#said places is my . grandma's garden and the things is . climbing a tree

[teddybeartoji]

THANK YOU KAIRO AND THANK YOU @mizzfizz FOR TAGGING MEEE<333333333 I PRESENT TO YOUUU ITTY BITTY MICKEY AND ??? MICKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

no pressure tags: @dieno-tsuki @a-ikuoliver @grlify @madaqueue @fedyenkas @pastelle-rabbit @kissxcore @lotusatoru @grimmweepers @tojilvrs @fyodior @rosesaints @cloudwisp <333333333

It is my birthday in 2 days and as someone who is *ahem* maybe a little to old to still be on tumblr, I thought I’d make a lil tag game, I love lil picrews and it’s fun way to “face reveal” without showing my face

So as i reminisce over my bdays I made a side by side of how I looked 10 years ago vs now (and by god do I feel old)

Me in my teenage years vs me in my twenties.

From emo kid to weird goth mortician….

Link to Picrew but feel free to use whichever one you want or draw one yourself!

Feel free to add yours and don’t feel obligated if you get tagged

@pavlovianfuckery

@careless-with-your-heart

[sixty-silver-wishes]

sometimes I think about the house my grandma raised my mother and uncle in, that my grandfather lived in before he died, that my sister and my parents and I would all come over to for holidays. when my sister and I were little, we loved watching Disney and Nickelodeon on my grandma’s TV because all we could get at home was PBS for the longest time. she had an old antique piano that was out of tune, and when I started learning to play the piano in middle school, I would go plink out “Legend of Zelda” songs on it and think about how I was playing songs much, much younger than that 100-year-old piano. and we tried to plant a garden in her backyard, but it got overgrown with weeds. and one day we found tadpoles in the birdbath, and she let us take some home so we could watch them grow into frogs. my grandfather had an old green easy chair he was always sitting in, and two toes that crossed over each other and wouldn’t sit normally. I liked to watch nature documentaries with him. right before he died, we would talk about world history because he was very interested in it, and I was just beginning to be. there was a painting of my mother when she was a child on the wall of one of the bedrooms, and I would always stare at it because it looked exactly like my older sister. my grandmother had an outdoor swimming pool where we would sit by as we watched my uncle launch Fourth of July fireworks, but when I got older and wasn’t interested in fireworks anymore, or the United States had made me too disillusioned with the Fourth of July for me to watch fireworks, I sat inside with my aunt and the dogs to keep them company. there was a big tree in the yard I loved to climb, and when I was in middle or high school, I would take my instruments up there to play them while sitting in a tree, just because playing instruments in a tree sounded like a magical thing to do. my grandmother had a pantry full of snacks just for my sister and I- Scooby Doo fruit snacks with the light blue one still in there and Saltine crackers, and a fridge full of sodas and sparkling water in the garage. she had a sewing room where she would teach us to make blankets and pillowcases with the fabric we picked out, and when my sister got older, she taught her to make vintage style dresses. she had a bedroom full of antiques belonging to our great-grandmother whom I had never met, and it somehow felt like the most familiar and most distant place in the world to me.

but then her dog died, and her old cockatiel died too, and one of our cats died. and over time we buried all the animals under one of the trees in her backyard- one I used to climb, but not as much as the other tree because it was so skinny. when my grandfather died when I was in high school, he was buried in a military cemetery where all you can leave are cut flowers and US flags, and my grandma got a certificate from the government after he died with Donald Trump’s signature printed on it because he was president then, and she always says it’s the ugliest signature she’s ever seen. his funeral was the very first time I saw a coffin. the old piano was beyond repair, so they took out all the musical bits and turned it into a desk that sits in our living room. the white paint covering the wood, its musical guts removed, the silence of the out-of-tune ancient keys that are no longer there makes it sound more like taxidermy than a piano. it plays john cage’s 4’33 in fortissimo whenever I pass it.

when my grandmother went to live in an assisted living community, she sold the house. she’s doing well now. she likes the place she lives in, she invites us over for holidays, she keeps active. but the house was completely remodeled and painted over. she said the tree I loved to climb in, the one my uncle climbed in when he was a kid, was chopped down. she says the house doesn’t look like it used to anymore. it’s unrecognizable. I could drive past it and never know. I probably have.

I wonder if the people who live there now know that in the big backyard that generations of people loved, no matter how much they’ve altered the house, there are the bones of two dogs and a cat and a cockatiel deep under the ground.

I wonder if they haunt it.

[extremelyblackandwhite]

illicit affairs

pairing: sheriff lee bodecker x younger! reader

warnings: smut (18+), cheating, age gap

a/n: i love perfumes which smell of daisies so i made the reader use something like that. i do imagine her going for a very much female appearance and aura despite her personality and i can see lee fancying that sort of fragile femininity look paired with her independency. this song is based of illicit affairs from taylor swift but i was also listening to all too well at some points so i think some of that passed onto the writing. hope you enjoy xx

> DRESS

Leave the perfume on the self that you picked up just for him so you leave no trace behind like you don’t even exist. Take the words for what they are a dwindling, mercurial high, a drug that only worked the first few hundred times ... And you wanna scream don’t call me “kid”, don’t call me “baby”, look at this idiotic fool that you made me. You taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else. And you know damn well for you I would ruin myself a million little times ...

The snow settled onto the ground, a view she could see from her white window. Sprawled against her window pane, the blue soft fabric of her dress cascaded down her body as she watched the snow fall and become one with the mass of white covering the once green grass of her home. Her feet dangled in anticipation, hair cascading into hairdresser set curls, held away from her face with a pearl barrette. Her fingers dangled across her collarbones, feeling the cold matching pearls which unlike her barrette clip, had been offered to her by Lee on thanksgiving. “A pretty girl like you deserves her own pearls” his voice echoed in her mind whenever her feeling felt the smooth irregular circle shapes of the pearls laying against her collarbones. There was nothing more than she wanted than to wear those pearls to the police winter ball, to show up wearing something he had bought for her with what money he gathered from his fickle Captain position, but she couldn’t. Everyone knew what she had, what jewellery she had, it was all valued at the insurance centre downtown and the pearl necklace definitely wasn’t. Her own pearls rested inside her ivory jewellery box along with the ribbon she was wearing around her waist when she first kissed him, and the comb that held her hair in place whenever she met him during windy nights. 

Her grandmother had left before her, leaving with the grocery shop owner as her date for the ball but she had stayed behind. She had told her she’d rather go alone, blaming her loneliness on the fact all the boys her age were either engaged thus going with their wives and the single ones not wanting to do with her. Of course that was further from the truth and as she watched the snow fall, she imagined Lee’s cruiser driving through the snow, stopping in front of her home and knocking on her door to take her. But those were nothing but impossible scenarios created from the deepest part of her psyche. Looking over her shoulder, the clock on her bedside table shone 9PM into bold red letters. She should get going before her grandmother got worried. Her eyes lingered across her beauty parlour to the silver platter with her perfume, the one she’d picked just for him after hearing how much he loved the smell of daisies. She had to leave it, she couldn’t put any perfume on, she couldn’t take her pearls, she doesn’t exist. At least, she as Lee’s lover does not exist for all that everyone could know and nothing hurt more than the sound of her pearls returning to her ivory box. It was were they belonged, away from everyone, hidden, a mysterious sin secret. 

With her white fur wrapped around her arms, she entered her glossy yet dull red car, pulling the hood up despite the weather. She wanted to feel the cold, she wanted that numbness to hide what she had been feeling for the last months. It was all so exhilarating when it began; the summer walks, laying in the middle of the forest in an old towel as he feed her ripe strawberries, escaping from her grandmother’s house at night and meeting him up under the apple tree in light dresses. However, at time wind down, she started to crave the rest of a relationship, the holding of hands. Instead what she got was clandestine meetings in parking lots, behind the bars or in the middle of the forest when no one could see them. She constantly told herself it was going to eventually be her turn, he was gonna leave Jane for her. Yet, she seemed to constantly fall on the same error every mistress before her did, the mistake of forgetting her place. Stopping in front of the old town hall where the ball was being held, she could see the soft lights, hear the laughter and it made her sick. She didn’t want to go in, she didn’t want to see those happy couples but she had too. She had to put up a show, be the little pedestal trouble starter woman she was expected to be and so she would. 

Stepping into the hall, her eyes immediately found Lee in the corner speaking with the Sheriff, arm draped over Jane’s shoulder while the other hand held a clear cup probably with his favourite drink. Her heart sunk to the same place it always did as she got lost in the dance floor. She knew everyone in this town hall, from the first boy she ever kissed Jonah and his third wife Elizabeth to Billy whom had been prom king with her. There was nothing new anymore and what once felt new and true was now anchoring her inside a fishbowl of images of her own mistakes and unfulfilled life needs. 

      - Hey, Y/N. - Billy called out for her attention. She held onto the fur wrapped around her for comfort as she prepared her facade of a happy girl at a happy party. - Your grandma told me you ain’t gotta a partner for tonight. Could’ve told me, I would’ve taken you. 

      - It’s ok, ain’t like I need a man. - she replied, almost angrily although he deserved no anger from her. - What’s the stage for? We’re getting a band tonight?

      - No, the new sheriff candidates announcing themselves tonight. Prepare for the blood bath. 

      - Sounds interesting. - she spoke out, her voice getting mumbled out as the mic’s sound hurt her and everyone else’s ear. The police chief stood there in his best attire, holding a small piece of papers, his fat thumbs hitting the mic to gather everyone’s attention. He already had their attention merely by wearing a cowboy’s hat with a formal suit. 

       - Now folks, we all now how much we gonna miss our good old Sheriff but it’s time to elect a new one. - his southern accent was pronounced, too pronounced, cartoonish even. Y/N remembered laughing as a child when she first heard him speak only to immediately shut up when her grandmother looked her way with a look which left room for no questions. She herself had barely developed an accent, her grandmother still very keen on instilling in her the education she herself had gotten. However, the longer she spent with Lee, the more it would sometimes slip; one or two words, nothing major. - Of course, Leroy is running again.

     - I don’t know why he tries. - Y/N whispered to Billy, concealed laughing smile behind her hand. 

     - You gotta admit it’s a good thing to imagine. Damned Leroy and his prostitutes running the town? We’d be forgotten by God.

     - We’re already forgotten by God. We were banished from the garden of Eden, don’t you remember? - she teased, always enjoying to toy around with the religion Knockemstiff was so hang up on. - We’re probably direct descendants. 

     - You ought to keep that mouth shut if you don’t wanna get in trouble. - he warned yet it went through deaf ears. Y/N liked stirring it, specially when it came to things which were so analytically flawed. 

The regular list of candidates continued to go from officers to common folk who all believed they could make the town better. At least that was all they said they wanted to get some votes but at the end of the day, they just wanted to control the town with an iron fist. Do what they wanted without anyone question it. She couldn’t blame it, humans are hardwired to go crazy for power and let it consume them so she just let it pass. She knew all the candidates, they were always the same. Leroy, Matthew, Edwards ... all the common ones, she even wondered why they kept announcing it. Those three competing for the sheriff position was as certain as the sun coming up each morning. 

      - The last candidate is our cap’tain Bodecker. - her head snapped to the stage as every sound seemed to dim until she was surrounded by pure silence. All she could hear was the buzz from her ears as she watched him climb up the stairs to the stage, shaking the chief’s hands. 

Everything seemed to be stuck in slow motion yet her mind was running faster than a shot bullet. The clapping was slow, everything was silent yet she could see their hands slowly clap and their lips moving in whispers. Her eyes roamed the crowd finding Jane right in front of the stage, looking up at him with adoration at the possible place she could possible hold; the sheriff’s wife. The slow motion ended with a loud crash and suddenly everything seemed just too fast. She ignored Billy’s pleas for her attention and moved straight to the small plastic tables covered in burgundy towels to make it look fancier where all the drinks and food were being held. One of her only friends from high school Mary was the one in charge, happily serving food and drinks to anyone who asked.

     - Hi Y/N. - she always looked like the perfect housewife and that was always what she wanted to be. Beautiful, bountiful blonde hair with a few flowers matching her pink dress. Despite it all, she was always nice to her even with their different life goals. 

     - Hey Mary. How’s Paul? I heard from rumours you two had quite a nice honeymoon. St.Louis, right? 

     - Yes. He booked us a nice honeymoon suite, it had flowers and those heart shaped beds and chocolates. It was real nice, I’m hoping to be pregnant soon. What about you? Your grandmother said you came alone. You could’ve told me, my brother would’ve taken you.

    - That’s alright, Mary. I don’t intend to stay for long ... Uhm, can I have a drink?

    - Of course. Sidecar, as per usual? 

    - I think I’ll just have a double cognac, please. Or maybe some gin ... whatever can make me dizzy the fastest.

    - Everything, okay?

    - Just need to forget some stuff, it’ll be okay. - she forced a smile. At least half that phrase was true. Mary served her up with her best gin and she returned to the dance floor, trying to blend with the rest of the attendees, however her baby blue dress was much too different from anything else in town. 

Y/N thought she’d be best outside where no one could see her and so she left, avoiding Billy who kept asking for her. She leaned against the old wood of the town hall, mascara running down her cheeks, and gin glass on the other one. She looked like the perfect warning tale of why you should not mess her married men. She knew better, she knew so much better but she still did it, like the idiotic little fool she seemed to be. Y/N sighed, the air condensing in the air as she drank from the glass.

     - Pull yourself together, Y/N. - she looked to see side, her grandmother standing outside with the look she used to give her when Y/N embarrassed her as a little girl. - What did you expect?

     - I’m just not having a good day, nana.

     - You’re hanging around with Captain Bodecker that’s what you’re doing.

     - What?

     - Don’t play innocent with me, Y/N. You’re just like your mother and I’ve raised your mother so I’d know. I saw you leave in his car last week. Do you want to defend yourself?

     - Is it even worth it? - she took a sip out of her drink. - What do you want me to say? 

     - I want you to pull yourself together and go inside. You better have this finished off before those elections start. I will not have my granddaughter be a home wrecker.

Y/N ignored it. There was nothing her grandmother could say that hurt more than what she was already feeling. She watched the snow fall from the cover of the banner covering the town hall, cold and icy yet somehow warmer than her. The drink didn’t last forever and although it was much stronger than what she was used to, she didn’t feel the slightest bit dizzy. It was if the universe was punishing her for her choices. She shook her head, leaving the glass onto one of the windows. She’d be better off at home and she’d already made her appearance. If someone asked where she was, she could’ve blamed it on their drunkness. Opening her little clutch, she started fishing for her keys through a sea of change, makeup and receipts. 

    - You better not be thinking of driving after you just drank. - she turned her head to see Lee with his hands on his waist, playfully smiling at her. His smile faded as he noticed the streaks of mascara from her eyes to her jaw. - Did that shithead Billy say something? 

     - No ... Lee, I wanna go home okay. - she sighed. - Can you just pretend you didn’t see me drink?

     - I was hoping we could spend the night together. Rent a hotel room outside town. A real nice place, with a pool and some room service. My treat of course.

     - I ... We can’t, Lee. Your wife is inside as she’s gonna notice you’re not there and you’re not home. 

     - She’s going home early. Jane’s been taking a few sleeping pills. She’s down for the night, won’t even notice. - he took a few steps closer to her, knowing everyone was too drunk to even remember. - I was waiting for you to come greet me, congratulate me. I can’t believe my girl wanted to leave before showing me how pretty she looked. 

     - You didn’t tell me you were running for Sheriff. - he cupped her face, thumb caressing her cheek. - You said it was a silly position.

     - Yeah but ... it’s a Sheriff. I could become Mayor, ya know. The old sheriff thinks I’d be good for it. - he scratched the back of his neck, something he always did whenever he was nervous or was confronted by something he did not expect. Y/N had learned to read him and knew him better than her own favourite books. - C’mon, kid. It’s a night worth celebrating, don’t you think?

     - Don’t call me kid. - she shot her head his way, his word hitting a particular hurt spot which she didn’t realise she had. 

     - Hey, I’m not trying to mock ya. - he rose his hands. - What’s wrong, huh baby? Hm? Tell me sugar, I hate it when you’re upset. Besides, if it was that Billy kid I’ve been wanting to give him a good beating.

    - Don’t call me baby, either. - she sighed, throwing her purse inside the car, before turning to him. - Billy didn’t do anything I’m just ... tired.

    - I’ll drive you home, then.

    - I don’t wanna go home either. - she pushed her hair from her forehead, looking at the ground. The snow engulfed her feet and her shoes, yet it might as well have engulfed her entire being. Lee noticed her lip trembling and how her free hand was trying to stop tears from falling down. He looked behind him, the town hall door shut, before taking his jacket off, draping it over her shoulders, and opening the car door for her. 

 Y/N daren’t look him in the eye, instead sitting in the passenger seat as he pushed the hood of her car up. After all, most people did not enjoy driving in the snow with the hood up. She didn’t know where he was taking her and for all it mattered she didn’t want to know. If he was driving her to her killing location, it sounded much better than having to work out through the bubbling feelings in her tummy. Y/N didn’t even noticed how much she was crying until the tears started streaming so fast they were falling onto the palms of her hands like diamond daggers. She leaned her head against his shoulder, watching the road ahead through the blurry orbs of her own eyes, trying to find some warmth through him. The drive seemed endless and her mind rushed in an even more endless way as she considered all her choices til now. She found it unbearable how not guilty she didn’t feel about it. She could still remember the feeling of the cold water against her body and his lips against hers, being tangled in his bed sheets while he drank a beer, his grunts as he thrusted into her inside his patrol car. She remembered every detail either it being lust or romantic but most importantly she remembered how he looked at her. It was almost as through rose coloured glasses, most of the times agreeing with her pessimist view of the town she was in. Lee looked down on her, watching her perfect hair break through the gelled curls she had set down. He never liked the polished look anyway, he loved to see her walk in her white dresses and freshly washed hair flowing with the wind. This woman sat next to him was gorgeous but he preferred his Y/N, he preferred the woman who would poke fun of casualty and rush into the woods with her nightgown. This woman next to him was pretty yes but she seemed tainted by a sadness he could see yet couldn’t help. He didn’t want his Y/N to be the slightest bit sad. She did not deserve it. She was too pure, too young to be consumed by the loneliness, darkness and sadness that came with being an adult. Yet again, he had to start learning the young woman she was wouldn’t stay young forever. He wanted to know how to help. he wanted to be the man who wakes up next to her on summer mornings and winter evenings but life is not how we plan it out to be.

She watched the snow fall from her window as “You are my sunshine” played on the background from her radio. Looking up to him, his eyes were glued to the road, the sign of leaving Knockemstiff way past them and the hotel on the horizon. She called it the Heartbreak hotel, with its red walls and luxurious nature. A more fancy place for those who wanted to give a better night to their mistresses but that was not why she called it the heartbreak hotel. It was due to the fact she ended up crying every time she or he left. While inside those walls, she could pretend they were Mr. and Mrs. Bodecker, young couple moved out of Knockemstiff on a romantic getaway yet she wasn’t Mrs. Bodecker, Jane was. She had seen who the future sheriff’s wife was and it was not and it would never be her. He stopped the car in the parking lot, looking at her who was lost in thought, leaned against his shoulder.

   - Come on, sugar. What is it? - Lee kissed the top of her head. - The heck happened in that Town Hall?

    - Just being silly, Lee. - she shook her head, faking a smile. - Just don’t like parties one bit.

    - I hate ‘em too, sugar. All show no action. Besides no party is a party without my baby. - he hooked his ring finger under her chin, softly pulling it up. She tried not to look at the moonlight illuminating the silver band around his finger, a symbol he belonged to someone else and she knew it. She had seen the wedding photo on his secretary, a much younger Lee with a much younger Jane with the facade of a happy marriage. Thinking about it always made her sick and ever since seeing that picture she couldn’t bring herself to do so. - Come on, let’s get you a bubble bath, yeah?

