#seeing the moments griffin goes oh this here this is the story

[katiefratie]

Man.....taz balance is truly one of the most spectacular things ever made, nothing will ever top it or frankly even come close, I listen to and love a lot of dnd ap media and taz balance was the first so it will always be special to me but also it's so incredible and beautiful and funny and heart wrenching and warming and just I love these characters with my entire heart

[tktsunami]

What if Harry is Godric: Third year moments

(English is not my mother language so beware :D This are only parts of the third year. Want to read the full story? Read it here on ArchiveofOurOwn)

°I’m glad to have a friend like you.°, wrote Godric to Tom.

°Ha. You call me friend and I don’t even know your name.°, came the reply.

°You could call me friend or pal?°

°How about Gryffin, because you’re in Gryffindor?°

He had to laugh which ended in coughing blood but it was worth it.

°More blood…°

Was Tom worried?

°You can call me as you like. ;)°

°Gryffin it is. I’m glad we get along and not like Salazar and griffins.°

He had to laugh again. ~~~

“Big ugly brute.”

What? Godric turned at these words that just reached his ears and saw how Buckbeak wasn’t happy over this insult.

“Malfoy!”, he warned, but too late.

Draco was dumb enough to be within the reach of the hippogriff and got scratched. He fell to the ground, holding whining his arm. Hagrid was quick enough to prevent a second attack.

Was this a Slytherin thing? To go to a really proud creature and just insult them? Salazar did the same with Godirc’s Griffins. The difference was that Salazar was intelligent enough to have Godric between them and had been not within reach. Draco was an idiot, but he was still a student and hurt.

The class ended with Hagrid taking Malfoy to the hospital wing. 

“Why are Slytherins so dumb?”, murmured Godric with a sigh.

~~~

Why a dementor?

“Enough for today. You all did great!”

The students were sad that the class had ended, but they all obeyed. Except for Godric who looked thoughtfully at the wardrobe.

“You’re okay, Harry?”, asked Lupin.

Godric shivered. Oh, by Merlin…

“I thought it would turn into something different… But it’s turned into…”

His last thought was not a destroyed Hogwarts. It was students who would be lying in front of him, their blood on his hands because he couldn’t protect them, even killed them. 

But he would never kill students, he would never turn ‘evil’ or would see a destroyed Hogwarts because he would die trying to prevent that. But he couldn’t defend anyone against a dementor. He couldn’t protect others against this threat and the boggart had shown him that.

Godric’s face turned white.

The dementors were currently a real treat for Hogwarts’s students.

“Harry?”

“I’m fine.”

Liar. He turned around and fled to the Griffins. He needed time to calm down.

~~~

At Christmas, he decided to come out of his shell again. Something he would regret later, but currently, he stared at the Christmas decoration. Green and red. Why didn’t he had seen that sooner?

“I never thought that Slytherin’s and Gryffindor’s prominent colors would together be seen as colors of a holiday. And now I can’t fucking stop to imagine how both of them are running through the castle to sneak presents to their students… That’s just hilarious and believe me, they would do that.”

Hermione and Ron looked at him, but Godric had to snicker. That was an imagination. They would have tried to out best the other and in the end, Helga would have easily won, because she would have given every student a Christmas snack.

“Why should Slytherin do that?”, asked Ron skeptically and Godric sighed.

He forgot that Ron and Hermione didn’t know what Tom knew.

~~~

°Griffin? Can I ask you something personal?°

°You can ask what you want. It’s on me if I want to answer.°

°Do you think that Salazar would be proud of Voldemort?°

What? Godric laughed.

°I don’t think it’s a personal question. Salazar wouldn’t be proud. You know… Voldemort was a danger to Hogwarts. I know that he tried to kill a student at least two times since I’m in Hogwarts and he had been trying to lead the magical world, to gain power. And as far as I know, he also tried to have control over Hogwarts. That are No-Goes for Salazar if you ask me.°

°Do you think… he would be proud of his… heir? The one who hunted muggle-borns with the basilisk?°

°No.° °To be honest… I’m the heir of Slytherin.°

Godric refrained from writing ‘You don’t say.’.

°When I opened the chamber once, a student was there and got killed by accident. I was too afraid to open the chamber again. But last year… I controlled a student to open it again and forced the basilisk to hunt down muggle-borns because I thought it was there for this reason. I was power-hungry and proud of my ancestors. I thought this is what I was chosen to do. To end his work, to be the most powerful wizard the world has ever seen. I tried to kill a student called Harry Potter because he had killed Voldemort… who is… my future self. I hid a part of me in this diary. So I’m Voldemort, but also not.°

°I know.°, he wrote and it took a few minutes until Tom wrote again.

°You knew??? Since when?°

°I recognize a Horcrux if I see one. I wasn’t honest myself. I knew who you were because I can speak parseltongue. Salazar’s basilisk told me what happened and I stole the book from the student. But I also knew that your mind is that of a student of Hogwarts.°

°Then why did you not choose to hide me and let me be? Why did you choose to write your research in my diary? Why Griffin? Is that the reason, why you never got too personal? Because you are afraid of me?°

Should he tell the whole truth? Wasn’t it too early?

°Because I know how you feel. I’m a Horcrux of your future self. I… can parseltongue because of it and I can sense the feeling of that foreign part in me. And it’s mostly anger, fear, insanity, and loneliness. When I found you I wanted to help you instead of tossing you away. You know that my relatives hate me. No one is born evil Tom. It’s the world that changes us, it’s life itself that tests us. I could turn evil myself if I just choose to let my darker emotions be my motivation. But I believe we can choose to be better than that. Only because people are mean to me, doesn’t mean I have to react the same way. If someone hurts me I shouldn’t inflict this pain on others. It doesn’t help to feel better and it will never break the circle. I choose to help you because I can understand at least a little. So you’re asking me, why I never got personal? I’m not afraid of you Tom. Dark Wizards like Voldemort are not uncommon. There will ever be dark wizards who choose to be evil. But you just have to learn to defend yourself and others. I never got too personal because I was cautious. There is a part of you in me - a very weak one, the soul was too often shattered - but it could be that you would have it easier to control me if you knew more about me. My first priority was and is always to protect the students and Hogwarts. If you could control me, I couldn’t protect Hogwarts, I would be a danger myself. That was one reason, the second one, if you knew who I was, you wouldn’t focus on the facts, wouldn’t start to rethink.°

Not all truth, but at least he would try to be as honest as he could be at the moment. But he was so much afraid, that this was already too much.

°Why the facts? The reason I mentioned it a year ago is still the truth. I wanted to write down the truth about the founders. And I thought it would help you to see life from a different perspective? I don’t know much about your past Tom, what had inflicted you, what had hurt you so much that you grow up into a man who was willing to split his soul into seven parts. But sometimes it helps to see that the world is not always the way it seems. History can teach us but is also often falsely written down. I knew you would be interested in the founders. Salazar Slytherin was your ancestor. I would be very interested in the founders if one of them were my ancestors - they’re not.°

°Griffin, you ARE interested in the founders anyway.°

Good, Tom was still writing in this kind of way. Light and teasing.

°Right… So, I thought if you can see the true colors of Salazar then you have it easier to see other things differently.°

°What is the difference? Even if I change my view, I killed a student, I forced a basilisk to hunt down others even though she didn’t want it to do. I tried to kill… one of your housemates….°

°Me. You tried to kill me.°

°What? Wait…°

~~~

The screams of Ron got silent and Godric growled.

“What do we do, now?”, asked Hermione, but Godric was already stepping near to this damn tree. He was a founder and a student - and his friend! - was in danger. A goddamn tree wouldn’t stop him. His magic cores reacted both, so his magic was stuttering but then his old core won the upper hand. Like in Winter his magic came out of him, raw and unformed but powerful and destroying in nature. He let out a scream and throw his magic against the tree. The tree groaned and almost lost its hold on the ground. Wood splintered, branches broke and then it was silent. Godric forced his magic back, and the golden shimmer in his hair vanished. He coughed up blood but hid it before Hermione could see it.

“Harry, what…?”

“Not now, Hermione. We have to… get to Ron!”

