is a Dick Kory Fic, just so everyone’s on the same page, and does not follow the cannon of my other stories. Enjoy and let me know if you’d like to see more of this cute family!

“Come on! They’ll be here any minute!” Garfield tosses Connor another streamer. The purple and gold decorations remind Hank, Dawn, and Donna think about Garth’s birthday. Somehow it doesn’t hurt as much. Rachel rolls her eyes as she and Rose read on the couch.

          “Really, Gar? It’s not like she’ll remember it.”

          “But we will, Rae.” Garfield’s ears twitch as the security system beeps.

          Dick and Kory walk down the hall, carrying precious cargo. Dick enters the code to the elevator. He glances at his girlfriend, smiling at her. She’s so beautiful he still wonders what she sees in him. Kory’s always alternating between sweet and sarcastic that he’s not sure what to believe when he asks. He does know how much he loves her. That part’s always been easy. The ride up is easy. He rests his hand on the middle of her back, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. They get out in the living room.

          “Hello?” Dick pokes his head around the corner to the kitchen.

          “Welcome home!” Everyone erupts. This doesn’t bode well for them as a piercing cry fills the room. Kory rolls her eyes and bounces the newborn in her arms.

          “Off to a great start I see.” Kory looks down at the fussing baby. She rocks side to side, and slowly the baby begins to calm down. She’s definitely got Kory’s coloring, with beautiful dark skin that makes her piercing green eyes stand out even more. But there’s a bit of her father in her features. Dawn and Donna immediately swoop in on their new niece, Hank just behind them acting leisurely about it.

          “She’s beautiful, Kory!” Dawn beams.

          “Thanks.” Kory smiles at her daughter.

          “What’s her name? I know you two were going back and forth on Earth and Tamaranean names.” Donna asks.

          “We settled on a name that has Tamaranean and Earth roots.” Kory looks at her boyfriend.

          “Mar’i. Our daughter’s name is Mar’i Grayson.”

          “No middle name?” Rachel asks, sneaking a peak at the baby. Mar’i gives a tiny yawn.

          “No. We thought that was enough. Especially since on Tamaran, her full title would be ‘her royal highness, Princess Mar’i, First of her name, Heir to the Throne.” Kory snorts. Mar’i stretches out, looking around. “You want to go to your daddy, Starshine? Let’s go see Daddy.”

          Kory hands the baby over to Dick. The former Boy Wonder can’t help the smile that spreads across his face as he looks down at his daughter. Mar’i gives another yawn, stretching out more. Dawn smiles, “Never thought I’d see Dick Grayson with a cute kid.”

          “She is pretty cute,” Hank offers a finger to the baby. Mar’i grabs it in her tiny fist. “Too cute to be related to you. You sure she’s yours, Grayson?”

          Before Dick or Kory can answer, Mar’i grunts and pulls on Hank’s finger. They all hear the loud pop and Hank swears, “Fuck! She just broke my finger!”

          His shouting scares Mar’i. She starts wailing, dark skin starting to glow. Kory takes the infant just before Mar’i’s body and hair catch fire. Kory shifts side to side trying to calm her. “There, there. You were just protecting Daddy’s honor, weren’t you? Already daddy’s little girl.”

          “She broke his finger.” Donna says slowly. “She’s currently on fire.”

          “She takes after her mother.” Dick shrugs. Mar’i sneezes, sending a ball of fire at the wall. “She also does that.”

          Donna and Dawn look at each other before bursting out laughing. Donna doubles over, “Look, we were thrilled when you said it was a girl. Because you have a lot of karma to pay for from your playboy days. This just makes it better.”

          Dick can’t help but laugh along. Kory manages to get Mar’i to calm down, rocking the baby to sleep. Garfield beams as he holds her. She even opens her eyes to see him. Raven and Rose decline for now, preferring to watch. Mar’i takes an instant liking to Dawn and Donna. Connor doesn’t even flinch when she sneezes a fireball at his face. Krypto licks her little feet, making her squeal. Even Hank gets over the injury and lets Mar’i sleep on his chest for a while.

          They hadn’t expected to have her in San Francisco. They’d been living in Bludhaven in his old apartment, but a team retreat brought them back. Kory thought she had more time. Mar’i had other ideas. Their beautiful healthy girl. The team reminisces on the couch about old times while Kory nurses Mar’i. Poor baby is so loved out by 7, that Dick and Kory retire to their room. They give her her first real bath at home. She hits the water with fascination. Kory watches as her boyfriend dress their baby. She’d teasingly tossed a pair of Robin themed pajamas at him, only for them to be ignored on the ground. He talks to Mar’i as he puts her diaper on, telling her about everything she looks at. He’s so gentle with his little girl as he holds her close. Kory sings her a lullaby.

          Mar’i sleeps in a travel bassinet while her parents get ready for bed. Dick spoons his girlfriend so they can both watch her. He presses a few kisses to the back of her neck. “What are you thinking about, princess?”

          “Just…I’m really happy. She’s got her whole life ahead of her. A life without anyone telling her that she has to be a certain thing for her entire identity. She can just…be Mar’i.” Kory smiles sadly. Dick holds her a little tighter.

          “You know it’s not that easy. She’s Bruce Wayne’s granddaughter. Sh—”

          “That doesn’t matter. She’s Mar’i before she’s anyone else. She can be anything she wants to be.”

          Dick smiles at that. “What do you think she’ll grow up to be like?”

          “Given that we’re her parents? She’s already doomed to being unbelievably stubborn. Probably very clever given her daddy.” Kory turns a bit to smile at her boyfriend. He tucks a bit of her hair behind her ear.

          “Her mom’s pretty smart too…”

          “Smart and clever are two different things.” Mar’i gives a tiny sneeze, a bit of fire jumping out from the bassinet. “She might be a hero. Or she might be a dancer. Or a police officer.”

          “Whatever she grows up to be, there’s one thing that I know she will be.”

          “Oh really? What’s that, Mr. Grayson.”

          “Loved, Ms. Anders. She’s going to be loved.”

          “Why do I love your cheesy ass?”

          “You tell me.” He kisses her gently. They fall asleep, knowing they’ll be woken up to their daughter’s cries for food in a few hours. If they’re honest, they can’t wait.

[roraruu]

wip: step into the darkness

Marianne is seven when her parents begin to act strange around. She remembers it all so clearly, as if a sculptor had etched it into her mind with a pick and hammer.

It is just a few days before the Red Wolf Moon’s death, and three days before her birthday. Their little cottage in the woods of a distant part of Leicester begin to grow colder, as if the winds from Faerghus are blowing directly in upon their home.

Her mother, whom her father says is her mirror image, hurries about the small, cold cottage. Not in her usual way that looks hurried, but in reality is quite calm and measured. From her spot in the living room, by the warm fire, she watches as her mother traces the kitchen quickly, her apron wading in the cold air.

She opens her mouth to speak, but she knows much better than to open it. Something inside her—a voice, an instinct perhaps—tells her not to. Her lips shut as she sits on the rug and stares into the fire. The book of fairytales and legends at her feet, which her father had promised to read her when he got back, stares up at her, begging to be read.

He promised that the trip would only be a few days, not much longer than two. He promised that he would come back with game. He promised, with his darkened eyes and deep voice, that he’d carve her a wooden figure of Seiros with his own two hands for her birthday.

She remembers the curl in his lip when he said the goddess’s name. Like it was burning him alive: sear-rows. A child remembers disgust clearly.

It’s been five days. Her father isn’t back, and her mother is beginning to let her worry show.

Marianne has seen this happen before. Back when she was only four. Her father went missing for three days, out into the woods, and when he came back, it was on the arm of a green-haired knight of Seiros. He had slept in bed for days, couldn’t look at anyone or anything; and he was sick.

And when Marianne had the courage to ask her mother what was wrong with her father, she had only said her father had taken ill.

That was always the excuse: Papa is ill. Father is sickly today. It is best not to bother Papa; he is ill.

Always a reason to leave him be. Some days she felt like she was being spectated upon. She would catch that look in his eyes sometimes: like he didn’t recognize Marianne or her mother; or like he was sorry for them.

The cottage feels cold, though it is snug and the fire is burning hot. Her Mother eventually calls her into the kitchen for dinner—Gautier stew. One of the neighbours brought some cheese and fowl. They always do when Papa disappears.

Mother says it’s just what good neighbours do, but Marianne can’t help but feel that they do it out of pity.

***

Another day passes without father. The cock crows for the dawn and Marianne wakes. Snow blankets outside, for their little cottage is incredibly close to Faerghus.

She’s been sleeping in the same bed as her mother since her father left. It happens often. Having another body in the bed brings her Mother a little sense of comfort, a little safety. And while Marianne is young, she knows the look of woe and sadness well, for her mother wears it often.

Her mother is only 28, but she looks as though she’s past middle age sometimes. Usually when her father is missing she looks like that; but when Marianne’s father is about, she looks so young, like a young girl, who is much too young to have a child of seven years.

Her father however, always looks gruff and tired, like an old billy goat. His dark hair spills out over his face, and a beard that grows in around his chin. Dark eyes too, not quite beady like a goat’s, but more like the ocean that they can see from the top of the church hill. The sea always looks black in the winter.

Her mother wakes before her, gently stirs her once, twice, for there is not a cruel bone in that woman’s body. Some around here say that she is a true daughter of Seiros, kind and just. Others say that she is like an angel from another land.

Marianne doesn’t know which to believe.

They say their morning prayers to the Goddess from the side of the straw bed. Holiness, religion, was born right into Marianne. Her Mother was a sister of Seiros, who served at the monastery in the heart of Fódlan. She doesn’t talk much about those days, she doesn’t talk much about herself. But what she does not speak of herself, she makes it up with talk of the Goddess and her saints and Seiros. Before bed, her mother tells her stories of Saint Macuil, Saint Indech, Saint Cichol and his daughter Cethleann, and of course, Saint Seiros. She speaks of them with such passion, such brightness, that her eyes sparkle as she talks.