She followed him into the hotel almost in a zombie like state until the reception. The talk was a dance she had danced before, it was all the same. Lee would present money in cash so it wouldn’t show up on his credit card statement. He would sign in with a fake address but with his own name and no one would question it. After all, the staff wanted money, they didn’t care if it was an illicit affair or not. To be honest, she didn’t care much anymore.

     - Mrs. Bodecker? Mrs. Bodecker? - the receptionist called out to her but it didn’t even register until she was looking her into the eyes. Mrs. Bodecker, she was definitely not. - Would you like a complementary tea? You look cold.

     - No, it’s okay. - she smiled while Lee grabbed the keys. His hand wrapped itself around hers, leading her over to the elevator.

God, she wanted him. She really did, he thought to himself. It was an unbelievable feeling to have someone who loved him back, someone who always had encouraging words to tell him, someone who would stay after a fight. He thought and imagine what it would’ve been like if she was born earlier, god he would’ve courted her and would’ve married her the second they were out of high school. Sadly, the woman he loved was born 10 years after and he met her when he was married. He led her to the 13th hotel room and closed the door behind them.

     - Things are gonna be different when I’m sheriff. No more sneaking around, no one will dare  say a word. I can move to Brewer Heights, heck, I can buy two houses, one just for you and me.

    - Lee ...

    - Where are your pearls, sugar? You know I love to see you with them, makes you look so pretty.

    - You know I can’t wear them in public, Lee. I am not your ... - she shouldn’t say that, she should not let those words out. - They’re not insured under my name, people would comment about it.

     - You worry too much. - he pushed the fur that covered her arms down, placing a small kiss on her elbow. - My little over-thinker.

     - One of us has too, Captain Bodecker.

     - How about some champagne? - he pointed towards the champagne bottle in the ice bucket by the dresser before walking towards it, raising it so he could inspect the brand. He longed for the finest things in life, no longer wanting to be that middle to low class man he’d been forced to be. Being Sheriff, Mayor someday was going to be really something, it’d be his chance.

    - I’m not 21 yet, Captain.

    - Only a month til you are, kid. - he filled two long crystal flutes, handing it over to them. - By then I should stop calling you kid, huh?

    - You shouldn’t call me kid, now. - she took a sip of the golden liquid, hoping it would take away her jealousy. Lee hummed, leaned over to kiss the crock of her neck, climbing up to her jaw in a move that was sure to leave marks. It was okay for him to leave marks on her, she was unmarried, young but on him? Sometimes she wanted to, sometimes she wanted to mark his pale plump skin as a possession, one that screamed Jane might have the wedding ring but she had the man. Yet, she couldn’t. - You look so handsome tonight.

    - You’re my worse critic. - he smirked, placing his glass on the bedside table before pulling her chin towards him, placing a soft kiss on her plump, painted lips. - God, you can’t even imagine how fucking hard I got when you walked in.

    - Such gentle behaviour. - she teased, fingers lightly tracing the skin of his face. He moaned, leaning in to kiss her again. - I wore it just for you. Blue. I knw you like it.

    - You’re always such a good girl for me. - he started to remove his jacket, pushing on her chest lightly so she laid against the luxurious bed.

The alcohol sure did a better job than her about making her forget what she was doing it. The alcohol and his kiss, his touch on her skin made her forget the clench in her heart when she saw Jane Bodecker clap once they said his name. It made her forget she couldn’t hear perfume around him unless he showered, it made her forget. Both of her moaned through the kiss, seemingly unconcerned with the fact that it was a sin. Maybe that’s why it taste so sweet, the sin, the thrill. None of them cared really and all he wanted to do now was hold her, touch her, look at her.

    - You are so beautiful. - he spoke, more to himself than to her specifically, leaning down on the bed as he spread her legs, taking his place in between them which was so familiar to him. Lee ran his knuckles through the middle of her folds, cold hands making her shiver. - Ev’ry darn day I wake up and I think, I got myself the most beautiful woman in the world.

Her eyes were glued to the ceiling, the white paint of it engulfing her as his hands caressed her thighs. All she could feel were his cold hands massaging the skin of her thighs, spreading them apart and giving him full access to her. His lips attacked her core, always chapped which made her feel so good, it made her know it was him giving her that pleasure. She moaned out loud as he dwelled in like a starved man, her head relaxing against the pillow. There was never any mercy with him, he teased her like he owned her, focusing on her clit while licking her folds. He had her exactly where he wanted her - starving for him.

   - You’re gonna see. - he mumbled out while he relentlessly ate her out. - When I’m sheriff there will be no more hidin’. No one gonna dare say anythin’ about it.

   - Lee, please ... no foreplay. - she whined, begged even as he stopped his motions. His eyes curiously searched for hers, hands pulling his body up as he stood on top of her. - I just want to feel you.

   - Weren’t you feelin’ me, sugar?

   - You know what I mean, Lee. - she wrapped her hands around his neck, head cocked to the side. - I don’t want any foreplay today.

    - Oh sugar ... - he chuckled leaning down to kiss her collarbone. - You’re just a cock slut for me, aren’t ya? Can’t just wait for me to treat ya right ain’t it, baby?

     - Lee, please. - she whined, hands wavering over his police issued chunky belt. Lee smirked, holding her hand before she could do anything. Y/N pouted, head leaning against her shoulder. - C’mon.

   - But baby, you look so pretty when you’re begging. - he returned to kiss her neck, leaving marks which were sure to become hickeys tomorrow but she didn’t care. No one was going to see it. - I was expecting you to come congratulate me in the way you always do, maybe in the back of the town hall. Hoping someone would catch us so they’d see you’re my girl.

    -  Lee ... -  she whined as he kept kissing her neck and collarbones. - Please.

    - Tell me what you want, baby. You know I do everything you want. - he rose from her neck, toothy grin as he leaned down to kiss her plump, pink painted lips. - Tell me you want my big fat cock. I know you do, baby. Tell me how much you need it. 

  - Lee ... please, need you.

  - You have me, baby, tell me what you need. Tell me what you want. - his knuckles ran through the middle of her folds again. - You’re so wet, baby. Just tell me what you want, c’mon

  -  Lee ... please. - she looked at him with those wide eyes that could get someone to commit murder for her, as he pushed down his trousers. - I want you to fuck me with your ... big fat cock, Capitain. 

  - Oh, baby ... - he leaned his forehead against hers as he pushed his cock past her entrance, eyes shut tight  as he tried to keep himself sane at the mere feeling of her walls contracting against him. His lips found hers as he shed himself fully into her. Her hand searched for his, as Lee slowly rolled his hips against hers, basking in the mere high that was being inside of her. - You okay, baby? 

  - Yeah. ... fuck, move. - she whined as he removed himself from her and pushed back in, slowly starting to rock into her as he always did. The little tease. Her hand clenched his as he speed up his thrusts, lips returning to hers in a messy, moaned filled kiss. All she could hear was the sound of skin against skin and interrupted breathing. - Lee, fuck.

  - I know, baby. - he laughed, returning to kiss her the way he liked as her walls started to clench more forcefully against his member, milking him for all he was worth. His free hand grabbed her hip as he further sped up against her, bruising her skin as his breaths got more raggedy. He bite onto her neck as he felt his control over his own orgasm disappear. 

  - Lee, fuck! - she moaned, almost raising off the bed as her own orgasm washed over her. Her head fell against the pillow, sluggish as he continued to thrust into her until ropes and ropes of cum painted her walls. He chuckled mid grunt, holding her against him as he turned around in bed. 

  - You all fucked up, aren’t ya, sugar? - he kissed the top of her head. - You’re gonna see, sugar. Things are gonna be so much better.

  - Right ... - she cuddled against his chest. - Hm ... Lee can you drive me back home early on?

  - Early shift?

  - Yeah.

  - Okay, sugar.

The morning was a harsh breaker of dreamy hazes and just like that she was back to the place where she always was, in her home, surrounded by the scent of the perfume she had bought just for him. She sat on her dress, taking the necklace he had given her from the little mother of pearl seashell shaped box and holding them against her chest. She loved him, she really did. Some people had their downfalls and hers was painted onto her neck and held by her hands. He was her downfall. 

The sun was high up on the snowy midday in Knockemstiff and once again Lee had been resigned to desk duty after the Sheriff not taking it too lightly he decided to run without his permission. Normally he would’ve been upset but he knew, he knew he was close to winning and then he could throw away those stupid hotels and just get her a little house close to him. God, he couldn’t fucking wait.

    - Captain Bodecker, someone here for you. - his secretary knocked on his door. - Mary Gillies, sir. 

    - Mary Gillies? - he knew her to be a friend of Y/N’s, perhaps her only friend other than that punk Billy. - Send her in.

    - Good afternoon, captain. - she said as she walked into his office. - I’m so sorry to be bothering but Y/N ...

    - Is she alright? - he interrupted her.

    - Yes, well ...  - she rummaged through her bag to find a cushioned envelope with his name on it. - She told me to give you this.

   - What is it?

   - I don’t know, captain. I must get going, my husband is waiting for me.

   - Of course. Thank you, Mrs. Gillies.

He waited for the woman to be out of his office and for the door to be shut for him to open the envelope. The minute he opened the envelope, pearls fell into his desk, the same pearls he had given Y/N followed by a small note in the dusty pink stationary that normally laid on her dresser. Turning it around, he saw the words he’d been dreading to read or hear ever since he met her. I’m sorry, Lee. He threw the letter on his desk before getting up from his desk as fast as he could, ignoring the calls from his colleagues as he got into his cruiser. Damned, Brewer Heights, why couldn’t it be closer?

He approached her home fast and closed the door as fastly as he ran up to the door. Her hag of a grandmother was possibly at church and he had learned where they kept the spare key; behind a violet pot. His heart was beating as fast as a deer on a hunt as he climbed up the stairs and found the once filled room was empty, with only a perfume bottle on her empty dresser. He observed the whole room as if he were in a nightmare, sitting on her bed as he clenched the pearls he had given her not so long ago, the smell of daisies in the air as some song played on the still turned on radio.

You never know dear how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away ...

taglist: @lookiamtrying​ 

[tomtenadia]

Remember us - part 5

Hello everyone....

Your weekly dose of angst is here... but in this part we have a bit of domestic fluff...

CW: mention of miscarriage and depression

-----

“Aelin, please.” His voice gruff with pain.

“I said get out.” She snarled at him from the bed.

Rowan moved a step towards her doing the exact opposite of what she had told him “I am not.” His arms folded at his chest “do you really think that being alone will help? That kicking me out will heal the pain of losing our daughter?”

Aelin sobbed hard and threw the pillow at him and he took the hit “don’t.”

“I lost her too. Will you accept that the pain is not only yours?” He shouted back “I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest. And it fucking hurts because she was my baby girl too.”

“Stop…” her sobs grew in intensity “You have no idea of the pain.”

Rowan moved closer “No I don’t. I did not carry her in me for five months. I don’t know that pain.” He caressed her head “but she had a hold on my heart since the day you showed me the sonogram.”

“You are hurting me.” She said quietly looking away from him “and I need you to go.”

“Fireheart…”

“I said get out.” She shouted.

With his heart breaking, Rowan left the room.

Rowan woke up with a gaps, feeling the desperate need to get air in his lungs. He drew a hand on his face and felt tears. Had he been crying?

The memory was still vivid in his mind and it left him with unbearable anguish in his heart. In the dream he had felt both their pain. It had been real. His thumb reached for the ring on his fourth finger a gesture he had been doing a lot recently.

The memory had left him in a daze. How had they survived such deep pain? How could two people recover from such destructive sorrow?

But they did. Somehow their marriage had proven stronger than loss.

He sighed and took his phone to look at more picture of his family. He had so many that it took him a lot to go through them all. When he unlocked the phone he saw a text from Aelin sitting there, waiting for him.

Eagerly he opened it I am going back to work today, is it okay if I come and visit you?

Like a desperate man Rowan texted back as fast as he could please, it would make me very happy. The tv seems to be a very poor companion.

After he sent the text he realised his words had been true. He needed to see her.

Great. I am taking Tom to the nursery and I am on my way.

His lips tugged upwards in a smile. Then he made himself presentable. Aelin had brought him clothes and Evalin had brought some more so slowly and very carefully, he walked to the wardrobe. His right leg still getting used to have weight back on. Once he was done he went back to bed and fixed his ruffled hair. He was nervous. He had said to Evalin that his heart told him to try and that was what he was going to do. Apologise first. Then slowly start to get back to his old life. He knew it was going to be a tough ride but their time apart had increased that tug between them. He was afraid to admit that he had missed her daily visits.

Aelin arrived an hour later and as soon as she walked into his room, his heart raced.

“Hi you,” she said softly, still standing on the door.

He gave her a smile and with his head motioned to the chair. She took the offer and sat in front of him.

“Rowan—” she started but he stopped her.

“No, let me go first, please.”

Aelin nodded and he took a moment to gather his thoughts. This was his chance to right his stupidity.

“I am sorry for what I said.” He told her “but I need you to understand how frightening and overwhelming this is for me.” Pine green eyes met blue “memories have started to trickle back. Some happy some more painful, but they helped me understand us a bit better. When I married you I promised we would face this adventure together.” He took a deep breath “You said that life can be unpredictable and cruel but that at each other’s side we could conquer anything.” He told her grabbing the hand that was on the bed near his leg “what I am trying to say is that if you are happy to take back a husband in less than minted condition, I will be grateful for the help.”

Aelin stood and kissed his forehead “Yeah, yeah I will take you back.” She sobbed hard, standing in front of him.

“This is not going to be easy.

“I know.” She brushed his hair in a loving motion and the gesture felt familiar to Rowan “but our marriage has withstood far worse.”

“I know. I saw a memory of it.”

Aelin sat back down, the smile disappearing from her features “but you fought for us. Even when I was so broken that I was ready to give up everything. You brought us out of the darkness.”

“Yrene said they can let me go home in a couple of days but she needs to know that I have a place where to go.”

Aelin took his hand “you are coming home.”

*

Rowan was in Aelin’s car and together they were driving home.

He had been so nervous that he barely slept. In the past couple of days Aelin had visited whenever she could and had discussed the new challenge ahead. Evalin was going to stay. Thomas would go to nursery but Freyja would stay with her grandma. Rowan had agreed that he could not yet be trusted with being alone with an infant.

He was nervous about meeting their kids; Thomas in particular. He was the one who remembered him the most and did not want to break the boy’s heart.

Aelin had tried to explain to Thomas that his dad had been in hospital and unwell and that his memories had disappeared. Thomas had cried at the sadness of his dad not remembering him. She had told all of that to Rowan.

“I am terrified.”

“Don’t. Acknowledge Thomas, play with him. Even if you don’t remember things just go with it.”

Rowan sighed and then he saw Aelin park in front of a lovely detached house with a garden at the front, a swing set and a tree with a treehouse.

“The tree has a treehouse on it.” He noticed, admiring their house.

Aelin chuckled, “you built it for Tom last year. You two would sleep in there from time to time and pretend to be on some sort of incredible adventure.”

Rowan smiled and then opened the door of the car and grabbed his walking stick. Dorian had assured him that it was time to leave the crutches behind and use the stick. They had practiced together until he was comfortable with it.

Aelin grabbed his bag and joined him “let’s go, mum is making lunch and I am starving.”

“You are always hungry.” He said to her and Aelin stopped in her tracks.

“What did you just say?”

“It just came out, I am sorry.”

She turned fully to him and smiled “you said that to me a lot. Together with complaining about my diet.” She took his free hand “come on buzzard, time to meet our two terrors.”

As soon as they walked into the house and Aelin announced their arrival a little blonde hurricane crashed into him, grabbing his legs “Dad, you are back.”

Rowan looked down and saw his son with his arms wrapped around his legs, green eyes shining with happiness.

His hand brushed his blonde hair “I am.”

“Mum, can I play with him?” The boy asked eagerly grabbing his father’s hand.

“Later, Tom. Dad just got back. Give him some time.”

In that instant he noticed Evalin appear with a girl in her arms “welcome home, Rowan.”

“Thank you, Evalin.” He said, not being able to stare away from the little girl. She was his clone.

Freyja seemed to recognise him and leaned forward, extending her arms to him.

Rowan looked at Aelin almost as if to ask permission and she nodded. He took the girl and sat down on the sofa. Freyja’s head leaned on his shoulder and Rowan’s hand went to her back in a protective gesture. A moment later Thomas joined them and hugged his sister and a bit of his dad.

Aelin sobbed at the scene. They had both been scared. Both worried. Because Rowan had confessed her that hurting the kids was the last thing he wanted. But now looking at that precious moment, she realised they would be fine. Thomas was easy going and Freyja always had a deeper connection with her father. And she knew, from the way Rowan had taken his daughter in his arms that no memory loss would ever took away the bond they had.

“Hi, my love.” He whispered to the girl, inhaling her scent. Freyja snuggled closer. “Come to my side, Tom.” The boy grinned and climbed on the sofa and on his knees he turned to his dad and hugged them again “I missed you, dad.”

“Well, you need to tell me everything you did while I was away.”

Aelin’s hand went to her stomach and smiled tenderly at the man in front of her. He could not yet tell his son he had missed him so he had found a way not to disappoint him.

“Mum, you come too.”

Aelin brushed her tears away and sat on the arm of the sofa just beside Rowan. It was the first time they were that close. Rowan turned his head and stared in the depths of her blue eyes. His eyes moved down to her lips and then back up. That thread between them pulled hard and before he knew it, he was kissing her. His body recognising hers. He pulled away only when he heard Thomas disgusted sounds.

Aelin stared at him with an expression he could not decipher. Maybe she was mad at him for kissing her? But it felt right. In his soul, kissing her had been right.

“You cheeky monkey.” Aelin stood and grabbed Thomas and started tickling him and the boy and Aelin’s laughter was the best music for Rowan’s ears.

*

After lunch was over the kids had gone out for a walk with their grandma and Aelin had given him a tour of the house. Rowan was impressed. They had a lovely house with four bedrooms and spacious enough to welcome a big family.

“You lost your parents when you were 20. They left you a nice stash of money that you never used. When we got married you used that money to buy this house. Our home.”

She sat at his side on the sofa, with a cup of herbal tea in her hands.

“I am sorry I kissed you. I should have asked first. I am sorry.” He looked away embarrassed at his gesture.

Aelin placed the tea on the table then grabbed his face with her hand and turned to him “Ro, you are my husband. You don’t have to ask for permission to kiss me.”

“I know, but I don’t know where we stand on that aspect of us.” He explained looking at her “I don’t know where I stand. I kissed you because it felt right, but I don’t think I can go any further right now.”

Aelin nodded “of course.” That was probably their last big challenge. There was so much to deal with right now that sex was very low on her priority list although her hormones were having another opinion and that kiss had awoken in her the need for him, she had to be patient “but you can kiss me anytime and without asking, if you feel like it.” And winked at him.

He gave her a smirk that was so familiar that for a moment she felt like Rowan was truly back.

She stared into his pine green eyes while her hand was still on his cheek and then she moved and her lips met his and Rowan did not pull away. He just stood for a moment but then his mouth parted and opened for her and Aelin, at the invitation, deepened the kiss feeling the need to connect with him again.

Rowan froze for an instant at the kiss but as she did not move away he let it happen and slowly he melted in the feeling of her lips on his. Aelin’s hand sneaked on his back, pulling him closer and as Aelin deepened the kiss Rowan felt a strange feeling surge in him. Was it passion? It burned in him that strange desire and when Aelin’s tongue brushed his a moan left Rowan and he pulled back, not sure about what was happening between them.

When they pulled apart they were both breathless and Aelin caressed his face and smiled “it looks like this part between us hasn’t changed.”