For a short moment, he felt like the world was spinning around him but he forced himself to crawl into the hole between the roots of the Whomping Willow.

~~~

°I wish I could have seen that. Your Patronus must be really impressive.°, wrote Tom.

It was soon time to leave Hogwarts. Godric had retreated to his chambers. He felt still terrible, even though it had been a week since this adventure.

°Maybe I can show it to you someday. But right now I just want to sleep.°

°The sleep.°

°Can’t. We have to go to the Hogwarts Express soon. I don’t want to. My family will be… excited to see me… Not.°

°I hope you can relax more over the summer, after that incident they should try not to anger you. Hopefully, next school year will also be less intense.° °You believe that? In my first year, I had to get things right because Dumbledore thought it would be a great idea to hide something he knew was something Voldemort would want and he even knew that Gringotts wouldn’t be safe enough. So instead he allowed Voldemort to sneak into Hogwarts and get students in danger. I mean first years had to save the Philosophy Stone! My second year was okay. I found you, I see that as an improvement.°

He could swear, Tom had snorted and was laughing even though nothing was showing up on the page.

°But if I haven’t been so careful a basilisk would have tried to fight against a kill commando and I don’t want to know how long she would have the luck to turn people into stone. What if I had been just an ordinary student? t could have led to Hogwarts closing for good! No, thank you very much. My third year… Yeah, you know it already. It was okay. But still, we had dementors on the school ground and we know that this rat of a person is now running free and… if I believe Trelawney's prophecy he is searching for his master or had already found him. I don’t believe your older self will let me be. He will attack sooner or later. Or he has the decency to attack me during the vacations outside of Hogwarts. Blood protection or not.°

°You know I’m really glad that you have given me the chance to think more and try to change myself. I have the feeling my other self will not have this luck… And sometimes I’m just asking myself… Who you truly are. Even if you’re the ‘boy-who-lives’ you’re right… You’re not ordinary- You’re acting more like an adult you have knowledge that someone who is turning 14 soon should have. You can use powerful magic even I couldn't use at this age. Really. If I didn’t know it better I would say you’re the heir of Gryffindor who has his talent of battle instinct.°

Godric laughed and looked out of the window. Tom had the right direction but he still wouldn’t tell him this secret.

°I’m Griffin, Tom. I’m a lion and I will protect Hogwarts with everything I am. It doesn’t matter if my name is Harry Potter, or which blood I shared. It is my heart and soul that are important. And yes. I gave you a chance because I hoped this part of your soul is still intact enough. But whatever part of your future self is out there. It will be beyond saving. I will not hesitate to defend Hogwarts. I swear. As long as I am standing, Hogwarts will stand. And as long Hogwarts stays, I will fight.°

[cherryjuicegf]

a little favour

Five things Jaskier asks from Geralt and one thing Geralt asks from Jaskier.

3.2k, fluff/mild angst (ao3)

i.

Geralt feels a pair of eyes fixed on him and he tenses. The whetstone in his hand stops its metallic sound and he’s pretty sure the sword is sharpened by now, yet he can’t bring himself to leave it aside and raise his head. He inspects the blade, or pretends to do so. His always stable hands, obligingly fit for a witcher, are now slightly shaking. He chooses to ignore it. He clenches his fists, unclenches. Sweaty. The night is warm.

Slowly, he raises his look, meeting two blue eyes piercing him from across the fire. Jaskier has a pensive smirk on his lips that makes him look stupid but Geralt would be lying if he said he could take his stare away from it. The heat, he thinks. It’s the heat.

He squints. “What?”

Jaskier doesn’t respond immediately, yet he appreciates that he’s acknowledged with a small huff. His eyes continue to peer at Geralt, up and down, like the eyes of a werewolf ready to devour its prey. Softer, though. So softer. Geralt feels bare under his gaze, swallows. Finally, Jaskier speaks. “Tell me a story.”

He can’t be asking for a story, Geralt thinks. It’s not what he wants. Before he even manages to get angry at himself, he kicks the thought out of his mind. Of course it’s not what he wants. So he raises his eyebrows, a bit grudgingly, and tilts his head. “I thought you are the storyteller here.”

Jaskier laughs and he knows he can hear this sound forever. “You know what I mean,” he says and gestures wildly with his hand. “I need inspiration and where else will I find it if not in a story with monsters of the ones you oh-so-minutely narrate?”

A small smile curves Geralt’s lips and he chuckles lowly. He never shares details of the creatures he has to kill. Jaskier knows that, thus the cunning glint in his eyes. He shrugs. “You really want to sing to people about themselves?”

“Geralt,” Jaskier huffs a silent laugh and throws a pebble at the witcher’s feet. “You know what I mean.”

How can I not know, Geralt thinks, how can I not know the reason you’re still here? He scolds himself, then. A friend. His friend. Jaskier is his friend and he never fails to say how Geralt is a friend of his. Still, it makes him afraid, afraid that the more his love grows for that man, the more desperate he will be if he leaves. And he’s not one to get attached.

He indulges him though. With a small sigh and a look in his shining eyes, he does. Do it for me, they whisper. How can he not?

“Have I told you about that bruxa in Kaedwen?”

ii.

“Can’t you just not go?”

Jaskier fiddles with the edges of his shirt and looks up at Geralt. If he listens closely, he can hear his heart thumping against his chest. Already. Geralt hasn’t even left yet. He’d be more than grateful if he doesn’t ever, in fact. By the glare he receives from the witcher, he concludes that’s not going to happen. And his heart beats faster.

“But you said it yourself!” He stands up and approaches Geralt, who’s too focused on his armors buckles to look at him. “The hunt is nearly deadly!”

Geralt snorts impatiently and glances up at him, shaking his head. “It’s deadly for you. Which is why you’re staying here.” He finishes fixing his armor and grabs his gloves, his eyes now fixed on Jaskier. “For me, it’s just dangerous.”

The way he looks at him makes Jaskier shiver. Really, he’s never met anyone before who can be so cold and reassuring at the same time. Geralt’s stare is sharp and imposing, yet he can feel warmth inside his chest as he discerns the gentleness beneath, the one the witcher is so good at hiding. He doesn’t hide it from him, not anymore. That’s what he hopes anyway. As Geralt’s lips twitch in the faintest smile, he prays he’s not wrong. Still, the force of habit.

Eleven people have been killed by a thing whose name he finds himself unable to remember. The dread that suddenly overwhelms him makes his fingers go numb. They could be twelve. They can be twelve. Today. Before Geralt turns away, he shakes his head. “Geralt, please.”

Geralt frowns at him, tilts his head, his voice gruff. “Jaskier.”

Some silver strands fall in front of his eyes and Jaskier’s hand twitches in its place in an attempt to hold from brushing them away. Instead, Jaskier bites his lips and clenches his fists. A lump is choking him mercilessly. Afraid to let him go, afraid to look away from his eyes, afraid he’s not seeing them again. He takes a breath he doesn’t release. “Please come back whole.” Do it for me.

Geralt chuckles and Jaskier cherishes the sound like the most precious stone. The witcher nods before heading out the door. “That I will.”

With a last smile, he closes the door.

In the morning there are heavy steps on the stairs and Jaskier feels his heart returning to its place.

iii.

Geralt reaches the door and stops right before he goes in. For a second, he listens. Smells. Heavy puffs of breath are heard inside the room, the faint scent of tears. He frowns and opens the door. Jaskier is standing beside the window, looking outside silent, as silent as one crying can be. Geralt feels his heart ache.

“Jaskier?”

The bard jumps and turns at Geralt. With a bright smile that doesn’t suit his flushed face, he wipes his eyes. “Geralt! You scared me, you bastard, don’t you ever knock?” He returns Geralt’s gaze and the witcher feels like he’s reading him but that’s good, it gives him the chance to read Jaskier too. He tilts his head and waits for the bard to speak, yet he just turns away again and looks outside at the night sky. Geralt lowers his look for a moment, fumbles with his words. Swallows.

He has no chance to fuck up now. “It was a good performance.”

“Yes,” Jaskier chuckles bitterly and lowers his head, still not looking at him. “Thank you, Geralt, really. It’s not that.” He takes a shaky breath. “It’s just…”

He doesn’t continue. Geralt knows he won’t, because it’s one of those silences that don’t break. He knows Jaskier’s silences well by now, even those few. Still, he can’t take it, he can’t stand watching him cry. He can’t stand watching his bright eyes hollow and his smile distant and not actually there. And he can’t stand not being able to help. So he rests a heavy hand on Jaskier’s shoulder and steps closer. “You don’t have to tell me.” He hears his breath hitching for a second, then a sigh, as if relieved. But he still doesn’t look at him. Geralt tries again. “Can I help?”

A hand creeps up and rests on his. A faint smile, now a real one. Finally, finally, Jaskier meets his eyes. His expression is dark for a moment, as if being unable to find a way Geralt could help. But then his eyes light up, just a bit, and Geralt feels his heart fluttering. “Can you…” He pauses, reconsiders. A reassuring squeeze on his shoulder takes away the hesitation. “Can you hug me, for a bit?”

For me, Geralt echoes in his head and the way his voice is now low and small, so different from what it was an hour ago in the tavern, almost brings him to his knees. And now this. A hug. As if he could say no. As if.

So he smiles warmly and pulls Jaskier into a hug, tight, and presses him to his chest as if to shoulder the worries weighing his. He feels Jaskier hiding is face in his shoulder and breathing deeply, lashes fluttering close. Geralt nuzzles in his hair, resists the urge to press a kiss on his head. Like that, just by having him in his arms, he knows he can do anything. Anything for him.

iv.

“Did you try the honey cakes?”

Geralt looks at Jaskier as he gets off his armor and frowns. “You got honey cakes?”

With a laugh Jaskier raises his head from his notebook and shakes his head. “What are you, dear, blind? I spent half an hour in that bakery today.” He sighs dramatically and stares longingly at the distance. “I crave the day when you’ll appreciate how good care I take of you.”

“Because you bought honey cakes?” Geralt chuckles and walks up to Jaskier’s bag, searching inside. Jaskier can smell the honey cakes before he gets them out but he decides to play hurt a moment longer, for the fun of it. Geralt doesn’t play along. “You’re the one who begged to go into the bakery after all, I asked for nothing.”

Jaskier rolls his eyes and tries to hide a smile behind a smug expression. He outstretches his hand. “Yes, alright mister Mighty-Witcher-I-need-nothing, now bring those cakes here and finally, have something for pleasure, it won’t hurt you know.” He pouts as Geralt throws the paper bag on the table with a scoff and turns away. He knows, Geralt would prefer to fight a hundred griffins than admit he deserves small luxuries. But that’s where he comes in. He never had a thrifty life after all and travelling with a witcher isn't a reason not to indulge oneself, especially when coin is spare. So he reaches to grab a honey cake. And pauses.

“Um.” Geralt turns his head, hearing his hesitant tone, and raises an eyebrow. Jaskier squints, takes a look at the cakes, then at his hands which are painted with black ink all over. There is a solution, he thinks. He can quite simply wash his hands and eat. Still, he would need to write more afterwards. And wash again. And it really wasn’t that complex but as another thought flashes in his mind and he sees Geralt’s waiting look, he smiles to himself. Clears his throat. “Could you give me one, please? There are some,” he huffs, showing his hands, “technical problems.”

He is sure Geralt doesn’t actually think about it when he takes a honey cake between his fingers. He is sure Geralt realizes what he’s doing the moment his fingers touch his lips and Jaskier opens his mouth and secures the cake between his teeth. And his tongue brushes Geralt’s fingertips and they’re sweeter, oh, so sweeter than the actual honey. He looks up at him, feels Geralt’s fingers shake, shivers. Closes his mouth, his lips brushing once more against cold skin, slowly, daringly. Or savouring, if he’s being honest.

Geralt stares and he feels like he’s melting. The witcher’s hand hovers for a moment before he lowers it and Jaskier can still sense its tingling on his lips, their looks still locked on each other, intense. Jaskier swallows. “They’re good. You should try one.”

Try. For me. He doesn’t know what he wants Geralt to try. Only that, as Geralt’s lips brush against his fingers, exactly where his own were moments ago, he feels like burning and, breathless, he lowers his look.

v.

The doublet is uncomfortable. The trousers are uncomfortable. The shoes are uncomfortable. His whole presence is uncomfortable and Geralt wishes he didn’t have to wear a damned doublet in the middle of July. He can’t complain though. He hears Jaskier’s voice in his head. Don’t worry, it’s thin and exactly the shape of your glorious muscles, it will fit just fine. Aside from stubbornly ignoring the bard’s comment about his muscles, he has to admit that it really isn’t that intolerable as an outfit itself. He just feels small inside it, choking. Still, he doesn’t complain.

He glances up at Jaskier, realizing he’s been talking to him all that time, but the bard doesn’t really seem to bother if anyone hears as he rambles in front of the mirror. “Gods, Geralt, the food. The food is just heavenly, as is the wine, trust me, you won’t regret a moment being at this banquet.” I won’t, Geralt thinks, if it’s to gaze at you. Jaskier turns at him beaming. “Even you, my friend, who asks for nothing, will find yourself craving for another gathering similar to that.”

“I ask for nothing indeed,” Geralt laughs at the way the bard repeats his words back at him, “and I doubt I will ever crave for something such as a gathering. Don’t be so hopeful that I’ll keep coming with you.”

Jaskier rolls his eyes with a dismissive huff and fumbles with the buttons of his sleeve. “You’re no fun. Ah, fuck.” He tugs at the sleeve and barely saves its button from falling away. With a sigh, he outstretches his hand and looks at the witcher. “Geralt, can you?”

Of all things, Geralt definitely has no fingers fit to carefully button a shirt. He has however, patience, something the bard hugely lacks of. So he moves to take Jaskier hand in his. And as their fingers slip together, he freezes. Momentarily, yes, since he continues to push the button in its hole. Still, the way their hands touch, the way Jaskier’s skin is warm against his, the way his fingers wrap his delicate yet trained wrist, make his knees weak. He brings Jaskier’s hand closer to have a better look at the button. Dangerously closer. He flips the button inside the hole and hears Jaskier’s triumphant huff, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, his eyes remain focused on the inside of his wrist, veins marking tanned skin. Slowly, agonizingly slowly, he leans and places a kiss. He hears Jaskier’s breath hitch. Slowly, terrifyingly slowly, he realizes what he’s done, and immediately looks at the bard. Blue eyes wide, lips parted. Jaskier whimpers.

“Geralt.”

Stay. For me.

No.

Geralt lets go of his hand and storms outside the room, his heart beating faster that a human’s. Before he closes the door, he smells the salty scent of tears behind him. He doesn’t look back.

 vi.

The bandits lay on the ground, three of them, the ones that refused to run when they had the chance. Their blood is forming puddles on the dirt. Geralt stares, panting. He can hear as the heartbeat of the last one vanishes in the wind, so at odds with the birds that are returning to their branches singing.

The birds. Singing. A heartbeat so familiar is now weak as he listens, the smell of blood so terrifying, and his heart skips a beat. He spins around. “Jaskier!”

Time is nonsensical as he runs to the bard’s side and kneels and what he sees makes him want to puke. Not because he hasn’t seen so much blood before, gods forbid, he’s a Witcher. But because the blood is too much. And it’s Jaskier’s. The bard looks up at him, still lost, panting, then lowers his eyes at his stomach, a pool of blood forming slowly. He whimpers. “Fuck.” The way his eyes fill with despair as his look returns on the witcher makes Geralt’s eyes burn. “Do something, Geralt, plea--” his voice is choked in a pained cry.

Geralt shakes his head as if to return to reality. He peers at Jaskier’s wound. It was a sword. It was a damn sword. And it’s deep. Gods, it’s too deep. He looks Jaskier in the eyes and brings a hand on his face firmly. “Listen. Everything is alright. Just stay awake.” Tears flood blue eyes and he feels his heart aching. He can’t let him close his eyes, he’s too afraid it will be the last time he sees them. So he asks, he who asks for nothing, he who needs nothing. “Can you do this for me?”

Jaskier nods frantically, his lips tight as if to suppress another cry. With one last touch, Geralt stands up and runs to Roach standing near, searching inside the saddlebags. If his hands are trembling, he ignores them. Maybe the tremble will go away like that. He returns with bandages and hears Jaskier sob at their sight. He looks at him, helpless but he doesn’t show it. “Awake,” he repeats and proceeds to tear the bard’s shirt open and clean the bleeding dark wound with a wet cloth. Bleeding. It’s bleeding and he sees his nightmares becoming real and he knows, he knows that he should stay calm, that only like that he’s not going to be late. But oh, his hands are still trembling, and his breathing’s short and every time another scream escapes Jaskier’s lips he dies a little more inside. Still, he looks up at him as Jaskier clings on his shirt, his arms, everywhere, desperate. Still, he holds him, cradles him like he’s going to break. He is. “Jaskier. Jaskier, you’re alright.” He snorts, wipes the tears off the bard’s cheeks with his thumbs. “Don’t cry, please. I’m taking you to a healer.”

He raises him on the saddle, climbs behind him, and reins Roach, holding him close. Jaskier is shaking whole, staring at him as if afraid that he’s the last thing he sees. “Geralt,” he gasps and Geralt lowers his look, almost cries when he sees his beautiful face contorted in a pained wince. Blood is staining his lips and Jaskier clings, shakes his head. “Geralt, if I-- I love you, I don’t want to die, please, I don’t--”

“Don’t be stupid, you’re not dying,” Geralt says, more for himself to believe it, and then pauses. And looks at the bard again, at the faint but still-there smile on his lips. “What…” Oh, he can’t do this now. He can’t let himself rejoice, he’s too afraid his joy will be taken away too quickly. Jaskier’s head lolls on his shoulder and his eyes roll on the back of his head and he flinches, terrified, shakes him. “Jaskier! Stay awake!” Jaskier whimpers and opens his eyes. He hurts. He hurts and Geralt hurts even more with him. But he takes a deep breath. “Can you say it again? For me?”

Jaskier huffs a wet, weak laugh. “For you, I can say it forever.” His voice is barely a breath. “I love you, Geralt.”

Geralt is trembling. “Again.” Stay awake.

A cry. “I love you.”

“Again.” Awake.

Roach runs like thunder. It’s close, it’s close.

“I love you.”

Closer, he holds him closer, and Roach runs, and Geralt bites his lips. “One last time. Say it one last time, please. For me.” Stay awake. For me.

“Geralt,” a sob, heart-wrenching, and oh, he knows Jaskier can’t take it, he knows. Only one last time. But Jaskier swallows blood and tears, and with a tired smile, he breathes, “Every time, Geralt. I love you forever.”

The trees fall aside and the town’s gates are open and Geralt lets out a triumphant laugh and finally, finally looks down at Jaskier and promises to himself to never tear his gaze from him again. So he leans down and presses his lips to Jaskier’s, bloody and quivering, and kisses him, and then as he meets his wide eyes, he knows every favour granted was for them. “I love you too, Jaskier. I love you too.” Another kiss, on his forehead, and now he’s warm. “Now hush. Hush, love.”

With a sigh, relieved, exhausted, Jaskier lets his head fall limp on the witcher’s shoulder and finally, closes his eyes. His hand, trembling, reaches to hold a firm one on the reins and if he hears a thank you, whispered like a prayer beside him, he says nothing.

For Geralt, he will have more time, more to give, more and anything, he knows. Anything for him.

[shintorikhazumi]

(Dianakko Week) There’s no way she- (3): “There’s no way she tamed that.”

@dianakko-week​

A/N: Okay! So I’m really sorry if day 2 confused y’all ;-;. I just couldn’t reveal as much info to be clear as I thought ;-; I dunno if this chapter will do any good of explaining, but here’s to hoping  that it does! T-T Also apologies if the whole story goes south or off the rails since I’m really running on fumes this week and am at peak exhaustion capacity woo! So these chapters/days might just be getting weird and incoherent idk. Sorry. This is kind of like... going back and forth between days 2-4 in terms of theme, I think. But well. uh... Idk anymore.

Enjoy?

~Shintori Khazumi

Day 3: Familiars/Animals

“There’s no way she tamed that.”

“I’m just glad you’ve all settled in just fine.”

“Honestly? Same.” Barbara sighed, looking into the orb that showed Lotte and Sucy’s faces. “I guess it’s just that we’ve been here for a few months- two? Three? It’s a good start.”

“How’s her majesty holding up?” Sucy asked teasingly, but with concern clear in her visible eye.

Barbara bit her lip, not really sure of the answer herself. “She never showed me or Han, but I know that she’s cried to Akko-with Akko” Barbara shook her head fondly, recalling their sweet dork. “-when we all went to bed. It went on for a few weeks. Right now, she’s... she’s holding up. She’s tough, we all know.”

“Yes. You all are.” Lotte said with a smile that quickly melted away into a deep frown. “I can’t believe they burned down the mansion.”

“I can’t believe they were able to get through Diana’s cloaking spell.” Sucy commented. “Something isn’t right, but no one can pinpoint just what it is yet.” She said, swirling an ominous-looking fluid in one of her flasks.

Barbara nodded. “Well, anyway, I’ll get back to you later. I’m on dinner duty and the sun has been sending me warnings.” She chuckled, noticing the changing hues of the horizon. “Talk to you again sometime?”

“We’ll update you on the situation.” Lotte assured, waving to her friend before the connection cut and the orb turned blank.

Barbara sighed, standing up from the table to return the orb on their shelf in the living room of the cozy stone cottage they had settled in, deep in a forest of some unknown country far away from home.

It was a new world with so many unknowns. Maybe too many. Including why Diana and Akko had been targeted this way. Diana had told them that she’d been stripped of her position on the magic council, and had been ‘warned’ that she would someday suffer the consequences of not complying with the other members. So far, that was all they knew. They just found that Diana had a hunch that they needed to leave soon. They were so glad they did.

Barbara began prepping in the kitchen, getting all her ingredients from the fridge that she’d need for the dish she wanted to cook. Suddenly, a chorus of yells from her two teammates caught her attention, telling her that they were close to home, along with their other friend whose name was pronounced loud on their lips-

“AKKO?!”

//

“What?” Akko shrugged, clearly not getting why this was such a big deal. Florence was one of her sweetest familiars!

“No, no, no. Not ‘what?’, Akko... how... why? Who? Where did you even-” Hannah stammered. “There’s no way she tamed that. Right, Diana?” She turned to their team leader, still staring up at the very real, and very large griffin.

“Akko... how did you even... you say this is your familiar??? A gryphon of this size? We all know that contracting familiars are difficult, but you just-”

She and Hannah watched as Akko continued to play with the somehow puppy-like griffin, Akko rubbing it’s belly as it rolled on the grass in front of their home.

“Diana.” Akko deadpanned. “You literally kept a Kelpie at home.” She saw Diana open her mouth about to deny the statement, and cut her off. “Don’t lie. I saw you feeding it by the lake the other day.”

“Well...”

“I watched you train it the other day.”

“I-”

“I’ve also seen it playing in the fountain in the yard back at home-” As that word slipped, Akko realized her mistake, seeing Hannah giving her a disproving look as Diana’s face looked momentarily downcast, before masking it with a smile.

“Diana-” Akko tried to reach out, but her girlfriend had taken a careful step back, leaving a pang in Akko’s heart. “I’m sor-”

“I’ve been caught red-handed, I suppose.” Diana laughed mirthlessly, a hand rubbing up and down her opposite arm as she looked off into the distance. “Oh look at that! The sun is setting. We should go inside.” She quickly changed the topic, being the first one to turn around and head for their house, not waiting for her companions to follow.

Hannah groaned, smacking the back of Akko’s head. “Nice going, Akko.”

“Hey!”

“Make sure to hide that familiar somewhere and wash your hands before dinner! Barbara’s going to have your head the next time you touch her table with those filthy hands.” She warned before disappearing into the cottage after Diana.

“I already know that. You don’t have to tell me.” Akko scoffed, crossing her arms before getting nuzzled by her Griffin, a cute confused look on his face. She smiled, petting it’s side before doing what Hannah had told her to do. “Come on, Florence. Let’s get you back in with the others?”

Reaching into her shirt, Akko pulled out a locket, casting a spell on it that made it larger, revealing a briefcase that looked like any other. However, as she turned the dials of it’s lock code, multiple sounds spring forth from it as the case shook.

Florence nuzzled against her back, whining about her actions. Akko got the message. “Sorry, buddy. I know it’s been a while since I let you out free, but I don’t have anywhere better to keep you all yet. Hang on just a bit more? For me?” She rubbed the Griffin’s head before holding the briefcase closer to him and Florence disappeared into the container. “Thank you.” She patted the lid.

After closing it securely, she spun the numbers to form a different code that brought about silence before shrinking it back into the size that she kept around her neck.

“I hope they waited for me for dinner.”

//

“Are you alright?”

Diana looked up from her seat on the small porch, gaze warming as she was met by the sight of her old friend with two mugs in hand, steaming and warm. She simply nodded, patting the seat next to her.

Hannah nodded, settling down next to Diana and handing her her drink. Before Diana could even greet and thank her, a thick blanket was draped across her shoulders from her other side. Barbara promptly took seat on that free space, leaning her weight against Diana and closing her eyes.

“Girls...”

“You can trust us with your pain as much as you do with Akko, you know?” Hannah murmured, Barbara nodding against Diana’s side.

“...I know.” Biting her lip, Diana tried her best to form the appropriate words. Seconds slipped by and she continued failing at being open to her best friends. “I’m sorry. It’s still a little difficult.” She felt the pair sigh on each side of her, and felt a little bad.

“We suppose that one is on us for constantly placing you up on a pedestal. Both then and now.” Barbara chuckled, the statement supposedly lighthearted despite all three knowing it was the heavy truth. “Just know that when you’re ready, we will always be willing to listen, yes?” She turned her body around, enough to embrace Diana, Hannah mirroring the action as they both squeezed her tight.

Diana squeaked as they planted a kiss on each side of her face before laughing at how bashful she was being.

“Well, that’s all from us. We’ll be heading in now.”

Diana had wanted a few more minutes of time with them, but as she followed them with her eyes, she saw someone else waiting by the door.

“Fix this.” She heard Hannah whisper to the dejected-looking Akko, loud enough for all of them to hear. Barbara giggled as she entered the house first, and Diana found her own chuckles slipping out as Akko grumbled her way towards Diana until she stood face to face with her.

“...”

“...”

“Hi.”

“Hello, dear.”

Diana felt her heart ache in a bittersweet way as she saw tears form in Akko’s eyes, and the girl kneeled in front of her, relocating Diana’s mug of hot chocolate somewhere safe on the wooden porch before taking both of her hands in hers and kissing each knuckle.

“I love you...” She whispered, holding Diana’s hands to her forehead as Akko bowed her head to hide her face from her. “And I’m sorry...”

“Darling...” Diana sighed with a smile. “Come here.”

Diana watched Akko briefly hesitate before gingerly snaking her arms round about Diana, snuggling into her fully.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. You didn’t mean to hurt me or anything.”

“But I did.” Akko sniffled, remembering that Diana had entrusted her sorrows and fears to her for nights and nights since they lost their old home, and how carelessly Akko had mentioned it while Diana was still touchy about the subject. “So I’m still sorry.”

Diana turned her head slightly to the side, enough to place a tender kiss on Akko’s cheek, “Then, Thank you. Thank you for apologizing, Love.”

“Mmm.”

They stayed that a way a few moments before Akko pulled away, a big grin plastered over her face.

“I have something to show you. Just to make it up to you.” She’d said, turning to the sky with lips pursed to release a unique whistling sound that Diana was not so familiar with.

She decided to face where Akko had been directing her attention, squinting at the night sky dotted with stars she knew all too well. She didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, so what was Akko trying to do-

There was a flash of gold and of a passionate color. It wasn’t lightning, Diana knew; neither was it the twinkling of the stars overhead.  So what exactly...

Then it came closer, perching on Akko’s arm that she had left outstretched.

Diana’s mouth gaped, a surprise much similar to what she had experienced earlier today, returning.

“Akko, this is a...”

Akko scratched the back of her head sheepishly, smiling adorably awkward as she attempted to ‘introduce’ them. “Alfred, this is Diana. Diana, this is Alfred.”

Diana nodded at the creature that stared at her with it’s bright beady eyes. Literally bright, it was in its entirety.

“He’s a baby phoenix.”

Diana nodded solemnly, still in awe. Of both the creature and Akko who was currently petting it with a magically protected hand.

Diana knew that Akko always had a strange affinity for communicating with animals. Even back in her years as ‘Luna Nova’s Dunce’- or so many had labeled her as (Diana was forever mad at that fact)- Akko had already shown her uncanny ability to empathize with non-human beings. She so easily befriended fae, was able to get along with both of Chariot’s own familiars: Alcor and Arcas of all creatures. There was also the fact that she had learned fish language in her own unconventional way and had become increasingly fluent in it and other magical creature languages over the next few years.

Now that she really about it, she realized that she usually saw Akko tending to the magical animals used by the security sector of the council, or doing work related to that. She had at first seen it as them pushing all the mucky work onto her like cleaning stables for pegasi, or feeding the more exotic research birds.

Seeing Akko right now, she felt like it should explain a whole lot more than she thought she knew about her. It made Diana feel slightly ashamed and insecure that she had yet to uncover this fact about her own lover that she had been with for so long now.

Diana shook her head to rid herself of those thoughts. This wasn’t the time to doubt their relationship with one another.

In this new light she was now viewing Akko in, Diana now suspected one of the reasons why the council desperately tried to keep Akko from quitting back then despite not making much use of her at her actual supposed job. They had probably realized all too quickly, and for reasons Diana doubted were good.

But did Akko know this? Was she aware?

Diana fiddled with her hands. Maybe she should ask.

“Akko?” She tugged on the girl’s shirt sleeve.

“Hmm?”  

Diana took a breath. “I know... that one of the reasons you left your old duties behind was because you didn’t really love the job at the council... and all that.” She watched Akko nod slowly, hands stilling from caressing Alfred.

“Go on?”

“But I can’t help but think now that there’s another reason... you know, something more?” Diana looked at her dearest friend and lover with hopeful eyes, wondering if she’d tell her something she didn’t know. Something that wasn’t in the written letters Akko’s various familiars had brought to her during the moments they were apart, something that she couldn’t have observed despite having worked in generally the same establishment because they had been firmly kept apart.

Why did it suddenly feel like Diana... didn’t know a lot about Akko?

She felt a pang in her heart, only supplemented by the silence that Akko had met her with.

“Sorry.” She quickly said. “Maybe it wasn’t right of me to ask.” She was about to get up when Akko stopped her, a hand holding onto Diana’s, silently bidding her to stay.

Diana sat back down and Akko rested her head on her shoulder, rubbing patterns on Diana’s hand with her thumb as she began to speak.

“Diana, did you know? That magical creatures have so much more magical energy stored in their bodies than any other living things? So much so that a magical sparrow could probably power Luna Nova for almost a week, maybe.” Akko chuckled and Diana smiled at the lovely sound.

Nodding, she responded. “Well, I knew something of that nature, yes. Did Pisces teach you that? Chariot?” She asked, squeezing Akko’s hand gently in hers.

“Partially... but...” Akko sighed. “I also found it out myself.”

Diana nodded, not wanting to interrupt anything.

“You know me so well Diana, so I’m sure that you’ve noticed by now that I have...” Akko paused, in thought of how she should word it. “Quite a few? Familiars?”

Diana snorted, bringing their joined hands up to her lips and kissing the back of Akko’s hand. “A lot, dear. A whole lot.”

Akko giggled alongside her before calming and adopting a more serious look. Diana lent her ears once more, preparing herself for what was to come.

“It started when they discovered I could easily befriend them. The magical beasts and creatures.” Akko frowned, surely remembering things she did not want to. “They sent me out to catch, acquire, and well tame magical beasts. Pfft-Like I could do that.”

Diana was about to argue that Akko could- as could clearly be observed, but was beaten to the punch.

“It was much easier than I believed it should be.” She admitted. “At first, I had no clue what they needed it for. I assumed more research on animals, extending our knowledge, and all that good stuff, you know?” Akko huffed, lifting her other hand up to guide her little phoenix into flight so that it would return to where it came from.

Diana guessed it was because Akko didn’t want it understanding what she was about to reveal next.

“Of course, I had felt bad about intruding into their habitats and taking one of their kind, but I had hoped that after whatever observations the council and researchers had, I could just return them to their families and homes.”

Diana felt Akko’s grip tightening around her hand, breathing shallowing.

“Then one day, I saw these beautiful, beautiful creatures in one of the outer courtyards...” Akko squeezed her eyes shut, painfully recalling the memory of what she saw that day.  “They killed them, Diana. Killed them in order to power some device that I have no clue about. I saw it in passing when I accompanied the secretary around before I was shut out.” Akko confessed.

Diana leaned her head on Akko’s, mind flying to places she had tried forgetting about because of the pain they caused her as she tried to make sense of what Akko knew, and what she had also found out.

“That’s when I decided to quit and go to the places I believed more beasts resided in...  especially the more endangered and possibly more powerful ones from what I had looked into, and what Chariot and Pisces had told me. I thought that maybe I could keep them safe that way. I’m sure the council had someone replace me in my... ‘work’.”

Akko allowed herself to fall over and lay herself on Diana’s lap, turning around to bury her face in the woman’s stomach.

Diana felt arms wrap around her waist, and she brought her hands atop Akko’s head to comb through silky chocolate strands. She felt the tension in Akko’s body release, before hearing another quiet, “I’m sorry”.

Diana would have asked what for, but they both already knew that.

“I just couldn’t tell you at that time. Not when you were also trying your best to establish your position in that very same council. I thought it would put you at risk of losing your job... or worse.”

Diana could just hear her choke up on that word, having now been acquainted with the ‘worse’ bit.

“So I decided to distance myself for a bit. I’m sorry, Diana. I’m sorry.” Akko murmured against her stomach. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

Diana could feel a wet patch growing on her stomach. She continued to gently run her fingers through Akko’s hair in hopes of soothing her lover and reassuring her that it was all alright. That she understood. That she was grateful that Akko did it to protect her.

“I just wish I had told you back then, now that all of this happened. It’s still very much my fault, isn’t it?” Akko sniffled, turning away to wipe her nose on her sleeve. “Aaagghh, I really am sorry. To you, to Hannah and Barbara, and to everyone else.” Akko tried to slow her breathing in order to stop crying as she looked straight up at the night sky. “This is all my fault.”

Her view of the starry sky was obstructed, but replaced with the blues of a summery morning, even though it was the dead of night.

