#s: vamp siblings

[tobebittenlikeahavensdale]

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?” Christopher remarked, his tone light, almost teasing, as he glanced at the ominous iron sky above them. The oppressive weight of the dome didn’t seem to bother him; his casual demeanor was either an act of defiance or sheer recklessness.

Cristina turned her gaze toward him, her amber eyes glinting like molten gold in the dim light. Slowly, her lips curled back, revealing the sharp edges of her fangs in a grin that was equal parts charm and menace. She let the silence stretch.

“Ah yes,” she drawled, her voice velvet-smooth, laced with an undertone of mockery. “A splendid day, indeed. Though…” She tilted her head, her grin widening to something far more wicked, “it might be perfect if there was more to hunt than a deer or two. Don’t you agree?”

Her words lingered in the air, carrying a promise as sharp as her fangs. It had been far too long since she’d tasted human blood, and the memory of it haunted her like a phantom, whispering to her in the dark. The pulse of it, the warmth, the heady rush—it was intoxicating, addicting.

Her fingers flexed at her sides, and she could feel her blood simmering beneath her skin, a primal hunger clawing its way to the surface. The forest around them felt alive with possibilities, but none of them were enough to quench her thirst. Deer and rabbits, though sufficient for survival, were a poor substitute for the thrill of the hunt—the true hunt.

Cristina’s grin didn’t falter, but her eyes darkened, their glow fading into something colder, more calculating. She didn’t reply, but the silence between them was louder than any words.

"Beautiful day, isn't it?

@havensdalestarters

[sammyluvr]

broken, fine for tonight — sam & dean winchester

cw : gn!winchester!reader, hurt/comfort, some angst, reader's the youngest sibling, injury/pain, nicknames (kid, bud, sweetheart), 1.3K words. requested !

summary : you break your ankle but your older brother's are convinced it's just a sprain and leave to finish up a hunt.

dean sounds all gruff and almost annoyed when he says you’ll have to stay in the motel while they take down this nest of vamps. “you’ll be no help with a jacked up ankle,” he grumbles, because it’d be easier with three than two. but his eyes are a little soft as they flick down to your injury and you know it’s just because he’s no good at dealing with being worried about you.

sam comes back from the bathroom, giving you a sympathetic smile as he sets another pair of pain pills on the bedside table next to your half empty plastic water bottle. “you’re good to take these in half an hour,” he says, “and we’ll grab you a proper brace on the way back, alright?”

you give him a tight smile, your breathing measured so it doesn’t come across as labored. “sure,” you agree, still fighting against the pain in your foot in order to appear as composed as you’re expected to be. when you twisted it earlier today, sam and dean brushed it off as a sprain and haven’t stopped to think otherwise since then. 

dean had hauled you back up with strong hands and a comforting pat to your back. you’re alright, he insisted, ‘s just a little sprain, you’ve dealt with worse. he wasn’t trying to be dismissive, but you’ve felt a sprain before, and you’re sure that this is worse.

it must be a pretty bad sprain, sam said with a soft frown when you let out a pained gasp after trying to put just the slightest bit of pressure on it. he looped your other arm around his shoulders, and the two of them practically carried you back to the motel room. they set you down on the bed, and you know that sam normally would’ve checked your ankle with a bit more precision and care most days, but you’re all pretty sure that the vamps have caught on to you, which means the faster they get into the nest, the better. so he simply propped your foot up on all the spare pillows in the room with gentle hands, cringing each time the movement made you wince in pain. he wrapped it in an ace bandage, and you nearly cried out loud as he did. mind otherwise occupied, he’d just told you the pain would fade soon enough.

you think that somewhere in the back of their minds, both of your brothers know that you’re in enough pain to understand that this is worse than they want it to be. their concern is easy to read, but sometimes they hate the prospect of you being hurt so much that they’ll focus that energy onto a different problem until they have to face this one. so they’re out the door before you know it. 

hopefully they’ll give you a longer look when they get back. you’d very much like to go to the hospital to get checked out and hopefully return to the motel with a cast and pair of crutches.

the pain only gets worse and the minutes just drag. time flows so slowly that you start to worry, just like you do every time they’re off on a hunt without you. if they’ve been gone this long, something must’ve gone wrong, right? you check the time and realize it’s been less than a full hour. the ibuprofen you took a bit ago does nothing to help. 

your ankle hurts so badly that you’re teary and sniffly and even though no one’s here to witness it, you’re embarrassed by it nonetheless. but you might as well get the tears out of the way before they come back.

you’re convinced that it’s broken, and by the time the headlights of the impala shine through the half-closed blinds of the motel, you’re in too much of a haze to notice the door unlocking and the boys tramping into the room.

sam’s through the door first, and the second he lays eyes on you, he knows something’s not quite right. he says your name, soft of course, but still loud enough for you to hear. you don’t look over, and he drops his bag on the floor to rush over. dean immediately picks up on the tone of sam’s voice, following close behind.

sam’s big hand on your forehead rouses you. “hey. you with us sweetheart?” he murmurs, voice quiet and clearly concerned. your eyes flutter open and the only thing you can think to do when you register the worry on his face is give him a rueful smile.

“i think it’s broken,” you mumble, voice quiet and tired. you’re somehow numb and still hurting so much at the same time. dean gives a little scoff, more so out of affection than frustration, and rounds the bed to look at your ankle. you wince when he moves it, this time not bothering to hide just how much it really hurts.

“you think?” dean repeats back to you, “jesus, kid, why didn’t you say something before?”

“you didn’t give me a chance,” you retort, frowning deeply but too tired to actually sound upset. “you both said it was sprained.” before dean can make some comment about how it’s your ankle, not theirs so how would they know, sam intervenes.

“we’re sorry, bud,” he murmurs, “we should’ve paid you more attention.” you don’t see the pointed look he gives dean not to argue with you right now, or the way dean puts his hands up in frustration, then softens when he looks back at you. he knows that sam’s right, it’s not fair to get all snarky with you. he’s just fueled by worry and he forgets that his worry very easily turns to anger and irritability. dean’s not upset with you at all, but he is at himself for not noticing just how badly you were injured.

the way that he gently carries you to the back seat of the impala is his apology, plus the promise to find your favorite food after you get checked out from the hospital. sam sits in the back with you to keep you steady. steady and held. his hand holds your head softly, his other keeping your leg still as the car rumbles down along the road.

tonight, everything will be fine. your ankle will heal and once properly treated, it’s true that the pain will fade. sure, they won’t pay the medical bills with real credit cards and the doctor might be impressed or concerned, or both, by your pain tolerance. because this certainly isn’t the first time you’ve been cooped up in the back seat of the impala, hurting and maybe even a little scared while sam holds you and dean drives.

he always steals glances back at you through the rearview mirror, making eye contact with sam to be sure you’re awake and well. but he has to be the one driving because he feels like that’s the only thing he has control of when you’re like this. he just absolutely horrified by the thought that there might be a dark night on empty roads after a hunt or a nearly world-ending event where his can’t drive fast enough. what if, someday, you die in his car and your blood stains the leather, because how could he wipe your blood from the seats like that?

and sam’s the one who’ll be holding you, staunching your blood with his jacket, whispering assurances that you’ll be alright. he’s terrified by the thought that there might be a night where, in the backseat of this car, the place you all silently call home, you’ll die in his arms.

those are the sorts of things they think about. they know that you think about your own nightmares of them dying too. but in this life, the only thing you can do is tuck those thoughts away, somewhere deep and hidden, because tonight, everything will be fine.

[valkerieccfinds]

The Path to the Veil Legacy Challenge

By SilverPhoenix42 aka me & @streetrabbit42

Needed Packs: EP: Life & Death, City Living, Snowy Escape, Island Living (OPTIONAL) GP: Werewolves, Parenthood, Vampires, Realm of Magic (OPTIONAL) SP: Paranormal (OPTIONAL)

Generation 1: Aspiring Occult

You’ve always loved the paranormal, so when you met your future spouse, you were overjoyed when they told you their secret.

Aspiration: Big Happy Family

Traits: Family-Oriented, Neat, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Parenting

Career: Any Career

Rules:

Marry a Werewolf, Vampire, Mermaid or Spellcaster

After marrying you must quit your job

You must have at least 3 children

Have at least one  Werewolf child

Werewolf child is the Heir

You don’t have to complete the final level of your Aspiration

Generation 2: Happily Different

You live in a very crowded house, and nearly every one of you isn’t human, so you’ve come to take great pride in your differences.

Aspiration: Choose one of the Werewolf Initiate branches (except Cure Seeker)

Traits: Cheerful, Outgoing, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Charisma

Career: Freelancer - Paranormal Investigator Branch

Rules:

Must have at least 2 children

Have a bad relationship with your child Heir, but have a good relationship with the other child(ren)

Generation 3: Family Feud 

You never got along with your siblings, and always wished you were like the other kids… which your family did not understand. So you sought out a way to become normal. But having a shitty mixology skill, you couldn’t take the usual route.

Aspiration: Werewolf Initiate - Cure Seeker route 

Traits: Loner, Gloomy, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Piano

Career: Freelancer - Programmer Branch

Rules:

Have a low relationship with your sibling(s)

Don’t complete your aspiration

Have a low or non-existent mixology skill (if you have a mod for it, make it their ‘weakness’ or non talent)

Must complete your bucket list and reincarnate while alive

Generation 4: Another Chance

You remember your past life, and don’t want to repeat it again, so you set out to live it as differently as possible.

Aspiration: Neighborhood Confidante AND THEN Friend of the World

Traits: Good, Skeptic, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Logic, Charisma

Career: Politician - Politician Branch

Rules:

Have at least 2 children

1 Child must become a vampire

Have a bad relationship with your vamp child after they turn

Have a good relationship with the human child

The Heir can be either child

Generation 5: Life Comes at You Fast

You want to learn more about what your parent hated so viscerally.

Note: This works for either heir option

Aspiration: Ghost Historian

Traits: Chased by Death, Adventurous, [Your Choice]

Max Skills: Thanatology, Medium AND/OR Vampire Lore, Rock Climbing  OR Skiing OR Snowboarding

Career: Secret Agent - Either Branch

Rules:

Have a bad relationship with your sibling(s)

Have a bad relationship with your (reincarnated) parent

Die as a young adult

Generation 6: Epilogue

You died. Good job. Now, are you going to take your anger out on the living, or will you move on into the light?

Aspiration: Choose your aspiration

Max Skills: Mischief

Career: Unemployed

Rules:

Complete your Aspiration

Either become a mad ghost or complete a bucket list to move on

Credit to @cafekitsune for the dividers!

[the-dawn-star]

Hello! I’m a sucker for Kol Mikaelson would you be willing to write some fem!vamp! Reader x kol Mikaelson? A kindred spirits type of thing where she’s also the black sheep of the family and kol is very protective of her? Maybe one of her brothers/sisters comes around and is mean or insults her and kol puts them in their place?

Your place to stay series is my absolute favorite 💛

A/N: Hi! So, this is more humorous than you maybe meant but I still hope you like it!

-S

+200ish words.

When you first started to date it was a bit weird. Both of you kept your family away from each other and pushed the subject away if it never happened to come up.   

But with time you started to open up to each other, not saying that it was easy but at least it was possible.   

After Kol started to talk about his complicated family situation and you talked about your family, you realized how similar your family situations were and you both were the black sheep of the family.   

You introducing Kol to your family was a bit of a mess and you were near tears by the end, but it really brought the two of you together.   

With you meeting Kol’s siblings..., well it was even a bigger mess. (Two people ended up dead and Klaus made a comment about Kol and you breaking up within the next week.)   

And of course, Kol retaliated by punching Klaus, which of course led to a fight. (While Kol and Klaus were fighting, you and Rebekah simply chose to drink some expensive whiskey.)  

So, in general you and Kol make an awesome couple and after a while of dating, his family will grow to accept you and are happy to see that you bring out the best of each other.   

[corpseidol]

SCHOOL BUS GRAVEYARD

masterlist ahead . . .

"DON'T BLAME IT ON THE KIDS" ∿ ashlyn banner ‹▧› ONESHOTS here, let me (x taylor) (romantic/platonic) ‹▧› DRABBLES

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

‹▧› HEADCANNONS his duty (older brother!reader) (ft. whole group)

nightfall (vampire!reader) (ft. whole group)

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

mini her (ash’s younger sibling!reader) (ft. whole group)

sunrise (x vamp!reader) (ft. whole group)

"LITTLE GIRL GONE" ∿ taylor hernandez ‹▧› ONESHOTS here, let me (x ashlyn) (romantic/platonic) ‹▧› DRABBLES

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

‹▧› HEADCANNONS his duty (older brother!reader) (ft. whole group)

nightfall (vampire!reader) (ft. whole group)

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

mini her (ash’s younger sibling!reader) (ft. whole group)

sunrise (x vamp!reader) (ft. whole group)

"I’LL NEVER SOFTEN MY GRIP." ∿ tyler hernandez

‹▧› ONESHOTS ‹▧› DRABBLES ofc, darling (x fem!reader) (romantic)

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

‹▧› HEADCANNONS ofc, darling (x reader) so far, so close (x reader) (ft. aiden) his duty (older brother!reader) (ft. whole group)

nightfall (vampire!reader) (ft. whole group)

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

mini her (ash’s younger sibling!reader) (ft. whole group)

contrast (x opposite!s/o) (ft. aiden)

sunrise (x vamp!reader) (ft. whole group)

"DOES IT GET YOUR BLOOD BOILING?" ∿ ben clark

‹▧› ONESHOTS ‹▧› DRABBLES behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

‹▧› HEADCANNONS

his duty (older brother!reader) (ft. whole group) nightfall (vampire!reader) (ft. whole group)

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

mini her (ash’s younger sibling!reader) (ft. whole group)

hum (x fem!reader) (romantic/platonic)

sunrise (x vamp!reader) (ft. whole group)

"I'M THE BOY IN THE BUBBLE" ∿ logan fields

‹▧› ONESHOTS

‹▧› DRABBLES

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

‹▧› HEADCANNONS

his duty (older brother!reader) (ft. whole group)

nightfall (vampire!reader) (ft. whole group)

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

mini her (ash’s younger sibling!reader) (ft. whole group)

sunrise (x vamp!reader) (ft. whole group)

"TICKING LIKE A TIMEBOMB" ∿ aiden clark

‹▧› ONESHOTS ‹▧› DRABBLES

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

‹▧› HEADCANNONS so far, so close (ft. tyler) (sibling!reader)

his duty (older brother!reader) (ft. whole group)

behind an image (idol!reader) (ft. whole group)

mini her (ash’s younger sibling!reader) (ft. whole group)

nightfall (vampire!reader) (ft. whole group)

contrast (x opposite!s/o) (ft. tyler)

sunrise (x vamp!reader) (ft. whole group)

[startagainaprologue]

vamparty question.!! what caused each party member to change?? why are they silly vampire s,,,,

umm.. small note!! that these could change ? just bc we just came up with a lot of theese..??

i think a lot of them were born vampires ? probably? odile definitely was. (father being a human and her mother vampire),, maybe smth similar with bonnie or isa? although unsure if their any of their parents are vamps or if its another relative like a grandparent,, (probably smth like that for Isa? basil brought up the idea that he could be the only vamp of his siblings possibly?),, and Mirabelleee. maybe turned. theres already a bit of strain between her and her parents and thatd probably make for more distance. possibly leading to why she was led to stay at the House..

