#she just needed to be alone and stella Did Not Understand

[chaifootsteps]

I think the other HB Take I've grown to dislike the most is

'When Via realizes what her father sacrificed for her, she'll be so thankful / sorry for doubting him!!'

and like, no?? no she shouldn't be?

it was never her decision for her parents to stay together all that time, they made that choice themselves. The kid is not responsible for what the adults are doing. The show pulling a "Stolas got hurt for her sake so she needs to be grateful for that when Stolas is the one who made the choice to do it" is lousy logic, imo. It's blaming Via for being too young to know what was going on and expecting her to answer for her parents' choices & actions

not to mention It's made very clear that all the fighting after Stolas cheated is making her home life miserable. Anyone who's been between two warring parents will tell you how much it sucks

and also like - maybe the show wants to frame it that Stolas gave her a 'normal life' but the show is wrong about that, gonna be blunt

nothing about the Goetia's home life was ever 'normal'. Stella & Stolas never wanted to marry. they never wanted a child together. Everything about their life was artificial from the get-go and doomed to failure, especially since Stella presumably never even put in the effort to playact 'happy families' once Via was born

and like, the show has written Stella to be so comically evil that she threw Still Not Divorced parties in their house, where Via was living, that she advertised in the newspaper. Via would have to be pretty checked out to not notice that Stella and Stolas can't stand one another. Kids aren't dumb about that kind of thing, they will notice. And given Stella does nothing but screech/insult Stolas every time she's onscreen (and it's implied she's physically abused him before), if Stolas actually cared about Via's wellbeing he'd want her far away from Stella. This self-martyring routine of his makes no sense.

On some level a lot of people judge parents irl for staying with abusive partners if they're subjecting a child to that environment, too, and that's with the understanding the parent loved/still loves the abuser on some level. Stolas never loved Stella. Why is he subjecting Via to her, especially when he's the one who's a prince and could easily have her thrown out of the palace?

it makes the shows' determination to never show what the dynamic between Stella and Via is even more frustrating, because if they did get one it would at least lend some credence to Stolas' 'I thought there was some benefit to us staying together for Via's sake' routine. if she has a relationship with her mother then it makes some sense, even if that relationship is strained at times. but the writers are terrified of giving Stella any dimension at all so I'd bet good money we won't even see them exchange a single line of dialogue by the end of s2 (unless it's for Via to be manipulated by her, since she needs to be the world's biggest dummy so Stolas can cry some more)

(also like, sidenote that's just been annoying me personally - why would a Hell noble be so hung up on the notion of having a nuclear family? he's royalty. he can easily afford to raise Via alone. what are the normative values of Hell, exactly?? why would anyone care if Stolas gets a divorce? why can't the show clearly indicate what is and isn't expected of royalty in terms of upkeep of behavior and reputation?)

(also also, if Stolas was written to be deluding himself about what he did being good for Via then this could be interesting. but I doubt they're gonna go there with the creator's pet he's turned into in s2)

She probably will end up running back to Stolas, apologizing and expressing her gratitude for anything. Because that's the kind of show this is and that's the kind of writer Viv is.

[nikiniluna]

“Jax Situation is similar to the Stella Situation”… Does it?

The short answer is “No”

I do understand that, to a newer fan’s eyes, it might seem like it’s the same thing. So, as a Helluva Boss fan who accompanied the show ever since its pilot, I’ll give some clarity on the Stella Situation.

Stella is a character that exists since the pilot, but her actual first appearance in the series was in the second episode of season one

In her very first scene, Octavia - Stolas and Stella’s daughter - had a nightmare and called her parents, but only Stolas went to see Octavia. This scene itself can’t be used a evidence to say “Stella is terrible” because this type of scene is used to convey the challenges of taking care of a child while needing to tend for own needs. We already seen characters telling their partner it’s “their turn” before and none of it was a sign of terribleness, just of being tired.

The next scene is in the present and it’s about Stella arguing with Stolas about him cheating on her with an imp.

During the argument, Stella made a huge emphasis on the fact that it’s was with an imp - the second lowest race in hell - than on the infidelity itself. This implies that she cares for her reputation as noble and Stolas was putting it at risk, being the reason of her anger.

Her next and last appearance in season 1 (Since in episode 7 it was just a visual representation of her) was by the end of episode 5, when it was revealed that Striker - the hitman who tried to kill Stolas during the Harvest Moon Festival – was actually sent by Stella.

During her phone call with Striker, Stella called Stolas a “Cheating Prick” which means his infidelity it’s what motivated her to hire a hitman. Adding to the fact that she displayed care for her reputation in episode 2, hiring Striker indirectly implied that she wants Stolas dead so he can’t get the chance to confirm his affair ever happened and therefore keep Stella’s image intact.

Season One on its own gave the audience the impression that Stella was power-hungry villain who believed her biases were correct and would put a stop on anyone or anything that could potentially destroy her image - even her own husband.

DAMN! Even a YouTuber who is known for making videos about Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel did a video during that time theorising about a scene of the-soon-to-be-released episode 7!

This one ☝️

The YouTuber theorised that Stella left and took Octavia with her so Stolas would be all alone and Striker could finally kill without anyone on his way!

That was how she was popularly seen…

…and by now you know those scenes were all mixed messages.

On July 30th of 2022, it was released the first episode of season 2 and it was revealed the reason why Stella acted that way.

“I like tormenting you”

That’s it. There was no reputation in line, she was doing it ‘cause “why not?”

And you might be thinking “And why people got so displeased?”.

It’s simple.

While for new fans it took at least two hours to have the mixed messages cleared, for the older fans it was NINETEEN MONTHS!

19 months of being put on the impression she was villain who cared about her reputation only for her to be a one dimensional antagonist whose sole purpose is to make Stolas more palatable.

And I know Medrano and her crew didn’t do it on malice, it was just not the best of character management.

And now let’s go to Jax:

Ever since the pilot, Jax is shown to be a jerk.

Even to point of leaving Ragatha and Pomni behind when Kaufmo abstracted WITHOUT even bothering to call Caine to help them!

So, when episode 2 aired, he wasn’t acting Out of Character, it was just that his jerkness had more highlights.

Conclusion:

Jax Situation and Stella Situation are a lot different. Stella Situation was more of a “Mixed messages messed with the audience’s experience” while Jax Situation was more of a “Part of the audience expected Jax’s jerkness to be palatable”

[theswissgirl]

Into your arms - A Saul Silva imagine

Another scenario that I want to write :)

This is a Saul Silva imagine, from Fate; The Winx Saga

In this scenario, I always imagined her to be Bloom's sister and they sort of the share the power of the dragon flame 

Her name is Delilah and she is a fire fairy and of course, she is Silva's girl

Based on Season 2 Episode 3 : Your Newfound Popularity 

(credits to the owner of the picture)

____________________________________________________________________________

I'm out of my head, out of my mind, oh, I

If you let me, I'll beOut of my dress and into your arms tonight

Yeah, I'm lost without it

Feels like I'm always waitin'I need you to come get me

Out of my head, and into your arms tonight

- Into Your Arms, Witt Lowry & Ava Max

After the display Stella put on at the banquet, everyone had gone to retire to their homes, leaving Bloom and Delilah alone at the dining table. 

Delilah was tired and exhausted, she just wanted to go to her bed and close her eyes but sleep has not come easy for her.

For her thoughts were always occupied with one person and one person only.

Saul Silva.

The man she loved above anything else. 

It pains her greatly that she is not able to see him, even after the winx rescued him from being transported to Polaris, she knew that it would be dangerous from him to come see her. She still missed him nonetheless.

Rosalind joins them.

"I know. It's a lot" she says, looking at delilah and bloom.

Bloom was the first to say something, "When we first spoke at the Stone Cirlce, you said the blood witches were the one who kidnapped us and held us at Aster Dell" 

"Is that because of this thing inside us? Dragon Flame?" delilah asked inquisitively, looking up at Rosalind.

Rosalind nodded.

"It is"

Delilah heart starts to race and she feels herself tense at the new found information.

Bloom draws her eyebrows together, confusion evicent on her face, "What about our birth parents? Do they have it too or are they-" Rosalind cuts her off.

"I-- I wasn't lying back then" Rosalind sits down in the chair next to Bloom.

" I don't know where you came from. But the blood witches will. We'll fight them and we'll work it out" she says with conviction.

"you've already kept so much from us, I don't know if we can trust you" Delilah speaks up.

Rosalind clicks her tongue and slides a piece of paper over to her.

"Maybe this will help"

Delilah picks up the paper and reads the contents of it and then pauses when she reads "criminal pardon".

She looks to Rosalind, "What is this?"

"It's a pardon" a voice spoke up from behind them.

suddenly, delilah's heart tightened painfully in her chest and she is overcome with shock and surprise. She whips around in her chair and turns around to see the love of her life standing by the door way. Her breathing picks up and she takes in his appearance. 

He is wearing the uniform of the specialist, his face is clean shaven and his hair is in styled in order, keeping it from crowding his face.

He looked good.

And dear lord did he look good in that uniform, the clothing hugging him in all the right places.

"Silva" her voice cracks as she is overcome with an intense amount of relief.

But Delilah had to be careful as Rosalind had no knowledge of their relationship so she had to try her damn hardest to keep her emotions concealed. 

As did Saul.

When all he wanted was to run to his girl and pull her into his arms, instead he walks down the steps and moves to stand behind her chair, feeling temporarily content with just standing close to her.

"I've been working Arthur for a week for a damn thing. Stella almost fucked it up this afternoon, but..-" Bloom cuts off Rosalind.

Delilah was too stunned to say anything.

" I don't understand. Why are you-" Rosalind cuts bloom off in return.

" It's time to put aside our differences, we have a common enemy. The blood witches are a scourge on the Other World. Everytime wer drive them out, they come crawling back" Rosland says.

"She's right. And if they are gathering strength to make a move, we need to stop them before it's too late" Silva spoke up from where he stood, serving as another reminder for Delilah that he was actually here, he was alright.

______________________________________________________________________

Delilah had the suite too herself.

Bloom was off reading about blood witches.

Stella was with Beatrix

Musa was on a walk with her headphones.

Aisa was probably somewhere with Grey.

Terra and Flora were god knows where.

Once she got back to her room, she immediately changed out of her dress and rid her face of the make up she had to wear. She changed into some black sleeping shorts with a cropped dark green tank top.

She could not stop pacing back and forth, her heart and wind were racing. She knew that Saul was coming to see her as they were not able to even have a conversation in front of Rosalind which meant that now, was perfect for them.

She felt like a high school girl who grew nervous at the sight of her crush. Yes, her and Silva have been together for a whole year now but he still manages to sum a herd of butterflies in her stomach.

It's kind of sweet if you think about, after all these months of being separated, she still feels so strongly about him and their relationship.

It was no doubt the she loved him unconditionally.

A knock on her window interrupts her train of thought, she jumps and whirls around quickly and she sees Saul, waiting for her to open the window.

And when she does, he moves like lightning and pulls her into his arms, stumbling forward at the same time. She is quick to wrap her arms tightly around his neck, burying her face in his neck and breathing in his scent that effectively calms her racing heart.

God she missed him so much.

Saul wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, pulling her in so close she can hardly draw in a breath, he too buries his face in her hair, relishing in the feel of having his girl so close.

"I missed you so much" she whimpered into his neck, tears gathering in her eyes.

" I know, sweetheart. You have no idea how much it drove me insane not having you close to me" He said softly.

He pulls her away from him and moves his hands to cup her face and gently caress her cheeks, his eyes moving all around her face to get a good look at her.

She was always so beautiful in his eyes. And she still is.

He smiles before pulling her close again and leaning his face closer to hers. Slowly, they lean in closer and delilah closes her eyes milliseconds before her lips were going to meet his. Finally, Silva's lips brushed against hers, then he crashes their lips together.

The kiss starts out slowly, giving each other to familiarize themselves again and explore each others mouth. Deliliah tilts her head in order to a slightly deeper angle and she moves to wrap her arms around his neck and interlocking her hands there. She deepens the kiss and Silvas has no problem with that. 

The kiss became more passionate and heated, both picking up the pace so its more faster and rough. Delilah lets out little moans as Silva starts backing backwards towards her bed and he sits down at the edge, pulling her to straddle his lap.

This meant that Delilah face was above his, enabling her to deepen the kiss even more. After a minute or two of their making out, they pulled away from each other, really needing to suck in some oxygen and refocus themselves.

Delilah leans her forehead on Silva's, closes her eyes and smiles.

I've missed that too" she laughed lightly.

He chuckled lowly, "me too love, me too" he pulls her closer to him.

Delilah had to admit, the way they were positioned was making her head spin and she could feel her body slowly coming alive under his touch. 

She's not surprised, her body and mind have gone months without his touch, a reaction was going to be inevitable but she didn't mind.

Right then, a yawn escapes her.

She knew that she wanted him but she was way too tired to engage in that certain activity. Silva could see that too.

"Come on darling, lets get you to bed" he picks her up and carries her to her bed, pulling the blankets from the bed, placing her in it and then pulling the covers to cover her body. He then got in behind her, moving his arms around her body once more and pulling her closer to his.

The proximity of their bodies was making her even more sleepy as she could feel her eyes beginn to feel heavy.

But before she gives into the demand of sleep, she whispers one last thing.

"I love you"

________________________________________________________________________________

1487 words

not gonna bother proof reading her grammatical mistakes, I'm too tired for that.

[nottamoxxie]

Age-Re-tober 1: Coffee/Tea

Stolas had a lot of work to do.

He had paperwork to fill out,

Had a few thousand reports to read through,

And more things that even he doesn't completely understand.

Being royal is not as grand as people accused.

“Daddy daddy!” His wonderful daughter, Via, ran into his room.

The one and only good thing that came from his life.

“Hello, Via.” Stolas says. “How are you, dear?”

"Daddy! Will you join my tea party?" Via asks. “I made everything perfect!” She says proudly.

Octavia was regressed to about four today. She had recently opened up to Stolas about being a regressor, and though it had taken some time for him to understand and it was hard for her to open up to him, they've made some incredible progress to where Via actually feels comfortable regressing around him.

It was certainly bringing them closer together, and though Via doesn't really need a caregiver, Stolas was usually more than happy to keep her company while she's small.

"I apologize, Via. What was that you asked?" Stolas asks her.

"Tea party! I have the table all set pretty like mum taught me!" She explained proudly. "I have everything ready, so we can have tea!"

"Oh, Via. I would be delighted to have tea with you." Stolas tells her. "But I have some work to do, and I'm afraid it's very important." He says.

Via frowns. "Oh... okay."

Stolas frowns next. "I'm sorry, dear. We will play later, I promise."

Via nods. "It's okay. I can play alone."

Stolas wanted to say more, but Via walked away to her room.

Stolas sighed and walked back to his desk to get started.

And though this really needed to get done...he couldn't focus. He could only think of Via.

When Octavia regresses like that, she really does act like she did when she was a child.

'Daddy! Daddy! Tea!' Three year old Via held up her play tea cup to Stolas.

'That's very nice, Via.' He tells her, patting her head and leaving.

He had been drinking a lot the night before and was hung over...

He and Stella had a fight...or more so she had a fight with him while he just let it happen...

Drinking was his way to cope...

He's glad at least Octavia had a healthier alternative.

He often wonders what Via thought that day... did she feel like Stolas was upset or uninterested in her?

Like loo loo land...

Or...now?

Sigh...

He does have that habit...doesn't he?

What kind of father was he?

Stolas shakes his head. It wasn't the same thing... he's not still the same father he was.

In fact he was around...

Less.

But at least Stella was no longer here to stop him…

Hmm.

Stolas looks out the bedroom door, hearing his wonderful daughter talk to her stuffed animals like they are alive.

"More tea, Mr scruffles? Oh thank you, this dress is new!"

Stolas smiles. What a wonderful hostess.

Stolas turned back to his book, then over to the hall...

...