She was entranced, just like she’d always been since a long time ago.

Akko felt her eyelids flutter shut as Diana leaned down, closer, closer, and closer...

Thwack-

“Ouch!”

Akko’s eyes shot open as she was met with a stern Diana.

“Don’t just take all the blame like that and treat this whole thing as your decision solely. We all came here on our own accord. Hannah, Barbara, and I. Actually, didn’t we drag you hear in the first place?” Diana scolded a thoroughly shocked Akko.

“Y-yes.”

Diana’s expression relaxed as she chuckled, finally giving Akko the kiss she’d been expecting. “That’s why, my love, please. Continue to trust us.”

Diana could swear she could read a million I love you’s written all over Akko’s face. The sweetheart.

“Besides. I have things I need to discuss with you all as well. And I think- no. I know that it is connected with what you’ve just told me tonight.”

Diana nudged Akko up, guiding them both back on their feet.

“But for now, can we finally get some shut-eye?” She looked at Akko with a pleading face that the latter dared not say no to.

“Definitely.”

Diana squealed as she was hoisted up into strong arms and carried into the house, across their small living room and into their shared bedroom, careful not to make as much noise when they passed by their friends’.

As Akko lay Diana down on the soft sheets, she peppered kisses about her face, the pair giggling and whispering until they were all out of mirth.

Tomorrow was another day, and it might just be another frightful one.

But well, they had each other and it didn’t matter as much anymore.

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

Snuggled beneath the covers, to the soft cooing of the breezes of the forest, they began to drift to slumber-

“Oh, that’s right, Love.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you mind showing me your other animals?”

“Not at all, dear.”

“Great.”

“Any reason why?”

“I just want to see Hannah’s shocked face again if we ever find something like a manticore or minotaur with you, haha.”

“...”

“I’m jesting, Love- Akko... why are you wearing that expression? Akko... no way... No. Really?!”

“...You see...”

“There’s no way you tamed that!”

A/N: If you’ve seen fantastic beasts- I just loved the suitcase concept. Also I dunno, I thought of the whistling thing and wondered if it was an actual summoning technique and found a transcendental- was it- whistling. Welp. It’s almost 2am and I’m doing this while also doing my lab reports skgmdsoigndfngsdr okay. Time to di-p. Time to dip into work. Ciao!

~Shintori Khazumi

[ahh-fxck]

Here is my gift for @mossymel for @thewitchersecretsanta 2020 gift exchange! I hope you like it!!

Title: Heat and a Healer

Rating: Explicit

Pairing: Geralt x Female!Reader

Cross-posted to Ao3

Geralt is injured in a hunt to save your village. You find him in the snow and bring him inside to keep him from dying.

The courtyard is muddy and cold, the air in front of your face misting with every breath. It is crisp with a light dusting of snow that crunches under your feet. Pale fingers of dawn light are creeping over the rooftops as you go about your morning chores. As you round the corner of your barn to break the water on the livestock trough you let out a startled gasp. 

The water on one end is already broken and there is a strange brown mare contentedly drinking from it. It takes you a moment to realize that her rider is there as well; He is barely visible at first, huddled in a snow-encrusted cloak at the base of the trough. When he hears your gasp he jerks, as if he hadn’t meant to fall asleep and is slightly startled to find that he had. 

The movement draws a thin, reedy noise of pain from him. Milky white hair spills from the cloak, and you see a flash of silver around his neck. With a start, you realize that you’ve seen this horse before. The road to the south has been terrorized by a griffin and no trade has gotten through in months; Everyone’s larders are bare and tempers in town have been growing short. The Witcher riding into town a week before had been a welcome sight. 

It’s a relief to see him back again, but your heart plunges as you take in the state of him. You kneel to inspect him, frowning at what you see. His lips are blue with cold and his face is streaked with dried gore of some sort. When he opens his eyes you can see they are a startling shade of gold, like a cat’s. They are hazy with pain and exhaustion.

“Witcher?” You say, beginning to brush the snow off of him. “Oh Melitele, look at the state of you! Can you walk? Quick, let’s get you inside.” You bend to help him as he struggles painfully to his feet. The clothing all down one side of him is stiff under your hand and his armor is ominously tattered. 

“My horse,” he croaks through dry lips.

“I’ll see to her once I have you settled,” you promise. “You need heat and a healer first, Witcher. She’ll keep.” He is too weak to do more than nod, allowing you to guide his stumbling steps across the courtyard. You hurry him into the kitchen and ease him down on the floor in front of the roaring fire. 

He goes down with a grateful groan, settling in a sodden heap on the well-swept floor. As quickly as you can, you pull the sleeping mat you use for guests out of the crowded storage room. Next, you bring a pile of blankets and set them aside. Then you hurriedly help him remove his wet clothes before the chill can set any worse. As the full extent of his injuries is revealed, you can feel your blood running cold. He is gouged and bruised all over one side, still slowly leaking blood from ugly wounds in his flank. Every movement, every breath, pulls at them and causes his face to flicker with pain.

As soon as he is tucked under the blankets near the fire you race out of the house, battering at the healer’s door until she shuffles out to greet you. Her eyes widen as you breathlessly tell her what happened. In short order, she is dressed and hurrying after you. The crunching of your footsteps on the empty streets is loud in the hush of dawn. 

You spend the rest of the morning running at the healer’s beck and call, boiling water and making simple herbal preparations at her instruction. During a lull, you slip out to tend the animals and stable the Witcher’s horse. The mare is stroppy and irritable, but you’ve known your share of horses and you aren’t impressed. Far more impressive is the griffin’s head dangling from the far side of her saddle, where you hadn’t been able to see it before. A rush of relief goes through you; the alderman will be pleased to see that, by the gods.

Before long, the horse is clean and dry, munching on her feed. The same cannot be said for her rider. The sun is well in the sky by the time the healer straightens from her work, and even then he looks gaunt and pale. He lies on the floor sleeping soundly as she cleans up and prepares a basket of supplies for you. She explains each item as she puts it in the basket, then instructs you to let him rest. As she leaves, she squeezes your shoulder silently. You and she both know without speaking that keeping the Witcher alive is the right thing to do.  

Not long after that, the alderman comes to call, no doubt notified by the healer. Bodily blocking him from entering your home and seeing the state the Witcher is in, you insist on walking the alderman over to the griffin’s head yourself. He eyes it skeptically, hemming and hawing about whether or not the Witcher has earned the full price. 

Your eyes flash with fire. Your alderman is a fool and a scoundrel, else you’d expect him to have some compassion for the man who nearly died to save his bloody town. You tell him that and a fair few other things besides, letting him have the sharp side of your tongue. There are few women he’ll take this treatment from, but as the best baker in town, you happen to be one of them. By the time you threaten to refuse baking his daughter’s wedding cake, the alderman buckles, handing over a far fatter sack of coin than he’d intended to.

Pleased, you hand him the griffin’s head to dispose of and march him off of your property. Then you return to the kitchen with the Witcher’s coin. He wakes when you come through the door, eyes bright with fever and exhaustion. When you toss him the bag of coins he catches it though, and his crooked smile lights his face handsomely.

Over the following days, he slumbers in front of your hearth as he heals. At first, he is too exhausted to do much but wake occasionally to eat and use the privy. Though your larder is as bare as anyone else’s in town, you feed him as if he were your own. With gentle hands you tend to his wounds, cleaning them, spreading salve on them, and finally wrapping them with clean bandages. You can see sometimes in unguarded moments how much he likes your touch. His face relaxes and sometimes you can even see the brief flicker of a smile. He is handsome when he smiles. 

You find yourself enjoying the time you spend at his bedside, treasuring the little flashes more than you'd expected to. It turns out under the grime he's gorgeous. Wide golden eyes, a square jaw, a cupid's bow lip, and that's only his face. Each of his long limbs is cabled with heavy muscle, and his skin is almost as milky as his hair. It gives him a very striking appearance, and you frequently find yourself struggling not to stare as you change his bandages. 

He becomes more alert as he heals. At first, all he does is silently watch you from the floor, golden eyes following you about the room. You don’t mind, filling the air with friendly talk as your hands work. You tell him stories about your childhood, your family, sharing the little memories held in chipped teacups and lovingly crafted decorations. 

In his turn, he tells you little things as well. You learn that his name is Geralt and that he’s trying to get north before the snows close the mountain roads entirely. You also learn that he loves baked apples and that he adores his horse. They’re small things, but they put you at your ease, making him seem less remote and strange.  

Though he heals quicker than any man has a right to, it is still days before he can limp around your house on his own power. He moves first from the sleeping mat to the chair near the fire, where he listens to you talk while you work. Although supplies are scarce you ply him with tea and treats from your bakery as you work. It gives you joy to feed him nice things after everything he's been through. The kindness and the treats both seem to confuse him, but he devours the pastries without complaint as he listens to you talk. Before long he is alert enough to mend his tattered clothing and armor as he sits there in the corner, his big hands working skillfully.

On the day that the caravans finally arrive in town, he has made it as far as the yard. He is slowly moving through forms with his massive steel sword, limbering his healing body. A clamor arises all through the town as a horn sounds.  By the time the first wagon is through the outer gate, half of the town has surged out to greet them. 

At the sound of the ruckus, the Witcher’s head comes up. Yours does as well, and you race to the gate. When you realize that the caravans have arrived at last, you let out a joyous whoop, dancing around your courtyard. You catch Geralt up before you can even think about it, so overcome with excitement that you plant a huge kiss right on his lips.

“The caravans! We’re saved! Oh, we’re going to have such a feast tonight, just you wait!”

It’s only then that you see how wide-eyed he is, looking between your hands fisted in his shirt and your lips. You drop his shirt with a start, worried that you’ve caused him offense, but as you back away he breaks into a slow smile. The corners of his golden eyes crinkle handsomely, and you feel your heart trip over itself. 

Cheeks heating, you look over your shoulder and then back at him. He’s still smiling. You smile back, giving him a thoughtful look, then tap him gently on his chest. “You just wait here. I’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail! Then you’ll see why they call me the best baker in town!” Without waiting for him to reply, you race off to get ready for the impromptu market already forming in the town square. 

You walk back to your house sometime later with your cart and donkey in tow. The cart is practically overflowing with supplies, and your heart is glowing as you pull it up in the courtyard and begin to unload it. All your worries about the winter’s food have been wiped away, and you are in a very merry mood indeed.

The kitchen is rich with the smells of good food and mead that evening, and it’s already groaning under the weight of all the treats you’ve baked for the next day. Geralt sits on a stool at your kitchen table. He munches pastries and chops herbs for you while you cook and sing. You catch him smiling to himself as you overflow with happiness. It’s the nicest meal you’ve been able to make in months, and it’s a joy to share the bounty with the man who’d made it possible.

When dinner is cooked and dessert is cooling, you sit down to dine with him. For once he’s able to eat his fill. Even though he puts away a truly surprising amount of food, there is still enough for leftovers. It’s satisfying to see him warm and contented at last, his belly full and his pale complexion flushed with drink. He’d come into your home so gaunt and pale, but now… 

You realize you’re staring a little when he smiles at you over his cup of mead. You break away, flustered. When you look back at him, though, there is a little gleam in your eye. You rise from the table and go to where the honey cakes are cooling on the counter. You retrieve some sugared rose petals from a jar, which you arrange on two of the cakes. Then you dress them with cream and a little rose syrup. It runs and gathers prettily at the bottom of each bowl. 

You make eye contact with him as you offer him his little bowl, a smile playing about your lips. He looks at the bowl, then at you, his pupils dilating subtly with interest. A slow smile breaks out across his face and he carefully takes the bowl from you, letting his fingers linger against yours as he does. A little shock of delight goes up your arm, and your eyes twinkle. You sit across from him to savor the sweetness of your dessert. As sweet as the honey cakes and cream are, still sweeter is the way he can’t seem to stop watching you, his gaze lingering on you as he licks delicious crumbs off of his spoon.

When he sets his empty bowl aside and rises from the table to go to bed, it feels as natural as breathing to stand with him. Your own bowl is left empty and forgotten on the table. You step closer to him and he brightens with interest, head cocking to the side. Emboldened by the mead and the desire waking in those lovely amber eyes, you lean up and capture his lips in a kiss. He sighs hungrily as you do, drawing you wordlessly closer. 

His broad chest is warm and firm under your hands, and his lips taste of roses and honey. You hum happily as he brings his hands to your hips, drawing you firmly against him. Parting your lips, you wind your arms around his neck as he slips his tongue into your mouth. His breath hitches as you lean up to meet him, your clever tongue twining with his. 

The kiss is heady and hot, leaving you wanting more when he draws back for air. He swirls his fingers up the back of your clothing, a playfully sensual gesture, and you smile. Your hands trace down his flanks, feeling the firm muscles flex beneath. His beautiful eyes are alight with desire, watching your every movement, wanting more but not daring to take it. 

Then you lean up, inviting him in for another kiss. He gives a little shiver, rumbling a low noise of approval. The kiss is deeper this time, slower and more sensual. You take your time with each other, fingers gently tracing the edges of clothing, plucking at laces without pulling. The only sound is the crackling of the fire in the hearth. Heat pools between your thighs and you sigh, rocking idly against him. You can feel him stir in his trousers where his hips are pressed against you and you rock more firmly, finding yourself suddenly dizzy with desire. He hitches in another breath, then growls oh so softly against your lips. He rolls against you and you can feel his cock hardening, pressing against you. You let out a little moan, fingers pulling at his laces in earnest now.

A flurry of clothing is left in a trail leading to your bedroom door. Geralt walks you back until your bare thighs are pressing against your bed, kissing you hungrily. You wiggle your way up onto the bed, giggling as he snuffles at your neck between kisses to take in your scent. He helps to lift you onto the bed, big hands squeezing your thighs as he settles between them. Making low noises of pleasure he mouthes his way to your breasts. His tongue is velvety-hot, and you give a low little cry as it flicks across your nipple. 

He savors your belly and your thighs in the same way, hungry and eager, like he hasn't been with a woman in far too long. When his lips finally brush the soft thatch of hair between your thighs you can’t help but groan, watching him from beneath lowered lashes. He teases at you gently, eyes alight as he takes in every little reaction. When he finally bends to trace the tip of his tongue up your inner lips they are sensitive and slick, causing you to whimper and shiver. You wind your fingers in his hair as he sets to work, savoring the warmth of his tongue. 

A look of bliss suffuses his golden eyes as he laps at your dewy cunt, his pale lashes fluttering against his cheeks. You tremble with delight, your soft cries filling the room. When he slips gentle fingers inside of you and flutters them just so, a swell of pleasure breaks over you. You cry out as you buck against him. A low rumble emerges from somewhere deep in his chest, an intent look coming into his eye as he redoubles his efforts. His clever tongue circles and dances, bringing the pleasure to a fever pitch, working you until you are coming harder than you thought possible. He withdraws only when you have fallen back to the bed panting, your thighs trembling with the aftershocks. 

You run your fingers through his hair as you quiver, savoring the glow that suffuses you. He hums and smiles, nuzzling you. His eyes flutter half-shut as he lets you stroke his hair and face, enjoying the affection. After a lazy moment, you draw him up onto the bed with you. He goes willingly, pulling you down on top of him with a wolfish smile. From the way he moves you can tell he is still stiff and sore, but the bandages are gone. Though you worry about hurting him, he doesn’t seem to care. His smile broadens as you lower yourself to rest across his hips, your lower lips kissing the base of his cock with wet heat. 

That grin wipes all your worries out of your mind, replacing it with a sudden rush of desire. His hands guide your hips to start moving, encouraging you to take your pleasure. You smile wickedly, placing your hands on his broad chest as you start to rub your clit against his throbbing cock. He moans softly, his hands sliding up your flanks as his amber eyes trace the beautiful curves of your body. He begins to tease at your nipples, his eyes sparkling with enjoyment at the sounds he draws from you. His touch on them is surprisingly delicate, sending exquisite little shocks of pleasure down to your cunt. 

Before long you are rocking hungrily against him, your composure unraveling by the second. He moans and shivers beneath you, arching. The feeling of his thighs tensing sends a shock of heat through you, hunger for more. With a twist of your hips you rise, using a quick hand to position his cock at your entrance. His eyes fly open as you groan happily, circling your hips on the blunt head just barely pressing into your wet heat. He looks at you with wide eyes, breath hitching as you twist your hips again. You lock eyes with him as you sink slowly down, savoring his guttural moan when he bottoms out inside you. 

His gold eyes are hazy with need as you begin to rock on top of him. He matches your tempo carefully, watching you with a now-familiar intent expression coming across his face. Without a word he presses a hand against your abdomen, pushing you until you are leaning back with your hands on his thighs. He shifts his angle and you let out a sharp gasp of pleasure, the change allowing him to hit your spot with every thrust. 

You cry out as he grins breathlessly and begins to fuck you in earnest. He is surprisingly vocal as he does so, making up for days of silence with murmurs and growls of pleasure. When he brings his thumb to your clit you can’t help but join him, your shaking cries punctuated by every thrust. 

He fucks you with care and precision, one hand on your hip, the other working your clit until you come with a ragged yowl. Your muscles clench tight around him and a sharp groan punches out of him as his hips stutter, losing rhythm. Grabbing your hips, he only lasts for a few more short, sharp thrusts before he is spilling inside of you and crying out, his body arching beneath you. His head tosses, white hair scattering across the pillow as he holds you close against him.

In the thundering silence that follows you collapse against him, laying your head on his shoulder. Both of you go limp, too exhausted at first to crawl under the blankets. You lay there listening to the crackle of the fire in the kitchen, the occasional creaking of your old home, and a soft hissing noise that you can’t place at first. He looks to the window and your eyes follow. You see thick white flurries of snow, and once you see them you realize that the hissing is the sound of them being blown against the windowpane.

The first blizzard of winter has come.

You turn back and eye each other thoughtfully, then smile and settle into the blankets. Until the snows clear, what else is there to do but enjoy one another?

And you do, all winter long.

[topazy]

The Fierce And Broken

1.07

Master list

“It's been a few days. Maybe the bomb at the bridge scared them off?”

Bellamy raised his eyebrows at Clarke, “do you really think that?” She shook her head, Bellamy turned to face you. “What about you? Do you think the grounders have been scared off?”

“No.” You admitted, “I think they are planning on how to attack us. Not that it will take them long.”

Clarke frowned, “what do you mean?”

You sighed standing up. “From what I’ve been told the grounders have already got biological warfare nailed, I imagine they have other tricks up their sleeves. It’s amazing how advanced they are without technology. I think we should- is something amusing?”

You and Bellamy both turned to look at Clarke who had a strange look on her face. She shook her head, “no sorry...i just never realised you were such a fan of the grounders.”

What was her problem? You ignored her comment and continued talking. “We need to be prepared, I think you need to find out what people’s strengths are fast.”

Bellamy seemed intrigued by your suggestion. So far they hadn't come up with a better idea. You weren’t invited to the ‘leaders meeting’ but you’d overheard them talking. Since you were in the next room checking what medical supplies the camp still had, you had since been dragged into the conversation because Bellamy wouldn’t stop asking your opinion on things. “What do you suggest Al?”

You quirk a brow suddenly feeling a mixture of emotions, was this your chance to finally make a difference around camp? Bellamy had done the best he could but to survive the grounders you needed to be more organised. An idea that is easier thought than done. “Well, we need to know who should be on the frontline.” Clarke made a scoffing noise. “Any of us could fight if it came to it, but that doesn’t mean we should. Monty and Raven are far too useful to risk losing. Me and Clarke are the only people with medical training. We need to utilise people to the best of their abilities.” You shot a glance at Clarke, “or not.”

“It’s the best idea we have got so far,” Bellamy stood up. “I’ll get Octavia to help me make a list of everyone and what they are best at.”

You smiled at him before walking out of the drop-ship. For all his flaws he wasn’t a bad guy, Bellamy had done some reckless things that you didn’t agree with, but he was trying his best. At least he was open to hearing what you had to say.

______

You stepped inside the tent Raven was currently in, and unsurprisingly she was working hard. “Hey, genius.”

She turned to you and smiled, “hi Al.”

Ever since Raven had broken up with Finn you had been worried about her, she seemed fine but it could have just been an act. She told you how Finn said he loved her, but Raven ended it with him anyway. You were proud of her. Your friend respected herself enough to know when to call it a day, something you wished you could have done for yourself.

“Earth to Alba,” you looked straight ahead to see Raven wavering her hands in front of you. “Sorry, I completely zoned out. What were you saying?”

Raven smiled and motioned for you to sit down next to her. Once you were seated she repeated her previous question. “I was asking how your morning has been? You were gone by the time I woke up, usually I need to shake you awake.”

You chuckled at her comment. Raven had shared a tent with you most nights, apart from the one night when she spent the night with Finn. “I got up early to check on Murphy, his finger nails are finally starting to grow back.”

Raven pulled a face, “that’s so gross.”

You shrugged, “I’ve seen worse.”

The brunette smiled at you, and shook her head before turning back to the table in front of her. “Murphy is lucky to have you, nobody else would stick their necks out for him.”

“He was a good friend to me on the ark, he was there when-let’s just say whenever I needed a shoulder to cry on he was it.”

On the ark your parents used to joke Murphy was secretly your older brother. The two of you could be fighting like cat and dog one minute them playing like best friends the next as children. Regardless of what age you were, you and Murphy always had each other’s back.

“Like I said, he’s lucky to have you.” Raven paused before continuing, “we aren’t on the ark anymore...you have more than one friend down here. I’m always here if you need a shoulder to cry on.”

You opened your mouth to reply when Finn barged into the tent. He walked towards Raven and leaned down to see what she was building. “What's for dinner?”

Raven glanced up at him. Split loads, turning one bullet into two. It's all I can do until we get more gunpowder. Jasper has a recipe. Yesterday I saw him taking buckets from the latrine. I didn't ask.”

You felt uncomfortable. The calm atmosphere had changed the moment Finn entered the tent. Raven’s positive attitude had shifted, she now seemed pissed.

Finn obviously hadn’t of noticed because he kept talking. “Is one of those for me?”

“Maybe. Still deciding.”

He cleared his throat, “I keep wanting to apologize again.”

Oh. This was awkward. You cleared your throat, “I can give you guys a minute.”

Raven sighed, “You don't have to.” You weren’t sure if she was talking to you or Finn, but the pleading look on her face made you stay. “We're good. I’ve got to get this done.”

Finn shook his head, “that's bad.”

“What?” The volume of Raven’s voice surprised you. It was getting higher each time she spoke.

“When you're really pissed off, you always find a project, something to keep your hands busy so you don't punch someone in the face.”

The brunette frowned, “I'm not keeping busy, Finn. I'm keeping us alive.”

“Yeah. You're right.” Finn mumbled under his breath, “That was a dumb thing to say. See you later.”

You see Raven’s face fall. She looked hurt. “Wait. We're good. We're good. We are. I just want you to be happy.”

“Fire! Help fire!”

You ran out of the tent and towards the smoke. You were relieved to see Octavia and Murphy both stumble out of the tent. You noticed the furious look on Murphy’s face, Murphy was now standing toe to toe with Del. “This is all your fault! We told you it was too much wood.”

Del shoved him, “get the hell away from me!”

You were standing by Octavia’s side and rubbed her back as she continued to cough. Bellamy jumped in between the two boys before a fight could escalate. “Hey! Hey! Hey, stop! Save it for the Grounders.”

Octavia stepped away from you and towards her brother. “Well, now what the hell are we gonna do? That was all the food.”

Clarke stormed over shaking her head. “Any idea what happened?”

“Murphy says that Del kept feeding the fire, mostly because Octavia told him it was a bad idea.” Bellamy explained while glaring at Del.

Clarke scoffed, “And we believe Murphy?”

You answered her frowning, “yes. I’m sure O will say the same.”

The Griffin girl shook her head. “Whatever, we need to get more food. Anyone we can spare goes out.”

______

Delinquents gathered round to hear what Bellamy had to say. “Each group takes someone with a gun, and they're for killing Grounders, not food. We don't have the ammo. Use the spears for hunting. Get what you can. Be back by nightfall. No one stays out after dark.”

You eyed others in the camp as the split off into pairs. Your eyes landed on a head of blonde hair, oh great. It was only you and Clarke left. Sighing you went to walk towards her when you felt somebody’s hand on your shoulder.

Turning around you saw Raven staring at you with a worried look on her face. “You shouldn’t be going, the camp needs a medic. What if somebody becomes ill.”

She had a point. Thinking back to your previous conversation with Clarke and Bellamy, you knew what you had to do. Turning away from your friend you faced Clarke. “Hey Griffin,” you said walking towards her. “One of us needs to stay here, and I think it should be you.” She looked at you surprised. “You are the better medic, and the camp needs you.”

She pressed her lips together into a thin line before reluctantly agreeing. “Okay, be safe out there.”

You nodded and turned back to see Raven staring at you with a disappointed look on her face. She crossed her arms over her chest, “that’s not what I meant.”

“Clarke is more useful to this place than I am, she’s need here more than me.” You answered honestly.

Raven’s face twisted. “That’s not true. Octavia and Murphy need you, I need you here. You should have just let Clarke go.”

Running your hand through you’re hair, you let out a deep breath. Truthfully you didn’t want to go hunting, the idea of grounders attacking petrified you. But you needed to be brave. “I’ll be fine, and back before you know it.”

Raven’s expression softened as she pulled you into a hug. “Please be safe.”

“I will.” You pulled back from the hug, “I’ll be excited to see whatever badass creation you have made by the time I returned.”

She smiled hesitantly before returning to her previous job of making bullets.

Myles walked towards you. “Hey Y/N. You alone? You maybe want to go together?”

You pondered for a moment if it was a good idea to hunt with him. You had hated him for what he did to Murphy, but in times of war it was better to let go of grudges. “Sure. I'll get some gear.”

As you started collecting what you need Finn approached you. “Hey, you ready to go?”

Confused you studied him, “are you coming with us?”

Finn let out a chuckle. “You're lousy with a spear, but you're sneaky. We would make a good team.”

“And?”

“And Clarke says I’m to keep you safe, and so did Octavia. She actually threatened me.”

“I’m glad,” you laughed. “I’m also terrible at tracking, so you will come in handy.”

Myles joined you once again. “Hey, partner, we're wasting daylight. Oh, Finn, you're joining the band?”

He nodded, “yip.”

You glanced back one more time before exiting the gates as Myles started telling the story of how he got arrested on the ark.

______

Myles looked around trying to figure where the animal went. “Is is one of those scaly panther things?

Finn looked at him, “bore.”

“Good,” Myles did relived. “Because that panther meat is nasty, but I could eat a whole boar by myself, no joke. You know what the best part is of the boar? It's gonna sound gross.”

You stopped walking and turned to face them, you had noticed the look on Finn’s face. “Guys, quiet for a second. What is it?”

Finn crouched down to inspected the ground better. “These tracks. They're perfect.”

A knot twisted in the pit of your stomach, this was bad. “It’s too perfect.”

Standing up, Finn spoke in a low voice. “We're the ones being hunted.”

You looked up at the tree lines and the bushes where you stood. I’d the grounders where there they where well hidden. “I don't see anything.”

The moment the words came out of your mouth arrows started flying in your direction. You and Finn managed to dodge some, but Myles got hit. A arrow landed in his leg before a second one hit him in the chest.

Myles screamed out in pain. You tried to help him but Finn pulled you back. “Al, come on. We got to leave him.”

You went to argue that you couldn’t leave him behind when something heavy hit you on the back of the head. The last thing you remember is Finn screaming your name before landing on the ground.

______

You awoke to a grounder screaming in your face. He tied your hands and began dragging you along behind him as he road his horse. You felt a wave of relief seeing Finn was tied up beside you.

After a while the grounders stopped when you reached a grounder outpost. Finn nudged you, “We walked for about three miles after crossing that creek, another two or so before we got to the road.”

“I don't think it matters, Finn. They didn't blindfold us, which means they don't care what we saw. They're probably gonna kill us. What do you want from us?”

A grounder opened the door to revile a wounded child laying on a bed. Anya stepped out in front of you. “Help her. If she dies, he does. Her name is Tris.”

You shook your head and took a couple of steps back. “I can't do this. I don't have any equipment.”

Anya eyed you suspiciously. “We'll provide you with what we can Alba of Skaikru.”

“Why do you think I can save her?”

Finn let out a frustrated sigh, “Lincoln told her.”

Anya nodded confirming his theory. “Yes. Our healer is gone. There's nothing we can do for her.” She pointed at Finn. “For his sake, I hope you can.”

Finn grabbed you by the shoulders. “Al, you can do this.”

You bit on your bottom lip, “What happened to her?”

The grounder leader pulled a face of disgust. “She was on the bridge when your bomb exploded. Your people did this to her.”

“How could you send a little girl into battle? What is wrong with you people?” You asked bewildered.

Anya remained expressionless. “She was with me. She was my second. It's how we train them to be warriors.”

“Oh, so the killing can just go on and on.” You quipped back.

“Your people the bomb on the bridge. You did this to her.” As Anya spoke Tris began gasping for air. “Help her!”

You studied the young girl for a moment trying to asses her. Her skin was calmly, she had chills and was sweating. You pressed your hand on her chest to feel how fast her heart was beating. Tris was septic. “She needs clean blood.”

Finn looked at you worried, “A transfusion?”

You rummaged around the room for anything useful. “There's no tubing!” You turned to face the grounders. “We need a syringe, the biggest one you can find, and I need a cannula. It's like a hollow needle.”

One of the grounders eventually handed you ‘equipment’ you could work with. You times to face Anya, “Ok. I'm gonna need your blood.”

“No.”

“You're from the same tribe. It's the best match we're gonna get.” You tried your best to explain why you needed their blood, but all the grounders refused.

“Alba, if you're gonna do something, you have to do it now. Just use mine.” Finn rolled up his sleeve for you to tie a tourniquet around it.

Tris let out a whine of pain that didn’t sound normal. Shit. You knew she was dying but stilled tried your best. “I can't find a vein.”

“Al...”

“Oh, come on.” You continued to look frantically before eventually giving up.

“She's not breathing.” A grounder spat.

Anya raised her hand, “take him away and kill him.”

“No. No. No. No! No. No.” You protested, and fought against the grounder holding you “I did everything I could. No!”

Finn shouted as he was dragged away. “Alba, stop. They'll hurt you.”

______

“Anya will take no pleasure in your friend's death.” Caliban one of the grounders from before spoke. “Prove your worth, and you'll be welcome here.”

You squinted at him confused. “I couldn't save Tris. Why would you want me?”

“We told you. Our healer is gone.”

Maybe this bizarre offer could work in your favour. You might have the chance to get back to camp and warm the others. “Will I be able to go back to see them... my friends, my home?”

He let out a wicked laugh, “tomorrow there'll be nothing to go back to.”

Dame it. All you could do now was try and distract him. “Those marks on her shoulder, what were they? Lincoln has them, too.”

Caliban pulled his top down to reveille his own. “Each scar marks a kill in combat.”

“She had five kills?” He nodded. “She was a little girl.”

“She was brave.”

You shook your head in disbelief. “You have a lot of them.”

“And half were after I hurt my knee.”

You bit down on your bottom lip. “Is your commander really going to kill my friend? And the rest of my people?”

The grounder explained in detail what would happen to Finn, then how they would attack ‘Skaikru’. Panicked, you kicked Caliban in the knee and used the scalpel to slit his throat. You sobbed out a apology before watching him die. The moment the realisation of what you done sunk in you threw up, but quickly pulled yourself together.

Not knowing where Finn was you started running in the direction towards camp.

[legionofpotatoes]

we decided to watch all story cutscenes from the new resident evil village videogame on a whim, since it’s not really our cup of tea gameplay-wise but seems to be this massive zeitgeist moment that made us morbidly curious. And I know how much everyone cares about my thoughts on things I know very little about, so. let’s get into it huh gamers. and yeah spoilers?

for context, I’ve only played resident evil 4 and a small portion of 5. I also read the wikipedia entry for 7’s plot recently. all this to say I was only vaguely aware of how tonally wacky the series was going in

I also completely gave up following the plot of the mutagens’ soap opera, so that paid off in spades here as you might imagine

anyway so that baby in the intro. that baby’s head is just massive. humongous toddlerdome. when ethan finds the baby’s head in a jar later on. there is no way that head would fit into that jar. bad game design. no not even game design. basic stuff. one hundred years in prison for jar modeler

if I see a single functional hetero marriage in video games I will cry tears of joy. I understand their misery is kind of The Point irt them badly working through the hillbilly romp trauma but like. sheesh. at least set that up as an emotional story goal the plot will help resolve. but nope they start off miserable and it goes nowhere