[mirkwoodshewolf]

A departed farewell; Eddie Munson x reader

*Author's note*

To all out there, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Okay so this one is kinda heavy but after getting reintroduced to the great film known as The Crow, this little fic was born and I wanted to post it up on Halloween night. But there is also some heavy warnings which I will say below, so to the faint of heart or those at are easily triggered, I won't be hurt if you decide to skip this fic. Have a happy Halloween (and if you don't celebrate it, have a good day/afternoon/evening).

Warnings: Eddie's death scene, drug use (not just weed, I'm talking hardcore drugs shown and mentioned here), depression, angst, some fluff, Vamp Eddie(? You decide), death.

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@gay-and-ready-to-cry

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@queen-paladin

__________________________________________________________

Dustin Henderson and Steve Harrington walked out along the wooded trails all the way to Reefer Rick’s boathouse.  In his hands, Dustin held some wild flowers that he had picked before he had Steve drive him up here.  They stopped before the boathouse and Dustin placed the wild flowers amongst the pile of already decaying flowers that had been placed there throughout the year.

“I still can’t believe it’s been over a year since it happened.” Dustin said weakly.  “He didn’t deserve any of this. And he deserved to have a proper burial. Why did I have to break my damn leg?!”

“You didn’t break it. But you can’t blame yourself for what happened Dustin. You didn’t know Eddie was going to do what he did.”

“I just……I just still can’t believe he’s really gone. He of all people didn’t deserve what he got. I mean the people we lost when all this started, they didn’t get any of the shit that Eddie got. This town—hates him. Still hates him. They really think he did all of this and we can’t change that.”

“It sucks, I’ll admit that. But small minded people can never be changed, no matter how hard we try. At least we know the truth that Eddie Munson went out a hero. A hardcore, metal hero.”

“Have you and Robin tried talking to (Y/n) recently?” asked Dustin.

“Do you really need to ask?”

“Right, dumb question.”

“As her twin brother I know we’re supposed to rag on each other at times, but now I really mean it when I say it. She looks like she’s been through hell, chewed up and then spat back up. She’s not sleeping, she’s barely eating. And what’s worse are the drugs.”

“You mean…..”

“I wish dude, she’s been at the hard stuff. Don’t know where she’s getting it but I’ve seen the syringes and rubber bands. I can’t stand to see her in that much pain. She needs help but everytime I try to talk to her about it she—”

“She was right there with him when he died Steve. Those bats literally held her back just so that she could watch as they devoured him alive. On one hand I don’t blame her for falling like that, hell if I were in her place and I saw Suzie die like that, I’d probably fall that hard too.”

“Don’t you ever say anything like that you little butthead! I don’t ever want you talking about drugs again understand?!”

“On the other hand, she isn’t grieving properly. And that’s on all of us, we were too focused on how we had to move on with the rest of the town after the earthquakes happened that we completely ignored (Y/n)’s feelings. And it’s not just your fault Steve.” Steve shook his head, stroking his fingers through his hair anxiously.

“I’m 12 minutes older than her. I’m her big brother, and—I wasn’t there for her. Not ever since we entered high school. These last couple of years we’ve managed to rebuild our sibling bond but now I……I’m losing her again man.” Tears started to build up in Steve’s eyes.  “I can’t….I can’t lose another person.” He thought back on Max and how he had failed to keep her safe.

She was a sarcastic child who suddenly came in when she and Billy came by but after reading her note, she had admitted to him that he was the big brother she had hoped Billy could’ve been for her, and it all happened ever since he stepped forward to keep them safe when Billy came looking for her.  Sure he got his ass beat but he was willing to keep himself in the line of Billy’s rage and not let any of the kids get a single punch.  Now—now when she needed him most, he failed her.

Dustin looked up to see that Steve had buried his eyes behind his right hand and saw how his shoulders began shaking as he choked on his sobs.  Dustin gave Steve a one armed hug.

“We’ll get her back. We’ll get them both back.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I’m not. But it’s all that’s going through my mind. And I’m not gonna rest until we finally find a way to kill Vecna and send that son of a bitch straight to hell.”

“You’re a tough kid Henderson, hell of a lot tougher than me.” Steve ruffled his hair then the two of them left Reefer Rick’s boathouse and drove back to town.

*Halloween 1987*

It was Halloween night and unlike in the years before, Hawkins wasn’t celebrating Halloween this year.  There was no yearly town hall Halloween party, no trick-or-treaters going out and about to get candy, not even the high schoolers dared to try and host a party of their own.

At Forest hill trailer park, the crack that had spread from this part of Hawkins had actually driven most of the trailer homeowners to leave Hawkins all together.  Most took their RV’s and fled, while others just packed whatever they could and skipped town or ended up homeless and were currently staying at a shelter on the other side of Hawkins.

A hand suddenly shot up from the cracks and began crawling out from the earth.  Groaning and grunting in agony as he pulled himself out from the red light of the Upside town glowing from beneath the earth.  Once he was free, he lay there on his back exhausted and stared up at the night sky.  The stars shining like diamonds high above the abandoned trailer park.

Suddenly the man heard a meow and when he opened his eyes, a long haired black cat stared down at him with piercing green eyes he could make out from the light of the full moon.

“Loki?” the cat let out a purr as his eyes squinted but then he licked the man’s finger before nuzzling into his hand.  He lifted his hand and stroked through the cat’s long soft fur and asked. “Wha—what happened here?” suddenly something flashed before his eyes.  A flash like seeing the tv suddenly go static after a power outage.  He gripped his forehead before he found himself standing up and walking forward.

He stumbled about, falling a couple of times but as his vision kept flashing he kept standing back up and trudged onward.  He saw himself standing on top of his trailer, shredding on his guitar.  A swarm of bat-like creatures surrounding him and two other people, he then found himself falling down once more but he also saw himself falling, this time off a bike and he had been attacked by one of those bat creatures.

He saw himself stand up wielding a spear as well as a trashcan shield with nails sticking out and he stood up getting into the same position as he saw himself in that vision.  He then saw the girl from before coming toward him calling his name.

“EDDIE! EDDIE!!!”

“(Y/n)?! What are you doing here?! You weren’t supposed to come back!”

“I made a promise Mr. Frodo! A promise! Don’t you leave him Samwise Gamgee. And I don’t mean to, I don’t mean to.” She told him.  He shook his head and found himself saying as he heard himself in his vision say.

“Into the fires of Mount Doom milady?” She nodded and together the two of them stood as the bats swarmed around them before charging head on, the two of them using their trashcan shields to block off the attacks.

He copied his fighting movements of spear and shield, as he saw the girl, (Y/n) use a bottle of hairspray and with a lighter, she had created her own flamethrower to burn any bats that came near her.  He then felt and saw himself being choked by one of the bats and felt himself being pulled to the ground. 

His arms and legs were pulled outward and he saw the bats beginning to feast on his flesh.  He saw and remembered the pain of their teeth piercing his skin and digging out chunk after chunk of flesh.  All the while he could hear (Y/n) screaming out his name as she was forcefully held back by the bats.  Their tails wrapped around her arms, legs, neck and stomach, even as she pulled to free herself, they pulled harder until suddenly they dropped dead.

She crawled over to his bleeding body whimpering out his name and picking him up into his lap.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no baby! Teddy-bear! Don’t you leave me don’t you die like Boromir did!”

“Bad huh?” he choked up.  Soon another voice spoke up, this time a younger man’s voice assured him.

“No, no you’re gonna be fine we just need to get you to a hospital okay?”

“Okay.” He choked up.  Together (Y/n) and the young man tried to pick him up but the pain in his body was too great as he pleaded.

“I-I-I think I just need a second, I need a second, okay?”

“Okay, okay we—we’ll give it to you.” (Y/n) assured him as she rested his head on her lap, stroking through his hair.  He looked up at both (Y/n) and the young man and strained out as blood started coming up his throat.

“I didn’t run away this time right?”

“No. No baby, you-you didn’t run. Though I wish you did. Whatever happened to having no shame in running?” she asked him.

“You both are gonna have to look after those little sheep for me okay?” he told them.

“No! You’re gonna do that yourself!” the young man said but he found himself saying along with his vision.

“No man. Say you’re going to look after them. Say it Henderson.” He saw as the two of them were sobbing over him.  (Y/n) took his left hand and raised it up to her face, the blood along his arm seeping into her hands but she didn’t care.

“I’m gonna….I’m gonna look after them.” Henderson choked out.  He then found himself looking up at (Y/n), only at her even through his hazy vision as he asked her.

“And you…..fair Ravenna.” She choked out a sob.  “Please smile for me…….please.” with as much strength as he could, he managed to move his index finger along her jawline.  She kissed the back of his hand and gave a small, sweet smile.  “Good…..cause I…..think I’m actually going to graduate. I think it’s my year sweetheart—Hen-Henderson. I think it’s finally my year……” he remembered feeling the blood starting to rise in his throat, preventing him from speaking full sentences but he did manage to make one last statement before he fell silent.

“I love you guys.”

“I love you too.” Henderson wept.

“This belongs to you Eddie Munson, and always will.” He felt her hand cup the side of his face, watched as she leaned forward and felt the soft touch of her lips on his bloody ones.  Even with the taste of iron that was now seeping between her lips, she dared not move as she kept the gentle, loving kiss going until she separated from him.

And it was at that moment he had felt himself slip into darkness.

He remembered who he was.  He was Eddie Munson, three-time senior of Hawkins High.  Dungeon Master of the Hellfire club, and the love of his life was (Y/n) Harrington.

Eddie stood up and walked towards a trailer that had somehow miraculously survived the earthquake.  He opened the door and knew that no one was home as the place had been ransacked and just left behind for anyone to have.  Loki followed him inside, racing into the bathroom and hopped on top of the sink.

Eddie stared at himself in the mirror as memories of him and (Y/n) together flashed through his mind.  Them cuddled on her bed when he’d sneak over to her house.  The times they’d both try to cook something only to end up nearly burning the trailer down and his uncle having to stop the flames from spreading cause the two of them would be panicking too much.

Seeing her read all her favorite fantasy books from Tolkien to C.S Lewis and even J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan.  Him hovering over her as she would be sitting on a chair while she read and kissing her neck and face, pleading for attention.  And even though she tried to fight it, giggles would come out from her lips until she ended up succumbing to his will and they’d end up making out, or even going further beyond that.

The love he felt for (Y/n) both filled him with joy and agony.  How could he leave her like that? He knew that she had many people in her life abandon her.  Her parents, her friends, even her own twin brother had left her behind.  He was all she had and he left her.  His anger rose until he snapped and punched the mirror with his bare fist, breaking it in half.

His knuckles bleeding until he saw them heal up in the blink of an eye.  He turned to Loki who merely looked at him and slowly blinked before letting out a throaty meow.  Eddie dug through the cabinets and drawers of the bathroom until he had found some white base makeup and black lipstick.  He dipped his fingers into the white base, rubbed his hands together and covered his face in white makeup.

With the black lipstick he drew down from his eyes what almost resembled tearstains, as well as covered his lips black and even drew a line upward at the corner of his lips.  He stripped out of his torn and bloody clothes and managed to find a skin-tight along-sleeved black shirt, a long leather jacket, black pants and some old black boots.  He donned on the new look before turning over to Loki who raised a paw at him letting out a small meow.

Eddie rubbed Loki’s head before picking him up and walked out of the bathroom.

“I blame myself for wrecking your home Loki. I’ll bet it hasn’t been easy for god knows how long it’s been. But I’m going to make this right.” Loki meowed and as Eddie sat him down, Loki ran out the trailer and he followed the black cat.

At the Henderson household, Dustin had been pretty much kept under his mom’s tight thumb.  He wasn’t allowed anywhere unless it was school and back home.  Hell he was lucky if he was able to even get to visit Max once if not twice a week just to see how she’s doing or if anything had changed (even though nothing had. She had been in her coma for over a year now).

As rain now began to pour down heavily on this Halloween night, he looked at his old Ghostbusters proton pack from three years ago and thought back to simpler times.  He wished that those days would come back, long before the whole Upside down and he and his friends were the four weirdos who loved to play DnD all day and night at each other’s houses.

He heard a gentle rap at the window and when he turned around he saw Loki sitting right outside his window.

“Loki?” he remembered seeing the long-haired black cat over at Forest hill whenever he’d go to visit Eddie.  He opened the window and allowed the drenched cat inside.  “I thought you had gotten caught up when the Upside down opened up, guess (Y/n) was right to name you after the Norse god of mischief.” Loki let out a meow.  “Oh yeah, think you can let me dry you off?” Loki let out a merp (a mix of a meow and a purr) and Dustin left to get a cat-sized towel that his mom uses on their cat whenever he got out.

When Dustin returned with the towel, he gently dried off Loki then allowed the cat to lick himself clean.

“What are you doing all the way over here anyways?” Loki paused and turned to the corner of Dustin’s room and there he saw a figure hidden within the shadows.  Dustin jumped back fearfully and Eddie said.

“You know you gotta learn to shut your windows Dustin Henderson. You never know what freaks lurk in the night.” Dustin narrowed his eyes as he heard the voice.

“I can’t believe it…….Eddie?”

“Nice to see you again butthead.” Dustin took large strides across his room and embraced Eddie, tears falling down his face.  Eddie hugged the young boy back and Dustin looked up at him.

“How did—I mean how is…..I saw you die. How are you alive? Does (Y/n) know? When did you get back? How long have you been alive? What happened?”

“Henderson, you’re rambling like a mad man.” Eddie stopped the young boy’s frantic question asking.

“Sorry.” Dustin said meekly.

“I honestly don’t know how it happened. One moment I was dying in (Y/n)’s arms and next thing I know, I’m crawling out of a gateway from hell. I don’t even know if I’m really alive or not.”

“What do you mean?” Eddie walked over to Loki and stroked down his chest before trailing his finger towards his right paw.  He knew that Loki once had been attacked by another stray cat and his right paw never fully healed, so now anytime someone goes to touch that paw, he’ll bite since he had been declawed by his previous owners.

After Eddie got a nasty bite and Loki went over to sit on Dustin’s dresser now, his tail twitching.

“Eddie what the hell did…..”

“Just watch.” Eddie showed Dustin how the nasty bite wound now began to close up, just like what happened to his knuckles after he had punched the mirror.

“Holy shit.” Dustin muttered.

“But that’s my least concern right now. I need to ask you some questions. How long has it been since that day?”

“It’s been over a year. It’s 1987 now, Halloween. Of course no one really celebrates that holiday here anymore ever since the gates opened and split Hawkins in four ways.”

“I take it we didn’t kill Vecna?”

“Nancy, Steve and Robin definitely laid one on him. But there wasn’t a body after Nancy gave him one last shot to the chest. Will even says he can still feel him, that he is weak but bidding his time.” Eddie looked down grimly.  “We…..also lost Max. I mean we sorta did but she hasn’t woken up yet. And I’m sorry Eddie, I’m really, really sorry. But the town put all of this mess onto you.”

“No surprise there. Last anyone knew of me, I was wanted for Chrissy’s and Patrick’s murders. Once the satanic freak, always the satanic freak.” Eddie plopped down onto Dustin’s bed.

“I’ve tried to get Hooper to work with the government to clear your name but they’re still in the processing phase, which is basically them saying they’ve got too much on their plate right now to deal with this specific request.” Eddie perked his head up.  “Oh yeah, apparently Hooper was alive in a Russian gulag and Joyce brought him back along with Murray the conspiracy maniac.”