Sometimes, if the mood is correct, and if her Mother is willing, she will sing to Marianne. She has the sweetness of all the honey in the land and the tone of the finest songbirds in her voice. She could have been a songstress, easily, yet she is a sister of the faith, a humble cleric. And Marianne isn’t sure why, but she is sure that her Mother has the finest voice in all of Fódlan. But she understands why her Mother is called Silque; for her voice is as smooth and as rich as the fabric.

Prayers pass in silence, both praying for the return of Silque’s lover and Marianne’s father.

They dress and Marianne sits still as her mother combs her hair and braids it into a crown about her head. While she works, she hums. Somedays, they’re happy songs. Other days they are mourning songs. Today it is just a melody from a lullaby that she sang to Marianne when she was just a babe.

(She always sings that when her father is missing. It is a comfort to the both of them.)

They share breakfast; day-old bread and cheese, tea for Silque, milk for Marianne. Marianne eats everything while Silque only prods her food. Marianne does not say anything, knowing that any reproach would upset her mother further. Instead, Silque stares out the window, her eyes searching the snowy hillside for the familiar look of her lover and her child’s father.

Before the sun has even risen, they are out the door and walking up the hillside to the church at the top. There, Marianne’s mother works while the little girl watches or sits out back.

As they walk up the hill, they can see the queue of sick that that lines outside the church; Silque’s patients for the day. She breathes a sigh as she enters the church. Marianne sits in the pews, listening to the hacking coughs and sneezes of the sick.

This has been her life for the last few years. When father is around, she will stay with him and sit while he works. He is a carpenter; building many houses in the area, cribs, bassinets, bed frames, tables and chairs, dressers, armoires and desks; most everything is crafted by his rough hands. And when the bandits get bad, he is a military leader.

Marianne remembers seeing the glinting gold of a helmet and armour, the lush reds and blues of a cape long since worn; the silks of a bishop’s gown and the markings of Seiros upon them. She does not know now, but in ten years’ time, she will come to understand that her parents were not just a carpenter and a cleric, but a bishop and a bow knight in former lives, ones long since forgotten.

The orphans of the church don’t speak to her much. She keeps to herself, reading her old book of fairytales or praying like her Mother would. Sometimes she helps with washing clothes and sewing, other days she does not. One of the children asks what she wants for her birthday—her Mother has said she is going to be eight in two days’s time. She lies and says that she wants a new book from town.

In truth, she only wants her father to come home, and her mother to smile without forcing it.

At lunch, Marianne’s mother allows her to go outside and play. “But,” her soft voice rings out with a sense of sternness. “Do not go past the courtyard. I need to be able to see you.”

“Yes Mother.” She promises. She shrugs on her cloak and steps out the back of the church. She paces the little courtyard a few times, watching as birds and squirrels come to visit her.

She sits down in the snow, her blue dress circling about her. As her father taught her, with his old horse, she stays as still as a statue. Her eyelashes don’t even flutter after she’s shut them. To the observer, she looks as though she is a young princess, with an air of regality and serenity that only the bluest of blood can attain.

The sounds of the nearby forest grow louder. She can hear cardinals cry out, some robins who are looking for food. The rattle of an annoyed chipmunk, the crunch of snow.

She stays like that for a while. Then, slowly, she opens her eyes. In the snow before her is a little bird with a soft coat. She doesn’t dare move, but instead flutters her lashes in a hello.

It greets her back. Why are you still here?

My mother is working in the church.

You need to move little miss.

Why so? Marianne asks, slowly moving her eyes up and around the courtyard.

Something is coming. Can you not feel it?

The air has grown colder. It becomes a little harder to breathe. She turns her head and the bird does not move. I can. She tells it.

Is it a wolf?

No, it’s far more sinister. The woods are clear.

The trees rustle. Then as she turns her body, the bird flies away, calling for her to take cover.

From the dark of the woods, Marianne sees a monster stare back at her. Slowly, it moves closer, it’s nose heaving out breaths as she stays stock still.

In her mind she tries to speak to the monster, her hands curling around her winter cloak. She stares at the beast, taking in it’s dark scales and sharp fangs, it’s claws that could cut her to bits.

Quietly, as if the world has gone silent, she hears it speak.

Fear the beast inside of you Marianne.

Her eyes widen in horror and she stops breathing, fainting in the snow. When she wakes, the beast is gone and she is left shaking. She catches her breath, looking wildly around her for the monster who warned her. Then she begins to worry; what is the beast inside? Of her? Is there a monster underneath her skin.

She steadies her wobbly legs and then returns inside the church. Marianne does not tell her mother of the monster in the courtyard. She remains silent, instead watching as her mother takes patient after patient, never once growing angry or tired.

Someone gives them a bit of fish for dinner, as thanks to Silque for her healing. She promises to make two fish stew with it when they get home.

***

There’s a crash outside the cottage. Silque sits up. Then the door opens. Marianne feels her mother move in the bed. She hears the ancient words on her tongue as she begins to recite spells. Marianne pulls the blankets closer to her, up against her willowy frame as she watches her mother etch out of the room and into the main atrium of the house.

Her mother’s shoulders sag, as if relief has finally weighed down upon her shoulders. Her hands drop to her sides as the sounds of boots against wooden floors grows louder.

“I’m home, Silque.”

Marianne knows that voice. She stumbles out of bed, watching as her father stands stock still. Her mother holds him tight, sobbing prayers to the goddess that he has finally returned home.

And when Marianne catches his eyes, she sees the monster from the forest.

***

Marianne is tucked back into her parents’ bed. She knows that she will not sleep in her own bed tonight; nor will her parents use theirs. They will stay up talking like they always do when he comes home after a long time away.

She lays in their bed and hears the bits of their conversation over and over again.

“Was it your...”

“Yeah. I’m sorry.”

“You cannot control it, why should you be?”

“It’s her birthday soon, you two must have been worried.”

“We were not losing sleep... Or that much.”

“Has she... been acting strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean Silque.” She can hear his voice loud and clear. Her father has never been a quiet man. “Is she showin’ the signs?”

“Of... Of Maurice?”

“Yeah. Suppose I mean him.”

Marianne sits up in bed, she swings her legs over the side and lets her feet meet the ground. Through the crack of the door, she can see her parents sitting at the hearth. Her mother reaches for his face.

“She carries my blood after all.”

“Do not treat it as a curse. She will not die—“

“You can’t know for sure, Silque.”

“I know Seiros’s gospel like the backs of my hands. She never said that Maurice was damned.

“Only that he is the Beast and hated by everyone.”

Marianne takes a step back. The floorboards creak loudly. She sees her father’s head turn to the door, staring at her through the crack. In his eyes, she sees the beast that stared at her in the woods. Her heart stops and she back barrels into the bed, climbing inside and pulling the quilt to her neck.

She clasps her hands together, and falls asleep praying to Seiros.

***

Silque clings to her lover tightly, as if he will disappear before her very eyes. She would rather die than let that happen again.

She does not see the look of terror in Marianne’s eyes. Instead, she looks up at her lover, who has been gone for upwards of a week. She breathes a prayer to the goddess before he sidesteps past her and kneels before their daughter.

“Have you been good for Ma, kid?” He asks.

Silque cannot think of anything aside from the fact that he is home. Before she knows it, Marianne is tucked back into bed and they sit before the burning hearth. She prepares him a meal and readies hot water to clean him. His face is marked bloody with brushes from the bush and dirt and soot.

It pains her to not know where he has been.

“Was it your...” She cannot finish the word. He doesn’t speak the name of it at all. The Crest of Maurice, the Crest of the Beast.

He nods. “Yeah. Sorry.”

“You cannot control it, why should you be?”

“It’s her birthday soon, you two must have been worried.” He says. He can’t bring himself to look at her.

“We were not losing sleep...” Silque lies, the sin weighing on her stomach. She turns to the little bowl of hot water. “Or that much.”

“Has she been actin’ strange?”

Silque stares at him. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean, Silque.” His eyes meet hers. Suddenly, it’s very clear that there is a beast beneath the surface of his skin. “Is she showin’ the signs?”

“Of... Of Maurice?”

“Yeah. That bastard. She carries my blood after all.”

Silque reaches for his face, her dropping the cloth into the bowl. She holds the frame of his face in her cracked hands. “Do not treat it as a curse. She will not die—“

His gaze sears hers. “You can’t know for sure, Silque.”

“I know Seiros’s gospel like the backs of my hands. She never said that Maurice was damned.” Silque pleads.

“Only that he is the Beast and hated by everyone.”

The creak of floorboards turns his head. Silque ignores it. Their little cottage is old, and the sound of settling is well-known to her. She has heard it so many time when she laid awake in bed, waiting for him to return home.

“He is not hated by me.” Silque assures her lover.

He blinks slowly as she swallows. “Who housed you this time? Was it a do gooder or the woods?” She tries to make a lighthearted joke. “It looks like you made a home in a rosebush, darling.”

“Lukas housed me again, sweetness.”

Her eyes lift to his. There are dark circles below his eyes, bags from a lack of sleep. She turns to get the cloth and dips it into the water and rings it out once, twice before brushing it against his dirty cheek.

“I should ensure to thank him with some kind prayers and fruit preserves.”

“Certain he’d like that.” He says holding his gaze.

“Did he...” The words will not leave her tongue at first. She steels herself, then forces it out like the smiles she’s been forcing since he disappeared. “Did he see you as a beast?”

He scoffs a little bit before dipping his head in a nod. He sighs. “He found me while he was on a hunting trip in his county. Called me out of it with your song.”

Any frustration and anger washes away from Silque with those last three words. She blushes a little, turning her cheek as she dips the cloth into the water. “I am glad it still brings you peace.”