I know I know the mia thing has a huge wrinkle in it but like. not really in terms of dramatic function?? set up a happy end to the re7 nightmare (miranda can keep up appearances for all she cares) and then take that all away from angry griffin mcelroy for manpain. it will still absolutely work to set up the dramatic forward momentum. why throw in this cliche Hollywood Tension in their marriage if you’re not going to address it oh maybe because it’s normalized as automatically interesting because nuclear families are a self-propagating pit of a very narrow chance at emotional happiness relying on social stigma to preserve their empty function oops my baggage slipped in yikes abort mission

I called him griffin mcelroy because I saw his face on twitter and. yeah. I will continue to do this occasionally. my house my rules

... fuck the reason I’m hung up on this is specifically because the rest of the game is so tonally dexterous (which is a shining point to me! more on that later!), and yet they felt weirdly compelled to create the aesthetic trapping of a family-at-odds trope without following it through too well. a sign of both the good and the bad stuff to come

but listen the real reason why I wanted to talk about any of this is to nitpick the fascinating backwards-engineered nucleus of the entire thing; in that this game essentially creates a melting pot of just SO many disparate horror tropes and then makes a no-holds-barred unhinged effort at weaving thick lore to piece them all together. it is truly a sight to behold. like straight up you got your backwoods fright night situation, your gothic castle vampires, your rural-industrial werewolves, and don’t forget your bloated swamp monsters over there, with then a hard left turn into robotic body horror, and the entire ass subgenre of Creepy Doll writ large, and the bloodborne tentacle monsters, and a hellboy angel bossfight, which rides on the coattails of a mech-on-mech pacific rim bonanza, and just jesus henry christ slow down

almost all of these are textural hijack jobs that don’t really get into the metaphor plain of any of those settings but the game sort-of makes an argument that the texture IS the point and revels in it. It is kind of admirable almost. The same reason why the intro felt boxed in and unmotivated is also why the rest of the game just blasts off of its hinges to the point of complete and self-indulgent tonal abandon. I kinda loved that about it. lady dimitrescu made sure to hold her hat down as she bent forward in mahogany doorways and then suddenly she’s a giant gore dragon and you settle in your temp role as dark souls man with Gun to take her ass down. Excellent??

this rhino rampage impulse to gobble up every horror aesthetic known to man comes to head when the game wrestles with its FPS trappings in what is the most hilarious solution in creating visceral player damage moments. Since most cinematics and the entire game is in first person, that leaves precious little real estate for the devs to work with if they really want to sell griffin’s physical crucible. To wit. This dude’s forearms. Specifically just the forearms. They are MASSACRED throughout the story. The poor man lives out the silent hill dimension of a hand model. by the end cutscene he looks like a neatly dressed desk clerk who had decided to stick both his grabbers into garbage disposal grinders just a few hours prior. like in addition to everything else it manages to rope in that tinge of slapstick violence into its general grievous genre collection except this time it IS for a lack of trying! truly incredible

but wait his miracle clawbacks from everything his poor paws go through are retroactively explained away, yes, but far too vaguely and far too late to console me as I sat and watched everyone’s favorite baby brother reattach an entirely severed hand to his wrist stump by just. placing it on there. and giving it a lil twist ‘n pop terminator-style. and then willing his fingers back into motion right in front of my bulging eyes. this game just does not care. it does not give a shit. and boy howdy will it work to make that into one of its strongest suits

cause generally speaking resident evil was THE premiere vanilla zombie content destinaysh for like a decade, right? and as the rest of the world and mainstream media started encroaching and bloodying its blue ocean it went and just exploded in every single conceivable horror trope direction like a smilodon on catnip. truly, genuinely fascinating franchise moves

yeah the big vampire milf is hot. other news; grass... green. although I do love the implication that her closet is just identical white dresses on a rack. cartoon network-level queen shit

apropos of nothing I’ve said there’s also this hobo dante-devimaycry-magneto man, and I can’t believe this sentence makes sense. anyway he made that “boulder-punching asshole” joke referring to chris redfield and it was probably the only easter egg that really landed for me and boy did it land hard. I have not seen him punch the boulder in re5, mind. I had only heard about how funny it is from friends. and here this dude was, probably in the same exact mindset as me, trying to grapple with that insane mental image. with you on that ian mckellen, loud and clear

I advocate vehemently against the shallow pursuit of hyper photorealism in art direction but I gotta admit it works really in favor of immersive horror like this. the european village shacks especially gave me super unchill flashbacks to my rural countryside retreat in western georgia. I could smell the linoleum dude. not cool

faces are weird in this game. can’t place it. nice textures, good animation, but the modeling template is... uuh strange? and the hair. it has that clustered-flat-clumpy look that harkens to something very specific and unpleasant but I just don’t know what. sue me

griffin’s mental aptitude to take all this shit in stride and end every seemingly traumatizing bossfight involving some fucking eldritch being yet unseen through mortal eyes by essentially throwing out an MCU quip is just. What the fuck dude? I mean that was funny how you casually yelled the f-word at a god damn werewolf that you considered a fairy tale an hour ago but are you like, all right?? it was swinging a sledgehammer the size of a bus at you, ethan

oh oh the vampires are afraid of cold and your last name is winters. I get it haha

Pro Gamer Nitpick: boss fights seemed a bit unnecessarily long?? idk why the youtuber we picked decided the ENTIRE propeller man fight counted towards the vital story scenes he was stitching together, but man mr big daddy lite there really had some get up and go huh??

why are they saying dimitrescu.. like that. is it really how you say that word or is the english language relapsing into its fetish for ending every single word with a consonant at all costs

I’m not saying it’s a dramatic miss of a twist in context of all that’s going on, but the “you died in the last game actually and have been DC’s clayface ever since” revelation is low-key. it’s. it’s just funny to me, I dont know what to say. century-old god-witch fails her evil plan after she mistakenly removes heart from what was definitely NOT just some white guy with eight fingers after all

chris realizing he’s about to become the player character and immediately swapping out his tsundere trenchcoat for the muscletight sex haver sweater

the little bluetooth speaker-sized pipe bomb he taped to his knife was nuclear?? really??? I must have missed something because that is just too good. I buy it though I totally buy it. chris just got them fun-sized nukes in his car trunk for, you guessed it, Situations

anyway this is all for now just wanted to briefly touch on how unexpectedly funny and tonally irreverent this seemingly serious game turned out to be. did not articulate any cathartic story beats whatsoever but my god it had fun connecting those plot points. he just fucking put his severed hand back on his stump and it Just Worked todd howard get in here

[princess-of-the-corner]

Winx Club Episodes 21 and 22 (Like how things are going so far).

Woo! Warning because, since I decided that the people of Domino are actually dead and not "Magicked into a pocket dimension", there will be discussion of death and some dead bodies. Hey Netflix this is how you make Winx dark while keeping to the source!

Anyway

Episode 21

The Winx make it to Domino and the Royal Palace, despite the harsh conditions of a constant blizzard. It's no wonder people haven't tried to come here with that going on.

Bloom is already feeling a lot of emotions seeing her destroyed homeworld. She imagines what it would've been like, had everything not happened to it. What it would've been like, growing up there.

But there's a lot more dread and creepiness because there are bodies remaining. Frozen by the ever-present snowstorm. Most are Domino warriors. Some belong to those that attacked them, members of a group called Ancestral. A handful were castle staff or nobles. More bystanders than fighters, but did their best. It wasn't enough.

The throne room has four bodies. And each is jarring to see.

The first two are the King and Queen, Bloom's birth parents, recognized by royal regalia they wore. Sprawled on the floor, with hands reaching out, just barely able to hold each other in their last moments.

The third body is Daphne's physical form. Unlike the others, she is injurer but shows no fatal wounds.

The fourth body isn't as recognizable, though all the Winx find the woman familiar. It's easy to guess she was an enemy, given Daphne's sword through her chest.

Daphne's Spirit is able to manifest stronger here, able to be seen by all of them. She tells them her version of what happened.

The group called Ancestral attacked, wishing to take the Dragon Flame for themselves. Daphne's job was to protect Bloom and the Dragon Flame. She made Bloom it's Keeper, before hiding her on Earth. As soon as she did that, Daphne went back to join her parents in battle.

Sh was too late to save them. Ancestral's leader, a Witch named Blizzeta, had already bested them both. Daphne fought her, managing to kill the Witch. But Blizzeta knew some forbidden Magics. Shs cast a curse on Daphne that seperated her Spirit and her Body. She's no longer among the living, but she's not quite dead, unable to move on into whatevrr afterlife there is.

Bloom, and the rest, are horrified. But also more determined than ever. They won't let this happen again.

Daphne tells Bloom that the way to restore her power isn't on Domino. Not anymore. All that's left for her here are Ghosts of what could have been.

Deciding to regroup and plan, the girls head back to Alfea.

Episode 22

This takes place at the same time as the last episode, as the Witches break themselves out of Cloud Tower.

Though they're locked up with those Forbidden Magics, Darcy knows that spell too. She pops the locks and the students and staff make their way out.

There's a lot of fighting. Mostly fighting the monsters sent to hinder their progress. But also each other.

Mostly because no one knows what to do with Darcy. Some are like "oh she had a change of heart and isn't a total bitch" while others are likr "uh, just because she doesn't want to kill someone doesnt mean she didn't happily lock us up!". And the fact that Darcy keeps snapping at them doesn't help her case.

That said. Darcy feels conflicted.

She made her choice, sticking to not letting anyone get killed. Even at the cost of severing ties with Icy and Stormy. But she's not a "good" person. She would still enjoy ultimate power and ruling the world. She just doesn't want to destroy the world in the process.

It's Griffin who talks to her about it. Those kind of ambitions aren't a bad thing! Wanting power and control? Who doesn't at some point?

But it's the way one goes about it that makes the difference. Having those limits of what she won't do to achieve that goal is a good thing to have, lest she find herself falling into true darkness.

The Witches escape and make it to Alfea.

Note: in Canon, the Witches' escape took two episodes, while here it takes one. So I'm... Kinda cutting out an episode? There will be 25 instead of 26 because I can't find enough filler to pad out a whole episode.

But the story beats pick up the same so like. My Episode 23 is Canon 24, ya know?

[ordinaryschmuck]

What I Thought About The Mitchells vs. the Machines

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is up there as one of the best installments of the MCU. Sure, the action and CGI sucks, and the season finale could use a bit more polish, but there is so much more of what it does right. It brings up an engaging discussion through Karli; the bromance between Bucky and Sam is incredible; Zemo's surprisingly a riot, and U.S. Agent is a character whose inner psychology is something I would like to study. Plus, the series really dives deep into the themes of race and the realistic hesitance that comes with making a black man Captain America. It's easily an 8/10 series that is worth an in-depth discussion.

But f**k that s**t, because I'm talking about The Mitchells vs. the Machines instead!

I know it might be questionable that reviewing a movie starring a predominantly white family of idiots saving the world instead of the TV series about the powerful journey of a black man taking the mantle of an American icon...but this movie is fun, alright? And yes, I'm going to spoil it to explain how. So if you still have a Netflix account, I highly suggest you check it out when you have time.

Because, random people on the internet who most likely won't read this, this Ordinary Schmuck who writes stories and reviews and draws comics and cartoons is going to explain why The Mitchells vs. the Machines might just be my favorite film of the year (steep contest, I know).

WHAT I LIKE

The Animation: Let's get this out of the way right here and right now: If a single person ever tells you that this movie has awful animation, or the worst animation they have ever seen, just go ahead and assume that person is an idiot. Because holy hot cheese sticks, does this movie look amazing!

Say what you want about most of Sony Pictures Animation's movies, but you have to admit that they nail making a CGI movie looking like it could be in 2D. And The Mitchells vs. The Machines is the peak of that style. Every character in nearly every frame looks like they could work well if the movie was hand-drawn, and I love it. I am addicted to seeing films that look 2D with a 3D makeover because there has to be ten times the amount of effort to get that look just right, what with modeling each character in unique ways to nail that style wherein a hand-drawn film, you could just, well, draw it. Not to mention that the cell-shading and certain hand-drawn elements also add to the aesthetic.

Plus, there is so much attention to details, such as most of Katie's character model being covered in sharpie, or how you can see a hint of Eric and Deborabot 3000's drawn on faces even though their black screens are showing something else. Seriously, you can listen to any criticism this movie gets, but don't you dare let someone get away with telling you that it looks awful. It doesn't. It's incredible, and I SO wish that I could have seen it all on the big screen.

The Comedy: On top of being incredibly well-animated, this movie is also incredibly funny. Like, really funny. I shouldn't be surprised since it's made by the same people responsible for Clone High and The Lego Movie, but yeah, I found myself laughing, chuckling, and snorting with nearly every joke in the film. Not every joke works, to be fair. But because of the fast-paced humor, the bad jokes are almost immediately followed up with better ones soon after. What's even better is that the writers know when to take a break with the humor and let some surprisingly compelling drama take over. And even then, when there are jokes during the dramatic moments, they add sincerity to the scene rather than take anything away. Looking at you, The Amazing World of Gumball...I mean, I love you, but sheesh, you need to learn to let a solemn moment play out.

Anyways, the comedy is hilarious. And while I won't spoil every joke, I will go over some bits that might have gotten to me the most.

Katie Mitchell: Let's just go ahead and add Katie Mitchell to the list of characters I highly relate to on a personal level (which is getting longer by the minute, hot damn). But jokes aside, I really like Katie. Her love and desire to make movies is something I identify with, and her goal to just go to a place where she feels like she belongs is easy to understand. Trust me, if I found out there was a group of weirdos who like the same things I do and enjoy the things I make, I’d be willing to pack everything I have and go to them as fast as possible too. Plus, I feel like a lot of us can relate to a character who lives in a household where people question if our career goal is something we can make a living with. I remember two years ago when I told my aunt that I wanted to make my own animated series, and her reaction is a little too similar to Rick's when Katie showed him her movie. They mean well, but sometimes it's for the best to have a cheerleader rather than a critic, especially if that person is family.

Now, Katie isn't perfect as her enthusiasm can get a little annoying at times, and her desire to leave can be conceived as a little too harsh as well. Still, she's pretty cool and serves her role as a protagonist pretty well...also, if the movie gets a sequel, let's hope she and Jude become cannon by then. GIVE KATIE A GIRLFRIEND, DAMN IT!

Aaron Mitchell: But as great as Katie is, it's this goober that earns the reward for my favorite character. At times it looks like Aaron is nothing more than a source of comedy, but he handles some dramatic moments really well. Partial credit goes to Michael Rianda for that one. Yeah, having a child actor would have made Aaron sound more like a kid, but no other voice could have fit him better than what Michael offers as he comes across as weird but never obnoxious.

Also, let's give the writer points for making a character who is clearly neurodivergent. Yet also refraining from having him be annoying or useless to the rest of the cast. No one ever really disrespects or belittles Aaron and instead chooses to work with him rather than against him. Especially Katie, who forms a solid sibling bond with Aaron as a fellow weirdo. It's genuinely sweet to see, and I loved every minute that the writers showed that just because someone acts on a different wavelength doesn't mean they shouldn't be treated any less because of it. You get that with Katie, a little bit, but I see it much more with Aaron, for some reason. And I love him every minute, so that’s a win.

(Plus, I may or may not have had a dinosaur phase when I was younger, so go ahead and add him to the list of relatable characters too.)

Rick Mitchell: This is probably a character you will either love or hate, and I can see both sides of that argument. Because on the one hand, I really like Rick Mitchell. His motivation is clear and understandable from the first set of home videos with him and Katie, both near the beginning and the end. Sure, he messes up a lot, but he is still a man who cares deeply about his daughter, as well as his entire family. He gets to the point where he would make great sacrifices for all of them, especially Katie. Plus, it's just pleasant seeing a cartoon dad who isn't a complete idiot or overprotective regarding his daughter's love life.

However, there are times when Rick comes across as an irresponsible d**k. When he does things like smash the family's phones without telling them or giving them screwdrivers for "presents," you're either gonna find that funny or you won't. Personally, I enjoy Rick and his antics, and I have no problem with irresponsible cartoon dads. As long as they don't cross the line toward Modern-Peter Griffin territory, I've got no problem with dads like Rick, who I believe has never even got that bad. Still, some people might think differently, and I can't blame them. Because after getting great cartoon dads like Greg Universe, I can understand if some people won't be interested in characters like Rick Mitchell.

Rick’s and Katie’s relationship: Alongside the top-notch animation and gut-busting comedy, Rick and Katie's relationship is what I consider the movie's most essential asset. These two are the main characters of the film, and as such, they develop through each other. And what's crazy is that they have very conflicting goals. Katie wants to escape and be with her people, where Rich just wants one last chance to have a good memory with Katie before she leaves. To do so, they first have to understand each other. Katie has to learn why Rick is so desperate to spend time with her, and Rick has to realize why Katie is, well, Katie. What I love most about it is that they try. These two don't spend the entire movie arguing and being at each other's throats until a sudden "Oh" moment in the end. No, there are actual moments when they genuinely try to understand one another and fix their relationship. It's nice to watch, and I especially love when it cuts to Linda and Aaron celebrating each time Katie and Rick get closer to each other. When recommending this movie, I'd say come for the animation and comedy, stay for the phenomenal relationship building.

Monchi: There are probably people already comparing Monchi to Mater or the Minions due to being a comic relief with nothing else to add...but gosh dangit, do I love this little gentleman. Maybe it's because I'm a dog person, but I find Monchie to be incredibly adorable, and I will fight anybody who disrespects this king of kings. Probably not physically, 'cause I'm a wuss, but I will verbally. So WATCH IT!

“HeLlO. i Am DoG.”: Have I mentioned that this movie is funny?

Rick’s videotapes of him and Katie: And right there. Rick's motivation for everything is set in stone through a solid case of visual storytelling.

PAL: The writers do almost everything they should have with this character. PAL might not have the most creative evil plan in the world, but to me, a villain can have a generic scheme as long as they're funny. Thankfully, PAL is funny. Not only is the idea of a smartphone ruling the planet hilarious in all the right ways, but Olivia Colman delivers such a great cynical energy that the character needs. The way PAL reacts to people explaining why humans are worth living is just the best, and her flopping around in a fit of rage successfully gets to me.

If I had to nitpick, I'd say that I wish PAL had more of a meaningful resolution to her character. The movie builds up that she makes a big deal about Mark dropping her, so it feels weird that neither of them really get any actual closure with each other. I'll get more into that in the dislikes, but I wish PAL had more of a fitting end than just dying after accidentally getting dropped in a glass of water. Other than that, she's a great comedic villain for a comedic movie.

PAL MAX Robots: These guys are the funniest characters in the movie. Half of it is the bits of visual humor, while the other half comes from the solid line delivery from Beck Bennett. Especially with Bennett's and Fred Armisen's Eric and Deborahbot 3000. These two are definitely the comedic highlights, as nearly every line they say is both hilarious and kind of adorable at times. And just like with Monchi, if you dare disrespect these characters, I will fight you. Because they are funny, and I will not hear otherwise.

PAL demonstrating what it’s like to be a phone: Have I mentioned that this movie is funny?

(Don't disrespect your phones, kids. Otherwise, they'll try to take over the world.)

PAL turning off the Wi-Fi: Again, have I mentioned this movie is funny?

“I love the dog. You love the dog. We all love the dog. But at some point, you’re gonna have to eat the dog.”: It's the sick jokes that get to me the most. Everyone booing Rick afterward is just the cherry on top.

Attack of the Furbies: Have I. Mentioned. That this movie. Is funny?

Seriously, if you haven't lost your s**t during every second of this scene, then you never had to deal with the demonic entity that is a Furby. In a way, I commend you. But you also don't get to appreciate the comedic genius of all of this. So I also weirdly feel bad for you.

The Mitchells deciding how to celebrate: You don't have a real family if you spend more time arguing about how to celebrate after saving the world than you do about how to save the world. I don't make the rules. I just abide by them.

The PAL MAX Primes: There's not much to say about them. The PAL MAX primes look and act pretty cool, are brilliantly animated, and raise the stakes while still being funny at times. I love 'em, but I don't have much to analyze with them either.

The origin of the moose: ...I'd make the "I didn't need my heart anyway" joke, but to be honest, it's still shattered after WandaVision.

(For real, though, this is a really effective scene that establishes why Rick makes a big deal with the moose and why he might feel hurt that Katie is willing to disregard it completely)

The Theme of Technology and Social Media: There's a theme about how family is important, and working hard on making things work is worth the effort. But that's a bit too generic for my tastes, so instead, I'm gonna talk about the equally important message this movie has about technology. Because as twisted as she is, PAL makes a great point. The technology we have today helps us in a variety of ways. It's especially useful with sites like YouTube, allowing content creators like Katie to reach out and share their voices. The only issue with technology is how people use it. Take note that the main reason why the Mitchells stand a chance against PAL is by using her own tech against her. Yes, over-relying on all the advancements around us can be dangerous, but if we're smart with how we use them, we can get by just fine. This movie isn't about purging all technology like most robot apocalypse stories are. Instead, it's about using it correctly and not being helpless sheep the second the Wi-Fi gets turned off. Which might just be the most unique thing this movie has going for it story-wise (more on that later).

The Climax: The Mitchells vs. The Machines has everything that I think I climax should have. First off, it utilizes callbacks and jokes that I wouldn't have thought twice on actually coming in handy for how the Mitchells win the day. But showing that Monchi causes the robots to malfunction turns a pretty "eh" joke into a solid case of foreshadowing.

Second, everyone does something. Some characters do more than others, sure, but the fact that every Mitchell, even Monchi, has a hand in beating PAL and her robots is a great sense of writing to me. It shows that you really can't cut anyone from the main cast, as they each add value to how they are essential to the plot. Even Aaron, who arguably does the least in the climax, still manages to be the catalyst to what is easily the best scene in the movie. Speaking of which...

Linda Kicks Ass: By the way, that's the actual name on the soundtrack. I'm not even kidding. Check it.

Anyways, for the most part, Linda seemed like a decent cartoon mom. She's insanely supportive but still has the common sense to keep her foot down, like agreeing with Rick to stay safe in the dino stop the second the apocalypse starts. A pretty fun character, for sure, but nothing too noteworthy...but the second she loses her s**t, Linda Mitchell frickin' SKYROCKETS to the best-cartoon-mom territory! Believe me when I tell you that seeing her slice and dice robots like a middle-aged female Samurai Jack is as awesome as it is hilarious. Does it make sense how she can suddenly do this? No, but at the same time, who gives a s**t about common sense?! Because this moment was epic, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching it over and over again.

Rick Learning How to Internet...Again: I consider this the funniest moment in the movie. Trust me, the Furby scene is a close, close, CLOSE, second...but I think this scene was funnier.

The final goodbye: This is what I'm talking about when I say humor adds to the dramatic moments. The Mitchells saying "I love you" in moose is pretty funny, but it's also a sweet moment given that this is absolutely how this family of weirdos would say goodbye to each other. And, yeah, I got a little misty-eyed during this scene. Especially when Rick saw Katie pocketing the moose. That s**t just cuts deep, man.

Alex Hirsch Voices a Character: ...That's it. I look up to Alex Hirsh as everything I want to be as a creator, and the fact that his name is on this movie fills me with joy. He's also a story consultant, so that can also explain why the movie turned out as great as it did...although there are some imperfections.

WHAT I DISLIKE

Katie-vision: What's Katie-vision? Well, throughout the movie, we get to see how Katie views the world as there are these hand-drawn elements that look like effects Katie would add if she was the one who made the movie. At times it can be subtle and cute, like when this little beating heart appears when Katie is talking with Jude and her other friends. It's when the movie is in your face with Katie-vision does it get annoying. Like showing how Katie is lying about being certain she can drive up a vertical ramp or signifying what is the Rick Mitchell Special. Even if you justify that this would be how Katie would edit the movie, it still doesn't change how obnoxious these moments can be. For instance, Monchi is justified to be essential for the plot, but that doesn't mean people won't hate him...I'll still fight them if they do, but that's beside the point.

I can totally accept this being a personal issue, as I'm sure some people enjoy it. As for me, I think Katie-vision works best when used subtly instead of crudely.

The Meme humor: It's something similar here. Because some people like meme humor...but I don't. To me, it just dates your story if you reference memes even once. Now, a show, movie, or book being partially dated is nothing new. We Bare Bears, a series that I love, reference memes, apps, and social media constantly. Yet, the show still has a timeless feel to it as it doesn't rely on those references too much. The Mitchells vs. the Machines doesn't rely on memes as much either. But even then, that doesn't make a difference about how annoying that gibbon monkey joke was. Seriously, what the f**k was that? And how is THAT the joke that gets used twice!?

Underutilizing Mark Bowman: It really bothers me how this guy barely does much. I mean, Mark Bowman is the main reason that anything happens in the movie. Because he mistreated PAL, Mark acts as the catalyst for events to come. So the fact that he could have been written out the second PAL takes control doesn't make sense to me. It's worse since I could see more potential with his character through his relationship with PAL. These two could be anti-Rick and Katie, as Mark and PAL show what happens when people disrespect their family. So separating them halfway through the story, and keeping them as such, is a huge mistake as it results in neither having a proper resolution to their arcs. Like I said, Rick and Katie develop through each other, and the same could have happened with Mark and PAL. It doesn't, making it something that I can't help but feel disappointed about.

The Poseys: These are characters I feel like work better with multiple appearances. Sure, they only have the one joke about being a perfect family, but at the same time, you can make a joke like that work. Look at Yvonne from Shaun of the Dead (Which might just be my favorite movie). That's a bit-character whose only purpose is showing how better she is than Shaun despite being in an eerily similar situation. But she works well as we constantly see how great she's doing in every instance we see her. The same could be done with the Poseys, as using a similar joke for one scene is underutilizing great potential to make an already good movie into a better one.

Plus, if you're gonna shoehorn in a romance between Aaron and Abby Posey, the least you could do is have more than one scene developing that...just saying.

Katie’s and Rick’s “Oh” Moments: I want to make it clear that I actually like these scenes. They're well written and effectively emotional. My problem is that they also happen two seconds apart. There's nothing wrong with having a character realize the error of their ways through a tear-jerking moment. It's a popular tactic for a reason. And given how both Rick and Katie are the protagonists, they both need their own "oh" moment. But you gotta space them out, as it makes things easier to see the emotional manipulation that you're clearly trying to pull on the audience. They work, but putting them back to back is an issue easily solved with at least two minutes of padding, not two seconds.

Katie’s Death Fakeout: This is one of the few instances that a joke doesn't work in the movie, made even more annoying with the fact that I could see the punchline a mile away and kept thinking, "Just get to it already." I'm pretty sure no one bought this, especially when Katie didn't look like she could have gotten killed in any way after throwing PAL. It's poorly handled and proof that even the funniest comedies have a stale joke every now and again.

Nothing New is really being done here: Keep in mind that in terms of style, this movie is incredibly innovative. And here's hoping future animated projects can take notes. But narratively speaking? Yeah, there's nothing really new that this movie is offering.

A story about how technology will be the death of us? Been there.

A story about a group of idiots miraculously saving the world? Done that.

A story about a father forcing their teenager on a road trip so they can spend quality time with each other, thus ruining the teen's chance of hanging out with their girlfriend? Believe it or not, I have seen A Goofy Movie...multiple times...both as a kid and as an adult.

Now, I have no issue with a movie's plot being a bit by-the-books, and in some cases, cliche. If done effectively, and if I still have a good time, I don't think there’s much to complain about. And there isn't with The Mitchells vs. The Machines. The problem lies with that I'll forget this movie along with the dozens of others like it in a couple years. Which might just be the biggest issue any film can have.

---------------------

Overall, I'd give The Mitchells vs. the Machines a well-earned A-. It has nitpicks, sure, but it's still a blast to watch. It might not be innovative or groundbreaking as movies like the last Sony Pictures Animation movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. However, it is fun. And when the world is burning down around us, it's nice to have a fun movie that can distract us from all of it. So feel free to log in to Netflix the next time you're in the mood for a film that is great for the whole family. You won’t be disapointed

(And I will talk about The Falcon and the Winter Soldier pretty soon. I just needed to get this out of my system first.)

[magicmoontea]

Illuminated Fantasies (2/2)

Characters: Beckett Harrington x f!MC (Iris Atwood), Pend Pals

Rating: NSFW! The sexual parts are at the end, so if you want, there is plenty of story before it gets dirty 30 diamond level. 

Word Count: Over 10,000. I went overboard. ~30 min read

Summary: Part 2! Part 1 can be found here. It’s the Summer Solstice and Iris and the Pend Pals are celebrating! With the surge of magick from the Sun, Iris has just confessed to Beckett...how will he respond?

Notes: I’m so sorry for the long delay!! I love reading longer, fleshed out pieces, so I really wanted every moment to be captured. Hopefully you enjoy because this took so much of my heart and time! I took some lines from the book and mashed them together in my own way. This was created for a choices challenge way back in April where “Fantasy” was the theme. 

“Wh-What?” Beckett stuttered out, clearly thrown off by Iris’ confession. He instantly sat up straight on the couch, running his nervous hand that was just touching her through his hair, tousling it immediately, and Iris was instantly missing his contact. 

Whether he realized it or not, Iris felt his magickal energy start swirling around them.

He then stood up and started to walk around in front of Iris in lazy circles, clearly deep in thought. This made her empathetic self on edge. Beckett was always quickly composed and thought every step through before he acted, so this was a new side of him that she was witnessing. She wanted to know desperately what he was thinking. 

“Yeah….” Iris blushed furiously, not really thinking about the part that came after a confession like that. She felt the air and energy change in the room, and magick sparked around them as if in the perfect conditions for a magickal storm. She wasn’t sure what his reaction would be after she allowed herself to be completely influenced by her Sun magick, but she didn’t think he’d have such a strong magickal effect. 

Iris felt a soft breeze of air flowing around them, dancing across her skin, and she couldn’t help but smile slightly at the feel of his magick around her. His air magick slightly brushed her hair from her shoulders. He slowly stopped his pacing to look at her then. 

His gaze bore into her hazel eyes so deeply, like he was searching for guidance in them.  Under his gaze, she felt herself open up to him even more, like a flower finally, slowly blooming in the right conditions. She dropped all of her guards in their silent communication through their eyes, and in a burst of raw emotion, her Sun magick intertwined with his to create a gentle warm breeze around them.

“....And…that is something, you…. you want?” Beckett broke the silence as he nervously asked, blushing so hard that she could basically feel the heat coming from his body. She broke out in a smile at the sight of the handsome blushing Metal-Att in front of her. She loved making him flustered, and pushed away any fear that he would not return the feelings, and just allowed herself to be present in the moment. 

“For someone as brilliant as you, I would have thought you would have figured that out long ago.” Iris teased and couldn’t help but let out a light hearted giggle.

“I...I,” Beckett started and stopped. He cleared his throat as if he was trying to regain some control over the situation. “I would never have guessed in a million years that you felt that way about me. Iris, I don’t even know what to say.  I’m not good at this.” 

He moved to then sit down next to her on the couch and immediately his knee started to bounce up and down, and Iris started to feel herself doubt herself as she felt how nervous he was. Was he trying to let her down easy? 

Oh shit. What did I just ruin? Her mind betrayed her earlier confidence. She reached out and grabbed his knee to stop the anxiety habit and ease him. 

“Listen. You don’t have to say anything. Let’s just keep this moment,” Iris spoke softly but felt her throat tighten up as her body was starting to have a very emotional reaction to the thought of losing Beckett due to pushing boundaries. Stupid Sun magick confidence.

“Iris.” He furrowed his eyebrows like he was deep in thought over how to say his next words. “I would very much like to hear what the fantasy spelled showed you. If you want to tell me that is.” He spoke so gently as if afraid the moment was going to be spooked and run away if he approached it too quickly.  