“All be damned. One of the only cops in this town I actually liked back from the grave. Guess we have that in common.” There was a brief moment of silence before Dustin said.

“Eddie……” Eddie looked up at Dustin and knew what the kid wanted to say.

“There’s nothing you can say Henderson. What happened, happened. Me being associated with you had nothing to do with my death.” He stood up and walked over to Dustin.  He placed two firm hands on Dustin’s shoulders, looked him square in the eye and continued, “It was a shitshow there’s no question about it. But the fact that you were the first and only one to truly believe I wouldn’t do this besides (Y/n), I couldn’t ask more of a friend. Hell even a little brother. But don’t go getting a big head about it, okay?” Dustin slightly chuckled as tears fell down his face.  He wiped them away and choked out.

“I’ve missed you Eddie.”

“Missed you too yah little shit.” Dustin immediately held onto Eddie as tight as he could.  Eddie rested his head on top of Dustin’s as he patted the young man’s back.

“Eddie, there’s something else you should know.” Eddie separated from the hug and Dustin told him, “It’s about (Y/n). She…..she’s really spiraled ever since you—well you know. And I’m scared she’s going down a path she can’t come back from. It’s more than just shutting herself in or not talking to us. Steve told me she’s been getting into drugs. And I don’t mean the light stuff.”

“And what has Steve done?”

“He’s tried everything. And I know he doesn’t want to admit it, but she’s not just hurting him emotionally. I saw the faint scratch marks on his left cheek. I know she’s not doing it on purpose but…..I’m scared we’ll lose her too if she keeps going down this path.”

“I’ll get the info I need from Harrington. But this meeting never happened, understand Henderson?” Dustin nodded.

“Thank you Eddie. Love you man.”

“Love you too butthead.” With a loud boom of thunder and a bright flash of lighting, Dustin found himself once again alone in his room.

Over at the Harrington’s place, Steve was cleaning himself up in the bathroom.  Once again he and his twin had their daily screaming match of (Y/n)’s wellbeing, this time she had given him a hard punch to the nose and he had finally managed to get the bleeding to stop.

He walked into the kitchen and got out a beer, needing to take the stress out of him.

“Might wanna take something a bit stronger if you wanna take the edge off after a fight, trust me.” Steve jumped back but saw no one there.

“Who’s there?” Steve called out.

“Surely you know, after all this isn’t the first time I’ve snuck into this house.” Steve’s eyes widened and he immediately raced up the stairs and opened up his sister’s room and saw Eddie stroking his hand along (Y/n)’s acoustic guitar which sat at the corner of her room.

“This-this—that’s not possible. How are you—”

“Henderson asked me the same question.”

“Wait you saw Henderson? I swear if you’re one of Vecna’s tricks I swear to god……”

“One way to prove it’s actually me is that back in 81, I snuck in here to be with your sister after she had failed the SAT’s. Poor thing was so devastated she wouldn’t come to school for nearly a week cause it happened to be the time your parents came for their daily check in and she had a screaming match with your old man. So I came here that night and stayed with her. Then you barged right on in and said to me ‘Get out of my house freak! And don’t show your face around here again!’”

“Jesus Christ…..it really is you.”

“Nice to know when it comes to your sister you’re not that clueless anymore Harrington.” Eddie couldn’t help but mock with a smirk.

“If you’re here to mock me for being a horrible brother I already know that Eddie.”

“No, no I didn’t come here to gloat or to mock. Henderson gave me a brief summary on all that happened, but I want to hear your perspective.” He fully turned towards Steve holding up the locket necklace he had given her for a 16th birthday present their junior year.  “What happened to my best girl?” Steve sighed heavily.  He sat down on (Y/n)’s bed and confessed.

“(Y/n) was amess. At first it started off with her barely eating, then it was the constant nightmares of seeing you die over and over again. Then I noticed how she’d end up disappearing at night. I didn’t know where she was going until I caught her sneaking back in and her nose was bleeding. But not in the way where she’d been in a fight, and I didn’t want to believe it but I swear I thought I saw some white powder under her nose. Then it was the injections on her arms, I’ve been trying to get her to get some help but she’s lost it Eddie. Your death seemed to really fuck her mind up.”

“Jesus Christ.” Eddie mumbled solemnly.

“Now I don’t blame you, no way in hell am I blaming you. I just….It just pains me to see my twin sister like this. It’s like I’m feeling her pain like some weird twin telepathy if that shit’s even real. But I can’t stand to see her in that much pain, and for her not to know that she still has people here for her. Hell Henderson was there when you died too, and she’s acting like he wasn’t. You don’t think he’s feeling the same pain as she is?”

“She always did tease that we should’ve just grown a pair and shared custody of the twerp.” Eddie softly chuckled.

“She’s always struggled with depression ever since middle school. Our parents chose to ignore it and kept telling her to get over it or smile more. You’re not depressed, you’re just being dramatic. When she met you, that was probably the first time I’ve ever seen her truly happy.” Steve walked over to an old picture of her and Eddie together at the junior prom.  “Deep down I guess I also grew jealous of just how happy she was around you, and not me. Now I see that it was because of my selfishness that I drove her away. And even when I got our relationship back to the way it was before, I knew she’d put you over me in a heartbeat.”

“Your wrong.” Steve turned to him.

“What do you mean?”

“You remember how we were on Lover’s lake to find that gate where Patrick was killed?” Steve nodded.  “And you remember how you were dragged under the water, and I told you that Wheeler didn’t hesitate to dive in after you?” Steve nodded again.  “She wasn’t the first. In fact, the second you went down, your sister dove in straight after you. Even for not being the best swimmer, she dove straight in after you. She does love you Steve. Like you said, twin telepathy is a serious bond. Now old King Steve, he wouldn’t have dared try to help (Y/n) in her grieving stage. But you’re not him anymore, you’re her twin brother Steve Harrington. The one she always believed was still somewhere deep inside of you.”

Steve scoffed but Eddie came up to him and placed a hand over his chest.

“You’re still trying, still fighting for her. But before you can save her, you have to save yourself. Not just for what happened to me, but for all that happened. That includes Mayfield.” Steve’s eyes slightly widened.  “I’ve seen how you are with her Harrington. Ever since that mall fire, I’ve seen how you’ve come around to check in on her, how you’ve always tried to be there for her at school, and how you’ve been with her since I found out about this Upside down and Vecna shit. How can you even try to help your sister when you’re clearly not ready to forgive yourself?”

Steve couldn’t believe it but Eddie Munson was actually making sense.  Ever since he had been knocked back into reality since all of this began, and ended up forming a bond with the kids who started it all, he’s been trying to be the big brother he naturally was to the kids who began it all.  He knew none of the adults (minus Joyce and Hooper) wouldn’t understand and that the kids needed someone to protect them whenever no one was around.  So he ended up becoming the ‘babysitter’ as he was deemed at first.

And at first it was an annoying title but now, ever since their first big failure, he began to truly understood why he was called that.  He felt a strong need to protect these kids because who else was going to when Joyce had moved, when Nancy decided to try and return to her normal life, who else was there to talk to about all this stuff? Only him.

“She’s been dealing with Daniel Thompson.” Steve told him.

“Daniel. If there’s any drug dealer that should be in jail it’s that prick. At least Rick and I never dealt to pre-teens.” Eddie hissed as he felt his teeth starting to grow a bit sharp before they receded.  “Does he still live in Hawkins?”

“After the earthquake he moved over to the next county about 20 minutes’ drive from here. You know what, screw it.” Steve raced over and grabbed his keys as well as his bat with nails.  “C’mon.” Eddie followed close behind them and Steve started up his BMW and drove out of his driveway and through the storm to get his sister back by any means necessary.

With Eddie’s abilities, they were able to track down exactly where (Y/n) had gone to see Daniel and to Steve, it looked exactly where a drug dealer would live.  A very run down apartment complex in what appeared to be an unsafe part of town.  The rain still pouring down as Steve grabbed his bat.

“So what, you gonna come with and we bust his ass open?” Steve asked.

“This isn’t West side story Harrington. Daniel isn’t one to be messed with especially if he’s using with her. You go in there ready to bust his ass in, he’ll have you shot dead before you can even blink.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“Just follow my lead.” They exited the car and crept towards the fire escape on the side of the building.  Steve then watched in shock as Eddie leapt up and across the railings of the fire escape with ease.

“That would normally scare the shit out of me but I’ve seen freakier shit than that to be surprised.” He climbed up the fire escape until he stood by Eddie as he looked into a darkened room.  He placed his hand along the window and said.

“She’s in there. They’re both high as kites right now.”

“How can you tell?”

“I can smell the burnt spoons and blood inside.”

“Blood? Eddie are you—are you some kind of vampire or something?”

“Or something.” Eddie slowly opened the window and slipped inside like an assassin on a mission.

Once he was inside the room, he saw (Y/n) passed out on the bed while Daniel was up against his headboard staring up into space after getting his high.  Eddie scoffed before letting out a low whistle that seemed to stir them both from their high.  (Y/n) let out a groan and opened her eyes slowly raising her head while Daniel looked on ahead.

“What the…..fuck?” As Eddie continued to whistle, he noticed a lightbulb just hanging above him and trailed his head around it like a dazed man.  He then once again felt his canine teeth grow into fangs as a sudden primal instinct came over him.  He slowly walked towards them then once he got to the bed, he let out a leopard-like roar, baring his fangs which scared Daniel but startled (Y/n).  “JESUS CHRIST MAN!! You nearly gave me a fucking heart attack!”

“Are his…..eyes glowing red? Damn his costume is like…..all in.” (Y/n)’s tone was slurred.  Eddie couldn’t believe that this was the woman he had fallen in love with.  She had fallen so far and so fast ever since his death, but he was going to make it right.  But first he had to get her away from Daniel for good.

“Just the morphine yah dumb bitch. This is just some….freak looking for some kicks.” It was then Daniel withdrew his gun out from under his pillow. “Time for you to get out of here psycho. I ain’t got no more stuff, me and the girlie here used it all up.” Eddie withdrew his fangs and his glowing red eyes turned back to his normal dark brown as he pulled up a chair and sat down.  He pressed his palm against the barrel of the gun and dared him.

“Take your shot Thompson. You got me dead flank.”

“You are seriously fucked up.” Daniel said.  (Y/n) laughed in her high as Daniel continued, “Like you really need psycho-therapy help you sick fuck.” It was then Daniel pulled the trigger making Eddie jump back holding his hand in pain.

Daniel stood up and cheered in his victory on a bullseye but after his brief cries of pain, Eddie soon began laughing as he showed them both his hand and he then let out a cheer as the bullet hole healed instantly.  Daniel’s joy soon turned to panic and fear as he muttered.

“Jesus Christ.”

“Jesus Christ. Stop me if you’ve heard this before; Jesus Christ walks into a hotel.” Daniel shot Eddie in the shoulder which made him lurch backward a bit but he recovered and started walking towards him, continuing with the taunting joke, “He hands the innkeeper three nails and asks,” another shot rang out this time to Eddie’s stomach.

(Y/n) got out from the bed staring at the figure in fear.  At the second gunshot she ended up tripping over the bed sheets trying to get away but for some reason she couldn’t help but stare at the figure before Daniel.

“Don’t you ever fucking die!?” Daniel demanded.

“Can you put me up for the night?” in a flash, Eddie had forced Daniel to point the gun down at his own leg, the gun went off firing straight through Daniel’s femur, blood splattering everywhere.  Daniel cried out in agony, clenching his bleeding thigh between his hands.  “Hurts doesn’t it? When someone takes advantage of your weakness? Imagine what she’s gone through before you coaxed her into your web. In fact I’ll let you feel it.”

Eddie extended his hand and placed it over Daniel’s eyes and with a deep growl, Eddie allowed Daniel to feel every ounce of pain both he and (Y/n) felt on that day.  Daniel let out a scream before he fell still and stiff as a board.

Once Daniel was taken care of, Eddie heard the bathroom door shut.  He dropped the gun and slowly walked toward the bathroom.  He opened it and saw as (Y/n) was waving her arms back and forth meekly holding what appeared to be an old razor.  Her screams of fear piercing the bathroom echoing as she pleaded for her life.

“STAY AWAY FROM ME!! STAY AWAY!!” Eddie grabbed both her wrists and got the razor out of her hands.  He pressed her back against his chest as he dragged her towards the mirror, her wailing making his heart ache but he had to fix this.  He had her stand before the mirror, one hand holding out her arm that had been filled with old and new puncture wounds, while his other hand held her across her forehead.

“You once said; What is grief if not love persevering? It is okay to cry and mourn for those we lost,” she then saw as the veins in her arm suddenly began to move and she felt the morphine slip down her arm.  “Drugs however is not the way to grieve.” (Y/n) soon felt her mind starting to clear up and when she turned to the man, she swore she was seeing Eddie looking at her.  He cupped her face between his hands and he said to her, “your brother is outside willing and ready to help you.”

(Y/n)’s lip trembled as tears poured down her face and she fell to her knees as she wept hysterically.

“Harrington!” Eddie called out and soon enough Steve came in and immediately he knelt down beside (Y/n) and held her in his arms.  Even as she felt him drenched from the rain, (Y/n) gripped onto her twin brother as tightly as she could all the while weeping out Eddie’s name.  As Steve rocked his little sister back and forth, he looked up at Eddie in sorrow but also gratitude while Eddie looked down at the sibling solemnly.

Eventually (Y/n) passed out from her hysterical sobbing.

Steve had taken his sister to the hospital to help get whatever else could’ve been in her system and she ended up sleeping all throughout the night, all throughout the rest of the next day up until it was nearly sunset.  She stirred away to hear machines beeping and the sound of voices speaking over intercoms.

She looked over and saw Steve along with Dustin talking with one another in a hushed manner.  When Steve noticed (Y/n) waking up, he came over to her saying.

“Sleeping beauty awakes. You okay?”

“A bit.” She said groggily.  “Where am I?”

“You’re in the hospital. Had to bring you here to get all that crap out of your body.” (Y/n) leaned up against her pillow shamefully.

“I am so, so sorry Steve. I am so sorry and ashamed of what I did. I know it doesn’t excuse me for my behavior, and I don’t expect you to forgive me. But I…..” Steve stopped her heartbroken confession by hugging his sister as tightly as he could.  “How can you forgive me so easily? I thought you’d never wanted to speak to me again?”

“I was never angry with you for turning to the drugs. I was upset because I was afraid you were losing your way.”

“I did lose my way Steve.”

“But you found it again. And I swear, I’m gonna be there for you every step of the way. No matter what it takes to help you get back on your feet.” The Harrington siblings smiled at each other softly as they embraced one another as (Y/n) said.

“Thank you Steve. You really are the best big brother.” After a few visits from the kids, as well as the older members of Hellfire, (Y/n) would soon be on her way to recovery.  After speaking with her doctor, he prescribed that she would need to go up to Indianapolis to their rehab center where she would get the coaching and help that I needed.

She and Steve signed a few forms and it was settled that after a couple of more days here for observation, she would take the first bus up to the capital for her rehab treatment.

Later that night as the hospital had closed down their offices to visitors and the night shift staff were doing their rounds.  (Y/n) lay there on her bed watching the Golden girls on the tv.  She was just about to fall asleep when she felt a cold brush of wind blow across her cheek, she turned and there she saw Eddie’s silhouette appearing from her window until he finally made himself known to her.