“It’s because it reminds me of you.”

She burns as red as the fire and turns back to him to wash away the dirt and cuts. She could use her white magic on him, but a little selfish part of her likes to use first aid. There’s a tenderness in it. A softness that makes her heart warm and makes her blush; it dulls the ache and sadness that has follow her since he left.

“I should hope so. It is what brought us together after all.”

He shuts his eyes for a second and nods, as if revelling in the memory. She won’t lie to anyone, most of all herself: she thinks of it often. Of when she was only a sister in the monastery, where she stood in the Cathedral light and sang a song of her own composition, her own lyrics and her own heart.

When she heard him call out from the shadows, and when she took her first step into the darkness.

“Lukas’s lands are far north. Near the coast. How did you make it so far?” She finds herself asking as she cleans his face.

The silence between them speaks volumes. He must have blacked out and forgotten until Lukas brought him to with her song. The sweetness in her heart begins to bitter, eating at her core as she looks down to his hands and stares at the cuts and bruises upon them.

“The Beast took over.” He says at last. “Couldn’t stop it.”

“I see.”

“Somedays I think it would be better if I just got the Crest removed. Paid someone in the Empire to take it out of my blood or whatever they do.” He mumbles. “If they can put them in, they should be able to remove them, yeah? It shouldn’t be that—”

“I could not bear to lose you my love.”

He meets her gaze. Her eyes begin to water with tears. She realizes that it has been almost an hour since they began talking, an hour since they sent Marianne to bed with both her parents, an hour since he came home.

“Still. You shouldn’t have to put up with this bullshit.”

“I am not putting up with anything. Your Crest is apart of you, and I would not have you remove it, even if there was no threat at all.” She leans a little closer to him. He reaches out slowly to touch her cheek. She melts into his palm.  “You are my only love, Python.”

He lifts his gaze to her. Slowly, Silque draws closer to steal a kiss, pulling herself into his lap. Python’s head meets the crook of her shoulder. His heat begins to warm her cold body.

“You certain she ain’t showin’ anything? No fits, no starts? No anger? Wanderin’?” His voice reverberates throughout her body, shaking to her core.

“Nothing, Python. I swear she isn’t.” She whispers in a solemn promise. “She is the survivour of the curse. She is exempt, saved from it, by Sothis’s grace.”

And for a moment, Python believes his lover’s fallacies, her blind devotion, her bittersweet promises.

[novellaquill]

Starling: The Lonely

-

Drabble with OC!Batsis x batfam

Summary: Her grandmother’s words continued to simmer at the back of Lerina's head, while family troubles push her to make a decision.

Warning: This takes about depression, mental illness, and other serious topics. If these topics make you feel uncomfortable don't read.

A/N: This one has is kind of a songfic. I recommend listing to The Lonely by Christina Perri. Flashbacks are in italics and in third person pov. The POV will switch back and forth a lot.

Previous Chapters: Lost and Longing

“There I was, cold, isolated and desperate for something I knew I couldn't have. A solution. A remedy. Anything.

