#she is !!! 3 apples tall and pathetic !!!!!

[prentissology]

biblically accurate gwen stacy

[harleehazbinfics]

Dear Baby, Chapter 3

Dear Baby, m.list | Author's Profile

A/N: imsosorry i forgot, i was so busy getting all my stuff together for my trip and I didn't bring my laptop. :') a few more days to go and hopefully by then I'll be back ᕦ⁠ʕ⁠ ⁠•⁠ᴥ⁠•⁠ʔ⁠ᕤ

Word Count: 1.4k

“You ready?” you ask the man beside you who was fidgeting.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” he breathes out then flinching when he hears the doors push open.

You gave him one last encouraging nod before you took a step back behind him and bowed your head. Peeking through your lashes, you saw a tall, beautiful woman with great demon horns, golden locks and eyes covered behind tinted shades. Beside her was little blonde toddler, she had all of Lucifer’s features. From his red cheeks and pale skin to his blonde hair and even the lighter streak in their hair. Simply put, she was very lovely.

“Lilith, hi,” he chokes out from holding his breath too long while gazing at his wife.

Instead of replying to him, she turns and looks down at their daughter and says, “Charlie, be a good girl and stay with your father today, ok? I’ll pick you up at 6pm.”

Charlie obediently nods and watches her mother leave the palace, leaving the 3 of you behind. You looked at Lucifer who had his eyes on his daughter who hesitantly approached him and tugged at his pants.

“Hi, sweetheart. I’m sorry, daddy hasn’t seen you in a while,” he apologizes kneeling in front of her.

She looks down refusing to look at him and hugged the stuffed toys her father gifted to her. “Why didn’t you come see me, daddy?”

His heartbreaks at the downcast look on her face and explains carefully to her, “Mommy and I aren’t really friends right now. So, I was scared to ask to see you, apple pie but I missed you so much. Daddy thought of you every night. I thought about how taller you grew, what food you ate today. Daddy’s very sorry, baby.”

Tears filled the little girl’s eyes and rushed to hug her father, “It’s okay, daddy. I’m not mad. Please don’t cry.”

Without realizing it, Lucifer had tears falling out of his eyes he explained to his daughter. She grew so much without him. She even comforted a grown man like him. Being so pathetic in front of her daughter and his new friend.

He clutched his daughter closer to his chest wept with her. He refusing to pull back until she did.

Without them noticing, you had left the room and took out a few snacks Lucifer prepared for them earlier in the morning and came back to the room to wait for them by the door. After they wiped each other’s tears now with a smile tugged on their lips. Lucifer carried Charlie in his arms and walked towards me.

“Charlie, meet my friend (y/n),” he introduces she then gives you a small wave which you returned with a smile, “She’s been helping me with work.”

“It’s nice to meet you, princess. I’ve heard much about you from your father. You truly are the apple of his eye,” you greet dipping your head towards her, while you tried to put in a good word for him, which earned you a flustered look from her as she dug deeper into her father’s embrace.

You then giggle at her bashfulness and faced Lucifer and said, “I’ve prepared the snacks in the sitting room. If you would please.”

He nods his head and walks together with you. Every once in a while, you’d see the little princess’ head would peek at you and stare. You would meet her gaze and give her a warm smile to let her be more comfortable around you.

“She’s really pretty, daddy,” she ‘whispers’ to her dad making him smile and let out a low chuckle.

“She is, isn’t she?” he confirms making you blush red.

You faked a cough trying to hide your embarrassment and retort, “I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from teasing me, your majesty.”

The father-daughter giggled at your bashful reply. Lucifer places her in a chair with cushions on them and pushes her close to the table to make her reach it. Seeing you taking the teapot, Lucifer stops you and takes it in his hands.

“I’ll do it. Why don’t you join Charlie and sit together?” he suggests gently pushing you forward.

“Are you sure?” you ask.

“Definitely. Now go,” he shoos you towards the table which you could only retort with a sigh, “What do you want, honey? We have tea or orange juice.”

“Orange juice please!”

After he pours himself and your tea and gave his daughter her orange juice before sitting beside her.

“So, what do you want to do today, princess?” he asks placing a plate of muffins in front of her.

“I don’t know. I’m just happy to see daddy again,” she beams at him.

The angel clutches his heart at her cuteness and hugs her. “Me too! I’m happy to see Charlie too!” he exclaims kissing her cheek.

You smile at their interaction and suggest, “It’s a fine day today. How about we go to the garden? If I remember correctly, I think I saw a swing on a tree there.”

Both of their eyes lit up and nodded enthusiastically at my suggestion. The two talked for a long time while we ate before we went to the garden. Charlie ran ahead of us, excitedly bounding towards the tall apple tree in the center of the Garden.

The air was fresh and filled with the scent of flowers, the temperature was just right and perfect for a day outside. This was the first time you ever stepped foot back in this garden after your ‘lovely’ encounter with his highness. You smile, remembering it like a fleeting dream. It happened so quick and lots of things happened in between.

You were welcomed here in his castle, indulged yourself in his cooking, and helped him with his work. It was so different from a life you once lived just a few months ago. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.

You sat on the soft grass as you laid your eyes upon the father and daughter who played around the swing. Pleasant giggles and laughter filled the air making you feel so calm. Was this the moment you’ve been dreamed about for a long time? The moment of peace that washes over you as you are surrounded by the people you loved. Or the family that you could only dream of having?

You watch as Lucifer push Charlie on the swing while she giggled and called her father to push higher. You heart beats quickly as you watch the fatherly smile on his face. The way he stared at Charlie with such doting eyes had you in a hold.

He then unexpectedly raises his eyes to look at you, with your red face, and gives you a smile before asking if you were okay. You nod your head and tell him not to worry about you.

You turn your head around, discreetly hiding your flustered face with worry as it dawns on you.