Rowan lifted an eyebrow and Aelin chuckled “the fire between us. Before we had the kids we sometimes spent entire days off in bed.”

The top of Rowan’s ears turned red and she giggled and kissed him again and Rowan this time did not hesitate and her hands sneaked under his t-shirt and after a few more minutes of their make out session Rowan pulled back and stared deeply at her “you are stunning,” he whispered. He had thought that from the beginning. Rowan leaned back on the sofa and Aelin snuggled closed to his chest, inhaling deeply his scent and his arm went around her back.

“If you are uncomfortable, you tell me.” She said to him, her hand close to his heart.

Rowan shook his head “this feels nice.” His head turned to her “I don’t know how to explain it, but it feels right.”

“Hold me.”

And Rowan pulled Aelin to him, enveloping her in his strong arms.

He thought that perhaps, with her at his side, not everything was lost.

He closed his eyes and welcomed his dreams.

[nanamisflowerfield]

The Final Part 1:

Red Ribbon

Jack was on his way to Yuu's house, after she nervously invited him. As soon as he arrives, he sees that the house is surrounded by flower beds, and he watches them in awe.

Young Jack: Wow...this is different from other houses...although this house is a bit far from the village, it is well looked after and-

Yuu's Grandmother: Hello my young wolf.

Young Jack: Ah...hello...the ma'am live here?

Yuu's Grandmother: Oh no, I'm just visiting my daughter and granddaughter. But it seems she is so excited about the arrival of a new friend that she has forgotten about her dear grandmother.

Young Jack: Seriously...she seems to be quite distracted...

Yuu's Grandmother: Oh, she really is, but I'm glad she found someone, it hurt me when I saw her crying in the corners because she was always alone...and you, young wolf, what are you doing here? Here it's not very common to have wolves, you know

Young Jack: Oh, I came to visit my friend, she-

Young Yuu: Jack! You finally arrived! Comes! There are a lot of things that I want to show it to you!

She sees her grandmother and looks at Jack, soon introducing them

Young Yuu: This is my grandmother, she made this cape for me! She is the best! Grandma, this is Jack, it's the wolf boy I told you about.

Yuu's Grandmother: It's a pleasure Jack. I'm glad my dear granddaughter finally found someone to affectionately call his friend. Well then, young people, go have fun!

//

Young Yuu: There are the strawberries, and there are the tomatoes.*she says while pointing*

Young Jack: Are you taking care of this entire garden all by yourself?

Young Yuu: Yes! My parents work outside, so I take care of the house. Any day I will let you taste a fruit picked here! They are really delicious!

//

She takes him to a river

Young Yuu: There are a lot of fish here, you can even fishin!

Young Jack: Really? Do you fish?

Young Yuu: Yes, let's go fishing together sometime!

She takes his hand and pulls him running, he blushes a little with the gesture

Young Yuu: Now, I'm going to show you my favorite place!

//

Young Yuu: It's here! It's my favorite place, I always hide here from the other foxes. The view from the top of the tree is the best in the world! Come let's go up!

Both climb the tree and sit on a branch

Young Yuu: Look, this is what I more wanted to show it to you!

She points to the landscape and Jack is amazed, seeing all the flowers that seemed to glow in the sunlight

Young Jack: Wow! It's amazing! Just like you...

He unconsciously whispers to the last part and Yuu blushes and when Jack realizes what he just said he covers his mouth while trying to explain himself

Young Jack: I-I m-meant the view of the landscape is very beautiful! A-and about you, I didn't think you did so many things...

She lowers her head a little sadly

Young Jack: T-that's not what I meant! I-I'm just surprised, when I met you the other times in the forest you were shy and fragile as glass. But knowing you do so many things is amazing. I don't...I never wanted to underestimate you, I just...

Young Yuu: Nah, it's okay, I'm not mad, actually I'm glad I could show you all this before...before...

Young Jack: Before what?

Young Yuu: No, nothing! Jack I never told you what exactly I am did I?

Young Jack: What? How so? You are a fox, right?

Young Yuu: Yes, but I'm different...I'm not like the others...it's not just because I'm a different species, it's because of that-

She takes off her cape and he looks at her with surprised eyes shining

Young Jack: You have two tails!? How...how...how is this possible!

Young Yuu: A long time ago in the same village that I currently live in, different species of foxes lived together, they even shared the legend of the existence of a type of fox goddess that had two tails that protected the village and all the foxes. One day an oracle appeared from which a representative of the goddess would be born, a fox with two tails would be born among the villagers, it made the villagers anxious, /the clan that managed to spawn a two-tailed cub would be blessed/, but that never happened, after years and more years, no one has been able to spawn a two-tailed fox, with that each clan began to blame the other, after that, many disasters happened in the village, plantations that didn't work, couples separating, women who were no longer fertile, with that the villagers began to believe that the goddess had cursed them, and the different species began to blame themselves even more and eventually the clans split, and the red and gray foxes took over these lands, so a fox belonging to another species was hostile with different species to its own. That's why they're hostile to me. My parents love me the way I am, therefore so they adopted me even though I was a different species than theirs. The cape served mainly to hide my tails from being seen.

Young Jack: Why exactly?

Young Yuu: Because the villagers began to believe that the birth of a two-tailed fox meant a curse, they would never leave my family alone if they found out...

Young Jack: I see...

Young Yuu: .....J-Jack.....

Young Jack: Hum?

Young Yuu: Do you find me creepy?

Young Jack: How so?

Young Yuu: I mean, an animal with two tails is weird to say the least, don't you think? And then there's this whole story surrounding me and my birth, everyone who sees my real appearance says that I was abandoned by my birth parents because they were afraid and repulsed by me, they say i'm a creepy and cursed girl.

Young Jack: Cursed, hum...I think they're just envy of you Yuu. You are too sweet and kind to be someone cursed. It's hardworking and responsible, someone cursed wouldn't be like that, not even in a billion years. The truth is, Yuu, I'm happy you called me friend... in my village they think that because I'm too strong for my age and because I'm a wolf, i am scary and it could hurt them anytime but the truth is i would never do that...t-thank you for becoming my friend...

Yuu feels moved and tears start to run down her face unconsciously, Jack gets desperate when he sees it

Young Jack: What happened?! (What did I do!? She's crying, i did she say something she couldn't? Oh no... what do I do?!) Why is crying? Is hurt somewhere?

She giggles as she wipes her tears away

Young Yuu: No...I'm...I'm just really happy. (Sounds like a dream. In the end, Grandma was absolutely right.)

{Yuu's Grandmother: Don't worry, someday, my lovely Yuu, you will have a wonderful friendship with someone who will understand you}

Young Yuu: (I thought people like that only existed in the books) In that case, we'll be friends forever and even after that...yeah...promise?

She lifts her pinky, he watches for a while and lowers head and quickly then intertwines he pinky with the little girl's with a rosy smile

Young Jack: I promise! We will continue to be friends until the end of time and even in our next lives, whenever we reincarnate we will meet again.

Young Yuu: Yes!

With this promise an invisible red ribbon is wrapped around the wrists of the two friends

AAAAAAHHHH YOU DID NOOOT!! OMG I LOVE IT! You always write the things down I love sooo much!!! LIKE CHILDHOODFRIENDS HAVING A CRUSH ON EACH OTHER AND THEM BEING SOULMATES OMG💕💕💕

[gumnut-logic]

“Hey, you comin’ over to Lila’s tonight? I’ve wrangled an invite and I know you’ve got a thing for her. Could be the night.”

Scott threw a leg over his motorcycle and unhooked his gloves from his belt. “I don’t know, Pete. Dad’s out tonight and I’m supposed to be looking after my brothers.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No.”

“Can’t you ask Virgil? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, man. Don’t sacrifice your love life for the brats.”

His fingers stretched out the gloves. “Pete, those are my brothers you’re talking about. Don’t make me kick your ass.” He didn’t bother to look at his friend. He knew Pete didn’t mean it, but there were times where he just did not understand. He shoved his key into the bike’s ignition and she came to life with a roar. “And no, Virgil has his own thing. This is my call.”

“But what about your thing?” Pete had to yell over the idle of the engine. “Lila seemed very interested.” An exasperated sound. “You’re not your brothers’ parent. What about your grandmother?”

He unhooked the bike stand and let his legs take the sway. “You’re stepping on forbidden ground, man. You watch what you say about my family.”

Pete stepped back, both hands shooting up defensively. “Okay, okay. I’m just trying to look out for you, bro. Don’t want you wasting your life stuck at home.”

Scott glared. The throb of the bike beneath him was almost an encouragement to the anger welling up inside. He let his hands drop to the handlebars. “They’re my family.”

He didn’t bother to explain further. A hand took the throttle and a foot the brake. A flick of the clutch and he tore away, leaving Pete in his dust.

-o-o-o-

It was probably an overreaction on his part and as his bike tore out onto the highway, he figured he would probably have to speak to Pete and smooth things over. He meant well.

He just didn’t understand.

Perhaps worrying about four younger brothers wasn’t usually the thing for a twenty-three-year-old. Hell, according to societal norms, he should be hunting down a partner, focussing on his career and looking for his own digs.

He had kind of done that with the Air Force. It took him away from his family, sent him across the planet to experience new things.

But that only made family more special. Was it wrong to miss his brothers?

Perhaps his circumstances were a little different from the norm. When they lost their mother seven years ago, Scott had been about to graduate high school. With Virgil traumatised – hell, all of them traumatised – Allie still in diapers and Dad…he couldn’t blame Dad, but it still didn’t negate the fact that his father had gone missing for over a year, disappearing into his work….there had been bonds built.

He valued those bonds. He valued being there the day Alan took his first steps, the day Gordon won his first trophy. He wasn’t a parent, but he was a big brother and as long as he drew breath, he would watch out for his siblings.

For his family.

If that made him odd in society’s eyes, screw society.

The bike’s engine dropped revs as he slowed and turned onto the dirt road that led to the farm. He loved the dirt and if he broke the safety limit just a little on acceleration, there was no one else on the track to care. The trail of dust the bike kicked up behind him was satisfying in its own way, even if his pants ended up coated in it.

The farm eventually emerged from its cluster of windbreak trees, an island amongst the fields. Turning into the drive, you would never have known it was the home of a billionaire. It looked the same as it always had. Neat, tidy, a little worn around the edges, but Joe from the local builders was due next Monday to fix the gutters again and touch up the paint.

It was home. A quiet place for his family to grow.

And he was going to miss it.

A sigh as he pulled the bike to a halt not far from the front door. He killed the engine and secured it. Climbing off the bike proved that yes, he did have half the dirt road on his pants and he took the next few moments to brush it off into the petunia bed.

Petunias? When had Kyrano planted petunias?

Thoughts regarding their security officer ‘come gardener accompanied him inside.

“Scotty!” A lightning fast ball of blond energy barrelled into him the moment he walked through the door. “You’re home!”

He caught his eight-year-old brother in a hug that lifted him off the ground and spun him around. The briefest of thoughts as to what Pete would think if he knew how much joy swelled in his heart each time Alan greeted him like this.

It gave him purpose.

“Heya, squirt.” He let his little brother down with a last squeeze. “How was school today?”

That prompted a grumpy expression. “Boring. Ms Jennings said I couldn’t write about rockets and had to write about worms in science. Worms are boring.”

Scott held back a snort. It was a familiar theme.

“They have their importance, Allie.”

“That’s what Virgil said. Then he blabbed about ecosystems and recycling...all boring!” Yes, that was a pout. A definite pout.

Scott folded down beside his brother and lowered his voice. “Would it help if I told you a secret?”

Of course, this immediately drew Alan’s attention. Secrets in this household were powerful things. “Yes!”

“Promise to keep it?”

Alan nodded. “Rescue scouts’ honour.”

“Okay...would it help if I told you that Dad is developing a rocket fuel that is made by worms?”

Alan frowned at him. “Worms make rocket fuel?”

“Yep.”

“Really? How?”

“Now that is a secret even I don’t have. You’ll have to speak to Brains about that.”

That caused a whine. “But Brains is on the Island. And he speaks gobblety-gook.”

“Then you’ll have to be patient and listen to Ms Jennings long enough to know enough to understand what Brains is saying.”

Blue eyes pierced him, suspicion at his tactics. “Really?”

Scott smiled just a little before hugging his brother again. “Really.”

He was still eyeing his brother suspiciously, but appeared willing to take it on board.

Scott had to hold back a grin. Perhaps, one day in the far future Alan might turn to him and call him on his bullshit, but that wasn’t today. And it wasn’t totally bullshit. Virgil had mentioned composting and renewable resources as part of the fuel making process.

There were worms in compost, weren’t there?

Still under eight-year-old scrutiny, Scott stood up. “So where is everyone?”

“Virgil’s in the living room hogging the ‘projector. Gordon’s in his room and Grandma says he can’t come out until he says sorry to Virgil.”

Great. “What did he do?”

“Messed with Virgil’s stuff. Virgil got really angry and there was yelling. Grandma got angry, too.”

Fantastic. “Where’s Grandma now?”

“Out the back. She has all her stuff packed.” And that was definitely a sour face. “Does she have to go?”

“Grandma has the right to do her own things, Allie. She does a lot for us already.”

“But I’m going to miss her.”

“It’s only for the weekend.”

“Why can’t we go with her?”

“Do you really want to go to a medical conference?”

“Nooo.” The logic cranking through his brother’s head was almost visible. “But we could go to Disneyland! That’s in California, too!”

“You’ve already been to Disneyland and you have school.”

“School’s boring.”

And they were back to square one. “Okay, squirt.” He ruffled his brother’s hair. “If you eat your dinner and help Grandma with the loading the dishes...without complaint...” Yes, there was the pout. “And you have your bath...without complaint...we can do some stuff before bed.”

His little brother’s eyes lit up like the stars he would no doubt be chasing one day. “Can we do rockets?”

“Maybe. If the weather holds.”

“Yes!” Alan actually jumped and fist-punched the air before running off down the corridor. “Virgil! Scotty says we can do rockets after dinner!”

Scott grinned after him. He shucked off his jacket and hung it on the hall stand. A brief thought of Pete and the possibilities with Lila. Sure, he was interested in Lila. She was gorgeous and smart with a beautiful smile.

But this?

Pete did not know what he was talking about.

-o-o-o-

[bindi-the-skunk]

The Son Of Frankenstein

Chapter seven: flashback

WARNING: CONTAINS BIRTH AND CHILD ABANDONMENT

Victoria walked down the dark trail, her belly burdened with a child that would soon be in the world.

What was she even going to do with it? Victoria did not even know she was pregnant till three months ago! Every tragedy making her sickness and changing mood seem normal, at least till she felt the kicking.

Both the ones she loved, who would have helped raise the child, were gone, the life-weaver had no one left, her remaining family could very well choose to completely forsake her if they ever found out about the little one currently living under her heart.

Being on her own for now meant she still stood to inherit her title as Frankenstein heir, which meant a better life going forward.

Traveling was not a bad way to live though, she could go where she wanted, eat, sleep and do what pleased on a whim, food was not hard to come by with the berries and small game Victoria used traps to get, the hearty kicks signaling her child approved of the meals given to it.

The monster had thankfully not bothered her for a while, either bored with the chase for a moment or finding something else to occupy its time, Victoria Frankenstein did not know, nor care what the reason was.

Cramping in her back drew the young woman's attention making her chuckle "Found something else to kick at, did you? Silly like your father was...both he and Elizabeth would have loved you" yes, they would have adored the little one, feeling her belly and talking in stupid voices in an attempt to draw a reaction.

A small kick was her response, which made her smile, already so smart! She would be able to teach them everything she knew and learned about life! Her creation might have been a failure, but that did not mean there were no other things to discover out there!

A girl would be nice...a mother and daughter team discovering the world...a boy would be good too, she could see a child with her messy hair and demeanor...but, with Harry's eyes, eyes like the roses that bloomed in her family's garden that he had loved to pick from and stick the buds into his shirt, everyone called those eyes brown, but they were red, burning with a lust for life, the life that had been snuffed out too early before she could share the creation they made together with him.

The sound of heavy footsteps on the leaves made a chill go down Victoria's spine.

No! It can't be...not now...

Only one thing to do

Run

Her new shape made it difficult to walk, much less run and she nearly tripped several times, leaves blowing up from the force of her bolts, the crunching of dead flora sounding like the roar of sea waters as Frankenstein forced tired legs to keep moving, willing her body to make it a few more steps, perhaps bumping into a good Samaritan or two, of whom would be armed with weapons, hopefully.

She did not notice the muddy slope till it was too late to stop and not even her sturdy hiking boots could slow the descent as Victoria landed hard on her back and slid about ten feet downhill, small rocks and twigs hitting her backend all the way down before she rolled another what seemed like countless miles to the pregnant woman until she finally smashed her side into a sapling which stopped her from rolling into another pathway that was in no better shape than the other.

Ouh, everything hurt now, felt like she jarred something loose...and she was muddy, and her pants were all wet...that was gross, she would need to find a-

Wait, wet?

Looking down, she saw her pants had indeed become soaked, in more liquid than possible from simply loose mud, that could only mean...oh come on!

You have got to be JOKING!

Victoria was torn between being worried for her baby, which had gone scarily still, praying it was just stunned from the unwanted ride their mother had taken, and being annoyed at how her body had betrayed them both.

Somehow finding the strength to get to her feet, legs shaking as if they had been filled with jam, Victoria found her way down the hill, the lights from a town now being visible, she would go to the nearest doctor or midwife, get her baby delivered and then figure out what to do next...but..what would come next...

No one would know who she was here, they would just see a single, pregnant woman in labor wandering around, even if she truthfully said her lover had died, whoever the one who delivered the child was, might not care or not believe her and steal her newborn away.

No! This was her baby! Hers!

A sudden jolt of pain took Victoria out of her thoughts and nearly sent the laboring woman to her knees, the monster was at her heels no doubt, she had to get someplace safe quickly, a tree caught her attention, it had been overturned by a storm and had just enough space for her to squeeze between the roots, the little cave of sorts was thankfully dry and had no animal currently inhabiting it, it would do, women delivered in worse places, after all, at least she had not been tied to a pole to let gravity do its job.

Taking off her scarf, once a gift for Henry, even having his name on the stitch work, now only served as a reminder of his murder and allowed her to still cling to the smell of roses and those smelly peppermints he stuffed his face with to the point of obscenity, she worked her way down her jackets, slipping out of the heavy boots and thick wool pants that had done nothing to stop the bloody liquid coming out of her.

Victoria's long hair fell in greasy strands around her face, sticky and hot, getting in the way of her important work.

Ripping a part of her coat that was getting ready to come free anyway, she tied the straw-colored mop back with the rag and out of her face, a breeze of air at the action momentarily refreshing her.

Perhaps she should have been worried at how fast her child fell out as if the bloodied waters made her birth canal into something similar to the hill she slid down only moments before.

No cry

That was not right...why wasn't it crying? Babies are supposed to cry!

Looking down she saw a pair of watery eyes that reminded her too much of a time months ago that led to all this, her mind did not register the color of, nor could she be bothered checking her child's gender, the babe was so blue it was almost purple and thinking fast she grabbed the scarf and rubbed the child's too skinny body down, even slapping it's back, begging it to cry, scream, anything!

Soft grunts before a wail erupted which eased Victoria's heart before it stopped and more grunts came, sticky mucus coming loose at the wail, but the single cry being all the babe seemed to have in it and the new mother deflated.

It was going to die, she knew it, too small, and had no strength to cry properly.

She did not want to see it!

If the monster caught her with the babe in here...what would it do to it? Throw it in anger at a tree? Angry this new creature got more love than it at its birth?

It was human, it needed to perish in a proper place.

Victoria wrapped the babe in the scarf "I'm sorry! Forgive me!" she didn't want it to die here, climbing out of the hole, she looked around and saw the town was close, her exhaustion temporarily forgotten she limped the rest of the way.