...I hated it. Alone and confused was the last place I wanted to be. Somehow I knew I deserved this.” ― Brian Krans, A Constant Suicide -- Two am, where do I begin Crying off my face again It was mornings like this that I hated the most. It was 2 o'clock in the morning a sane person would be sound asleep by now but no. Not my family oh no, they were on the streets hopping from rooftop to rooftop like ninjas while I was pathetically crying in my room alone, again. The silent sound of loneliness Wants to follow me to bed It was so quiet, with Alfred having the week off I was the only person in the house, yet even the animals did not make a sound this morning. I couldn't sleep, thanks to my insomnia and the fear that the silence would follow me if I went to bed. I'm a ghost of a girl That I want to be most I'm the shell of a girl That I used to know well I glare at the chest across the room hatefully anyone would be proud of this chest it was filled with my gold medal and trophies it even had folders of my awards certificates, but for me, it was only a reminder. A reminder that I was the shell of who I once was. When being alone didn't bother me. The ghost of a girl that I wanted to be again. My ADHD was pounding my skull, I was in the same position in the same place for too long. I was getting fidgety and needed to do something. Glancing at the old dance trophy that peeked under the lid of the chest I sighed, I guess some things never do change. Dancing slowly in an empty room Can the lonely take the place of you I sing myself a quiet lullaby I slowly move my body gracefully to a quiet lullaby my mom used to sing to me. Now I sing it to myself as I dance away the thoughts of loneliness taking my place in my own body, consuming my very being. Let you go and let the lonely in To take my heart again Times like this I can let go, not having to worry about my emotions diverting my attention from my responsibilities. I can wallow in my hopelessness and sort out the bottled up emotions. It was long overdue anyway. My mind drifted back to my grandmother's words "You have PhDs, trophies, medals, and degrees that they don't even know about. Use them to get out of here!" "The only ones who would notice and care would be Jason, Timothy, and Alfred. Stop letting him dictate what happens in your life. You're his daughter not his clone and you're a grown adult!"  Was she right? Did she need to leave? Could she leave? I have no doubt that my family loves me with the exception of Damian however, I couldn't just abandon them, could I? They would care if I left, right? -- Too afraid, to go inside For the pain of one more loveless night After a long day at Wayne Enterprises, Lerina was having difficulties deciding on whether she should enter her own home. She lived there for over 17 years she should be used to the feeling of dismissal, it wasn't the first time he had planned a mission on someone's birthday. Even though her birthday wasn't for a few days, the fact that she would spend another celebration alone made her furious and a bit bitter. Sure her siblings spent their birthdays mostly fighting crime but at least they were together while she spent her's with Alfred and her grandmother. Not that she didn't love them but spending time with senior citizens should not be the highlight of her day. It was pathetic. Finally, she decided to go inside making her way up to the living room. A  smile grew on her face when she looked around. The entire room was covered with balloons, streamers, banners and more. It was entirely painted with silvers, blues, purples, and gold her favorite colors. Her grey orbs landed on the people responsible for the glorious surprise, Alfred and Leilei whom she had suspected to be there but Jason and Tim were too. Tears welled up in her eyes her bags plummeted to the ground, "you guys," her voiced cracked as she was pulled into a hug by her brothers. "Happy early Birthday big sis!" "Happy Birthday starlight." "¡ Feliz cumpleaños pajarito!" "Happy Birthday Miss Lerina." She gleamed at her family's cheers, "Thank you guys" she wiped her tears, "but I thought you had to go on patrol tonight?" "We do," Tim answered freeing his older sister from his grip, "but since we're going to be gone in a few days we ditched," Jason clarified with a rebellious smirk. "Unfortunately the rest of the family couldn't make it Miss Lerina," Alfred said with regret in his in tone. "They left gifts though," Tim butted in not giving Lerina an opportunity to frown, "Even Cassandra left one." Cassandra, she normally just gave her a card why would she give me a gift, Lerina thought. Catching her confusion Jason said, " She saw that you were looked down and decided to give you one." It made sense Cassandra could pick up on those sort of things with her unique body reading ability. "Enough chatter let's eat so we can dig into the cake in the kitchen and Lerina can open her presents!" Leilei exclaimed rushing the group. -- For the loneliness will stay with me And hold me till I fall asleep That was how I spent my night that day, happy with the people I care about. But that was a few days ago with today being my birthday everyone was on a mission as planned by the dark knight himself. Having enough of dancing I lay in my bed my bed trying to fall asleep as another memory fills my head. -- I'm a ghost of a girl That I want to be most I'm the shell of a girl That I used to know well "LERINA!" She jumped at her father's booming voice, "Yes?" she questioned poking at her food. It was 2 days after her little surprise party, only 3 days until her birthday so Bruce decided to give everyone a break to have a family dinner.  Kamalei could be very persuasive when she needed to be, "I've been struggling to get your attention for the past five minutes." "My apologies, my mind was elsewhere," she received strange looks from her family but they were overlooked as she continued, "What were we talking about?" "tch," Damian expressed his annoyance gaining the attention of the family, "It's no wonder you're not allowed to join us on patrol," he sneered, "you're too much of a scatterbrain to even watch the monitors. It's a miracle how you've persisted long enough to make it 25 much less run the company without destroying it. A phenomenon really." "DAMIAN!" "MASTER DAMIAN!" her father and butler scolded, Lerina let out a frustrated sigh but ultimately ignored her youngest brother's offensive comment. "Rina is not a scatterbrain," Dick ranted, "Her brain just works differently and there's nothing wrong with that. She's fully capable of handling herself and the company.  She has 15 years of experience and has been taking care of us, you included for 17!" "Let's not forget who saved you from getting suspended last week demon," Jason joined snarkily resuming his meal, "You should show some respect." "Lerina absence has nothing to do with her disabilities her skills are needed here outside of our nightly pursuits," informed Bruce sternly still angered by his blood son's outburst. "Also saying that because she has ADHD is the reason why she's not a vigilante is just as bad as saying Cassandra is a bad one because she has dyslexia," Tim added "Cain, has a usual skill that contributes to our cause Drake," Damian hissed at the former robin's response, "Oh so helping us keep our identities a secret isn't contributing then," he argued. Cassandra just shook her head, it was obvious this wasn't going to end well, "Damian that was-" "This doesn't concern you, Cain," the blood son interrupted, "Perhaps if she-" "OKAY! THAT'S ENOUGH," Lerina intervened she had grown tired of the arguing, "Thank you all for defending me and thank you, Damian, for that fascinating input but can we please for once try to have a pleasant family dinner?!" Dancing slowly in an empty room Can the lonely take the place of you I sing myself a quiet lullaby "Oh yes, mother bird we sure can," Tim replied smugly with a cheeky grin, "Sorry mother hen we didn't mean to ruffle your feathers," Dick teased, Lerina sighed as a rupture of laughter emitted from the table until it dialed down; Bruce picked up on the conversation and said, "To bring us back to the topic at hand we were discussing the mission since we'll be leaving tonight Kathy Kane, Duke Thomas, Stephanie Brown, Barabra Gordan, and Terry McGinnis will patrol over Gotham in our place." Another sigh escaped Lerina's lips, "Only you would bring crime to a normal family dinner." Let you go and let the lonely in To take my heart again "A shame we will miss your birthday Oriel," Damian cooed at his older sister, "Something much more important than you corrupted our schedule, pity." "Master Damian that is enough," Alfred scolded, "It's fine Alfred," she replied coolly," who'd want to spend their special day with the spawn of Satan anyway." Enraged Damian threw his knife directly at her face but before any could react Lerina caught and thrown it back at him just barely missing his head. "Just because I don't act upon those skills doesn't mean I don't have them," she said darkly before uttering a quick 'excuse me' leaving the dining room with her plate. -- Broken pieces of "YOU CAN'T HAVE HER BRUCE! YOU WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF HER!!" "Ms. Oriel, I know why you hate me but I'm her father, just give me a chance she deserves to know who I am at least," Bruce pleaded desperately with her Kamalei hoping for a positive answer. "NO, NEVER!" Kamalei shrieked in response to his begging, Lerina was 8 years old when she burrowed underneath the stairway listening to her father and grandmother bicker and fight over her as if she was a doll. -- A barely breathing story It wasn't the last time she heard her two guardians fought over her either, it took months for Kamalei to let her go. "I promise you, you will be happy here," Bruce spoke tenderly to his daughter he sounded like he was trying to prove to himself more than his child. "Why didn't mommy tell you about me," Lerina questioned, "I don't know," he answered honestly kneeling in front of his long lost daughter. Now at eye level with her, he continued, "What I do know is that she would be very happy we found each other and I will take very good care of you." -- Where there once was love "Come listen to the song I learned," Lerina said excitedly not noticing the young man her father had brought home, "It was originally made for violin but I was able to play it on piano!" He chuckled kissing his excited little girl on the forehead, "Let's take a rain check on that song, right now I want to introduce you to Richard Grayson." The boy waved at the girl when he was introduced," You can call me Dick." Lerina waved back she had seen him on the news earlier that day, "My name is Lerina Oriel-Wayne and I am your new sister." She began to pull the boy upstairs with her, "Let's go decorate your room, you'll right at home in no time!" Bruce smiled seeing his daughter taking in Dick so naturally, it warmed his heart. "Everything is going be okay I lost my mom when I was young it gets better. It doesn't feel like it now but it will," she said pulling him into a hug,. "Rina" "huh," she questioned not sure what he meant by that. "Can I call you Rina," he whispered smiling when she said yes. -- "What's the matter? Why are you crying JayJay," Lerina questioned the little boy who had climbed into her bed one stormy night. "I'm not crying," he clarified pouting, "I just wanted to make sure you're okay." With a warm smile, she lifted the covers to her bed, "Come on then, I need someone to protect me during this stormed," she swallowed a chuckled when he dove under the covers clinging to her body, "Goodnight Jason." -- "Tim it's not your fault,' she stated trying to soothe the child who was curled up in a ball in the farthest corner in his room. "They died, big sis! They are dead because I wasn't fast enough," Tim sobbed, "I was supposed to save them and I let them die!!" She scooped him up in her arm and rocked him side to side, "It's not your fault." "Bu-" "Did kidnap those hostages? Did you set up those bombs," Tim shook his head in response, "Then it is not your fault Timmy." He stayed silent taking in her words, " Let's go to sleep, I'll sing you a lullaby." For the first time, Timothy Jackson Drake slept the entire night away, what was left of it. -- Now there's only me "Go away, Rina!" Dick growled hearing knock on the door once again, "No Dick, I know you're blaming yourself for his death but it is not your fault!" "I should've been there for him." "There's nothing we can do about it now, why don't we just-" "JUST LEAVE IT LERINA! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU AND I DON'T WANT YOUR PITY!!" Tears falling down his face, Dick slumped on his bed head in his hands as her retreating footsteps. -- "Jason please this isn't you," she begged as the man she practically raised held her hostage just to get back at his adoptive father, "This is me, maybe you should get to know your brothers more before you start begging for your life," he taunted smugly. Being held captive by the Arkham knight in a dingy abandoned apartment building is not how you want to spend your Saturday but when can they Waynes get a break. "Jason, I do know you and you know deep down that they loved and cared for you. If you can't believe that then you at least know I did, remember let you into their bed when you had a nightmare?" "SHUT UP," he screamed and shot her in the leg, "You're only making this worse for yourself and I don't want to hurt you." "You couldn't have said that before you shot me in the leg," she replied sarcastically trying to get her mind off the pain, "Is there any way I can convince you to come home?" He glanced at her before redirecting his attention to a window, "No." "I see," she let out a sigh, "I love you Jason and I'm sorry." "Sorry for wh-" the night sky was the last thing he saw before everything turned black. -- "I wouldn't expect someone like you understand so please just leave me alone, I will go to sleep later," Tim grumbled typing swiftly on the keyboard striving to finish this case. He didn't even realize what he said. Lerina was always disregarded because of her disability, some even assume she can't understand the simplest tasks, hearing from family broke her heart. -- And the lonely "Lerina, I rely on you to take care of these matters without me so I can focus on more important tasks," Bruce grumbled annoyed at the paperwork that was stacked on his desk. "I'm sorry father but some of the paper and decisions need to be signed and made by the CEO of Wayne Enterprise himself and not his shoo-in or else it won't get done, unless you give me permission, " Lerina explained "Nevermind, I'll do it myself you can go," he dismissed her, "Oh and can you dress in something nice tonight I need you to impress a business partner." "Of course" -- Dancing slowly in an empty room Can the lonely take the place of you Dick and I used to be very close, of course, we were he was my first baby brother. We were together the longest it was natural for us. I don't know what happened throughout the years, we just stopped. Soon Jason and Tim came along but Jason doesn't stay at the manor unless it's truly necessary and Tim gets too caught up with his work. Bruce and I haven't been close in years and it's far too late to fix it now. Damian practically hates me more than he hates Tim. Cassandra and I just never clicked, we never had a chance to really.  I had made my decision, I had made it long ago. I didn't even need to pack. -- I sing myself a quiet lullaby "Welcome back young masters, Miss Cassandra," Alfred spoke formally to the returning family, it had been a week, the mission had gone relatively smoothly but it had tired them out. "Good to be back Alfred," Dick spoke with a smile as they slumped on the couch. Something was off but they couldn't tell what. The answer was there but just out of reach but whatever off seemed to put a tense mood in the atmosphere. It was eerily quiet, they decided to focus their attention on a task to distract themselves. The silence was broken when the third Robin spoke up, "Where's Lerina? -- Let you go and let the lonely in I left my phone and my car at home, I didn't want to have anything that they could track when I reached my destination. "I need a place to lay low for awhile just until I make up my mind on where I'm going."  "Took you long enough to leave those assholes." Lerina smiled stepping through the door. Her new life began now. To take my heart again

~Novella Quill

Next Chapter: Starting Over

[lilacmoon83]

Witness Protection

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 5: Surprises

Mary Margaret leaned against the door frame with a dreamy look, as she listened to her husband sing to their daughter. David had a gorgeous voice and it was very soothing to Emma. And very sexy to Mary Margaret. Their daughter had been fighting sleep tonight and had extorted three bedtime stories from her father and a lullaby. She teased him about how he was such putty in her tiny hands. And he couldn't disagree. She was anxious on that night though, for she had something very special to reveal to him. So when Emma finally fell asleep, she felt the butterflies in her stomach and she eagerly kissed him once they were downstairs and behind the curtain where their bed was.

"Wow...someone is frisky tonight," he purred, as their lips parted and she bit her bottom lip.

"I am…" she agreed, as she unbuttoned his shirt and smoothed her hands along his bare chest.

"There's a bottle chilling in the fridge. Why don't you go get it and maybe I'll be wearing less clothes when you get back," she purred back. He grinned and kissed her again, as he hurried to the kitchen. He grabbed two wine glasses and opened the fridge. But instead of finding wine, he found a bottle of sparkling pear cider.

"Hey...you haven't drank any of this since…" he said, as he thought about it and trailed off. He looked back at her, his face filled with awe and hope. She had changed out of her clothes and into a maternity nightgown that she wasn't filling out yet, but he recognized it too. She nodded. He set the bottle and glasses down, before running toward her and sweeping her into his arms. She giggled, as he kissed her passionately.

"How far along?" he asked, as he carried her to bed, while kissing her again.

"Mmm...well, I've only taken a pregnancy test, but I have all the symptoms. I'm going to get it confirmed tomorrow afternoon after lunch. I was hoping my handsome husband will join me," she replied. He grinned kissed her again.

"Oh, there is nothing that could keep me away, my darling," he said, as he lay her on the bed.

"I never imagined being as happy as you've made me," she gushed. He smiled.

"Me either...but let's see if I can make us even happier," he replied, as they melted into each other.

~*~

Weaver walked into Roni's bar late that evening. He knew she was getting ready to close, but they were friends and she never turned him or Rogers away, even after she flipped the closed sign.

"I haven't seen you look this bothered since Leopold Blanchard bought his way out of that conviction last year," Roni said, as she dried some glassware.

"I need a drink," he said and she complied by pouring him some brandy.

"What's going on?" she questioned, as he downed the liquid.

"I always track Blanchard's travel and his private jet touched down in Los Angeles earlier tonight," he replied.

"Okaaay...and that's bad why?" she asked.

"It's bad, because he wasn't on it. I just had it verified by one of my rat bastard moles," he replied with distaste.

"And can you trust this rat bastard?" Roni asked.