He smiles to himself.

He supposed he could join Via for a little while.

After all, if your priorities don't lie with those you love the most...what even are priorities?

"Octavia?" Stolas asks, stepping into her room.

Via looks up at Stolas and moves over to him, her head looking down in shame. "Was I too loud?"

Stolas shakes his head. "Oh, no. Darling, you're not! I was just going to ask you if the invite to join your party was still on the table?"

Octavia gasps happily. "Really?"

Stolas nods. "For a little while! I still have work to do, but I realized, I haven't been spending as much time with you, like I should... I'd like to change that. If you'd like-"

Octavia hugs her dad. "Thank you, daddy."

Stolas hugs her back, smiling. "Of course, darling."

Before anyone could say anything else, Via takes his hand and pulls him over to her tea table.

Via had set the table beautifully; a black laced table cloth covered the table, she got out her beautiful white and purple tea pot and cups, saucers, and sugar bowl to match.

She got out golden spoons and butter knives, and placed down a tray of cookies and scones.

Her mother insisted on Via learning to be the best hostess she can be at a very young age, Stolas is proud that Via payed attention…but he's even more proud that she does it her way.

"You sit here!" Via tells him, gesturing to the seat next to her and beside a bunny plushie.

She put on some music, a gothic but charming melody, it definitely matched the asthetic of the party.

"Tea?" Via asks him.

"Oh, yes. Thank you, Via." Stolas says.

Via pours some tea in his cup and her own, then she pours some imaginary tea for her stuffed animals.

"Are you going to introduce me to your friends?" Stolas asks.

"Um. Yes." Via says, setting the tea pot down.

She gestures to the bunny next to him. "That is Mr scruffles."

"Nice to meet you." Stolas says.

"And that is smallbirb and biscuit." She pointed to the conjoined bird stuffed animals.

Strange, but if it makes her happy.

"And lastly, this is squip." Via points to a taxidermied rat.

Stolas tilts his head. "Peculiar name."

"Mommy doesn't like him. She threw him in the trash and said he wasn't good for a princess."

Stolas frowns. "Oh, Via. I'm so sorry."

How could he let that happen? How could he let any of this happen? Where was he?!

"It's okay! I glued-ed a crown on him! Now he's a princess! See?" Via shows him.

Stolas smiles.

My, she is a wonder.

"He's beautiful, Via." He tells her.

"Yeah, he's the best princess." Via says.

"Well, he's certainly great." Stolas says. "But you're the best princess."

Via shakes her head. "No, cuz I don't like princess things. Not like mama does."

"Sure you do." Stolas says. "You like tea parties, animals, music-"

"But...it dark though."

"So, you're your own princess, darling. You don't have to be like everyone else. In fact, I like that you like dark things. I happen to like dark things too."

Via looks surprised. "Really?"

Stolas nods. "Really. I like dark colors, long capes, dark makeup. It's charming."

She smiles. "So, I can be a dark princess and still be good?"

"You can like anything you want and still be the best princess ever." Stolas tells her.

Via makes a happy chirping sound, a sound that Stolas hasn't heard since she was a baby...

The clock chimes loudly, interrupting the party.

Was it really five already?

"Does you have work now?" Via asks.

Stolas looks at the clock...

He did need to get that paperwork done but...

He looked at Via...

And he smiles. "It can wait. You are much more important." He says.

Via smiles and their tea party continued.

Sure, Stolas had to stay up to finish the work but...

For her?

It was worth it.

She's worth everything.

Possum: Sorry this is late! Family stuff.

Everything is fine though! I promise!

[farahtissaiamyloves]

Hey,

Do you write Fate: The Winx Saga fics? If so, can you write a fic where Bloom is in a slump (depressed from everything). She blocks out everyone from trying to help her. Her magic gets erratic because of her emotions. Farah helps her through everything. Gives her advice and comfort. She is a mother figure for Bloom. Just a fic that starts out very angsty and just leads to pure comfy at the end. If it can be at least 2500 words, I'd appreciate it. If not, it's understandable.

P.S. Not a lot of FarahxBloom fics, so.... kinda hope you could help me.

Making peace with the past

Farah Dowling x Bloom Peters (plat)

Another wonderful request was completed. I hope I rose up to the challenge successfully. I have never truly written anything which isn't xreader but I think that this came to be wonderful. You, Anon, requested for 2500 minimum, so I am providing you with my longest one-shot, 3236 words. Enjoy.

Bloom was sitting alone on a bench. Her eyes were glassy as she looked at the horizon, the endless beautiful fields outside of Alfea.

Her mind was a huge mess. So many things happened the past year. She could hardly comprehend what was happening anymore.

She had done a murder.... It was self-defense, but still... She did have blood on her hands... Two people's blood.

Obviously, both Rosalind and Sebastian had to die or at least be defeated one way or another if she wanted to ensure Alfea's safety.

Still...

Bloom looked down at her hands, half expecting them to be covered with their blood.

The girl sighed, placing her head against her hands. She was feeling so...

Lost?

Even she didn't know.

The only good thing that came up due to the discovery of her dragon flame was her ability to resurrect one of the only people who cared for her, not because of her abilities, no... but because they cared about everybody's well-being.

She found some solace at the thought of making things right... Saving the woman who stood by her when she needed it the most.

Bloom felt beyond ashamed and responsible for her death as well... If only she had believed her...

Rosalind would have never been freed. Everybody would be happy. Farah, Ben, and Saul would still be best friends. Bellatrix and Stella would have the chance they deserved to be together...

Bloom sobbed, realizing that she was the cause of everyone's problems.

She didn't deserve it. She didn't deserve her friends, Sky, Headmistress Dowling... She didn't deserve anyone.

Bloom's blood turned cold, remembering her mother's burnt flesh.

She was not the hero everybody painted her to be...

No.

Everything was actually happening in the first place because of her.

She was a monster.

꧁☾︎❥︎☽︎꧂

Bloom was sat alone in the library.

She knew the girls had planned a study period in their living room, but she didn't feel like going.

She did not deserve it.

She deserved loneliness.

She deserved to feel the pain.

She didn't hear the footsteps getting too close to her.

Her eyes were glued to her book before she noticed someone standing in front of her desk.

She looked up to see Aisha standing with crossed hands in front of her.

"You coming or what?" Her friend spoke with an expecting gaze.

Bloom didn't respond for some seconds before she shook her head and looked back to her book. "I'm busy."

Aisha titled her head, tapping her foot against the wooden floor of the library. "You are studying here. You may as well as study with us. Same thing." She waved Bloom's excuse off.

Bloom shook her head. "I really need to stay focused.... You are not helping." The girl started feeling agitated. She didn't wish for her company as she didn't deserve it.

This was her punishment.

Aisha took a step closer, hovering above Bloom. "See this as a small break. Come, we gonna be late."

Bloom didn't look at her as she turned the page, pretending to be reading. "I don't wish for a small break. Go."

Aisha's hands crossed over her chest. "Bloom.... You are acting like a baby. Just be done with it."

Bloom rolled her eyes in annoyance, her little patience gone. "I SAID GO."

Aisha's eyes widened in shock before the water fairy blinked. She tried to snitch Bloom's book away from her, only to be met by Bloom's hand slapping her hand away.

Bloom abruptly stood up and looked at her friend in the eyes. "WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? I WANNA STUDY ALONE!"

Aisha swallowed hard as she took a step back at the sound of Bloom's shout. Many heads turned to look at their fight.

The water fairy looked around, noticing the attention they got before turning to her roommate.

Aisha looked at Bloom for a moment and then turned around and left the room feeling beyond shocked due to Bloom's outburst and ashamed of disturbing people's peace.

Bloom sat down on her seat with a relieved sigh.

May the torture continue.

꧁☾︎❥︎☽︎꧂

A week later, Bloom found herself in Farah Dowling's classroom.

The headmistress would soon be walking around the classroom overseeing everyone's abilities, as she preferred to give some time to her students to begin chanelling and do the needed preparations.

Today's lesson main focus was control.

Bloom, who was usually sitting next to Aisha, was keeping her mouth shut and not saying a single word.

Aisha was just glancing at Bloom coldly. They hadn't talked since the episode in the library, even if they were seeing each other every day due to the fact that they were roommates.

Through this week, Bloom managed to get into a very heated fight with Stella as well.

Many words were spoken that Bloom regretted immediately, but she had chosen to leave Stella and abandon her in the middle of the fight.

This, alongside Bloom's emotional turmoil, didn't help her at all as she struggled a little bit to maintain her little fire under complete control.

Bloom took a deep breath to calm down and focus on her task.

Make Headmistress Dowling proud.

Farah finished some of her workpapers and decided to walk around the classroom and see how everyone was faring.

Considering that the class has done far more difficult and complicated tasks, she thought that this lesson would be a piece of cake for everyone.

The headmistress had decided to start over and progress the difficulty of the lessons quickly to see her pupils' progress throughout Rosalind's cruel treatment toward them.

The headmistress was pleased to see that everyone was having rather fun, enjoying the simplicity of the task without any kind of pressure or high expectations.

Everyone, except...

Farah raised an eyebrow, noticing that Bloom was no longer sitting at her usual spot.

The woman was perplexed as to why the student wasn't sitting next to her friend, Aisha, like they always do.

Farah looked at Aisha, trying to decipher her feelings without the use of any kind of knowledge.

The girl seemed more troubled and cheerful than usual.

The woman's eyes followed the rest of the company of friends, all of them gathered around each other and whispering here and then.

Farah pressed her lips in a thin line. Something had happened... or rather it's still happening.

She walked next to Terra, a girl who was practically her niece, who was no longer her normal cheerful self.

She didn't say anything about what was happening between them and Bloom, Farah's experience was telling her that the girls just needed some time to solve their problems.

She thought that it was best to interfere and make things worse for both parties.

She just patted Terra's head congratulating her for her impeccable control and then walked to Musa.

She could tell that all of this time without her magic left Musa a little rusty, but still, no one could question Musa's mastery of her mind magic.

Farah smiled at the girl and then walked to examine her assistance work.

The woman was impressed by how well Aisha was taking to the challenge. Farah couldn't help but remember the first classes in which Aisha struggled with taking control of the small particles of water....

The girl seemed like she had been doing it for years.

The headmistress gave a proud smile at her and a nod. Farah was aware of Aisha's ambition to succeed her one day, and she was more than just open with the idea.

"I'm sure you'll be a wonderful headmistress one day." Farah complimented the teenager.

Aisha smiled at her as her eyes sparkled, but Farah couldn't help but notice that the smile didn't reach as high as her usual one.

The woman didn't comment as she continued observing everybody's use of magic. However, she couldn't help but feel worried.

She cared for all of the girls deeply, and watching all of them in such distress brought her not just sadness and anxiousness but distress as well.

Farah walked through the rows of desks, commenting here and there, as well as observing everybody's progress and noting their new abilities.

The woman stopped at Bloom's desk abruptly.

Farah always knew that Bloom's magic was different, stronger than the usual fire fairies, but there was something wrong with the girl.

Normally, knowing that Bloom transformed, Farah thought that Bloom had managed to not just barely contain but perfectly control her magic.

Her assumption was errored.

She stood by Bloom and watched the girl slightly struggle with the strict maintainance of the size of the fire.

She took a step closer and examined both the magic and the troubled girl. "Bloom, I believe you need to calm down first. Then, not only will the task bring better results, but it won't be as exhausting and frustrating as it already is for you." Farah calmly spoke, trying to coax the girl into letting go for a while.

Bloom briefly glanced at her before shaking her head. "There's no need, Headmistress Dowling. Everything is under control." The girl defended, decided not to follow the mind fairy's advice.

Farah sighed and placed her left hand on Bloom's right shoulder. "I know, Bloom. I just believe I have seen enough." The headmistress decided not to test the girl further to see whether she was actually saying the truth or not.

Bloom took a deep breath, filling determination. She had to make the headmistress feel proud of her. She thought this was the only way for her to truly show how sorry she was.

Bloom's red eyes remained on her tiny flames. "Are you sure? Because I can really keep going. Please, test me further, Headmistress. See for yourself." Bloom encouraged the older woman.

The headmistress' eyebrow rose at the sound of her eagerness to be tested. Farah wasn't sure about this, but she did wish to see Bloom's progress.

Hopefully, Rosalind taking over will have at least one good outcome.

The mind fairy's eyes shone as she used her telekinetic abilities to move a little leaf toward Bloom's little fire.

"If that's what you wish, Bloom. Now, I will move this tiny leaf into your fire. If it remains intact when I pull it away, then you will officially excel the test. Is it understood, Bloom?" The headmistress asked, holding the leaf near Bloom's fire.

The girl nodded eagerly as she awaited for the test.

Farah slowly had the leaf approach Bloom's flames. She gave some time to Bloom to prepare for the intrusion before she deeped the leaf right into the magical fire.

The headmistress watched with a proud smile as the flames danced around the leaf, leaving it completely unharmed.

Farah had the leaf remain inside Bloom's fire while she slowly moved it around the flames, testing the girl a little further.

Bloom didn't comment as she continued focusing on her magical fire and keeping the leaf intact.

Farah hummed in approval. "Good job, Bloom. You're doing wonderfully." The woman congratulated the girl as she kept the leaf in place.

Bloom smiled at her as she maintained her focus on the fire. "Thank you, Miss Dowling."

Before Farah had the chance to politely smile at the girl, she felt it before she saw it as Aisha accident fell over Bloom's desk with a glass of water.

The water mainly spilled over Bloom's fire, but it was too little to have it extinguished. Some water landed on Farah's shirt as half of Bloom's face became wet.

It was just for a moment, but Bloom's concentration broke, resulting in the leaf getting burnt.

"Oh. I'm so so sorry, Headmistress Dowling. I meant to go to the sink to get more water." Aisha politely excused herself.

Farah nodded at her before listening to Bloom's anguished cry. "NOOOOOOO."

The woman's eyes widened as she turned quickly to look at Bloom. Bloom's eyes were a darker shade of red as the girl stood up and looked at Aisha. "YOU DID THIS ON PURPOSE!"

Aisha swallowed hard, taking a step back in fear. "I- No. Bloom, control yourself." Aisha couldn't admit that she did indeed do it on purpose.

Flames erupted by Bloom's right hand as her magic matched her anger. A pair of wings appeared behind her back. "YOU AND YOUR STUPID JEALOUSY!" Bloom was furious with her friend.

Farah quickly stepped between the two girls, making sure that Bloom couldn't accidentally hurt her friend.

The mind fairy took a step forward and looked deep into the girls' eyes. "Bloom, I know that you are angry at Aisha for ruining your test, but you excelled at it. Please, calm down, and I assure you that we can talk this out."

The girl looked at the headmistress for a moment before she took a deep breath. Miss Dowling was right. She always was.

The fire fairy lowered her hand and let her wings vanish. Bloom slowly sat back in her seat, glancing at Aisha coldly.

The water fairy attempted to leave before she was grabbed by the headmistress. "You shall come with me to my office. Ad for everyone else, you did really great. Class dismissed. " Farah announced as her hand was wrapped around the girl's wrist without even looking at the teenager.

Aisha swallowed hard as everyone else were preparing their things to leave.

Farah turned to look at Bloom. "I shall see you later at... our spot." The headmistress decided, winking at Bloom.

The girl nodded with a small smile. She was so happy that the headmistress wasn't angry with her, even though this was literally the only good thing in her life at the moment.

꧁☾︎❥︎☽︎꧂

Farah had put on her coat as she walked out of Alfea. Her boots touched the grass underneath as she slowly walked to the place she and Bloom conversed for what they thought to be the last time.

The headmistress took her time, enjoying the magnificent view of Alfea's grounds at the end of the autumn.

She had reprimanded Aisha greatly for what she did to Bloom and reminded her that it was only normal for Bloom to feel angry and detached after what she lately discovered about her true identity and age.

Farah shook her head. She didn't expect a bunch of teenagers to understand how much trauma and regrets can impact someone's mental health.