‘You can’t possibly fall for him!’ you scream in your head panic filling your system at the realization, ‘He’s a married man, and your benefactor and boss!”

‘But—’

You look back at them, guilt washing down your face. Then remembering the stare he had towards his wife earlier and looked down at your bump in shame.

‘No, he will never look at me the same way.’

🔗 Dear Baby, Taglist:

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[speedydestinydream]

Post "Fight or Flight" Episode Thoughts

(general thoughts after watching episode 2 of the milliot spinoff; seeing if my predictions were right and just talking about the episode)

!SPOILERS FOR THE NEW TMF EPISODE UNDER THE CUT; POSTED AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE EPISODE!

For reference, my pre episode prediction post

• Okay so they did show the video advertisement, and Elliot didn't really freeze up BUT he did stutter a lot which is fair, Milly didn't really speak but thats fair since it's. His gardening club

• Elliot was STRUGGLING with pulling out that fucking weed. Bro you can use a weed cutter THIS IS WHY THEY WERE MADE

• SEAAAANNNNN MOMENTTT YEAAAAHHHHH it's mostly his voice behind the camera but STILL. Also poor guy man accidentally ate compost RIP (Elliot being so apologetic for it,,, Elliot you are me and I am you.)

To be honest I thought black gold was oil tho??? Not compost? Idk

• Elli. Elliot. Elliot Thornton. Why did I just watch you bite into a tomato like an apple.

• Did he change shirts into the exact same shirt after that take cause he definitely had tomato juice on his shirt lol 😭

• Elliot practicing conversations in the mirror 🤨 Giving me huge Jake vibes here JUST LOOK AT HIM

• RAINBOW DASH SHIRT OH MY GOD MILLY IS AN MLP FAN (she is so rainbow dash)

• Milly has a father‼️‼️

• oh god cyberbullying... Elliot NOOOOOO

also for the students that were typing those replies. How stupid do you have to be to cyberbully someone on THE SCHOOLS OFFICAL GACHABOOK POST. WHERE THE FACULTY CAN SEE IT. USE YOUR BRAINS PLEASE

• Also... Bradley's last name is Buckley I think? Bradley Buckley? (the @ on one of the replies of the post)

• "Nothing will change. I'll always be pathetic." ELLIOTTTTTT NOOOOO

• MILLY FIGHTING BECAUSE THEY CALLED THEIR VIDEO ADVERTISEMENT CRINGE. I WAS RIGHT SHE WAS FIGHTING PARTLY IN DEFENSE OF ELLIOT LETSSS GOOOOOO

• I WAS RIGGGHHTTT ELLIOT WAS HORRIFIED BY MILLY FIGHTING BUT DIDNT WANT TO GRT INVOLVED BECAUSE HE DIDNT WANT TO UPSET MILLY OR EMBARRASS HIMSELF I WAS RRRIIGGGGHHTHT

• "Stop fighting this isnt you 🥺" - Elliot, probably

• OH MY GOD I WAS RIGGGHHTTT FAYE AND DOMINIC JOIN THE GARDENING CLUB I WAS RIGHT!!!!!

• Ms. Cherry is PISSSSEDDDD

• ELLIOT OH MY GOD???? YOU FAINTED??????? THAT CAME OUT OF LEFT FIELD I DIDNT NOT EXPECT THAT OH MY GOD.

• I WAS RIGJT WE DID SEE NEW STAFF (the nurse!!) She seems nice :3

• Elliot: "Oh lord... I wanna die...!"

Milly: "Yeah, he's ok. He's back to normal." LMAO. poor Elliot bro

• He PASSED OUT and still doesn't wanna go home??? Elliot take the free go home excuse it's ok

• awwwwwhhhj he's blushinggg

• FAYE AND DOMINICCCC!!!!

• Faye and Dominic wanted to be friends with Elliot but thought he was avoiding them and Elliot wanted to be friends with Faye and Dominic but was too scared to talk to them,,,, awwhwwhwhw friiieeennndddssshiiipppp

• damn these two are PASSIONATE about their animals

• BRADLEY (PINEAPPLE GUY 🍍) JOINING THE GARDENING CLUB???? MY PREDICTION WAS RIGHT?!??!?! OH MY GOD?!?!?!?!

• He sounds like a really sweet guy

• Bradley. Is blushing. Oh my god

• Man these guys all LOVE Elliot. Treating him like Jake 2.0 LMAAOOOO (seriously tho I'm so happy Elliot has 4 friends now WWOWOOOOO)

• His height compared to Milly I. He's SO FUCKING TALL WHAT. He's gotta be a senior atleast right???? Jesus christ how old is he

• "Who died and made you president of this club?" Dominic you are going up the ranks of my favorite tmf characters at an alarmingly quick rate I'm afraid that when I'm done typing this you'll be in my top 5

• JUMPING UP AND DOWN THEYRE SO SILLYYY

• Clozy Crunch? Wonder if it tastes good 🤔

• BRADLEY CANONICALLY BENCHES 100KG????? THATS LIKE 220.462 POUNDS?????? HES A HIGHERSCHOOL???? OH MY GOD??!??!?!

• THE MUSIC CLUB YEAHAHAHAH

• So real Hailey, princess is a stupid nickname fr

• "Hate is a strong word-" Jake bullied you for 2 years???

"Hate isn't strong enough of a word for me." Real Zander real

• THEY CUT ZANDER OFF BEFORE HE COULD CURSE. LET ZANDER SAY FUCK PLEASEEEE

#letzandersayfuck2024 rip 😞

• awwwhh Elliot's symbolism with the pink cactus flower that's cute

• God they're so awkward I love them

• Milly you are blushing RED girl

• JAKE AND ELLIOT INTERACTION OMG?????

• Hes just gonna. Leave the paper towel on the floor?? 😭 I mean I wouldn't wanna touch it either but atleast kick it to the bathroom??? Jake???