"Not really...but he's easily bought. Trust me, Smee is well paid and said that Leopold Blanchard wasn't on that plane," Weaver replied, as he put a stack of pages on the counter.

"But I think he was on this one," Weaver said, as he showed her the page.

"United flight to Portland, Maine...Leo White?" she asked in disbelief.

"He thinks this alias won't raise any red flags with me, but he was still foolish enough to fly business first class," Weaver replied.

"You're sure?" she asked with trepidation. He nodded.

"It's what my gut is telling me," he confirmed.

"Portland is only an hour or so from Storybrooke…" she feared, as she picked up the phone.

"Don't…" he said.

"What do you mean? We need to warn Mary and David!" she exclaimed.

"If we warn them...they'll run and Blanchard will just come back here once the trail goes cold. But...if we play this right, we can catch him once and for all," Weaver said. Her eyes widened.

"You want to use Mary and David as bait for him to slip up?" she asked in disbelief.

"I don't like it either, but we could take Leopold Blanchard out if we play this right. I've already called Rogers and we're leaving for Maine tonight," he said.

"Then you better buy another ticket, because I'm going with you," she said, as she did a shot. He smirked.

"Already did. Go pack," he said, as she went to do so.

~*~

Leopold's rental, a luxury model of course, slowly drove past a sign that said "Welcome to Storybrooke." His first impression was about what he expected. A small, recluse town that held none of the prestige and fine living that he knew in Seattle. He almost rolled his eyes and wondered how his daughter could be happy in such a Podunk spot. No skyscrapers, fine restaurants, or five-star hotels. The tallest building was a clocktower that didn't even work, judging by the time of eight-fifteen on the clock face. And there were a few generic eateries, including a diner, and one Inn of all things. It was incredibly disappointing that his daughter had settled for this, but he knew he had to play this right. If she saw him first, she'd run to her husband and they would be in the wind again, before he could blink. But if he could endear himself to her new friends, she couldn't reject him without making a spectacle.

He was almost certain that none of her new friends knew anything about her real past and any hostility toward him wouldn't make a lot of sense. Yes...it was high time that he and his daughter finally talked and he was certain this would make it happen. Only when the time was exactly right would he bring her and his granddaughter back under his control. And do away with her cop husband.

He started the morning by renting a room at the Inn and endearing himself to the elderly woman that owned it. He told her he was here to surprise his daughter and see his precious granddaughter. Widow Lucas was excited by such and invited him over to the diner, telling him that Margaret, her husband, and the baby were frequent customers. He agreed that it would be the perfect place for his "surprise".

~*~

Mary Margaret awoke that morning and realized she had slept in. But she wasn't worried, for it was Saturday and she was looking forward to spending the day with her baby. She turned over, finding her husband's spot empty, but he wasn't far and she spied him buttoning up his shirt.

"Good morning," she cooed. He smiled.

"Good morning to you too, beautiful," he replied, as he leaned down and kissed her tenderly.

"Early patrol?" she asked.

"Yeah, I promised Graham I would, but I'll meet you and Em for lunch at the diner. Then we'll go to the hospital for your appointment," he replied excitedly. She smiled.

"That sounds great," she agreed, as she heard Emma in the living room, as she laughed at the cartoon on television. It was one of the sweetest sounds in the world and soon they would have two of those precious sounds.

"She's eating her Cheerios and I've still got a few minutes if you want to shower quick," he said.

"Thanks baby," she said, as she got up and headed for the bathroom.

~*~

"I got here as soon as I could, but I still don't have a sitter that can stay with Alice for more than a few hours," Rogers said, as he burst into Roni's bar early that morning.

"It's okay...we'll bring her with us," Weaver responded.

"I can watch her when needed," Roni confirmed, as he saw a redhead, also with a toddler, behind the bar.

"You better be going if you're going to make your plane," Zelena urged, as she stood behind the bar.

"Thanks for doing this, Zelena," Roni said.

"No problem, sis...now go," she said, in annoyance.

"Bye bye Robin…" Roni said, as she kissed her niece and then took Alice from Rogers, while he proceeded to load their bags into Weaver's car, before they took off for the airport.

~*~

Mary Margaret pushed Emma in the stroller, along Main Street. She gave nods and returned friendly waves, as she passed people. She loved her new home and their quiet life. She loved walking down the street and how everyone knew her. Many stopped to dote on Emma a bit and exchange pleasantries. Honestly, Mary Margaret thought places like this only existed in Hallmark movies.

She stopped at a few shops, bought Emma a few things, as she was growing so fast and then quietly gushed over all the baby stuff. She had so much fun with it the first time around that she knew it would be the same this time.

But when she walked into the diner, reality slammed into her again and reminded her that this wasn't a movie and that her quiet life was really one in witness protection. And she had been found.

"Oh Margaret...you're here! Surprise!" Ruby and Granny exclaimed, as they gestured to her father, who sat calmly in a booth, sipping at some coffee. But she was anything but calm. There was a raging storm inside her and she plucked Emma up out of the stroller.

"What...what are you doing here?" she questioned. He smirked.

"Just visiting my beautiful daughter and my equally lovely granddaughter. Your wonderful friends were very excited to help me keep my surprise under wraps," he replied in an even tone. Mary Margaret looked at her friends and they looked excited for her. But then why wouldn't they? They really had no idea about her past and just who her father was, let alone what he had done.

"I got you a hot cocoa with cinnamon and I can fill Emma's sippy cup with milk if you want?" Red offered.

"Um...sure, thanks Ruby," Mary Margaret said, distractedly, as she handed her the sippy cup and shifted her daughter in her arms. Emma whimpered, as she sensed her mother's unease.

"Sit down, girl...and I'll get an order started for you. Will David be joining you?" Granny asked.

"Yes...David should be here any minute," Mary Margaret replied, as she looked her father in the eyes. Not aware of her stress, Granny bustled off to the kitchen, while Ruby returned with a sippy cup of milk for Emma, before leaving father and daughter to talk.

"How did you find us?" she demanded to know.

"It wasn't easy...this town isn't even on some maps. Which is why I'm sure your friend Captain Weaver chose it," Leopold replied.

"And what exactly are you trying to do by acting like you're some loving, doting father to my friends?" she hissed.

"I was those things, my dear...until you ran away and told the Police all those things about me," he responded.

"I told them the truth...that you are a monster and just being near you again makes my skin crawl," she hissed in return.

"Please Mary...I came to make amends,"

"Amends?!" she hissed.

"You tried to have my husband killed, on more than one occasion!" she continued, still speaking quietly enough so as not to cause a panic.

"But I came myself this time. I want to put this messy business between us to rest," Leopold claimed.

"I walked in on your killing someone and then you tried to assault me," she reminded.

"And I am asking for your forgiveness. I want to be in your life again...and my granddaughter's life as well," he stated. But she didn't buy it and got up from the table.

"Don't walk away from me, Mary...you and your husband will not make it very far if you run this time," he warned. And she looked at him in alarm.

"Have you done something to David?" she questioned, but she sighed in relief, as David walked into the diner at that moment.

"David…" she whimpered, as he saw her father sitting in the booth and his eyes widened. He was by her side in an instant and touched the handcuffs on his belt, just as Granny brought plates of food out.

"Here we are...lunch for this little family reunion. Enjoy," she said.

"Yes...let's sit down and have a family meal together. I assure you that you want to hear what I have to say," Leopold stated calmly. David looked at her and she nodded reluctantly to him, conveying everything to him with her expression. He put a hand on the small of her back and they slid into the booth across from him.

"If you're here to try and take my family from me, then you're in for one hell of a fight that I promise you'll lose," David stated firmly. Leopold smirked in amusement.

"I'm not here to take anything, Detective. Oh, I'm sorry...I guess it's Deputy now," the older man responded.

"Then why are you here?" David asked.

"To put this family back together," Leopold claimed. But neither of them bought that for a second, but they did know that simply running at this point would be ill advised. Leopold likely had people waiting for them to do so and in this instance, staying put was actually safer. No, they had to play this just right until he could contact Weaver and Rogers. And also very publicly. Their new friends had no idea what Leopold was really like and David sensed that the older man wanted to keep his past under wraps for now. That meant they would have to play nice too in order to keep this from escalating to a bad place. So that's what they would do...for now. No more running. This was their home and he was tired of this man looming over them. They would stand against him once and for all and by the end, he was determined that Leopold Blanchard would be going to prison for the rest of his life...

[searchingwardrobes]

Desdichado: 12/19

As I read over this fic (since it had been so long since I updated it), I saw that at one point I promised to update this every Friday. Yeah, sorry about that! Life just got in the way. But, even though I can’t promise updates every Friday, I can promise that I will be updating this more regularly from now on.

Oh, the research we have to do as fanfic writers . . . I have been studying Julian Morris’s face (such a burden, I tell you) so I could do a better job at describing him because, honestly, I’ve never paid much attention to Phillip on Once. The Once wiki fan page says he has hazel eyes, which I mentioned in a previous chapter. However, after much (purely scientific) research, I beg to differ. Those eyes look brown to me, people. And can I just say that the casting director’s for Once have a very good track record for hunting down attractive men? Sorry Julian that I did not appreciate that pretty face more when watching the show. You were just one of so many!

But don’t worry, this chapter isn’t all Philip and Aurora. There’s also Outlaw Queen. Oh, and CS. There’s a little of that too . . . Let’s just say things are heating up all over the place in this chapter 😉

Summary: My CS Ivanhoe AU because I never liked how Ivanhoe ended. There’s chivalry and jousting and all that good stuff. But best of all, Killian is a knight. Oh, was that all I had to say?

Rating: T for men treating women like it’s the 12th century (except for our heroes, of course)

Trigger Warning: Starts out Sleeping Captain, but CS is endgame. Also positive spin on Regina with Outlaw Queen.