She started retelling it softly, “Okay. Well, the vision was of me waking up and having a strong reaction to a nightmare. Funny enough, even in my fantasy life, I’m not well mentally.” She laughed slightly at herself to ease the building tension inside of her. 

She took a little breath and continued, looking down at her nervous hands in her lap as she spoke, “But you were there. You instantly knew what to do to make me feel safe. You didn’t do a whole lot, but I felt so loved, Beck. I didn’t fantasize about being not fucked up. I dreamt about you loving me for me, even though I’m so messed up.” As she spoke, tears threatened to fall and gathered at the corners of her eyes, feeling exposed and so tired of having to be strong all the time. 

He quickly reached out to her as if she was falling, and he was the only person able to catch her. The gold detailing on all the candlesticks next to them started to curl up and bend in shape, as a burst of Metal magick left him. He cupped her face and spoke so vulnerably and choked out his words with so much feeling. Her tears started to fall softly.

“Iris. I wish you could read my mind so you could see how much you mean to me. I know I’m not good at this.” He gently wiped away her tears with his thumb and continued, “But, I know you. The real you, Iris. And you’re not fucked up. Please don't ever say that about yourself. You are so beautiful. Oh God, you are so beautiful.” 

His lips were on hers before she could truly process what he was saying. The moment of feeling his kiss for the first time was a memory her lips would keep forever, and when she felt his trembling fingers caress her face and neck, she kissed him harder. 

They didn’t let their minds and second thoughts stop the intimate moment. His lips were softer than she expected, and she felt herself craving the feeling of his kiss as the moments passed. He returned her passion as equally, and she was honestly surprised at how hungrily he captured her lips. She was completely under his spell. 

From this close, she was surrounded by the smell of his cologne, fresh and intoxicating. She could feel his energy and magick bouncing off of him in waves, and she welcomed it. Running her fingers through his hair, she moaned slightly in his mouth, as she had always wanted to do that. 

His tongue ran along her bottom lip and caressed her own, and she wanted to never forget the way he tasted. Iris smiled into the kiss and pulled her body even closer to his, almost on top of his lap. This little moment was pure bliss.

Well almost.

Reality crashed hard as they pulled apart abruptly when they both heard someone making their way into the room. Iris was about to murder her twin, who was currently drunkenly yelling, asking where she was. 

“IRIS! You in here? I know you ain’t in the bathroom. Because I checked. And there are SO many bathrooms on this floor alone,” Atlas shouted as she entered Sherya’s massive sunroom taking in the extravagant surroundings. “What fucking room is this, now?”

“Yeah, I’m here. Now stop yelling,” Iris said and stood up getting some distance from the blushing Beckett who had swollen lips. Shit. She’s totally going to know.

“Dude, I looked for you everywhere! But side note, why, why do people need 42 bathrooms? One of them literally had a golden bathtub, and that’s just what they have on the main floor!” Atlas continued not being too observant of her twin before her. 

“I needed a moment, and then Beckett found me here, and we were talking. Didn’t mean to worry anyone.” Iris decided to keep it short as she was nervous her intuitive twin would know what happened, and she definitely wasn’t ready to share that with her. 

“Oh. Becky is here, too. I thought you went to talk to plants or something?” Atlas turned her attention now to Beckett who clearly did not appreciate the new nickname. 

“Not Becky, ever. And yes, I was actually interested in studying the plants in the sunroom, and I found Iris here, funny enough.”  Beckett was quick with his story leaving Iris impressed. 

“Becky will stick, just see. Well, come on guys. Zeph is gonna leave soon, but he wants to do the wish to the faes together before he goes.” Atlas motioned for them to follow her, so they had no choice but to leave their moment they had built together and follow her. 

“Yes, that is good timing actually because I was planning on leaving shortly as well. I will make my leave after the fae wish as well,” Beckett stated so matter of factly, that Iris was nervous that he regretted what happened. She felt him trying to make eye contact, but she couldn’t return it without Atlas getting suspicious. 

Silently, they made their way back to Shreya’s backyard to sit around the bonfire once more joining in their friends’ conversation. Iris had to do everything in her power to appear normal, but her thoughts were consumed by Beckett's hands on her neck, the way his breathing changed as he kissed her harder, and the feel of his soft lips kissing her over and over.  

“No way, so you guys kissed?!” Griffin asked loudly. Iris jumped in her seat at the question and turned to Beckett who was already staring at her wide eyed.

Shreya laughed at the question directed to her, “Yes! Even with that terrible button up shirt, I still kissed him!” They were engaged in a conversation that Iris and Beckett missed, and it took several moments to still Iris’ beating heart at the thought that they were that obvious and caught. 

Beckett’s laughter surprised Iris even more, but then she couldn’t help but join him, making him laugh harder. The rest of the group stopped talking and looked at them quizzingly. 

“Sorry, just thinking of a funny joke Iris said earlier.” Beckett smiled a lopsided smile at Iris that made her stomach do flip flops. 

“Wow, Beckett’s drunk. Never thought I’d see the day.” Zeph said, teasing him and elbowing his side. 

“They’re here!” Aster clapped her hands excitedly and everyone stopped talking then to look at the beautiful flickering and glowing lights in the distance as the faes took the Summer Solstice cookies offerings the Pend Pals placed earlier. 

“Everyone make your wish!” Aster shouted and closed her eyes eager and loving the tradition. 

Iris closed her eyes and as soon as she did, she felt the essence of Beckett wash over her even more. His energy and magick strongly coursed through her body. Completely influenced by him, she made her wish.

 Faes, on this beautiful summer solstice night, I feel my magick stronger than ever before. I feel your magick, and I also strongly feel his magick. My wish is to live my life with no expectations of what others have of me. To allow myself to feel without fear.

She felt so lighthearted and free after releasing her wish. The amount of emotions and depth of the feelings that she had encountered today was exhausting if she stopped and thought about it. Even with the vision she had this morning of him kissing her in her underwear (that part didn’t happen sadly), she was still thrown off by his pure raw emotion that she briefly felt tonight. It shook her to core, and she was aware of the change that was forming inside her. He was swimming in the waters that was breaking her levee refusing to let her be the same as before.    

“I always loved doing that with my grandma and sister. Since they’re gone at their Water-Att women retreat, I appreciate you guys filling in. You guys are the best! “ Zeph beamed at his friends and wrapped his arms around Beckett and Griffin’s necks, happily affected by the magick the night brought. 

“Anytime, buddy. Anytime.” Griffin patted his back amused. With that everyone started to say their goodbyes for the night and made their promises to keep in touch as the summer passed. Iris hugged all her friends, and when she got to Beckett, all her senses came alive, watching his every move. 

“Goodnight, Iris.” He spoke softly, and she could see the hint of pink tickling his cheeks. He took her into his arms, and she held onto him tightly. She didn’t want to be too obvious in front of the others, but her body couldn’t help but react when she was around him. 

“Goodnight. Thank you for everything.” Iris whispered only loud enough for him to hear, and he squeezed her a little tighter in response. Pulling apart they started to make their distance from each other, Beckett’s long legs running ahead of her. Iris sighed a deep breath and couldn’t believe she was going to go a while without seeing him again. She’d have to make up some excuse to see him one more time before her internship with his sister. 

Iris’ walking came to a slow pace, as her thoughts were becoming increasingly louder. She jumped at a touch on her shoulder. She heard her sister laugh at her reaction, so she elbowed her in the side as they walked silently across Shreya’s yard going home together.

“Okay. I’m just going to say it.” Atlas broke their silence and Iris stopped their walking to look at her twin as she continued, “You need to go after him.” She spoke so nonchalantly, but all- knowing, and Iris couldn’t help but get annoyed at her smugness. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Iris picked her pace back up and continued to walk, Atlas following right behind her. 

“Riiiighhht. That’s why neither of you could look at each other the whole time without getting red. I mean that’s a norm of Beckers, but when I saw you getting flustered over him, I knew something was going on.” She shrugged. “I’m your twin, remember.”

“Yeah, I can’t forget that,it’s like looking at an angry version of myself all the time.” Iris replied ignoring her sister further. Atlas actually laughed at her sister’s remark, but didn’t drop it. 

“Iris, really. I don’t want to further discuss it. But just please go after him, so I don’t have to deal with your moping all summer. Just please spare the details.” Atlas raised her eyebrows in her classic, please don’t make me smile, but I want to show some emotion to you, way. Iris beamed at her sister and nodded silently communicating in a way only they could. 

She ran hard, pushing herself and allowing the adrenaline of the Sun magick building inside of her to release in every step forward. No plan was constructed inside of her mind, and she didn’t even want to think of one. Everything about Beckett since the kiss felt organic as each thought about him bloomed without effort. She didn’t want to act based on overthinking and trying to figure out what he wants from her. Feeling tired of always having to be mindful of her power growing inside of her, the dark thoughts that fought to come out of the shadows, and needing to take care of everyone, she wanted, no, needed to take care of herself. 

This was Iris’ first step toward that, and she wanted her declaration to be loud and authentic to her, and what she truly wanted to be without expectations of others. She was short of breath by the time she reached Shreya’s magick portal room, and surprised that she saw Beckett still there pacing the room. 

Faintly, she heard him muttering to himself. “No, no. That simply won’t do. Iris, I would very much like to talk and figure out a plan to further test our connection? No. Come on, Beckett.” She couldn’t help but gush at the precious sight of him rehearsing what to say to her. 

He actually felt the same way. Holy crap. He felt the same way. Reality was catching up to Iris gleefully as she took steps closer to Beckett, her footsteps bouncing across the marble making him aware of her presence. 

“Iris!” The way he was looking at her and calling her name was all the motivation she needed to keep going. 

“Beckett, I don’t want the night to end. I want to be around you. I don’t care what we do. I just don’t want to say goodbye yet.” Iris allowed herself to be vulnerable as she now stood in front of him, admiring the way the blue in his blazer brought out the brightness in his eyes. 

He bit his lip as if it could prevent himself from smiling hard, but Iris’ eyes were like magnets to his lips. He didn’t speak right away, and instead reached down the length of her forearm arm to capture her hands in his own. Iris immediately took his warm hands in hers and her toes curled in her shoes at the sensation. Looking down, and their hands, Beckett blushed. 

“I would very much like to continue the night with you as well.” His voice was soft and comforting, and he wordlessly took her through a door to a destination he had in mind. 

Still hand in hand and occasionally brushing their thumbs across the other’s, they made their way through an unfamiliar ward room, and out into a summer lakehouse. Her eyes widened at the beautiful view that was immediately visible to her through the open floor plan room: floor to ceiling windows that were letting in an abundant amount of moonlight in the room as it stood over a private lake and greenery. 

“This place is stunning!” Iris took in her surroundings and decor enjoying the way the luxurious rug in the living room felt under her toes. These were the type of homes that Iris thought she would only be able to see during her late night HGTV binge watching when she was attuneless. She could tell that this was a summer home by the choice in decorations and color, and Iris couldn’t believe that this was someone’s second home. 

Beckett leaned against the living room wall observing Iris as she made her way over to the large window. “I cannot believe this amazing view as well. Is that a private lake? Of course it is, what am I saying? Look at this yard!” Iris could feel herself fawning, and even joined Beckett in laughing at herself. 

“Yes. I know I am very lucky to benefit from my family’s success and name.” Beckett spoke lightheartedly, but Iris could sense a deep hurt lurking there. She didn’t want to push it and make him feel anything bad. 

“Where are we?” Iris asked and wanted to change the subject a little to ease his mind. He seemed grateful for the slight distraction. 

“My family’s summer home about 40 minutes up north. That is Lake Evi back there and it flows quite a bit down east, but yes, this is our part of the lake. There are a few other homes around the lake. My father is keen on privacy, so the floral, trees, and greenery all have a purpose to keep it secluded still. You can barely even tell there are other homes here, you can truly pretend you’re by yourself.” He stared out the window and was deep in thought.

“It seems like a special place to you.” Iris pushed slightly, wanting him to know that she was here for him. She reached down between them to connect their hands once more. He smiled at the contact, and this gave him the courage to keep talking. 

“This was always my favorite place to go as a child. We seemed to be the closest as a family when we were able to just forget the outside world and their expectations of being a Harrington. I was able to truly relax here on the lake with Katrina. That changed as we got older, however. The perpetual notion my family put on me that I had to be absolutely perfect all the time followed me everywhere, even on vacation. The emotional distance got larger and eventually we stopped vacationing here as a family all together.” Beckett confessed to her, still looking out to the lake as if he had been returning to an age-old conversation with it.

“I’m sorry, Beck. I hope you know that you are amazing, and that you’re amazing because you’re not perfect. That doesn’t mean you aren’t one of the most intelligent and capable people I know, because you are. You don’t need to prove it to anyone or constantly prove it to yourself. Trust yourself.” Iris put her head on his shoulder and looked out at the lake with him trying to help him find the tranquility he needed. He squeezed her hand again, and they stayed like that, comfortable with the silence and each other's presence. 

Moonlight danced across a photo frame nearby catching Iris’ attention, and she immediately lit up at the sight of younger Beckett in the photo. She made her way over to the wall of photos and Iris made sure to stop and take in every picture. Images of younger Beckett and Katrina shined in their frames, and Iris couldn’t help but stop and smile at the photo of them making something that looked like an attuned version of s’mores in the yard with a great mess on their faces. They looked so happy together.

“I love this one.” Iris spoke pointing at the picture, and Beckett came over to see which one she was talking about. 

“Oh yeah. We loved making fire pies when we were younger.” Beckett smiled absentmindedly looking at the photo, lost in a memory. 

“Okay, moving past fire pies when they are obviously s’mores…” Iris giggled at Beckett’s startled face clearly wanting to object, and she loved how easy it was to make him flustered. “I think it’s a really tender moment.” 

“Yeah, Katrina was big on putting up candid photos. My parents didn’t think photos should be taken unless there was some reason to take them. They hated unprofessional, impromptu photos, and so there came a point where Katrina got so fed up she asked our cook, Darla, to take our photo. Then it kinda became our thing. My parents were so mad when she bought frames and decorated the house with these photos.  They took them down, naturally, but since it was Katrina, they insisted if she had to put them up, they would be put up here, where no one but us would see.” Beckett finished recalling the memory speaking softer towards the end.

Iris frowned at the story being told to her, heart filling with ache for the man next to her. She looked around the walls and sure enough, his parents weren’t in a single picture. No wonder why he looked so happy in them. She nonchalantly looked around the summer house a bit more and saw that it looked like someone had been here recently. A cup left out on the counter, a blanket folded on the corner of the couch, and the air enchantments that cooled the house were still going. 

She felt a pit in her stomach, knowing the answer. Was Beckett staying here instead of his house? Iris turned to the freckled Metal-Att who was already looking at her, deep in thought. She smiled at him gently trying to ease any pain wordlessly and by the way he was looking at her, she could tell he could feel her nurturing energy. 

“I’m really glad you have these photos then. This place really seems to be a safe haven for you. I’m so happy you showed me, Beck.” Iris’ soft voice came out barely louder than a whisper feeling herself and her magick connect to Beckett as if it were some magickally woven string stitching them together. They stood there wordlessly for a while and allowed the moment to stay there and be tender. 

“You want to hear what my fantasy was?” Beckett spoke finally, and Iris couldn’t help but notice how overcome with emotion he was.

“Of course.” She encouraged him to tell her, and he began to speak gently without breaking eye contact. 

“I was at a place, very similar to this, and I was enjoying a glass of tea. But you see, I wasn’t just sitting there drinking tea, I felt truly present. I felt the wind. I thanked the clouds for the brief shade it provided, but celebrated the sun when it returned. I heard the sound of the grass moving, and the trees were almost singing with an utter joy of just existing. You were there with me. Silent, but still communicating with me all the same. I felt the texture and warmth of your skin as you reached out and grabbed my hand, and the pure love that I felt almost knocked the wind out of me. You see, Iris, I felt no pressure. There was no thought that I should be doing more. That simply living my life, enjoying the little things with you, was more than enough.” He swallowed thickly with emotion that was bubbling up inside of him, and her heart soared. 

“Beckett, that sounds absolutely beautiful.” She slid her hands to run up his chest slowly and around his beck, making his ears turn pink. Leaning forward slowly, she took Beckett’s lips in her own, and his were on hers returning the gesture immediately. His hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her even closer and deepened the kiss. 

Still just as overwhelmed with delight as the first time he took her lips, she became entranced with his kiss and his taste. It sent every nerve in her body on fire, and she was aware of every feeling coursing through her. 

She could feel his quickened heartbeat through the blazer he always wore, and she felt her body heat up from the contact. The effect he had on her from barely doing anything made her head spin. She could only imagine what it would be like when she became more intimate with him. 

He pulled back from the kiss to tenderly caress her cheek and whispered against her lips, “Stay with me tonight. We can just sit here on the rug and watch the moon over the lake. I don’t mind. I just don’t want to let you go yet.” He pleaded with her, and she felt her stomach do flip flops.  

“There’s nowhere else I rather be.” She smiled brightly, and her body hummed with Sun magick as she felt her skin warm and break out in goosebumps as if the sun just came out and warmed her chilled skin. 

He stepped back and sat down on the oversized plush rug that was situated right in front of the window, giving them a perfect view of the scenery. He took two decorative pillows from the couch for them to lay down on as well. Reaching out his hand for her to take, Iris thought there was nowhere she wouldn't follow him. 

Enjoying the feeling of the incredibly soft rug on her legs as she stretched out, she sat down next to Beckett. Putting her head back on his shoulders she couldn't believe that she was here sharing such a tender night with him. Part of her worried that he would disappear like this was all just some twisted dream. 

After a while of comfortable silence staring at the tranquil lake, Iris spoke, still gently resting her head on his shoulder breathing in his intoxicating scent, "I don't know what's in my future and honestly, the more I think about it, the more my stomach feels sick. Tonight and everything that’s happened with you, though, feels right. I don't have an answer about where we go from here, but I for once want to allow myself to feel what I want to feel." 

Beckett responded by wrapping an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Her whole side was glued to his and she felt the fire starting to burn inside of her again setting her magick on edge.

"Then who am I to deny you such pleasures? I want you to always be yourself with me, without any fear of my expectations. I promise I'll always give you room to grow and be yourself." Beckett spoke so matter-of-factly as if this wasn't the most thoughtful thing Iris had ever heard, and she had to tell herself repeatedly that this really was happening.

She lifted her head from his shoulder and smiled warmly at him. "And you said you didn't have a way with words. Leave it to Beckett to be good at everything, even the things he’s not good at." Iris teased and enjoyed the bashful smile that emerged on his beautiful face. 

"Can I kiss you again?" Beckett asked with a delight in his voice, shyly looking at her lips with such desire. What a goofball, Iris thought as she got closer to him and was centimeters away from his lips.

"You're adorable. Beck, the answer is always going to be yes." After Iris gave her consent, he eagerly closed the gap between them and took her lips so gently like he was afraid to scare her off. She placed her hands on the base of his neck toying with the hairs there and slightly parted his kiss with her tongue. Once he felt her tongue against his, the gentle kisses were replaced with urgent, passionate ones, desperate to taste all of her, but still keeping his slow pace. 

He gently pushed against her body to lay them down on the rug, and she felt her heartbeat start to race as she felt his body covering hers. She distantly felt a swirl of his air magick blowing around them, but all she could focus on was his soft lips kissing her like he was making up for lost time.

He pulled back to look at her with such adoration and desire in his eyes. She had never been under such an intense, raw gaze before, and she felt her cheeks warm from the attention he was giving her.

"Don't stop." Iris pulled him back down to her, unable to stop smiling.

Her lips found his again in another heated surge, and she took the time to enjoy the feel of his kiss. He was making soft groans as his strong hands roamed her sides gently, and she felt the excitement and sexual energy build inside of her. She needed to set the boundary for the night and see where his head was at because she felt herself being pulled by her blood magick impulse and carnal desire for him as the heated moments passed.  

However, the time spent longing for him from afar and in denial of her attraction to him was making the decision to keep it at just kissing harder and harder. With every capture of his soft lips, and feel of his exploring hands finding new skin to graze, her desire built higher. He was intoxicating with his entire being and the idea that she was finally kissing Beckett, and with such passion no less, was driving her absolutely wild. 

She couldn’t hold back the fantasy that often played in her head: to see what he looked like when he shook with pleasure and moaned her name. 

Iris moaned into his mouth at the thought and felt the tightness in her abdomen growing. Beckett responded to her moan by involuntarily thrusting his hips forward, desperate for contact even though their clothes. 

After a moment, she pulled back reluctantly, and looked into his darkening grey eyes breathing heavy with him. 

“It feels so right kissing you, Beck.” A small bashful smile tugged at her lips as the giddiness of the moment caught up to her. 

“I still can’t believe you’re letting me kiss you.” Beckett smiled a lopsided smile, eyes filled with building desire, and Iris couldn’t help her heart tightening with extreme emotion she felt for the Attuned laying on top of her lovingly. She knew how much Beckett overtook her mind, but being able to act on these feelings was a whole other new world for her. All of her emotions were in overdrive, and her whole body hummed for him. Her logical brain was disappearing rapidly.

She blushed harder. “I can’t believe I’m the one blushing, that’s usually your thing.” Iris laughed lightly, and Beckett joined her at her small joke at his expense holding her tighter and burying his face in the crook her neck. Inhaling her scent, Beckett hummed lightly to himself. 

“You smell amazing.” He spoke against her skin, sending vibrations throughout her body and making her even more aroused. The weight in his air magick changed as it swirled around them stronger. He then began to slowly and sensually kiss her neck, down to her collarbone back up to her neck, and immediately Iris broke out in goosebumps overcome with sensation as he paid attention to one of her more sensitive areas. 

She felt him smile against her skin, and he pulled his lips far enough away that she could feel his breath spreading across the goosebumps. Iris bit her lip and held her breath as her toes curled. She was losing control already. She could only imagine what it would be like to feel him inside her. Her thoughts got dirtier as he continued to explore her body.  

“You like that?” Beckett’s husky voice vibrated against her neck once again, and all she could do was wordlessly nod as he began to plant more kisses along her neckline, this time dipping further down her chest. He was paying extra attention to the freckles that danced across her skin as his warm fingertips started to trace her collarbone and neck lightly.  Iris ran her hands through his hair and down his broad back, getting lost in the sensations. 

"The effect you have on me is incredible." Iris sighed in pleasure as he continued a line of kisses from her neck to her shoulder, a mixture of sweet and desperate for more.

She spread her legs wider to pull him even closer, and Beckett willingly brought his body closer, eager for that connection as well. The hem of her sunflower dress rose up her thighs as his warm, roaming hand tested the boundaries throughout the kiss, gradually rising and falling down her figure. 

The feeling of his body weight on her, completely covered and surrounded by him alone, was making her magick hum inside her and around them beautifully. She felt her hair brush off her shoulders by a warm wind created by their pure emotion and magick mixing together. They were pushing a wordless limit that neither had set. 

She felt his fingers tremble slightly as his hand made his way lower and gently cupped her breast, groaning when he made contact. He kneaded slightly and took her lips hungrily in another passionate kiss in which Iris happily returned.

“Beckett!" Iris pulled away slightly to look deeply into his grey eyes, shocked by how affected she was by touch and lowered her gaze to his swollen lips. Fuck, he was irrisitable. I need him.

"I'm sorry. I-" Beckett started to apologize for crossing the boundary neither had set, but Iris interrupted him by kissing him quickly.

"Don't! Don’t apologize.” Iris spoke quickly. She took a deep breath and continued, “I'm not sorry. Far from it. I...I want to be with you, Beckett." Iris looked down to avoid his gaze at the intensity of it all, but quickly looked back at him when she heard a deep, involuntary groan escape his mouth. She could hear him break control at her words, and she wanted more. She’d never forget that sound.

"Iris... I've-I’ve wanted you for so long." He eagerly cupped her face and kissed her, making her smile against his lips and run her hands down his chest. 

"Mmmm...Beckett. Show me." Iris barely broke away from the kiss, speaking against his beautiful lips and allowed the desire to be reflected in her words, so he wouldn't have a doubt with how much she wanted this. 

He swallowed visibly and sat up briefly on his heels to remove his trademark blazer, leaving him in his dark grey button down shirt. Iris sat up with him then and kissed his neck tasting his skin, and her hands started to work her way through his buttons. She felt his breath hitch and become more shallow, and she couldn't wait to make him come even more undone. 

His hands trembled slightly and made his way over her shoulders and down the length of her back to cup her ass, and Iris moaned softly against his neck and finished unbuttoning his shirt with some Air magick. She eagerly pushed his shirt off his shoulders, drinking in the sight of his bare chest, remembering when she first saw him shirtless when he did yoga with her. 

She couldn’t help but run her exploring hands over his warming chest. He hummed in delight at her touches as he wrapped his fingers around her dress's zipper and pulled it down. 

He sucked in his breath as Iris shimmed her way out of her dress, leaving her only in her underwear in front of him.

"You're... You're so beautiful, Iris."  Beckett fawned over her and kissed her again with more urgency. She returned the kiss fiercely and ran her hands through his hair and loved the way it felt beneath her fingers, knowing she was messing up his traditional well-kempt style. 

He began to graze his palms against her bare skin, and Iris could feel his touch long after he left the area of skin. He was drinking in the feel of her skin, taking his time, and Iris felt herself melt.

Standing back and getting some distance between them, Iris made eye contact with Beckett. She could see his erection straining against his pants, and she was eager to see all of him and fully please him.

Let’s give him a night to remember forever.

He was beginning to stare at the tops of her breasts that peaked from her bra. Smirking and reaching behind herself, she unhooked her strapless bra with one motion, and let her bra drop on the carpet without breaking eye contact. 

Beckett’s eyes grew wide, and he hissed at the sight of her bare chested in front of him. 

“So fucking beautiful.” Beckett breathed as he quickly closed the distance between them and enveloped her into his arms wrapping her tightly with another passionate kiss, and the wetness between her legs grew at Beckett swearing. Him talking dirty to her would surely be the death of her. 

He began to kiss down her neck and make his way to her breasts with open mouth kisses. Every now and then he would trace his tongue across her skin to taste her. When he made it to her breasts, he took his time kissing the skin there, and when he got her nipples they were already sensitive with anticipation. 

Her fingers dug their way in Beckett’s hair making a home there as he claimed her breasts with his mouth. His fingers pinched her nipple with just the right amount of pressure and pain as his tongue swirled around her bud, and she felt her body create a moan from deep inside.

“Come here.” Iris commanded and was surprised to hear how husky her voice had become. She felt so sexy and sure of herself. She was loving how empowered he made her feel as the heated moments passed. His lips let go of her nipple with a loud pop, and he looked so disheveled but eager to please. 

Iris laid herself back down on the carpet, letting the fuzzy material caress her skin that was already humming with sensational delight. With the sexiest mischievous smile she could muster, Iris waved him down to her, and almost laughed at how quick he was down on the ground covering her with his body and kisses.

She had already decided that she wanted to drive Beckett Harrington absolutely wild and give him something to remember for the rest of the summer, but with every one of his touches, she felt her own sexual energy being fueled. The room’s temperature rose a few degrees as Iris’ Sun magick sparked.

Kissing him and teasing his tongue with her own, she carefully ran her hand down the length of him through his pants. He broke the kiss immediately to give a deep groan and eagerly helped her when she began to unzip his pants and push them down and off his legs. 

Hooking her leg around his waist, she began to move her hips so she could rub herself against his bulge through their underwear, aching for him, as she captured his lips. His body trembled slightly, and she held behind his neck tighter, pulling him closer to her, completely enveloping him in her kiss.  

Iris began to feel her way down his toned back, reminding herself of the countless yoga sessions she’d spend staring at it, and tucked her fingers in the waistband of his boxers to pull them down so she could see all of him.

He sprung out of his boxers, and Iris felt a warm blush cover her cheeks as she saw his cock for the first time. 

“Beckett…” Was all Iris could manage to say as he claimed her lips again. When she felt his fingers pulling down the only piece of clothing left between them both, she reached down to hold his hard length in her hand.

“I-Iris,” Beckett hissed as she began to pump him slowly, resting his forehead against hers as he struggled to not moan. He was turning on Iris so much that she felt a surge of sexual confidence overcome her as she spoke.

“Tell me your fantasy…” Iris moaned, loving the effect she had on him. 

“I already did,” Beckett croaked out, and looked slightly confused and out of it, and this brought much amusement to Iris. 

“No...you know.” She gave a little chuckle which made his cock twitch, "Tell me a sexual fantasy you have." Iris runs her hand along the length of him again this time with more pressure.

“Shit, Beck. You’re really sexy” Iris could feel herself saying out loud as she gazed upon the blushing Metal Att, his hard cock in her hand. 

Beckett groaned loudly as Iris began to deftly work her hand down his hard length, and she felt her toes curl in delight at the noise. She wanted to hear more, yearned for more. She squeezed him harder on her next pass up his erection, and swiped his precum at the top. His hips jerked in her palm, and she smirked as his eyes shut tight. 

“Iris” He breathed out shakily.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Iris teased him and slowed her movements almost to a dead stop, getting incredibly aroused by having this power on him. She stopped moving her hand after he still didn’t respond.

“Hmm?” Beckett spoke breathlessly, clearly missing the feeling of her hand stroking his cock.

She let out a small laugh and Beckett’s hipped jerked, urging her to continue. She took her fingertips and lightly brushed their way up the length of his penis and gently swirled around his tip. Just enough contact to please and not tease, but not nearly enough for Beckett. He impatiently whimpered as she continued her slow strokes. 

Using the way his eyes were tightly shut and the way his body slightly trembled as a motivation to continue, she sexily purred, “Beck, tell me a fantasy of yours...”, letting all of her magical seduction energy pour out of her. She increased the pressure she stroked his cock as she gave him the pleasure he was looking for.

He jerked his hips as she gave him more of what he wanted, but as she started to slow down again as he didn’t answer, he started to speak in a rushed husky tone.

“I’ll tell you anything you want to hear.” He moaned into her neck, and she twisted her hand around the head of his penis. “Fuck, Iris!” His breath spread across her neck.

“Tell me dirty thoughts you’ve had about me, Beck” Iris whispered as she stroked his eager dick with a rhythm now. She could feel him audibly gulping so she continued.

“Have you ever touched yourself to me?” She continued her teasing and wanted to blame the summer solstice energy for making her so bold, but truth was, she has craved to lose control with Beckett for a long time.

She didn’t know if he was thinking of what to say or just couldn’t speak because Beckett moved his head to stare at her with his mouth open for a few moments. He was starting to tremble slightly again under her touch as he shakily moaned. Teasing him further, she started to slow down her rhythm and strokes. 

“...Y-Yes! Yes, I’ve touched myself thinking about you.” He gulped loudly and looked into her eyes. His desire was clear in his reflective eyes.

"Mmm...Beckett, you're so fucking sexy." Iris could feel how wet she was as her underwear hung around the tops of her knees forgotten with her passionate question earlier. His warm hands were frozen by her thighs as her brazen spark of sexual energy took control of the moment.

“Tell me more” She huskily demanded stroking faster and applying more pressure. He bucked into her hands not even trying to stop. Feeling the warm pulse of her blood magick growing stronger, she decided to take it further.

She stopped her movements all together, causing him to groan, and lightly pushed on his chest, motioning him to lay down on his back. Iris thought he looked like a Greek God sprawled out on the luxury rug, lips swollen, and his cock eager and ready. She knew she was driving him mad, but she had only begun. 

As Iris crawled her way to his naked body, Beckett’s eyes widened in the anticipation. When she made it to him, she ran her hands over his chest and abs, enjoying the feel of his muscles getting taunt under touch. Making eye contact the whole time, Iris lowered her mouth to place open mouth kisses on his chest. 

“Iris…” was all that Beckett was able to say as he watched her kiss lower, and his eyes rolled back as she darted her tongue out to taste his skin. As she got closer to his erection, she could feel his leg muscles tighten as his hands were fists at his sides, not willing himself to touch her just yet. 