“Hello milady.” He greeted her with a warm smile and a gentleman’s bow.

“Eddie?” she softly whispered as her heart meter began to spike.  Eddie raised a finger to his lips softly shushing her as he walked up to her.

“Guess when you say your heartbeats faster everytime I’m in the room, you’re not lying. But it’s best we don’t alert the staff about my presence sweetheart.” He stood at the foot of her bed.

“Is it…..is it really you? Were you there that night? Or am I going crazy again from the drugs?”

“It’s not the after effects of the drugs, nor is this a trick from Vecna. I am here sweetheart.”

“I…….” (Y/n) was speechless.  “I’ve thought over a million, trillion things to say when I’d—” her breathing was shaky as she gasped softly, “How?”

“I had a mission to help three grieving souls who needed my words of wisdom. And you were the last one that needed saving.”

“So you’re…..you’re leaving again?” she asked sadly.

“Sweetheart I’ve heard and now seen just how my death has affected you. But there’s something you must understand. The Eddie Munson you once knew and loved has become someone entirely new. And I can’t let him near you until I’ve figured him out for myself.”

“But I…..I just got you back. Eddie I…..I see it happen every night when I sleep, and everytime when thunder rumbles, I’m back down there with you. Seeing those things rip you apart, not able to free myself or save you. Why must you leave me again?”

Eddie walked closer to her and hovered his upperbody over hers.  He leaned towards her left ear and whispered to her.

“This belongs to you, and always will.” He came back up, cupped the left side of her face.  His dark brown eyes staring down at hers as he leaned in closer to her face and captured her lips with his in a soft, hidden kiss.  (Y/n) raised her hand up and stroked along Eddie’s face with the back of her hand and buried her hand underneath his curls.

As the clock by her bed chimed midnight, Eddie separated from the kiss and took her hand into his.

“Where can I find you again?”

“You know that place between sleep and awake? That place where you still remember dreaming?” he asked her.  She softly nodded, “That’s where I will always love you. That’s where I’ll be waiting.” He told her in a soft, loving manner.  His eyes soon glowed red as he told her, “Sleep now meleth nin, sleep.” A feeling of exhaustion came over her as she soon fell asleep.  “Sleep until dawn.”

Eddie placed into her hands her necklace he had taken from her room and rested her hands over her chest.  He gave her one last look, almost as if he were taking a mental picture to keep forever in his mind before he forced himself away from her bedside and with the last chime of the clock, and a wave of the curtain, Eddie Munson disappeared from the hospital.

[erisismywaifu25]

Free Until Dawn

Before we start, a few bullet point facts to get out of the way:

•Jake and Bella are the same age (Bella is still older) and Seth and A.J. are a year younger than them

•In this Twilight fanfic universe, vamps and wolves who were changed before they turned 18 continue to age until they reach 18 cause I said so

•Jasper served in the Union

•My idioms or comparisons may suck but sometimes the only way for me to get a point across is to be extremely descriptive

•This story follows both the movies and books and may switch between the book’s timeline and the movies

•Proofread but not perfect

Also this story is Seth Clearwater x OC (?) Cullen based on my friend who requested this slow-burn fic, cause there are almost no Seth fanfics (the disrespect😤✊🏻). All chapters are named after Florence+the Machine songs cause me and my bestie love her stuff.

Word count: 9491

Without further ado…Chapter 4 of Shake It Out

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     “You going to play fair this time?” Alice asked as she stretch her left arm across her chest while standing at second base.

     Emmett scoffed, twisting his back only a few away from Alice, “I always play fair.” The striped baseball cap was secured by him for emphasis.

     As it thundered around them, seven out of the eight vampires were currently preparing for a game of baseball patiently, on some parts, awaiting Bella and Edward’s arrival following the Cullen's official introduction to her. Lucky for Bella, she was about to witness a sacred tradition in the Cullen household that started years before A.J. was around. It was something each vastly different personality could enjoy and gave each of them a chance to use their physically enhanced abilities to their full capacity. 

     Nine days after A.J. joined the rest of her family in Forks, Edward decided a baseball game was just what A.J. needed. The idea for a baseball game to ease A.J. into the new family dynamic, came to Edward after he caught A.J. reminiscing about a game-saving catch from her human years. Later that day, he approached Carlisle and proposed a game the next time it stormed, and naturally, Carlisle and everyone else eagerly agreed. So on the ninth day, when the forecast called for a thunderstorm and delivered, the Cullens played a heated baseball game. 

     During A.J.’s first game of baseball with the Cullens, the newborn broke out from the remainder of the barrier she had built up after her transformation. Being a part of the winning team, with star pitcher Alice, definitely aided A.J. in feeling like her old self. Easily the last ‘strike’ of her barrier, especially since striving to win and typically doing so, had encapsulated her human years. Along with the fun on that day, Emmett saw an opportunity to ensure he would always be on the winning team and jumped on the bandwagon; claiming the title ‘A.J.’s Coach’ after witnessing her skilled third-basemen skills.  

     “Nu-uh,” Alice exclaimed and placed her hands on dark leggings, “You totally lied about that ‘foul ball’.”

     “I didn’t lie about the foul ball you hit.” the younger of the two Cullens smirked, “Ain’t nothing to be ashamed of, Alice. You’re just a crappy hitter.”

     Alice gasped and smacked his shoulder, “At least I can pitch without taking someone’s head out!” she defended herself.

     Emmett snickered before a smug smirk crept onto his alabaster skin, “Can’t help it, Wonderland. I’m jacked like Hercules!” he kissed both of his biceps after flexing underneath his navy blue tracksuit.

     “Alright, alright, alright,” Jasper called out as he strutted towards the bickering siblings, “No fraternizing with the enemy.” 

     The Texan placed a hand upon Alice’s narrow shoulders which dawned a white baseball vest, and gently guided her away from Emmett with a baseball bat in his other hand.

     By first base, a groan came from Rosalie that was bending down by the waist and holding her calves to stretch. The couple and Emmett, who were conglomerating near home base, turned their attention to her.

     “You’ve watched ‘Dazed and Confused’ too many times.” the tall blonde gracefully swung her torso up to stand straight.

     “No such thang’, Rosie.” A.J. quipped while flashing next to Rosalie with a moderately sized pink boom box in her sleeve-covered arms, “We Texans support each other.”

     A.J. met eyes with Jasper’s, a mischievous glint in both their eyes to match their smirks. A silent conversation transpired between the Texans, much to the others' despair before they both resumed what they had been doing.

      The youngest Hale gave Rosalie a friendly pat on the back and clicked her tongue before jogging off toward the right side of home plate where Esme and Carlisle were chatting. Her black backpack bounced off of her back as the wind pushed against the buttoned pinstripe shirt, which was similar to Carlisle’s, which was tucked into her black leggings. On her feet was a pair of hot pink socks that peeked out of the same dusty white sneakers she always wore when participating in any outdoor activity - provided an extra bounce to her step. 

     A ‘bleh’ left A.J. when Carlisle and Esme shared a sweet kiss just as she walked past them. 

     “I think I feel my teeth rottin’.” the girl swiped her tongue across her top set of teeth.

     The lovers parted with a chortle from each and turned their attention to their youngest child. 

     “You know, Angel,” Esme sang as A.J. set the boom box down after kneeling a few feet away from them, “You might find yourself falling for someone like your father and I have for each other.” 

     A.J. shook her head as four of her siblings snapped their attention to their conversation.

     “Absolutely not,” Emmett commented with a small frown.

     Alice rolled her eyes at the overprotective brute, “Dating is normal and healthy; especially for developing teenagers.” she spoke with her arms crossed.

     Rosalie stared at Alice, “She’s going to have to wait, regardless, Alice. There aren’t exactly sixteen-year-old vampires roaming around here, and we don’t need another reason for the Volturi to be on our backs.”

      The Cullens stilled. Faces dropping, bodies tensing, and minds swirling with guilt. The words Rosalie were the same as they always were; spitting out insults or malign words aimed towards Edward and Bella’s relationship. Though, this time, her words held a different meaning for the group. Reminding them all A.J. couldn’t have what they wanted her to; what they all wished she could.

     A normal life.

     Having been changed at the youngest age of fifteen in the Olympic Coven, she had even less time to have lived as a human. Too quickly was she thrown into this world; too quickly had she been forced out of the other. They all knew she loved her family dearly, and they shared the sentiment, but they were aware of her desire to ‘be’ a teenager again; to live a normal adolescence. They desired the same for her. Rosalie most of all. Despite a few apprehensions about A.J. dating, the choice being stripped from her makes it a bit harder to play the role of an ‘overprotective and gruff’ family member.

     A.J., having her back turned to the brooding vampires, knew what they were all thinking and could feel the tension in the atmosphere. She often thinks of the same thing - she craves it. Not necessarily romance, but at least the choice to.  More often than not, she chooses not to share her thoughts on it, except for a few times when Edward caught her thinking about it or her and Rosalie’s late-night talks. Unfortunately, ignoring them only made the thoughts and desires stronger. The fact of the underlying doom of immortality is that every choice you’d thought you’d gain - every decision you’d thought you’d get to make twice, gets ripped away from you in a few short moments.

     A.J. shook her shoulders as if a chill ran over her, and unzipped the small compartment on the front of her backpack once she set it in front of her. 

     “Listen,” she broke the silence as she pulled out a CD case with four men sitting around a table on the cover, “they’d have to be a very special person for me to consider datin’ - I mean, I’m hot…and got standards.”

     Her unspoken mission of raising the mood was a success as a plethora of smiles, and an eye roll or two made its way around.

     “Oh no! Guys, where’d the sky go?” Emmett feigned a look of fear as he peered up at the sky with a hand as a shield, “Oh, never mind, it’s just A.J.’s big-ass head.”

     A.J.’s mouth dropped at her brother's words just as she finished placing the CD in the correct compartment, and twisted her torso while in a squatted position.

     Rosalie sent a glare toward Emmett before saying, “There’s nothing wrong with confidence.” her eyes softened when she turned to A.J. from afar.

     

     “It’s hot on you, babe,” Emmett explained, his body language matching his whiny tone, “Not on A.J.”

     A.J. snorted, along with Alice, and the other Cullens gave Emmett a look of confusion at his choice of words.

     “I sure hope it’s not hot on me,” A.J. spoke with a flabbergasted tone as she fumbled with buttons on her boombox.

     Emmett physically faltered, “I-I-you guys know I didn’t mean it like that.”

     Jasper quirked an eyebrow up, “Oh, really, dearest brother? Then by all means, please elaborate your eloquent words.” he spoke with one hand still on Alice’s shoulder and the other twirling the metal bat.

     Emmett frowned, “I was trying to compliment my wife and insult A.J. at the same time, which proved to be more difficult than expected.”

     “Seems you really are only brawn.” Jasper teased further, an almost sinister smirk across his face.

     “Hey!” Rosalie barked out with a harsh expression, “I may be on your team, but I won’t hesitate to hurt you.”

     Emmett’s demeanor changed instantly to smugness at Rosalie coming to his defense. The smirk on Jasper’s face didn’t move, instead, it seemed to grow wider at Rosalie’s threat; as if he were daring her to touch him. He dropped his arm from Alice’s shoulders and dipped it into his pocket.

     “I’d like to see you try, yank.” the Texan leaned back as he pointed the baseball bat at her.

     At the sight of Rosalie beginning to stomp forward, Carlisle thought it best to speak up.

     “Rose,” the eldest vampire warned, arm tucked under his wife’s white jacket and around her waist.

     The irritated blonde’s head snapped toward Carlisle’s so fast it was a miracle it didn’t break.

     “What?” She spat, annoyed at Jasper and Carlisle.

     Carlisle gave her one of his hopeful smiles, “Let’s try to have a nice day.”

     “That goes for you too, Jasper,” Esme paused before switching her gaze to a smug Emmett, “And you.”

     “W-what-I,” Emmett fumbled over his words, “I’m a victim of defamation! I’m innocent here.”

     Jasper lowered the bat to the ground and settled his weight on it.

     “Yer’ ‘bout as innocent-,”

     A.J. drowned out the bickering behind her, engrossed in her boom box and getting it to work. The recurring problem, which she insisted was easily fixable and did not require a new one, was that the CD she put in would spin for a few seconds before coming to a stop. She grew more agitated as she repeated the process of taking the CD out, exhaling on it as she would on a cold window, gently wiping it off on her black leggings, then placing it back in the compartment, and pressing play - only to have to repeat the process. After another failed attempt, A.J. took an unsatisfying deep breath before forcefully exhaling through her nose. 

     “Shit.” A.J. huffed to herself, thankful no one could hear her over the bickering.

     “Ya know, ever since the fall of New Year’s Eve of ‘08, my boom box ain’t never played the same.” A.J. thought aloud to anyone who would listen.

     Rosalie was heading up the field and across to A.J.’s side instantaneously; always being willing to help her baby sister. It helped that she was the most skilled mechanic out of the Cullen Coven; her confidence in cars crossed over to most things technical…except t.v.s, though she was always looking to expand her knowledge. In her own time.

     “Did you put fresh batteries in?” Rosalie inquired once she reached A.J.

     A.J. observed Rosalie squatting down next to her, out of her peripheral vision.

     “Yes, I put fresh batteries in,” A.J. snarked out without thinking.

     The tone she used earned the young vampire a warning look from Rosalie, who stared her sister down. A.J. shut her eyes and turned away for a moment, before returning her gaze to Rosalie.

     “Sorry, that w’n’t directed at you,” she earnestly apologized, “This damn thang’ is pissin’ me off.” she gestured vigorously at the malfunctioning boombox with pinched brows.

     Rosalie ushered a ‘thank you’ in response before examining the portable stereo further.

     As the two Hale girls inspected the boombox and the other Cullens chatted amongst themselves, a silver jeep pulled toward the wide-open field. Its wheels tracked through the soft ground, leaving a muddy trail behind it and on the black tires. 

     Esme and Alice both grinned excitedly at the arrival of the new couple and Carlisle smiled softly, not outwardly matching their level of excitement. Emmett and Jasper were too busy misconducting themselves to turn their attention to the car as it was pulled into park a bit away from the others. From beside her, A.J. felt Rosalie tense up. Well aware of Rosalie’s opinion on all of this, she knew her attitude could turn fast and possibly ruin what was supposed to be some family fun time. 

     Esme and Carlisle shared a look before both turning back to give Rosalie an encouraging smile. Rosalie, who held the look of distaste she always held when Bella was in mind, gave them nothing promising in return. With a cheesy grin and painfully raised eyebrows, A.J. shot her parents a double thumbs up. The couple chuckled at her behavior and returned her thumbs up and smile, at a lesser volume. 

     The eldest Hale sister turned her attention to A.J. after observing Carlisle and Esme’s reactions, to find her sister still in the over-the-top position. In a blink, the newborn now sat with a dramatized frown and slowly raised her left hand to rest on her no-longer beating heart. Her head shook in a defeated manner, in hope that her big sister would crack a smile at her ludicrous behavior. Fortunately for A.J., in a move so minuscule only the trained eye would notice, the right corner of Rosalie's lips raised ever so slightly. Victoriously, A.J. beamed; savoring the lightened presence and softened gaze of her bitter sister.