Words: Close to 3,000 in this chapter

Also on Ao3

Tagging: @snowbellewells (who has helped me with this fic!) @whimsicallyenchantedrose @wellhellotragic @mythologicalmango @thislassishooked @kmomof4 @snidgetsafan @kday426 @teamhook @bethacaciakay @jennjenn615 @delirious-latenight-laughs @winterbaby89 @let-it-raines (If anyone else wants to be tagged, please let me know!)

When the warmth of the sunrise hit Aurora’s face, she groaned at the stiffness in her neck. At some point, she had simply slumped against the tree behind her and promptly fallen asleep. Phillip’s head still rested in her lap, yet before she could wriggle free of the inappropriate situation, his eyes blinked open, their warm brown irises seeming to almost melt in the early rays of the sun. Her hand drifted to his jaw without conscious thought, and she trailed her fingertips lightly along his thickening beard. He smiled at her, a dimple forming in his right cheek.

“Am I dreaming?” he whispered.

Low as his voice was, it startled Aurora, and she snatched her hand away from his face. He frowned and stood up as quickly as he could. When she tripped over her skirts in her own haste to stand, he clasped her elbow and assisted her. His palm against her skin sent a tingle down her arm. When had she started feeling this way around him? Flustered and overly aware of each and every feature of his handsome face?

“You . . . had a nightmare,” she mumbled, pulling her cloak tighter around herself.

His gentle brown eyes regarded her tenderly. “I appreciate your kindness, m’lady. We’ll speak of it no more.”

And with that, he bent to scatter the ashes of their fire, chattering to her about the warm milk his mother used to bring him as a child whenever he had bad dreams. Aurora knelt nearby, relieved to put her trembling hands to a task as she packed their meager provisions back into Sir Phillip’s satchel.

“Mothers are naturals at soothing nightmares I suppose,” Aurora put in, feeling more at ease the higher the sun rose in the sky, “my mother would comb her fingers through my hair and sing me a lullaby as I drifted back to sleep.”

“You miss her terribly, don’t you?”

“Aye, more than I can say.” She handed the satchel to Phillip and tried to ignore the heat that flared when his fingers brushed against hers.

They headed through the trees, still staying off the path lest they run into bandits or scouts of Prince James. Phillip offered her his hand whenever the terrain got rough, and each and every time, the urge to feel his arms around her swelled within her. And on the heels of such thoughts, came swift guilt at the way her heart was betraying her precious Killian, her childhood sweetheart. Yet every time she tried to pull Killian’s roguish smile to her mind, her eyes were pulled to Phillips’s easy grin. And every time she attempted to conjure memories of Killian’s sparkling blue eyes, she found her mind drawn instead to the depth and warmth of a pair of brown ones instead.

“Lady Aurora, why are you trembling?”

She blinked to see Phillip standing there, concern etched upon his brow as he held her gloved hand in both of his.

“I . . . “

But before Aurora could give an answer, Phillip’s gaze snapped to the tree line, and he pressed a finger to his lips to warn her to be silent. Without thinking, she pressed herself closer to his side as she saw a figure through the trees. Phillip pulled her behind a large tree, pressing her back against the trunk. Her heart pounded in her chest at how close the knight was, though his gaze was fixed beyond the trees and not at her.

“Phillip,” she whispered. Was that flutter in her heart from fear, or something else?

“Sh,” he warned, but when his eyes captured hers, he forgot about whatever threat was beyond their hiding place. Instead, his eyes darted from her eyes to her lips and back again, his body inching just a bit closer to press against hers. Their breathing seemed to match, both quickening. He bent his head, his lips hovering close, and she felt her eyes falling shut without a thought.

“Who’s there!”

The shout from beyond the edge of the woods caused both of them to jump, and Phillip immediately put distance between them, a blush creeping up his neck visible even under his beard. Aurora bit down on her lip to prevent a chuckle from slipping forth.

“Poaching on Misthaven land is punishable by death!” the voice shouted once again. “Show thyself!”

Aurora gasped and rounded the tree as she recognized it. She had clearly flustered Sir Phillip, because he wasn’t quick enough to grasp her arm as he called out a warning. The knight found himself trailing behind her as she lifted her skirts and ran towards the familiar voice.

“Graham!” she exclaimed as she ran.

The knight, whom she had known since she was a small child, grinned in relief as he lowered his bow. “Aurora? Is that you?” He put his arrow back in his quiver and slung his bow upon his back just in time to catch her as she leapt into his arms. They both laughed as they embraced, but when Graham saw Philip trailing behind her, he stepped in front of her defensively.

“Stand down, Graham,” she laughed, pushing him aside, “this is Sir Phillip, my rescuer.”

“Rescuer?” Graham asked, suspicion coloring his words. “What’s happened? We’ve been worried sick. Uncle Stefan and the rest of your party were supposed to arrive days ago.”

“Uncle Stefan?” Phillip asked.

“Yes,” Aurora explained as she clasped Phillip by the elbow, “Sir Phillip, I would like you to meet Sir Graham Humbert, my cousin on my mother’s side.”

Phillip nodded as he took in the family crest of a wolf and a deer on the shield that hung on the man’s horse behind him. He reached out and took the man’s offered hand.

“And this is Sir Phillip, knight of the Templar.”

“A Norman?” Graham almost spat.

“None of that,” Aurora sighed with a roll of her eyes, “did you miss the part where I said he was my rescuer?”

“I did take note of that, cousin, and what exactly did he rescue you from? And where is the rest of your father’s house?”

“That is a long story,” Phillip told him, eyeing the woods behind them carefully, “and one better told within the walls of Misthaven. Do you have a good company of knights to sufficiently guard the castle?”

“We do,” Graham nodded firmly.

“Good. Take the Lady Aurora and make haste to the keep. I’ll follow.”

“But Phillip!” Aurora bit her lip as grasped his hands in hers. “Dear brave sir, I can surely walk the remainder of the way. You are in just as much danger as I for betraying your company.”

“And that was the choice I made,” he replied firmly, “you, however, have been a victim in all of this, and I have vowed to ensure your safety.”

“And you are my family,” Graham added, unceremoniously scooping her up and placing her upon his horse.

She wanted to argue further, to reprimand Graham for flinging her around like a rag doll, but the look of intensity in both men’s eyes stopped her. Phillip stepped forward and grasped her hands once again. “Prince James is involved, remember? This is no trifling matter.”

“I’ll keep her safe,” Graham promised.

Phillip nodded and squeezed her hands. “I’ll be right behind you on foot.”

All Aurora had time to do was smile at the handsome brown-eyed knight as Graham shot forward on his steed towards Misthaven castle.

*****************************************************

The Merry Men led Lord Stefan, Regina, and Violet stealthily through the woods towards the castle where the captives were being held. Suddenly, Robin Hood stopped and lifted his hand and their company immediately stopped, the Merry Men dropping to crouch amidst the brush. Robin made his way back to the Lord and the two ladies by his side.

“Wait here,” Robin instructed. “My men and I will draw closer to the castle in order to set the fires. Are your men ready, Lord Stefan?”

He nodded. “I really feel as if I should be with them.”

“No my Lord,” Robin argued firmly with a brisk shake of his head, “neither the Templars nor Prince James’s knights will hesitate to shoot down the most landed Lord of the Saxons. And with you gone, what will become of your daughter?”

Stefan sighed, yet nodded in agreement. He turned to Violet who was trembling and patted her hand. Speaking softly to the girl, he led her to a fallen long so she could sit. Regina watched the child with sympathy; it wasn’t fair that she had been drawn into such intrigue.

“They’ll be fine,” Robin assured at her elbow, “and so will your Emma. We’ll get her out safely, I promise.”

Regina nodded, folding her trembling arms across her chest. She wanted to believe him, yet she knew there were so many things that could go wrong in battle. Seeming to sense her distress, Robin reached out and clasped her arms gently.

“They’ll be drawn out by the fire. We don’t have time – Emma doesn’t have time – for a long siege.”

“I know.”

Regina took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. Robin reached out tenderly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I have to go.”

He turned, and the thought that something could happen to him strangled Regina’s heart. She grabbed him by the elbow and pulled him back to her, then yanked him down by the edge of his cloak to crash her lips into his. It was quick, and Robin blinked at her in shock.

“For luck,” she muttered, giving him a little shove as red flooded her cheeks.

He grinned broadly, then swiftly took her face in his hands. He bent then and kissed her properly, his lips sliding over hers, his tongue gently parting her mouth so he could drink her in. When it ended, Regina felt herself sway as spots danced before her eyes.

“For the pleasure of it,” he told her with a wink, then he was jogging off to join his men.

Regina rolled her eyes at his cockiness, yet she had to press her hands to her cheeks in order to cool them.

******************************************************

Killian watched Emma intently as she bent over him, her slender fingers roaming over his neck as she studied the cut there. He could no longer deny the heat that filled him at her touch, and it made dread settle in the pit of his stomach. He had made a vow to Lady Aurora. No matter what attraction he felt to Emma Swan, he could never break it. And he did still love Aurora; they had a long history together, and she was a tender part of his best childhood memories.

And yet, as he gazed into Emma’s face, he couldn’t help being drawn to her full, pink lips. He ached to gather her in his arms and press his lips to hers. He thought of waking up and finding her beside him, that drowsy smile upon those lips. He couldn’t help the traitorous wonderings in his mind – what would it be like to wake up to her smile every morning?

Those lips smiled as she ran her fingertips one more time down his neck and to his collarbone. He shifted in the bed, his face reddening to try and cover his body’s reaction.

“Well,” she told him joyously, “your neck wound is healing so nicely, it no longer needs a bandage.”

Her eyes met his, and her expression changed. Could she see his desire written all over his face? Her fingers drifted to his jaw, and he swallowed around a sudden lump in his throat. He reached up to touch her hair as he had longed to do, relishing the silky feel of it between his fingers.