“Mmm...I’ve thought about tasting you for such a long time.” Iris admitted as she took him in her hands again, stoking him gently. She looked up at Beckett to see his flushed face and mouth open, staring, causing her to smirk her mischievous smile. 

Still keeping eye contact, she flicked her tongue out slowly over his tip, tasting his precum as she held his shaft. 

“Shit…” Beckett breathed heavily, and Iris could see his chest moving up and down as he became undone. 

“Still don’t think I got an answer to my question though…” Iris sexily purred as she licked his tip and down his shaft, back up to the top. “Tell me what you fantasize about when you touch yourself…” After she finished, she took his tip in her mouth quickly and popped off with a loud pop, teasing him beautifully. 

“You will be the death of me.” Beckett’s voice was hoarse and desperate, and she knew he was close to needing release. 

She hummed, satisfied with herself, and took him in her mouth again, this time going even lower down his shaft, but not nearly enough for Beckett. When she stopped this time, she replaced her mouth with light strokes of her fingers, teasing him further. 

“This.” Beckett spoke almost too loud for the moment as he tried to keep his composure but failed miserably. “You taking me in your mouth, feeling your tongue against m…” he stopped speaking as she finally took him all in her mouth. His hands reached out to caress her skin as she took him in her mouth over and over, creating a beautiful rhythm. When she began to move her hand along with her tongue and mouth, he started swearing under his breath. 

“Mmm...so good. Well, I’m happy to oblige,” Iris found herself saying out loud after she released her working mouth from him as she continued to stroke him. She didn’t realize how much she belonged in this role of pleasing Beckett until she had his beautiful body under her palm and control. 

Face flushed more than Iris has ever seen, Beckett sat up and captured Iris’ lips in a sensual kiss all while she continued to stroke him. He stopped the kiss to lean his forehead against her panting as he no longer tried to hide how much he wanted her.

“Have you ever thought about fucking me?” Iris boldly asked in the darkness, having only the moonlight dance across their features. Beckett made a startled noise in his throat before moaning deeply and kissed her again, tongues caressing one another. 

“Y-Yes. God, Iris, I want you so badly.” Beckett confessed against her swollen lips.

It was Iris’ turn to come undone as Beckett’s strong hand made his way down her naked back, over her ass, and back around to swipe a finger along her wet folds. The instant spark she felt was evident as her magick surged out of her and gave her body a brief warm glow. 

Beckett stopped momentarily to look in awe at the glowing Attuned in front of him, “Iris. You’re incredible.” He kissed her shoulders as his fingers continued their exploration of her wetness with gentle touches. When his now wet finger made his way to her clit and did a lazy circle around it, Iris moaned deeply. 

They stayed like that for a while, each one touching the other, moaning into each others’ skin and climbing higher in ecstasy. Iris’ moans were coming closer together as he kept circling her clit with built up pressure and speed. 

“Yes, keep making those noises for me.” Beckett huskily demanded into the nape of her neck, as he easily slipped a finger into her core, and Iris could barely contain herself. 

“Fuck!” She grinded her hips into his finger making it go even deeper, and even though her strokes were now lazier on his hard cock, she could see he was enjoying himself just as much watching her come undone. 

“Shit, yes, I feel you tightening around my finger, just like that.” Beckett coaxed her in her ear as he continued to pump into her, adding another finger, all while never losing his momentum with her clit. 

She had no idea that Beckett, who would blush at their connected hands whenever she handed a book over to him, would be this comfortable enough to dirty talk with her. While she often dreamt of it, she never imagined he would actually be this wild. It was enough to make her come undone as the seconds passed, and she could feel her lower abdomen tighten and release as her ecstasy climbed higher and crashed wonderfully.

“Beckett!” Iris moaned loudly, holding onto his body tightly, surprised by how hard she was cumming around his fingers, and she could only faintly feel his kisses down her neck and chest as she made her way back down from her orgasm. 

When she opened her eyes again, her heart tightened in her chest. The complete adoration and obvious desire in Beckett’s eyes as he watched her, moved Iris so much that she vowed she’d never forget this moment. 

“You’re glowing...quite literally.” Beckett, amazed with her, ran his hands over her body like she was priceless art. Iris felt her body warm even more as she blushed from his compliment. She felt herself craving his affection, wanting to be everything he desires.

When her glowed died down, and she got a chance to catch her breath, she pushed Beckett lightly so that he was laying back down on his back. She wasn’t even close to being done with him. 

Climbing on top of his body, she positioned her sensitive pussy over him and grinded slightly to tease him. He threw his head back and gripped her hips, grounding her even harder into him. 

“I’ve fantasized this moment so many times…” Iris purred as she ran her hands along his chest, enjoying having him under her. Without warning, Iris then sank herself into his length, which easily filled her up with how wet she was. 

“Iris!” Beckett’s eyes shot open, looking so vulnerable at her that her heart hurt, and he gripped onto her hips desperately holding onto her like if he let go, he would fall apart.

She stayed like that for a little while, him filling her up completely, and gazed at the Metal-Att beneath her softly. Her features were illuminated by the glowing moonlight pouring in from the floor to ceiling windows in Beckett’s living room, and she couldn’t help but watch his hands roam her body, loving the effect he had on her as each swipe of his hand left goosebumps on her skin. 

“So beautiful.” He spoke so passionately as he touched her, that Iris found herself thanking her lucky stars again for putting her in this position. 

She began to create a rhythm with her hips slowly at first, then picking up the pace gradually, using his moans as motivation on what he likes. He was letting her make the pace for a bit, but after a couple thrusts, she found him meeting her hips with every stroke. Occupied with the pleasure of Beckett, Iris could barely register that the gold metal detailing on the frames on the walls behind them started to creak as they changed shapes. 

“You’re incredible Iris…” Beckett groaned as she made her pace fiercer and tightened around him. Iris was lost in the moans and sounds of their bodies coming together. Beckett’s grip on her hips was becoming harder, and she found herself wanting bruises on her hips to remember this night. When he released a hand to rub circles on her clit again, she threw her head back in pure ecstasy and never stopped her rhythm.

“I’m not going to...fuck...I’m going to come soon.” Beckett moaned deeply as he watched her pussy take all of his cock over and over. 

“Mmm...Beckett, I want you to give me your all.” Iris moaned as she grabbed her breasts in her hands, needing more sensation. 

Iris barely registered what was happening, as Beckett flipped her on her back and was now completely covering her body with his. When he entered back inside of her with a deep thrust filling her up completely, she began moaning his name.

“Keep saying my name,” Beckett moaned into her neck as he continued to thrust his hips into her wetness, never slowing down his pace. It was almost too much for Iris as she wrapped her legs around him wanting deeper, but she loved the feeling spreading all across her body. She knew he was close, and she wanted him to cum harder than he could ever have imagined. 

“Beckett! Yes! Fuck me, Beckett!” Iris loudly moaned, barely able to control herself, and she faintly saw that she was producing light orbs circling all around them. His Air magick was starting to spark again with hers, and a warm breeze circled all around them. When he pulled up from her nape, he looked deep into her eyes with heavy lids, and Iris could see the deep longing held there. He reached down to join their lips and another surge of Sun magick poured from Iris in the pure pleasure.

“Come for me, Beck.” Iris whispered to him, lost in their moment together, as he rested his forehead against hers, all while keeping his pace. 

“Hmmmggghh” was all that Beckett could muster out as his hips met hers haphazardly, just moving his body out of pure lust. Iris couldn’t tell where her body ended and where his began. 

“I’m coming!” He groaned deeply and claimed her lips again as his hips thrusted wildly, and Iris could feel him spasming on top of her. “Oooh fuck, Iris, fuck.” He spoke against her slick skin as he rode out his orgasm causing her to feel a deep sense of pride. She would never tire of hearing that. 

After his hips and thrusts slowed down to an almost dead stop, he looked into her eyes and continued stroking himself into her. Iris’ eyes widened as this felt so pure of emotion and vulnerability that her heart wasn’t prepared. She could tell how sensitive his cock must have been after coming as he continued to slowly pump into her because he’d break their gaze every so often to close his eyes and relish the feeling. Running her hands over his back and back up to cup his face, she took his lips in a kiss that held a sweet promise: that she’d never let go. 

Beckett must have felt her emotion as well pouring through the kiss because his cheeks turned even more pink with his signature blush. He rested his forehead against hers and they stayed like that for a while, holding each other, still connected, and every so often placing a lazy kiss on each others’ skin. 

“Wow,” was all that Iris could muster after a few moments. Beckett smiled a genuine smile that made her stomach do flip flops, and he slowly and reluctantly pulled himself out. He laid down next to her but quickly laid on his side and pulled her into him. Iris buried her face into his chest and inhaled the cologne mixed with musk that was Beckett after sex. She couldn’t stop smiling and was pretty sure that he could feel her smiling against his skin, but she didn’t care. Iris couldn’t remember a time where she was happier. 

“Yeah, wow.” Beckett laughed slightly and held her even tighter to him with unspoken promises. 

“Just a little something for you to remember me throughout the summer,” Iris teased and felt his body shake with laughter. 

“I will remember this night until the day I die. It would be impossible to have any other thoughts that aren’t you this summer and beyond,” Beckett confessed. 

“Not like that is much different for me from before, but yeah I agree.” Iris kissed his chest, and felt him push her back so that he could look into her eyes. 

“You mean that?” Beckett asked, almost scared of her answer, and all she wanted to do was cradle his heart and protect it. 

“Of course, Beck. I’ve liked you for such a long time. It’s kinda pathetic really.” She laughed at herself and allowed all her emotions to be shown in her eyes as she confessed more of her feelings to the man that held her heart. 

“You have no idea how happy that makes me to hear that.” Beckett pulled her back into him, and Iris could hear his heart stammering in his chest. She wanted to stay like this forever, listening to his heartbeats and breath. 

“Well, we will just have to make up for lost time now, won’t we?” Iris spoke, placing warm kisses on his heart, each one a new promise. 

“Definitely. There’s so many things I want to try with you, and I warn you now, my thirst for knowledge cannot be quenched.” He told her as he rubbed her back slowly and lazily, neither of them a care in the world. 

“Challenge accepted,” was the last thing Iris remembers saying before fading away into sleep on the beautiful summer night that gave her the spark of courage she needed all along. 

Thank you, sun. Iris thought and finally drifted to sleep, more content that she had been in a long time.

~End~

Author note: I hope you guys liked it! Any time I imagined Beckett and my MC having sex, Beckett is more the submissive one. I have sooo many ideas that I want to flesh out later. However, we know from the books that Beckett has his dominant streak in him too, so they like to switch roles every now and then ;)

Please let me know what you thought! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading! :)

[plasticbattleaxe]

thoughts on the amnesty finale

! warning big spoilers !

that intro went HARD AS SHIT GRIFFIN

like the atmostphere of the amnesty theme in a minor key getting progressivly more alien? the corrupted, creepy wrongness of the voice editing? so well executed

the foreshadowing of beacon getting closer to his final purpose being able to pop the bubbles and stuff? excellent

on the subject of beacon what a little shit i love him “Wayynnnne Newwwton” what a perfect representation of the ‘little shit’ friend

travis roll over a 5 challenge

the worldbuilding!!!!! that scifi setting of a cyber punk future slowly rotting... 

griffin really has a habit of turning his “fantasy” stories scifi right at the end though huh

the organic matter pods were such a good visual, almost matrix-esque, and imagining Jane forming in one of those things and then disolving?  jesus christ dude

JUSTIN WAS ON HIS GAME!!!! HE PLAYED DUCK SO WELL IN THIS ONE

its so wild to think that griffin has just been sitting on this backstory for so long and how much stuff actually played into it like remember that line from the tree arc where Indrid says to duck “all those futures changed when you saved that goat man” like holy shit what would have happened if duck hadnt saved billy

billy???????? BILLY!!!!!!!!

 god not focus on duck but damn what a fucking badass - beacon carving his way through the room just absolutely WRECKING all of those tanks is so cool he has come so far from duck “im just a regular guy’ newton  

thacker connecting with the hive mind and essentially telling a millions of year old entity to essentially get fucked is so him excellent job clint

BILLY IS BACK!!! BILLY IS ALIVE AGAIN! THANK TRAVIS FOR TRAVIS

beacon achieving his purpose made me so irrationally bittersweet like on one hand im like “fuckin superb you funky little sword” and on the other “no sir dont take him away thats my emotional support bastard”

billy using slang and talking as though hes a modern day teenager was buckwild like has he just been chilling with jake and pidgeon while we werent looking 

griffin you also have a thing for “characters making a huge decision right at the finale” huh

THE MUSIC. GOES. HARD. AS. FUCK. AMNESTY THEME REPRISE 

thacker essentially having psychic skype session with mama is so funny imagine being mama and being woken in the middle of the night cause this asshole you have a psychic link with keeps asking you to bring him gorp

the quell personified and seeking out thacker is such a rewarding redemption arc. good for her 

aubrey willing to stay with dani no matter where she goes :’)

“hi honey-” “OH MY GOD”

aubrey running across a feild with flowers spreading behind her is some ghibli movie shit and i really cannot wait to see art of it

aubrey in cannon carrying around a hiking bags worth of shampoo to keep her hair red? thats bisexual energy

PUDDING TREE

i love the aubrey dani interactions theyre always so genuinly sweet and endearing - dani saying “im hungry” and aubrey immediately just  “ight ima make a tree i guess”

griffin hesitiating when he describes dani kissing aubrey to make it less wieird was also very good like theres an audible second of silence before he says “on the cheek”

“this is only the beginining” travis this was the third time i cried this episode 

the music!!!!!!!!!!! was so good!!!!!!!!!!! here!!!!!!!!!!

duck going to help the forrest fires in brazil was so cool cause its true to character but also true to justins values :)

“honey-” HONEY?

okay i literally did a double take here because (im guessing griffin also thought this) that Juno and Duck would end up together. I’m totally on board with minerva it was just really out of the blue 

justins monolgue here was so good it was really heart wrenching and a beautiful conclusion to ducks arc

Griffin throwing in some subtle sternclay. like. we see you dude.

amnesty lodge sunset reprise is officially my new favourite song from the entire TAZ ost INCLUDING BALANCE 

Mama finally being able to pursue her art in proper now that she has a chance to follow her own dreams instead of keeping the world safe

Barclay not being afraid of who will recognise him

Jake, keith and hollis kicking it again :)

kirby maintaining neds legacy at the crytonomica

ned :(

oh fuck ned :(

at this point i was sobbing because this was all so bittersweet like Neds legacy, the gang seeing eachother again, the gentle music. it was like you were in that moment with them

griffin WHERE IS PIDGEON 

my favourite moment in this whole season was the last visual. mama standing on the deck in the cool night air, the sun setting behind her as she walks down to meet her friends and see the future she worked so hard for - all the while the gentle strum of the guitar plays in the background? beautiful. so fuckign beautiful 

im so thankful for the mcelroys giving us this treasure of a story and im so glad i got to see it unfold 

[crystalninjaphoenix]

Two of Souls

A Stitched Story

JSE Fanfic

Ohhhh boy this is a long one. And there’s not even that much action! I started out intending it to be some catching up with the boys and some exposition, but shit happens, I guess. Hopefully it’s as interesting to others as it is to me haha. So now that the boys are in this supposedly safe place with the magicians, what’s next? What’s the deal with those strings? And what about Jackie and Marvin? Find out here!

Tagging @septic-dr-schneep for inspiring this AU with this post.

Read where it started: Stitched Together | Season One | Season Two

Previous Season Three stories: Torn Apart | Tales to Tell | Threads | Twice Bitten, Never Shy

Taglist (finally): @bupine​ @violet--majesty @ari-trash

With a small ding! the doors to the elevator opened, and Jack stepped out onto the ground floor. He looked left, then right, then down at the note in his hand. ‘Investigating Storage Room 1, first floor, 3:00. On the right side, look for nameplate.’

They’d been in the Sanctuary for almost two weeks now. There had been no sign of trouble, but none of them had dared leave the building anyway. The result was a mixture of stress and boredom. But yesterday, something finally happened. Yvonne met with them and said that the magicians had finally gotten around to analyzing the strings. After some talking, Jack had volunteered to meet up with the magicians and relay the information back to the others. Of course, now that he was here he was feeling somewhat nervous, but he pushed that aside.

Folding the note and putting it in his pocket, Jack turned right and soon found the door they had directed him to, identifiable by a nameplate on the wall nearby. At a glance, it didn’t look too different from any other door in the Sanctuary. It didn’t have any of the numbers that the hotel-like rooms did, but then again, not all of them did. He wouldn’t have paid any attention to it at all, which might’ve been the point.

After a couple seconds, the door opened, revealing Delyth standing there. “Oh good, you’re here,” she said. “You’re early.”

Jack laughed nervously. “Well, I wanted to make sure, y’know? Is being early a problem?”

“No, not at all. Please, come inside.” Delyth stepped away so that Jack could walk into the room, closing the door behind him as soon as he had.

Contrary to its door, the room beyond was much stranger than the rest of the Sanctuary. It was dimly lit, with only a few lamps dangling from the ceiling casting concentrated beams of yellow light onto the floor. Not that there was much floor space at all. The room was filled with boxes. Neatly stacked, bigger ones on the bottom, all made out of metal with a coppery sheen. Each box had a label and what looked like a colorful warning symbol, like the sort that was put onto hazardous materials. Jack couldn’t remember if the symbol had a specific name, but he remembered it was a diamond made of four colors. These symbols were similar, except they were circular, divided into four colorful sections with another circle in the center.

In the middle of the room was a table. Delyth was quick to guide Jack over towards it. Yvonne was already there, as well as an older man with dark hair and a beard, both of which looked like they’d been hit by lightning. The man was wearing a coat that was decorated like a labcoat, but dark blue and with a symbol of a four-pointed star on the lapel. Oh the table was one of the coppery boxes, about the size and shape of a shoebox, and a strange device with several large lenses attached.

“Jack, this is Mr. Griffin, he’s one of the wizards studying at this Sanctuary,” Delyth explained.

“Pleasure to meet you, young man,” the older man said in a precise British accent.

Jack couldn’t help but stare. “Uh, yeah, the pleasure’s all mine. You...you’re a wizard, then?”

“I’m not what you were expecting, I understand,” Griffin laughed. “It’s alright, I get that reaction a lot, I’m very used to it.”

Jack laughed a bit as well. “Well, as long as I’m not the first.” He sighed, then returned to the seriousness of the moment. “Anyway, what’ve you found?”

“Well, I’ve examined these strings—”

“We’ve examined them,” Yvonne interrupted. “I helped, don’t forget.”

“Yes, Bell has been very helpful,” Delyth said, sounding as though she’d rather not admit it. “Her knowledge as a soul magician is valuable.”

Yvonne puffed herself up proudly.

“Anyway, we’ve examined them,” Griffin continued. He tapped the side of the box, and Jack leaned forward to look at it. The box actually had a lid, though he hadn’t noticed it since it was made of glass, giving a clear look into the inside of the box. The strings tangled about, writhing like worms and slamming against the sides. “These are not actually physical strings.”

“They’re not physical?” Jack asked, confusion obvious. “But...they can, like, touch things. Interact with them.”

“That’s true, but they’re not made of actual matter,” Griffin explained. “You see, magic can become solid, if concentrated enough. So they’re more like energy than anything else.”

“I...but...isn’t there a thing about how you can’t touch energy? Isn’t that what e=mc2 is all about? Something like that?”

“Magic follows its own rules,” Delyth said. “Just accept that if you take enough magic together, it can become a tangible thing.”

Jack nodded slowly. He figured it was best not to think about this too much. “Okay. So they’re just magic?”

“They’re more than just magic, actually,” Griffin said, suddenly grave. “They’re very dark magic.”

Delyth nodded. “From what we’ve figured out, the strings were most likely caused by a black magic spell backfiring. Terribly backfiring.” She sighed. “That’s the cost of dark magic. It may seem easy, but when it goes wrong, it goes wrong in a big way. Not to mention the effect it’ll have on a magician’s mind and soul.”

“A spell backfiring...” Jack muttered. “We...thought that Marvin and Jackie cast a spell. And we thought that it went wrong, too.” He paused. “Transference.”

“It’s all my fault!” Yvonne suddenly blurted out. She slammed her hands on the table, looking pale. “That book was in my shop. Marvin saw it, he wanted to borrow it, and I-I didn’t think anything of it! When he gave it back, it looked fine, but he could’ve easily copied—”

“Bell!” Delyth looked shocked. “You had a book with a transference spell in your shop?”

“Yeah,” Yvonne mumbled. “I thought it would sell for a lot. I never would’ve dreamed it could lead to all...all this. If I knew, I never would’ve stocked it.”

“You shouldn’t have been selling a book with that spell in the first place!” Delyth scolded. “Think of all the harm it could do!”

“Well, it’s not really my fault if someone wants to buy it, is it, Mae?” Yvonne said angrily. “If someone showed up looking for a book like that, then they knew exactly what they were doing. There are warnings with each spell and they’re very descriptive, if anything happened, it was on them!” She stopped, then slowly deflated. “At least, that’s what I thought at the time. If I knew...if I knew...”

“There’s never just one person responsible for a spell backfiring,” Griffin said. “Nor the consequences of it. Your Marvin friend shouldn’t have used the spell in the first place.”

Yvonne took a deep, shaky breath. “A-anyway, that’s what the strings are probably from. That spell going tops-up.”

Jack was silent for a moment, watching the strings in the box as they wriggled. “But...okay, if they’re just magic, that’s fine. But why are they moving? Why do they...it seems like they always make a beeline for Jackie and Marvin, why is that?”

“Ah. Well...” Griffin paused, stroking his beard. “This is where Ms. Bell comes into play.”

“Right.” Yvonne straightened her shoulders, collecting herself. “Jack, this—” She patted the device with the lenses “—is one of the many tools we use in soul magic. We, uh, don’t really know what souls are, to be honest. But we know that with this, we can at least see them. It helps us visualize souls into something more...tangible.” She slid two of the lenses into place and angled them so that Jack could look through them at the strings. “Go on, have a peek.”

Jack hesitated, then leaned over. He gasped. His view of the strings had suddenly been magnified by a thousand percent. He could see that the glowing strings were actually woven together of smaller threads, which appeared translucent when looked at individually. Caught in the woven threads, too small for anyone to see with the naked eye, were tiny, broken lights. Blue and red. They couldn’t have been bigger than dust motes, and there weren’t that many of them, but they shined with light.

“This is...kinda fucked up, honestly,” Yvonne said. “The bits of light you’re now seeing are actually bits of...soul.”

“Holy fuck...” Jack had to take a step back.

“I used a similar device to look at Marvin when he was at my flat,” Yvonne explained. “And his soul looked...broken. My only thought is that when he and Jackie performed the transference, both their souls were broken. And bits of them got mixed in with these strings, which must be the magic cast by the transference. It probably had nowhere to go, so it solidified.”

“That...that must be the case,” Jack breathed. “I mean, they’re even the same colors.”

Silence.

Jack, noticing the sudden quiet, looked around. All the magicians were staring at him with wide eyes. “What?”

“What do you mean...colors?” Delyth asked.

“The, uh, the lights are red and blue. Just like Marvin and Jackie’s souls,” Jack explained.

“Wh—” Yvonne choked.

“You can...can you see souls?” Griffin asked.

“Oh. Uh, yeah.” Jack tapped the area below his left eye. “Only with this eye, though. JJ and I think that when he used his magic to replace the one I lost, it kind of overcompensated.”

“And...these souls have colors?” Griffin asked again, looking very interested in this.

“Yeah. Of course.” Jack looked back and forth at the others. “Are they...not supposed to?”

“Even with the Lens, all souls appear colorless,” Yvonne said in a hushed tone. “Even to soul magicians like me. They’re all...white light.”

“Oh. I guess...I’m special, then? Because they definitely have color to me.” Jack closed his right eye. “Yeah, I can see all yours now. Delyth’s is purple like her magic, Yvonne’s is blue with a bit of purple, Mr. Griffin’s is bright, and I mean bright, yellow, and mine is green. Huh. Also all yours are kinda...sparkly? Mine isn’t. Yours kinda looks like how JJ’s is, but different.”

“Wait, can you see—are you maybe seeing our magic?” Griffin gasped. “That’s incredible!”

“Uh, thanks, I guess. I had no say in it.” Jack opened his eye and laughed. “It’s a bit ironic that I can see all these colors and you guys can’t, I’m actually slightly colorblind.”

“Okay, but the soul bits in the strings match Marvin’s and Jackie’s,” Yvonne hurried to say. “The colors here are the same as the colors of their souls?”

“Yeah.”

“That confirms it, then,” Delyth nodded. “The strings are attracted to them due to having parts of them inside. They want to be reunited.”

“I wouldn’t say that’s a bad thing in principle,” Yvonne said slowly. “Except for the fact that Marvin got a lot more angry and attack-y once some of those strings got together with him.”

“I suspect that’s the black magic,” Griffin said.

“Okay, but is there any way to get rid of them?” Jack asked, a desperate note in his voice. “These fucking strings are causing all sorts of trouble.”

“Hmm.” Griffin furrowed his brow and looked up at the ceiling. “I know we looked into that, but I think I left the notes in the other room.” He reached down and tapped the top of the box. It turned an opaque, coppery color, the same as all the rest. “I could go get them now, if you’d like.”

“Nah, that’s fine, I could go get them if you want.” Jack took a few steps back. 

“Oh. Well, if you’re offering, then that would be great, thank you,” Griffin nodded. “They should be next door, in the Investigative Room. I doubt I left them in a drawer or anywhere, so they’re probably out on a surface.”

“Alright.” Jack turned around. “I’ll see you later, then.” He hurried to leave. Those strings...he wasn’t eager to spend much more time with them.

— — — — — — —

There was a wide open area in the basement of the Sanctuary. At first glance, it looked like a gymnasium, except without the bleachers and basketball hoops. It was also much bigger, with a small climbing wall at one end, an archery shooting range at the other, and a wall in between lined with strange perforations. Delyth explained it was made for agents who wanted to practice spells in their spare time. However, it had sat empty for the entire time they’d been here. But that was fine. Schneep actually preferred it empty.

He pushed open the doors to the room, automatically tensing, searching for anyone. He didn’t think anyone was there. Or at the very least, that strange sixth sense that let him know when people were around was telling him the room was empty as always. He sighed, relaxing, and walked into the approximate center of the room.

Now that things were relatively peaceful—well, actually, that was a stretch, it was better phrased as “now that there was no one actively trying to kill them”—he’d thought it would be best to practice this magic of his. Strange, how things had changed to the point where he readily accepted his new magical abilities, when just a few years ago he would’ve denied it to the ends of the earth. Schneep laughed to himself. Well, time flies.

He started this practice by summoning and vanishing his scissors a couple times. It was still unclear where they came from and went off to when he wasn’t using them. All he knew was that if he reached to the side he could feel their handles, seemingly hovering in midair right where he needed them. Perhaps the scissors were stored in some sort of pocket dimension that only he could access. 

What was interesting was that other things could come from this pocket dimension. Shortly after arriving at the Sanctuary and getting frustrated with the unfamiliar layout, Schneep had wished for something that could help him know where things were. He’d reached out, and suddenly found something there. A long, thin stick, that could extend in length. Bringing it to Jack confirmed his suspicions: it was a cane. Exactly what he’d needed. Unusual, he thought, that he’d found it at the exact moment he was thinking about it. Perhaps the pocket dimension could provide what he wanted? But it didn't provide anything other than the scissors and the cane so far. Well, he was still working on that theory.

Second matter of business. Simple jumps, to get him warmed up. That was what he decided to call this teleporting or whatever it was. The act of walking somewhere and having the world around him change, so he was somewhere else entirely. It was sort of like portals, except Schneep didn’t need a fancy gun to jump, he just did it at will.

He jumped back and forth across the width of the room a couple times, touching the wall to orient himself. Then across the length. Then from corner to corner. He never really got tired from the jumping. And last practice, he realized it didn’t even need to be on solid ground. Though that had been an accident, and he’d ended up landing flat on his face. Moments like that were why he practiced alone.

Schneep paused for a moment, reaching out to feel the base of the climbing wall. Perhaps...? Bracing himself, he took a step forward, and ended up not on the floor, but falling through the air. Fear instantly shot through him, and he waved his arms wildly until his hands brushed against something. That texture—! He tried to grab, and—

“Ow!” Schneep gasped. His arm felt like it was being yanked out of its socket. His fall was suddenly stopped when he managed to find one of the climbing wall’s holds, but the sudden change of speed had caused a shot of pure pain through his shoulder. God, he hoped that wasn’t dislocated.

Kicking his legs a bit, he managed to jump back down to the floor, where he immediately started rubbing his shoulder. He’d been aiming for the flat bit at the top of the climbing wall, but it appeared he missed. Luckily he was close enough to find that hold, otherwise he’d have to deal with falling all the way to the floor. Even though the climbing wall was half the size of most, it was still twenty feet tall.

Schneep didn’t allow himself to pause. He wanted to try one more thing before stopping for the day. Walking over to the side, he found the perforated wall of the gym area, and walked along it until he found a control panel. There was a touchscreen on it, which wasn’t much use to him, but there was also a button and a dial. He’d asked Delyth about it earlier, and she explained the button was to start or stop the “course” and the dial was to time it, with the maximum being thirty minutes. Twisting the dial, he set it to about five minutes, then hit the button.

“Projectile training course set for: four minutes.” An automated voice rang out through the gym area. “There is: one minute before start time.”

“Alright, here we go.” Schneep took a deep breath, and jumped back to the middle of the room, tensing with anxiety. He’d have to be careful here.

“Thirty seconds remaining before the projectile course fires,” said the automated voice. Then after a while. “Ten seconds remaining. Nine. Eight.”

Schneep bounced on his feet, ready to move at any moment.

“Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three.”

There was a slight humming sound coming from the wall. He braced himself.

“Two. One. Firing.”

The darts of magic started to fire, each hole making a chnk! sound as they shot and the darts themselves causing a whhst! sound as they passed through the air. Schneep started moving, listening carefully for the noise of each one firing and flying forward. He started running, then skidded to a halt as there was a chnk! from a space near him. The dart whizzed past his face in a gust of air. He ducked just in time to avoid another, then turned around and jumped to what sounded like a safe spot.

Four minutes was not a very long time, but it certainly felt that way as Schneep dodged, ducked, and jumped across the room. He tried not to think too much, just listen and notice the small signs of the nearby darts. Eventually he got into a rhythm, jumping whenever he heard several chnk!s in the area around him.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. Soon, one of the darts hit him in the leg and broke his concentration. “Ah!” He instinctively leaned down to clutch at the spot, but that just brought him right into the path of another whhst! “Fick!” And everything broke down from there as a quick barrage of about a dozen darts soon knocked him to the ground. He jumped to another area, only to get knocked right in the chest the moment he arrived and knocked down once again.

“Projectile course finished,” the automated voice said. “Thank you for participating.” A loud beep signaled the end of the course.

Schneep sighed. He wasn’t sure what those darts were, other than pure magic, but he knew that they hurt. It reminded him of the time Chase had dragged him to a paintball match, and he was sure that there would be similar bruises left over. Wincing, he climbed to his feet. “Need more practice on that,” he said to himself.

Well, there was always tomorrow. He turned and headed for the nearest wall, following it to the exit.

— — — — — — —

“Chase. Chase. Chase. Chase. Chase.”

Ignoring the repeated, nagging sound of his own name, Chase rolled over and pulled the blanket over his face. What time was it? Probably sometime in the afternoon, judging by the light coming in from the bedroom window. Also, who opened the window? The curtains at the Sanctuary were pretty good for blocking out light, they must be open if he could see light even behind his eyelids. Good thing this bed had thick blankets, too.

“Chase. Chase. Chase.” Now something was poking him with every repetition. It soon became something shaking him. “Chase. Chase.”

Finally realizing he wasn’t going to stop, Chase groaned and pushed away the covers. He opened his eyes and looked over to see Jackie standing by the side of the bed. Staring at him. Was he...was he there the whole night? Because apparently he didn’t sleep anymore—or at least, not as much, and not when Chase or JJ were watching. The thought was...disturbing. “What is it, Jackie?” he asked, sighing.

Jackie didn’t answer for a while, just blinked. It was a solid thirty seconds before he asked, “When are we leaving?”

Chase had been about to go back to sleep, but that question sent a shot of nerves through his heart that woke him right up. “Um...I don’t know. Wh-why? Do you want to go somewhere?”

“I need to find the rest of us,” Jackie said insistently. “I know I’m out there, but I can’t tell where.”

“...right.” Chase sat up. “Well, uh...I mean, is this really that importa—”

“Yes.”

Chase fell silent. There were moments when Jackie just acted a bit unusual, but there were also too many moments like this, moments that left him with a crawling feeling across his skin, and he could see how Jackie was once part of Anti. “Um...okay.” Chase inched away. “Well, I don’t know when we’re leaving, so don’t ask me.”

Jackie looked disappointed, but wandered away to look out the window. Chase paused, then glanced at the clock on the wall. 3:00 on the dot. He sighed. It was pretty late, but given how he hadn’t gone to bed until six in the morning last night and had trouble getting to sleep once he did, he wanted to pull the covers up and try to get another hour or two. But he was also pretty hungry, so he should get some food while he had the energy to. So he climbed out of bed and left the room.