A random porch caught her attention, a woman inside with her knitting, oblivious to what had happened just feet from her door.

Another grunt as the newborn was settled on the porch, its mother not noticing how it was reeling up for something.

knock knock

The woman opened the door and screamed, no one around but a bloodied scarf with a now screaming bundle inside encouraged by her noise.

"Edwina Jekyll what are you screeching about!?"

Well, this chapter was FUCKED UP...

Fun fact; mom said I slid out of her so fast it was like I was on a water slide! she did not even make it into the delivery room...I almost fell off of the LABOR table! Only the nurse (who had her back turned...)flipping around and grabbing me up was what kept my ass from faceplanting to the floor.

And my grandma's cousin birthed her baby in her pant leg, she was walking down the HOSPITAL HALLWAY and her kids sliding down her pant leg, and NO ONE fucking moves to help her!

[someone-give-me-a-hug]

I never believed in karma

This is a little story based mostly on a story of when I was younger and a prompt I found somewhere that said right a story about why you believe in karma. I was bored and so we have this. also this isn't proofread so :) there are a few mentions of abusive behavior.

I never believed in much as a kid. I knew from the age of 4 that the Tooth Fairy wasn’t real. That Santa was nothing but a myth. Not even being read stories of miracles and magic, giants and dragons could sway the little pessimist in my head who would constantly nag that the world was cruel and the universe could never give back. My parents hated it, in fact, it became a running joke that they found it so hard to convince me to believe that they would drop me off at the police station one day and see if I would believe in the miracle of them coming back. It was never that funny but everyone else would laugh. When I was about 8 my parents were divorced, it was like the only world I had known had been split down the middle like a dry log and placed on the fire that fueled my spitful ways. I was angry, at myself, at the world, at the same stupid universe who tried to trick kids into thinking the chocolate eggs in their garden came from a rabbit who had now torn my life into 2 separate factions; one filled with the rage of a drinker who screamed at the little things but wore the sweetest smile and held me tight as though I might be the next to leave and another filled with false promise and manipulation. Neither was ideal and so I taught myself how to grow up and focused on becoming better than my parents. The years went by in an endless cycle of the seasons. Spring spent watching the cherry blossom tree in my fathers' fancy new house bud and grow whilst wishing to be anywhere but there, Summers spent in isolation, left alone and separated from my friends, Autumn spent in public libraries to get away from home for a few hours and Winter spent praying for the isolation of summer or really anything to get out of Christmas dinner and having to face everyone. Father time treated me as well as he could, the image of a wise old man, gray beard littered with the stories of my life, and eyes that looked straight through you as if you were a ghost. No matter how much time passed I still didn’t believe in anything of great significance and I certainly didn’t believe in Karma. That was until I turned 11. It had been a couple days after my birthday, I had gotten a few bits and bobs that would find their way into the draw of rubbish that was religiously searched by my dad but most importantly I had gotten a phone as a way of contacting either parent when I was staying at the other's house. To me this was a dream come true! I could finally text the people that mattered and blend in with other kids my age who for the last 2 years had been trying to act 5 years older on the internet. I wasn't allowed it at night (which was understandable as I would spend all night trying to contact and interact with people all within the four walls of my room and huddled in between the 2 plush white pillows I had on my bed). Little did I know, my dad would search through the messages sent to my mum or grandma about how unhappy I was up at his with his girlfriend who treated me like I was a problem, and where I went below the dog in the pecking order. Now in these messages, I had referred to my dad's girlfriend as a “Step-witch” and when he found this out he wasn’t happy at all, I was locked in the lounge and shouted at for more time than I would like to admit. Now one thing I will say is when I get scared or too emotional I can’t talk, the words escape my throat and the oxygen can never find its way in. I begged and pleaded fresh tears gliding down the salty remains of the old ones to be able to write as a way of speaking and saying sorry. “No!” they insisted “we won’t tolerate this disrespect and you aren’t a toddler you can speak like a normal person!”. After that, I wasn’t allowed to use my phone at all and all the messages I sent had to be run through them before my finger could hit the send button. A few weeks later when it was time once again to make my Monday trip to Dad's after school I was shocked to receive a message from my father telling me my mum would be dropping me up as they couldn’t manage it. It wasn’t until mum left me on their

meticulously de-weeded and bleak front door and had to let myself in with the spare key that I realized what had happened. The house had been swept through by the flu, everyone was sick! Not wanting to give up the ongoing battle of where I should live with my mum, my dad had said he was busy and asked her to drop me up when in fact he was bedridden by the vicious illness. They were all coughing, sniffling, sneezing into a tissue, and then throwing it onto a growing pile the size of Mount Everest herself. The only one who seemed to be unaffected was my Oldest step-brother, let’s call him Dan. Dan never treated me like some old gum he had stepped in that just wouldn’t get off his shoe like the others, he never said anything bad to me or about me (at least to my face) and he was the only person in the house who treated me as if I was human. So as my Dad and Sammy (let’s just call her that for now) were holed up in their room Dan took it upon himself to take care of me for the 3 days of my stay. You see Dad and Sammy had lost their voice and resorted to writing on paper to communicate to us what they needed (or they used their phones but they were charged on the other side of the room to the bed and they could hardly muster up the strength to walk all those 10 steps to get them). However, there was 1 problem with this: all the led in the pencils were always broken and could never sharpen right, all the pens never wrote and we could never make out the frantic hand signals they would make. Now I’m not saying they deserved it for everything they did nor am I saying that it was karma who ripped their voices from their throats just as they had ripped my only means of communication to the outside world and to plead my case that day. All I am saying is from that day forward the universe and all her wonderful ways stuck on that tiny list of things I believed in. And who knows maybe next year I might catch a glimpse of a fat, red and white man and his big clumpy boots climb back up the chimney, leaving presents and mince pie crumbs in his wake.

[lovewriting-5]

Rules:

*gif is not mine*

6. The Gingerbread House

8. Christmas Spirit

7. Bending Laws:

It was the next morning. Same thing as yesterday morning, I woke up to the sun shining in through the windows. Claire and Stephen came downstairs all dressed and ready to go. They say “Morning, (Y/N).” I say “Morning.” Claire tells me “We’re on our way to church. We’ll be gone for a couple hours.” She quickly scribbles a note and tapes it to the front door. Her and Stephen are gone. I think I can’t believe what happened yesterday. It was crazy.

Daniel comes rushing down the stairs as I’m folding the blankets. I ask “Where you going in a hurry?” He tells me “I’m off to the neighbors.” I ask, questioningly “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Trying to sound convincing, he says “Yeah...I...Uh...talked to grandma and she said it was okay.” I tell him “Okay but be careful.” He got a smile on his face, says “Will do.” Then he was out the door with his snow gear on.

I was finishing up getting ready when I hear Sean come out of the guest room. He calls “Claire? Stephen? Anybody home?” As he comes down the stairs, I tell him “They went to church this morning.” He says “Well looks like we’re home alone.” He kissed me on the cheek. He adds “By the way, did you see Daniel leave?” I tell him “Yeah...he went to the neighbors.” Angrily, he says “I knew it! Fuck! That kid never listens!” Sincerely, I say “Come on Sean...give him a break, there are no other kids around his age.” He says “I know...he just better not do anything to get us in trouble.”

We put on our winter gear and head out the front door. We leave the front yard and cross over to the next door neighbor’s yard. He says ���Okay. Let’s get this brat back home now.” We head to the front door. I was about to knock when Sean lets himself in. I think Sean, really?? We see toys levitating in the air. I ask, shocked “Daniel?” Finishing the question, he says “What is going on here?!”

The toys drop to the floor as he says “Sean, (Y/N)! Wait! Don’t freak out! I can explain!” Chris stands up and begins “Let me tell them...I know it sounds crazy...but...I have a superpower. You saw me yesterday...I know you did. I was flying! I can move things...objects...with my mind!” Sean and I cross our arms. He has red face paint all over his face. Daniel avoids eye contact with us.

Sean says “Oh! A superpower...Really?” Chris says “YES!” Trying to ease the tension, I say “Well...that’s pretty cool, Chris...So you’re like a superhero?” He explains “I’m Captain Spirit! I can bend any matter to my will! But that’s my secret identity, so you can’t tell anybody!” Sean looks at Daniel, says “Oh, we can keep a secret, Captain Spirit...”

Welcoming us to his team, Chris says “Now that both of you are official members of the Spirit Squad! If you betray us, I’ll disintegrate you! Nah, just kidding. Oh yeah, we need a...team signal!” He crosses his arms across his chest. Daniel does the same thing, “Totally! I’m gonna be...Super Wolf! What’s your super names?” Sean says “How about... ‘The Silver Runner?’ Cool? Cool, right?” I say “I’ll be ‘Invisible Girl/Boy.’” Daniel says “Not bad! That’s true you both are good at running and hiding.”

The man from yesterday comes out of the bathroom. He says “Okay guys, I think we’re ready to roll...” He notices us, asks “Uh, excuse me...Who are you?” Shaking his hand, I tell him “I’m (Y/N).” Sean shakes his hand, “I’m Sean.” The man introduces himself, “Oh yeah, sorry...You’re here for Daniel. Hey, let’s make it official. I’m Charles Eriksen.” I say “Nice to meet you.”

Charles says “Hope you both know that Daniel and Chris are a dangerous team...We’d better watch out, or they’re gonna take over the world...” I cross my arms and smirk at Daniel. He gives a quick shy smile. Sean says “Yeah...They share a lot of things...As thick as thieves...” Excitedly, Chris asks “Can we go get the Christmas tree now? We’re both ready to fly!” Charles says “Yes, yes, yes...the team has been waiting too long! You guys should come along too. There’s nothing going on over here...”

Daniel says “YES! Can’t wait to see all the decorations! And Sean, (Y/N)! We could buy Christmas presents for grandma and grandpa...!” Not trying to sound like a downer but I remind him, “Well...They’ll worry if we leave the house...And remember you still have to get better, Daniel...” Trying to convince us, he says “Come on...You both know I haven’t done anything fun since I got sick...It’s the first time I’ve been out for daaays!” Charles explains “We won’t be gone for long, the market’s only a few miles away...Anyway, they’ll be at the service for at least another hour...” Chris adds “Yeah, I can show Daniel around...and you both can come with us! Please say yes!”

Sean and I look at each other. Daniel puts his hands together in a praying motion, “Please, please, please...” I chew the inside of my bottom lip. Sean says “Okay...You win...not a fair fight...So let’s go...” At the same time, Daniel and Chris say “Yes!” Charles says, jokingly “See? Dangerous...Okay team, I...give me a time out to clean up the backseat. I’ll honk when I’m done.”

Charles walks outside. Daniel asks “Ooo...uh...Can I use the bathroom?” Chris tells him “Of course! You’ll see my comic books.” Daniel scurries off to the bathroom. He turns back to us, says “I’m glad you’re both coming too...Hey, you guys wanna see my toys?” The three of us sit on the floor next to his toys. From the bathroom, we hear a faint “Oh! Score! The new Hawt Dawg Man!” I chuckle a little.

Chris begins “Since you’re new members of the team, you have to know everybody...These are Captain Spirit’s friends! And his enemies...” Sean says “Dude! That’s pretty cool...” He asks “Can you guys guess who are the good guys and the villains?” I say “Let’s see...”

The two of us tag teamed the decision. As we were placing them, Chris says “The bad guys...The good guys...Not that easy, right?” We finished placing them, he asks “You suuuuure?” Sean asks “Okay. How did we do?” According to him, “Not bad! You’re almost right...It was a bit tricky.” Turns out we put Insectoid, Dino and Pirate on the villain side. Power Bear, Warrior and a shark car on the hero side.

Chris corrects the wrong ones, explains “This is Team Spirit! The good guys. There’s the Forest Warrior, Power Bear, Mar-T Rex and Sky Pirates.” I ask “So...who are the bad guys?” He explains “That’s Noctarious, and the Shark-Stinger. There’s also Snowmancer, but he’s out in the garden. Captain Spirit kinda...took care of him. He might need a little surgery now...But they’re all working for Mantroid, who’s the REAL supervillain!” Sean asks “So...where is he?” He says “Hiding out on his evil planet, waiting for me...But Captain Spirit and Super Wolf will make sure he doesn’t hurt anyone!” I say “Yeah...strength in numbers. Sounds like Mantroid is in trouble.” Chris continues “Just wait until he sees what Captain Spirit can do now...”

“Yeah...about that...Ummm...Aren’t you afraid...? Maybe...it’s not a good idea to disclose all your powers like this...That Mantroid guy could be...watching you, you know...” I add. Mischievously, Chris says “Even better. So he’ll know he’d better stay away from us!” Sean adds “Anyway, you shouldn’t let anyone know about this. Not even your father...” Sounding like he wants to say something but hold back, “I’m definitely not telling dad. I don’t want to freak him out. He’s worried about other stuff anyway...”

I glanced at Sean. He looked like he was going to press on further. I placed a hand on his arm, say “Well...Your dad is cool. He...totally hooked you up with that tree house.” Chris says “Yeah, he let Stephen build it for me! It’s my Flying Fortress!” Sean says “Oh, yeah...I saw that drawing you made of him. With that...badass blazing sword.” Grateful, Chris says “I made it to thank him. For making the tree house. Well, Captain Spirit had to help him, of course!” I say “Obviously. All hail Captain Spirit, first and only...carpenter vigilante!”

Sean says “Well...the Flying Fortress needs fixing now...” Chris says “Yeah...That sucks. Dad couldn’t fix it yesterday...He was not feeling well...He told me he’ll do it when we’re back from the market.” I chew the inside of my bottom lip, contemplating about asking. I ask, sincerely “Chris...It’s...none of our business, but...are you and your dad okay?” Questionly, he asks “Uh, what do you mean?” Sean chimes in “We don’t know...Claire seems to...be worried about you guys. Yesterday...Stephen and her talked about your dad...I think they had a talk with him...” He says “Claire’s always worried. We’re cool. Totally. He’s just...He...has a hard time being on his own...that’s all.”

“Chris...We know life can get pretty tough. Trust us. But...you’ll be okay. You’re an awesome kid.” I tell him. Chris says “Thanks. But I don’t feel scared anymore. I have the power...And I have Daniel!” Sean says “That’s cool.”

Charles honks the horn to signal us that the backseat is cleaned and ready to go. I say “There’s the signal.” Sean calls in the direction of the bathroom, “Come on, Daniel.” He comes out, says “Hey! Pro-tip: don’t...don’t go in there.” The three of us, say “Ew.” Sean says “Okay, Squad, let’s roll.”

We head outside to the black pickup truck. Charles opened the back hatch. Chris and Daniel climb in. Sean asks him “You need my jacket? We don’t want you catching another cold...” A little embarrassed, Daniel says “No, I’m good. Thanks...” Charles says “And don’t be waving your arms around when I’m driving, okay?” As soon as he turned his back, they jokingly waved their arms around. Sean reminds him “Yeah. Remember, Daniel, don’t mess around...” He says, annoyed “All right. Jeez...”

Charles gets in the driver seat. Sean and I squeeze onto the passenger seat. He sat closest to Charles while I sat right against the door. Charles says to Chris “Thanks for clearing the snow from the porch! You’re...You’re awesome!” Chris says muffled by the window, “You’re welcome, dad!” He pulls out of the driveway and head to the Christmas Market.

[fairyqueenofthedragons]

Key to Knowledge

Fablekingdom chapter 3

Glad you all seem to like the story :D I'm having fun writing it. Sorry for the slight delay, life happens. Finals are coming up and I have a bunch of projects so I might be a bit slow on updates for the next few weeks.

(Find Chapter One with a server of “Fk ch 1″)

Come chat with me on discord: https://discord.gg/nwwcSQSUjh

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Breakfast the next morning was good. Lena had called it “cream of wheat”, mixed with berries and homemade raspberry preserves. There was also toast and butter, and orange juice.

Seth had his tongue poking out as he angled his butter knife to bounce sun rays in Kendra’s eyes. She was not close enough to the window to retaliate, so she settled for kicking his foot.

“Don’t blind your sister, Seth,” Grandpa said.

Seth put his butter knife down with a sigh, turning to Grandpa, “Where’s Dale?”

Kendra wondered the same thing, she hadn’t seen him today, was he still asleep? It was almost nine.

“Dale and I got up a few hours ago, finished most of the morning chores. He’s still out working, I’m just here to keep you company since it’s your first morning.”

“Will you guys be back for lunch?” Kendra asked.

“No, today I’m going to the North fields, I’ll be bringing lunch with me.” He studied the wall above them, looking uncomfortable. “I’ll likely be back for dinner.”

“Oh...” Kendra murmured, nibbling on some toast. She supposed he hadn’t particularly wanted them here anyways. He wasn’t required to spend all his time with them.

“You kids remember my rules?” Grandpa asked.

Seth nodded, shoving some cream of wheat in his mouth, “This is good.”

“Stay out of the woods and the barn,” Kendra answered her Grandpa. “And keep things neat and try not to break anything.”

“Good girl,” Grandpa said with a small smile. “There’s a swimming pool out back, it’s all set up so feel free to swim in it. If you don’t feel like swimming there are gardens as well, plus the yard as a whole to run around in. You might even find some surprises if you look around.”

He stood, folding his napkin.

“You’re also welcome to play in your room. Any questions?”

Kendra nodded, “When is Grandma coming back?”

Grandpa faltered, gaze darting to the clock.

“That depends on your Aunt Edna. If she recovers quickly than Ruth could be back next week, or it could be a couple of months.”

“Good thing Grandma’s not sick anymore,” Seth said, putting some jam on his toast.

“Sick?” Grandpa asked.

“You know,” Kendra said with a frown. “The illness that kept her from the funeral.”

“Oh yes,” He nodded. “That one. Well, she was still a little under the weather when she left but was feeling much better.”

“I’m sad we missed her,” Kendra said.

“Yeah, we haven’t seen her in years,” Seth added.

“She was sorry to miss you too,” Grandpa assured them as he pushed his chair in. “I’d best be off. Don’t forget sunblock if you swim and keep your video games inside.”

“Yes Grandpa,” Seth said.

“We’ll be good,” Kendra promised.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Kendra was dressed in her blue swimsuit, a towel over one shoulder, as she stepped onto the back porch. She had a water bottle under one arm and a very pretty handheld mirror she’d found in the nightstand by her bed in her hand.

She paused to admire the gardens that covered a good portion of the backyard. There were paths of white stones meandering through the flower beds and hedgerows. She could see the edge of a vegetable patch peeking out behind some hedges to the right of her, and some dry fountains over there too.

Just in front of the porch seemed to be an herb garden and around the pool were more flower beds and a ring of fruit trees. She didn’t recognize all the fruit there, only the two apple trees and cherry tree. Maybe that one was a peach tree?

She wondered if it was okay for them to eat any of them.

The flowers were really beautiful though, Kendra had never seen such brilliant blossoms.

Seth was already swimming, throwing some sinking toys and diving after them.

The pool looked really cool, with a black bottom and rocks surrounding it you could almost mistake it for a pond.

Kendra grinned and headed down the steps, following the short path to the pool side.

The garden around her was filled with birds and insects.

There were quick moving hummingbirds, wings nearly invisible as they moved from flower to flower.

Huge bumblebees buzzed around, two coming very close to her. She stilled for a moment, remembering the rule her dad taught her. As long as you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. They drifted past.

Kendra paused again as two butterflies alighted on some flowers by her, wings brilliant hues of blue and red. She’d never seen such brilliant butterflies. Then again, she’d never visited a garden this incredible either, it’s no wonder Grandpa Sorenson had so many chores.

“Beautiful,” she murmured.

The butterflies fluttered back up, flying around her for a moment before drifting away.

“Wow,” she whispered as she arrived at the pool. This really was an amazing backyard.