“You are an exquisitely beautiful woman,” he told her softly.

“You only say that because I saved your life.”

“No, I say it because it’s true.”

His hand left her hair to cup her face. That too was just as soft as he had imagined. Emma took her hand in both of hers, her eyes falling shut as she held it pressed to her face. Then she gave his palm a slow, lingering kiss. The feel of her lips sent a jolt through him and it took every ounce of his chivalry not to pull her down to the bed for a passionate embrace.

She opened her eyes, and he was startled to see tears in them. “You are not mine to have, Sir Killian.”

Then she dropped his hand and rose quickly, turning her back to him. She hastened to the kettle at the fire.

“Forgive me, Lady Emma,” Killian choked, feeling like an utter cad, “I didn’t mean -”

“It’s okay,” she cut him off. “Let’s just . . . forget it happened, shall we?”

Killian struggled to sit up in the bed, and Emma turned suddenly with an alarmed expression. She ran to his side and gently pushed him back down against the pillows.

“Just because your neck wound is healed doesn’t mean the rest of you is,” she admonished like a mother hen.

He groaned as he felt the jabbing pain in his ribs and the flame of fire shooting from the wound in his side. “I realize that now that I’ve attempted to move,” he chuckled. His gaze found Emma’s as she fussed with the blankets. “Forgive my forwardness, I beg of you m’lady.”

She gave him a smile tinged with sadness. “Of course I forgive you.”

She turned back to the kettle which was now singing over the fire, and he sagged against the headboard. No matter what his future held, of this he was certain – Emma Swan would always haunt his thoughts.

The spell that seemed to hang between them was shattered when they heard screams, shouts, and crashes from the corridor. Emma gasped, nearly dropping the kettle, and then raced to the door. Ever since they sent Violet for help, they had been alone in the chambers. He prayed no one ever learned of it; he would never forgive himself if he harmed Lady Emma’s reputation.

When Emma reached the door, she yanked it open and immediately began to cough as thick smoke billowed into the room. Another scream rent the air along with the sound of shattered glass, and Emma tumbled back into the room as flames licked at the stone outside of their chamber.

“Emma!” Killian shouted, pushing up from the bed despite his pain.

She ran to him, catching him as he attempted to rise from the bed. She lowered him back to the mattress, clinging to his shoulders, her cheeks streaked with tears.

“You can barely walk! What are we going to do?”

She choked on a sob, and he drew her close, even as he winced at the pain in his ribs. He had never felt so helpless in his life.

“You must leave me,” he whispered into her hair.

“What? No!” She grabbed desperately at his shoulders.

“Emma!” A voice shouted from the doorway. They both turned to see Sir Baelfire standing there, outfitted in chain mail as if ready for battle. “The castle is on fire, you must come with me!”

“No!” Emma shouted, clinging to Killian more desperately.

“Well, you don’t really have a say in the matter,” Baelfire grumbled, yanking Emma up.

“Don’t touch me!” she screamed, pummeling the knight with her fists. But Sir Baelfire had combat training and was clad in chain mail, so he easily stopped her attack, pinning her arms to her side.

“Let go of her!” Killian yelled, pushing himself off the bed. He attempted to stand, but his injuries, his weakness from his days of fever, and the smoke quickly filling the room were too much, and he sagged quickly to the floor.

Emma continued to fight her “rescuer,” kicking him in the shins and elbowing him in the stomach. The latter caused him to grunt and let go of her, but her instinct to rush to Killian’s side was her undoing. Sir Baelfire leveled a blow to her head that sent her crumpling to the floor, unconscious.

Killian struggled to his knees, swaying as the smoke thickened and flames swelled in the corridor. He choked, unable to cry out, helpless to rescue the woman who had so bravely fought and cared for him. Through the billowing smoke, he could just make out her arm dangling at her side, her hair a golden waterfall tumbling over the villainous knight’s arm as he carried her away.

“Emma,” he choked, a tear slipping down his cheek as they disappeared into the smoky haze.

As he slipped into oblivion, his last image was most likely a hallucination. He could have sworn he saw a Black Knight silhouetted in the flames.

[littledreamybeth]

Young parents ( Fetus Harry Styles x Reader)

A/N: Neither the GIF nor the picture above belongs to me! Photo belongs to @huedpacks! Thanks for allowing me to use it! <3 I’m sorry for any grammar mistakes and typos. Hope you enjoy this imagine. You can also check out my other imagines! Love you!

“I love you, baby girl,” I cooed to the little bundle of joy in my arms. Rocking her slowly back and forth, I whispered sweet nothings to my two months old baby. I have never felt happy in my entire life. She was the best thing that could’ve happened to me. She looked very much like her father. Brown curly hair, mesmerizing green eyes, her lips. Everything about her looked like the young man that I loved whole-heartedly.

I have to admit, the beginning of my new life as a mother was not very easy. Our baby had been a surprise actually. She was not planned at all. And we did not planned to be parents at our young age. Harry had become a father at the age of 17 and I had been sixteen when he got me pregnant. I had no idea  how it happened. We always used protection while making love to each other, but I think the last time we did it, we weren’t cautious enough. I didn’t put the blame on him though- not at all. Having kids with Harry was something I’ve always dreamed of. It was only a bad timing, I guess. However, I didn’t regret anything. He gave me the precious creature on earth. Our daughter.

Once I’d found out about my pregnancy, I had panicked. With tears in my eyes and heavy sobs escaping my mouth, I had run over to Harry’s, holding the positive pregnancy test in my hands. I’d felt desperate, not knowing what to do. My body was filled with fear. Fear of confronting Harry with the news, fear of looking into my parents eyes, fear of meeting Anne, Robin and Gemma. What would they all think of me? We were so young to become parents.

I still remembered the expression and Harry’s face when I showed him the result of the test. The color in his face had vanished rapidly, turning completely pale. His whole body had trembled a slightly bit. He had appeared helpless as I was, but nevertheless he had remained strong, pulling me towards him and wrapping his arms around me.

“It’ll be alright,” he had murmured into my ear. “We can do this together. I’ll take care of you.”

We had told our parents that evening. I had been so afraid of their reaction but Harry; Harry was more courageous and tougher than I could have been. Of course, we did expect their terrified and shocked reactions. My parents had looked at me with a disappointed look on their faces. They had told me to consider abortion as an option to get rid of that child, which had made me even more shocked and upset than I already had been. I had been so afraid of them abandoning me if I didn’t do what they had told me.

“It’s not your decision to make,” Anne had interfered with anger evident in her voice. “If she wants to keep the baby, so she should do it. I admit, I’m not very happy about my son becoming a father at such a young age, but still Robin and I are going to support them no matter what happens. If you’re not willing to support your child nor cooperating with us, then you should leave. We will take good care of (Y/N) and the baby. She has already become a part of our family.”

I really had admired her persistence in that moment. Anne being Anne; she always saw the positive things of life. And I loved her for it. Whatever she did to convince my parents, they apologized to me and became supportive during my pregnancy. Harry was my rock, he tried to be there for me as much as he could. We spent lots of time together, more than we usually did. The best moments were those, where Harry started to talk to my baby bump, peppering it with kisses, stroking it and singing to it with his angelic voice.

“I can’t wait to hold her in my arms,” he had told me. “Once she’s here, I’m going to spoil her rotten. I’ll treat her like a princess. I’m going to protect her. I’ll try to be the best father that she. I promise.”

I had never doubted everything he said to me. He worked hard in the bakery to earn money, taking lots of shifts that he could. I appreciated his effort, I really did, but I also felt guilty. I knew he had dreams. He wanted to go to X-Factor to fulfill his biggest wish- becoming a singer. But with the baby on its way, I kinda felt like an obstacle in his life.

“Don’t you talk like that, love,” he had said sternly, as I had told him my worries. “Neither you or the baby are keeping me away from anything. Believe me or not, this is everything I wished and everything I could ask for.”

He was only 17 but so optimistic and excited. I could tell it by the way he looked at me and my growing belly.

“I see a bright and happy future for us.”

Now that our baby girl was finally here, I was more excited for the future.

“Who’s the most beautiful baby in the world?” I whispered, caressing her cheek. “That’s you my love. Mommy loves you so much. Daddy loves you even more. We love you, Darcy Anne.”

I knew Darcy was a name Harry wanted to give his first daughter, so we did. I also wanted to name her after her grandma because she helped us a lot. Without Anne’s help and advice, we wouldn’t know what to do. I owe her so many things. She was my second mum.

I hummed a lullaby, causing Darcy to fall asleep. She loved when you sang to her. She loved it even more when Harry sang to her.

“Hey,” I turned around and was greeted by Harry, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. He smiled at me adoringly.

“How long have you been standing there?” I inquired.

“Not too long. Just came in and caught you singing to her.”

I put Darcy into her crib, covering her up with her pink blanket. Harry joined me as we both watched our baby girl sleeping. Her tiny chest lifted and fell with every intake of breath and believe me- it was the cutest thing ever.

“Isn’t she lovely, Isn’t she wonderful, Isn’t she precious, Less than one minute old…” Harry sang, wrapping his arms around my waist. I had to grin, laying my hands on top of his.

“Have you made your decision yet?” I asked him.

“About what, darlin’?”

“Auditioning to X-Factor. I know you still want to go, Harry. Do whatever your heart desires. I’m going to support you as much as I can. And don’t worry about me or Darcy. We won’t be alone. We have our parents. So, please Harry, do it. I could never forgive myself if you can’t pursue your dreams.” I was being honest with him. I couldn’t forgive myself for holding him back from something he really loved to do.

“Thank you (Y/N),” Harry responded, kissing my temple gently. “I will think about it. But now, I just want to spend time with my family as much as I can. X-Factor can wait. I mean, Darcy isn’t going to stay like this forever and I don’t want to miss anything in her life. Her first everything. Her first steps, her first words, her first teeth. To experience those things means more to me than X-Factor.”