     During this transaction, Edward stepped out of the driver's side door and walked around the silver Jeep he arrived in. His gaunt hand opened the passenger-side door, and out stepped Bella in a rugged, brown jacket with her brown hair in a ponytail covered by a baseball cap that mimicked Emmett’s, only being worn the right way around. Her shoulders were hunched as she was within herself in a way that completely contradicted the way Edward delved into himself; usually. Today, however, Edward seemed more withdrawn than usual. Previous teasing didn’t aid in reducing his nerves at all, and the fact of the constant threat this brought to Bella and his family, well, it added up.

     The couple shared the same social awkwardness, but Bella carried herself in a way that lacked confidence and made her appear fragile. Whereas during most occasions for Edward, he exuded confidence, some even say arrogance; at least that’s what A.J. had heard from her sibling's school gossip and teasing. For the unusual pair, however, it seemed to work quite well for them.

    While A.J. observed her brother and his new girlfriend, Rosalie had found what she believed to be ‘the sweet spot’ on the pink boom box. With a loud ‘thump’ that nearly made A.J. jump out of her skin and attracted the others' attention, the CD in it began spinning fast. A.J. beamed at her sister, who she considered a hero at the moment, and flicked her head between the boom box and her at a lightning-fast speed. A.J. excitedly placed her index finger onto the ‘play’ atop the boom box and pressed it without hesitation. Music blared from the speakers, bass instantly filling the chests of the two vampires who sat in front of it.

     “WHOO!” A.J. cheered and fell back onto her butt.

     Emmett thrust his fist into the air, “HELL YEAH!” he yelled.

     “YEAH!” Jasper joined with a playfully stern face and copied Emmett’s action with the bat.

     From an awkward angle, the ecstatic newborn wrapped her strong arms around Rosalie’s midsection, nearly toppling the elder Hale over. 

     “Thank you!” the girl squealed while Rosalie gained her balance back.

     Rosalie smiled brightly as she hugged A.J. back, “No problem, just stop letting people touch your stuff.”

     “I tried to stop Emmett from recreating that scene from ‘Say Anything’.” Edward called out from the Jeep where he and Bella just finished a conversation.

     “Aw, come on,” Emmett whined with a smile, “It was Valentine's Day! I had to do something for my babe. After 72 years together, you gotta’ keep it fresh.”

     The burly Cullen winked at Rosalie, who didn’t spare a glance at her husband, leaving him dejected as she marched her way to Carlisle who was only a few feet away from her. Carlisle had retrieved the second baseball bat from a long white and blue that also contained extra gloves and umpire gear and was resting his weight upon it. He greeted Rosalie with a close-lipped smile and opened his mouth to ask her but was quickly stopped by her palm flying up in front of him as she stomped by.

     A.J. could feel the anger radiating off of her sister, even without a special power and her being across the field now. She knew it was a miracle for Rosalie to even be here, with her previous plan of leaving to avoid the game and Bella all together. Without a doubt, A.J. knew it would get better once the game started, the others thought so as well, especially since her demeanor was quite bright beforehand the new couple arrived.

     “So that’s how you’ve managed to keep her.” Edward teased Emmett as he and Bella reached home plate.

     Emmett flashed next to Edward, causing Bella to jump, and wrapped a thick arm around his brother’s shoulders, which were covered by a button-up baseball jersey.

    Edward gave the younger vampire a look, already knowing what he was about to say. 

     “Emmett, that’s revolting,” Edward grimaced and pulled himself from Emmett’s grip.

     “What?” Emmett furrowed his dark brows, “I was just gonna remind you that I’m not the one who thought sparkling was a dealbreaker.” he decided to keep his previous thought to himself.

     A few of the Cullen ‘children’ laughed at Emmett’s remark, despite it being at Edward’s expense. His joke, as expected, did not sit well with Edward who was glaring at his brother.

    A.J. glanced up at Jasper messing with a baseball bat, “Oo! That’s awkward.” 

     The girl sucked a breath through her bunny-like teeth while beginning to read through the tracklist on the back of her CD case.

     A half-hearted grin slowly spread its way onto Edward’s face and his right flew up to swipe his mouth.

     “You know, Emmett,” his arm was now around Emmett’s shoulders, “I think you're just scared of your team losing.”

     “Not unless you plan on throwing the game,” Emmett smirked with crossed arms.

     Edward’s shit-eating look was stolen by Emmett. His head snapped over to Esme, asking a silent question, but easily found the answer by using his gift.

     “Rosalie and Alice wanted to be on a team this time,” Esme explained nonetheless while grabbing umpire gear out of the baseball bag, “We’re team ‘Wonder Woman’!”

     Edward furrowed his brows, “Jasper’s on your team.” His inquiry was disguised as a statement.

     “It’s an honor to be on a team named after comics’  finest heroine,” Jasper answered for himself as he practiced his batting stance to the side of Carlisle and Rosalie.

     Edward looked to Emmett, “And we are…MVP?” a look of dissatisfaction was on his face.

     “I was vouchin’ fer the Cheetahs, personally,” A.J. spoke up, “You know, Wonder Woman’s nemesis and all.” she clicked the skip button at the top of the boom box.

     Esme smiled at her children’s banter and pushed her way toward Bella with a black baseball glove and chest protector. Bella met her gaze with a close-lipped smile and hesitantly took the glove when the Cullen matriarch extended it to her.

     “Glad you’re here,” Esme wrapped an arm around Bella, “We need an umpire,” she stated while leading the girl to home base.

     Emmett waltzed past them, “She thinks we cheat.” he continued heading down the field.

     “I know you cheat.” Esme taunted as Emmett tossed a baseball between his hands.

     A.J. tsked, “Y’all love to say that ‘cause our team happens to always win.” she goaded while placing her ‘Muse’ CD back into the small compartment of her backpack.

     “What about last time,” Rosalie asked with a sarcastic tone from her spot near second base.

     Bella glanced at the brooding woman, “What happened last time?” she switched her gaze to Esme as they parked themselves at home base. 

     “Here, slip your jacket off for a moment, sweetie,” Esme instructed kindly, “Last time we all played, which was…,”

     “March 30,” Alice answered from the pitcher’s mound.

     Esme thanked Alice with a smile, “Thank you. Anyway, Carlisle continuously struck out during the first inning, resulting in team ‘VIP’ having five fewer runs than team ‘Great Batsy’.” 

     During her explanation, Esme slipped the black chest protector over Bella’s neck. 

     “Crying, Bella,” A.J. scooted her bottom to face Bella, “I was cryin’ and I don’t even have tears.”

     Carlisle smiled sheepishly, “In my defense, I had a lot on my mind.”

     A.J. didn’t miss the subtle embarrassment that showed on Edward’s face nor the looks her siblings gave him.

     “No excuse, sir,” A.J. threw a finger up, “We’re winners, and I expect ya ta act like it!” 

     Her behavior earned a chuckle from Carlisle and an exclamation of agreement from Emmett. 

     As this went on. Esme adjusted the chest guard causing Bella to blink at the sudden movement but eventually helped Esme settle it on her torso. Once it was resting on her shoulders, Edward snaked behind Bella and adjusted the straps across her upper back. Esme then stepped away to give the new lovers some space. Her pallid face held a warm expression at the sight of the ‘son’ she had grown most fond of, finally finding happiness in love. 

     The sweet moment was soon ruined as Bella was jerked back by the force Edward unconsciously used. A crease formed between Esme’s dark eyebrows as she frowned at the  uncomfortable scene in front of her. She sent a small smile; whether it was a warning to be mindful or encouragement was unknown; and stepped away from the couple to help the others in setting up.

     “Sorry,” Edward’s hands faltered on the straps, “Last time I did this was back when A.J. had first joined us.” he secured the chest guard on Bella’s back.

     Bella nodded, still holding her brown jacket on her arm. The sleeves of her white shirt twisted as Edward’s hand snaked around her to lift the brown jacket off of her right arm.

     “It’s okay,” she swallowed as Edward prepared her coat to assist it on, “How long ago was that?”

     “Why does it matter?” Rosalie snarked out with crossed arms and a hip popped out.

     Edward paused in helping Bella put her jacket back on to give a warning look to the blonde.

     Carlisle’s lips pressed into a straight line, “Rose,” he warned.

     Bella looked back at Edward before back at Rosalie.

     “It doesn’t, I was just curious.” Bella answered honestly.

     “And it’s a perfectly valid question,” A.J. spoke up.

     Rosalie’s eye roll could practically be heard by the others.

     A.J. briefly glanced back at those behind her, “If we’re goin’ off the day I actually moved here, then…,” she trailed off while calculating.

     “A.J.’s lived here since last August.” Carlisle answered for her.

     Bella nodded as she consecutively pushed her arms through the sleeves of her jacket as Edward finished helping her by hiking the coat up until it was entirely back on. 

     “It’s a little tight,” Bella stated with tight lips as she rolled her shoulders.

     The jacket she wore barely fit over the padding of the chest guard thrown onto her. Her arm movement was restricted, but she supposed it was better to have stiff arms than a shattered sternum. 

     Loud guitar suddenly blared from A.J.’s boombox, the owner of it now swaggering over to home plate. She snatched up a black glove lined with hot pink from the gear bag on her way over.

     “Sorry, Bella-rella,” A.J. approached the uncomfortable human, “It’s either have no protection ‘gainst my lethal pitches and get soaked down to your knickers, or have protection from such pitches buuut still get soaked - ‘cause-uh-do you smell that?”

     A.J. threw her arm around Bella’s padded shoulders and thoroughly inhaled with her nose pointed toward the sky. 

     “It’s gon’ rain.” A.J. rasped out while gradually lowering her head.

     Emmett grinned from over by third base, “It’s gon rain!” he repeated.

     “IT’S GON’ RAIN!” A.J. shouted before patting Bella on the back and jogging to the pitcher's mound.

     Esme chuckled next to Carlisle before turning to her husband.

     Her hands pressed his chest, “Alright, enough chitter-chatter, Bella didn’t come here to talk. Let’s play some baseball!” 

     Esme patted Carlisle’s chest, signaling him and the remaining Cullens not in place, to assume their positions on the field.

     A.J. eyed Alice as she approached the pitcher’s mound, “You’re gonna’ have to move.” A.J. jutted her left thumb toward home plate.

     Alice furrowed her brows, “And why is that?”

     Rosalie frowned as Carlisle her way, “Yeah, why is that? The team I’m on lost last time.”

     “We know,” Emmett stated, “We decided, however, that we wanna play the field first… and so A.J. can pitch first.”

     Rosalie rolled her topaz eyes once again while Alice agreed to their decision and they both jogged back to home plate. The remaining two members of team ‘Wonder Woman’ had yet to move from their previous spots at home plate and waited for the others to get into position.

     “Keep an eye on Emmett, alright,” Edward spoke into Bella’s ear with a smile.

     Emmett frowned, “Hey, we’re on the same team!” 

     His fist slammed into his gloved left hand, clearly itching for the game to start.

     “That doesn’t change your track record.” Edward retorted after flashing over to second base as Carlisle jogged to first.

     With the baseball gripped tightly in her right hand, A.J. swung her arm toward Jasper at home plate, who was also preparing.

     “Careful, Eddie,” A.J. warned, “Might start ta’ think you're a snitch.”

     Edward chortled, “How can one be a snitch in baseball?”

     A.J. craned her neck to look at him, “Uh, I don’t know, mind reader.” she squinted suspiciously at him.

     Emmett glanced between before a look of realization spread across his pallid face.

      “Ohhh, yeah, I see what you’re gettin’ at, Aje,” Emmett smirked while eyeing Edward, “You’re gonna listen to our team's thoughts and then sabotage us.”

     Edward paused and blinked, words escaping him. One weakness he would never admit, even if he was being tortured, is the effect Emmett and A.J. have to completely and utterly bamboozle him. Once the shock of Emmett’s accusation wore off, Edward peeled his eyes open and met Bella’s brown ones. She held an amused expression, her eyes asking a question Edward couldn’t hear. He sent her a silent shrug as an answer whilst A.J. and Emmett continued their rant.

     “Alright,” Carlisle’s call silenced Emmett and A.J., “I’m sure Edward is not planning a betrayal, and even if he was-,”

     “Which I’m not.” Edward chimed in.

     “I know,” Carlisle spoke in his mind with an apologetic look, “Even if he was, I think we’d still manage to win. Even without Rose on our team.” 

     A smug smile spread across Carlisle’s lips, as a chorus of ‘Oo’s’ blended with the breeze that blew his striped scarf.

     “Let’s go then,” A.J. spun on her heel to face home plate, “Jasper.” she nodded.

     Jasper nodded back, preparing his stance.

     “Angel.” he smiled at her, eyes filled with determination.

     In an instant, A.J. propelled her right arm forward. The ball flew from her hand and headed straight to Jasper. The bat he held swung out and away from his shoulder, his torso and legs twisting to enhance the force he hit with. With a loud crack of thunder, the ball collided with the bat and launched high into the sky. Unfortunately for Jasper, the ball headed into the air directly above A.J., who leaped up what seemed like five-hundred feet to Bella, and caught the ball with ease in her gloved hand. A.J. landed on her feet with a thud, sufficiently stopping Jasper from running just as he dropped the bat.

     Bella glanced up at Esme from her squatted position a little ways behind Jasper as laughs or winces echoed through the air. The speed at which the Cullens play made it difficult for her to decipher anything, let alone the baseball knowledge she lacked. She briefly wished she would’ve paid more attention to her step-father’s career now. Answering her silent question, Esme nodded to her with a grimace.

     “Out.” Bella called.

     “Oh-ho-ho, Mr. Whitlock,” A.J. called in a nasally British accent, “How it seems your strategy has grown weak.” her smile grew at the sound of Emmett’s snicker.

     Alice watched as her husband tracked back to join her and Rosalie on the sidelines, frown on his face but posture still perfect. Jasper handed her the bat as he passed her and continued until he was next to Rosalie.

     “It’s okay, Jazzy,” Alice cooed, “It was only your first bat.” she gave him an assuring smile as she approached the plate.

     A.J. grinned at Alice as the older vampire settled into batting position. A strike of lightning in the distance lit the grey sky and was quickly followed by a deafening crack of thunder. Bella jumped in her skin at the unexpected volume which only heightened her stress levels. Having noticed the jump, Esme raised a hand that had been resting on her knee and placed it on Bella’s padded shoulder. She gave the girl a squeeze and a gentle smile as Bella craned her neck to meet Esme’s gaze.

     “Hey, batta’-batta’, hey, batta’-batta’, swang~,” A.J. mimicked exuberantly swinging an imaginary bat.

    A smile spread onto Alice’s face upon hearing the song, “I got ta just do my thang~.” she happily sang back.

     “Enough singing,” Emmett yelled, “Get on with the game!” he eagerly threw his fist into his gloved hand.

     A.J. frowned as she twisted her head back, “Let us enjoy ourselves!”

     “Clearly someone can’t dance.” Alice smirked teasingly still in her batting stance.

     Emmett’s hands paused with an almost offended look on his face. Those spectating were either watching thoroughly entertained, or less than amused and wanting to continue with this close game.

     “Oh, I can dance,” Emmett answered nonchalantly, “Tell ‘em, babe.”

     Thunder cracked around them as all eyes zoned in on Rosalie, awaiting an answer.  A smile slowly grew on her diamond-like jaw as if a pleasant memory was filling her mind.

     “Oh, he can dance,” her declaration rewarded her a wink from her doting husband.

     A.J. stuck her tongue out, “Bleh,” she faked a gag as her torso rag-dolled.

     Esme chuckled at her reaction from her hunched-over position behind Bella.