• Jake reprimending himself for embarrassing himself in front of someone and Elliot celebrating the fact he built up the nerve to talk to someone... oh how the tables turn

• AWWW DOMINIC WITH A FLOWER CROWN

• Faye are you HOLDING A FUCKING SPIDER

• Aww butterfly on Bradley's nose

• They're all BUDDIES

• Good ass episode and I was right with a lot of my predictions omg. How did that happen 😭

• Elliot I wanna see more of you and your club YOU WERE FUCKING AWESOME

Anyway that's all I just had to talk about this episode cause it was SSOOOOOSOSOOSOO good. I was literally screaming while it was premiering I was so overjoyed

[e-jaegerenthusiast]

so this is goodbye

aot manga spoilers (everything + 139 included)

sketch by me (ik, ew)

warnings/tw; angst. heartache. agony 😁

summary; except for mikasa and armin, what did eren say to the others when he came to visit them?

song; visions of gideon-sufjan stevens

note; i was expecting the extra pages for 139 to be this. but oh well, i love them either way— aot has many stories to tell still. cant wait.

it was the least eren could do for him. after being his captain for so many years, making countless sacrifices for him, listening to him. he knew levi didn’t have a dream for himself, he knew his dream was erwin’s dream, erwin’s promise. so he could only guess what else he would like.

Levi flinched, one second he was sitting with the others on that damned ship, on their way to stop eren, but with a blink of his eye, he was sitting behind a bar. he glanced at his surroundings, trying to figure out what’s happening, he was always good at that, he needed to be. it wasn’t a bar, it seemed to be a counter of some sort, he ran his hand on the underside of the wooden counter, yet no dust came off when he brought his fingers to his own face.

the faint sound of a kettle diverted his gaze onto the stove not so far from him, he furrowed his brows, where was he? as he listened to the way the kettle boiled slowly, a familiar voice caught his attention. “hey...captain,” he had heard that voice call him captain one too many times. he didn’t even need to turn to know who it was, yet he still did. wanting to see with his own eye. eren was sitting in one of the round tables with 3 chairs, he looked younger. he looked like the same fifteen year old brat levi taught and looked after himself. his hair short, eyes burning a bright jade, no longer teal like present..present?

levi wanted to beat that brat up so much, didn’t matter if he was taller than him, or held the power of three powerful titans, he wanted to beat him to a pulp with his own knees. teach him how he has wasted his whole life protecting the boy, was war and genocide how he was going to repay him? repay their sacrifices? repay his sacrifice?

all thoughts were dusted away, sucked away into oblivion as eren spoke to him, levi looked down at his own fists, why were they clenched? why was he mad at fifteen year old eren? he was just a kid. “this is your tea shop captain, do you like it?” eren talked with a monotone voice, it felt like deja vü to levi, yet he didn’t know why. he couldn’t tell why his voice didn’t match his appearance. yet there was this nagging feeling in his brain , he shouldn’t be here.

“tea— tea shop? tsk, i don’t own a damn tea shop.” never in his life levi had doubts about anything, yet for once he spoke his words without knowing the truth behind them. eren looked down at his hands, stretching his fingers out before unstretching them again, he let out a sound, levi’s brows furrowed. was the damn brat laughing? or was he crying? he couldn’t tell what emotions eren held anymore.

“y’know captain,” eren spoke slowly as he got out of the table in the corner of the shop, making his way to the counter and sitting infront of levi, “you’re an ackerman. so obviously you won’t buy this stupid fake reality i made to try and condone my actions to you.” eren put a hand on his own forehead, tugging at his own hair, a tear drop rolled down his face, “it’s pathetic really, out of all the others, i don’t have anything planned to tell you, captain levi.” levi’s eyes widened and he seemed to be deep in thought, “it doesn’t matter if i apologize captain, it won’t bring back the lives of our soldiers who died for this, who died for me.”

levi was getting glimpses of memories back with each word that left eren’s lips, erwin’s limp body laying on that rooftop, petra’s neck pulled back against that tree, “i’ve failed you, captain levi.” hange’s hopefull eyes even as she dived into her own demise.

levi’s eye twitched, lunching towards eren over the counter, both of them falling down to the ground with what should’ve been an ear deafening noise, yet it was quite. it was quite as levi’s punches landed against the boy’s cheeks. it was quite until levi broke the silence, finally shouting. letting it out, “why?! why?! why did you do all this?! huh?” another punch to eren’s nose, yet he wouldn’t say anything, his eyelids low as he looked at levi with a grim expression. “god dammit you brat! why?! if you’re the all knowing! why couldn’t you change things? make it so that so many people wouldn’t have to die?!”

‘tell me if there’s another way!’ he had shouted at hange past the cells of his prison. he knew she was going to die. he knew and yet, shouting at her about not being able to change things was the last encounter between them before she burned within eren’s hell. he would see her later, not in this life. but he would cry and beg for her forgiveness as she smiles at him, making jokes about the bang she went out in.

levi’s knuckles were dripping blood now, yet he didn’t feel even the slightest of burning pain. he brought his hands up, the blood dripping down his fingers and onto his palm, painting it red. with a flick of both his wrists, the blood from his palm splattered onto eren’s face, mixing with the blood running down his nose. “this blood,” levi clenched and unclenched his fists, making more blood drip onto eren’s neck. “all of this blood, it’s on you, it’s on me, it’s on us.”

bang! a bullet. a damned bullet. shot by a young girl, a young hotheaded brat that reminded him too much of himself. he had seen it. he knew it was going to happen, yet why? why was he shaking? why was his heart trembling for the potato girl? why did he burst out crying? his own friends family forgetting the way he copes as they accused him of laughing at their friend’s death. how would he laugh? how could he laugh? it was all on him. he knew it. but he had to continue. for them.