The headmistress partially blamed herself because she should have seen that Bloom didn't just need some time, but she needed help. She needed guidance.

Farah finally reached the bench, and she admitted that she waited for Bloom to already be there.

Bloom was sitting on the bench, and at the same side, she sat during their previous conversation in this place and was looking at the school's grounds.

Farah slowly approached and sat down next to Bloom. "Good afternoon, Bloom. I hope you are feeling better."

The girl nodded quickly. "Yes. Yes, I do. Thank you again, Miss Dowling. I don't know what I would have done without you."

The woman smiled, gently patting Bloom's back. "It was the least I could do for you, Bloom...."

The girl smiled at her. "You don't owe me anything, miss Dowling."

Farah gently sighted as she gazed affectionately at the younger girl. "I'm aware, Bloom. However, I shall express my worry for your well-being."

Bloom frowned. "Miss Dowling. Only one of us came back from the dead, and that's not me. How have you been?"

The woman titled her head to the side. "You're avoiding the topic."

The redhead shook her head with an incredulous expression. "I am not."

Farah raised an eyebrow. "Bloom... I know you. You are lying."

The girl's eyes widened. "I- Aisha is just jealous! She believes that if I study a bit more, which I am doing, I'm going to become your favorite, and she- she wishes to be just that."

The older woman sighed and messaged her temples. "Bloom... I care about all of my students equally."

Bloom shook her head and leaned closer to the headmaster. "However, I'm no mere student like everybody else. I have the dragon flame. I killed Rosalind. You love me a little mo-"

Farah silenced the girl with a wave of her hand. The woman looked deep into Bloom's eyes. "So, this is what's all about? You and Aisha fighting for my affection? I can understand why Aisha is trying to be on my good side. She wants to succeed me after all... But you Bloom? You have done more than enough for me and the school?"

Bloom bited her lower lip and looked at the ground. She couldn't tell her the truth. "I- I just really value you. You mean a lot to-"

"Bloom." The woman cut her off. Her voice was serious.

Th girl swallowed hard, expecting her professor's rage. "Yes?"

Farah sighed and took Bloom's hand. "Pushing people away will get you nowhere."

Bloom shook her head quickly. "You don't understand, miss Dowling."

The woman intertwined their fingers. "As a matter of fact.... I think I do. You are still blaming yourself for everything."

Bloom looked at the elder woman with teary eyes. "I- No. Miss Dowling, I just wished to show you my appreciation for everything you have done for me."

Farah smiled sadly at the girl. "I appreciate that. But do you know what I would prefer more?"

Bloom shook her head. "What is it?" She asked excitedly.

The headmistress patted the girl's head. "For you to accept your mistake and move on."

The fire fairy's face fell. "But-"

"No buts! You made a mistake, and you fixed it. I'm so proud of you for achieving just that. There's no need to put yourself and your friends under all of this pain, pressure, and suffering." Farah cut the girl off.

Bloom looked at the woman with a sad facial expression. "Miss Dowling... I've done horrible things..."

The mind fairy shook her head as she took Bloom's face on her left hand. Her right hand was still wrapped around Bloom's left one. "Taking two terrible lives and saving over a thousand isn't considered as a horrible thing Bloom." The woman retorted.

A tear run down Bloom's cheek. The girl's whisper was barely heard as her voice shook. "I killed you."

Farah's eyes widened. The woman shook her head as she immediately pulled the girl into a tight hug. "No. No. No. Rosalind killed me, Bloom. You had nothing to do with it."

Bloom started crying in her professor's arms as Farah could do nothing but rub her back and whisper soothing words, assuring the girl of her heroic actions and her lack of involvement in her murder.

When Bloom's tears slowed down, the student looked up at the elder woman. "Can I... at least do something to show you how sorry I am?"

Farah smiled and caressed her cheek. "I believe that bringing me back to life and protecting Saul when he needed it is more than enough."

Bloom chuckled and pressed her head against her chest.

Farah hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

Things would never be as they used to in the very beginning, but from now on, neither of them would mind it.

It was for the best.

[blutopaz15]

rayllum week 2023

prompt: swords/coins

2k, rated t

Callum loves her.

He hasn’t said it yet, but…Rayla knows.

She doesn’t need him to say it, she’d decided yesterday. Once he’d pulled her from that pile of rubble and finally—finally—held her again, she’d known. She’d known what that urgent, unchecked rush towards her had been about, what the crack in his voice meant, what his nose buried against her neck was…and it’d only gotten more obvious from there. He’d hardly let her out of his sight back at the Spire, insisting on fussing over new bumps and bruises, on filling her water, on finding her food…and she’d known.

It’d been clear when she’d shown them all the coins too. He’d been right there beside her the whole time, his hand heavy and constant on her back while she wept…and knowing Callum loved her had made it all a little easier, at least.

Not that she’d ever stopped knowing, really.

No way could she have gone on without him as long as she did if she hadn’t been sure he’d love her still. She couldn’t have let herself believe any different—not when she’d been sobbing all over that letter she’d left him, not when hunting for answers alone had turned hopeless, not when she’d been all edge-frazzled on the outskirts of the city a week ago. Even when he wouldn’t talk to her that first night, even with how cold and snippy he’d been the whole way to the mountain, even when they’d yelled at each other in the woods…she’d known that underneath all the hurt was love.

She’d always had faith in that—that nothing she’d done could make him stop, that he’d understand no matter how hurt he was, that he’d care enough to forgive her, that his love was just as true and deep as hers—

…and he’s done nothing but prove her right since Umber Tor.

Even if he still hasn’t said it.

It’d been the same today, back in Katolis. Since they’d landed, he’d been there, constantly near…even if any affection was a little stilted still. He’d kept close in their hurried little council meeting, held her hand while Soren pried open the sealed door to the dungeon…

…given her his shoulder when pulling Runaan’s bow out from the dust had been just…too much.

And all of that is more than enough for her to be sure.

He loves her.

So, she’s trying not to dwell on the quiver now strapped to her back or the gold pieces tucked in her pocket. She’s trying not to think about the home she can’t ever go back to, or her torn-apart family, or the mission they barely know where to start with…and to focus on Callum instead.

He makes it easy, of course, Rayla thinks, letting his rambling about supplies soften the pit in her stomach as she watches him a pace ahead of her, halfway down the castle corridor connected to his own.

His footsteps still keep the pace of their day, never mind that they’d reached the end of their castle errands before setting out early tomorrow, but…his quick steps don’t fall all over themselves like they might’ve before. He rambles like he used to, listing off things they’ll need, still to be collected in the morning…but his voice is deeper, controlled, steady. Best of all, of course, is how he looks back at her, eyes warm and attentive and so very sweet…even if they’re a little less bright than before.

If his attention alone hadn’t made it clear enough how much he still cared, their errands all over the castle certainly had. Even when she was gone, he’d loved her, it seemed, judging by the drawings of her all over his office, his well-practiced tending to her shadowpaw in the stables, her favorites still on hand in the kitchens where they’d left Ez with Bait and Stella, this bedroom he’s leading her to that’s—apparently—specifically hers…

…that no one but Callum could’ve put together.

Rayla’s a little stunned, honestly, once Callum’s done fiddling with the lock. He steps aside, holding the door for her…and all she can do is just blink at all of it at first.

He definitely loves her.

…and she absolutely loves him, but…

He won’t say it, so what can she say?

Slowly, she steps in from the doorway, feeling Callum hovering in the entrance behind her, and turns to him, still not sure what’s going to come out of her mouth…but he beats her to it.

“I…kind of had a phase last summer?” he explains, the new steady timbre of his voice raised with nervous laughter. “I think I thought you’d come for my birthday. I wasn’t sure how we’d feel about sharing anymore, and I wanted you to have somewhere comfortable, so…”

Callum trails off with a shrug, one hand gesturing to the room he’d clearly spent so much care and effort on, the other at the back of his neck, which she’s sure burns just as red as his face…and Rayla swivels back around, setting down her weapons, still beaming and still not quite knowing where to start.

Maybe with the pictures posted up on the walls? Some of them she’d seen before—her and Callum, Ez, Bait, even that picture of her parents from up at the top of the Spire—but most of the assortment are new—things they’d done those weeks here in the castle, things they hadn’t in Xadia.

Maybe with the table in the corner? He’s set out more than he’d bought her from that shop in town they’d gone to, plus things she’d confided about longing for from home—a horn buff, those little magically stretchy hair ties that apparently aren’t a thing in Katolis…even the moonberry balm she’d thought was Silvergrove-exclusive.

Or maybe with the ridiculous monstrosity of a bed? She tries not to roll her eyes—the sheets are the same shade that Callum had called her eyes that afternoon they’d gone to the castle seamster, the open canopy dark enough to block out the sun like he’d joked she’d needed every time she’d slept late, the pillows fancy and soft and huge, and—

“Are these—” Rayla starts, unable to help the upward pitch of her giggling, pointing to the fluffy-looking rainbow row of button-eyed puff-balls arranged against the pillows.

“Giant adoraburr pillows? Yep,” Callum shrugs, flushed bright still, and, oh, it’s an effort to stifle the squeeze that all this sweetness deserves.

She can see it now: hopeful-if-still-hurt Callum channeling all that consideration and care he’d had for her here at the castle into this little sanctuary, spending weeks and weeks drawing and shopping, searching high and low for everything little thing, all for her…only to realize maybe a week out from his birthday what was obviously missing. He’d been adorable, she’s sure, all lit up with inspiration, scribbling out a rushed and messy sketch, tripping over himself to find whoever in Katolis could sew them…and fast.

Rayla picks up a yellow burr, cheeks aching from keeping her smile low and fond instead of tackling him the way she wants to.

“Like I said,” Callum goes on explaining himself, “I got a little, uh…obsessed. I wanted it to be perfect so you’d…”

He doesn’t finish the thought, but it sobers all the lovesickness anyway.

“Stay?”

Their eyes lock, level and steady, for a long second before he answers, eyelids barely fluttering over a layer of not-quite tears.

“Yeah.”

He looks away.

But…he loves her, Rayla reminds herself, finding the familiar-looking pile of folded clothes opposite the adoraburrs. He’d wanted her here, obviously—he still wants her here—and she’d only been alone because she’d left, not because he didn’t care, not because she couldn’t be here, not because he’d been taken from her.

Rayla can’t look at him either.

She skims over the smooth, stitched, red towers she’d worn instead, embroidered over the heart of his borrowed pajamas.

“Those might be a little small now,” Callum adds, his voice lowered again, less likely to crack like before.

“They were a little big then,” she shrugs, knowing that if she turns back to him like this, there’ll be tension she can’t take.

So…she flops down on the bed instead.

“Uh…you alright?” Callum asks, his footsteps shuffling farther into the room as she unburies her face from the adoraburr pile.

“Just getting reacquainted with freeloading off my favorite fancy-pants royal family,” she smiles, hoping that maybe rehashing a joke from back then will melt the icy mood.

He doesn’t tease her back though…he just gives her the look that that bit had always ended with. Callum tilts his head, brow lifted, looking at her through his lashes, and he doesn’t have to say any of it—that she’s their guest, that this is her home if she wants it to be, that she belongs here.

She knows.

He loves her.

Rayla pushes up to her elbows.

“Thanks for all this.” Rayla looks all over again, smiling softly; Callum thaws even more. There’s even a little swell of satisfaction glimmering in his eyes…and Rayla’s heart squeezes in her chest.

“No big deal,” he shrugs, and it’s not tension anymore—not that kind of tension, at least—in the silence that follows, she thinks, seeing how he blushes and fidgets in the quiet, shifting his weight, not quite looking at her.

He breathes in a sharp breath, like he has more to say, and…it’d fit, she thinks, to say it now—

“What is it?” she asks, letting herself ask but not quite letting herself hope.

“I just wasn’t sure if maybe you wanted to…talk?”

…and Rayla deflates.

But only just a little: this was its own Callum kind of love confession, anyway.

“The past few days have been kind of a lot, and—” Callum pauses. He knows—of course he does—the reason for her kidding around, obviously. He knows what she’s avoiding. “It doesn’t have to be big feelings time for us, Rayla. Just…for you. If you want.”

She’s never answered as automatically as this: they’re big big feelings, but…he’s right that she should and she’s missed even what she used to chafe at.

He loves her, and…she hasn’t had this.

“That’d be…nice,” she nods.

“Really?” he cracks again, and she expects the way his eyebrows bolt upwards, expects the renewed flush that settles across his cheeks when she rolls to her back, expects how his steps stutter closer when she pats the spot beside her…and, clearly, he realizes the reason she’s given in so quickly to big feelings time like this too. “I mean—good.”

Callum settles at her side, their elbows alone touching, and all of that melted tension from before is a flood now—wetness flowing down her cheeks, confusion and hurt and doubt coming in waves. All that she can manage to keep welled up is how much loving him has to do with it all—having him and him alone to rely on, having risked that—and she trembles long after she’s through talking.

“I’m sorry,” he says quietly when she’s done, voice small—not that customary I hear your feelings that hardly ever seemed to actually be his answer.

“Thanks.” Her voice shaking, she stares at the purple silk above their heads, hand over the pouch in her pocket…until Callum shifts beside her, rocking up to an elbow.

“No, I mean. I’m sorry.” His brow is furrowed, the light sheen of not-quite tears over green again, and Rayla matches him, confusion mirroring his apologies. “I didn’t believe you back then and I kept pushing you to move on, and…maybe things could’ve been different.”

She’s shaking her head and sitting up before he’s even finished speaking, and then he’s upright too.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Callum. I just…didn’t want to lose anyone else.” She twitches to touch him, but…stops. She…shouldn’t, so she bunches her knees up instead, busying her hands with holding them in, to her chest. “I had to keep you safe. You especially.”

“...I know.”

Callum breathes, and she can’t bear to look at him, sure she’ll find the space between them just as strained as before…but then—

“Rayla? Can I…? If it’s not too weird?”

His hand lands on her shoulder, his other arm open too, and—

“Oof.”

Rayla whispers an apology but nuzzles in against the crook of his neck anyway, and he sighs, wrapping her up tighter as she loosens—only a little—the loop her arms make around his waist.

He loves her.

“We’re going to figure out how to fix this—all of this—okay?”

He doesn’t have to say it.

Rayla knows.

[tritannus]

Aisha gets mad that Stella tries to hook her up with some random boys. End of episode, she forgives Stella. Yeah, let's change that.

Stella doesn't understand why Aisha was so upset at her because this is how Stella usually treats a rebound before she met Brandon. She'd go out and find someone to try and forget about her former lover. Except, she had forgotten that Nabu wasn't just Aisha's lover. He was her fiance, they were set to marry one day, until the unfortunate events that lead to him being in a coma. I have plans for Nabu, he's in a coma, he's not dead.

When Stella apologises and asks Aisha to explain why she's so mad. Aisha said that Stella was being disrespectful. Stella apologises to Aisha for being disrespectful to her. Aisha shook her head and argues that Stella is being disrespectful towards Nabu. Stella was confused, Nabu was in a coma and she didn't insult him in any way. Aisha could see Stella's confusion and explained to her that Nabu isn't just a boyfriend like Brandon is to Stella. Nabu is her fiance, someone she missed dearly and is waiting for him to wake up one day. She would willingly rule alone rather than find someone else if he never awakens.

Stella was stunned and apologises to Aisha once more, this time more sincere, even tearing up as she did. She didn't realise the damage until she was told. Seeing her friend so upset, Aisha realises that Stella truly didn't know and really was trying to cheer her up. She told Stella that she can put this past her for the time being, but it would take some time to truly forgive her.

Stella nodded, understanding the time Aisha needs before she is forgiven.

Roy is actually written to be a friend more than anything, he's not looking for a relationship. He's the type of friend you can talk to about anything at all. He's a good listener.

I'm throwing Nex out the window in the next season. Literally, he flirts with Aisha and gets thrown out the window by her.