      “Alright, ‘nough talk, let’s get back to the game.” Esme clapped her hands together right as it thundered.

     Carlisle nodded at his wife, “Impeccable timing.” he smiled at her.

     She quirked a short eyebrow up at him with a smirk, “Thank you.” 

     Returning her attention back to the game, A.J. peered up at the sky as if she was waiting for something. Her eyes fluttered shut as she forcefully inhaled for an exaggerated amount of time. Bella furrowed her brows at A.J.’s action, briefly glancing up at Esme again. 

     “She’s waiting for the thunder,” Esme answered without taking her eyes off the scene in front of her.

     “She technically don’t have to,” Jasper chimed in, “As long as we’re playing during a storm, we don’t have to wait for a ‘loud sound’.”

     A.J. lowered her head, “I like the dramatics. Sue me!”

     Before Bella could blink, the ball was flying at Alice. With another loud crack of both thunder and the bat and ball colliding, Alice dropped the bat and dashed toward first base. The ball flew past A.J.’s left side and headed to Emmett who immediately jumped into action. He shot into the air, left arm extended above him, with the ball directed at him. As Alice reached first base, the ball grazed the top of Emmett’s gloved hand and continued into the forest behind them. 

     Edward darted back into the forest as Alice approached second base. His topaz eyes bounced rapidly around the trees and brush until he spotted the baseball. Edward then snatched the ball off the ground and threw it to Emmett through the trees, who was anticipating the throw. Emmett hurled his body to the left and roughly landed at third base when Alice stepped on it.

     A chorus of ‘whoos’ and hollers sounded from home plate as Alice bounced victoriously on third base. Emmett scoffed as he rolled onto his knees before hopping up while Edward came flashing back from the woods. 

     “Lucky shot,” Emmett commented as he stood next to Alice.

     Alice looked up at him with a smug look, “That was pure skill, Emmett.”

     “Damn right it was,” Jasper called out with his arms crossed.

     The Cullens continued an epic game of baseball, one that was far too fast for the human eye to properly view. Bella struggled to see anything but the aftermath chatter and positions after the end of a run. Thankfully for her sake, Esme or another member of team ‘Wonder Woman’ was there to help her with the calls; disregarding Rosalie. 

     The Cullens had made it to the third inning, in record time thanks to their enhanced abilities. Team ’MVP’ was currently three runs ahead of team ‘Wonder Woman’. Jasper had redeemed himself and hit a home run, Alice was currently at second base, Esme resided by Bella and awaited her turn, and Rosalie was currently up to bat. Team ‘MVP’ were positioned the same way as before and eager to continue.

     “You ready?” A.J. nodded at her sister as they both readied themselves.

     Rosalie crouched into position, “As ever.”

     A.J. drew back her right arm before swinging it forward and putting her weight on her front leg. The baseball flew toward Rosalie before another crack echoed through the field and throughout the surrounding forest. Rosalie dropped the bat, pushed off of home plate, and sprinted down the field. The baseball was heading between second and third base, where Edward and Emmett were positioned on either base. 

     Alice sprinted past Edward and Emmett who were distracted by the fast-approaching ball. As the pixie-like vampire passed by third base and Rosalie reached first, Emmett and Edward jumped simultaneously with their arms outstretched and ready to catch the ball. Unfortunately, the duo collided with each other in a loud ‘thwack’ and the two members of team ‘Wonder Woman’ managed to reach home plate. The women secured two more runs for their team and caused a total wipeout for the opposite team that resulted in Edward and Emmett splayed out on the grass and the baseball deep in the forest.

     Alice skidded to stop a few feet away from home plate and Rosalie followed by sliding across the grass and onto home plate. Amidst the cheers of the successful team, Jasper ran to Alice and picked her up into a spinning hug; squeals of laughter leaving the victorious woman. With a grin, Esme extended her arm down to Rosalie who grabbed it with a smirk and hopped up. 

     “That’s how we do it!” Esme high-fived Rosalie once she was standing.

     Bella nodded from her squatted position, “Yeah, that was a good play.” 

     Rosalie glared down at the girl, “You couldn’t even see it.” she spat.

     Esme’s smile turned to a frown, “Rose.” she warned.

     “What? It’s true.” Rosalie defended.

     “Well, I mean, she’s right,” Bella said, “I-I couldn’t see it, but-,”

     “Alright, how ‘bout we turn our attention to the real issue ‘ere,” A.J. interrupted the three, “Which is betrayal!”

     A.J. thrust her finger in the direction of a chuckling Emmett and Edward who had just stood up.

     Edward, having already heard what she was about to say, ceased his laughter.

     “A.J., are you really pushing this?” Edward groaned.

     A.J. fought back a smile, “Oh, yes, indeed I am pushin’ this, traitor!”

     Emmett stared at Edward, “Oh, yeah. It is a bit strange that the mind reader Edward didn’t read in my mind that I was gonna jump for the ball.” a smirk spread across his short jaw.

     “Exactly!” A.J. eagerly agreed with a stomp, “He sabotaged us so the loser team would have a chance!”

     Rosalie crossed her arms, “I think we have a chance regardless of Edward’s treachery.”

     “I’m-I am not a traitor. I did not even think of reading anyone’s mind, because I was focused on the game.” Edward let out a flabbergasted laugh.

     Emmett adjusted his stance and crossed his arms.

     “Exactly what a traitor would say,” Emmett stated.

     

     Edward’s tongue darted across his pristine white teeth as he grinned in annoyance, “I think the only one you should be accusing of ’treachery’ is Alice.”

     A smirk spread across Edward’s lips at his words. 

     “What!” Alice’s hands fell onto her hips.

     Her eyebrows knitted together underneath her navy blue cap at the sudden accusation. A crack of thunder sounded around them as if Alice herself conjured it up with her voice. The babbling duo, Emmett and A.J., observed Alice before staring at Edward and then meeting each other’s gaze. Skeptical looks were painted upon their pale faces as the wind picked up around them. The rest of the Cullens and Bella were left awaiting their next move, wondering if Edward’s distraction worked or not.

     The accusing pair busted out in chuckles and giggles, ripping Edward’s hopeful look off of his face. 

     Emmett turned his head to a dejected Edward.

     “Alice wouldn’t have the time to see our moves,” Emmett stated matter-of-factly.

     A.J. nodded, “Yeah, plus, she ain’t on our team.”

     Emmett and A.J. smirked at each other as if they just deduced the most abstruse mystery in history. A snort could be heard coming from Hale ‘twins’ by home plate, though that did nothing to deter the growing confidence of A.J. and Emmett.

     Edward chuckled out in confusion, eyes darting around those who stood throughout the field. His mouth opened and closed, struggling between the option of a logical defense or leaving the whole ordeal to rest. Staying silent seemed like the best option, considering logic fell upon deaf ears when it came to Emmett and A.J., but ultimately Edward decided to play the ‘call on the parent’ card.

     “Carlisle,” Edward pleaded to the man who was standing near first base.

     Edward motioned to his ‘attackers’, hoping the wise man’s words would bring some sense to the situation. Carlisle looked upon his son with tight lips and one hand over the other resting in front of his body. A glint of amusement shone in Carlisle’s golden eyes from the scene he silently observed, much to Edward’s dismay. 

     “Emmett, A.J.,” Carlisle spoke, “Edward isn’t a traitor-,”

     The wind picked up around them and quieted Carlisle as a fog emerged from the enclosing forest. A gasp fell from Alice’s lips while her arms fell from her hips to her sides. Her eyes had seemingly glazed over, hinting at the vision she was having. As if in slow motion, Edward stared at her before peering over at the forest behind them just as Alice’s vision ended. The rest of the Olympic Coven’s eyes turned toward the forest, whether it be from their own acute hearing or sensing the seriousness of Alice’s vision.

     “Stop!” Alice yelled desperately as it thundered around them.

     Edward was across the field and next to Bella at a moment's notice, the rest similarly hustling about. With her eyes still peering past the bare trees, A.J. felt an arm grip her left bicep tightly. Her eyes flicked over to see Emmett pulling her toward the rest of their family, Carlisle on her other side. Their eyes held a look of worry as they flashed over together.

     A.J. flickered her gaze between them as they joined the rest at home plate, to which Edward was pulling Bella toward the Jeep as Alice spoke quickly. A.J. stared at her family with knitted brows, clearly missing a vital piece of information, though she heard words of getting Bella out of here and nomadic vampires hearing their baseball game. 

    “Nomad vampires?”

     Panic fell upon A.J., concentrated in her chest, as memories filled her mind. She swore she could feel teeth tearing into her skin again, the excruciatingly slow loss of blood, her vision blurring, the taste of iron mixed with mud cutting off her breathing; choking her as water filled her lungs. Squeezing her eyes shut,  A.J. attempted to combat the rising terror with logical thoughts.

     “I’m a vampire now too.”

     “They can’t hurt me.”

     “I ain’t food anymore.”

     “They might be vegans like us.”

     “No, they ain’t. They’re the ‘predator’ on the news.”

     Unfortunately for her, the thoughts weren’t anything but a mere hindrance, to what she knew was illogical fear. 

     “It is illogical, right?” A.J. questioned herself amidst the chaos growing around her and the sudden absence of music.

     Before she could freak herself out more, a wave of peace washed over her and drowned out the fear in her chest. A moment after, two hands came to rest on her shoulders, which she deduced to be Jasper’s as everyone else was in her line of sight.

     Her head snapped up, the bottom of her messy braided pigtails bouncing with the movement. A.J. was met with an assuring smile from Jasper, who squeezed her strong shoulders.

     “Everythang’s gonna be alright.” Jasper reassured her as he guided her to stand in the back with Bella.

     A.J.’s pigtails bounced again as she nodded furiously, “Yeah, I know.”

     With another squeeze and a close-lipped smile, Jasper parted from his sister and hurried over to Emmett who stood waiting at the far right end of the line of vampires.

     “Get your hair down.” Edward ordered Bella with a pinched expression.

     Bella momentarily froze and stared at Edward with a bewildered look, before hesitantly pulling the hair tie from her mousy brown hair. 

     Rosalie turned around with a scowl, “Like that’ll help, I can smell her from across the field.”

     With one last look, Rosalie turned back to face the oncoming threat with the others. Carlisle moved to stand tall in the front as everyone else gathered around. They formed a ‘wall’ in front of Bella, her being the obvious vulnerable human here, and A.J. as she had been pushed to the back by Jasper. 

     “I shouldn’t have brought you here, I’m so sorry,” Edward shook his head as Bella pressed him for an answer, “Just be quiet and stand behind me.”

     Bella clung to Edward’s side as he stepped toward the others but stayed just behind them with Bella. The youngest Cullen moved to Bella’s other side, matching the body language of her family. Past the line her family created in front of the three, A.J.’s copper eyes fell upon three figures emerging from the woods. 

     In the front, passing through the growing fog, was a dark-skinned man with long locks, an orange leather jacket atop his bare torso, and a pair of dark, lined pants. To his right, was a woman with curly ginger hair and a long fur shawl that blew in the wind as they tracked forward; a confident smirk carved into her alabaster skin added to her alluring appearance. Lastly, the most menacing of them all was a man who stood to the left of them; his blonde hair was pulled into a low ponytail that enhanced his dark, hooded eyes. The one characteristic that united them was the piercing ruby color of their eyes, which reminded A.J. of her own a couple of months ago.

     The young vampire hurriedly untucked her pinstripe jersey from her leggings all the while keeping her eyes trained ahead. With her enhanced speed, she threw open the buttons of her shirt, leaving her with just a baby blue tank top adorning her torso.

     “Here,” A.J. spoke to Bella, snapping the girl out of her frozen state.

     The human turned her head to face the newborn vampire and her eyes followed consecutively. Her gaze fell upon A.J.’s worried face as the taller of the two threw her jersey around Bella and placed it on her shoulders. Bella briefly unlatched herself from Edward for the jersey to encase her shoulders and arms.

     A.J. adjusted the jersey on Bella, “It’s not much, but I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t wash it last time we played so it’s…oh shit.” 

     A.J.’s ramblings were cut short as the trio of vampires was now standing still a few feet away from the group. With her enhanced hearing, she heard Bella’s heartbeat pick up next to her and prayed that the oncoming threat wouldn’t notice amidst the storm.

      The frontman raised his right hand in a fluid motion, and in it was the homerun ball Rosalie hit. His pristine teeth contrasted against his dark skin as he flashed an inviting smile. A.J. couldn’t help but appreciate his good looks despite the tense situation. His shorter stature and medium build were carried casually, in a way that let you know he was confident and felt no need to compensate. The exposed torso revealed by his unbuttoned green-tinted vest and jacket showcased his toned upper body. He was undeniably tantalizing and attractive, though A.J. supposed that’s what made him dangerous.

     “I believe this belongs to you,” The vampire remarked before flicking his wrist and sending the ball toward Carlisle.

     Carlisle caught it with ease, an unreadable expression on his face. 

     “Thank you.” a friendly smile appeared on Carlisle’s face.

     A.J. shifted her weight before stepping over to stand next to Esme. Sensing her daughter moving next to her, Esme instinctively reached for the girl’s bicep before snaking her arm around A.J.’s. and pulling her close. Esme flicked her eyes to A.J.’s arm upon meeting bare skin, curious as to what happened to her jersey. In response, she received a simple smile and her daughter’s cold left hand on hers.

     “I am Laurant,” the stranger spoke again, “And this is Victoria and James.”

     A.J.’s gaze lingered on Victoria, her voluminous curls framing her soft features. Her presence intrigued the young vampire more and more as she studied her face and body language. It was almost feline, the way she moved, her minuscule movements were elegant and smooth. Once again, it was clear how her looks could be a weapon.

     James, however, did nothing but frighten A.J. Everything about the vampire screamed dangerous and to stay away. He, unlike his coven-mates, did possess the same alluring appearance or body language. The ways his eyes seemed to stare into your soul along with his tall stature reminded A.J. of the tales of Slender Man she’d heard some classmates talk about before she was turned. His weapon, without a doubt, was intimidation.

     “I’m Carlisle,” the Cullen patriarch gestured to the others standing beside him, “This is my family.”

     

     “I like your shawl,” A.J. spoke and nodded to the one draped around Victoria.

     Instantly, she felt all eyes on her and Esme pull her tighter to her side. The girl shrugged it off, thinking to herself that flattery is usually the best way to smooth things out. 

     Victoria eyed A.J., taking in her appearance having paid more attention to everyone else.

     “Thank you,” Victoria smiled, “I like your top. It’s a good color on you.” her words seemingly rolled off of her tongue.

     A.J. returned the smile, “I know, right.” she let out a stiff chuckle.

     Flattery certainly worked for herself as her apprehensive mood lessened from the compliment.

     “Yes, well, I’m afraid your hunting activities have caused something of a mess for us.” Carlisle brought the attention back to him.

     Laurant’s dark eyebrows raised as his ruby eyes widen ever so slightly.

     “Our apologies,” he spoke earnestly, “We did not realize the territory had been claimed.”

     His apology seemed almost empathetic according to A.J.’s ears. Regardless of whether or not she had been swayed by his being, she almost took his apology to heart if it had not been for the guard she desperately held onto.

     Carlisle nodded, “We maintain a permanent residence nearby.”

     Laurant twisted his neck to face James who was peering past Carlisle and Esme at Edward. A.J. unconsciously hardened her eyes in anticipation of what the nomad may do, having a hard time relaxing in his menacing presence. She feared what he may attempt to do to her family and wondered just how capable his coven could be against the Cullens.