with that, levi rolled off of eren, sitting on the wooden floor next to the boy as he took deep breaths, trying to calm himself. what was this feeling? he felt it all the way in his guts, traveling up his vocal cords and settling right above his adam’s apple. his lips trembled, his bloody hands coming up to cover his face, to try and mix the blood with the tears running from his eyes. why was he hitting eren?

they wouldn’t mix. his tears were hot, steaming down his cheeks as it burned him. eren’s blood.. eren’s blood had ran cold. blood shouldn’t be cold, levi of all people knew that, having felt it cover his hands and face one too many times. blood was supposed to be warm.

blood. blood everywhere. it was warm, burning his palms, burning his soul. he was just a kid, yet he had just killed two grown men. blood covered his hands, blood covered his soul. he knew he wouldn’t be the same. he knew the girl wouldn’t be the same after he wrapped the scarf around her.

he looked next to him, eren sitting with his legs crossed as they both sat in the center of the tea shop. levi looked down at his own hands, covered in blood, matching eren’s face. he blinked, eren’s face now clean, levi looked down at his own hands again, the blood was gone.

eren got up, holding his hand out for levi to hold, levi sighed, getting up as he used eren’s hand for leverage. “captain levi, i’ll explain everything to you as fast as i can, but you have to promise me something,” levi looked up at him, a sad expression on his face. “you have to help mikasa kill me. it’s the only way.” eren said as his face contorted into his older self, messy bun with loose strands falling down to his forhead. only way to what? it gave levi a headache.

-

levi never wanted to visit that god forsaken island again. he was content in marley, he had made a life for himself. his own tea shop, somehow it looked exactly like the one eren showed him. gabi and falco helped him take care of it, while taking care of him without his knowledge. sometimes he would find himself wishing he could visit eren’s grave, so he stared at the wooden floor of the tea shop, blood passing by his eyes as he wishes he didn’t paint the floors with it when he saw eren. he looks away as he feels a tear sliding down his cheek. that selfless brat.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

he would always be fighting with the boy, over things that did not need fighting over. but that’s what they say about frenemies, even as they act like they despise eachother, they truly admire eachother secretly. that’s what Jean felt for him. he was jealous sometimes, but mostly out of admiration for the brunette.

he always wanted a peaceful life, wanted to live happily next to someone he loves, he wanted a normal life. he didn’t even want to join the survey corps at first, wanting to thrive in the easygoing state of the military. yet, something about the hotheaded, determined boy sparred him on to risk his life, over and over.

Jean opened his eyes, the sunset could be seen on the distance not too far from the hillside. tall, green spruce trees sat around him, a cool breezing hitting them as he closed his eyes again, taking a deep breath. he was at peace, he didn’t know why but he was comfortable.

he opened his eyes the moment he heard the annoying voice of his rival, “oi, jean,” eren was sitting next to him, hair fanning around his neck. he looked like he was sixteen, but in jean’s mind, he always looked like that.

jean rolled his eyes, closing them and sighing as he laid down, feeling cool grass tickle his ears. “what are you doing here, idiot? don’t bother me when i’m relaxing.”

eren raised a brow as he looked down at jean, a small smile creeping its way accross his lips, “you’re always smart when you’re giving orders jean, what happened now?”

jean opened his eyes again, this time a slight shock twirling in his hazel orbs, leaning on one elbow as his face relaxed a bit, “right. we’re sitting here in your brain or something, as in reality, you’re actually destroying the whole world.”

eren rolled his eyes, a sad smile residing on his features. “listen jean, this isn’t going to be easy, none of this is. i’m just asking you to see eye to eye with me here?”

jean gave eren a sympathetic smile, slowly nodding his head, motioning for him to go on.

eren didn’t expect that, he didn’t expect jean to just sit and listen to his point of view of all people. his face contorted into one of confusion.

jean put his hand on eren’s shoulder, squeezing slightly as he nodded his head again, “i trust your judgment, eren.”

eren could feel tears pool in his eyes, threatening to fall any second, he was quite literally exhausted in every way. he needed a shoulder to cry on, he knew armin saw him breakdown, but it wasn’t enough. he felt like he could cry a river if he let himself. if his pride let him.

there was a heavy weight on his shoulders, the weight of the whole world, the weight of his friends’ and comrads’ lives, the weight of his own dignity, the weight of his decisions. the weight of the past, present, the future.

a single tear rolled down his cheek, he turned his head to the side quickly, wiping it away with his elbow but it was too late, jean had noticed it.

jean frowned, getting concerned as he wrapped one arm around eren, not really knowing what he’s doing.

eren’s body stiffened, his breath getting caught in his throat. jean took the silence as welcoming, wrapping another hand around him hesitantly, bringing eren close to his chest.

involuntary, the next breath eren let out turned into a broken sob, taking himself and jean by surprise as he broke down in jean’s arms, his screams echoing in the mountains and hilltops around them.

after a few seconds, eren calmed down a bit, moving away from jean as he wiped his eyes, hiding his head in his own arms.

jean chuckled, “idiot, did you just cry? what a baby.” he teased. eren looked at him with red eyes, letting out a chuckle, and several after that. playfully hitting jean’s shoulder

after their shared laughter died down, jean took a deep breath, “y’know eren... i never really hated you, i hope that—“ eren caught him off, saying in a low voice “i didn’t either, promise.”

jean gave him a sad smile, tears burning his own eyes as he tried to blink them away, “i know everything that you’re doing is for us. i know the others don’t realize it, but i do. i know it all has a reason behind it, yeah? suicidal bastard.”

eren nodded rapidly, weakly smiling as he spoke “i promise, yes. yes it does, i’m trying—“ his voice shook, “trying to do the right thing here, jean. everything— everything is happening so fast and at the same time and i just—“

jean ran his hand up and down eren’s back, “i know eren, i know. actually no, i’m stupid, and probably not even half as smart as you are. i can’t imagine or even begin to know what you’re going through.”

eren sniffed, looking back at jean with a pleading look in his eyes, “live a long life jean, please.”

jean gave a broken chuckle, “if you let me, yeah, that’s the goal.”

with that they both broke down, their tears not stopping as broken laughs left both the grown men’s mouths, pressing their foreheads together as they couldn’t even tell the difference between laughter or sobs anymore.