[juleshollow]

Saddest moments in SH?

When Tabitha sacrifices her years and, for a while, she just lays on the ground. Defeated. With her back to us; hiding her face, her weakness, her grief. Because she bears her misfortune alone, and yet she has an audience. She doesn’t have the strength to run, so she uses her frail body as a shield. At the very least, she deserves privacy to deal with her pain, but even that is denied.

She's silent and at first you don't know if she's physically unable to say anything. But she responds, if feebly, when Sybil refers to her. It's not that she can't speak, it's that she's so overwhelmed that she needs a moment to come to terms with what's happened. Her life was cut short, and now she'll be a young woman trapped in an elderly body until her untimely death.

Not that she ever got the chance to actually be young, anyway. Tabitha has suffered all her life. We don't know the extent of the abuse she was subjected to, but we catch some glimpses of it. Tabitha closes up whenever we mention her mother, but the people in town tell us a bit more about her character. We can only imagine what it was like living with such a manipulative, negative woman. At home, Tabitha would have been the only target of her malice.

She has always been under tight control, never free to make her own choices. Even after Pearlanne's death, she's stuck with the family business: a job she hates for people who hate her, with great stakes and no way of success. She's doomed to fail, yet she keeps trying, making everything worse in the process. Knowing that everyone in town despises her for it. But she can't stop.

There's something else, something we only suspect for now, but that suspicion is so dark that it surrounds Tabitha in misery. She might have been trying to get pregnant out of duty, to ensure the Scarlet line goes on. She's forced to breed, as if she was an animal. She has no agency whatsoever, even when it comes to her own body and offspring. Because she’s been conditioned to accept orders.

The only time she found happiness was with Stella. With her, she could actually experience something that comes with being a teenager instead of the adult concerns that were always on her mind. Guys… that might have been the first time Tabitha felt loved (...the only time). And it meant that she was, in fact, deserving of love. That her worth was not tied to fulfilling her duty. She could just be a kid, be happy, love and be loved.

Then Pearlanne took that away from her. Tabitha was alone, again. She was hit by the inevitability of her destiny – a painful destiny. Only now it was worse, because she had experienced a happier alternative. Now she knew what she was missing. What she would always miss. Always out of her reach, just close enough to be a constant reminder of her loss.

The sacrifice of one’s years would be too high of a price for anyone, but Tabitha had already paid way too much. She was cursed from birth. Do you realize? There is nothing in her life that she wants. Nothing. And now she’s even deprived of her vitality, her health. So she sits there, swallowing the tragedy that has struck her again. Taking a moment before having to deal with her nightmare of a life with yet another burden, one too heavy.

And you know what? She did it for us. Because, despite her façade as cold and insensitive, of course she feels. She’s just not allowed to show it. And she’s grown fond of us even when she tried to distance herself. We don’t know what ulterior motive led her to invite us to Scarlet Hollow, but she didn’t have to take this fall. But she understands all too well how unfair the sacrifice is, because she’s been dealing with injustice all her life. She knows the pain and she can’t bear to see us going through it. So she comes forward and takes it, thinking that we don’t deserve such harsh punishment. And then she lies there, contemplating…

“What about me? Do I deserve this?”

[teeth-cable]

On a subject that I think people have brought up but I wanted to go more in depth.

Hellborn being homophobic makes no sense. Like sinners it does but not for the native species.

Homophobia originates from the a mistranslated bible verse that in its original form condemned pedophilia so like wouldn't the Hellborns know that?

If we are going with the homophobia from the bible so of course Hellborns would be homophobic (even though that makes no sense)... Don't the Hellborns worship Satan? Wouldn't their holybook be different?

Also Succubi exist so that adds a layer of confusion.

We also have a shark demon dressed as a catholic priest... Like if you edited the outfit to look unholy kinda like some of the Murdoc Niccols art in the recent Gorillaz arc then its not a total worldbuilding issue.... But dude is straight up a catholic priest and we know the shark demons are hellborn due to concept art showing hybrids so we cant say its a holdover from life.

Also the typical western wedding we see stems from Queen Victoria and again these are Hellborns they don't know who the fuck she is. It would make more sense to borrow from more ancient wedding traditions.

Also I understand why they made Crim biphobic because it is a real thing that people do experience from parents and Vivziepop is bisexual herself so I understand it being important to the crew but, again it makes no sense unless Crim is a sinner or...

Crim wants biological grandchildren. I mean you have to genderswap Chaz and maybe Millie but then again Millie can stay the same and just have Crim mention how Moxxie used to chase after guys and doesn't like Millie because she's a country bumpkin.

Like the only way I can see homophobia being a thing in Hell if its because people there value blood more than anything. This would actually I think fit well with the Stolitz plot that they are going with. Stolas and Stella were married off to produce a child and we know that you don't have to be blood related to Stolas to use the grimoire as seen with Loona. Rather there was no point in birthing Octavia if the power isn't genetic so the system itself is intentionally flawed. Maybe like you aren't shamed if you have a same sex lover in general if you have a kid already but if you dont then you get shunned. Some people might judge Stolas for sleeping with an imp due to the status alone. If it was a male noble it would be less scandalous. But imagine like the fact Stolas chose an imp over Stella actually makes their entire family look bad.

Like people are gonna speculate on how badly Stella screwed up if her husband chose a peasant over her and that might lead to people wondering why Octavia doesn't have siblings. Depending if Hell is misogynistic or not Stella might be portrayed as at fault for this. Hey at least she has a layer of complexity now instead of being a bimbo.

Succubi and Incubi might be the only exceptions because like their existence is founded on sex.

This all would mean being ace in hell would be interesting to explore.

Now returning to theology

What are Hellborns core tenets?

What the hell happens to Hellborns when they die? Like I think we need this answered soon rather than later because we know sinners get erased by holy weapons but nothing about Hellborns who could die like a normal person. Like they don't have souls... Do they just get erased from existence too? Like everyone has been super confused about this since episode 2 for crying out loud and we have not even a fraction of a hint.

Why did they add the Great Old Ones. Like I know Viv said she was pulling from multiple mythologies... I assume that she meant she would pull from Underworld myths across the world to help out a unique spin on hell because that's a logical assumption and interesting ideas. After all the Hellenism Underworld has a lot of interesting stuff and Tartarus is pretty similiar to the Christian Hell.

But she grabs the great old ones? Look they aren't even a mythology and a lot of stuff H.P. Lovecraft wrote about them usually meant if they were around they were gonna either put the universe into an era of chaos or everyone dies. Like the only Great Old One that could fit in Helluva is Dagon because dude was an actual worshipped god and was mentioned in the bible where his worshippers were demonized.

But like going back to how using the Great Old Ones in Hellaverse is a shitty choice. Like how are you going to fit anyone besides Dagon in a show based off primarily Abrahamic beliefs.

Like there's already a christian apocalypse and The Great Old Ones seem more akin to aliens instead of them probably being demons in Hellaverse. But then you also have to consider the fact the Old Ones power is literally incomprehensible.

Like why does God on the show allow them to stick around when in Judaism He nerfed Levithan because He accidentally made it too powerful.

Like you would have to nerf them significantly which actually takes away from them.

But oh wait Vivziepop added Azathoth the one Great Old One that is so difficult to nerf because it's literally a blackhole/primordial chaos. The only reason it's not destroying stuff is because it's asleep. Like using that one either means your story is probably going to deal with end game shit or set dressing to explain the origin of the others.

Like if Azzy is there does that mean god came from it or did He create it?

Also the Great Old Ones represent concepts of madness and terror yet none of those themes are present in Helluva. Like maybe it could've worked if as they get more clients the imps get exposed to a lot of fucked shit that starts draining them idek.

Like if Vivziepop really really really wanted to pull from another mythos not linked to Abrahamic religion, roman mythology! Like literally Roman Beliefs and Abrahamic Religions have a deeply tied history so it makes since especially since Emperor Constantine made christianity legal which began the erasure of pagan religions and the roman gods even cameod in The Divine Comedy.

Im so confused about the writing decisions

The reason why the worldbuilding makes no sense and we never learn about the imp's culture is because the writers only wanted to make a show about relationship drama. Which is fine if it took place on regular Earth but no, Viv decided she wanted to make a show that takes place in Hell because Hazbin is popular but didn't want to put the effort into writing the worldbuilding so as a cheap cop out they wrote Hell like Earth but now that's biting them in the ass because fans are starting to noticed the human elements like homophobia, jail, rehab, and the mafia makes no sense in Hell.

Imps being homophobic never made sense. Beside the mistranslation of the Bible, Hell is supposed to be the opposite of Heaven. So if Heaven in Viv's version is homophobic then Hell would be the very opposite. Most likely homophobic imps would be outcasted because of their views. Also in Viv's hell being an imp is worse than being gay. The writers are just giving homophobic imps the same writing treatment as the human disguises, they're only an inconvenience or needed for the plot when the writers wants them to be. Crim was already an asshole without being biphobic, he's a misogynist who abused and killed his wife and most likely abused Moxxie when he was young. Those traits are already enough to make him dislikable.

When Viv says she's going to pull from multiple mythologies, what she actually mean is she's not going to do any research, only steal the most interesting parts out of their context, and steal ideas from other writers even if they have no relation to Hell. It's very obvious none of the HB writers did actual research just by how the show characters and Hellborn species barely resemble their demonology counterparts.

One thing to remember about Helluva Boss is this show is not professional despite what the writers and fandom wants you to believe, it is not. Both seasons were unplanned, the writers hate listening to feedback, the show reconned almost everything in Season 2, the writing is inconsistent, and the worldbuilding is just lazy.

Not much else to say about the worldbuilding TBH. Yea it's pretty terrible but from the start the show never plan or will explain more about Hell. It's just best to view this show as someone's poorly written shipping fanfic.

[evycloudberry]

* note: I am writing this as (Y/N) being a fire fairy.

* note: I did not name the friends, so all readers can ‘personalize’ this story easily. They are mentioned according to their ability.

Disclaimer: swearing, mention of drinking/alcohol, mention of sexual gestures

Find the others part here

Taglist: @slytherinambitious @ellatitanium @untalentedsideoffandoms

Begin Again (Part 7)

On that same day, after their morning work and practice, the group rejoice at their usual lunch table.

There were conversations yet the discomfort was palpable. The girls on their way crossed Zaine, and (Y/N) happily invited him to eat with them.

Riven was on a near table with Sky, and his girlfriend Bloom, along with an earth fairy, that looked oddly familiar. But (Y/N) friends couldn’t seem to understand why she suddenly was there.

(Y/N) was completely oblivious of what was going on, she was chatting and making good conversation with Zaine, who grew increasingly touchy, rubbing her shoulder, playing with her hair, and moving strands away from her face.

She smiled even more. Mischievously. Bringing her drink to her lips, when Stella, one of Bloom’s best friend rushed over to her.

“I am sorry.. well not really. Better me than anyone to bring you this” she urged, handing her a small card, adorned with (Y/N) family’s seal.

She looked in Stella’s hands, noticing a similar card.

She quickly went serious, took her courage in both hand before opening the small card. Her face went pale.

“I guess we got the same news.. I believe our afternoon is scheduled” Stella said.

“Thank you Stella, I appreciate you bringing it..”

“Good lucks are in orders” she smile anxiously

“Absolutely.. go ahead, I’ll be a minute”

“Are you alright ?” Asked Zaine when she left

Hesitating, she turned towards the group, mustering a smile, and hummed in response.

“So, my family will be here soon.”

“Would you like us to be there?” Asked her water fairy friend

“No, I’ll managed..” she played with the card a bit before adding “actually.. I have a bad memory of our last get together.. but.. I don’t remember exactly why.. I mean I suppose it was about our usual differences..” taking a breath she got up “I need to catch up with Stella. I will see you tomorrow”

Zaine caught her hand and rubbing it gently he said “if you need to talk afterward, or during their visits because they are annoying, I am here for you”

She hesitated before thanking him and pulling her hand free.

Preparing wasn't overly difficult, but stress weighed heavily on them. She got dressed in Stella’s suit, after bringing everything she would need over.

Once downstairs and outside, they awaited the arrival of the cars. The manicured hedges, pristine path, and clear water didn't calm their racing hearts. A long red carpet was laid out, adding to the grandeur of the moment.

"It's just one day," Stella attempted to reassure.

"The card didn't provide any details."

"They may have planned activities, and perhaps your family is staying longer to spend time with you. That's rather nice of them," Stella mused.

(Y/N) side-glanced at her knowingly.

"I know, that's a stretch! I'm just hoping it won't—"

At that moment the first car pulled on the road, followed by another, and another.

“Stella who else is coming ?”

“No body! I mean I don’t know, I don’t have more information than you.. oh god”

This was worse than they would have anticipating.

(Y/N) stood a bit backwards as Stella’s family car approached. Her mother was alone, they greeted before Queen Luna approached her.

Now, (Y/N)'s family's car stopped. Her heart pounded harder, and her hands tensed. As the door opened, her brother emerged, and relief washed over her as they warmly hugged. Their father followed, extending his hand to her mother.

Her father's joviality was apparent as he embraced her before greeting Queen Luna. However, her mother's demeanor remained stern and stoic.

"Hello, Mother," (Y/N) initiated, striving to control her voice.

"Child," her mother responded dryly, then turned to Queen Luna, offering a welcoming smile and open arms.

(Y/N) couldn't tear her eyes away from the last car.

“Dad and I tried to prevent it.. but we failed” said her brother on a barely whisper voice.

A middle-aged couple emerged from the car, accompanied by a young man. She froze, eyeing Stella.

Quick greetings ensued, with the mothers leading the way, seemingly ignoring the rest of the party.

A room was cleared at the Garden globe, a room the girls did not even know existed. They had supper, and (Y/N) was glad to see her brother again. Stella and her even had a chat with the young gentleman. It was going smoothly, so smoothly that her mother stood up, for a toast. Expressing gratitude to everyone, her mother's final words left (Y/N) and Stella stunned. "This seems like the perfect time to share the news. Please, Aldrich, stand." Aldrich rose, beaming. "Starting today, I'm proud to call you a son and welcome you into our family."

(Y/N)'s gaze darted to Stella, who mirrored her confusion.

"Um, Mother, I'm a bit lost. Are (Y/Bro/N) and Aldrich to be wed ?" (Y/N) almost laughed, the absurdity a mix of stress and confusion.

"No, my dear. You are."

In that instant, the calm shattered, and turmoil took over the moment.

Part 8

[d999666]

Galactik football S1 ep5 review - (1/3)

>> Comment : This is Tia's Obia moon mansion. Tia's diplomatic parents are in front of her. Tia is being scolded for hiring an actor to act as her fake parents.

Tia resembled her father in her overall appearance, including her eyes and hair color.

Next to Tia is a nanny who has taken care of her since she was a child. Her name is Stella.

>> Comment: Tia's parents use their fake parents to scold their daughter for joining Aarch's team. Tia ends up in tears. Are they really angry that their daughter stole her father's spaceship without saying anything and ran away? Or are they angry about having an actor pretend to be a fake parent? They don't seem to be worried that their daughter got hurt in the game against the Wamba team. (And Tia's leg cast and crutches are gone.)

>> Comment: Her room is very, very big.

Tia seems to be really rich. (Compared to mice's room size.)

Tia tries to tell the nanny her sorrow, but the nanny teaches Tia about the existence of CCTV.

Tia sticking her tongue out to CCTV is cute.

>> Comment: The daily life of an engineer. gif

No matter how hard Clamp tries, no one recognizes the engineer's efforts.

Akillan's stadium is still covered in ice.

The condition that Aarch was allowed to form a team was "melting the ice-covered stadium." He needs to melt the ice before the game against the Red Tigers.

Because of this condition, Clamp has to work constantly.

>> Comment: Without Tia, Snowkids are practicing ahead of their game against the Red Tigers.

There's no team play at all.