     “Really?” Laurant’s smooth voice held a tone of disbelief, “Well we won’t be a problem anymore. We were just passing through” His gaze returned to Carlisle.

     

    “The humans were tracking us, but we led them east,” Victoria announced, “You should be safe,” she spoke the last part in a hushed tone as she leaned her head forward for emphasis.

     Carlisle nodded, “Excellent.”

     A.J. caught the reluctant smile on her father’s face. It was one she’d seen him use on a woman who had struck up a conversation with him on one of A.J.’s earlier excursions to ease her back into society. She recalled the woman’s tone being rather flirty as she rang them up at the register.

     Laurant glanced around at the Cullens.

     “So,” he pressed, “Could you use three extra players?”

     One by one the Cullen’s eyes fell upon Carlisle, awaiting his response. His gaze never left Laurant as he silently considered the best option.

     Laurant smiled, “Oh, come on, just one game.”

     Carlisle let out a quick sigh before smiling, “Sure, why not. A few of us were leaving - you can take their place.”

      A.J. crane her neck to glance back at Edward and Bella. Edward’s hardened gaze seemed almost frightened as he glared ahead at James. The fear on his face didn’t come from a fear of his own well-being but Bella’s. A.J. knew that was the only thing on his mind, getting Bella away from here and keeping her safe. 

     “Why didn’t you just flash her to the car? You had time.” A.J. thought to Edward who only briefly spared her a glance.

     Deciding to let it be, A.J.’s eyes moved to Bella who stood with her mouth slightly agape and still clung to Edward. The young vampire knew the human’s fear well and sympathized with her, especially since it was unknown how long Bella would be forced to endure this.

     “We’ll bat first.”

     A.J.’s turned around in time to see Carlisle toss the ball to Laurant, but Victoria flashed her pale hand up in time to catch it.

     “I’m the one with a wicked curve ball.” The smirk permanently edged into Victoria’s face grew wider.

     The atmosphere grew lighter at her remark as the Cullen's spirit slowly returned.

     “Oh, well I think we can handle that.” Jasper egged her on which earned a confident smirk from Emmett and A.J.

     Laurant sang out an ‘oh’ at the banter, body swaying with anticipation as he clapped.

     A.J. leaned her torso forward, “I’m a bit of’a star pitcher myself.” she eyed Victoria with a smile while Esme began to pull her toward the others as they retreated back.

     “We shall see,” Victoria spoke as both she and Laurant spun around to head down the field.

     Though his coven-mates were moving to prepare for the expected game, James stayed stationary with his animalistic gaze set on Edward and Bella. His head tilted to the side as he further inspected his ‘prey’, but Bella kept her gaze set on Edward. Her arm was wrapped around his as she waited for him to move though he stayed in an intimidation contest with James. Finally and with one last look, James turned on his heel and began to find his spot on the field. Bella let herself breathe as they were almost off the hook, but she relaxed too soon. Just as she and Edward began turning, the wind blew against their backs which pushed her scent straight toward James. 

     James’s neck twisted as he inhaled deeply, eyes fluttering shut as he faced the couple again.

     He exhaled and smiled, “You brought a snack.” 

     The predatory vampire lunged forward in a hunched manner, ready to pounce on his prey. Edward pushed Bella back and jumped to action as well, all but A.J. following suit, including James’s coven-mates. The young vampire swiped her jersey off of Bella’s shoulders and swiftly threw it on as she moved to stand in front of Bella. The girl’s copper eyes glared at the trio in front of them, her fear manifesting into courage. She and Bella suddenly stumbled back as Esme pushed A.J. farther away from danger. Perhaps that was where her courage came from; an unconscious understanding that her family wouldn’t allow any harm to come to her.

     “A human,” Laurant questioned as the tension grew.

    “The girl’s with us.” Carlisle stated with a calm voice, “I think it’s best if you leave.” his eyes stayed trained on James.

     Laurant nodded, “I can see the game is over. We’ll go now.” he held his palms open and facing the ground as he slowly backed away.

     Once again, James lingered, this time with Victoria by his side, who seemed eager to kill for him. Laurant glanced at James questioningly, his patience running thin for such antics.

     “James.” Laurant called out.

     With a growl and one last look, James’s posture straightened as he turned away from the Cullens. Victoria followed with a hiss and joined James to which they wrapped an arm around each other and stalked away. Laurant led them as he walked backward before gradually spinning around to walk straight.

     A.J. watched as Edward slowly raised from his hunched state, deep in thought…or what she assumed was James’s.

     “Get Bella out of here.” Carlisle ushered as he placed a hand on Edward’s shoulder, “Go.”

     The eldest Cullen then pushed Edward back toward where Bella and A.J. resided. A.J. quickly flashed to the side and gave her brother an encouraging smile to which she received a nod. As Edward rushed Bella to the jeep, the Cullens quickly gathered what they had come here  with.

      “W-wait, what ‘appens now?” A.J. asked as Carlisle wrapped an arm around her shoulder and placed his right hand protectively on her other.

     “We go home.” Carlisle answered and began to lead her away in the direction of home.

     A.J. stared at him as the others caught up with them, “Then what?”

     Carlisle looked down and gave his daughter a close-lipped smile as Esme flashed to her other side.

     “Let’s just get home first.” he told her.

     A.J. nodded and turned her gaze forward before stopping dead in her tracks and craning her neck to look around Carlisle.

     “Wait, my stuff!” she called out.

     “Don’t worry, we got it.” Rosalie answered as she slugged A.J.’s backpack around her shoulders and Emmett cradled the girl’s boom box.

     A.J. nodded again, “Thank you.” she let her gaze fall forward.

     The girl bit her tongue in anticipation of what was going to happen. The courage she had gained left her once she heard the wheels of the silver Jeep skid away in the mud. Dread replaced it as the primary emotion in most of the vampires present. Her thoughts were far too jumbled and rapid for her to calm herself down as Carlisle began to pick up speed. One thing that remained clear in her mind as she started to run, was her family staying safe. Though, she had no clue how she'd do it.

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Thursday, December 19

Buffy: So, are you shopping? You're probably not shopping. Angel: I couldn't sleep. Buffy: Vampires probably not that big on Christmas, now that I think about it.

~~Amends~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Twisted and Tortured (Crossover with Grey's Anatomy, T) by Hoomanbeans

Hospital from Hellmouth (Crossover with Grey's Anatomy, T) by Hoomanbeans

Trading Warriors (Crossover with Xena, T) by Hoomanbeans

When the Man Comes Home to "Roost" (Tara, Joyce, M) by Greensword101

Birthday Girl (Crossover with Batman, G) by Ellen_Brand

Close Enough to Vegas (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by simmony

Writing a Haiku for every episode of Buffy while I rewatch part 13 (sfw) by Senorpuddin

Still Family (Buffy/Spike, T) by veronyxk84

[Chaptered Fiction]

Perfect Clarity, Chapter 15 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Joan963z and Ragini

Christmas at the Folly, Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, 13+) by myrabeth

I Do!, Chapter 40 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Dusty

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:Another piece done by my sibling about the fic Hit Rewind by enigmatist17

Manip:all of my btvs collages I’ve made so far by slut-jpeg

Manip:Collage #279 Anatomy of Spike by thedecadentraven

Manip: Collage #278 by thedecadentraven

Gifset:12 Days of Horrormas: Day 6 - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Amends) by batterycityghoul

Gifset:BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER REWATCH -> Innocence (2.14) by laufeysons

Gifset:S02E03 ♱ School Hard by blockbustervideos

[Reviews & Recaps]

Spike X Buffy Forever (until that guy shows up) | Buffy the Vampire Slayer 7x21 "End of Days" by The Normies

Angel '''' S05E04-S05E06 "♡First time Reaction&Review♡ by SoFieFReacts

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 5x15 & 5x16 REACTION | "I Was Made To Love You" & "The Body" by The Horror Bandwagon

Buffy The Vampire Slayer "I, ROBOT... YOU, JANE" S1E8 (REACTION!!!) by JerBear Reacts

Podcast: Episode 131: Normal Again by Myth Taken

[Fandom Discussions]

I love the lore in BtVS that vamps hate Halloween [but...] by targaryenvampireslayer

Giles' reaction to Buffy's homecoming [Dead Man's Party] by thornfield13713

[On Buffy's "consequences"] by thornfield13713

the way that Xander immediately starts shit-talking Buffy behind her back once she's back by thornfield13713

[Criticism of reactions in Dead Man's Party] by thornfield13713

what do you think is the dumbest line in the show? by multiple authors

Buffy and Spike by multiple authors

Why was everyone mad at Jenny again? by multiple authors

What are your most skipped episodes and why? by multiple authors

Whedonesque names by multiple authors

What's something that made you feel *personally betrayed*, for whatever reason, as a viewer/fan? by multiple authors

Which actors have the best chemistry, and why is it these two? by multiple authors

Vampire Math! by multiple authors

What song(s) will you always associate with Buffy? by multiple authors

Characters I would maybe kill off by multiple authors

What’s a creative way to kill vamps that you wished was explored? by multiple authors

If Buffy had shown up in Season 5, how would the Angel/Spike stuff have played out? by multiple authors

Seeing Red, alternative to the bathroom scene. by multiple authors

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

Publication: Buffy Star Hated Their Costar’s Accent And Made Them Fix It via Giant Freakin Robot

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

[thevampirediariesdiary]

Proposed List of Season 1 Moments:

“first” (onscreen) meeting “you say that like every relationship is doomed to end” “I’m a fatalist”

dish washing scene with cheerleading heart-to-heart and “I’m sorry about Katherine, you lost her too”

Elena slaps Damon and tells him she’s not Katherine

Damon standing above her stroking her face while she sleeps

Elena slaps Damon “people die around you, how could it not matter? it matters and you know it”

Damon compels Jeremy to forget Vicki’s death because it’s what Elena wants and Stefan can’t do it

Damon rescues Elena from her car wreck and bridal carries her away

Elena looks faint and Damon vamp-speeds over to make sure she’s alright. he encourages her to take a five minute break from her life, she asks if she can trust him

Elena and Damon drink beer and eat burgers and fries in Georgia

Elena saves Damon from getting killed by Lexi’s vampire widower

”you’re not the worst company in the world Elena” “I used to be more fun” “you did okay” “I saved your life” “I know “ “and don’t you forget it”

50s decade dance “Elena would you like to dance?” “I would love to” *proceeds to dance with Stefan*

“I was deliberately trying to get to the sink” “trust breeds trust, you have to give it to get it”

”he’s ridiculously hot” “shhh. he’s an ass”

Damon feeds his Elena his blood threatens to turn her “and you and I will have a vampire girlfriend”

“you and I, we have something. an understanding.” vervain necklace stunt “ask me if I’m lying now” “I didn’t compel you in Atlanta because we were having fun, I wanted it to be real”

Elena goes into the tomb to get Damon out, hugs him

”So, I found out who my birth mother is.” “Eugh, who cares. She left you. She sucks”

umbrella rain scene & “I can’t protect you Elena”

“oh good, you’re here” “you ask, I come, I’m easy like that. no, Elena, I will not go to your bedroom with you!”

older sibling conspirators exchange a rose while they’re younger siblings act out

MMF staircase and dance

Damon stays outside Stefan’s cell with Elena

cohabitation during blood brothers, “you’re very trusting of him given the circumstances” “so are you, otherwise you wouldn’t be leaving” + the couch scene

Damon tells Elena she doesn’t have to see Isobel if she doesn’t want to

Damon gives Elena the Gilbert device because he trusts her, and Isobel’s bombshell about why he really did it: “because he’s in love with you”

“I like you better like this. Period look didn’t suit you.” “I think you should stop with the flirty little comments and that – eye thing that you do.” “What eye thing?” “Don’t make me regret being your friend”

the “I’m not a hero, Elena. I don’t do good, it’s not in me. somewhere along the way you decided that I was worth saving.” speech (yes it still counts!)

please: tell me any I forgot! send me propaganda for your favorite(s)! get excited to start voting next Tuesday (May 28)!

[esotericfaery]

Jupiter revisits Gemini - May 25th, 2024 until June 10th, 2025!

TLDR; Tricksters & energy vamps, dissonant contraction or harmonic expansion, Ceres, Taurus, Gemini, Mercury, 2011-2013, get journaling.

See if you notice repeating themes from the last time(s) this happened [recent Jupiter dates at end, for those of us who journal].

Taurus Jupiter has had us appreciating what we already have, yet we also had the tendency to dig in our heels at the idea that we could change things for the better during stressful situations. Ruled by Ceres, Taurus takes on Ceres traits within whichever house She’s in: adaptation and survival of humanity, all familial relationships, nurturing professions, agriculture & animal care. Those with Taurus or Jupiter chart prominent will have experienced specific changes in any of those areas during Jupiter in Taurus periods.

This is a good opportunity to review these life themes:

Experiences of luck, vs lack; synchronicity vs. perceived failure.

Gemini placement(s) or an “empty” house; patterns related to thoughts which lead to communications, short term travel, siblings, neighborhood(s), early education, overall life mindset.

Where are we going?

Optimistic growth through goal-definition & attitude of gratitude, manifested through the proper actions…

or…

…string of calamities or perceived calamities, wherein we have used our powers of communications and short term forms of travel such as seership abilities, to behave with lack of morality or indiscretion? Mercury, when not worked with consciously, has people building and maintaining energetic vampirism between groups of people, in tangled patterns of co-dependency.

The key is to examine the situation; is this dependency healthy, or toxic? Is it sustainable, or unsustainable? We must figure these things out, and practice clear communication with one another as we do so. Allow each person in a group dispute the time and consideration for full expression.

Important to remember: Geminis ruling planet is Mercury, and Mercury is known for good reason as the trickster & thief God. We can re-channel Geminis mental adventurousness in a properly productive direction, when we realize that we are actually thieving, or enabling thieving of our own life-forces, by staying in toss situations.

Are we tricking ourselves, and also being unfair to others in some way?

Can we find ways out of this destructive pattern, and into building new patterns, which can bring into our lives harmonic, and no longer dissonant expansion?

Those who don’t put in the time and effort on this, will expand in dissonance, while contracting their abilities to manifest harmonic luck.

Jan 22, 2011 12:11 PM Jupiter enters Aries

*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***

Jun 4, 2011 9:56 AM Jupiter enters Taurus

Jun 11, 2012 1:22 PM Jupiter enters Gemini

Jun 25, 2013 9:40 PM Jupiter enters Cancer

Jul 16, 2014 6:31 AM Jupiter enters Leo

Aug 11, 2015 7:11 AM Jupiter enters Virgo

Sep 9, 2016 7:18 AM Jupiter enters Libra

Oct 10, 2017 9:20 AM Jupiter enters Scorpio

*** Daylight Saving Time ends ***

Nov 8, 2018 7:39 AM Jupiter enters Sagittarius

Dec 2, 2019 1:20 PM Jupiter enters Capricorn

Dec 19, 2020 8:07 AM Jupiter enters Aquarius

*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***

May 13, 2021 6:36 PM Jupiter enters Pisces

Jul 28, 2021 8:42 AM Jupiter Rx enters Aquarius

*** Daylight Saving Time ends ***

Dec 28, 2021 11:09 PM Jupiter enters Pisces

*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***

May 10, 2022 7:22 PM Jupiter enters Aries

Oct 28, 2022 1:10 AM Jupiter Rx enters Pisces

*** Daylight Saving Time ends ***

Dec 20, 2022 9:32 AM Jupiter enters Aries

*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***

May 16, 2023 1:20 PM Jupiter enters Taurus

May 25, 2024 7:15 PM Jupiter enters Gemini

Jun 9, 2025 5:02 PM Jupiter enters Cancer

Jun 30, 2026 1:52 AM Jupiter enters Leo

Jul 26, 2027 12:49 AM Jupiter enters Virgo

Aug 24, 2028 1:08 AM Jupiter enters Libra

Sep 24, 2029 2:24 AM Jupiter enters Scorpio

Oct 22, 2030 7:14 PM Jupiter enters Sagittarius

[foxsimthings]

• Nastya Lysenko, The Vampire / Vamp for @plumbewb 's BAD GIRLS CLUB!