I smiled at him, cupping his cheeks and kissing his lips softly. We stood there for another few minutes, staring at our baby girl with pure love, adoration and admiration in our eyes and our hearts.

“My little family,” Harry murmured.

[believingispowerfulmagic]

“Once Upon a Time”Chapter 13: Fever Dreams

Caught in the storm Caught in the rain Caught in the rush that hides this pain

(“Caught in the Storm,” Smash)

Chapter 13: Fever Dreams

            I pressed my hand to Rachel’s forehead and frowned. She seemed hot and she was wheezing as she slept fitfully in her crib. “Robin, can you get me the thermometer please?”

           “Sure,” he called out from the bathroom. “Are you feeling okay?”

           “I am. Rachel’s not.”

           As I waited for him, I turned to Emma when she began coughing. Her cheeks were red and she was glassy-eyed. I sighed. “Emma’s not either.”

           Robin entered the room, handing me the thermometer with a frown. “Both girls are down for the count?”

           “Looks like it. Can you help me lay Emma down and get her onesie off?” I pulled out the Vaseline, dipping the thermometer into it.

           Emma seemed to know what was coming and she fought Robin, squirming on the changing table. “No!” she yelled.

           “I need you to stay still, Emma,” he pleaded, trying to hold her down. “Mama needs to take your temperature.”

           “NO!” She disappeared in a cloud of white smoke and landed back in her crib, pouting. “No.”

           I shoved the thermometer back at Robin and approached her, leaning over the railing. “Emma, do you want to feel better?”

           “NO!” She pushed my hands away. No stick. Stick feel weird.

           “I know the stick feels weird, but I need to see if you have a fever. That way I can make you better.”

           Mama promise?

           I nodded. “Mama promises.”

           Emma stilled, letting me pick her up again. I laid her on the changing table and stripped off her onesies as well as removed her diaper. Holding out my hand to Robin, I said: “Thermometer.”

           He placed it in my hand and placed it in, waiting for it to read Emma’s temperature. She began to whimper and Robin stroked her curls. “You’re doing great, Princess. I’m proud of you.”

           “Papa,” she whimpered, sniffling.

           “I’m right here, Princess,” he replied, smiling. “I’m not going anywhere.”

           The thermometer beeped a few times and I removed it, frowning at the reading. “She has a fever.”

           “My poor princess,” Robin said, redressing her. “Do you need help with Rachel?”

           I glanced over at our sleeping daughter and shook my head. “I think I’ll be fine with her. You focus on Emma.”

           He nodded and I easily got a sleeping Rachel out of her onesie and diaper. After washing the thermometer and dipping it back in the Vaseline, I took her temperature. When it beeped, I realized she had the same temperature as Emma. “They both have fevers,” I announced.

           “Wonderful,” he replied, bouncing Emma as she rested against his shoulder. “What do you want to do?”

           I rubbed Rachel’s stomach as she slept on, hearing how congested she was as she struggled to breathe through her little nostrils. “I guess some children’s Tylenol to bring down their fever and I’ll run out in the morning to get something to help with the congestion.”

           “Maybe you should get something now,” he suggested as Emma’s small frame was racked by coughs. “Or I can go.”

           Emma leaned toward me, her eyes glassy as tears fell down her cheeks. She reached out to me. “Mama.”

           I took her from Robin, feeling her overheated body as she placed all her weight against me and rested her head on my shoulder. Rubbing her back, I looked at him. “It’s probably best if you go. You know what you’re looking for?”

           He nodded. “I remember from when Roland was sick. I promise I’ll be right back.”

           “Don’t worry,” I said. “We’re not going anywhere.”

           Robin gave me a quick kiss before kissing Emma’s head. “I’ll be back with something to make you feel better, Princess. Okay?”

           “Papa,” she whimpered before couching, some spittle landing on my neck.

I tried not to wince. “Hurry back.”

He slipped out of the room and I carried Emma over to the rocking chair. I magicked her baby blanket to me, wrapping her in it. “Why don’t we just rock here for a bit?”

Mama make Emma feel better?

“Once Papa returns with the medicine,” I assured her. “It won’t be long now.”

Mama sing to Emma?

“I don’t think that’ll make you feel better. Why don’t you wait and Papa will sing to you?” I suggested.

Emma want Mama to sing. Mama sing!

“We’ve talked about you being bossy, Emma.”

Emma sick. She punctuated that with several wet, mucusy coughs and I melted, rubbing her back.

I sighed. “Okay, sweetheart. I’ll sing for you. You won’t like it, but I’ll sing.”

Love Mama. She patted my shoulder and closed her eyes as I started to sing a lullaby to her.

As I sang to her, I kept an eye on Rachel’s crib. She was coughing as well and I saw her start to squirm before she disappeared in a puff of white smoke. I prepared myself and caught her as she landed in my arms. Hot, Mama.

“I know, sweetheart.” I was starting to sweat from holding both hers and Emma’s feverish bodies close to me. “Papa’s gone to get something to help.”

Want help now, Mama, Rachel pleaded.

Emma too, Emma agreed.

I nodded before calling out for Roland. He appeared in the doorway, Bandit at his feet. “What’s wrong, Mama?” he asked.

“Can you do me a favor?” I asked.

“Sure,” he replied. “What?”

“Can you get two facecloths and run them over cool, not cold, water? Your sisters have fevers and I think it will help.”

He nodded. “I’ll be right back, Mama.”

“Do you hear that?” I asked the girls. “Your brother will bring something cool for you.”

Roland good, Rachel said. Rachel like him.

Emma like Roland too.

Their favorite person returned, a damp facecloth in each hand. I smiled at him. “Can you fold them up and put them on your sister’s foreheads for me? I don’t have any hands to spare.”

Roland nodded and did as I instructed. He then kissed their heads. “Feel better,” he said and my heart melted.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” I leaned forward and kissed his forehead. “I’ll be in to tuck you in once your father gets back.”

“It’s okay, Mama,” he said. “I can tuck myself in tonight if it’s easier.”

I shook my head. “Once your father gets back, I’ll be able to focus on you. Don’t worry about it being easier or not. Okay?”

Roland grinned. “Okay, Mama. I’m going to read now, though.”

He left, but the dog stayed. Bandit laid down at my feet, looking up at the girls with sad eyes. I smiled down at him. “Don’t worry, boy. They’ll feel better soon.”

Bandit whined and stayed by me, even as we heard the door open and close. Robin bounded up the stairs, not bothering to shed his coat. He clutched a white paper bag. “Okay, I picked up something that should help them.”

“That’s good,” I said. “Which daughter do you want?”

NO! Both girls shouted so loud into my head, I know my eyes grew wide as I almost hit my head on the back of the chair.

Robin frowned. “Is something wrong?”

“The girls don’t want to let me go,” I explained before looking down at them. Both their eyes were closed but I knew they weren’t asleep. “I need a hand to give you medicine. So I need Papa to hold one of you.”

He shook his head. “I think we can handle this without you letting them go. I’ll give them the medicine and you hold them.”

“Okay.” I adjusted Rachel as Robin opened the medicine. He used the stopper to fill up the right dosage and approached our youngest.

Crouching down, he smiled. “Can you open up for me, sweetheart? Just so I can get the medicine in your mouth?”

Rachel pulled away from my shoulder and opened her mouth, letting Robin squeeze the medicine into her mouth. She swallowed before making a face. Yucky, Mama.

“I know, but it’s going to make you feel better,” I told her. I then turned to Emma. “Okay, your turn. Open up for Papa.”

She opened her mouth but refused to lift her head. Robin and I had to maneuver a bit but we were able to get the medicine in. She shook as she swallowed before her little hand clutched onto my shirt.

Robin set the medicine bottle down. “Do you think it’ll work?”

“Of course it will,” I replied. “Go take off your jacket. We’re not going anywhere.”

He nodded, looking down at Bandit. “You coming, boy?”

Bandit glanced at him before sighing, turning his head back toward me. I shook my head. “He won’t leave the girls.”

“He’s a good dog,” Robin said with a smile before heading out of the room.

I continued to rock the girls. “Are you two feeling better?”

Rachel didn’t respond and I could tell she had fallen asleep. Emma rubbed her eyes before responding. Tired, Mama.

“Then why don’t you close your eyes and try to get some sleep? You’ll feel better when you’re rested,” I told her.

Okay, Mama. Will Mama sing again?

“How about Papa sings while I put Rachel to bed?”

“Papa,” she murmured and I figured it was an acceptance of my idea. I handed her to Robin once he returned and he began singing softly to her, swaying the entire time.

I laid Rachel down, covering her with a blanket. Pressing a kiss to my fingers, I pressed them to her forehead. “Good night, sweetheart.”

Robin laid Emma down in her crib, placing Princess bear next to her as Emma continued to wheeze. He grimaced. “I wish her breathing was better.”

“Me too,” I replied, joining him. “But the medicine you got should be able to clear her up. Hopefully it passes quickly.”

He nodded. “I’m going to get that machine that turned water into smoke…”

“The humidifier?” I supplied. When he nodded again, I smiled. “That should help them. While you do that, I’m going to put Roland to bed.”

“Okay. I’m going to stay in here with the girls for a while, so don’t be surprised if I’m not in bed,” he said.

I nodded. “I’ll come relieve you in a few hours, then. You can’t spend all night in the rocker.”

“I don’t mind,” he said, not even bothering to deny that was what he planned to do.

“I know, but your back might. Besides, they may want me. Emma can be bossy on a good day and Rachel is a Mills’ girl…”

He nodded. “Alright. I’ll switch with you, but only for a few hours. You shouldn’t sit in the rocker for too long either.”

I conceded that before heading over to Roland’s room, ready to put my son to bed and then keep vigil over my daughters.

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