Mice, who replaced Tia on the team, is so motivated. Mice has to pass to Rocket but has ignored him. Sinedd always tries to prove he's the best. Conclusion: The team is not playing at all.

>> Comment: Sinedd Vs D'jok + Microice

Mei is dumbfounded that those three are fighting again. The 3 people fighting small behind Rocket and Mei are funny and cute.

>> Comment: Holo-trainer is released.

(3 people walking out without strength are cute)

(These three were so close that they were called brothers when they were young, since when did they start to have a bad relationship?) Aarch : I want remind you that if we lose this match against the Red Tigers. it's all over. peple out there are waiting for me to fail. anybody who felt threatened by my return would be thrilled to see me drop out and I don't want give them this pleasure.

(Sinedd, D'jok, and Mice are sitting furthest from each other.)

Aarch : I want show them that I was right prove to them that you are capable of being great players. we won't get a second chance and I frankly can't see us winning this match playing the way we are. but to do that youhave to play 'together' not against each other

Ahito : but sir! we can never win without Tia.

Thran : True. she had the breath. we don't.

>> Comment : Yes, Aarch's comments are about Rocket and Sinedd. Rocket (and the rest of the kids) can never play football again if he loses the game. Sinedd doesn't monopolize alone, it has to be team-play.

Tia was the only player who could use flux, and the rest can't. So Snowkids are pessimistic.

Clamp found a way to get rid of the ice in the stadium.

Clamp: (Explaining how he's going to melt the ice)

Ahito : ah..I didn't quite get all that. Thran : don't worry about it. go back to the sleep.🤣🤣😂😂

The red tigers vs the Rykers

The Red Tigers without Flux are losing disastrously to Rykers.

>> Comment : This is Rocket doing Red Tigers analysis by himself. He's practicing his conversation with Aarch. (I understand. He has never talked deeply with anyone except his father.)

Rocket seems to be bothered by the fact that he is Aarch's nephew. This just occurred to me. Fifteen years ago, Team Akillian was famous, and Aarch was so famous that he was an idol of Akillian children. But does it make sense that the SK don't know Aarch's brother, Norata? Norata even held hands and dragged Rocket to prevent him from taking the test in front of the Snowkids. If you think about it a little bit, it'll be easy to see that Aarch and Norata are brothers > that Rocket called Norata his father > so Rocket is Aarch's nephew Did I think too deeply in the children's TV program?😂

D'jok here is also very good at asking and answering his own questions. (And MICE didn't hear D'jok because she was wearing headphones.🤣)

Rocket: (Suddenly appears in mei's room at night without a knock) Mei: Ah! Are you crazy?you scared me to death Rocket : the door was wide open Mei : ……so do you feel obliged to enter someone's house every time you see an open door? Rocket : no….hmm….i wanted to ask if you haf any news from tia. Mei : Why? Rocket : because you shared the same room so i thought that… Mei : you think that she shared things with me tia? I've never met someone as secretive as her…except you maybe. I really don't see what the problem is in talking about oneself….

>> Comment: The small gag conversation parts in S1 are funny. Mei didn't talk deeply with tia. And snowkids don't know anyone about the rocket. Did Aarch just bring the rocket? What did he introduce and bring it? 'Aarch: Well, you guys are really bad at passing. But don't worry. We have a player here who is good at passing the ball, so we brought him here without testing him. His name is Rocket.' I don't think so, right?

[xfangheartx]

Summary- Blitzø tries to visit Stolas, and things do happen.

Preview:

  Octavia didn’t understand anything, anymore. Just when she thought she had finally obtained some normalcy in her life… this happens. Her father comes home in tears, claiming that Blitzø, the object of his affection, had finally confessed his love for him… and then took it away. Now, Stolas was even more miserable than he had ever been with Stella if such a thing was possible.

  Now, Octavia found herself back at square one… except her seething hatred for the imp who broke her father’s heart had increased twofold. Just when she finally begins to accept that Blitzø was a part of her father’s life, the imp does a complete 180 and decides that he doesn’t want to be with Stolas anymore because he no longer needs him. Now Octavia was back to being the brooding teenager that she had turned into when her father first committed his infidelity with Blitzø, locking herself up in her room and blaring her music into her ears with her headphones.

  As Octavia sat in the palace drawing room, she somehow heard a knock on the door despite having her headphones up full blast. She sighed before she got up and walked to the front door, but just in case, she looked out through the stained glass window. The moment she did, she narrowed her glowing pink eyes before she pulled her headphones off her head and pulled open the door… revealing Blitzø standing in front of her, giving her an awkward smile.

  “Um… hi, Octavia-” he started, only to be cut off.

  “Don’t you fucking dare,” Octavia interjected. “You’ve got some fucking nerve, showing your face here after the shit you said to my Dad!”

  “Octavia, look, I know you’re upset-” Blitzø started.

  “I am beyond fucking upset, you asshole!” Octavia snapped. “I am furious!! My Dad says that he loves you, and THIS is how you react?! You tell him that you love him back, but then you say that you don’t need him anymore?! What kind of person confesses to someone and then rejects them at the same fucking time?! And to think, I actually started to like you!!”

  “I… I was…” Blitzø started, and yet the words kept dying in his throat. “Look, Octavia, if you could just let me talk to your dad so I can explain-”

  “Forget it!” Octavia interrupted. “My Dad doesn’t want to talk to you! So just do us both a favor and leave us alone!!” She then slammed the door in the imp’s face, causing him to flinch before he hung his head and turned to head back to his van, only for the door to open again. However, as he turned around, Octavia suddenly shoved a cardboard box in his hands, full of T-shirts, some sex toys, and even a copy of Spirit on DVD.

  “W-what is all-” Blitzø started.

  “It’s stuff that you left here whenever you spent the night with my Dad!” Octavia answered. “He told me to give it to you if you ever showed your shitty face around here! And by the way, he wants the stuff he left at your place too!”

  “…I see…” Blitzø muttered as he held the box. “I’ll, uh… I’ll send them, then.” With that, he turned to walk away, only to stop and look back. “Hey… where is your dad, anyway?”

  “He’s getting ready to go some party on Earth,” said Octavia as she crossed her arms. “Verosika Mayday invited him. I can’t go because I’m too young. I’m not telling you where it is.”

[torreshalstead]

Family means family

Summary - After Stella dies on a call, Kelly locks himself away and refuses to see anyone including his daughter. There was only person who could pull Kelly out of the spiral he was in, yet he was 2000 miles away. But a single phone call from the last person Matt Casey expected to hear from changes that.

Warnings - Major Character Death

Notes - this is a prequel to Memories Bring Back You. That fic goes against my own long held headcannon that Severide is the most likely character to die from a broken heart so it was interesting to delve into a situation where he can’t do that and how that would impact him. This came out with a lot more Brettsey in than I had originally planned but I’m not mad about it! You don’t have to have read MBBY for this to make sense, they are standalone. Hope you enjoy! AO3 Link

Matt Casey finally had a second to sit down after an incredibly busy shift. When he hadn’t been on a call, he was busy running drills trying to get a couple of new firefighters on his rig up to scratch. They weren’t quite the same as his Truck crew back in Chicago but he was determined to make them as good as they could possibly be. He did enjoy seeing them grow and develop but he was still tired and was looking forward to a quick lie down, if the bells would allow it.

It wasn’t the bells that hindered his sleep however, it was his phone ringing and a glance down at the screen showed it was possibly the last person he had expected to see calling him.

He swiped his thumb across the screen to answer the call.

‘Hey,’ he said, unsure what tone he should be taking.

‘Hey Matt, I’m sorry to call but…’ Sylvie’s voice tailed off. It was quieter and shakier than he remembered. He knew her well enough to understand that this was not going to be a catch up call.

‘No, it’s okay, what’s up?’ He asked, his uncertainty turning to concern.

‘It’s not me, it’s Stella,’ he heard her sniff as she stifled a small sob. Matt sat up straighter.

‘What happened?’ He asked quietly, a lump growing in his throat knowing this couldn’t be anything good. He had spoken to Stella just last week. Lizzie had wanted to show him a painting she had done of him and Kelly, so Stella had video called him. She had seemed fine then. That meant that something must have happened on a call.

‘There was an accident’, Sylvie took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself but it came out shaky. ‘She didn’t make it out of a storage unit fire…’

Matt’s head dropped to his hands, it felt like a piece of his heart had been chipped off at his her words. He had known Stella for years, lived with her for a few. Watched her develop into the most incredible firefighter and leader. Been an incredible wife to his best friend and seen her become the most wonderful mother to Lizzie. That she had been taken from her family, both the one with her husband and daughter and the one at the firehouse. It wasn’t fair.

‘Kelly needs you Matt, I don’t want to ask or tell you what to do-’

‘No, I’m on the first flight.’ He interrupted with a small shake of his head. It was his best friend. There was nothing to keep him from Chicago at this point. ‘Thanks for calling Sylvie,’ he said softly, knowing it would have been hard for her to pick up the phone to call anyone and tell them about Stella, let alone call him.

‘They’re our family,’ she said quietly.

‘How are you doing?’ He asked, knowing that Sylvie always put everyone else's needs above her own and he doubted this time would be any different.

‘I.. I haven’t processed it yet. I don’t think any of us have. Just trying to hold it together for Severide’, she sniffed. ‘He’s in a bad way Matt’.

‘I wish I could say I would expect something else but he loves her with everything he has. Has he told Lizzie?’

‘That’s part of the problem. He hasn’t seen her since it happened yesterday. Sorry I didn’t ca-’

‘No no, it’s fine. I get it Sylvie, I do. Where is she then?’ He asked, knowing his best friend must be in an awful place if he was refusing to see his daughter.

‘She’s with Cindy and Hermann, she just thinks they are both working late I think. I’ll explain everything else when you get here. Let me know which flight you get on and I’ll pick you up.’

‘Okay. And thank you Sylvie, I’m glad it was you that called,’ he smiled softly, allowing himself a moment of comfort.

‘Of course, I’ll see you soon Matt’. And with that the call ended. And Matt was sitting alone in his office with the knowledge that one of his closest friends was no longer with them and his best friend was in agonising pain and he was almost 2000 miles away.

—————————————————————————

His chief had granted him the furlough immediately, no questions asked. He hadn’t even gone back home, just grabbed his station bag which had a couple of changes of clothes in it and headed straight to the airport. He had enough friends in Chicago that someone could lend him some clothes if needed. He didn’t want to waste any time.

Matt didn’t know what he would find when he touched down in Chicago but if Sylvie had called him, he knew it wouldn’t be anything good. Kelly had suffered loss before, more loss than one person should experience in their life and to have his wife taken away from him and leave him as a single parent, it was just cruel.

When Kelly had taken the OFI position after Stella had given birth, Matt wasn’t even a little bit surprised. He knew how much he loved his wife and Stella was just at the beginning of her career. She still had so much to give to the CFD. Severide had always been exceptional at arson investigation and if it meant he could be at home for his daughter then it made perfect sense.

However Matt knew his best friend, had known him and worked alongside him for years, so he knew that somewhere inside he would be questioning if he had been on the call if he could have helped, or even saved her. Without knowing the exact details of the call Matt couldn’t give a definitive answer but knew that if Kelly had been there, the likeness was that Lizzie would have lost both of her parents that day and Matt would be flying back to his home city for an even more heartbreaking reason.

Before he got on the flight, he dropped Sylvie a message to let her know when he was due to land, with a caveat to say she didn’t need to pick him up and he could get an Uber. He knew that she would be waiting for him at the arrivals gate though. He had also sent a message to Boden, Cruz, Hermann and Mouch to let them all know he was on his way back and that Sylvie had filled him in. He wished he was heading back to see his friends for a more positive reason but some small part of him was glad he would be around people experiencing the same grief he was. If he had had to go through losing Stella alone in Oregon, well, he’s not sure he could have.

—————————————————————————

As he had expected, Sylvie was waiting for him when he got through the arrivals gate. He could feel the nerves and the sense of uneasiness coming off of her as soon as he spotted where she was standing. She was tugging her sleeves over her hands, glancing around and nibbling her bottom lip. He hadn’t seen her since the morning after Kelly and Stella’s wedding, they had said goodbye at her apartment door as she had to go to shift and he had a flight to catch. They hadn’t spoken aloud the thought they were both sharing, that it might be the final time to see each other. They just held each other closely.

He walked over to her and before saying anything wrapped her tightly in his arms. He knew it had been the right decision when he felt her stiffness disappear and she melted into his embrace. He didn’t loosen his hold when he felt her shake and her tears wet his neck, he just let her cry in his arms. He felt the tears begin to spill from his own eyes but didn’t care enough to wipe them away. They were both sad, a horrible thing had happened and crying was a natural response, what onlookers thought didn’t matter right now.

‘Hi,’ he said softly when she eventually pulled back. He reached to wipe a stray tear from her cheek, not questioning how easy it was to fall back into simple physical contact with her.

‘Hi,’ she echoed. ‘That all you bring?’ she asked, nodding to the bag which was slung over his shoulder.

‘Yep, came straight from the firehouse, figured I could borrow some clothes off people if I need to’, he said as the pair started to walk towards the exit.

‘I still have a few of your things,’ Sylvie said quietly, a hint of embarrassment laced through her voice.

‘Then that’s perfect’, he said, smiling to dissuade her of those feelings. He still had a couple of her shirts in the back of his closet too. Getting rid of them had always felt too final. ‘Is Severide at the loft?’ He asked.

‘We think so’, she answered. ‘We haven’t seen him since the hospital. But that must have been where he went.’

‘Okay, so first stop is there? Then go see Lizzie?’ Sylvie nodded in agreement. First thing first, he had to see if he could coax his oldest friend out to see his one and only daughter, Matt knew it would be a challenge but knew he needed to succeed. For Kelly’s own sake.

—————————————————————————

The drive to the loft was bizarre. The air was thick with everything they weren’t saying. Matt was fighting the urge to reach across the centre console to hold Sylvie’s hand or rest his hand on her leg like they used to. What had brought them back together was something so tragic but the fact it could have been anyone who came to pick him up brought him an ounce of hope. Maybe it was wrong to feel this way considering where they were driving and what would be waiting for him but in the same breath he knew that Stella would want everyone to be happy.

When they pulled up to the loft, it was eerily quiet.

‘I’ll wait in the car for you. If you can get him out then I’ll drive you both to Hermann’s, I don’t imagine he’s in a fit state to drive,’ Sylvie said as she put her car in park.

‘Okay, I’ll leave you with my bag?’ he asked as he got out of the car, Sylvie nodded.

The walk up to the loft was bizarre, almost a sense of deja vu took over him, having walked this route for many years but not being back to visit in some time. Although he knew there was likely to be a spare key above the door frame, now was not quite the time to invade his friend's privacy. He would wait to see if he would be invited in, so knocked the door loudly and waited.

He couldn’t hear any movement inside but Kelly’s Mustang and Stella’s Jeep had been outside, along with his bike so Matt knew he was inside.

‘Kelly, it’s Matt, you going to let me in?’ He said loudly after a couple of moments, accompanying it with another loud knock. ‘I’m so sorry about Stella, Sylvie told me. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Open up and we can talk about it?’ When he still received no response, he tried another tack. ‘Sylvie and I were going to go and see Lizzie, I’m sure she’d like to see her dad? You could come with us?’

After another few moments of silence, Matt decided today was clearly not the day. Grief worked in funny ways and if Severide needed another day of solitude then Matt was going to be the one to grant that.

‘I’m going to go now Kelly but if you need me I’m at the other end of the phone. I’ll give Lizzie your love and I’ll be back tomorrow. And I really am sorry mate’. He hung his head and rested his palm against the door, hoping for a moment that Kelly would open the door but when that didn’t occur, he turned around and walked back to the car and to Sylvie.

‘You tried’, Sylvie said solemnly when he climbed back into her car.