“and jean— make sure mikasa’s happy.”

jean tried to speak but eren shushed him,

“please, draw me for her. i know you can. make sure she doesn’t forget my face, yeah?”

“and take care of her jean, make her happy.” he said with a broken sob.

-

he would hug his own knees as he visited eren’s grave, he would talk to him as if he was there, teasing him and calling him an idiot, in hopes he could hear it from somewhere. he would sit in silence, covering his own ears occasionally. suicidal bastard, he thought as he would repeat their conversation in his head by the hillside as the sun rose.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

Connie was always the goofy guy of the group, he’d make eren laugh a lot when they were together. his compassion being shown with jokes and snarky comments here and there.

they were really good friends, eren didn’t know when connie stopped being his goofy self, he didn’t know when he stopped making jokes with him. he had forgot it all, his memories like broken fragments of glasses all messed up in his head.

maybe it was when sasha died, when connie was left alone and broken. when he lost his twin, his other half. when he looked eren in the eyes with horror swirling in them instead of humor, tears rolling down his cheeks as it seemed all of the color from his face was drained and thrown off that damned airship.

maybe he lost all hope in eren then, maybe he thought of him as maniac, a complete psychopath who would laugh at his own family’s death.

little he knew all that eren was going through for them, little he knew all the things the young boy had to endure just because he was born into this world.

hot embers of fire swirled around in the cold air as wind blew, it was silent, peaceful. connie looked around himself, the crackling fire burning brightly on what seemed to be a rocky side of the beach, the sound of waves crashing against nearby stones filling his ears.

he looked up, sky littered in twinkling stars that seemed to be winking just for him. and not long passed before he heard eren’s smooth voice, mildly startled as he looked next to him.

eren was sitting there, staring up at the stars as each of them seemed to twinkle in his emerald green eyes, he looked fifteen, like when they first became friends. like when he would hear his stories and be impressed by the brave boy that wanted to take on all the titans by himself.

“hey, connie, why do you think starts die?”

connie chuckles, “i don’t know, they get sick?”

eren raises his brows, “well, kind of, yeah.”

eren sighed, “fine i’ll tell you, you’ve always been bad at riddles anyway.”

connie pushed him with his elbows slightly as he rolled his eyes.

“they die out, one day they just... get tired and exhausted of shining. even though they look really pretty, they die too.” eren sighed.

connie frowned, slowly realizing where he is and why eren is there. he looked at eren with wide eyes.

eren turned to him, eyes pleading as he spoke, “i’m sorry about sasha, connie. i really am. i swear i couldn’t stop it, if i could, i would. it’s not like that it’s—“

connie stopped him, startling the boy as he hugged him. “it’s okay eren. she would forgive you.”

eren smiled, another tear rolling down his cheek, god dammit.

“your mom can be saved, i’ll save her. i’ll do it connie. live a long life with her.”

-

he would smile at the sky constantly, always staring at the starts as they twinkled down at him, he knew eren was one of them. he hoped at least. “my mom did live eren, thank you.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

eren would look up to Reiner like his own older brother, like his mentor. times were he fell on his ass during training, reiner would be there to pick him up. to always lend him a hand when he needed it.

he didn’t know he would have to go against eren numerous times, every battle of theirs ending with both of their titans beaten down and their souls exhausted, never really having a clear winner.

reiner hated that part of himself, that part that thought of eren as a younger brother, as an ambitious kid that was too goal-driven for his own good.

he also hated the part of himself that longed to kill eren, to finally fulfill his task that made him lose bertoldt, to finally have that weight off his shoulders. to finally be at peace with his family.

in conclusion, reiner hated all parts of himself. he wanted to put an end to himself, yet he couldn’t do it, he was too cowardly, and he also hated himself for that.

the sound of a river could be heard in the distance as reiner sighed, his head aching and not knowing his surroundings, he wasn’t supposed to be here. he was supposed to be fighting. fighting for his life, fighting for other’s lives.

“oh, reiner.” eren’s voice startled him as he looked to his side, eren’s hair long and facial hair on his face was bringing deja vu to reiner. if he weren’t terrified that day, he would be impressed by how much eren has really grown.

reiner sighed, nodding his head in response. “help my friends, they were once yours too. they still are, reiner.”

reiner felt a stinging in his eyes, yet he couldn’t tell what it was as he looked at eren, nodding rapidly, “i am. i know. you were all my family too, eren.”

reiner cried, eren having a sad smile on his face as he watched him. “i want you to live a long life reiner, just like all of them, okay? please don’t end it yourself.”

reiner’s hands shook as he looked at eren, “i’m not even half the man you are eren.”

“you looked out so well for all of us, i promise i will too, i’ll take care of them, bro.”

“good.”

-

he never thought suicidal thoughts anymore. he stopped hating himself for everything. he would visit eren’s grave with a smile, thanking him under his breath quietly, checking in on all of his friends more and more as he found his true self.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

Annie didn’t feel much towards the boy, he thought he was a hotheaded idiot who was going to meet his end by annie herself.

yet she was wrong, he was way stronger than she thought. and she admired that.

annie blinked, warm sun dancing on skin as she stood up, she was surrounded by flowers, the smell of colorful tulips filling the air with the soft breeze.

she walked through the field, closing her eyes as she breathed in the scent of the flowers, calming her senses.

when she opened them, eren was standing infront of her, hair short and physique small as he looked just like the last time she saw him, the last time she tried to kill him.

“long time, annie.” he mumbled, his hands inside his pockets as he walked closer.

annie clenched her fists by her sides, taking a deep breath as she looked at him, and then she realized it.

she realized where she was and how she was one of the many people who started this. who turned eren into this, a frown sat on her features as she started panicking, wanting to scream.

she felt eren’s hand on her shoulder, calming her breathing slightly and taking her out of her trance.