The magicians had been providing them with groceries when they asked, as well as anything else they needed. Chase left the bedroom, waving a hello to JJ sitting on the living area’s sofa, and headed straight for the kitchenette. He opened one of the cupboards and took out a box of cereal. The brand was unfamiliar, something generic and probably store-brand, but the bits of cereal were coated in sugar and that’s what mattered. He took out a bowl and spoon and poured.

“You should take a shower.”

Chase yelped, spilling some of the cereal, and looked up to see Jackie had followed him and was now standing in the middle of the living room and watching him. “Jesus, don’t do that,” Chase breathed, setting down the cereal box.

“I don’t think you’ve used the shower since we’ve been here,” Jackie continued. “That’s not good.”

“Uhh...” Chase leaned to the side so he could see JJ around Jackie.

JJ set down his book—something that Yvonne had given him a few days ago—and said, Well he’s not wrong. But anyway, can you handle this right now?

Chase nodded slowly, then leaned back into place and looked at Jackie. “I think I’m fine, Jackie. It’s not like I smell or anything. Uh...right?”

“You lie in bed a lot,” Jackie said bluntly. “Has that always been a thing with you? I think it has, for some time. I remember that. You should at least move to somewhere else. Actually use the other rooms.”

And then sometimes there were these moments. Moments where Jackie seemed almost normal, talking in the same way and giving the same advice he did years ago, before that black magic spell had killed him and created Anti. Honestly, these moments made the whole situation creepier. Chase took a moment to respond. “Well...maybe I will take a shower, then.”

“That’s a start.” Jackie’s eyes slowly drifted to the side, and then he turned away, walking around the room in an aimless manner.

JJ waved in Chase’s direction for his attention. You alright?

Chase let out a breath, and nodded. Yeah, I’m fine. He responded in sign. They’d learned from experience over the last two weeks that Jackie would butt in on the conversation if Chase started talking out loud.

Jameson raised an eyebrow. His expression was hard to read under his new mask—this one was black, and had also been provided by the magicians once he’d asked for one—but if Chase had to guess, it was probably concerned. I was thinking maybe if we switched places, he might give you a break.

You mean if you pretended to be me? I’m pretty sure he’d be able to tell. We have some very obvious identifying features.

JJ huffed. I suppose you’re right. And we can’t get Jack or Henrik to do that, since the same can be said for them. Maybe if Henrik covered up his scars?

I get the feeling he’d be able to tell anyway. Chase sighed, and headed for the fridge, grabbing the milk. He was turning back around when he noticed it. Jackie had suddenly stopped walking and was now standing, shoulders tensed, in the middle of the room. “Um...Jackie? Are you alright?”

Jackie didn’t respond. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked right to the door, opening it and leaving the room.

“Wh—Jackie!” Chase put the milk down on the nearest counter, JJ stood up, and the two of them quickly followed him into the hallway.

Jackie had taken a turn to the left, moving quickly and purposefully towards the stairs at the end of the hall. “Hey! Jackie!” Chase and JJ broke into a run. Jackie glanced over his shoulder, then started sprinting as well, reaching the stairwell in no time.

“Stop!” Chase paused in the entrance to the stairwell, watching as Jackie ran down the stairs two at a time. “Where the hell are you going?!”

JJ pulled up next to him. Should I stop him? He flicked his fingers, making a blue disc of magic appear.

Chase shook his head. “No, let’s follow him first.” And they started running again.

Jackie headed down all three flights of stairs to the ground floor, pausing for a moment as if getting his bearings before taking the right hallway. “Wh...what?” Chase panted. That hallway would only lead deeper into the Sanctuary. What could he possibly want down here? He glanced over at JJ, who looked just as confused.

From farther down the hall, they heard a “What the—” and then someone screamed.

Jameson’s eyes widened. Isn’t that—

Chase immediately broke into a dead sprint.

Farther down the hall, a door was swinging wildly, and someone was lying on the floor as if they’d been knocked over. A few loose papers were scattered around. Chase gasped. “Jack!” He hurried to his friend’s side and helped him stand up. “Are you okay?!”

“Fine,” Jack said shortly, rubbing his arm. “Was that—was Jackie just here?”

“Yeah, ran all the way down here,” Chase said. “What were you doing here?”

“It was that thing, that thing about the, uh, strings,” Jack explained.

Jameson, having just caught up in time to hear that statement, looked shocked. He whirled towards the swinging door and grabbed hold of it, rushing inside.

“Did he go in there?” Chase asked, also pointing at the door.

“Uh, I think so?” Jack gasped slightly. “But that’s where—”

A loud clattering sound came from inside. Jack and Chase glanced at each other, then ducked into the room.

Inside, Jackie was struggling with the three magicians already inside. Yvonne had her arms wrapped around his, while Delyth’s eyes were lit up purple and her hands held out in a defensive position. Griffin clutched the copper box with the strings inside, holding it protectively while JJ covered him with a shield. A stack of other boxes had been knocked over and were now strewn across the floor.

“What’s going—Jackie, stop!” Chase stepped in front of Jack. “You’ll hurt them!”

“I d̛on't ̛ca̛rè,” Jackie hissed. “Give me back!”

“You two get out of here!” Delyth said to Jack and Chase. “This could get messy.”

“No—” Jack started to protest.

There was a flash of red light, and Yvonne suddenly cried out. She stumbled backward, now bleeding from a cut that had appeared across the left side of her face. With his arms free, Jackie lunged towards Jameson and Griffin, eyes fixed on the box. Jameson threw his hands forward, and the shield expanded outward, pushing Jackie to the ground. He hissed again and made a sharp gesture. A slice of red light cut through the air and right through Jameson’s shield, making it flicker and die. Jackie started forward again, only for Delyth to block him with a crystalline shield of her own.

“Fuck this!” Yvonne wiped the blood out of her eye and lunged right at Jackie, managing to grab him again. He shrieked, the sound full of rage, and more red light flashed. Yvonne suddenly dropped again. She clutched her leg, which was now bleeding.

“I said for you to get out!” Delyth snarled. “This is danger—”

There was a sudden, almost inaudible snap! sound, and then there was another person in the room. Schneep appeared directly behind Jackie, hitting him hard on the back of his head with the butt of a cane. Jackie crumpled to the floor, clearly breathing but now unconscious. Schneep let out a long breath. “Please say that was the correct thing to do,” he muttered.

“Hen! That was—where’d you come from?” Jack gasped.

“I was passing by,” he explained. “On the way to the elevator back to the rooms, which may I say, very inconvenient to have an elevator just to get to the basement, but it worked out this time. I could tell there was a fight, so I decided to step in.”

“Wait, how’d you know to hit Jackie?” Delyth asked, lowering her shield. “I thought you were blind.”

“I am. Do you not see this?” Schneep waved the cane in her general direction. “But it seems part of my magic is knowing where people are. And who they are, too. Which is very lucky.”

Jameson clapped his hands for attention. May I suggest we continue this conversation after getting this young lady some medical care? 

“Yes, great suggestion,” Yvonne said. “I am bleeding quite significantly.” Her tone said it was a joke but her face betrayed her real worry.

Delyth sighed. “Yes, of course. There’s a small clinic with supplies further down the hall. We’ll finish this up in there.”

— — — — — — —

It didn’t take too long for them all to relocate to the clinic and get Yvonne taken care of. They also took Jackie there as well, setting him down on one of the clinic’s three beds. Once Yvonne’s wounds were wrapped up, everyone immediately returned to the  matter at hand. Chase and JJ explained how Jackie had suddenly left the room and ran downstairs, and Jack told the others the information about the strings he’d found out just before Jackie appeared.

“Did he somehow sense the strings, perhaps?” Schneep speculated. “But then why hadn’t he reacted before? They’ve been here the whole time.”

“That may be my fault,” Griffin admitted. “The crates we keep magical artifacts in are designed to keep any magical signals from escaping, but if we need to look at them, the spell to make the crates transparent allows a small bit to get out.” He shook his head slowly. “I’ll have to add that warning to their container.”

“They weren’t even visible for that long,” Yvonne muttered. “And it sounds like Jackie realized they were here after barely a minute. Well, what d’you expect, when they’re part of his soul?”

“Can we talk about these soul strings in more detail?” Chase asked. “Like, for example...how do we get rid of them?”

“Oh, I-I still have those notes I was supposed to get.” Jack reached into his hoodie pocket and took out some crumpled pieces of paper. “Sorry, I kinda...dropped them when Jackie pushed me away, then didn’t really pay too much attention when I picked them up.”

“It’s fine, just hand them over.” Griffin held out his hand, and Jack passed over the papers. He began uncrumpling them.

What do you think will happen to the parts of their souls that are stuck inside the strings? JJ asked, his expression drawn and worried. Will they disappear? Would that hurt? Jack translated for the part of the room that didn’t understand sign.

“That’s a...very good question,” Delyth said. “Bell?”

“Don’t ask me, Mae, this has never happened before!” Yvonne said defensively. “Maybe we could ask the guy with deus ex soul vision.”

Jack hesitated. “Maybe...the bits will just go back to the full person?” he suggested tentatively “I mean, it’s hard to know which ones belong to who, since whenever I look at Marvin and Jackie their colors are all mixed up—”

Yvonne’s head shot up. “Wait, does that mean their souls are mixed up?!” she shrieked.

“Well, I think...” Jack trailed off. “I...hadn’t thought of...”

Silence fell in the room, only broken by the occasional ruffle of paper as Griffin continued to smooth them out. “Well, I...suppose that makes...sense,” Schneep said haltingly. “Jackie has...abilities now. Magic. He never had them before. If magic is in the soul, perhaps having bits of Marvin gave him...some of that?”

“But is there a way to undo it, then?” Chase asked with more than a hint of desperation in his voice. “Is there a way to make them better?”

More silence. Everyone looked at Yvonne, the only soul magician, but she had nothing to offer, so she looked over at Griffin. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat. “Well...I’m sorry, but I don’t think so,” he said as gently as possible.

Chase’s expression visibly fell. Jameson, standing nearby, reached over, offering his hand. After a moment, Chase breathed in deeply, and took the hand. “Right. I guess...that was stupid to think.”

“It wasn’t stupid,” Jack said gently. “It was hopeful, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“But there may be a way to improve this situation a bit,” Delyth suddenly said. “The strings...they’re black magic, and I don’t doubt that’s affecting your friends. If we get rid of them, perhaps we could stop them from being so oddly hostile...and prevent this Anti from ever returning.”

Chase looked up, and slowly nodded. “Okay then. How do we do that?”

“It would need to be strong magic,” Griffin said, looking over his notes. “But it’s not impossible. We may be able to burn them with an intense blaze, freeze the spell inside, or take them apart until they cease to function...either way, I don’t think just one magician will have enough power for that on their own.”

“Okay, so we next work on figuring that out,” Schneep stated. “How? If you need help, I will offer.”

I will as well, JJ added.

“We’d need to try,” Griffin muttered. “Just...try many different things. That’s the only way I can see forward.”

“The old trial and error,” Yvonne said. “Well...I’ll help too, if you need it.”

Chase let out a long, long sigh. “I...I’m done for the day. This was a lot for just a few minutes, and I just woke up.”

“Oh yes, by all means, all of you return to what you were doing,” Delyth said. “We’ll come tell you if we need anything, and remember you can ask us for anything as well.”

And slowly, they dispersed. Chase and JJ took Jackie back up to their room, while Jack and Schneep returned to theirs. Yvonne remained in the clinic for a while longer before retreating to her room, too. Nobody said anything as they left.

There was no way to reverse this. The fact was slowly sinking in to all of them. Whatever Jackie and Marvin had done, it could not be undone.

Yet maybe, just maybe, they could salvage something from this.

Just maybe.

[fangirlbase]

The Howl of the Moon - Remus Lupin

Summary:

After a terrible accident in the battle at the Ministry in 1995, Hermione Granger wins a one-way ticket to the past. Unable to go back to his time, his only chance for survival is to adapt to the late 70s and get on with his life, interfering as little as possible so that the future does not fall apart.

However, everything goes downhill when Remus John Lupine starts to notice too much the new girl who clearly wanted to go unnoticed by Hogwarts.

Chapters: Prolog | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven

Warnings: matureSummary:After a terrible accident in the battle at the Ministry in 1995, Hermione Granger wins a one-way ticket to the past. Unable to go back to his time, his only chance for survival is to adapt to the late 70s and get on with his life, interfering as little as possible so that the future does not fall apart.However, everything goes downhill when Remus John Lupine starts to notice too much the new girl who clearly wanted to go unnoticed by Hogwarts.Chapters: Prolog | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | SevenWarnings: mature

                                         5.The one of the fight

- Come on, Remus! It's no problem for you to spend Easter at home! - Peter offered just before they boarded the express for the holiday.

- I would be a nuisance, Rabbit. Your parents wouldn't know about my arrival, and I haven't even told my parents about the change of plans.

- But if you thought it best not to come back this year...

- I'll be fine, Pete. It's not even close to the moon, it's just a few days. - Remus calmed his friend, saying good-bye to the rest of the group, and as usual Sirius would spend the holiday with the Potters, after all he had been practically adopted by Euphemia.

That hadn't been a lie at all. His parents were really going through a fight at the moment-and he didn't want to go into an environment where they were at war-but the decision to stay in school had been his alone. He knew that Jean would stay in school, and since she didn't have any other friends he thought it was a good idea to stay and keep her company.

I mean, at least he had thought about it, since Jean didn't seem to be that interested in his company. She had unfortunately found another poor soul to disturb-or at least that was how Severe Snape liked to grumble about her company. Since the day the girl had helped him with his transfiguration work, time and again they had met and studied together in the library - not together, together, but in the sense of coexisting at the same table, with occasional exchanges of words where they would clear up a question or two with each other.

That was the most Snape could allow himself to do considering the amount of eyes around, after all, he was a sonserine and proud of it, but he also had to consider the presence of his housemates - not that his fellow diners would attack her just for asking a question, but they would make the Griffin girl's life a living hell if they wanted to (as hellish as Sirius Black calling her out daily) and he didn't want that for her, after all she was even tolerable. After all, Severe Prince Snape had acquired a mild sympathy for Jean Granger to the point that he wanted her to have peace during her years as a student - and of course even sporadically study with him.

"Only Griffin girl who has a bit of brain matter" - he had muttered one day, eliciting a low chuckle from her, as well as a small smile of his own.

Remus did not share the same hatred for Snape that Sirius and James had. To tell the truth, he was perhaps at the same level of dislike that Peter had for the sonserine, which was nil. He honestly had nothing against Snape, he just thought he was snotty, but this whole situation of comp-dividing Jean's attention was irritating Moony, at least that's what Remus was telling himself, that it was his wolf side that was really bothering him and not him per se, not completely, maybe a part of it?

Truth be told, since Remus had witnessed the whole Severo-Lillian situation (two years earlier) he felt duty-bound to spare Jean from going through any situation merely similar to the one starring the sonserine. She didn't deserve to be called names or anything like that! So, in Lupin's eyes, Snape was far from being someone to be trusted, especially considering the other friendships he maintained when he was away from the girl.

Thus, unconsciously, Remus had taken it upon himself to be the "knight in shining armor" for Jean, not that he needed to or much less that she would accept it if she knew what the boy was thinking, but in any case for him to protect her from the evil sonserines he needed to find her first. Come on, it was almost eleven o'clock in the morning on a Thursday, where could the witch be?

The common room? No.

Great Hall? No.

Astronomy tower? No.

Library? No.

Black lake? No.

Whomping Willow? Yes.

Yes!?

What the hell was Jean doing there? Was it really her? Forcing his eyes open, Remus saw a figure sitting in the line just before the range of the Whomping Willow, staring up at the tree with a lost expression on her face. Approaching without any care, Remus could not hold his curiosity as he sat down next to her.

- Why are you alone here?

- The castle is almost empty, I would be alone anywhere else.

- But why here?

- I woke up in a mood for fights, and since we don't have an active dueling club at school, I thought that watching the willow fight with the air would be a good substitute.

- Wouldn't that be hurting any tree protection rights? - Remus amused.

- I'm not the one hurting or attacking the tree, I'm just here as a spectator! - Hermione defended herself. - By the way, in all your time here, have you by any chance ever seen it treated by a gardener? - Hermione pondered, remembering when the Weasley's car had crashed into her in her second year.

Professor Snape had gone to a lot of trouble to get the bodywork back that night, along with Madame Hootch and Pomona Sproutch.

- I think only a couple of times... Did you know that she was almost killed once?

- Hit by a car? - She joked.

- What?

- I mean, I guess it takes an accident like that to almost kill a tree that fights with anyone who comes near it!

- Actually, it was just a very intense winter. He even kept a scarf wrapped around his trunk, out of respect.

Hermione bent her body to the side, leaning her head briefly on Remus' right shoulder, imagining the situation - but as she giggled from imagining the willow tree with a thermometer in its knot measuring its temperature, Remus froze. Wide-eyed, his breath caught in his throat. Was she really lying on his shoulder?!

Looking away, he could see that yes, she was. Should he move? Should he sigh? At least breathe again!

But with his breathing, came along Jean's scent, penetrating through his entire respiratory and cardiac system, making a....

"Yummy..." - Nosy Stupid as always allowed himself to pay attention to the conversation.

Oh my! He had stopped himself for a second before sticking his nose into the short hair of the girl next to him!

"Get a grip, SLOUTY" - Remus scolded the wolf, hearing a snort in response.

- Sorry. - Hermione realized where she was, pulling away immediately.

- No problem. - Remus replied, blushing.

- If you don't mind my asking, why did you stay here?

- Did you think I was going to leave you alone with that snotty guy? - Remus was amused, but when he saw Jean's closed expression, he realized that jokes didn't work on her. - Besides.... I didn't want to go home. My parents... They're fighting, and I didn't want to be in the middle of it all just when... I feel guilty about everything.

- Guilty, Lupin?

- I said, you can call me by my first name. - He gave a half smile.

- I like your last name, it's nice.

"Just the last name?" Moony took offense.

"With the scars you left me no one will ever think I'm handsome, you idiot."

"I a comma, you who did this to yourself trying to suppress me!"

- Caham - he huffed, focusing again on the conversation and not on his mental monologue with his other animal part - They fight a lot because of me, so I prefer not to be around, so as not to cause or feel pain.

- Nothing is your fault, Remus. - Hermione looked deep into his eyes, holding up her hands on impulse.

She hated the feeling of guilt she knew he always carried. He was a child, damn it! If there was one guilty party in that story, it was Greyback!

Remus just stared in shock at her joined hands. God, would she ever stop surprising him?! Hermione realized what she had done, but when she tried to pull her hands back, she felt him hold them tightly, preventing the movement. But Lupin had nothing to add to the conversation, he just wanted to feel the comforting touch in her hands some more, with the cool breeze hitting his face, bringing along with it Jean's scent and calming him in unthinkable ways.

He was letting someone else - and more specifically, a girl - touch him, and enjoying it.

* * *

- I didn't know your favorite chocolate, but I thought you might like this one. - Hermione passed the candy to Snape as if it were contraband when they bumped into each other in the hallway on Sunday.

- Chocolate with mint? - Severus looked at her strangely, stopping in his tracks to pay attention to her.

- Yeah, not sour, but weird enough to give you a reason to frown. - She joked, receiving a cold stare from him.

- Is this some kind of joke?

- It's not cursed, it's an Easter present, that's all!

Suspicious, Snape opened the package and broke off two pieces, handing one to her first, informing her that she would be his guinea pig. Rolling her eyes, Hermione put the candy in her mouth, making a face, being followed by him.

Who, instead of grimacing, smiled.

- It looks like I swallowed a tube of toothpaste!

- And you're happy about that?!

- It's a two-in-one chocolate, Granger! You eat it and brush your teeth in the process.

- Was that a joke?

- It was just a thank you, that's all. - He closed his expression again, but gave her the slightest smile before walking back towards the dungeon.

Just the fact that he could see she was running from those stupid Marauders and preferred to spend her time with him was a good softener for his ego.

And just as quickly as they had met, the two of them parted, each to their own corner. There were not supposed to be more than fifteen people in the school during that holiday, so that supervising the students became much easier - and gossip-worthy among the faculty, that is.

Minerva McGonagall stood at the end of the corridor, keeping an eye on her pupil. Not that she was curious, but she had already noticed that Mr. Lupin was no longer the only one the griffin girl interacted with, as now more recently Mr. Snape had become a constant in the girl's daily life. Of course Minerva as teacher and tutor was happy that little by little Jean was opening up to the reality she found herself and was making new friends, or perhaps more than friends. Was there something going on between Remus and Jean for their estrangement? The incorrigible romantic part of her wanted very much to believe so - even more so with it being a love triangle! Lupin and Snape would excuse her, but the thrill of a love story between quarrels and declarations had always attracted her, but since it wasn't her place to get involved, she could only observe Jean, and once in a while interfere, just like now.

- Jean, dear, are you all right? - Minerva intercepted her as she passed by.

- Yes, Professor. Is something wrong?

- Just checking.  As head teacher of Griffin, I can't go out on holidays, unless no one from my house is staying.

- But at Christmas some people stayed...

- That was a separate situation. Principal Dumbledore took over the supervision of our house and gave me a leave of absence. Anyway, is everything all right?

- Yes, yes. I didn't used to celebrate Easter so much before, so it's just... another Sunday. A Sunday with chocolate. - Hermione gave a half smile.

- If you need to talk, you know where my room is.

- But talk about what?

- Just about anything. - And with a wink, Minerva left.

Which meant nothing to Hermione, who thought her tutor had a nervous tic in her eyes.

____________

On holidays like this one, where only a small number of students remained at school, Dumbledore usually abolished the house system and unified everyone at a single table - and this Sunday dinner was no different. However, not everyone was comfortable with the situation, preferring to stay away from each other.

- Do you mind if I sit here? - Remus asked, already sitting next to Jean.

- Would it make any difference if I said no? - Jean asked with a smile.

- Not much. - He returned it with another, setting the alert for the gossips on duty. - I haven't seen you all day.

- I was out and about, nothing very special. Have you looked for me? Do you need anything? I thought we were only going to go over the lesson plan for the tutorial on Tuesday.

- Actually, there's not much to do on holidays around here. - He shrugged. - Sirius, James and Peter aren't here and I'm already ahead of schedule with all my assignments.

- So I'm only your third choice for company? I'm disappointed, Mr. Lupin. I thought we were friends. - You teased.

- I would say fourth, since I only looked for you now in the evening and not in the afternoon.

Neither of them had noticed when the flirting had begun, but if you were to bet, it was more of a flirting situation - just like Sirius with anyone, or James with Lily at the beginning of his romantic pursuit of the redhead.

- You've been reading all afternoon, haven't you? That's why you only remembered me now.

- Studying is quite different from reading. - He shrugged.

"I think you spend too much time with boys.

- By the way, since you reminded me. I think we could take the opportunity to discuss some of the monitoring stuff later in the communal hall. - Remus couldn't help himself.

- Do we have to?

- For some reason people in my year prefer your mentoring to mine.

- I didn't realize this, but if you say so.

Their conversation was interrupted by the dinner in front of them, occupying them for the next twenty minutes. Contrary to what Sirius had said months before, Hermione didn't murder the chicken thigh with her hands, she ate it delicately even - but she had no reason to be upset and take it out on the chicken.

As the two of them got up together, one or two gossiping professors exchanged galleons of a bet not at all worthy of educators. As they passed the stairs, they had to wait five minutes until they decided to return to their original position, giving them permission to go up towards the tower, in the meantime they talked quietly as if the whole scene created by Evans had never happened and had shaken their friendship. Once in the communal hall, Remus sat down on the rug in front of the fireplace, waiting for Jean to sit down on the couch next to him.

- You know, not that many people go to the monitorship.

- But of all the three who went, two went to you.

- In contrast, the four below in seventh grade ignored me and asked you for help, and I'm not complaining about that.

The truth was that most of the people who went to talk to him were only because it was the only possibility and opening he gave them to approach him.

- Probably because they think you will jinx them. - Remus commented, pulling a chocolate bar from his coat pocket.

- And why would I do that? - Jean asked, taking the chocolate he offered her.

- You're not one of the more sociable ones, you know. - He looked at her as he bit into the candy.

- Neither are you.

- But you're different. I've been here for seven years, you've just arrived, and you still have that frown on your face. That's scary, you know?

- At least the person I wanted to scare the most, the one I wanted to scare the most, the bridge of running away with my tail between my legs, is still giving me a hard time.

- Sirius?

- That's right. How do you manage to hang out with him without going crazy? Worse, how can you eat so much chocolate and still have this body?

- This body? - He was surprised.

- Come on, don't play dumb! You don't seem to know how you... Yeah!

"She likes what she sees...?" - Moony found it strange.

- My metabolism is fast, that's all. - He shrugged trying to hide that he was slightly embarrassed both by her noticing him and by the unnecessary comment from the wolf that divided his body and clearly was the reason he kept stuffing himself with candy and never gained an ounce more.

'You're welcome.' - The wolf had the nerve to say thank you.

- Well, mine is too, and if I don't control myself, I'll win very quickly.

- I don't think... I think you're fine the way you are, it's just your hair that I have my disagreements with, but you already know that. - Remus said without thinking, stuffing a giant piece of chocolate into his mouth to keep himself occupied.

- Was that a compliment? - Hermione was amused.

- I only returned what you said before, but I really preferred your long curls.

- Thank you, Hermione. For the compliment and well... for liking my curls.

* * *

As fast as it came, the easter holiday was over, and as far as our couple "friends" were concerned it was as if all the misunderstanding of Valentine's Day hadn't happened, Hermione and Remus went back to talking quietly, exchanging books of common interest, preparing the tutoring classes and when they didn't study together it was because Remus was with the Rascals while Jean was in the library with a certain sonserino.

Saturday had arrived once again and naturally the morning was busy with the various groups of students coming and going from their tour of Hogsmeade! Hermione had left early, intending to buy some new feathers, since hers had mysteriously appeared enchanted the previous afternoon, just writing...

"Sirius Black is a handsome fellow"

"Sirius Black is calling you to go out next weekend"

"My dream is to go out with Sirius Black"

"Why does the pretty girl pay attention to nerdy Lupin and not Sirius Black?"

She had to admit, Sirius had style - he even managed to get a smile out of her with that tactic (followed by a celebration a la Pele and Galvão Bueno at the 1998 World Cup final when the older man noticed her smile in the communal room). But although she found the gesture funny, Hermione couldn't hand in her assignments with those sayings - how funny would it be for Professor Binns to receive an essay with only invitations to leave Sirius?

Making sure to leave her feather case well away from the naughty ones, Hermione slipped into the local bookstore, spending the next fifty minutes lost in thought, just perusing the new titles.

- Why isn't it a surprise to find you here? - Snape blinked as he pulled a book from the shelf and bumped into her.

- Probably because this is my natural habitat.

- A complete library pussy. - He replied in a sour voice, causing Hermione to look strangely at him, only to see Malfoy walking past them.

Which meant nothing, since he was more interested in wooing Narcisa Black than anything else.

- Since you insist on it... -Hermione shrugged, ignoring the sonserino, if he wanted to be her friend away from the eyes of others she wouldn't mind, it wasn't anyone's "dirty little secret"!

-Problems? - A third voice chimed in beside her.

Remus and Peter had arrived a few minutes ago only to hear the slight cursing.

- Why would I? - she wondered. Okay, Snape's tone when he called her a "Library rat" was anything but cordial, but she was a library rat and proud of it, so she would let herself be taken aback.

- Isn't that snotty guy bothering you? - Peter, who was not even in the bookstore of his own volition, made himself present, holding up his nose.

Oh, he hadn't done that.... Until then Hermione had treated him as politely as she would any other student at school, she kept reminding herself that he was still a normal person, a good friend of the rascals who hadn't yet betrayed them like the real rat he was. But calling Snape by that ridiculous nickname for no reason had given her every possible reason to disdain him, at least for the moment.

But she remembered that Remus had also called Severus that.

Gee, this floor is dirty, isn't it? You'd better give it a good wipe, that's for sure.

- Sorry, what?

- Snot...

- I heard perfectly well what you said, I just don't understand what or who you're referring to.

- Snape. - Remus translated uncomfortably, realizing how annoyed the girl was now with them.

- If you want to refer to him, call him by his last name, not by unnecessary nicknames. And no, I haven't had anyone bothering me so far. - She pointed out, and the next second she saw Lily walk through the doorway, which caused both her and Snape, who was still in the next hallway, to shiver. - If you'll excuse me.

She quickly left, or rather fled, the establishment - Hermione intended to hide from the redhead as long as she could after all the misunderstanding on Valentine's Day. Not that she thought Lily was going to make any little jokes about her and Lupin or anything, but she wanted to avoid any uncomfortable talk about apologies or anything like that. Hermione knew that the older girl hadn't meant any harm, it was actually a big misunderstanding, but running away seemed much easier than facing the redhead who insisted that she should get out of her bubble and make friends with the other girls she shared the dorm with...

Remus, on the other hand, had misinterpreted the whole situation.  In his perception, Jean had left because she was really upset with the way he and Peter had treated Snape. That is, he who was already annoyed by Sirius' last attempt to get the girl's attention, was now infinitely more unhappy for having disappointed the witch. Come on, just when he thought he had succeeded in catching the attention of a pretty girl, Sirius went and tried and succeeded before him! Worse, even Snape had been defended by her! He was not happy about that at all.

"GO AFTER HER!" - Moony imposed his opinion, moving his legs and sending him after her.

He didn't have to walk very far, as soon as he left the bookstore leaving Peter with Lily and James he managed to spot her at the end of the street passing just followed her to .... House of Screams. Well, this was probably the first time he had seen her in the village, so it was only fair that she went there to see the famous haunted house... He just hoped she wouldn't be curious about the screams, since the person responsible (Him) had been trying to be noticed by her for a long time - he definitely didn't want it to be in the context of: "Hi, is I'm the reason people think the house is haunted because once a month I turn into a beast with claws and fangs that likes to howl at the moon." Ignoring his mental outburst he took a deep breath to build courage and ease the tension before getting the girl's attention.

- Is everything all right, Jean?

- Why wouldn't I be? - She didn't look at him.

- It's not like you to leave like that.

- If I had stayed, you would either have started a duel with Snape in the middle of the store, or Evans would have come to disturb me. Since I wanted neither, I left.

- Does she annoy you that much? - Remus didn't like the way he felt cringe at that idea.

- Doesn't she annoy you? It would be the same if you started pestering me that I was dating Snape, or worse, Malfoy. - She had been thinking about Draco at that moment, she admitted. I mean, not that she is this matchmaking or pushy person. I know she is a wonderful person, but she is trying very hard to get me to fit in with people and any sign of any interaction I have with any other student or pupil she turns into a huge happy thing

Every statement about a possible flirtation with Snape or Malfoy irritated Moony a little, so much so that Remus himself barely paid attention to the end of the girl's statement as he was trying to convince the wolf that eating snakes was not healthy at all.

- Can I ask you a question? - Hermione roused Remus from his bubble.

- He just did.

- What do you have against Snape?

- I have nothing against him, exactly..." She began to say, remembering not to call the boy a snot. - He is a sonserino who insists on mocking, even if not as openly as the other snakes, any Griffinian. And, well, after the whole situation with Lily in fifth year... I don't know if you know, but... In short, they were best friends until he said horrible things to her! So I can't tolerate guys like him on principle. Not to mention the company he keeps. It seems that I have a lot of things against him...

It wasn't as if Hermione had an answer for the situation, she herself knew how horrible it was to be called a bad blood, so it wasn't as if she could defend Snape in that sense. And the Griffinian-Sonserine implications were a rivalry as old as time, meaning both sides were wrong and unless someone decided to be an adult in the situation and put an end to those implications nothing would be solved. But soon her contemplative silence was interrupted when Remus turned to her.

- That's why I don't like him! - said the boy as if he had just discovered the real reason for his dislike of the Sonserine. - He hangs out with Avery, Mulciber, Malfoy, and Black, and if you haven't noticed, all of them are the offspring of dinosaurs!

- Sirius is also a Black and the son of a diner, and frankly I don't see either you or James becoming one. - Hermione let it slip, losing her color after the quick realization that she had left Peter out of her statement.

A fact that Remus, thank God, didn't notice.

- But they are diners, diners, Hermione! - Remus said his real name, low and exasperated. - The ones who destroyed your village, killed your parents and friends! The same ones who sent you here, made you need to change your name and... e.... cut your hair! - He spoke louder the last part, putting too much emphasis on his haircut than on everything else.