‘I guess, let’s go see Lizzie and we can try again later’, Matt said. He hadn’t seen Lizzie in person since she was a baby, when Stella and Kelly had surprised him with a visit, although he spoke on the phone with her a lot so he was excited to see her. A pang deep in his chest reminded him that she didn’t know her mother had died and her father had locked himself away from the world. Maybe that was best, he thought, to give her another day before her life was irrevocably changed forever.

—————————————————————————

When Matt knocked on the door to the Hermann residence, with Sylvie behind him, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep it together in front of the little girl but knew he had to.

Hermann opened the door and immediately pulled him into a hug. The older firefighter was not usually one to initiate physical contact but Matt held him tightly anyway.

‘Good to see you man’ he said when he finally pulled back. ‘Did you see him?’

Matt shook his head dejectedly, ‘wouldn’t open the door’.

‘Same for all of us. Come on in then, the little one is in the garden playing.’ He stood back to let them in, ‘hey there Brett’, he added when Sylvie passed him with a sad smile.

The house was devoid of its usual hubbub. There had always been kids running around, the smell of something delightful coming from the kitchen, but today it was void of all of that as they walked through to the backyard.

Lizzie Severide was sitting on the swing set, kicking her feet against the dirt but not attempting to swing any further than the couple of inches it was moving as a result of her motions. When the door opened and Casey and Syvlie stepped out, her head shot up and a sudden look of disappointment flickered across her young face when the people at the door were not the ones she was clearly waiting for. The excitement when she realised who it was took over quickly however and she squealed with excitement before jumping off the swing and running towards the pair, throwing herself at Matt’s legs.

‘Uncle Matt!’ she said excitedly as he knelt down and pulled her into a tight hug.

‘Hey kiddo,’ he said as he kept the little girl cradled against his chest, trying to pour all the love he had for her into it. ‘How are you?’ he said as he pulled back slightly, keeping his hands on the tops of her arms, squeezing lightly.

‘Good. Cindy made brownies,’ she said excitedly, tugging at the bottom of her shirt and bouncing from foot to foot. ‘But Mommy and Daddy are working,’ she said, pushing her bottom lip out. The pout he was sure could get his best friend to do anything his daughter asked.

‘They are, they have important jobs. But I know they love you lots and lots,’ Matt said and pulled a smile onto his face, shielding the pain.

‘I know,’ Lizzie said with a smile, clearly it was something her parents told her a lot. Good, Matt thought, she should be told it as often as possible.

‘Did you see who I brought with me?’ Matt asked, nodding his head up at Sylvie. Lizzie’s head spun around quickly to look where he was nodding, the smile widened on her face as she realised who had come to visit with her favourite Uncle.

‘Auntie Betty!’ Matt had to stifle a laugh at this and shot Syvlie a questioning look.

‘People were calling me both Sylvie and Brett and somehow Auntie Betty was born,’ she chuckled lightly.

‘I like it,’ Matt said with a wink.

‘Only I call Auntie Betty!’ Lizzie said firmly, the little girl clearly had her mothers fire within her.

‘Of course, only you get to call me Auntie Betty,’ Sylvie smiled and ran her hand over the girl's head, her curls were attempting to be restrained with some tight dutch braids but a few flyways were escaping.

‘Uncle Matt’, Lizzie said, turning back to Casey, an inquisitive look in her eyes.

‘Yes Lizzie’, he said, dreading the question that was coming next.

‘When Mommy and Daddy coming home?’ She looked down at the floor sadly. This had clearly been a question she had asked numerous times since she had arrived at the Hermann’s.

Sylvie had explained on the drive to the loft earlier what had happened. Kelly had brought Lizzie to the firehouse to celebrate her birthday and surprise Stella, that’s when the call to the storage facility came in. Kelly and Lizzie had stayed at the firehouse, assuming the call wouldn’t take too long and they could continue the birthday celebrations afterwards. When the worst had happened, Boden had called Kelly immediately knowing he would want, more accurately, would need to be there. Kelly left Lizzie at the firehouse with Stephanie, Kylie’s replacement, and Cindy had picked her up from there. Lizzie hadn’t seen her father since.

Kelly had pulled up to the scene and it had been worse than anyone had imagined. Cruz and Boden had to physically restrain him to stop him running into the building that was still burning. Sylvie’s eyes had filled with tears when she had been telling Matt how Kelly hadn’t stopped calling Stella’s name, his voice getting more hoarse with each yell.

When she had been brought out by the Truck crew, Kelly had attempted to resuscitate her himself, yelling at everyone that he could help her, he could bring her back. The rest of them had looked on in desperation, no one knowing when they should pull him back.

Finally, Boden had pulled him back. He had fallen to his knees and hadn’t said anything else. The tears stopped and he just watched them load her into the ambulance. Sylvie described it as seeing his soul disappear, it was like it was just Kelly’s body, he wasn’t in there anymore, his eyes had grown empty and he hadn’t said anything else.

Cindy and Hermann had expected Kelly to come and pick Lizzie up after leaving Med but he hadn’t shown. They had tried calling, Sylvie and Joe had gone round to the loft but there had been no answer. They hadn’t seen or heard from him since.

‘As soon as they can sweetie,’ Matt said, hoping the small white lie wouldn’t come back to haunt him. ‘How about we go inside and have one of those yummy brownies and you can tell me everything you’ve been up to since I’ve seen you last?’

Lizzie took a moment to contemplate before she nodded with a smile and tugged on Matt’s hand, pulling him towards the kitchen.

——————————————————————————

‘Can you drop me off at the loft?’ Matt asked as the pair got back into the car having spent the last couple of hours hearing all about what Lizzie had been drawing or making or eating. Once you got the little girl talking, there’s no way to stop her. It was refreshing, Matt had thought, she was such a happy child, he really hoped she’d be able to keep that spark even when the awful news was broken to her.

‘Are you going to try and talk to him again?’ Sylvie asked curiously.

‘Figured I’d fill him in on how Lizzie is doing and hope that works, then I’ll kip on the couch’.

‘And if it doesn’t, you plan on sleeping in the hallway?’ She chuckled.

Matt ran his hand over his chin, his 5 o’clock shadow firmly adorning his cheeks. ‘Guess I hadn’t really thought that far’, he admitted bashfully.

‘Okay, well if you can’t get through to him, I’ll wait downstairs and you can crash with me,’ Matt’s head swivelled quickly towards her, ‘I have a perfectly good couch Matt, you know that.’

‘Guess I do’, he smiled. ‘Thanks Sylvie, that sounds like a plan’.

‘I’ll give you 20 minutes, if I don’t hear from you then I’ll assume you’re staying with Severide, okay?’ Matt nodded in agreement as they continued their way towards the loft.

The climb up to the loft felt less unusual this time, but Matt had less hope that his friend would open the door than he had had previously. He knew Kelly well enough to know that he would have gone completely into his shell and it would take a lot to get him out of it.

He had debated bringing Lizzie back with him, knowing that Severide would have to open the door to his daughter. But having no idea what state Kelly was in on the other side of the door, he didn’t want to subject Lizzie to that. He would give Kelly one more chance to let him in of his own volition before he resorted to more drastic methods.

He knocked the door slightly harder than he had done when he had been here a few hours ago, thinking maybe it was just that he had been in his bedroom and couldn’t hear him knocking.

‘Sev, hey. It’s me again. I’ve just come from seeing Lizzie. She misses you man, is asking about you and Stella. I just told her that you both loved her.’ Matt took a deep breath before continuing. ‘It can’t come from anyone else but you Kelly, and I know that’s awful and painful, but it has to. She can’t hear this when she hasn’t got you there to turn to. You’re all she’s got. She needs you.’

‘She’s grown so much man, and she’s the spitting image of Stella. She’s so smart too, took great pride in telling me all the things Hermann does wrong around the house that Cindy has to correct him. You must be so proud of her.’

‘I’m going to go now, give you a little bit more time. But I’ll be back first thing tomorrow. And Sev, I’m coming in whether you like it or not. And I really would prefer if you opened the door for me, don’t want to screw my shoulder up again by barging it down. But I will.’

As he turned to leave, he stopped and approached the door again.

‘We are all here for you. We love you, we love Stella and we love Lizzie. You’re not going through this alone man.’

—————————————————————————

‘Thanks for letting me stay Sylvie’, Matt said as he finished his takeout. They had ordered Chinese when they got back to her place, neither being in the mood to cook. Placing the empty container on the coffee table and he relaxed into the back of the couch.

It was odd being back here in her apartment. They had spent the majority of their time here when they were together. He had begun to think of it as much more of their apartment with the amount of time he spent there, sleeping in her bed more often than he slept in his own.

This is the place where they had spent their first night together, but he also knew this was the place where he had broken her heart, telling her he was leaving and going to Oregon. He knew he had had his reasons, knew that Sylvie understood them, but he still wished that they had stayed the course. He missed her, had spent a long time missing her before realising that it was futile. Until the thing keeping them apart stopped being an issue, then they would continue to stay apart.

It had stopped being an issue in the last couple of months, but Matt had still not made the final decision to come back to home. He did genuinely love his job in Oregon, fighting forest fires was something completely different and refreshing. He had spent a long time working with his crew to bring them up to the level he expected. But without the boys, there was nothing keeping him in Portland anymore.

He had contemplated coming back so often. Of calling up Boden and seeing if he could return, the likelihood of coming back to 51 was slim, he knew that, all the leadership positions had been filled. But even if he was back here, he would be around his family again.

Griffin had been accepted into the CFD and was now working as a candidate at a house across the city, although Matt knew his dream was to work on 81, the same truck as his father.

Ben was studying Maths over on the East Coast. He didn’t have the same pull back to Chicago as Griffin did but also had no inclination of staying in Portland. When he had applied to colleges on the East Coast and got accepted to a small school, he was incredibly excited and Matt was equally as proud of him.

He would be lying if he had said that Sylvie wasn’t a factor in his decision either. Both for the want to come back and the uncertainty about it. He didn’t expect them to be able to immediately fall back into what they had before, but at least without the physical distance between them, it could actually be a possibility again.

‘It’s no problem’, Sylvie said with the soft smile that Matt had been so fond of. It was different to the smile that Syvlie used the majority of the time, the one she dolled out to patients as easily as breathing. This was the smile she shared only with those she cared deeply about, the ones that she had let into her life and through her defences. Matt was grateful that he could still be included in that group. ‘You sure you’ll be okay out here?’ She brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. ‘We’ve shared a bed before, I don’t mind,’ she said softly.

Matt smiled warmly but shook his head. ‘It’s alright, I’ve stayed out here before. It’s perfectly comfortable. I don’t think either of us are in an emotionally stable state to be sharing a bed again, not yet,’ he added with a glance up at Sylvie and clocked how a blush started to spread across her cheeks. ‘But I’m here if you need me’, he said and she nodded in response.

‘Probably a smart idea,’ Sylvie said with a smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes. ‘I’ll get you some blankets then.’ She retrieved them, placed them on the coffee table and then smiled before retreating to her bedroom, leaving Matt standing alone in the living room wondering if he had just made the wrong choice.

At some point in the night however, he felt a small hand on his shoulder and awoke to see Sylvie standing over him, her eyes rimmed with red. He sat up quickly and she reached out a hand to him, he hesitated slightly before placing his hand in hers. She tugged him wordlessly towards her bedroom and he went willingly, following her without question.

She climbed into the bed, the side she had always slept on and held up the covers for him to slide under as well. When he had made himself comfortable, she curled herself into his chest, her body warm against his. He wrapped his arms around her in a familiar motion, allowing himself a moment to breathe in her usual vanilla shampoo scented hair. The pair fell asleep, awash in the comfort that being in each other's presence and arms provided and when they awoke in the morning they didn’t question it, they simply just smiled.

—————————————————————————

Sylvie was on the shift that day so Matt drove her to work and then headed straight over to the loft in her car. He wasn’t taking no for an answer today, he needed to see his friend and he needed Kelly to agree to go see his daughter. Keeping Lizzie in the dark any longer than necessary wasn’t the right thing to do but at the same time, the news had to come from Kelly.

Approaching the front door, he stretched out his shoulders. Matt hadn’t been kidding when he said he’d break down the door if he needed to. Feeling like he should probably give his friend a warning, he knocked on the door and announced his presence.

As with the previous times he had stood in this spot, there was no answer. So Matt took a couple of steps back, he knew the door was pretty heavy so might take a bit to get it down. Just as he began to take the first step forward it opened and a dishevelled looking Kelly stood before him.

He didn’t say anything as Matt took in his appearance. His hair, much greyer than it had been when Matt had left Chicago, was stood up in a myriad of directions, he was supporting at least 2 days worth of stubble on his cheeks and if Matt had to take a guess, the sweatpants and t shirt adorning his body were equally as old.

‘Hey,’ Matt said as he walked past his friend and into the apartment they had once shared. Just like Kelly, the apartment was also in a state. There were empty beer bottles littering the coffee table and the kitchen counters, containers of home cooked food no doubt brought over by Cindy and Donna, were sitting out of the fridge.

‘Didn’t want you breaking down the door,’ Kelly huffed as he walked over to the couch and threw himself down on it. Resuming the position that Casey assumed he had been in since he had returned here after the news broke. He reached out and grabbed one of the beer bottles off the table and took a swig, clearly one of the not completely empty ones.

‘I wouldn’t have to if you'd opened it yesterday when I knocked,’ Matt said, standing near the kitchen, unsure if his best friend would welcome him sat down near him at this point.

‘Thought you’d take the hint that I didn’t want company,’ Kelly said with a gruff laugh.

‘Well too bad, I’m here now so why don’t you get cleaned up and we can go see Lizzie. She’s asking for you.’

Kelly shook his head and lowered his gaze, picking at the label on the bottle.

‘I know it’s tough-’ Matt started to say before Kelly’s head shot up, his eyes rimmed with red.

‘You know?’ Kelly scoffed harshly. ‘You’ve had to tell your daughter that her mother is dead and won’t ever be coming home?’ He laughed coolly and took another draft from the bottle. ‘Didn’t think so’, he muttered and his gaze fell back down to the floor.

‘No, but I did lose a fianceé,’ Matt said calmly. ‘And I had to tell the Darden boys that their mother was in jail and couldn’t come home.’ Matt took a deep breath before continuing. ‘And I lost my father when I was a kid too, lost my mother at the same time as well in a manner of speaking.’ Matt swallowed, he wasn’t one to compare traumas but he hoped it would reinforce with Kelly that he was speaking from a place with a little knowledge on the subject.

Severide looked up, the tears that had been held back by his eyelashes before, were now silently making their way down his cheeks. ‘Sorry,’ he said quietly. ‘I didn’t mean it like that.’

‘I know you didn’t,’ Casey said as he made his way over to the living space and took a seat on the empty chair. ‘But Lizzie needs you Kelly.’

‘I know but how do I tell her? I haven’t even processed it myself yet,’ Kelly said, angrily wiping the tears away from his face as if they were a display of weakness.

‘You process it together,’ Matt said steadily. ‘I’m not saying it’ll be easy Severide, hell, it’ll be the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do. But it’s the right thing to do.’

Kelly nodded, keeping his gaze firmly on the floor. ‘I keep thinking I’m going to see her, out here making dinner or coming in the door after a shift. Keep hearing her voice, talking to Lizzie, playing with her. And then I look over and there’s no one there.’ He sniffed and wiped away his continued stream of tears. ‘And if I’d have been there, I could have done something. I could have saved her.’ The final sentence was distorted by a sob and a thud as the beer bottle he had been holding fell to the floor and Kelly cradled his head in his hands.

‘If you’d have been there, Lizzie would have lost two parents that day.’ Matt said slowly. ‘There was a reason when you had her, you went to work at OFI. And you can say it was the hours of whatever, but I know you and Stella had the discussion about you both being on a call. When you’re a first responder and have kids, you have to think like that.’ Kelly nodded but kept his head buried in his palms.

‘I can’t do this without Stella,’ he whispered.