“calm down, annie. it’s okay, it’s not your fault.”

“i’m sorry, eren.”

eren gave her shoulder a squeeze, reassuring her as he gave her a soft smile, “take care, annie.”

-

she kept the ring, it reminded her of eren, the only stupid little thing reminding her of all the hardships she’s had to overcome, all the things eren had to overcome as she was frozen in time in that damn basement. she would live her life to the fullest now. his sacrifices wouldn’t go to vain.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

and so, even if war continues, even if all eren’s sacrifices barely made a dent in history, at least his friends were thankful. they were thankful as they lived long lives without no longer having to fight for it constantly. thanking eren and holding him dear in their hearts at all times.

© all content belongs to e-jaegerenthusiast, do not repost or copy any of my work

[mavda]

Beast Tamers

Ch.1 |  Ch.2 | Ch.3 | Ch.4(1) | Ch.4(2) | Ch.5(1) | Ch.5(2) | Ch.5(3) | Ch.5(4) |

Ch.6: To seal a Beast (1)

Hinata wakes up and searches for Naruto immediately. He is not by her side, though, and she opens her eyes slowly. The sun is barely up and she grabs the bedclothes tighter around her, there are still traces of Naruto's scent and Hinata breathes it in.     She thinks Naruto must have left a couple of minutes ago, and his absence must have awoken her, so she sits, shivers as the air surrounds her bare skin, and grabs her robe.     She blushes as she, again, can feel traces of their lovemaking running down her thighs. Her hips and legs show some slight bruising where Naruto had pressed too hard, and she slides her fingers over them, remembers Naruto's muscles moving over her, his growls against her ears.

    She finishes putting on her robes and bites her lower lip. She wants to bask on this memories for longer, but today Naruto will have to go through the reinforcement of his seal and she is worried about what this will mean to him. She opens the sliding door and starts walking down the hallway, thinking that maybe he went to the bathroom.     Naruto finds her as she walks towards the gardens. "Hey," he greets and Hinata moves towards him as fast as she can without straining her robes too much.     Naruto has a tray on his hands filled with food and Hinata feels her stomach grumble.       "Went to get breakfast, are you hungry?"    Hinata reaches him and steals a cracker from the tray, Naruto bends himself and puckers his lips to her, looking at her with puppy eyes. Hinata giggles as she complies and then hurries to their bedroom again with Naruto at her back.     He leaves the tray on the floor and Hinata can't help but notice the way his chest is too exposed and the way his muscles move beneath the fabric.     "Did you go like that to the k-kitchen?" She asks, all innocent, and Naruto mistakes this as bashfulness from her part, as if the fact of being indecent might make her uncomfortable.     "No, ma'am. I had Sakura prepare this for us, yesterday we barely ate, so I promised myself I would be more conscientious regarding our meals." He skips the part where he's already thinking of Hinata's health in order to bear his children, worried it might put too much pressure on her, so he adds a smirk at the end.     Hinata doesn't notice, because now she is horrified at Sakura poking fun at her, "D-did Sakura say anything?"     And Naruto remembers the look on Sakura as she handed the tray, all smug and proud looking. "Not really."     Hinata picks a piece of apple and looks at him, trying to read him.     "And even if she does in the future, it will be aimed at me, not you. Don't worry."    Hinata sighs, she does believe no one will ever say anything to her face. And why would they? Naruto and her were just performing their duties as wife and husband. They were just... doing things they had to do. If she happened to enjoy it then, well... good for her, right?     Naruto is right besides her. "What is it?"      Hinata stares at him and focuses in Naruto's eyes. Clear and vibrant, creating a beautiful contrast between his tanned skin and the blue of his eyes. Her hand finds his cheek and Naruto presses a kiss to her palm.     "Will it hurt?" She whispers.     Naruto frowns, he now wishes he had waited before telling her all of that. Maybe he should have lied about his absence today, keep it under wraps like with almost everyone else in the clan...     But she isn't just anyone, though.     And yet he wishes he could spare her this.     "You don't have to be there if it's too much for you."    Hinata looks at him and Naruto knows immediately that this is non negotiable, "It does hurt. It's not pretty, either, I usually pass out and end up feeling sick almost all day."     Hinata stares and presses her lips together.    "I'm sorry," Naruto says, and Hinata looks at him ready to refute him, but Naruto speaks before she can utter a word. "I wanted this to happen other day, not right after our ceremony, believe me, but we got reports saying that almost every other major clan has looked away as soon as our marriage was confirmed, so the chances of me getting jumped on today are minimal. I would have liked to have more time-"     "We will," Hinata's face is steel. "I don't mind this if this helps you, it's not like you chose this, either. It's not your fault."     Naruto can't peel his eyes off of Hinata and it takes a while for her to realize that her stutter was nowhere to be seen for a while. Her hands touch her mouth slightly and Naruto smiles at her.     "I w-want to be there and you don't have to say s-sorry," she says, fingers on her mouth, surprised at herself.     Naruto pats her head and kisses her cheek.     "All right."