The poolside was paved, with some recliners and a circular glass table with a big umbrella in the center.

Seth climbed out of the pool as she arrived, waving as he leapt from a stone outcropping with a whoop. He hit the water with a big splash.

Kendra set her towel and mirror on the table and grabbed a bottle of sunblock. She took a few minutes to smear it on her skin, rubbing it in until it disappeared.

While Seth dove under water for another one of the sinking toys, Kendra picked up the mirror, carefully angling it so it reflected the sunlight. When Seth came up she aimed a big splotch of sunlight right in his eyes.

“Hey!”

Seth ducked back under water, coming back up in another spot. Kendra pointed the light right back at him.

“Cut it out!” Seth called.

“But I thought you liked playing with sunlight,” Kendra said.

Seth turned to glare but had to look away with the light in his eyes.

“I only did it a little! And Grandpa already told me to stop.”

Because that always stops him from doing something, but Kendra put the mirror down anyways.

“Don’t try to blind me again,” she said.

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, swimming over to the side of the pool.

“How’s the water?” Kendra asked, walking over to the edge.

Seth grinned, and shoved the water forward to splash her.

She shrieked, surprised by the cold, before her eyes narrowed and she leapt over him into the water.

It took a moment to adjust to the temperature but then she quickly swam away from Seth, ducking under the water to avoid his splashing.

It ended in a splash fight, Seth swinging his arms in wide arcs and doing big but weak splashes. Kendra pushed to water in focused waves, hitting Seth head on more, though he dodged more than she did.

She ducked under water after a few minutes, when the fight was slowing, yanking Seth under water.

The fight began anew, Seth and her wrestling in the water until they were both tired.

“I definitely won,” Seth said.

Kendra rolled her eyes.

The two of them played some games with the sinking toys, racing for them and seeing who could get the most. Then they tried different dives into the deep end.

Kendra was the best at the clean dives, making only a small splash. Seth was great at doing big splashes though.

Kendra grew bored after a bit, getting out of the pool to rest on the edge.

Seth had her judge his dives.

“Watch this can opener!” He yelled as he jumped with one leg straight and the other bent.

“Eight and a half,” Kendra called back when he surfaced.

“That was definitely a nine,” he said as he swam back to the edge to jump again.

“You bent your leg when you hit the water,” she countered.

“Oh, come on!”

Kendra grinned, standing to grab her towel, but stopped when she saw the mirror.

Hummingbirds, bumblebees, and butterflies swirled in the air around the mirror. Several more butterflies and a couple of large dragonflies were actually sitting on the mirror face.

“Seth,” Kendra called quietly. “Come look at this.”

“What?”

“Come here.”

Seth sighed, walking around to reach Kendra and doing a double take at the insects and birds around the mirror.

“What’s up with them? They’re acting like the fairies from Grandpa’s stories.”

“I’m not sure,” Kendra said. “Do insects like mirrors?”

“Ones that are secretly fairies do,” Seth joked.

Kendra rolled her eyes, “This isn’t Grandpa’s fairytales, Seth, what are they doing?”

“Admiring their lovely wings?”

“Well they are pretty wings.”

They stared for a moment.

“I dare you to grab the mirror,” Kendra said.

“Sure.”

He moved forward carefully, before snatching up the mirror and bolting to the pool, diving in.

Some of the insects and birds scattered, but most drifted after him for a moment.

“How strange,” Kendra muttered before shaking her head. “Seth, get the mirror out of the pool, the chemicals will ruin it!”

“Chill, it’s fine,” he said, stroking over to the side.

“Here, let me see it,” Kendra took the mirror from him and wiped it dry with her towel. It didn’t seem damaged.

She paused, eyeing the assorted insects around the pool.

“Want to try something?” Kendra said as she placed the mirror face up on a lounge chair and backed away.

“Do you think they’ll come back?” Seth asked.

“We’ll see.”

Kendra and Seth sat down at the table, not too far away from the lounge chair. Kendra sipped her water as they watched a hummingbird glide over to the mirror. Soon it was joined by a few butterflies, and then some bumblebees, and then some dragonflies.

“Go turn the mirror face down,” Kendra suggested. “I wanna see if they like their reflections or the mirror itself.”

Seth crept forward slowly, the animals taking no notice of his approach. He reached forward carefully, then quickly flipped the mirror and bolted back to the table.

The ones that had landed on the mirror took flight when it was overturned, but only a few of the creatures flew away. A pair of butterflies and a dragonfly landed on the lounge chair at the edge of the mirror.

Kendra gasped as they took flight and flipped the mirror over, nearly sliding it off the chair in the process.

“Is that even possible?” Kendra muttered.

“That was so weird,” Seth agreed as the swarm pressed close to the mirror again.

“How are they strong enough to lift it?”

“There were a few of them,” Seth pointed out. “Want me to flip it again?”

“No, it might break… I don’t think butterflies are strong enough to flip that, it’s too heavy.”

“I dunno,” Seth said, draping his towel over his shoulder. “I’m gonna go change.”

“Take the mirror with you?”

“Sure, but if I get stung I’m telling Grandpa it was your fault.”

Seth moved to towards the mirror slowly, then snatched it up and rushed to the path back to the house. Part of the swarm drifted after him but didn’t follow far before scattering.

Kendra stared after them for a moment, frowning as she tried to figure out what was up with them. Seth was right, it really did remind her of the stories Grandpa told them about fairies.

How strange.

Kendra sighed and wrapped her towel around her waist, grabbing the sunblock and her water. She headed back to the house.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Kendra found Seth dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved camo shirt. He was checking through the cereal box that served as his emergency kit.

“What are you doing?”

“Just checking if I need anything else,” he said innocently.

“How about some water?” Kendra said, eyes narrowed.

Seth brightened, “Good idea! I’ll grab some on my way out.”

He scooped up the kit and headed to the door.

“Where are you going?”

Seth paused, sending her a sly smile, “Promise you won’t tell?”

She huffed, “You’re going into the woods.”

He shrugged, “Wanna come?”

“You heard Grandpa, there are ticks in there, you’ll get Lyme disease.”

“Ticks are everywhere, so’s poison ivy. If people let possible dangers stop them then no one would ever go anywhere.”

“Grandpa will be mad, you’ll get in trouble.”

“Grandpa isn’t here. As long as you don’t tell, nobody will know.”

Kendra frowned, “Grandpa has been really nice. He didn’t want to have us here, but he opened his home to us. We should follow his rules, he only gave us like three of them.”

Seth rolled his eyes, “There’s no adventure in the garden.”

“Have you explored the whole yard yet?”

“How about this. If I don’t find anything interesting or weird or anything like that in the woods today, I’ll spend the next week only in the yard.”

Kendra considered, that sounded fair. What were the chances the forest had much in it?

“Grandpa’s livestock or whatever he has here doesn’t count.”

“Sure, but if I find a satyr or evil witch in the woods-“

“If you find an evil witch in the woods I’m not letting you back in the woods or you’ll get cursed.”

“But then how is Kendra the fairy princess gonna save me?” He asked, batting his eyelashes.

“Fight me.”

He laughed, “It’ll be fine, are you coming?”

Kendra hesitated, it did sound interesting but…

“No, not this time.”

“Will you tell on me?”

“If they ask I won’t lie.”

“I won’t be long,” Seth promised, hurrying out of the room.

Kendra sighed and stared around the room for a moment, what was there to do?

Oh yeah, she’d almost forgotten.

Kendra hurried to the nightstand, the mirror was resting on it. Beside the mirror was the key ring Grandpa had given her.

She’d already figured out what the biggest key opened, a jewelry box on the dresser that was full of costume jewelry, and a few pieces that looked real.

There were some fake necklaces and earrings and pendants and rings and bracelets, but also some that looked real. She was pretty sure the hair clip was real silver, and the bracelet looked like real rubies. She’d put them all back in the jewelry box, not sure if they were allowed to use it despite what Grandpa had said.

Did he mean for her to keep them in giving her the keys? Or was there a different purpose?

She wasn’t sure.

There had also been gold wrapped chocolates, only three of them, she’d had one and it was undoubtably the best chocolate she’d ever had.

She decided to check out the rest of the room for more key holes. She had two more keys, both smaller than the first. The smallest was no longer than a thumbtack. Where would she find such tiny keyholes?

The night before she’d tried all the drawers and toy chest, but none were small enough, and most unlocked anyways.

Her eyes scanned the room, trying to figure out what might have a small enough keyhole. They landed on the Victorian dollhouse.

Of course, if anything would have tiny keyholes, it would be a tiny house.

She unlatched the clasps of the house and opened it, revealing three stories and many rooms full of miniature furniture. Five doll people lived in the house—a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, and a baby.

The detail was incredible, the dolls had individual hairs on their heads and the clothing had patterns. The rooms themselves had just as much detail, with the beds having quilts, blankets, sheets, and pillows, and the couches having removable cushions. The bathtub even had movable knobs and the sinks had tiny cosmetic supplies on them.

The dollhouse’s master bedroom had an intricate armoire, with a large keyhole in the center, or well, large for the size of it.

Kendra inserted the tiniest key and turned it, smiling when the doors sprung open.

Inside were more of the gold wrapped chocolates, along with a small golden key. It was larger than the one that opened the armoire, but smaller than the one that opened the jewelry box.

Kendra carefully tucked the two wrapped chocolates away, they were two good to eat all at once.

She checked the rest of the tiny house, under every couch, bed, and carpet, behind every painting and dresser, in every closet and cabinet, but there were no more keyholes.

She closed up the dollhouse once more, determined to play with it later, this really was the dream dollhouse, she wished she’d had one at home.

Looking around the room, Kendra debated what to check next. There was one key left of the originals, plus the new one… was there a key in the jewelry box too?

She went back over to it, shifting through the real and fake jewelry to see. On a charm bracelet she found another little golden key, about the size of the one she’d found in the armoire. She took it off the bracelet and slipped it onto the keyring.

So that’s two new keys, and one of the originals.

She looked around again. Kendra had already checked all the dressers and toy chests and wardrobes (they were filled with fascinating stuff, the wardrobes had some of the softest fur coats and scarves and gloves she was jealous) but she could always double check. It was possible a key hole could be behind something, or under something, but she didn’t think it would be that crazy, the first two weren’t.

She decided to check the telescope, it seemed reasonable enough with all the knobs and different sections.

A thorough check later led her to be sure that there were no key holes.

Maybe she could see Seth through it though.

She opened the window, noticing Dale walking along the lawn at the outskirts of the woods. Kendra thought that he was out doing chores, why was he at the yard?

He stooped, putting something that he’d been carrying behind a low hedge, making her unable to see it. He set off at a brisk pace, glancing around as if worried someone would see.

Kendra considered for a moment, that seemed strange, but not bad. Her curiosity got the best of her though and she headed down the stairs.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Reaching outside, Dale was nowhere in sight. She headed over to the low hedge beneath the attic window, weaving through the beautiful gardens and past a few lovely fountains.

The hedge was about six feet before the edge of the forest and laying on the ground just behind it was a large pie tin full of milk.

Kendra crouched down, staring in fascination at the assorted animals hovering around it and drinking the milk.

An iridescent hummingbird hung suspended over the pie tin, along with several butterflies. One swooped down and splashed in the milk, before fluttering back up.

The hummingbird flew away after a moment and a dragonfly approached.

All the animals were very pretty. The butterflies wings the brightest colors and the dragonflies large and almost sparkling in the light.

“You’re all so pretty,” she murmured to the winged animals. “But why are you all drinking the milk?”

She gasped as a butterfly landed on her hand, wings fluttering delicately.

“Hello,” she whispered, staying still so as not to scare it away.

It’s wings fluttered, and after a moment it drifted back into the air.

She glanced back at the pie tin, surprised by how much the milk level had fallen.

Who knew that butterflies, dragonflies, hummingbirds, and bees liked milk?

She carefully straightened, grinning at the winged animals that drifted around her.

“I’ve got to go, enjoy your milk.”

She walked back towards the house, then paused partway. She studied the attic window for a moment. The house was pretty big, but the attic was fairly long.

Studying the window, she visualized the room. It only took up half the space that should be there.

She walked around to the opposite side of the house, distracted slightly by the many beautiful flowers, and the assorted fruit trees that dotted the lawn.

Arriving on the far side, she studied the top of the house. There were another set of attic windows, window that the room Seth and she were staying in couldn’t see. So, there was another side to the attic.

Maybe there was a secret passage to it in the playroom! Maybe that’s what the keys were for.

She was just about to head back to the attic to check when she noticed Dale coming from the barn with another pie tin.

She could always check the attic later.

She hurried over to Dale, frowning when he suddenly looked uncomfortable.

He pasted a smile on his face as she reached him, “Hey Kendra.”

“Hi, what are you doing?”

“Just taking some milk to the house,” he said, changing direction to head towards the house. He had been heading towards the woods.

“Why’s it in a pie tin? And why’d you leave the other tin behind the hedge?”

“Hedge?” he said innocently, looking incredibly guilty.

“There were a lot of butterflies there, drinking it.”

Dale stopped, studying Kendra intently. “Can you keep a secret?”

“Of course.”

He glanced around as if there were spies nearby. “We have a few milking cows, and they make a lot of milk. We sell some of it, and use some, but there’s a bit excess. I put it out for the insects, seems to make them happy.”

“Why’s it a secret?” Kendra asked.

“Well, I never really asked if it was alright. Your grandfather might not be happy about me doing it when I could be trying to sell it.”

“It seems nice,” Kendra offered. “The animals seemed to like it.”

He nodded, “Yeah, they seem happy with it.”

“So you weren’t taking that tin to the house.”

He coughed, “No, no. This milk hasn’t been pasteurized. It’s full of bacteria, you could catch all sorts of diseases. People should not drink it, but the insects seem to like it best like this. You’ll keep my secret?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks,” he winked at her.

“Where are you putting that one?”

“Over there,” he jerked his chin towards the woods. “I set a few on the border of the yard every day.”

“Does it go bad? Or attract anything dangerous?”

“I don’t leave it out long. And some days they’re empty when I collect the pans, haha, they’re thirsty little critters.”

Kendra nodded, “Cool.”

“I’d best get back to work, I’ll see you around Kendra.”

“Yeah, see you later.”

She turned to head back inside.

“Oh yeah, you seen your brother around?” Dale asked.

“I think he’s in the house,” Kendra said. “He wanted some water last I checked.”

“Kay, just checking.”

Kendra waved, heading back in the house.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to reblog and leave a review, they feed my soul.

lmk if you’d like to be tagged.

[collecting-stories]

Across a Lifetime - Magneto

“I’ve been in love with you my entire life, since the day I met you.” With Magneto please? Thanks!

Across a Lifetime - Magneto x reader

“Max!” The young boy turned his head to the sound of someone calling for him. Running down the street toward him was a young girl, the yellow star bright against her black coat. She stopped short of colliding with him. “Max, thank god you are alright, I was so worried.”  

“I’m fine.” He looked back to where you had come down the road, “where is your father?”

You were not so much younger than him that you needed a parent with you to go outside but he worried none the less when he saw no one accompanying you. He put his hands on your face, holding you steady while he looked into your eyes. He had awoken last night to the sounds of screaming and the unmistakable sight of the streets below his parent’s apartment in flames. His mother had urged him to stay inside, away from the windows and doors.  

“No lights my love,” she had insisted, brushing his hair back and kissing the top of his head as she held him against her. She was still in her nightgown and robe as she held onto him and he realized his father was no longer in the house. Even in that moment, when he knew his first thought should be of his father, he thought only of you.  

Max knew that your family often stayed late at the shop below your apartment, a quaint little deli that had happily served the city of Berlin for over fifteen years, since long before you were born. But things had begun to change, things even you were aware of. Max had come home from school with a bloodied lip just last week when some boys in the courtyard had begun to call you names and throw rocks at you. His mother and father had argued in quiet voices about what to do and he remembered the terrified look in his mother’s eyes the entire time. As if his actions defending you were the same as someone killing a man.  

The whole night he stayed awake, afraid to close his eyes or to leave his mother. When morning came and the fires died out he crept to the window. His mother had fallen asleep on the settee and he peered out the front window, looking down at the destruction of the night prior. He had taken his coat and gone down amongst the rubble to find you. But you had found him instead.  

“Where is your father?” He asked again, inspecting the bruises on your face delicately. You looked as if someone had stomped on you and in fact they had.  

You had been exactly where Max feared you would be. In the store front with your father and grandmother when someone had thrown a brick through the front window. It shattered the glass and hit your grandmother, sending her back onto the floor. Her head collided with the ground in a sound you’d never heard before and you had shrieked when men came into the shop, Your father was in the back room and two of them went to find him while the other three stayed in the front with you.  

“They shot him.” You cried, tears pooling and running down your cheeks as you remembered the events of earlier. “Grandma is gone too.”

“Who was it?”

“I don’t know, Max I had never seen them before.”  

“Have they hurt you worse than this?” His hand ghosted over the bruise. You cried and nodded your head. Max held you to him the same way his mother had held him.  

“Max, Max!” Both of you turned to see his father coming down the street, a limp in his gait as he attempted to run to his son. When he reached Max he fell to his knees and hugged the young boy, pushing you away unintentionally, "where is your mother?”

“She’s at home.”  

“Come on, we must get inside.” He urged, standing to his feet as a couple of SS walked passed, eyeing the three of you suspiciously.

Max held your hand and dragged you along with them to his home. You were still crying as they entered the house and Max’s mother ran to embrace him and his father, frantic over their absence. “You cannot leave like that Maxie!” She tutted, holding him close and kissing his head over and over.  

-

Max sat inside the train car, huddled on the floor pressed against his mother, he could hardly breathe, he was packed so tightly. Just hours earlier he had been playing outside in the street with you, laughing as you tried unsuccessfully to climb the tree outside the small house the family had been staying at. His mother said you were doing better. That you looked happier these days, even smiling again.  

After the Kristallnacht his family had taken you with them when they fled to Poland. You had only your father and grandmother and since both of them were dead there was no one left for you in Germany. There was nothing left for anyone in Germany. So you travelled to Poland with Max and his parents, his father going so far as to get false documentation claiming you as their second child.  

But you were not with Max in the train car. He sat between the wall and his mother, her arm around his shoulder as she pressed her lips to his head. He wasn’t sure if she was soothing him or herself. Beside her his father sat mimicking her, his arm around his wife’s shoulders as he kissed her head every so often, promising it would be okay. You were missing though.  

You and Max had been playing outside the house, climbing the tree and laughing with each other, when men, soldiers, arrived. One pulled you from the tree while another grabbed hold of Max as he thrashed against them.  

“No, let me go! Let me go!” You screamed, kicking against the man who held you.  

Max’s parents ran from the house, shouting and everything was a blur after that. He could only watch as you where hauled away from them. Max and his parents ended up on a train, packed with others like them. Others who had fled their homeland just to be dragged back, knowing that when they returned to Germany there would be nothing there but death. Max looked for you at the train station and again in the train car but you were nowhere in sight. A million possibilities ran through his head but his mother just kept mumbling that it would be okay, even though he knew it wouldn’t be.

-

Your feet pressed over stones on the ground as you walked along the road. You weren’t alone. Hundreds marched, their feet bare like yours. None of you felt the roughness under your skin or the cuts that embedded themselves onto your feet as you walked. Instead all you felt was numb. Your body was tired, you could feel all the weight of your bones heavy as you dragged yourself along. You could not die here on the street.  

You imagined yourself back in Berlin with Max, before the war began. If that is what this was. People who walked with you, who had been out in the world longer said the banned radios were calling it a war. It didn’t feel like a war, not when it had stripped so much of your life from you. The only solace you found was in your memories of Max. Images of playing with him in the street outside your father’s deli, going to his house for Sabbath and holy days, and walking to school with him. You couldn’t even remember if the memories were as pleasant as you thought they were or if you had imagined them that way because you wanted to. All you knew as you walked was that Max was the only thing keeping you going. You didn’t know if he was out there but you hoped he was, prayed that Max was alive and that someday you might see him again.  