Matt had stayed strong until this point, had decided this was not the place for him to display his grief, he was here for his friend, but the heartbreak in hearing those words brought tears to his eyes.

‘You can’, he said, ignoring how his voice cracked. ‘You’re not alone in this Kelly. Your 51 family is here for you and we won’t let you go through this alone. We’ve got you and we’ve got Lizzie.’

‘She was the best mom’, he said, lifting his head out of his hands slightly to gaze across the room. Matt followed his line of sight and saw that his eyes had landed on a framed photo of Stella and Lizzie laughing. ‘She was scared about it when we found out we were expecting but she was incredible. The pregnancy, the birth, everything. I fell in love with her even more every day.’ He wiped a wayward tear but a hint of a sad smile was beginning to tug on his lips. ‘And then Lizzie came along and she’s the spitting image of Stella. A mini her if ever there was one. She talks like her, walks like her, has her eyes and her smile. Stella taught her everything she knew, and I know she’s so proud of her,’ his smile faltered but he continued. ‘I’m so proud of her. I’m proud of them both. They made me who I am but without Stella… it just feels like a piece of me is missing. And I don’t want to pass that hurt on to Lizzie. She doesn’t deserve that. She’s so perfect. Too perfect to be in pain.’

Matt sat silently, letting his friend get everything out that he needed to. It was breaking him to see Kelly in this much pain and for the first time he really understood why he had been avoiding seeing his daughter.

He was trying to protect her. To let her have a couple more hours, more days, before her life would be changed forever. He didn’t want to be the one that caused her pain.

‘Stella didn’t deserve to die.’ Kelly said into the silence. Matt didn’t know how to respond, he agreed of course but in their line of work unfortunately they could never guarantee they would walk out of every fire. Both he and Kelly understood that but he guessed the reality was something that couldn’t be completely comprehended until it happened.

‘Is she okay?’ Kelly said, turning his head quickly to look at Matt who looked stunned at the question. ‘Lizzie, I mean.’

Matt nodded. ‘She’s fine. She misses you and her mom and has been asking about you. Cindy and Hermann have just been saying you’re still at work which seems to have appeased her for now but it won’t for much longer.’

Kelly nodded, wiping his hands across his face and pressing his heels into his eyes. ‘Will you come with me?’ He asked as he stood up. ‘To tell her?’

Matt nodded in agreement, ‘I’m here for whatever you need. We’re family.’

—————————————————————————

Whilst Kelly showered and got himself cleaned up, Matt busied himself by tidying up around the apartment. Throwing out all the empty bottles and checking the contents of the food containers to see if anything could be saved and refrigerating what he could salvage. By the time Kelly came out of the bedroom, the loft was back to looking in a more inhabitable state.

‘You didn’t have to-’ but Matt shook his head before Kelly could finish his sentence.

‘Don’t. We’re family.’ He smiled, and Kelly returned it, albeit a smaller smile but it was genuine all the same. ‘I called Cindy to let her know we were coming over’. Kelly nodded. ‘You ready?’ Matt asked.

‘No, but I don’t think I ever will be.’

‘Come on then, let’s go’. Matt said, leading the way to the door. He turned around once he had reached it and saw Kelly rooted firmly to the same spot he had been a minute before. He opened the door and waited patiently. He knew his friend just needed another moment, he had said he was going to see Lizzie today and Matt believed him.

‘Okay’, Kelly said shakily as he ran his hand through his hair and walked through the door Matt was holding open for him.

—————————————————————————

The drive to the Hermann’s was tense, the air was thick. Everytime Matt glanced over Kelly he was bouncing his leg and wringing his hands. The old roommates sat in silence, this was going to be tough no matter which way you span it and if Kelly needed any help, Matt hoped he knew he could ask.

When they walked up to the door, Severide hesitated with his fist outstretched, an inch away from making contact with the wood. Matt rested his hand comfortingly on his shoulder and felt an ounce of tension drain from Kelly who knocked 3 times before taking a step back.

Cindy opened the door, a sad smile on her face as she pulled Kelly in for a hug.

‘I’m so sorry for your loss Kelly,’ she said quietly, holding him tightly before pulling back. ‘She’s in the garden.’

Kelly nodded and pulled his lips into a tight line.

‘I’ll stay with Cindy but we will be in here if you need us,’ Matt said, closing the front door behind them and gesturing to the living room.

Kelly nodded again and walked towards the backdoor. Matt heard the yells of ‘Daddy!’ when he opened it. It felt like a stab to his chest knowing that that excited voice would become the exact opposite in just a few moments.

He and Cindy sat side by side on the couch, neither knowing what to say or do, trying to give the Severide’s their privacy but at the same time being ready to jump in with support if it was needed.

After 15 minutes when neither Kelly or Lizzie had reappeared, Matt walked into the kitchen to peer out the window. What he was greeted with, shattered his heart even more.

Kelly was sitting on the swing, with Lizzie in his lap, her body curled tightly into his, his arms around her, a hand running over her hair. Matt could see the tears on Kelly’s face from here and could see how the little girl's body was shaking too. Severide was talking quietly to her whilst lightly pushing the swing back and forth. Matt stood there for a moment, before it felt like he was intruding on a private moment and returned to the living room. He smiled softly at Cindy and nodded at the unasked question.

A couple of minutes later, Severide appeared with a tired Lizzie still curled in his arms holding on tightly to her father.

‘Uncle Matt, is it alright if you take me and Lizzie home?’ He asked, his eyes were still red from the tears but he seemed lighter than when he had left the loft.

‘Of course’, Matt got up and smiled. ‘You okay?’ he mouthed, not wanting to ask anything else outright in front of Lizzie. Severide nodded with a sad smile.

Lizzie fell asleep in the back of Sylvie’s car as Matt drove them back to the loft so Severide carried her upstairs and tucked her in on the couch.

‘I don’t want to put her in her room in case she wakes up and doesn’t know where she is’, Kelly said as he leant against the kitchen island, with Matt on the other side.

‘Good idea. Do you want me to get you two anything?’ He asked but Kelly shook his head.

‘You’ve already done enough man, we appreciate it. And I know Stella would too’, he smiled sadly again. ‘When are you going back to Portland?’ he asked curiously, knowing his best friend must have had to drop everything quickly to make it out to Chicago as fast as he did.

‘Still got a few things to work out on that front, but I’ll let you know.’ Matt smiled as he picked up his jacket. ‘I’ll leave you to it, but call me if you need anything okay?’ Kelly nodded and followed Matt to the door.

‘Thanks again, not sure anyone else could have got me out that door today’.

Matt hesitated and then pulled Kelly into a hug, slapping him a couple of times on the back before pulling away. ‘Family means family’.

—————————————————————————

Matt used the remainder of the day visiting his sister who he hadn’t seen since he had left either. She hadn’t heard about Stella but had met her a few times so was still saddened by the news. She offered to let him stay there that night which he took her up on. Sylvie had said he could crash at hers again but it felt weird being there without her and he didn’t want to intrude on Severide’s time with his daughter.

He got up early the following morning, his flight was later that afternoon but he had a couple of things he wanted to get done before he headed to the airport.

First was to stop by 51. He was picking up Sylvie and a conversation with her was high on his list but first, he had a meeting with Boden.

He had called his old boss and mentor the previous afternoon when it became clear to Matt that he was needed back in Chicago. The same thing that had called him to leave for Potrland in the first place, was now calling him home. Family.

He wanted to speak to Boden about returning to the CFD. And specifically about returning to Boden’s district. He knew he wanted to return to 51 at some point but for now he would settle to being somewhere under Boden’s watchful eye.

He hadn’t expected the meeting to be as direct as it had been. Boden without hesitation offered him the command position back on Truck 81. It wasn’t the same company it had been when he had left but Boden was wary about putting a floater or someone from another house into the empty space. The whole house was grieving and that crew specifically had lost their leader. But if there was anyone who Boden felt comfortable being in charge of the truck, it was Matt Casey. He was grieving too and understood just what an important person's shoes he would be attempting to step into.

Matt had been shocked by the offer and let him know he would need to speak to Kelly about it. Although for years 81 had been his rig, it was Stella’s now and her husband should at least get a say about who would take over. He didn’t want anyone to feel like he was replacing her or usurping her position.

He was still deep in thought, when Sylvie walked onto the apron.

‘Penny for them?’ She asked with a smile, nudging him gently with her shoulder.

‘Not sure they’re worth that but I’ll tell you in a bit. Fancy a walk along the riverwalk? I missed it in Portland’.

—————————————————————————

Matt wasn’t sure what Sylvie’s response would be when he told her he was coming back to Chicago. He hadn’t expected her to jump into his arms immediately but he also hadn’t been expecting the stoney silence he was currently experiencing.

‘Say something Sylvie,’ he asked as they continued to meander next to the river.

‘Don’t come back just for me,’ she said quietly and abruptly stopped.

‘What?’ Matt asked, confused, turning around to face her.

‘I’ve moved for relationships before Matt, and felt stuck and I don’t want you to feel like that.’ She ran a hand through her hair, her expression difficult to read. ‘If you want to come back to Chicago for you, then please do. I know it’s your home. But if you’re only coming back for me, then please… please don’t’.

‘I’m coming back for a number of reasons,’ Matt started. ‘But I won’t lie to you and say that you aren’t included in that. But you’re not the only one.’ He added quickly as she opened her mouth to interrupt him.

‘There’s nothing holding me in Portland anymore. Griffin is in Chicago now and Ben’s off at college. And sure I like my job there but it’s got nothing on the CFD. And I need to be here for Severide. He won’t say he needs the help or even ask for it, but this is going to be so hard on him and Lizzie. I can’t abandon them.’

He reached out his palm, hoping Sylvie would take it. He squeezed her hand lightly when she did.

‘But the reason we didn’t work was because I wasn’t here. And I’m not saying we will get back together or everything would be simple again but if I’m here then at least there’s a chance, right?’ he smiled and Sylvie returned it warmly.

‘There’s a chance’, she echoed. ‘But what about work? Will the CFD have you back?’

‘Boden’s offered me the spot on 81. But I need to talk to Kelly before I take it. I don’t want him to think I’m erasing Stella’s legacy by going back to it. She deserves to be remembered and held in everyone’s memory.’

The pair continued to stroll along the riverwalk, taking in the early morning bustle of Chicago. And if they were still holding hands at the end of it, then neither of them mentioned it.

—————————————————————————

Sylvie dropped Matt off at the loft again, having called ahead to make sure it was alright for him to pop in.

‘Hey’, Kelly said as he welcomed Matt in through the door. A stark comparison to the last time he had opened the door for him. ‘Want breakfast?’ He gestured to the kitchen where the bacon was cooking in the pan.

‘Nah I picked something up with Sylvie’, Matt smiled and followed him over, taking a seat at one of the bar stools.

‘Interesting’, Kelly said with a smirk as he turned the bacon over.

‘Shush, but there is something I want to talk to you about’, he said, a sudden sense of apprehension filling him.

‘Shoot’, Kelly said, busying himself with some eggs.

‘I’m coming back to Chicago. And Boden offered me the command of 81’. He saw Kelly freeze, still facing away from him. After a couple of seconds of silence, Matt continued. ‘But I told him I needed to speak to you. 81 is Stella’s truck and I don’t want you to think I’m stepping in where I shouldn’t, or trying to take over from her.’

Kelly turned around and shook his head. ‘If anyone’s going to take over from Stella, I’m glad it’s you.’ He said with a smile, his eyes brimming with tears. ‘You understand how big of a task it is, to walk in her shoes. And I know the crew would respect you, unlike if someone new came along and tried to take her place. And I know Stella would be okay with it too.’

‘If you’re sure?’ Matt asked.

‘I’m sure, but you’re sure you want to come back to Chicago? You’re not just coming back because of me and Lizzie right?’ He gestured at himself and then down the corridor with the spatula in his hand. ‘Because we’ll be okay, it’ll be a tough road, but we will be okay’.

Matt chuckled lightly, ‘you sound just like Sylvie. No I’m not just coming back for you too, although it has factored into my decision. And no, before you ask, I’m not just coming back for Sylvie either. Chicago is my home and my family is here. And it’s time for me to come back to that’.

‘Okay then’, Kelly said, downing his tools and walking round to the other side of the island. ‘Welcome back to Chicago,’ he said as he pulled Matt into a hug.

‘I do have to go back to Portland first and actually resign,’ he chuckled as Kelly pulled back a smirk etched on his face. ‘But I’ll be back for the funeral in a couple of days, and then I’m staying. For good.’

[xhudgenssistersconfessions]

"but the thing is Stella actually has gotten opportunities solely because of her connections to Vanessa. she just did nothing with them."

That was my point exactly 😄 For stella to cruise through life on name recognition alone, she would need to come from a significantly more influential family. While there has been interest in her as a "hudgens sister", sustaining any sort of career would still require effort and commitment on her part. And she hasn't been willing to do that. Even vanessa, despite her established fame, has to continually work to maintain her presence. There are people who live quite comfortably without putting much effort into public-facing careers, thanks to their families with massive name power. Stella/vanessa simply don’t have that same advantage. And for some reason, she's doesn't seem to understand it.

oh my bad lol so I agree! I have a lot more examples, things to say but I don't want to go on unprompted rants. I feel like you pretty much said it best 😅

[ladylooch]

https://www.tumblr.com/ladylooch/741721658456506368/do-any-of-the-girls-ever-worry-that-their-man-is

I just came upon this and would love to see a little blurb or something over Lucie being very pregnant with Stella and asking Connor this

🤣🤣

Connor is watching TV, lounging on his day off, drifting in and out of sleep while Lucie is in the baby's room nesting. He was in there earlier, eyes wide, at the weird tradition she has daily now of folding and refolding the baby's clothes. Nesting is something he doesn't quite understand, no matter how much he tries to research it. He doesn't feel any desire to do that.

From the couch, he can hear Lucie open and shut the dryer, taking out the latest batch of washed clothes.

"You need me to carry that, Luc?" He calls to her.

"No." She quietly answers, then sniffs.

Connor's partner sense starts to tingle. Something is up. He hauls his tall body off the couch, scratching at the back of his head while walking towards his baby mama. Inside the pink room, he finds a crying Lucie cross legged on the floor.

Connor walks into the room. He doesn't bother to ask; he knows what she needs. He slides behind her on the floor, then gathers her into his arms. She collapses back into his chest, beginning to sob. Connor wraps one arm across her chest, gripping her opposite shoulder, then the other one rests on the baby. He can feel her moving around, big, jolting kicks to his hand. He rubs Lucie's belly, comforting both his girls.

"Babe?" Lucie squeaks.

"Hm?" Connor answers, turning his face to kiss her temple.

"Are you in love with someone else?" Connor pauses his movements. He pulls slightly away to look at Lucie's face.

"What?"

"That pretty influencer you took a picture with after the game? That the team posted? She made a post about how 'it was love at first sight in NYC'. Are you in love with her?"

"Whoa, no, babe." He brings a hand to her forehead, then turns her face towards him so he can kiss her.

"Are you sure? Because if you've changed your mind, I'd rather you just tell me now." Connor's eyes go wide and he blows out a heavy sigh.

"Luc, I'm never gonna change my mind about you. I love you so much." His chest aches at how she whimpers in his arms. "Why do you think that? Did I do something?"

"N-no. I just... I'm never gonna be the same. We are never going to be the same. Maybe this isn't what you want after all."

"All I want is our family, babe." He rocks her, resting his mouth on her hair as he continues. "Everything else is noise. This is what is real. Me and you and this little girl going wild in your belly."

"Yeah, she is really going on my bladder right now." Lucie shifts backwards, trying to find a comfortable position.

"She's saying daddy loves us, mama." Connor brings this other hand to her belly so he can stroke their baby, hoping to give Lucie some more comfort. "So much, Luc."

"I'm scared. Everything is going to change."

"Yeah..." Connor agrees. "But we will figure it out. I know you hate when I say that, but I believe it. And I believe in us."