Naruto helps Hinata with her kimono and he puts on a yukata. As they walk out, they are greeted on the hallways by a small entourage, Sakura and Shikamaru are there, as well as a tall man with silver hair whose eye is the only part of his body visible.     "Are we ready, then?" Naruto asks and everyone nods. As they walk, Naruto asks about his grandma.    "In a meeting just outside the compound, as per usual," shares the tall man, "as for your father," the man brings his fingers to his face and, in a second, Lord Minato stands there. "Lord Minato will be doing his usual rounds around the compound, don't worry."     Hinata stares at the man, whose own voice has disappeared and he bows once before leaving.    Shikamaru starts his own report while they walk. The Kiba's and the Aburame's have seen nothing unusual, the Nara's - Shikamaru's own clan - have received report after report of nothing.     Naruto nods satisfied, and then Sakura tells him that she, Ino and Sai will be his last line of defense if anything happens.     And Naruto smirks.     After a while they stop in unison in one of the hallways and only Naruto and Hinata keep walking.    Naruto stops to let Hinata catch up to him and he holds her hand. His hand is sweaty and clammy, Hinata doesn't comment on that.     Because her own hands are starting to sweat as well.    They go a little farther in and into a spacious room where ever nook and cranny is filled with sealing symbols. Naruto walks confidently towards the center and Hinata catches Lord Minato out of the corner of her eyes, crouched over and looking at some books he leaves in the corner as soon as he notices them.     "Son," Lord Minato trots to them and he looks at Hinata for a little too long. "Will you be all right?" He asks, and Hinata's bravery has left her already so she only nods.     The sadness in Lord Minato's eyes is enough to make her want to run away. But Naruto lets go of her hand, and Lord Minato motions towards one side of the room. As he brings a cushion for her to sit in, he kneels in front of her.     Naruto sits in the center, breaths in until he can't anymore and holds his breath before letting go. Slowly, conscientious, present. He brings his hands to his lap and presses all of his fingertips against the other. Breathes in again, and then out. He feels his breath shaking and he laughs under his breath.     Pathetic.     Lord Minato looks at the floor first, searching for words. And it's his obvious worry that makes Hinata nervous.     "Is- is there s-something wrong?"    Lord Minato raises his head, surprised, and gives her a sad smile. "I'm happy you're here, Lady Hinata. It's just..." His mouth trembles, "I wish he didn't have to go through this."     He stands now, looks at Naruto meditating. "Things will look bad, will feel worse," he glances at her and gives her the saddest smile Hinata has ever seen in him, "but don't worry, everything is under control."     "He's good, Hinata," Naruto bellows from where he is. Tries his best to put strenght behind his voice, but the tremble doesn't go away. "If it's too much you can leave," his head hangs and he turns to her, his hair falls down and maybe it's the position he's in, but he looks ready to receive a punishment. "You know the way," he says, loud enough for her to hear, but not with the overconfidence he had wanted to show before, "Sakura or Ino will get you."     He stares at her until Hinata nods back, and then he turns his eyes to the hands on his lap. "You can leave," he repeats.    Lord Minato pats Hinata's upper arm, "There are four exits," he shares, points to all the doors. "That one's the closest to you." He closes his mouth and ponders whether to say this or not, "please do heed my son's advice and leave if it gets too hard on you. He would hate it if you were hurt because of him," although Minato himself wishes she didn't leave. Wishes for her to stay and hurt if necessary with his son. But that's unfair to her, so he stares until Hinata nods and he stands and walks to Naruto.     Minato sits in front of his son. Naruto breaths in and out as if preparing to go under water, with his chest raising and falling in big movements. He has his eyes closed and Minato hates to pat his thigh in signal. Naruto brings his arms to his chest and lets the sleeves of his yukata fall to his sides, starts to breath a little faster in preparation.     "When you're ready," Naruto says in between breaths, eyes still closed.    Minato stands on one knee, his other leg firm on the ground, he brings his hands together and starts a string of hand signs that seem to never end. He whispers the names under his breath, bird, ox, monkey, tiger, hare, boar, ox. The hand seals come and go without missing a beat and Minato goes over them in his head, as if reading a book. The chakra around him gathers and starts to disturb the air surrounding him, the energy charges the place and yet Minato remains impassive. Naruto has his arms on his thighs, giving him access to his stomach, where his seal rests.     Minato finish the string of hand seals and feels his right hand warming as the chakra travels there, where even the untrained eye could see the blue of his power gathering. Minato funnels the energy to his fingertips, till there is no chakra moving without reason in his body. He rests his other hand on Naruto's shoulder and presses his fingertips around his navel. Around Naruto's stomach, around Minato's hand, a string of black ink appears, slithering it's way around Naruto's torso. The center is his belly button, and around it the seal appears, a spiral than covers most of his stomach, surrounded by sealing symbols Minato knows by heart.     His fingers dig deep into the skin, and he feels Naruto's muscles tightening in response. Naruto starts groaning as Minato presses into him, his muscles are taut and he feels his father's chakra probing and pulling. Minato's fingers keep on digging and the moment they enter the seal, the moment his fingertips disappear inside his stomach, Naruto gets a bout of dizziness he fights by shaking his head.     Minato closes his eyes and concentrates, tries to make this process as swift as possible, but Naruto's discomfort is evident and when Minato probes inside the seal Naruto grabs his father's arm as if to throw him away, but he instead breaths out with a shaky breath full of pain.     It's easy to forget what this process entails, and also impossible to forget that it always hurts Naruto. Minato searches and pushes his chakra everywhere he can and Naruto doubles over, he tries to keep straight in order not to bother his father, but the pain eats at him and he can't help it. He opens his mouth in a silent scream and the tears pooling at his eyes fall along the dribbles of sweat and saliva off his face.     "Just a little more," whispers Minato, but Naruto doesn't hear a thing.    Minato feels the seal in its entirety, can feel the jagged rests left by the Nine-tails power over time, and the way it has been eating at the seal from inside. Minato's hand squeeze into Naruto's body in an attempt to comfort his son, and he lets his chakra flow and add lock after lock into the seal. Naruto is now grabbing onto his shoulders and Minato knows his hands will leave marks. So be it.     Naruto's strenght gets weaker and weaker and Minato has to grab him and steady him as his body wobbles to the side. "Just a little more," he repeats. Because telling his son that this will end soon is the only relief Minato can give him now.     Naruto's eyes are unfocused and yet he nods.     Minato wishes things were different.     As he checks the seal one last time, Minato pats Naruto on the shoulder, "We're finished."     Narutos grimaces, "Fuck, okay," because he knows this will hurt.    It's one quick move from Minato. He takes his hand away and then presses it to Naruto's shoulder, keeps him there. "In and out, son. Remember to breath in and out."     The black ink in Naruto's stomach starts to slowly disappear, it fades until only Naruto's skin is visible. And Naruto starts to whine.     His hands find his father's arms and he squeezes, his head fall to his father's shoulder and the whine grows into a groan, and the groan into a scream. Naruto doubles over until his head touches the floor and he howls. His fingers drag through the floor, and he can feel his fingernails cracking, he feels desperate and the pain is all-consuming, his head hits the floor in an attempt to distract from the feeling, but nothing helps, so he yells.     He grabs his stomach and squeezes, falls to the side in desperation and hits the floor with the heel of his feet, turns to his other side while hitting the floor with his elbow. Nothing registers as pain, because he himself is pain.     He feels his muscles tight, and his vision is starting to blur. He knows he's about to pass out. He hates it, and he's glad it's finally coming.     He turns his head and against the wall, full of sealing symbols he has grown to despise, a woman sits there. She is horrified, it shows in her face, and yet she remains unmoving, her eyes focused on him. On this show he's giving.    She brings a hand to her face, quickly. The way she puts the hand away shows she loathes the fact she even had to do it. And Naruto realizes she's crying.     Right.     Right, right.     Hinata. His wife... what if she is horrified and decides to leave him behind?    It really is unfair for them to expect to receive a bride and just push them to bear witness to this. To bear a life they don't really need to suffer through.     She could have had so much better than this.    Naruto feels himself passing out, and he fixates his gaze in the way her hands are two fists resting at her thighs. She could have left, but she didn't.     He should have told her more about what being his wife entails, but then again, those are clan secrets.     She stayed.     What if this made her want to leave?     What if in the long run she came to hate this... him?     Ha ha.     Funny.     Don't go. Please. Stay.