-

You were not a mutant though you had a fairly good understanding of what they were. Or, you’d read enough in newspapers to form an opinion on the human anomalies and decide where you stood in the ‘good’ or ‘destructive’ argument. The degree you had in psychology provided you with a job and access to Charles Xavier’s team of mutants, or school as he so carefully put it. He wanted to build a school for those that were different to find solace, it was a nice idea but not one you were sure would ever truly take hold. His interest in you was as a member of his imagined school, a counsellor for his students.  

“I don’t know if I can truly counsel them.” You remarked, touring the grounds with him.  

“You can’t possibly have every lived experience that your patients have.”

“Of course not, but most are...easier to empathize with. What can I say to someone who can read other people’s minds Charles?” You asked.  

“You may not be able to relate fully but it’s my belief that even we have things we need to expel. You don’t have to understand what we’re going through but all of our problems are not in line with our condition. You’d be surprised how human most of us are.”

“I’m not accusing you of not being.”  

“Charles,” both of you stopped along the garden path to acknowledge whoever had come looking for your companion. The man walked over and, though he had called for Charles, he kept his gaze on you. He looked distressed as he stared at you and you couldn’t help but recognize something in his eyes, something you had been looking for since you came to America in the 1950’s.

“Ah, this is my collegue-”

“Max?” You asked.

Charles looked confused, he was about to correct you but the other man beat him to it. “I’m afraid I go by Erik now. What are you doing here?”

“I was asked to come here as a counsellor.” You explained, trying to maintain professionalism for the sake of Charles when all you wanted was to collapse into tears the same way you had that night in Berlin.  

You had been alone since Poland, shuffled from hiding places to camps. You had survived but barely and finally, toward the end, you were smuggled out of the country to South America with a German man and his wife. From there you crossed the border into America and you’d been living as someone else too, a nice catholic girl who was going to school to be a counsellor. It was at a seminar that Charles had met you and invited you to meet the people at his school.

“I’m sorry,” Erik shook his head, seeming distracted as he turned to Charles, “Can I speak with her alone please?”  

“Certainly, we’ll talk soon.” Charles said before turning and leaving.  

You kept your eyes on his trailing chair, trying to breath and calm yourself. You had always hoped. When they pulled you from the tree in Poland, when you were taken from a train car to a camp in the middle of the night, marched across Germany in nothing but a nightgown and bare feet. You had hoped the whole time that somewhere Max was alive. But as you cross the border into America and learned to adapt, to hide yourself from your past, you began to think that you would never find him again. That maybe he was dead. Like your father and your grandmother.  

“Max.” You cried, just like that night. And just like that night he pulled you against him, kissing the top of your head. “Max, you’re alive.”

“Shh, it’s alright, I’m here.” Erik promised, more tender than he had been in recent years. More tender than he could remember.  

“I missed you, I love you so much, I-” you confessed.  

“I’ve been in love with you my entire life,” Erik said, holding your face in his hands and inspecting you, kissing your forehead. “Since the day I met you.”

I wanted to write this around Erik’s backstory. Let me know what you think!

[purrincess-chat]

Marinette and the Lost Temple CH2

Here is the next installment of my Marinette March fic!

Read on AO3

Chapter 2

“Do you know what you have to do?”

Plagg lounged on his side on Master Fu’s mattress next to a large plate of cheese. He caressed a wedge tenderly before stuffing it down his gullet and shrugging.

“You want me to take the kid to the old temple grounds,” he said around a mouthful before swallowing.

“Yes, but not right away,” Master Fu corrected. “Let her enjoy her vacation a little. I fear that what happens there might impact the rest of her visit.”

“You humans are so fickle,” Plagg said, patting his swollen belly with a belch. “So easily influenced by your emotions.”

“I have often wondered if I would get to see her through this journey, and the time has finally come,” Master Fu traced his fingers over a small lanyard fondly. “I only hope she can forgive me.”

“For what?”

“For what I did all those years ago,” Fu said somberly, tucking the charm back into its box. “The time has finally come for her to learn.”

“Do you really think it’s going to change her opinion of you that much?” Master Fu flicked his gaze to meet Plagg’s, and the kwami’s ears flattened.

“I think it’s going to break her heart.”

***

“Ah, Sabine, Marinette!” Aunt Jie smiled as they approached from the terminal, stretching her arms out to embrace her sister. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.”

“I’ve missed you,” her mother hummed before pulling away and placing her hand on the small of Marinette’s back.

“Don’t tell me this is Marinette? She’s gotten so big since you last visited,” Aunt Jie gasped, placing a hand over her throat.

“Hi,” Marinette waved shyly, tugging at her blazer.

“You resemble your mother a lot, Marinette,” Aunt Jie said with a proud smile. “How old are you now?”

“14,” Marinette replied.

“Time flies,” Sabine chuckled, and Aunt Jie cupped Marinette’s cheek fondly before turning and gesturing them to the stairs.

“Baggage claim is this way,” she said, and Marinette fell in line behind her mother.

“Are we there yet? I’m hungry,” Plagg poked his head out of Marinette’s purse with a groan, and Marinette quickly clamped her hand over him.

“Did you say something, dear?” Sabine asked, turning over her shoulder.

“I, uh, I’m hungry. Are we going to stop and eat soon?” Marinette said, fastening the clasp on her purse.

“Mom has prepared a meal for us at home. We wanted to welcome you both properly and give Marinette a taste of her heritage,” Aunt Jie said, and Marinette nodded appreciatively, shooting a glare at Plagg through her purse when they both turned back around.

She wondered if Plagg caused this many problems for Chat Noir as well, or if he was just acting out for her. They were going to have a long chat later about staying out of sight. Hopefully the Camembert Master Fu and Chat Noir arranged for him would arrive soon.

After claiming their baggage, her aunt drove them to their family home in a small town just outside the city, and Marinette gazed out the window in awe at all of the unfamiliar sights. When they pulled up to the house, several people stood on the front porch waiting, and she felt her stomach flip as Aunt Jie shut off the engine.

“We’re here,” she said, smiling over her shoulder at Marinette in the back seat.

A small old woman appeared in the doorway as they climbed from the car, and Marinette followed her mother's lead, bowing respectfully. Her grandmother smiled, carefully stepping from the porch as they paced to meet her halfway.

“Hello, mother,” Sabine said in Chinese, one of the few phrases Marinette knew.

“Um, ni hao!” Marinette said, cheeks flushing.

“Bonjour, Marinette. It's good to see you,” her grandmother greeted in perfect French which made sense considering she was half French herself and had grown up in Paris.

“My beautiful, Sabine!” Grandpa Cheng called from the porch.

“Come inside, we've prepared lunch. You two must be hungry,” Grandma Cheng urged, and Marinette followed behind her mother like a baby duckling.

“How was your flight?”

Marinette let her mother do most of the talking as they entered their family estate, and Marinette heard the distant caw of a rooster. She knew her family owned a little land, but she hadn't anticipated so much room and found herself wishing they lived in the city instead of the countryside. So much open space made her feel exposed and vulnerable, and she curled her shoulders a little as they made their way to the dining room.

“You should show Marinette the garden after lunch, mom. Sabine tells me she has quite the green thumb,” Aunt Jie suggested while they ate.

“Ah, yes, I can show her, her tree,” Grandma Cheng nodded, and Marinette tilted her head to one side.

“My tree?”

“Your grandmother planted an apple tree in the garden the day you were born,” Aunt Jie explained. “She believes that if she takes care of it that you will be healthy.”

“It is my way of keeping in touch. I know that if the tree is flourishing then so is Marinette,” Grandma Cheng said, retrieving an apple from the bowl in the center of the table. “She has produced well this year, so I see that you have had a prosperous year.”

“It's been...exciting,” Marinette said thinking back to the first day of school with a wince, shoving a piece of shrimp into her purse when no one was looking.

“Marinette won a design contest held by her favorite designer, and his son modeled her hat at a fashion show,” Sabine explained proudly, and her grandmother nodded knowingly.

“I sensed greatness in her from the very moment I planted that tree,” Grandma Cheng gave her hand a squeeze, and Marinette smiled, a sense of pride swirling in her chest.

After lunch, Marinette accompanied her grandmother out to the garden while Sabine and Aunt Jie caught up. Things were much quieter there allowing her to hear the rustle of leaves when the wind blew or the wings of birds as they flitted from branch to branch. Everything was so tranquil, and the once daunting silence now brought her a sense of calm she never got in the city.

“I see why you live out here now,” she remarked, leaning her head back to let the sun kiss her cheeks.

“City life is exciting, but in my old age I find it a bit too exciting,” Grandma Cheng said. “Your grandfather and I used to love Paris. It was our home, but when his parents grew ill, we knew this was where we needed to be. Now I can't picture being anywhere else.”

“It's beautiful here. I've never seen so much green before,” Marinette gazed around at all of the trees and crops growing in their vegetable garden until her eyes settled on a small tree set apart from the rest.

“This is my Marinette,” Grandma Cheng said, running her hand along the bark. “I've noticed her losing more leaves than usual lately which isn't common this time of year. You are under a lot of stress.”

Marinette bit back a wince. It wasn't like she could tell her that she spent a lot of time fighting supervillains and juggling school, but Marinette sensed that her grandmother could tell something was going on in her life.

“I just stay busy, that's all,” she shrugged.

“I can tell you have a great responsibility on your shoulders, but I know that you will overcome it. You are strong,” Grandma Cheng said, and Marinette stared up into the leaves with a small smile.

“Thanks, Grandma.”

“Why don't you take a walk around? I find that a bit of fresh air helps clear my head,” she suggested, turning back to the house. “I'll put on some tea for you when you come back inside.”

“Okay.” Marinette waited until she was out of sight before treading down the small path to the stream, and Plagg emerged from her purse.

“Your grandma is a wise woman,” he said, stretching his limbs. “That shrimp she made was almost as tasty as Camembert.”

“We need to figure out a way to sneak off to find that place Master Fu wants me to go,” Marinette said, retrieving the slip of paper and reading it once more. “We may have to sneak out tonight after everyone goes to bed.”

“Ugh, we just got here! Can't we take a break for a while? This is a vacation after all,” Plagg whined.

“Master Fu instructed me to go here, and he wouldn't have done that if it weren't important. The sooner we go, the better,” Marinette said, tucking it back into her purse decidedly.

“Oh, c'mon. Don't you ever take a break?” Plagg said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Your grandma just told you that you should destress, so why not rest up for a few days before you go? Need I remind you, you don't even know what it is. You may need all of your strength.”

“You think it's something dangerous?” Marinette shrank a little.

“I'm not saying it isn't dangerous,” Plagg shrugged.

“Are you only telling me that so you can lay around and do nothing for a few days?” Marinette quirked a brow.

“I'm insulted that you would even suggest such a thing!” Plagg scoffed. “But...considering you do save Paris every day, don't you want a break?”

“Well…” Marinette curled her shoulders.

“The thing that Master Fu wants you to see has been there for centuries, and it will still be there in a few days. Trust me, I was there when it was built,” Plagg said, placing a small paw on her shoulder. “You need to unwind.”

“I guess a couple days couldn't hurt...It gives me time to find my way around,” she tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Fine. We'll relax for a few days, but don't think you're just gonna get to lay around and do nothing, lazy bones. If it is something dangerous then I need to prepare for it.”

“You're the worst person to vacation with,” Plagg griped, floating back down to her purse, and Marinette puffed out her cheeks before storming up the bank.

[p-artsypants]

Rage Awakened (7)

A little shorter this time :/

@chachacharlieco @violetstar-writes

--

Not long after Tarzan had run off to find Sora had he returned, his face thoughtful. “Upset,” he explained. “Needs alone time.”

Kairi almost wondered if it would be good for her to go after him instead, but she decided to heed his request.

Terra was right. The keyhole must be sealed.

They made it to the waterfalls before noon, which was a great thing, considering how massive they were.

“Should have brought our bathing suits.” Ventus commented, looking over the edge of the cliff and down into the river below.

“No time for a swim, I’m afraid. Let’s get to work.” Aqua reprimanded.

“Where do you think it is?”

Riku snorted. “Well, if you ever played a Zelda game, you would know there’s always something good behind the waterfall.”

“Yeah, but this isn’t a video game.” Replied Terra. He summoned his keyblade, pointing it out the waterfall. “Hmm, it’s not out here though.”

“It’s not a dosing rod,” Riku scoffed. “It’s not just going to pop up like that.”

“Okay Mr. Master-for-a-year, how do you think we should find it?”

Kairi broke off from the group as they argued, examining the face of the cliff where the waterfall began. It was about 80 feet up, at a 90 degree angle. If they wanted to get up to the top, they would have to find another way.

Then she glanced down, her eyes widening as she spotted a cave mouth, and a narrow path to it. “Let’s check down there!” She shouted back.

Everyone hurried over to see where she was pointing.

“Ooh, good eye, Kai!”

She grinned.

“What did I tell you? Behind the waterfall.” Riku gloated.

“Yeah, you can rub it in when we find it.”

The cave mouth ran the length of the waterfall, one wall just being solid water. Eventually, the small path opened up into a wide wall of ledges and caverns.

“Well...guess we explore.” Riku stated, looking for footholds in the rock. “Everything is wet, so be careful.”

“That’s what she said,” muttered Ventus, before getting elbowed in the gut.

They spread out, climbing their way up the rock face and traveling down short tunnels to dead ends. “There’s nothing here!” Whined Ventus laying on a ledge, “Not even any treasure!”

“Just keep looking,” Aqua tried to motivate. “The cavern is big.”

Jane, of all people, had made it her personal mission to scale the wall up the the top of the cavern. It had taken some time, but once she made it, she called down from above. “I think I found it! This cave runs deeper than the others!”

Using her instructions, everyone made their way up to her, and found themselves standing at the entrance to a much bigger, much darker tunnel than the others.

“Well?”

“Kinda scary.” Kairi admitted.

“Scarier than fighting heartless in a graveyard?” Riku mentioned with a snicker.

“No, that was the worst. Thanks for reminding me.”

With that, they delved deeper into the caves.

“It’s creepy,” Commented Ventus, agreeing with Kairi. “I’m expecting some nasties to just pop up.”

“Oh don’t say that Ven!”

Finally, the tunnel spilled out into a large room, with an open ceiling. An ancient looking tree stood directly ahead of them, covered in vines and glowing blue butterflies.

But more astoundingly, there was Sora, looking pissed to high hell.

“Sora’s spot! Secret place!” He looked ready to fight. “Leave!”

“We’re not here to hurt you,” Riku said, taking a step towards him. “You remember me? Riku? Riku friend?”

Sora relaxed slightly. “Like Riku.” He agreed.

“And Riku like Sora. Riku also likes Terra, Aqua, and Ventus.”

They were making progress. Sora wasn’t growling at their names now.

But it still unbelievably painful for Aqua, who did her damndest to get ahold of her emotions.  “Sora...you know we would never hurt you. This...this was an accident, and I’m so so sorry.”

Sora wasn’t so eager to accept her apology. He huffed angrily.

“Why never come? Come for Sora?”

It was just as she feared. “We didn’t know you were here!”

“Last place was! Never left!”

“We looked for you for three days!” She insisted, tears freely flowing.

“Look for Keyhole much longer...” he muttered.

It was a low blow, attacking their sense of duty.

“Please Sora. We made a mistake. If there had been any inkling that you were safe, we would have kept looking, but...there was just...nothing. Please, we have missed you so so much and we want you to come home!” She stepped forward, her arms open wide. “Please...”

He crawled backwards, closer to the tree, startling the butterflies. “Too late. No saving Sora.”

“No saving...?” Aqua whispered. “You mean the creature hunting you?”

He didn’t respond.

The butterflies caught Kairi’s attention, and she saw what others didn’t. Carefully, she stepped closer to him. “Sora...” she said soothingly.

Her voice got through to him, and he looked at her, pleading her to take his side.

“Do you remember why we came?”

“Keyhole.” He said simply.

“That’s right, and you found it!”

He cocked his head slightly, then looked over his shoulder.

The butterflies had fluttered out of the way, revealing a keyhole in the middle of the tree.

“Will you help me close it?” She asked, summoning her keyblade.

He nodded, crawling towards her and placing his hand upon hers on the hilt. A beam shot out and entered the keyhole, locking the world.

Finally, their job was done.

Sora looked up to Kairi, sadly. “Leaving?”

“Not without you,” she insisted, resting a hand in his shoulder.

He shook his head, extracting himself from her touch. “Don’t belong. Not safe.”

“Of course you belong with us, Sora.” Aqua added. “We’re your family.”

It seemed the conversation would have to be continued another time. Jane shouted out in surprise as a shadow appeared from the entrance of the cave. The same cat as before, with an attitude to boot.

Tarzan grabbed Jane and pulled her behind him.

“Guard!” Aqua called, summoning a barrier.

Before it connected to the ground, Sora slid across the ground and got between them and the cat, the barrier closing behind him.

“No!” Cried Kairi.

“Drop the barrier, Aqua!” Ventus begged. “He can’t be out there alone!”

But before she could even do anything, Sora summoned his keyblade, in all of its horror.

Riku looked sick at the sight.

The cat leapt, ready to attack. Everyone cried out in protest, all afraid to lose him after finally finding him.

But surprisingly, Sora stood against the attack. The claw-like tendrils on the keyblade came to life, stretching and swiping at the cat, piercing its hide, and tearing it asunder. Like teeth, the keyblade devoured the creature, even its essence, until there was nothing left.

Sora panted once it was all over, and then fell to his knees.

“Sora!” Cried Kairi.

Aqua dropped the barrier instantly, running to him.

He coughed and heaved, like he was going to become sick, but he kept swallowing it back instead.

Finally, he passed into unconsciousness.

“What the hell was that?!” Terra yelled. “I’ve never seen a keyblade do that!”

“I don’t think they’re supposed to.” Said Aqua, checking his vitals. “Something is very wrong with his heart. That’s why his keyblade looked like that.”

“Well, at least he’s free from being hunted now.” Riku noted.

Tarzan grunted, drawing their attention. “Leopard not hunter. Not first to attack him.”

“Wait wait wait,” Terra spoke up, “are you saying that there have been other beasts like this after him?”

“Many. Come from one.”

Resolved, Aqua turned Sora over on his back. “I know we shouldn’t force him to do anything, but at this point, we have choice. We have to bring him home. Maybe Master Eraqus or Yen Sid...or even Ansem the Wise could help him. And he’s not safe here.”

Terra agreed and stooped to pick him up.

Jane spoke up. “I’m sorry we’ll be parting like this, but thank you for all your help.”

“It’s our job!” Ventus said a little proudly.

“We’ll definitely come to visit. I’m  sure or Master will want to investigate this creature a little more. We can even bring you stuff you miss from London.”

“That would be marvelous! Now you better get a move on! I hope you the best!”

—

Sora thankfully stayed asleep the whole trip back. They loaded him on the ship first while the boys got to work dismantling the camp. His breathing was harsh, but he did not stir.

Kairi knelt by his side, as he laid on the floor, a blanket under him.

“You okay?” Aqua asked, seeing her face wrinkled with concern.

“I’m just...confused. Mostly worried, but...Sora himself is easy to read, but there so much mystery involving him...it’s hard to think.”

“I understand.” Aqua sat next to her. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you guys about him earlier but...we really thought he was gone forever.”

“I don’t hold it against you. But still...”

“Yeah...”

“You know...last night, Sora and I talked over dinner. He mentioned he remembered me from Radiant Garden. You guys visited when I was little?”

“Yeah, pretty often. Though, usually Master Eraqus, Terra, and I would talk with Ansem the Wise, while Sora played in the courtyard, under the observation of the guard, of course.