- It's just hair, Remus! - Hermione was already a little annoyed that he was insisting so much on this and wanted to divert the subject from anything about her "dead" parents or the attack of diners on her "village".

- Very nice hair! - His voice had come out a little huskier, with a golden glow quickly passing through his eyes.

"MOONY!" - Remus scolded the wolf, who was struggling to be heard since he had realized that all that arguing between Jean and her human part was certainly heading for a fight. Their first fight, by the way.

- Lupin, honestly... - Jean shook her head negatively, holding back from rolling her eyes. - If you're really going to give me a hard time about my friendship choices, I might as well do the same.

- What do you mean by that?

- You say I can't hang out with Snape because of what he's done to Lily in the past and because he's friends with "proto" dinosaurs, but you forget that you're not in a good situation yourself. If you really want me to stay away from Snape, I'll do it.

The smile began to grow on Remus' face, only to be interrupted with a

- But only if you stay away from James. - She would have liked to include Sirius in the speech by mentioning when the boy had set Severus up to go to the screaming house on a full moon where he could have died! But in theory she didn't know that so she wouldn't say anything.

- What? What does this have to do with anything?

-You complain so much about him calling Lily a Bad Blood, but you forget that he only did that after being hung upside down with no pants in the middle of the garden! By the way, why didn't you stop them?! You can't dislike people to the point of being irrelevant in matters like that!

- He told you...

- It wasn't only you who tried hard to keep me away from someone potentially dangerous. - he joked.

Remus took a deep breath, processing all of this. He couldn't, he just couldn't do that for just one girl, even if she was the most amazing, intelligent, beautiful girl he had ever met. James was his brother, the one who knew his secret and wouldn't give up his friendship even if it meant befriending a monster.

- I'm sorry, Granger. I can't do this.

- I know, that's exactly why I won't stay away from Snape either. They both made mistakes, but that doesn't mean they can't get a second chance and change for the better. James did it for Lily and I believe Snape just needs a little better friends. After all, as you pointed out, the company he keeps is dubious to say the least, but that doesn't mean he is evil. I'm not asking you to approach him and invite him over for tea, I'm just asking you not to worry about it.

- But I do worry about you! - he let slip, watching Jean's body tensing immediately. - I mean, you are my friend, and you are clearly associating with witches who will surely become the same as... those who took everything from you.

Indeed they would, but it would take them twenty years to do so.

- Remus, I'm not marrying him, just studying together. But if it worries you so much, I think you should start reviewing your list of friendships as soon as possible. - she said, turning her back to the boy.

Remus didn't know what to do when he saw her leave. He hated her disappointed tone, disappointed in him and his friends. And worse, he didn't know how to fix it, he couldn't just walk away from his best friends to defend his point of view, after all he himself knew that wasn't what Jean wanted when she forced the topic. But he also couldn't stop worrying about her and the risk she was taking by getting close to Snape and consequently other sonserinos who could be a real risk to her!

James' fights with Lily seemed much more fun, mainly because they were settled in the next second. Why couldn't his fight with Jean be the same way? He asked himself as he walked back to the village alone.

"It wouldn't be bad at all to get a reconciliation kiss" - Moony opined, remembering how James and Lily's fights were resolved.

Remus just laughed defeatedly, considering that lately the Wonder Couple's heated fights ended in a public spat, but Jean was just a friend?

No, she was definitely more than that! She was his best friend! And maybe... Anyway, he just wanted to work it out with her as soon as possible.

They needed to work it out!

[catboysimulator]

Story Four - The Matron’s Honor

Moons have gone by ever since Azhi'li has left Ul'dah; has left his old life behind. It is now the autumnal season, yet there is not much of a change in the desert, just some nippier nights... but there sure has been a change within the Sankres.

Ever since Azhi'li's arrival, the leaders as well as the elders have already been in the talks about a coming of age rite. There are children on the cusp of being ready for the rite; the Matron's Honor, and have been in preparation for it all year. The elders and handlers were prepared for the children they knew of, but certainly didn't expect one of them to be returning after twenty-four summers.

Azhi'li had no idea as to what was being spoken about amongst the three groups, until one evening when he was approached by G'sena. 

"Mijo, I know you haven't been here for very long, but... Your cousin, uncle, the elders, handlers, and I have been talking to each other about a coming of age rite ceremony for you."

Hearing his uncle, Azhi'li blinked owlishly before lifting his head from his bowl with his cheeks stuffed with caldo.

"-- hmpf?"

"You do not have to do it if you do not wish! But, we were just thinking...if you would like to do it, you have the option."

Swallowing down his caldo, he continues to stare at Sena silently before looking down at his bowl.

"... Really? Do-- y'all want me to?"

"Only if you do, mijo. We would never force you, but if you wish to do it, we would be thrilled."

Contemplating, the red Seeker rubs his thumbs along the rim of the ceramic bowl, before giving small nods and a smile, looking back up at his uncle.

"... Yeah. I think I would like to do that, tio."

With a brilliant grin, Sena would laugh and cheer happily, moving over to Azhi'li and ruffling his hair with a hug. "Andale, mijo, that's what I love to hear! We will prepare everything for you as well, then."

"When is it going t'be?"

"Within three sennights."

"O-oh. Uh. What do I have t'do?"

"You don't have to do anything until it gets closer to that time. Four days before the rite, you will be taken to the fledgelings where you will spend three days and nights in their nest, preening their feathers and familiarizing yourself with them. This will give them the chance to also learn about you. On the fourth day, you will climb your way up to Azeyma's Watch where you will meet Rahja, the matron. We will inform you on what needs to be done when that time comes, but for now, relax and wait for the day. Prepare yourself mentally, if you'd like, but I am confident you will do well, sobrino," he encourages with a smile, petting Azhi'li's head.

"And, when that time comes and all has gone well...you will come back down, and be able to fully take on your birth name-- if you wish to.  We call you that now, or at least I do, but if you are willing to take on the name, then everyone will happily call you Dhezi. It is your choice," he mentions, though his expression was almost-- pleading?

Azhi'li blinks a bit before his ears lower, giving his uncle a gentle half-smile. "I'll think ‘bout it, tio."

At that, Sena takes in a breath but continues to smile, nodding and pressing his forehead to his nephew’s. "Alright, sobrino. Whatever you decide, we will respect your decision. Now, I shall leave you to your devices, I have to leave for a few suns and visit the surrounding tribes."

"Okay, tio. I'll see you later, aye?"

"Of course."

He presses a kiss to the crown of his nephew's head before patting his shoulder, slinging a bag over his shoulder and passing through the tapestry of their home.

-------------------------

As the suns passed, Azhi'li had come to learn more and more about the Matron's Honor. It is when the matron griffin fully recognizes someone into the tribe for the rest of their life. It is usually done for children, yet also those who have later joined the tribe as refugees. Even if someone were to leave the tribe after their rite, they would still be able to call the Sankres their home and return whenever they wish. 

Yet, apparently, the matron didn't always recognize someone into the tribe. Whether it is because the person has hidden intentions, or they are simply not ready. This does not mean the end-all of everything, but that the person needs more time to figure things out for themselves, or have help from the Sankres.

This made Azhi'li quite nervous; the possibility of not being recognized. He understands that it's not a permanent thing and that he might need time, but... He also understands the history of his father. Of what his sire did and the damage he has done to the tribe, before Sena took care of him and took over leadership. 

What if his sire's reputation follows him, and the matron sees something in him that he is not aware of? To an outsider, it may seem absolutely ridiculous for a griffin to be the judge of one's worth, yet it is something that the Sankres have relied on, and they have not been led astray. Even Nhogu was not immediately acknowledged by the matron at that time, for she saw something. Yet, he was then recognized after a few more attempts.

Azhi'li knows he has no underlying motives! He never came to the tribe with any, but he's scared anyway! In hindsight, it's such a silly thing, and he knows... yet he was still filled with paranoia nonetheless.

With each passing day that came closer to the rite, his paranoia was more and more apparent. Tani saw this and huffed, yoinking her cousin by his shoulders and rattling him. "Stop it. You are psychin' yerself out fer no reason, an' I know y'know that," he states, firmly. 

"But, what if--?"

"Ah-ah-ah! Sst. Zip it. Another word outta ya 'bout this whole thing an' I'll knock ya around, got it?"

Azhi'li clamped his mouth shut at that, sighing heavily with a frown. 

Tani then squeezed his shoulders gently, affectionately; assuringly. "Primo... Do not make this situation bigger than it actually is. So what if she does not accept ya right away? You will have other chances. Plus, there is another thing y'need ta remember," they say, pressing a finger against his chest above his heart, "You are not Nhogu. You are Azhi'li Ditreinu, 'nd our G'dhezi, no matter what. Now, go on 'nd meet with th'handlers. They'll get ya all situated fer th'next three nights."

Despite Tani being brusque and a little rough around the edges, they sure do know how to help Azhi'li, and he cannot be more grateful for it. His frown would give way to a gentle smile towards the taller Seeker, nodding in response. "Alright-- Thanks, Tani."

She returns the smile, nodding and ruffling his hair. "Of course, primito. We'll see you again in a few days. Have fun!"

They shove his back, pushing him forward to send him off on his way. 

-------------------------

At the handlers, Azhi'li is then introduced to the fledgelings; Rima, Tega, and Oto. They are still young, yet are still bigger than everyone in the tribe. From what Azhi'li remembers, griffins are only native to Dravania, with some species brought over to Gyr Abania as well. To think that there are some in the Sagolii boggles his mind, especially since they are so well-trained, playing with the handlers and preening their hair affectionately.

Yet, once Azhi'li arrived, the three seemed to stop in their antics and simply stared at the Seeker. Taking a few steps towards him, they circle him while sniffing curiously, chuffing as their tails give little flicks here and there. Once they'd satiated their curiosity, they moved away from him and instead paid attention to the handlers again, while Azhi'li got himself situated on a cot near the pen, simply staring.

As the suns passed, the handlers taught Azhi'li how to preen the fledgelings, feed them, play with them, and generally get used to them. The looser the Seeker got and more relaxed, the more the three griffins did, too. Towards the end of the third night, they've gotten so comfortable with him that they curl up their massive forms near Azhi'li's legs, falling asleep before the Seeker could even slip back to his cot. It was a bit surreal, yet it filled him with a certain determination and renowned confidence. 

He went to bed feeling like he could take on the world.

At least, until he woke up. It was the fourth day, and that meant it was time to meet the Matron. Rahja.

In order to reach the Matron, the children are made to climb their way up to Azeyma's Watch on their own, without any outside assistance. One by one, they would climb the rocky mountains, and one by one they would come back down. 

Once they hear the cry of the Matron announcing her arrival, the final passage begins. The youngest child goes first, and the oldest the last. Azhi'li waited for a few hours, his heart pounding in his chest and a clammy sensation overtaking the nape of his neck. Sena, Maryn, and Tani are overlooking the process, their ceremonial feathers worn upon their heads and tagua necklaces around their necks, watching as each miqo'te makes their way up and back down, as well as taking heed of the Matron's decisions.

Soon enough, it was Azhi'li's turn. Staring up the mountain, his round ears pin back against his head. Tani whistled out for his cousin, catching the Seeker's attention as he mouths, 'Go,' offering a gentle and toothy grin.

Taking in a deep breath, the younger Seeker would nod as he began his ascent, scaling the rocks as though it were second nature. It did not take him long to reach the top, rivulets of sweat running down his forehead and chest as Azeyma beats down on his form. His breath stalls in his chest the moment he sees Rahja, her eagle eyes piercing straight into him. He feels seen; exposed, and he hasn't even approached her yet.

Gulping down the lump in his throat, he moves closer to her before doing as he was instructed to a few suns ago, raising his dirt-covered, calloused paws towards the Sun, shutting his eyes and craning his neck to bask in Her warmth. He lowers himself onto his knees afterwards, bringing himself down further into a kowtow before Rahja, pressing his forehead against the stones for a few moments before lifting himself back up to gaze at the Matron.

Rahja continues to stare down at the young Seeker before her, approaching him slowly and lowering her head down to his. Azhi'li couldn't help the vague trembling along his body, his breathing shallow and light, his eyes wide and pupils blown out into saucers. His nervousness was not any bit of a secret, and he knew it. She knew it.

And yet, it was as though a small gleam of amusement danced in her eyes. She leaned her forehead down to his, pressing them together. He took in a quick breath, before shutting his eyes and releasing a trembling sigh with a small laugh, his relief pouring out like a broken dam. He gently took Rahja's face into his paws as their foreheads nestled together, the griffin's eyes briefly shutting before she eventually pulled away and stepped back enough to flap her wings and release a bellow towards the Sun.

Azhi'li stared at her in awe, expression full of wonder and delight from her magnificence. It took a few moments, but he then realized the gravity of the situation, a heavy weight upon his shoulders and heart-- yet, not a burdened one. No, it was a comfortable weight, like a heavy blanket on a cold night. He laughs happily, cheering and hooting as he stands back up onto his paw feet, his tears warm as they streak down his cheeks while he grinned as brilliantly as Azeyma Herself.

This-- this is everything and more to him. 

Shifting over towards Azhi'li, Rahja lowers her head down to him once more before folding her legs beneath her, laying her wing down for the Seeker. He blinks and stares at her, stupefied, stammering out, "-- D--... Do ya want me t'get on?" Such a silly question, surely she wouldn't understand--,

And yet, she chuffs in response, craning her head towards her back. He still really couldn't believe it, but he carefully moved towards her, placing his soot-colored paws on her back gently, questioningly. She huffs once more, slipping her wing right under him and hoisting him right onto her back as he yelps in surprise. Once he held onto her feathers, she lifted herself off from Azeyma's Watch and flew him down below, back to his family.

Still stunned, Azhi'li blinked owlishly as he remained on her back even after she had laid on the ground, Tani cheering and calling for her cousin while reaching out for him to yoink him off Rahja's back, giving him a giant, crushing hug.

That surely did snap him out of his stupor, causing him to yelp and groan as he felt his air be squeezed out of him. "I TOLD you, primo! Don't ever doubt me again, ya hear?! If ya do, I'm kickin' yer ass inta next week!" she states, firmly. 

"Aye-aye! Okay!" he whines, yet laughs breathlessly nonetheless. Tani places him down and ruffles the younger Seeker's smaller mane, grinning toothily and placing a giant smooch to his forehead. "Eso, primo. That's what I like ta hear."

Beside Tani came Sena and Maryn, gazing towards their nephew with warm smiles, the former beaming proudly. "You never had anything to worry about, Dhezi."

With a light huff, the young Seeker's wet face softened yet remained elated, nodding in response to his uncle's words. 

-------------------------

CW: Mention of blades, bleeding, and scarification. No graphic details.

With the rite now complete, the new and official Sankres must go with the tradition of scarifying wings upon their backs.

It is quite a bit of a painful process, yet everyone in the Sankres have gone through it at one point or another. Some folks take it a bit harder than others, and must do it in increments, but Azhi'li was able to lay through it the entire time.

Carving wings into his back, they wrapped him up carefully with bandages, applying medical salve around the newly forming scars to avoid any infections. It hurt like hells, but it was done, and he couldn't be happier.

From now on, he will be known as G'dhezi.

[vinniehackersgoodlittleslut]

Kio Cyr pt.2 [02]

It's been a month since the events that happened between Kio and Y/n. They've really just been ignoring each other for most of the time. Every time that Y/n goes in a room that he's in Kio leaves, every single time. It wasn't the fact that Y/n was Griffin's girl, it was the fact that every time Kio saw her all he wanted to do was rip her clothes off.

"I'm gonna go get some grocery's Griffin, there's nothing but cold pizza in the fridge," Y/n spoke.

Griffin was catching up on assignments for his classes. He wanted to take a few classes this summer so he could get some of his credits out of the way, "I would go but I have to finish this, it's due at midnight." Griffin said.

Y/n just smiled, "It's okay, I'll just ask one of the boys if they'll go." Y/n said.

"Everyone's gone except for Kio, I don't think he would mind helping," Griffin said working on his paper.

Y/n thought about it, last time she was alone with Kio the two couldn't keep her hands off each other. Maybe that's it, maybe that's all that needed to happen for them to be sane to each other. The thoughts made her feel guilty, she hated the fact that she did that to Griffin but Kio was just- well he was just Kio, "Okay, I'll ask him." Y/n spoke.

Y/n walked to Kio's room, she knocked on the door. Kio came over to her without a shirt on. He had a blank expression on his face, "What?" He asked.

"Griffins working on a paper and no one else is here, so I was gonna see if you wanted to go grocery shopping with me to help. I have no clue what you guys like to eat." Y/n spoke.

Kio's hand went on his abdomen while he thought for a moment while looking her over, "Give me a second to change then we can go." Kio said.

-

Y/n was waiting by her car for Kio, he came out shaking his head. Y/n gave him a confused look, "Nah we're taking my baby." Kio said getting in his driver's seat.

-

The car ride was silent, "So are we just not gonna talk, or even talk about what happened between us?" Kio asked.

Y/n scoffed, "What's there to talk about? We had sex, end of the story." Y/n let out.

Kio licked his lips thinking of that night, "You know that's why I haven't been around you." Kio said truthfully.

"You haven't been around me in a month because we had sex?" Y/n questioned.

"No, I haven't been around you in a month because every time I look at you I think about you naked," Kio responded.

Kio slid his hand on her thigh, moving in from inside her thigh to the top of it. Y/n looked down at his hand, "You can tell me to stop and I'll stop, but from the looks of it I don't think you want me to stop." Kio said as he continued.

Y/n grabbed his hand placing it on her heat. Kio smirked at her, "I can't stop thinking about your moans, how you moaned my name. God, those whimpers you make." Kio thought back to that night.

Y/n unbuttoned her jeans while listening to Kio, "The way your back arched when I hit a certain spot with just my fingers." Kio spoke.

His hand went inside of her jean shorts feeling how wet her panties were, "You're so wet for me huh?" Kio spoke in a lower tone.

Kio felt himself get hard, "Fuck it." Kio mumbled.

Kio drove into an empty parking lot, he pulled in to where no one could see them. Kio put the car in park. He moved his seat back enough for her to straddle his lap. He pulled her belt loop towards him making her move onto his lap.

The two stared at each other taking in what just happened, "What are we doing?" Y/n whispered.

Kio moved in and kissed her neck, "Whatever you want us to be doing." Kio said between kisses.

Y/n placed her hands on his shoulders as he continued to kiss her neck. He started sucking on her neck but Y/n moved away, "You can't do that." Y/n said.

Kio's hands were rested on her waist, he removed on and cupped the side of her face. He leaned forward and hesitated on kissing her. His lips hovered over her lips, "We can't keep doing this, I can't keep doing this to Griffin." Y/n spoke.

"Then get off my lap and let's go to the grocery store," Kio said while still having his lips hovering over her lips.

Y/n looked up into his eyes, Kio looked at her eyes then back down to her lips. He leaned forward more letting his lips fall onto hers. The two kissed, letting their tongues fight against each other. Kio pushed her hips into him making her grind on him. Y/n let out a moan as the friction felt good. Kio moved his head to the side so he could get a breath of air. Y/n dipped her head to his neck kissing and nipping at certain spots until she found his sweet spot.

"S-Shit, Y/n I want you." Kio let out.

Y/n finished her mark on him and pulled away. Kio groaned as she stopped kissing his neck. Y/n took off her shirt. She took off Kio's shirt as well. She managed to take off her shorts, Kio pulled his shorts and underwear down. Kio pulled her panties to the side, Y/n let herself sink down on him.

The two let out moans as they felt each other. Y/n started bouncing on him trying to get a rhythm going. Kio reached behind her taking off her bra. He threw it on the dashboard, his lips instantly connected to her left tit. He pulled and kneaded her right one. Y/n placed her hands on his shoulders to keep herself up.

"Oh, my-fuck." Y/n moaned.

There was just something about her moans that made Kio want more. Kio stopped kissed her chest, he threw his head back in pleasure, "S-Shit you're doing so good for me." Kio let out.

Kio grabbed her hips making her stop, he started thrusting up. He held onto her hips, sweat dripping down his forehead. Y/n had her eyes scrunched and mouth hung open. His thrusts were slowing down so Y/n decided to start going herself again. As she started going faster Kio's thumbs were bruising her hip bones. She moved his hands off her hips and placed them on her boobs.

"Fuck I'm gonna come," Kio said.

Kio came and let out the most heavenly sounds. Y/n didn't care, she was almost there so she was trying to get to her high as fast as she could. She started bouncing on him faster. Kio tried to stop her from going too fast but it felt good, "Y/n s-slow down." Kio spoke.

"Shut up," Y/n said.

Kio didn't like the way she was speaking to him. He grabbed her throat with his right hand as she still kept going. She felt her knees started to give out. She grabbed his wrist to keep herself up. Her legs started shaking, "Please oh my god I'm gonna come." Y/n moaned.

Kio played with her clit making her come hard on him. She bounced one more time and she felt it all come out, a mix of hers and Kio's. She stayed still, Kio still inside her. Her hips bucked once again, Kio gripped her hips, "Alright we-"

Kio kissed her cutting off her sentence. The two made out for a few more seconds. He stopped and leaned his forehead against her's, "That was so fucking hot." Kio let out.

Y/n smiled as she saw the windows were really fogged up, "We have grocery shopping to do." Y/n said getting off Kio.

The two got dressed and drove off.

[freshlybakedspiderbread]

I brought up hanyang type 88 here and i said i’d explain, so here I am!!

okay so first off here’s a bunch of likely useful context about girls frontline. There is this feature in the game called digimind upgrade, or mod 3, where certain t-dolls can be upgraded past the normal maximum levels and stats, and at the same time gaining whole new abilities and also a new design. Basically a reinvention. There are like hundreds of playable characters in the game, and only a fraction will get mod 3s, typically the ‘main characters’ who are relevant to the major ongoing plot.

two things about getting a doll who has the ability to do digimind upgrade, to actually do that. One, is that it can be very costly in terms of in-game materials. like, maybe i just played the game wrong but I would have to grind for weeks in order to amass the materials to upgrade just one doll to mod 3. So even though by now there are dozens upon dozens of dolls who are capable of this feature, i’ve only actually done so with like, less than one dozen. A normal player probably has to be picky.

secondly, and this is the big one, every t-doll’s mod 3 comes with story cutscenes that become available for you to view upon upgrading them. Personally, i think most of the only worthwhile mod 3 stories are the ones that are associated with the actual major characters of the main story, especially since their upgrades actually happen in-canon and their mod 3 stories fill in blanks or otherwise expand upon the regular story chapters.

for the t-dolls who aren’t major characters that get digimind upgrades, their associated stories tend to follow a very basic pattern. They’re feeling like they are falling behind other T-Dolls in abilities or are otherwise experiencing a drop in confidence in their abilities, but then find the resolve in them to either change themselves or stand by an aspect of themselves, and this leads them to heading to the lab to get upgraded. obviously theres some nuances here and there depending on the character, but a lot of them, from what i saw, follow this basic pattern.

hanyang type 88 has a mod 3 but i certainly never wanted to see it. Firstly, using the feature at all takes up resources are kinda precious so i wasn’t just gonna use it on anyone. Secondly, she is just one of many one-off t-dolls that basically dont ever show up in any actual main story cutscenes or even funny events. Thirdly... you saw what she looked like in the linked post, i was in no rush to make use of her.

That being said, even if you don’t ever upgrade a t-doll, simply having them in your possession allows you to at least view the first of four parts of their mod 3 story, which nets you a small amount of those materials needed to see the rest (its a pretty fiendish system, huh o_O). I was lacking in some materials to upgrade a doll i cared about, so i just mucked around, eventually happened upon type88 again and decided that instead of just immediately feeding her to the furnace, I’d watch the first chapter of her mod 3 story. I watched it, it made me just curious enough to look further, and well. ...I got into it. Exactly what I got into, i shall now just elaborate and summarise the whole thing in my own way! Warning, it’s long!

(disclosure: my summary will bias towards my own preferred interpretation whenever any aspect is somewhat vague.)

The story starts with type 88, or as she is called by others in griffin base, Ai, working her shift in the base’s cafe, because what else would she be doing.

i hate looking at her! Anyway, its just a pleasant peaceful day and Ai is taking the logistic person, kalina’s order when suddenly in the middle of a conversation, Ai freezes in place and starts making worrying sounds.

kalina here and the t-dolls present in the cafe are concerned, and talk about how Type88 has actually been crashing like this more and more frequently lately, yet has not reported any of this to the maintenance crew despite the advice of her friends. They try rebooting her on the spot, but it has an even more concerning effect, because she starts erratically acting like she doesn’t recognise the others, and talks about how she is a maid in “Jiangcheng Cafe”. Afraid that her neural cloud (her mind) has been scrambled, they put her to sleep and bring her to the repair bay.

Its in the repair bay where they explain exactly what is wrong with type88. She is a fairly old doll, and her processing capacity has been severally clogged up for a long time. Her internal memory is overflowing because many large sections of her mind is filled with very large encrypted files (memories that she stored away). she is likely to keep crashing and possibly even cease functioning entirely one day if those encrypted files are not deleted, but nobody is really keen on just deleting parts of her mind without her consent. For now, kalina just opts to try and decrypt the files and see what they are.

And from here, we watch type88 memories from her perspective. Sort of. Kind of. It gets complicated later but for now, we view the first memory of her life, not as a combat t-doll type88, but...

...as 59898, a doll designed to be what is basically a ‘crash test dummy’ for testing artillery technology in a research station. With a purpose like this, 59898 has an (ostensibly) rudimentary AI. Her learning ability is intended to be used to better aid the results of their testing, but she also knows how to understand and even imitate specific human gestures in order to better respond to instructions or conversation, even though she herself has no voice module to speak with. She is assigned to assist one specific person.

first off, i was pretty shocked right off the bat that this story above so many others actually has unique assets to it. The above two sprites don’t show up anywhere else in the game, i don’t think. Secondly, this woman’s name is only ever spelled with those white squares, so I’m stuck with having to just calling her ‘the pilot’, as dry as that sounds... I just don’t want to type out weird characters every time, or call her ‘triple cube’...

Anyway, so 59898 is assigned to help this woman in testing artillery tech (stuff like mechs and tanks). I should mention really quick that in the game’s story, during this point of time is when world war iii is happening, but that’s just a backdrop for robots to eventually gain more prominence. Anyway, we move on to the second memory, where some time has already passed. At the beginning of this memory, the pilot is visibly depressed, which 59898 takes note of.

Her ‘comfort mode’ consists of patting the pilot on the head, who while surprised, actually is grateful. She feels comfortable enough to talk about her worries aloud to the doll, mentioning how she is a war refugee and has to make a living in the research base because she can’t go back to her home in china, at least not before making enough money for a very expensive and exclusive train ticket. She continues to talk at length to the doll...

...not that the test doll is capable of responding to anything she says. The pilot insists that she’s happy just to have someone listen to her though, since she feels like she can’t really express her feelings to any other person on the base. Despite that-

That aside, the pilot says that referring to 59898 by her serial number all the time feels a bit weird, so she decides to give the doll a name. (I sure wish the story would give this woman a name too, other than ‘three white squares’ but oh well...)

She talks more with Jiangcheng Ai, or just Ai, after that, asking her if she’d like a change of clothes sometime, like some casual clothes, or an old maid outfit from an old cafe job she used to have (I guess they had to throw in any explanation for that outfit somehow) Point is, more and more time passes.

As time passes though, and we go into the third memory, the pilot brings up complaints to her superiors about how the more recent testings, becoming more increasingly intense and frequent, are putting a great strain on Ai, and even repairs can only help maintain her chassis so much. She insists on wanting to take Ai’s place in the testing, but they refuse because, well, Ai’s entire purpose is to take the strain of these tests so that the human pilot doesn’t have to, and the doll is just a tool there to pave the way for the pilot to eventually take over the mech in action

The next time Ai wakes up from her most recent repairs, the pilot is there to greet her, and Ai can tell straight away that she’s unhappy and tries to comfort her again. The pilot is not surprised at this and talks about how this is how Ai has been since they first met. She goes on to say how all the other people on the base don’t know her half as well as Ai does. Ai tries to understand and determine what the pilot’s intentions with saying all this is, but she cannot do so and can only listen while offering ‘executing - affirmative nod’.

The pilot talks about how once the war is over, she’d like to take Ai back home with her, where they could go to all sorts of gatherings, and the pilot would introduce Ai to her friends.

Ai reviews her personal data, confirming that she has no owners or obligations other than the pilot, so she executes another affirmative nod, and the pilot says this:

As Ai tries and fails to further determine this, something bad happens! if you’ve read this far, i’m sure you’ve already guess what happens next...

At that exact moment, a warning goes out and the research base is being attacked by nebulous enemy forces. With no time to talk anymore, both the pilot and Ai head out into their first real fight.

They spend a good long while repelling enemy forces, working well together and apparently using all sorts of wacky anime weaponry like beam blades and whatever ‘retrograde evasion’ is!

obviously though, you already know this isn’t going to end well for them... When the pilot takes a breather, Ai moves to protect her, but at a critical moment, a sudden high-speed projectile comes her way. In the next instance there’s a crash, and we move onto another memory. Where its all fire and debris, and Ai can’t move.

^ this text box actually repeats several times, indicating that she is repeating her scan for life signs over and over. She gets an internal warning from her systems (differentiated with red text) that she has insufficient power and it warns her to immediately cease ineffective operations. [Unable to detect owner life signs] repeats again.

At this point, uuuuh, its a little stupid actually? because two humans show up, reusing generic ‘bad guy’ sprites from other events that don’t match the current environment and situation at all (one is in a suit and the other is in casual clothes). but the reason they’re here is to provide exposition out loud about what happened. It looked like the human’s mech took a hit for the doll and was blown to bits, though they talk about how that doesn’t make any sense.

Ai at this point tries to execute a bunch of different actions like hugging [target not found] and screaming [no relevant module] but they all fail, and her internal systems tell her that her power is running out and she will cease to function in 30 seconds.

So in those last 30 seconds, Ai decides to quickly review her internal files. the damage she took has corrupted her memories and she doesn’t have the time to properly go through them, so she executes a ‘simulated processed records’, which basically mean she’s just filling the blanks of those memories herself with simulations.

And I have to say. I was decently into and enjoying this little story so far, but its this part that’s the reason i became forced to make this stupid giant post. the first ‘memory’ loads up, and we see the pilot.

Different ‘memories’ of the days spent with the pilot are loaded back to back, each are very short and only last a few lines. Across these files, the two of them talk comfortably with each other, Ai is invited to go get coffee with her, the pilot talks about how going alone is boring and would rather spend time with Ai, Ai saying back with her own words that she always likes spending time with her, etc etc etc.

And then finally, she loads one last ‘memory’, from earlier that same day, before the explosion and the fighting.

and she shuts down.

i passed by this scene the first time all calm, but an hour or so later when I was in the bathroom replacing shampoo bottles, i started thinking about it and I literally started sobbing. And then again later that night when i was in bed. I hate this game!!

so that’s the ‘end’ of that, and the next scene opens, once again in griffin base’s cafe, except...

Ai is sporting a brand new (ugly) look. She says she’d like to take kalina’s order but she was just leaving on other business, as she likes keeping herself busy with all sorts of work around the base ever since she got upgraded into a gundam gajinka. and after she leaves, kalina talks with the other dolls about how Ai used to have some cache issues because her neutral cloud was too full, but upgrading into this new chassis easily fixed that and even allowed her to make use of her old locked away abilities.

Because of the way this scene in the cafe opens up exactly like the very first one at the beginning, it makes me believe that this final scene is also a simulated ‘memory’, that is, Ai filling in the blanks of her corrupted memories with what she wishes to be reality. And i feel confident in believing that because after the scene fades to black, we see more of her internal system monologue.

She (the system) says that the priority execution is to preserve those encrypted memory logs. She does so, and the neural cloud upgrade is complete with confirmation of no loss files. With no risk of deletion in this new form, she executes the command to unlock the encrypted memories. And finally...

[spiderbread dies]

i still wouldn’t use her in gameplay because i can’t stand looking at her design but  i told you all i eat up robot with feelings stuff and this is like prime example of exactly that... and if i didn’t make this post, i think my own neutral cloud’s cache would be at risk of overflowing x_X!