• 26 years old

• San Myshuno

-Seduction 5

-Physical Strength 5

-Mental Strength 5

-Manipulation 5

-Anger Management 0

• Pansexual, single, and not looking but highly dtf

• Bad Girl Archetype: FLIRTY GIRL & THE FIGHTER

• Bad Girl Foes: THE REAL GIRL & THE CLASSY GIRL

• While perhaps not always a bad girl, Nastya has always given Bad Girl Energy. After the loss of her mother, and to care for her younger brothers, she hustled as a bartender from only slightly under age until a regular patron drunkenly asked her to step on his face for a hundred simoleons. This fateful request would send her down a highly lucrative path, and one that would land her as a certified Bad Girl. Nastya enjoys doling out pain to willing victims, for a price, but her tongue is just as sharp as her tools of the trade. Her scathing remarks are known to leave lasting emotional scars and while she may almost be classified as a Real Girl for her exceedingly blunt honesty, she rarely goes out of her way to help anyone but herself. Nastya looks out for Nastya and her siblings. Extremely few others are afforded such a luxury.

Nastya loves to work out in her spare time and has the abs to show for it. She's also TALL, and that has never stopped her from wearing six - or more - inch heels. Nastya sincerely loves to tower over people and delights in making them uncomfortable. Her goal in life is to be remembered as a pitiless gargoyle. She will bulldoze through anything and anyone in her way, either through brute strength or slice-and-dice comments. This Unbothered Queen cares more about the state of her manicure than the feelings of some Trust Fund Baby who thinks she's hot shit.

• I am not a bad girl, I'm The Bad Girl. No one does it like Nastya, but they all try so hard - it's very cute. Push your luck with me and I'll fuck your mother, make your parents divorce, then marry your daddy so you have to call me Mommy. But if you can behave, and you like a good time, call Nastya to get nasty.

[fallstaticexit]

well i maybe have some theories/questions

you already know i came from tiktok😏

1. so i’m sensing that Edin is going to be Adie’s future love interest/friend/enemy/?… I MEANN they’re both toddlers currently and they’re both supernatural

2. I know you mentioned before that you wanted to do like a magic school type of story for Adie which I think is so fucking cool!! Maybe they’ll meet when they enroll whether that’s as children or teens.

3. And for miss Ellie she’s currently a human right? Will she become a werewolf like her siblings when she becomes old enough? And if she does will she be going to that school as well or is it just for spellcasters? And is that the same for Rhys who’s currently a child or is he going to just stay in normal school? I assume Amir is too old to go and he already has a story of his own.

4. This one may be a stretch but I love reading the Sims 4 lore. There’s a character with a similar name to Adelina— Avelina who was Greg’s late wife. We’ve seen Greg fight Amir in that one episode and we know that Greg is miserable because he’s all alone now (lore wise). If they are related we know that Greg and Avelina used to be mooncasters (idk if it’s the same as spellcasters) before they became werewolves. Is there any link here or am I tripping? I mean I know you read the lore too because Lux DeMarco appears in Amir’s story (😉)

5. off topic but I love Amir. Like that’s my son with his little boyfriends. 💙💙 You got 2 men obsessed with you I know he’s living life.

6. L. Faba is obviously up to no good.. I mean she is the sage of mischief magic. This ties into my first statement about the magic school story. We know there’s going to be more to the plot then Adie just going to school. She’s gotta fight someone and save the day right??!!!! So I wondering if Miss Faba is trying to cause something to happen— I assume to Tomax because she was deadset on trying to make the man practice Dark Magic.

What if something happens to him that makes him evil?? Or even do something to Simeon or Grace?? We know in the lore Grace and Tomax are roommates (and they were roommates..🤭) and in your story they’re very close.

ok this is it for now i feel like my brain is fried

SO glad you came over to Tumblr with me, your comments give me life everytime lmao 🥹🤌🏾✨

maaayybbeee 🤭

I did want to do a magic school type beat but that was a bit before I expanded the lore. Right now (In the next update, I'll touch on it a bit) Nora does NOT want Adie in the Magic realm or any of the sages to know about them. at all. She wants nothing to do with them, the past, her involvement in the war, all of it and honestly, her little magical trigger finger is itching to finish what she started tbh , more on that later.

1000% Ellie will be a werewolf. At this point it's kinda like a family business/rite of passage. Amir is grown grown now 🥹 but Sonny and his bunch will continue to hold down their ranch and keep vampires in check. But they actually play a pretty big part in what's to come and when my Briar legacy and Fallen Angel series meet, we will see ALOT of them.

No link. The only link werewolves has is that they are descendants of Mooncasters and once upon a time they lived in the Magic Realm with all the occult before the Spellcasters got all high and mighty. Now werewolves just do their own thing and fight vampires. But I really don't see them having much involvement with Spellcaster drama other than possibly whooping vamp ass when needed.

I love those boys. Other than my OGs Honey and Amina, def my favorite couple(s) 🥹

L. Faba really about to put Tomax in a world of hurt...which is crazy because he's really already emotionally and mentally in shambles. I suppose that's why she picked him. He's the weakest. This update should be out in a little bit

I saw that they were roommates which made me go hmmmmm 🤔 interesting 🧐 and exactly why we'll see them roll around in the hay from time to time. But from my most recent update, I expand on Grace's ability to heal a little and really she's all about making people feel better via touch...so maybe there’s romance involved maybe she’s trying to help out an old friend because therapy doesn’t exist in the Magic Realm ig lmao 😵‍💫

[thevampyreking]

BASICS

FULL NAME: CHAKRII ARIKUN

» MEANING: Chakrii [ Means ‘king’ and is a very important name in Thai culture; pronounced JAK-gree. ] Arikun [ Possibly from Thai อารย (araya) meaning "superior, noble, civilized" and กุล (kun), a transcription of Pali kula meaning "clan". ]

VERSE: Night Shift; The Meaning of Forever;  Serendipity

NICKNAME(S): King

AGE: 213-years old but appears to be 30, he stopped aging at this age. And we want to bite his face.

DATE OF BIRTH: 1810 January 1st. My man's a Capricorn.

PLACE OF BIRTH: Bangkok, Thailand.

OCCUPATION: Founder of DUANG JAN AGENCY.

SPECIES: Vampire-human.

SEXUALITY: Bisexual; Biromantic.

GENDER: Cisgender male.

POWERS

Day walking

Fast healing

Superhuman strength

Doesn't have to drink blood to survive but he STILL has to drink it or he'll get weak

Slow aging; if he continues to drink blood, he can achieve immortality

I'm including richness coz his vamp family came from OLD MONEY, so he's mad rich, too, like, why not

PERSONALITY

STRENGTHS: Responsible, Disciplined, Self-control, Loyal, Trustworthy

WEAKNESSES: Unforgiving, Condescending, Stubborn, Obsessive, Controlling

APPEARANCE

FACE CLAIM: Max Kornthas Rujeerattanavorapan.

HEIGHT: 5′11 ft. [182  cm.]

WEIGHT: 143 lbs. [65 kg.]

BUILD: Athletic.

GAIT: TBA.

HAIR COLOR: Dark brown.

EYE COLOR: Brown.

BIRTHMARK: Yes.

OVERVIEW: » SCARS:  Various scars.

» TATTOOS: None but he'd like some. He got them in the past but they fade away quicker than on regular human.

BACKGROUND

HOMETOWN: Bangkok, Thailand.

RESIDENCES: Main is in Bangkok but he has houses all over the country. He spends a lot of time up-north where his mother was from.

NATIONALITY: Thai.

ETHNICITY: Asian.

FINANCIAL STATUS: Upper, upper, upper class.

EDUCATION LEVEL: University graduate.

DEGREES: Business management, human resources, etc.

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Thai is King's first language, he studied abroad and is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Russian. He can also speak Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese.

RELATIONSHIPS

PARENTS: Niah Chiasuk [miother, d. ]; Mongkut Arikun [ father ]

SIBLINGS: Several. He is the only part-human.

CHILDREN: None.

PETS: None.

SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIPS: » A young companion from the North.

FAMILY HISTORY: King was born to a human mother who was sickly. His vampire father loved his human mother but she never turned because she didn't see the point in it. She always said that "we use what we are given and make the best out of it." King's father respected King's mother's wishes but then they found out that she had a heart problem that cannot be fixed and either her or King would live if she was to continue living the way she was surviving.

Niah decided that she was going to sustain her child inside her while her sleeping body was being preserved, using whatever life was left in her to keep King alive.

The plan succeeded and King was born healthy and right after, Niah died.

King was raised by his mother's mother and mother's brother together with his vampire father who belongs to one of the noble clans in the country.

King was never made feel guilty of what happened to his mother. Instead, he was told of how his mother loved him that she nurtured him until she passed.

King grew up happy and encouraged to be who he wanted to be.

As he grew up, he was taught the way of their life, politics and business...

The Arikun Clan is one of the neutral clans in the vampire world. They campaign for peace and living side by side with other beings.

King became the foster child for that campaign which he fully took on as he loves the work. However, several problems began brewing, starting in a realm in South Korea and then Sanguine.

It was getting hard to be neutral and soon enough, King knew, he would have to pick a side.

ROMANTIC HISTORY: Arikun Clan has a tradition of taking in companions that will serve them. This tradition continues on but it evolves into a non-problematic situation mostly for the companion. The companions who came from a long line of loyal servants from thousands of years ago are no longer obligated to take on the job and are offered positions in various companies the clan owns.

King never really took on a companion and fed his needs whenever nature called. However, recently, a young northerner from the same line of servants caught his interest. He offered the young human's family a big 'dowry' which they accepted.

King is very fond of this companion and takes him everywhere.

THOUGHTS ON LOVE: “Something my mother had with my father...”

HEALTH

PHOBIA(S): None.

HANDICAP(S): None.

MENTAL DISEASE(S): None that he is aware of.

PHYSICAL DISEASE(S): None.

PREDISPOSITION(S): Alcoholism... His vampire family LOVES moonshine and all those strong local brews. He doesn't get drunk easily but he can get a really bad headache the following day.

[rosetyler42]

Hello I have a good question if you were going to make Hotel Transylvania 4 what would it be about

That's a good question. There was alot of wasted potential in the Transformania that we got. Mainly resolving the "what happens if the monster spouses outlive their humans" question, but also in unexplored dynamics and resolving whether or not Drericka are actually married.

As much as I like what they were trying to do with the "Don't try to change people" and "I love you for who you are" messages, Personally I quite like my friend @lovelylivelyv 's idea of making the possibility of turning the humans into monsters more about choices and who they are being what's inside that counts. (Whether that means actually turning them into vamps - which at the least would have been interesting to play with as a possibility) or the monsterization ray. Both Ericka and Johnny have found family in monsters and the ability to truly be themselves....so why not let monsterization be an extension of that? After all, if humans and monsters are basically all the same, why not? Haveing Johnny be 500% ready to become a monster while Ericka's more nervous would be a great way to play with the criminally under-utilized Jericka dynamic and would be a nice allegory for all sorts of things like being trans, religious conversion, coming out, etc. Mavis being called out on pushing humanity over monsters when it came to Dennis while chastising Drac and Vlad for doing the opposite would be good too. Include the female monsters in the human-monster switcheroo. At the LEAST, it should have been more about whether the changes would be permanent or not rather than the "Brave on steroids" we ended up getting.

Another route that woukd have been good is focusing on the Drericka wedding and bonding of Ericka and Mavis, which Mavis is also somewhat under-utilized as a character. Maybe having Mavis find out she was going to have (possibly dhampir) half-siblings would be a fun extension of her awkwardness in HT3. XD

Drericka having kids eventually would also be a fun way to play with some possibilities that didn't happen in HT2. For my Drericka shipchildren: "What if Drac had a dhampir that WASN'T monstery?" and "What if Drac had a kid that was more wild and adventurous, like Ericka and Johnny, rather than like him?" Plus give some interesting character development for Ericka, who's never had a mom and wasn't raised by the kost affectionate guy. I see her going the opposite way of Van Helsing (in contrast to Mavis, who more or less became Drac as a parent.) And being a really loving and affectionate dorky parent who would do anything for her kids BUT adding a nice contrast to Drac's neurotic overprotective control-freak tendencies (Yes, that's mellowed over the last 10 years. But he's still an anxious worrywart with a need to be ontop of everything.) Basically the fun parent without being the pushover Johnny was. And of course there'd be Vlad and Van Helsing as grandpas/great-great-grandpas, which it would also be fun to see how've THEY'VE grown over the past few years. (And perhaps the comedy of Van Helsing either claiming Van Helsings make better monsters than Draculas or Drac and him arguing about who the kid(s) are going to be like.)

Heck, even Ericka learning to fit in amongst a family of monsters, unlearning biases, and adjusting to her new life would make a fun plot. Seeing her being accepted by the pack and maybe finding a surrogate mom amd Dad in Wanda and Vlad. Her and Gryffin playing jokes. The continuation of the big Drericka shippers on deck (Frank, Murray, Griffin and Johnny) How she handles going from a strict and somewhat cold and lonely family situation (while I think Van Helsing does care in his weird way, he's not the best at showing it) where VH didn't notice her sadness (or worse, in the novelization she started to tell him about her changing views on monsters and he shut her down + intimidated her) to literally being surrounded by a crazy yet loving family. Dealing with the inevitable anxieties that woukd come up being surrounded by monsters in their space for the first time and how she would react to that. How hard she would try to fit in after having wanted a REAL family for so long and also having come from a family where you were judged by expectations. There's ALOT of possibilities there.

As much as I liked Transformania, There's ALOT of missed potential in the HT franchise that I would love to see explored.

[vlovebug]

I can't stop thinking so all my thoughts are going here

What I think Sam and darlin would be like as parents

Sam would call his kid or kids his sun/ stars

Darlin would call them kiddo, little shit/s, pup or vamp

Sam and darlin would both try to be gentle parents but don't push it or face the consequences ( maybe not super like bad, no hitting unless absolutely necessary)

They both have experience in taking care of kids of all ages ( my little head cannon that they both have siblings)

Scenario one :)

Sam: where did they go? * looking for them*

Darlin and they're first born ( idk how many they would have): fast asleep in the backyard under a tree

Sam: awe * he picks them up and puts them in their beds*

Scenario two :)

Darlin: whatca got in your mouth kiddo?

Kid: chews faster

Darlin: ... KIDDO WTF * trys to open their mouth and finds out they were trying to eat a mouse* •_•

Kid: ... Runs off to Sam and hides

Sam: just like you darlin', always trying to eat shit

Kid and darlin: 🙃

That's it. My brain hurts