Kairi smiles softly. “I love the courtyard. My grandma used to take me there a lot. I bet I did know him back then.”

“Did you explain that you lost your memory?”

“Yeah. He was sad about it, but I’m sure we’ll make new memories.”

Aqua hummed in agreement, her gaze going back to Sora. “In fact...if there truly is darkness stirring in his heart, it’s probably best that he’s around you. You’ll help him heal, right?”

She smiled softly. “Yeah, Sora’s safe with me.”

—

Radiant Garden.

Or what it once was.

In just the span of 24 hours, the heartless army had decimated the town. Those that hadn’t turned into heartless had fled anyway possible. Shoddy gummi ships took off towards Traverse Town, jammed packed full of civilians. The walls to the fountains broke, and water flooded in, flowing backwards from the overwhelming influence of the darkness.

A witch in a black robe paced the hall in the chapel, contemplating the changes she’d make to the castle.

“Radiant Garden’s Castle, just as promised.” Her visitor said.

“My my, when you said you’d get it for me, I didn’t believe you’d actually do it. Though, you seem much more capable to achieve your goals than I first imagined. This seemed like a walk in the park for you.”

“It may have looked effortless, but it was no small feat. This world is fiercely guarded by its people and warriors of the keyblade.”

“Then why bother with it at all, if it was so full of light?”

The other hummed, “this world is unique. Its keyhole is incomplete, and therefore, there is no way for it to fall to the darkness. In order for the keyhole to be complete, the seven Princesses of Heart must be assembled.”

“As you said before,” Maleficent drawled. “The objective you have given me to complete.”

“Correct. Three of the Princesses are here already, I sense them in the castle, hiding. The fourth will be brought here later this evening. Two more will be easy to find, and the last…the last would be difficult, but I have a plan for her.”

“And if I gather these princesses and reveal the keyhole, what then? Why should I even be listening to you?”

“Trust me, my dear. Once everything is in place, you shall know untold power. Not just over this world, but all worlds. Can I count on you, Mistress of Evil?”

Her smile was disgusting, filled with unspeakable evil. “Of course, there’s no one better for the job.”

[windlion]

Transmigrator Pile-up Pt 3

In which I cheerfully abuse my protagonist, because that’s what he’s there for.

TW: Animal death.  We’re sad about it, too.  Also cheerful abuse of the Chinese name generator because Author Don’t Care and I can’t do this on my own.

The clue, when it came, was not subtle.  It was, in fact, written in characters that had to be several miles high.  At least.

"What the FUCK is that?!"

He couldn't help it if he was loud, that was entirely involuntary!  There was only a sliver of the moon visible; one eighth waxing or so.  That wasn't what floored him.  No, the moon had apparently gotten a new special effects budget because glowing lines of red stretched across the darkened surface like someone had taken a giant calligraphy brush and sketched characters across the surface of the Earth's only natural satellite.  Well.  That was more or less what they did.  Projected by talismans, sorta, and he still really hated that whole bullshit mission because what the fuck was up with putting an array on the moon.

Oh fuck, he knew what that was.

Dimly, he also registered that oh, look, there was more than one natural satellite now: a few chunks of rock glimmered faintly red and malevolent in the night sky aaaaaaaaaaand as he turned to what had to be the south, yes, there was a sparkling belt of shimmering gray like a cloud obscuring the stars in a wide swath that followed the equator.

If he went far enough north, he could probably see the new northern lights and the walls of the post-apocalypse's most exclusive gated community.  He kinda wanted to hate them for existing.

Outside the Array. Mountains.  Eagle.  Fast healing.  Had to be beast tribe.  OG was with the bandits, then.  OG was a big dude with a lot of scars and red swirling tattoos and fuuuuuuuuck he landed in the Mountain King Feng Mahti, didn't he?  

Oh fuck fuck fuck that meant the eagle was Taifun.  He'd killed the Mountain King's bird.  All Taifun had been trying to do was protect him.  His breath hitched and stopped in his chest.  Not fair.  

Grandma Xu shuffled out of the house, cautious and curious as to what had him yelling in the night on the way back from the outhouse.  Because plumbing happened to other people.  She gently touched his shoulder, and he realized he must have sat down. "Hielang-ge?"

"Here." His voice came out choked, and he swallowed before saying lamely, "I'm just. . . having a moment here." Jay finally tore his eyes away from the goddamn horror show overhead and leaned forward, rubbing a hand across his face.  Yeah, not at all subtle.  Shit.  

Jay Cooper was jaegering fucking Feng Mahti falling on his ass in a farmer's field crying his eyes out because the first goddamn thing he did was get Taifun killed and if he ever ran into the Gardens they'd probably try and kill him before he said a word, especially with the hate-on the Lettuces had for Feng-zong for some pretty good reasons.  Like traumatically killing the best character in the entire series Sect Leader Lin.  

Transmigration stories were supposed to be about redeeming and improving the original.  Who let him fuck up this badly?

He sorta . . . blue screened for awhile there.  

He came back around to Grandma Xu gently patting his scarred cheek, then hauling on his arm.  "Come back in, Hielang-ge.  It is not safe to stay outside at night."

The fact that this little old granny farmer was poking and manhandling the bandit with biceps the size of her head made him want to giggle hysterically.  Did they know?  Did they know who he was?  Before he did, no less?

Big bad bandit king obediently got up and followed Grandma Xu back inside to the fire at the hearth and where the family was winding down for the evening, Xu Ming nursing little Yan while listening to A-Mei babble enthusiastically about something.  Xu Jing looked a little startled at whatever he saw on Jay's face and only settled when Grandma gently pushed him back down into his seat.  "It is nothing, just star-gazing."

It was the first clear night since he'd been able to get back vertical. Literally the first time he'd gotten outside after dark.  And there you have it, bam, he was right in the Arrays of Heaven universe. Welcome to whatever was after the end of the world.  

The way Xu Jing cut a glance across at him, he definitely knew more than he was saying.  Shit, they were braver than he was, picking the Mountain King off the floor and trying to get him back upright.  He owed them a solid.  Several of them.  Maybe in gold.  If he had any. . . . He hadn't asked to see or go through the things they'd found with him.  

It had seemed like a bad idea to make a fuss over asking for "his" things back while he was still in their care.  If they wanted to keep something, what the hell, it wasn't like he was going to know.  They were welcome to it.  

So he didn't need Feng Mahti's personal effects, like a stranger collecting someone else's things on his way out of prison.  But there was something he had to do that he really didn't want to, and the sooner the better.  

Xu Jing tried to evade, but Jay was used to literally and metaphorically herding cats and large birds of prey.  Uh.  What used to count as large birds of prey.  Anyways.  He sat down across from him and caught the man's eyes, trying to project calm and implacable.   "I'd been meaning to ask, now that I can get around again. . .  You know where I went down?"

"I didn't. . . I haven't looked."

Jay breathed in, then out. No one had a minor breakdown tonight, no sir. Totally stable. "But you could take me there."

"To the area, yes," Xu Jing hedged before looking up at Jay with misgivings, brows furrowed, "Are you sure?  It might be dangerous."

Someone shot Feng Mahti out of the sky with the low-tech equivalent of a surface-to-air missile in what was probably an ambush.  Yeah, that sorta went without saying.  "I need to see it."

Xu Jing nodded slowly.  "Tomorrow morning, then."

After the morning chores, before the sun had really properly come up to peek over the rise of the mountain ridges, Xu Jing and Jay headed out.  It felt almost weird to be wearing Feng Mahti's proper clothes, even if it wasn't everything.  The boots fit.  It took him a minute to figure out how to lash the sleeves of his underrobe under the bracers, Grandpa Xu's worn overrobe loose on top.  At least the colors didn't stand out; Feng Mahti had favored rusts, browns and darker reds that faded into the forest, if it a bit dark for spring.

Xu Jing's brown and grey were equally surreptitious, and the man handled himself like he was used to hiking, striking out along the stony ridge downhill.  Jay trailed after at a sociable distance, watching out for loose rocks underfoot.  "You come out into the woods often?  Doesn't look like there's any paths."

"Not this way.  There's a village, little trading post, about half a day's walk over there.  That's where I met Xiao Min."  Xu Jing gestured with his walking stick to the east, back away over his shoulder.  "Never a reason to go southwest."

The small glacier lake they'd mentioned was more to the north.  Xu Jing said the bandits watered their birds there. . .  maybe someone had waited for just that.  Stake out the watering hole.  Bastards.

The hike was mostly quiet.  It had the same feeling as going on an S&R where you knew it was a retrieval.  Jay didn't remember any of the woods, just trusted Xu Jing knew where he was headed.  It'd been a week, and it had rained more than once.  Any trail he'd left behind would need a dog to find, now.

After the first hour coming down from the mountain valley, the rest of the morning turned into a long, steady climb uphill.  He must have stumbled his way down.  If any of that was under his own power, anyways.   Xu Jing had been too polite to mention if he'd rolled the entire way down the goddamn mountain.

Finally, they crested a ridge and turned, and Jay caught his breath hard, freezing mid-step.  

That was the sharp little valley that Taifun had banked into, little more than a cleft in a much larger mountain.  And halfway down the opposite ridge. . . yes.  Trees were broken and strewn aside in a line where a bird the size of a small airplane had made its final short, sharp stop.  

He pushed past Xu Jing, already calculating the fastest route.  He dropped off the rock ledge they had been following up, between trees; at this elevation, it was mostly confiers and some adventurous brush that was just barely leafing out for the season.  Dark green, pale shoots, white flowers, a tumble of those brown-red rocks like gravel across the bottom of the cut.  

He had to go slower through the splinters, finding it easier to route parallel to the path of destruction and then move uphill to. . . to where Taifun fell.  

Jay let out his breath in a slow hiss, then regretted the indrawn breath that followed.  Death always smelt like death.  The vultures and other carrion feeders had been doing their job, and the results were never pretty.  One of the wings had been snapped and strewn aside, more a crumple of feathers and bone than anything else.  The other was folded under, and the sheer jumble of flesh and bones was barely recognizable as a bird.  

Jay stepped wide around it, seeing but not seeing until his eyes finally caught on a sharply curving shape.  The beak.  He crouched, pressing one hand, then the other flat against it.  It was warmer on one side that caught the sun.  There, with his hands cradling the immense beak, his heart just dropped.

Fuck. It was worse than seeing the sad wreckage of animals alongside the road.  Senseless death of things in the wrong place at the wrong time, where their only flaw was getting in the way of humans.  This probably wiped out his kharma from never having hit so much as a chipmunk himself.  Taifun was dead because of him.  No doubts about that.  Taifun would have lived until the desert.  Until the oasis where Feng Mahti, desperate and betrayed, drank the poisoned waters to follow him down while Lin-laozi watched.  

He hated that part of the books.  Read it once. Might have had to scream into his pillow in outrage. Lin-laozi had just . . . walked away from the corpses of the bandit king and his bird, left the well dripping with black malice and resentment in a complete 180 of his beliefs and that  . .  Jay honestly tried to forget the whole scene was canon because that was some utter grimdark bullshit.

Taifun deserved better.  Deserved better than taking the hit for his idiot ass, better than that horrible bitter end in the sands.  Lin-laozi would never have done that.  

At least, if Feng Mahti was here now, they hadn't tried to cross the Wastes into the Empire yet.  Maybe Jay could keep the bandits out of that whole shitheap of a plot twist.  Save something.

He rested his forehead against the cool feathers of the flat forehead, eyes closed.  He wasn't really the religious type, wouldn't know who or what to pray to at home much less . . . on the road, whatever that meant for his spiritual existence anyways, but he hoped that wherever Taifun was, the bird heard.  

"I was your end instead of your second chance.  I might not even be Feng Mahti's second chance.  But I can at least try and make some of this better."  

[codyfernaesthetic]

Sins of the Flesh

Chapter Two: The Boy at the Window

Summary: The Ellis’ get a visit from their neighbors.

. . .

Abigail was unpacking more boxes in the living room when the doorbell chimed it’s song throughout the house. She pushed the hair out of her face and made her way to the door, opening it with a friendly smile prepared, “Hi, can I help you?”

The woman standing just beyond the threshold was a vision of loveliness; like a Mayberry fantasy. She wore a jewel-neck pastel blue dress, white lace flowers climbing up the sides and sleeves like graceful ivy. Her hair was like faded spun gold; pulled into the neatest updo Abigail had ever seen. Her wrinkles were perfectly placed smile lines, squints from a lifetime of laughter. In her hands was a pie with perfectly latticed golden-brown crust.

“Hi, my name is Constance Langdon,” her voice is soft and laced with a sweet Southern accent, “I’m your next door neighbor. I brought you this blueberry pie, I hope that’s all right.”

Her smile brightening, Abigail exclaimed, “Oh, yes! Thank you!” She stepped to the side, swinging out her arm, “Please come on in.”

Constance obliged, carefully stepping across inside with her polished tan heels.

“Babe!” Abigail called upstairs, “Our neighbor came by! She brought us pie!”

Constance wandered around the room, her eyes darting from one thing to another with a well-hidden look of judgement. Or, what she considered well-hidden.

“Quite an eclectic couple you two are.”

Abigail glanced at what she had been unpacking; vintage movie posters (Star Wars, mostly) little knickknacks, and other souvenirs all scattered about the walls and tables.

She giggled, “Yeah, we’re just two nerds. We actually met at a Star Wars convention of all things.”

She nodded as older women usually do when someone tries to talk anything pop culture, “How quaint.”

The younger woman bit her lip, reading between the social lines. Suddenly remembering, she stuck out her hand, “Oh, of course, my name is Abigail Ellis,” she shook her head, scolding herself, reaching for the pie, “I’m so sorry, let me take that from you.”

Constance ignored her, and held onto the pie with a strange possessive grip, as if it was hers alone to put down, “Abigail,” she repeated with a pleasant smile, “my father is joy. That’s what that means.”

Abigail made an ‘oh’ sound, slowly putting her hands down, “I didn’t know that.”

She asked with a tilt of her head, “Were you a daddy’s girl?”

She nearly guffawed at the notion, “Oh, no, not at all.”

Christopher plodded down the steps, glasses nearly hanging off the tip of his nose, “Hi there,” he addressed Constance with a quizzical smile.

“Hello,” she returns, “I’m Constance Langdon.”

He reached out to take her hand, but quickly retreated when she made no effort to do the same, “Christopher. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine. I brought you two a blueberry pie,” she lifted it slightly, “I don’t have much reason to bake anymore so I figured I’d give you a housewarming gift that wouldn’t just sit on your shelf.”

He grinned thankfully, “Oh, well, that’s very kind of you. Please, come sit it down in the kitchen, we can all have a slice.”

Constance strutted off to the kitchen like she owned the house herself. The couple exchanged knowing looks, but said nothing.

“How long have you lived next door?” Abigail asks after they’d begun partaking of the pie and gone through the niceties of complimenting Constance on her baking skills.

“A long time,” she replied, “I’ve seen people come and go...and die in this house.”

Christopher nodded with a serious expression, “Yes. We were told about that.”

She looked between the two of them, “I’m sorry to bring that up.”

Abigail waved her hand with a small laugh, “No, it’s fine. We just couldn’t say no this house, it’s so beautiful.”

“And cheap,” Christopher added.

“Yes,”Constance mused, “it’s very beautiful.”

Tiny footsteps descended the staircase, soft thudding against the hardwood,

Constance’s face lit up, “Oh, now I’d know that little patter anywhere.”

Abigail nodded, “Our daughter,” she leaned back in her chair, “Sweetie, can you come here?”

Mallory’s small form patted into the kitchen, a little yellow bow pinned in her chestnut brown hair. The girl stopped next to her mother, staring curiously at the new woman sitting across the table.

“This is Constance,” Abigail said patting her on the back, “she lives next door.”

Mallory’s eyes subtly shone with recognition, thinking that this must be Michael’s grandma. She offered a small smile in greeting, wondering in the back of her head if she had liked Michael’s gift.

“And what is your name?” Constance leaned in with a sugary sweet smile.

The girl played with the hem of her dark green corduroy skirt, “Mallory.”

Constance made a delighted sound, “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you the only little feet pattering about the house?”

Christopher jumped in, “Yes, she’s our only one.”

The older woman cooed, still looking at Mallory, “Oh, about time for a little brother or sister, don’t you think, Mallory?”

Abigail, who had taken a sip of her glass of milk, coughed, slightly choking, “I don’t know about that!” She tried to sound courteous, but it came out a bit sharp.

Constance acted like the parents weren’t even in the room, “Before you get too old. It’s a shame when kids don’t get to grow up with little brothers and sisters, especially little girls. Their motherly instincts get cultivated during these early years.”

The parents once again exchange a strange look.

“You and your parents will simply have to come over for a visit sometime. I haven’t had company in so long.”

Mallory nodded happily, then turned to her mother, “May I go outside?”

Abigail nodded, seeming almost desperate to get her away from Constance, “Of course, baby.”

As Mallory skip-ran out the door, Constance commented, “Such a charming girl. I have an eye for these things, she’s a special one.”

Christopher chuckled nervously, “We like to think so too.”

* * *

As Mallory skipped outside, she almost frantically looked around for Michael, excited to see him again and tell him that his grandma seemed really nice and thought she was pretty. But she didn’t see him anywhere. She wandered around to the back, hoping to find him, even if he was covered in cat’s blood. But he wasn’t there either, and she couldn’t see him in the rose garden.

“Michael!” She called out, “Michael! Where are you?”

But nobody came.

With a confused look, she twisted around, rechecking everywhere.

tap tap tap

She looked up, not seeing where the noise was coming from.

tap tap tap

She followed the taps, looking up at Constance’s house. Was this where it was coming from?

tap tap tap

She spotted a window, a small one, a little blonde head peeking from it. Michael waved excitedly, a wide grin on his face. Mallory returned the greeting, motioning with her arm for him to come outside to play. His grin went away, and he vigorously shook his head no. She looked at him strangely, waving again for him to come out. He responded the same way, his face scrunched up, almost as if he were scared. She stared up at him, frowning.

“You like my house?”

She jumped, whirling around with a gasp. Constance stood over her, her thin lips curled into an adoring smile, “It’s a bit simpler than yours, but perfect I suppose for an old woman like me.”

Mallory looked back up at the window, but found it empty. Michael’s blonde head has disappeared, “Why can’t Michael come out to play?”

“Who’s Michael, darling?” Her voice was still warm, but a noticeable chill had entered her tone.

Mallory turned, furrowed her brows, pointing up at the window, “Up there. You’re his grandma, right?”

A subtle fear creeping into her brown irises, “I don’t know what you’re talking about dear.”

The little girl felt dread slither into her chest like a serpent, curling around her heart and squeezing.

“It’s best not to play to close to the woods, Mallory,” Constance says with a sudden serious expression, “Evil lurks around there.”

With that, the woman strolled to her house; and Mallory watched the front door close behind her.

. . .

That night was calm, eerily silent; not even the crickets played their chirping symphony as Mallory lay in her bed, staring up at the glow-in-the-dark stars plastered all around her ceiling. She’d try to find different patterns and constellations when she couldn’t sleep, and usually it would work; but tonight her mind raced with curiosity, worry, and that still coiled snake of dread. She could still see Michael’s bright eyes darkened by fear, Constance’s too sweet expression, almost as if she were the old woman in Hansel and Gretal trying to lead Mallory into her gingerbread house. And Michael was already trapped inside.

tap tap tap

She shot up, the noise coming directly beside her.

tap tap tap

She looked to the two windows side by side on the adjacent wall, both covered by blinds and her navy curtains decorated with golden suns.

tap tap tap

She threw off her covers, her bare feet padding over to throw open the curtains, peeking through the blinds.