Lucie sighs, running her hands along his arms, then pressing his palms deeper into the baby with hers. She looks down at their hands over her bump. She has Connor right here, and a healthy baby growing in her body, but Lucie has never felt more alone. Her head leans back into Connor's shoulder as more tears stream down from the corners of her eyes.

She really wants her mom right now. She would know exactly what to say.

[charmixpower]

For the bingo ship, Flora x Riven or Stella x Bloom, please

Rewriting this, wah!

It's a story as old as time, local mom friend who needs to learn to be more selfish and ex badboy who needs to learn to emphasize more start dating and balance each other out

This ship is stupid fucking adorable and I love it and the main reason I wanna make Riven and Flora besties just

Flora to Riven: have to considered looking at it like this?

Later, Riven to Flora: You know you should do more stuff for yourself

I just–super cute, I love I love

I even love the primary conflict they'd have in their relationship

Flora feels insecure because Riven can't say I love you. Just yesss

Riven genuinely cannot express this (Ive met people who can't say I love you because they were always met negatively when they said it) and Flora just feels BAD because she knows it isn't his fault but she still feels super insecure and doesn't know if he loves her

Riven feels horrible because since he can't tell her he loves her without a panic attack coming on she's upset and he just feels so bad

They'd work through it, find a way to communicate this without having to outright say it (which is the workaround I've found with my friends who struggle with this) but it would be such a good nobody's at fault conflict that shows with dealing and overcoming both of their own personal struggles!!

I love to imagine Musa and Helia help them both with this, sussssh it's so cute

S2 Floriv would be everything. Riven trying his best to work on himself without any outside help, Flora feeling useless because he won't let her help, Riven telling her that he wants to be good person in his own right without requiring someone else, Flora turning into a puddle of goo

Like ough

They wouldn't have the benefit of being knowledgeable about each other's specific trauma effects each other without a lot of conversations and work (hence the I love you problem in the first place) but I totally feel like they'd be able to work past it

Riven would SO being back Flora weird plants he sees on Missions and Flora would be so fucking delighted

Flora would make stuff for Riven (like a candle) and he would be like "ah, this is love"

Riven love survivalist shit and Flora is the fairy of nature they could talk for hours but Riven prefers just listing

Fuckin Flora and Riven ships of all time

Plus it would be cute to see Flora get a little grumpy with him when he teases her. I have not seen enough playful arguing from Flora and I need more of it. She absolutely watches him make a dumbass of himself (like she did to Tecna in s1) for funzies as revenge

Kinda obsessed you know how it be

Okay I'm making a little time line

Floriv shippers get your fucking JUICE, this is gonna be long

S1:

No romantic connection, but Flora notices that Riven seems very off after dating Darcy though everyone thinks he's being his usual dick self. Flora tells him at some point that she doesn't know what's going on but she'll be here for him because no one deserves to be alone.

Riven jumps off of CT and gets back up despite his injuries because he hopes there's one person who'd be sad if he died. Flora heals him and they are now friends

S2:

Riven is nursing one hellva crush on Flora but keeps it to himself because of his low self esteem and because he isn't ready for a relationship so soon after Darcy. Flora and Riven hang out a lot as friends.

Flora doesn't blame Riven for being lied to and Riven appreciates how she's patient with him and he does as much as he can to show this. Riven hangs out a lot with the new girl who reminds Flora a bit of Riven in s1, with her hyper independent attitude and she's so proud to see Riven attempting to give her advice based on his history. After the Trix show back up he hangs around much more out of paranoia and struggles to communicate this (though Musa seems to understand immediately, something that makes Flora feel a little jealous but she doesn't know why yet).

Riven immediately bonds with Flora's pixie Chatta and she gets to see a bit of his old self in a new positive way with him talking excitedly and openly with Chatta, showing a lot more energy that he usually does becoming a lot more subdued after Darcy. Flora adores her pixie for making Riven more lively. Flora meets Helia, Riven's new friend who just decided they were friends and drags him around now and thinks he's quite silly and befriends him as well. He asks her out but she declines and he asks her if theres someone else and shes like "what noooo" and he's like "sure lol".

Turns out Riven loves adorable things and really adores the pixies so she introduces him to all of the other pixies and he's like =D and Flora thinks its super cute and OH. That's why she's been feeling like that, huh. Flora is now extremely distracted with her new crush, daydreaming about Riven dating her and saying that he'll do anything for her and stuff which isn't far off, and Aisha notices and IMMEDIATELY goes to bother Riven about it who's all depressed about his crush because he has low self esteem and Aisha gets sick of the "I don't deserve someone like her" narrative like three minutes after she first hears it. She tells Riven to man up and Riven continues being a depressed onion.

Helia comes around and mentions to Flora that Riven really talks her up often and encourages him to ask her out before learning that she previously rejected him and makes Flora feel like 17 different emotions. Aisha and Musa become friends, Aisha realizes that Musa has a lot of things in common with Riven and starts slightly bugging her about what she thinks he's going on about to help Flora. Musa is completely shameless in her match making attempts and Flora is like hhhhhh. Flora is encouraged to ask Riven out but Flora says that Riven is still in a delicate place due to Darcy and she's right so Musa and Aisha drop it.

When Flora meets Diaspro she's more upset at her upbringing than she is in canon, focusing on that instead of telling Diaspro to be better for her people, due to Riven's influence, she tells Diaspro to become better for herself and that she should be free. I firmly believe that Riven should of been allowed to save the CT witches and so he does in my Canon, and the witches are super thankful because I like watching Riven squirm under the attention he's literally always wanted.

Anyways twinning with the witches is mostly witch girlies teasing Flora about Riven and Flora going "noooo, he's not even looking for a relationship" and them "if you don't date him I will". I think Riven being super popular in CT and disliked at the other schools is very funny, sue me. Flora still let's Aisha take the lead and struggles to share her own input or tell the witch girlies she'd like to be left alone, leading Aisha to go off on her own without Flora. Flora ends up in the heart of CT and nearly gets ambushed by the Trix but is saved by Griffin, who makes it known that she assumed that would happen between her and Aisha and Flora actually snarks at her which is something she hasn't done to someone yet and from not on doesn't like her that much.

Riven fucking hates Avalon because he reminds him of Darcy and now Flora is low key suspicious of him but doesn't saying to Bloom. She tells Tecna and Musa tho, but doesn't tell Aisha in fear of her doing something on her own. They go to the Wildlands, the Trix show up, and Riven immediately goes to Flora for help once he senses them. Flora is EXTREMELY confused because she can't transform or use much magic and Riven is like "can you still hear the voice of nature" "yes but-" "what is the problem" and Flora is VERY confused at how she and Timmy ended up leading the fight back against the Trix.

She ends up getting her Charmix after getting confident in herself and her own plans after getting in a disagreement with one of the others and sticking to her guns. She is so excited!! Floriv survivalist otp for the entire arc I am just saying.

She confidently heals the Flower of Life after getting her Charmix and she's like "wowowow, I love trusting myself" and Riven is like quietly clapping in the background because he doesn't want to distract her.

Flora cringes at the fact that Riven was super right about hating Avalon, and is now planning on taking his "this person sets off my paranoia so much" comments much more seriously.

Flora is nervous to save Bloom, Riven is like "girlie (affectionate) you helped save Alfea, your probably one of the most powerful Charmix faries to ever live, you got this" but in a much more aggressive Riven-y way and Flora is like ❤️. They hug before going to fight Darkar, all of their friends BEGGING them to talk about their feelings but no 💕💕💕💕. They will not.

Flora offers to hold back Darkar on her own while Musa prepares a powerful attack, Musa agrees, Flora draws Darkars agro and Riven does the thing™. Musa gets the attack in stunning Darkar for a moment so she can try and take the spell he put on everyone off, while Flora IS FREAKING THE FUCK OUT. Riven confesses at the worst fuckin moment because he's Riven and Flora is like "love you too BUT YOU ARE DYING".

They win, happily ever after.

S3:

Riven seeing Flora when he comes to the beach: I did the summer program at RF again, heres a pretty plant for u 💕💕 I saw it during a mission and brought it back

Flora, who has like 13 of those: Awe your so sweet

Riven hears Flora talk about Chimera and Cassandra and is like "paranoia says shes bad" and 12 seconds later guess what happens? Chatta nearly thinks its funny but gets the disapproving mom stare. Tho he also mentions that Chimera is too young to know better and that they should try reaching out to her because of this is how her mom reacts when given power over Stella and Radius, imagine how she acts to Chimera who she's always had power over. Flora is like "did not think about that, will do".

Riven watching Flora help spell Brandon to see Stella's inner self: I do NOT approve of spelling people without there consent, and will not be a part of this

Riven, Nova, and Chatta form a gossip squad. Flora tries to laugh too hard.

Diaspro says no to Valtor, choosing to be happy without anyone else, Valtor does NOT take kindly then re offers to Samara and Erendor after putting Diaspro under his then their control.

Riven hears about Valtor's past and has a mini Darcy spiral out of fear, and Flora calms him down.

Drugged Sky: I love Diaspro

Drugged Diaspro: I love Sky

Riven, who's been under emotion control spells before: THAT'S SUSPICIOUS, THAT'S WEIRD

Bloom is all upset while Riven is FREAKING THE FUCK OUT. Riven is like "those two are under so much mind control Aisha DO SOMETHING" and everyone agrees to immediately do something (because they all have 0 impulse control) and Flora is like "Samara is a guardian fairy. I wanna save Sky too but... we're just not strong enough rn" and they're all sad but agree. Yes Samara is a guardian fairy, I need her to be powerful enough to make the Sky situation not be solved instantly.

Stella gets her Enchantix by saving Chimera who she's been trying to reach out too, Chimera immediately starts sobbing and saying she doesn't want to go back to Cassandra but also can't leave and asks Stella to come back and save her and Stella agrees.

Flora and Tree Faragona: *having a intense conversation*

Everyone else: 🧍

Riven after seeing Floras Enchantix: you got really hurt ;-;

Flora: NOW YOU KNOW HOW I FELT WHEN YOU FUCKING DIED FOR ME

Riven: irrelevant

Flora: NO!! IT'S NOT

Tecna's gone and BOY HOWDY IS NO ONE TAKING IT WELL. Riven trusts Timmy about Tecna more this time around.

Everyone wants to go kill Valtor and Flora talks them down, instead, now that they have Four Enchantix Faries they can take down Samara and Cassandra who have been using their royal powers to help Valtor, and then go off to take they're rage out on Samara in a STUPIDLY hard fight (because fighting gravity will always suck) where they barely win.

Bloom goes to pyros, and Cassandra puts Solaria on fucking lockdown because Samara got her ass whooped as a guardian fairy and Cassandra is a Charmix fairy....yeah she knows she's done for as soon as the Winx get their hands on her.

Riven is able to help Timmy a little more than before because a certain nature fairy taught him some meditation techniques he passes on to Timmy. Also he helps Sky get therepy because being under mind control spells suck a lot and Riven is helping him all he can, Flora is sooo proud.

The boys do not go to Omega, only magic users can't immediately fucking turn to ice when standing on Omega. They're forced to stay home. They do see Bloom, who's SUPER happy to see that Sky again and tells them all about her Enchantix and Riven is like "as someone with an anger problem, I think you have an anger problem" and Bloom is like "no".

Flora: then this weird guy Ophir showed up who was watching us and can make copys of himself

Riven: *gasp* DARCY

Flora: no—

The girls make a plan to sneak into Solaria, Riven helping with the sneaking part because he's good at that, Helia and Sky helping with their connections, Brandon helping with the lying part, and Timmy doing tech support. They get in with a fuck ton of glamours from Mirta and the ability to pick locks and lie like their life depends on it. Cassandra gets her ass kicked so hard by Stella and Stella adopts Chimera.

Helia video chatting the girls: 🥰

Riven seeing Ophir: *gasp* DARCY!

Helia: well you were right about Avalon....go crazy

Riven, getting on his bike: I will!!

Riven tries to stab Ophir again and Flora is like "RIVEN HAVE BEEN OVER THIS" and she gets him to calm down, golden kingdom happens and she's very happy to see that he and Ophir have become besties

Bloom trying to kill Valtor and nearly getting herself killed because she hesitated: I should lean more into my anger Issues, not being angry enough is my problem

Riven and Flora: NO!!!

Flora talks to Bloom about her nightmare differently because Riven constantly goes on about how obviously Valtor is lying about Bloom's family and she tells her this because duh.

Bloom: I wanna talk to the ansestal witches

Riven: absolutely, and I cannot stress this enough, the FUCK NOT

Riven: why would the most evil people ever not lie to you???????

Bloom: y'all hear something

The Winx defeat Valtor and Riven is all like "where's the body?" Because he's Riven and everyone tells him to chill but Bloom is like "uh, just checked...." And everyone is like "goddamn it"

Helia get corned by Valtor and is VERY upset atm bc he couldn't do shit and feels like he failed his friends everyone is freaking the fuck out about their bfs. Except Musa who is dating Aisha and Aisha who is dating Musa. Bloom calms tf down for once in her life to eat Valtor's dragon flame, happily ever after.

S4:

This is were the I love you drama happens. They haven't had any real problems and I like interpersonal struggles that are no one is at fault and they both work it out and grow. No I'm not doing all of s4 with them because FUCK season 4 but I'll do a highlight reel

Flora becomes a teaching assistant at Alfea and Riven talks about how Helia and Saladin offered him a job at RF but he's still thinking about it

Bloom wants to see if there's any magic on earth at all so drags the Winx to the tree of life to see and WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT, A WEIRD AMOUNT OF MAGICAL PEOPLE ALL IN THE SAME PLACE

Flora, who knows exactly what Riven would say: that's suspicious, that's weird

Riven grumps about the glamor and how he looks weird as an earthling and now Flora looks much prettier as herself and then immediately backtracks bc "not that implying that you aren't pretty now, but" and Flora so laughs at him

Riven takes one look at the Believix powers and FREAKS THE FUCK OUT, until it's explained that all they do is help people think more clearly or unrepress their empathy and Riven calms down but asks them to be careful with them

Bloom tries to have Roxy take the white circle (or mind control ring as Riven calls it) Riven throws a chair at her, and Flora actually gets mad at Bloom for suggesting that bc she's seen how mind control has REALLY fucked up Riven and thought that Bloom would understand because she's with Sky but apparently not. Bloom feels horrified she just pissed off group mom

Flora says it like that too, just very disgusted, Bloom has a little crisis and keeps the ring

Riven and Flora adopt Roxy

Roxy brings up that she and Riven are super cute but why do they never say I love you? Anxiety sets in

Riven is suspicious of the Earth faries bc MIND CONTROL DUH, and so is everyone else but they decide they probably did it because they've been trapped so long and are super upset and Riven is like "fair"

Diana kidnaps Riven and now Flora is even more sure that she's gonna 1v1 the bitch

Flora puts off talking to Riven about the thing™

Riven looking at Flora's Lovix: *cant form a coherent sentence*

Flora: 🥰

Flora sees all the trees being cut down and is like "I understand the eco terrorism Diana, me too bestie, but you can't punish everyone! Just the people in charge 🥰🥰"

Flora: hold my flower I have an ass to kick

Riven: kick her ass babe I got your flower

Flora talks to Musa about how she's feeling and Musa says she and Aisha have the same problem but know they care about each other and Riven has a talk with Brandon who says he should show he cares as much as he can and show his love though action

Riven fuckin laughs the back circle out of the frutti music bar and no one believes them. No one. They've delt with Valtor and Darcy and know what a liar FINALLY looks like

Bloom and Tecna fight Nebula, and Bloom feels more bad about the Roxy thing

Flora keeps Roxy as warm as possible

Nabu is alive!!!! And Helia fucking kills Duman instead because Riven got the idea to do shifts lest they get taken as hostages again

The war happens

GOOD BYE ORGON YOU FUCKING PRICK

happily ever after for realzs this time

The end!!!

Yeah I fucking love this ship XD