She was met with those crystal orbs staring back at her, gold curls shielding her from the fullness of their light, brighter than her stars in the darkness of her room. She smiled, giving him a little wave, her heart aching with the realization that she’d missed him terribly. He motioned like she had that afternoon, beckoning her outside. She nodded, throwing on a pair of tennis shoes discarded off into a corner. She snuck down the stairs as quietly as possible, trying her best to avoid any creaky spots. She was able to unlock the front door, shutting silently behind her.

The air was warm, beneficial to her since she only wore an oversized T-shirt.

tap tap tap

She turned around to see Michael by the tree next to her windows in checkered shorts and shirt, waving. She paused, looking from him to the windows...on the second floor.

She trotted over, stopping just short of giving him a hug, “Hi.”

“Hey.”

She pointed to her windows, “How’d you get up here?”

He shrugged, his mouth pulled into a mischievous grin, “I climbed.”

She fiddled with her hands, “Why couldn’t you come out to play today?”

Just like earlier, his smile went away; he looked shattered, his words sounding like an apology, “Grandma said I couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

His shoulders sagged, and he turned inward, “I don’t think she liked the cat.”

She bit her lip, unsure what to say to make his smile return. After a short silence, she blurted out, “She makes really good blueberry pie.”

He nodded weakly, voice still sad, “Yeah, I could smell it from upstairs.”

They talked outside for a few hours, Mallory having to insist that they couldn’t go exploring because she didn't want to get dirty; Michael would just tease her, calling her a big baby. When she had returned to her room, she peeked out her window again, seeing him still staring up into her room, as if fascinated, or perhaps protective. She didn’t mind. She just waved at him one last time then climbed back into bed, leaving the curtains open, feeling safer under the watchful eyes of her new friend.

[hester-blake]

Suite of Swords

The good thing about having her eye on the future was that Hester wasn’t going to be caught unawares by her family arriving. She had, however, been caught unawares by their plans. They’d arrived nearly a week prior, and the dramatic confrontation she’d expected when the cards told of their arrival had not happened. She’d spent that week in mortal terror, jumping at shadows, while her family watched her, monitored her routine. The week had, however, allowed her more time to go over her plans, to organize her strategy, to get herself focused for the day to come, whenever it would. She was ready, or so she thought.

Her family, despite all evidence, were not fools. Specifically, her sister Andromeda and cousin Fornax were not fools. On the day she’d expected to have the confrontation, she had friends around her. But then they didn’t arrive, and there was Hester with egg on her face, and the very very quiet whispers of doubt that Hester was either actually crazy or simply not very good at this divination business.

So they arrived on a quiet afternoon at Book’s, when she was all on her lonesome. No customers, no friends, just Hester.

Andromeda, all tall and lean and hard muscle, and Fornax, all broad and resolute and perfect posture. They were the family’s picks for the new heirs, she’d reasoned, and now they had to prove themselves. She had her plans, she had her fake copy of the family grimoire, but the sight of them still reflexively made her self-conscious and anxious. Was she really wearing just a t-shirt? She hadn’t done her make-up this morning, as her hands wouldn’t stop shaking. They looked neat, presentable, and prepared. Hester looked as much of a mess as she felt.

Maybe she was in over her head.

Could she really do this?

“Hester,” Andromeda had purred, approaching her for a hug that Hester didn’t step out of, but didn’t lean into, either. 

“Hester.” Repeated Fornax, stiffer. No hug. Not even a handshake. They’d never been close, but he was decidedly colder than he’d ever been before.

“You look… Well, healthy,” Andromeda shook out her long, dirty blonde hair- the same shade as the entire rest of her family- to settle it back into place after the hug. The jab was not missed. Hester folded her arms.

“What do you want?”

Andromeda rolled her eyes, “Really? Seven months and you can’t even bring yourself to make small talk with us? Seven months of worrying ourselves sick about our little baby sister, out on her own, and you can’t even give us the time of day?”

Hester flinched a little, but remained resolute.

“You’re not here for small talk. What do you want?”

Fornax snorted, “I don’t know what we expected. We’re here to make one last offer, Hester. Can we sit and talk?”

Hester nodded, and gestured for them to sit at one of the tables, which they did. Fornax cleared his throat.

“We’re here because you’re being disowned, Hester. If you don’t come home with us now, you’ll no longer be a Blake.”

Hester sat there, staring blankly for a moment as her brain registered what had been said. When finally it stuck, really stuck, a voice that presumably belonged to her announced-

“I’m going to go make tea.”

Hester stood up and marched herself to the kitchen, where she put the kettle on, grabbed a pillow from one of the guest rooms to scream and wail into while it boiled. 

A lot of things were crossing her mind, really. There was the question of whether they were bluffing. There was the question of if they weren’t. There was the ever-present question of whether this was all worth it. Whether she’d made the right choice. Whether this was all worth it at all. How hard would it be to just go home again? She had friends here, obviously, even some that an instinctual part of her brain marked as family. But there was the question of whether she even really belonged here. She was a Blake. Blakes belonged in Hawk Cove, in that big ancient house, in the company of their family. Not playing shopkeeper in some town up north, not any of what she was doing. 

But, and she acknowledged this with more than some hesitation, what she was doing here made her happy. 

She was safe. She had people that cared for her, not out of obligation. She had a life. She had plans. And it made her happy. It was entirely selfish, and it was stupid- she was the youngest of an ancient family of witches, who had enough collective power to rattle the stars, she was born for greater things than this- and she was happy with selling books and making tea and cheesy horror movies and hanging out at the watchtower and skulking around the markets. 

She was happy where she was. 

She was happy.

Hester filled up the teapot, resisted the urge to fill it with rat poison, and returned to the table with the tea service, a bit more resolute than she was before.

Fornax was flipping through the pages of a copy of Generation Ship, which he appeared to have pilfered from the display, with a bored expression when she returned.

“Ugh, thank the lord you’re back- do you see this filth they’ve got on display?”

Hester took the book out of his hands and silently returned it to its rightful place.

“It’s by the owner’s daughter, who is lovely, and I actually really like that book. The prose isn’t stuffy and overwritten, and the characters are compelling.”

He rolled his eyes, and remarked “You’ve always got to go against my opinion, don’t you?”

“It’s not about you.”

Hester dutifully poured out the tea, preventing Fornax from making more rude comments, for now. No biscuits for them, though. 

Andromeda took a sip of her tea, then put it down and pushed it towards the teapot- disapproving, obviously- before clearing her throat and addressing the table.

“We’re here to make a deal. Hester, you’ve got two choices here. You come home with us, you apologise to the family, you stop throwing this little tantrum-”

“It’s not a tantrum.”

Andromeda looked stunned that she’d defended herself for half a moment, before her expression turned dark, and angry.

“This is a tantrum. This is a little girl who clearly thinks she’s not getting enough attention going on- on a rampage. Well, you’ve got our attention now, Hester. The whole family’s eyes are on you. Great-grandma died a month after you left, and we didn’t even get to mourn her, because we were too busy looking for you.”

Hester’s gut sank as if she’d gotten punched, but she wasn't going to give them what they wanted, here. This was a guilt trip, and nothing more.

Fornax leaned over the table, “Did you hear that, Hester? Great-grandma died because of you- aren’t you going to say something? Anything?”

Hester remained silent as a stone wall, and bit back her tears until all there was, was stillness. They were not entitled to her grief, here, they did not have the right to use it against her as a weapon. They were not entitled to anything about her. What’s not yours is not yours.

Andromeda remained silent for a moment, then repeated herself.

“You come home with us, or give us the grimoire and give up your name. We’re taking the grimoire and Hester Blake back with us, but we don’t care if either are attached to you or not.”

Hester sat for a moment.

She sat for a long, long moment.

It had sunk in decently well already while she was making tea that she was being disowned, but it was entirely different facing people she loved and had grown up with, telling her to her face that she was no longer a part of the family. Because, as she'd decided before, she wasn't going back with them. She couldn't. Even if she was forgiven, even if everything went back to the way it was, she knew too much now. She couldn't abide by the abyssal rituals. She couldn't abide by any of it, not really. She'd been hoping that if she just found something in the family grimoire that warned against what they were doing, she'd be able to take it back home, explain it, fix things.

But by the looks of it, by the way she was being treated, by the fact that her family only wanted Hester Blake back and not her…

She began to doubt whether or not they would've listened to her, even if she had found evidence.

So she nodded. She clutched her tea saucer with both hands, and she nodded.

"Fine then, disown me. It's not my fault you're too narrow-minded to see what I'm trying to show you- show all of you."

“And what are you trying to show us, Hester?”

“The family is using abyss magic. They tried to make me commune with the abyss, but I refused. That’s why I left home.”

Fornax choked on his tea, and Andromeda only raised those perfectly sharp eyebrows of hers.

When he’d regained his composure enough, Fornax stood up from the table and pointed an accusatory finger at her.

“You’re lying. You’re lying and you’re slandering our family, who raised you, who fed you, who taught you every damn thing you know. How dare you. How dare you-”

“Don’t blame me that they kept it from you, and that you didn’t know.”

Fornax looked like he was writhing in anger, but returned to his seat.

“The truth will reveal itself, Hester. Lord help you when it does.”

Andromeda’s eyebrows dropped, and she sighed as she retrieved a folder from her bag. From the folder, she removed a piece of paper. A script.

"Hester Anemone Blake, we strip your shadow name from you. We no longer recognize you as a member of the Blake family, we no longer permit you access to the family home or library, and we demand that all property of the Blake family be returned to us. Do you, the entity formerly known as Hester Anemone Blake, abide by this?"

Hester, despite herself, looked her sister in the eyes. Where once was fondness, days spent in the garden and greenhouse learning botany, shared breakfasts, excitement, laughter- there was only apathy. Then she looked to her cousin. Where Fornax was once filled with mischief, with chasing her around the yard and picking her up to help her jump fences or climb trees, terrorizing the chickens and taking the fall for their schemes, there was only coldness.

The family had all come to terms with this long before she had, she supposed. She was the only one still holding on.

So she let go.

"I do."

She stood up, retrieved the second fake copy of the grimoire from behind the counter, and brought it back over to the table.

“You want the grimoire back?"

With a flick of her wrist, she cast the same spell she'd demonstrated to William earlier. 

The texture of Wednesdays filled the mouths of the people in the room. The regret of a sea lion somewhere off the east coast of New Guinea was visible in the air for a moment. And then a rain of parchment and leather scraps fell onto the table.

"Have it."

Absolute dead silence for a moment, except for the hammering of her heart in her ears. Would they buy it? Was it convincing enough?

Andromeda stared blankly for a moment, as if all of her senses shut off at once. But Fornax was bright red, in that way he got when he was really angry. He gathered up a couple of pieces, watched the writing on the pages fade away as the charms written within broke and dissipated.

He stared at her with entirely dead eyes.

"What. In the name of the Lord. Did you. Just do."

Hook. Line. Sinker.

"Something I should've done when I first got my hands on it."

Fornax stood up, but Andromeda was faster, holding a hand up to him.

"Take what you can salvage back home. Let me deal with her."

Hester's heart only pounded louder, and she stood up to make her escape into the stacks. She saw out of the corner of her eye Fornax begin to gather up what was left of the fake book, preparing to leave, and Andromeda try and reach out to grab her. Time for the second phase- 

"Hey- get back here!"

Luring Andromeda into the stacks.

The stacks definitely seemed annoyed with her as she made her way through, taking sharp turns and attempting to lose Andromeda- considering how many bookshelves she'd nearly smacked into. Navigating seemed a bit less natural than usual, which definitely put her at a bit of a disadvantage. 

Hester didn't want to run, because that would inevitably spur Andromeda to run, and she definitely couldn't outrun her, not when the stacks were clearly so upset with her.

...Would she be able to find her way out again?

That was a question for later, when she wasn't getting walked down by someone who potentially wanted to harm her.

She patted a shelf as she walked past it, and whispered- "I'll make it up to you later, I promise-" while her sister howled behind her.

"Don't you keep walking away from me, I swear to god- why the fuck would you do something so stupid?!"

Hester didn't answer, didn't turn to look behind.

"Why- why would you throw away our family's hard work like this? Generations of Blake knowledge, gone into the ether now- and for what. This? For fucking misfits and- and-"

Andromeda stopped walking at her, and instead sort of… stopped in her tracks. Glancing around, no longer quite blinded by rage. Hester stopped too, but still didn't turn around. 

"We've been through here before. How did you do that without me noticing?"

"You didn't notice this place was magic?"

"I did- but-"

She watched Andromeda activate her mage sight, and immediately get struck by how overwhelming it all was, the same as she had done prior. Andromeda winced, shut it off, and rubbed her eyes. She looked at Hester after a moment, with the look of someone who's anger had gotten them into a bad situation. Fear.

"What is this place?"

"Home. Sort of. I can navigate it, but you won't be able to. So it's kinda in your best interests to cool your jets, and talk to me for a minute."

Andromeda looked at Hester for a good, long moment, before sitting herself down on the floor.

"What do you want, Hester? What were you trying to accomplish here?"

Hester sat down next to her, close enough that their knees could've touched.

"I wanted my life here. And also I wanted the family to stop summoning abyssal entities-"

"Which you have no proof for-"

"I do, Andy, it’s in the family grimoire- well, it was, anyway."

Andromeda gave Hester a look, but didn't correct her for using the old nickname. All she did was give Hester a solid look, up and down.

"And you're really happy here? Genuinely. So happy that you'd fuck over our whole family for it?"

Hester nodded.

"Everything here is mine. I'm not a Blake here, I'm Hester. Just Hester. That's all anyone here has ever known me as. I have friends, ones who don't have to be my friend, where our parents don't make us apologise if we fight. I can do whatever I want."

Andromeda raised her eyebrows again.

"What exactly can you do here that you couldn't back home?"

"Talk to people. Have opinions. Choose for myself. Oh- and date ladies, if I so choose."

Andromeda raised an eyebrow sharply.

"You're gay?"

Hester bit her lip, but nodded.

"Yeah, I'm gay."

It was quiet, but it was firm.

"But I'm sure that's just another thing to add to the list of reasons why I'm the family disappointment. I'm gay, I'm trans, I wrecked the family grimoire, I never pulled the washin' in before it rained-"

Andromeda laughed- genuinely, even if only a small one.

"You did never do that. I mean come on, Hester, we always gave you plenty of warning."

The two of them genuinely laughed for a moment, like they used to. Hester tapped her nails on the back of her hand for a moment, then stated-

"I kinda was plannin' to get you lost and leave you here to die."

"I kinda was plannin’ on tearing your face off."

Hester nodded, then finally glanced around the section where they were sitting. Greek tragedies. Thanks, Stacks.

"I want to make a deal, Andy."

Andromeda raised an eyebrow expectantly, but made no further inquiry.

"Stay here with me, for a while. Let me tell you what I found, hear me out. I don’t want to lose you, not after losing Cassie. The people here are nice, they’ll love you, I just know it. We can make the family think we both died here, tonight."

The whispers in this section were just on the edge of one's hearing, they weren't as deep as they could've gone. But it was threatening, nonetheless, for someone who didn't know what it was or where it was coming from. Andromeda folded her lean, muscular arms. Gardener's arms, not made for killing. Made for planting, and pruning, not killing. 

"And what if I go back and tell everyone?"

"Then the family scolds you for not killing me when you had the chance, and next time I see you, I tell my scary misfit friends that this time, they are allowed to tear you limb from limb. I'm serious, I know two werewolves."

"Hester, werewolves aren't real."

"Oh come on- its in the family history. Great great et cetera Aunt Aggie the Red killed her siblings and blamed it on werewolves."

Andromeda chuckled.

"You can't leave us, can you?"

Hester snapped out of the rant she was about to go on, and blinked through her glasses, her expression puzzled.

"For all you've said you're okay with leaving us behind, you're still here talking 'bout family. It's in your blood, Hester. You can't leave us, not entirely. You'll spend the rest of your life wishing you'd come back to us."

Hester sat up straighter, avoided eye contact, and instead stared directly at a copy of the Bacchae across the way. 

"I'm not leaving the family behind. There's still stuff you've taught me that's important, and good, and worth holding onto. But there's a lotta evil in there too. I can't go back and pretend like the evil doesn't exist. I want to hold on to the good parts, Andy."

Hester extended her hand, her gaze turning to her sister and flicking rapidly over her face for any kind of confirmation that the girl she used to know was somewhere still in there. 

"Do we have a deal?"

Andromeda nodded, after a while- slow, and with her eyes shut. But she held up a finger and raised her eyebrows.

“One condition. You don’t tell any of your friends that I’m here. If it gets to them it can get back home. We keep things quiet, I hide somewhere, I don’t stop hiding until we’re sure the family isn’t coming back for me. Yeah?”

Hester nodded, eyes wide that Andy was even considering the offer at all.

“I can do that.”

"Alright, then. I’ll stay. Just for a bit."

Andromeda reached out to take Hester’s extended hand, but Hester used it as leverage to pull Andy into a tight hug. She held her there for a moment, before Andy pulled away, reaching out to ruffle Hester’s bangs.

"You do seem happier here. It's like you're a plant that finally got put in the greenhouse, you've finally… grown up. A bit, anyway."

Hester nodded, and kicked her legs out, having grown stiff from sitting cross-legged.

"Yeah, I kinda feel like I have."

The pair stood up, and Hester directed the both of them out of the Stacks, but not before Hester gave Andy her number. When they were both out into the foyer again, Andy bid her farewell and vanished into the night, promising to call. 

She finished her shift, because she was a responsible employee. When she finished at long last and one of her coworkers showed up to switch over, she shrouded herself, so she wouldn't be disturbed on her walk home.

And she went home.

---

The first thing Hester did when she got home was put her keys in the bowl by the door. Abigail appeared to be not home yet, which she was glad for- she didn't feel like explaining what had happened just yet. She would, of course- she'd tell everyone what had happened, eventually. 

But not yet.

The second thing Hester did when she got home, was go directly into the bathroom to puke.

Adrenaline was one hell of a drug, and only when she crossed the threshold of her home and felt safe again did it begin to leave her system. She felt a bit better afterwards, and fished out some of her leftovers she could reheat and eat in her room, as to avoid dinner with Abigail and the conversations that would bring.

"How was work?" "Good, you know, just got disowned and stripped of my name"

Not tonight.

She shut and locked her bedroom door behind her, she plugged her phone in next to her bed and put on some music, she shed her outer layers, kicked off her boots, sat on her tacky ouija board themed bedspread, ate her (cold in the middle) dinner, placed her face into her pillow, and screamed until she was too tired to continue.

The sleep that followed, to put it bluntly, sucked.

Usually the benefit of being the kind of witch she was, was that she was able to force herself into a perfect 8 hours of sleep with lucid dreams to carry her through the night, but it hadn't even crossed her mind to do so tonight. Too much in her head. What resulted was brief, intense nightmares, that left her restless and staring at the ceiling.

She'd really done it, hadn't she? 

She’d managed to turn Andy against the family. She’d convinced them both that the grimoire was destroyed. But Hester Blake was no more. She was disowned, stripped of her shadow name- her life a primary document that now lacked any sort of context to give it meaning.

But, she thought, on the plus side, she had the future ahead of her.

She had her sister back. She had her job. She had plans- vague plans, but plans nonetheless.

She wove her spell to control her dreams, and curled up to try and enjoy the last 3 hours of sleep she could get before the next day’s shift.

She dreamt of an infinitely mirrored room, at first. Infinite Hesters, stretched out in all directions. Book thieves, academics in their robes, shopkeepers, hags, therapists- and dead Hesters with glassy eyes and daggers sticking out of their chests, bullets in their heads, claw marks across their faces- but she took control of the dream. She wove it, twisted it between her fingers.

Hester spent the rest of the night dreaming of an endless, clear, starry sky, and the feeling of a horse underneath her, while someone on the porch of her house hummed and peeled potatoes, keeping a watchful eye on her.