[ifandomalot]

This is Love. (1/3)

Summary: Steve is captured by hydra, they use you as a toy for him. A sick game they play. He can't help but notice how much you hate touch, or any kind of human interaction. When his team rescues him, he takes you with him and shows you what love is.

Warnings: unexpected pregnancy eventuality, kidnapping, blood, and unwanted sex by both parties? But it doesn't go to much into detail. But i dont know how to categorize it. This is dark but soft. Also my grammar mistakes.

Part 2 / Part 3 (coming soon)

Steve doesn't remember much, the aching pain against the roundest part of his skull was the only thought manageable. Shaky fingers running over the clumps of blood that matted his hair, stables fusing the gash closed. His eyes take in the room around him, no windows, the only light is small lamp that illuminates the small corner of the room by the bed he currently say up on. The walls are a dull gray, the floor matching, the cement seemed as it ran for miles. A door is on the far right, heavy duty, not even a super solider could break it down.

His tact suit is gone, a plain white t-shirt and a pair of grey sweat pants clad his body, no shoes just a tall pair of socks that bundle against ankles. The throbbing inside his skull seems like the worst of his worries as his eyes scan the room, no way out. The small camera in the corner follows his every move. "Whoever you are, you've made a mistake."

Thick arms across against his swollen chest in dominace, trying to assert some kind of fear into the situation. It's no use, no one is there or obviously cares enough to call a bluff. A small stack of books are next to the sink, fingers run down the ridged brindle of the book, noticing the german writing. Hydra.

Steve's face moves in frustration, body growing taller as he realizes the situation, hydra had finally managed to do it, they got him. A small growl rumbles deep inside the roughness of his chest, fist meeting the cement wall in anger, the blood didn't bother him, the pain non existent. He steps over the crumbled pieces of the wall before looking right into the camera. "If you think I'll stay here peacefully, you're mistaken. I will punch my way out of here."

His feet start towards the carving he made in the wall but peeks his head towards the door listening to the gliding of locks. He stands tall, expecting someone to send in some poor bastard that was meant to tell him to behave but would only meet death in the hands of him.

Much to his surprise, a female thrown into the room, falling next to his feet. Adrenline was too high, he couldn't think straight. His body telling him this was a trick but mind realizing how similarly dressed they were.She was here as a prisoner too.

"Are you okay?" Steve's voice is rough, making you flinch but scatter away from him as his hands reached out to help you up.

An unsettling feeling is ripped deep inside his stomach, bubbling red hot as he notices the darkness behind your eyes. Nothing was there, a shell of a human. "I'm not going to hurt you."

Avoiding eye contact at all cost, you pull your knees to your chest, head resting against the hard shell of knees. What did they do to this girl?

Steve's eyes run over the soft features, skin with no wrinkles, big doe eyes avoiding him. Cheeks so lively, warm with color and lips that just resembled youth. Hair was beautifully knotless, curtaining past your shoulders, small shoulders that formed into the valley of your breast, no older than 23.

He decides to keep his distance, but drops to his knees to size you. Hoping that with being eye level would make himself look less scary, dominating even. "What's your name?"

When she doesnt answer he sighs, "I'm Steve."

Before he gets a chance to speak again, a loud crackling echos the room, source the camera. "Do you like her steve? She's yours."

"Mine? What?" Eyes don't leave you, he doesn't speak for the camera, more like asking himself.

"We want to be friends with you Steve. Give us your blood and you can do whatever you want with her."

He notices how fast your chest begins to move, a small choked sound constricting from your throat. The voice the reason for the anxiousness, scaring you.

"Stop talking." Steve hisses, "i will never give you my blood and you're scaring her."

"Have it your way then." All of a sudden the small light is gone, the room is completely black, the clicking of the locks telling him someone is coming. The door hit the wall with a large thump, he swore it shook the room, he stands arms reaching out trying to get a hold of something, if something was there. A large arm reaches around his neck, before he could even react the sharp pain of a needle in his neck has him out cold.

The second time waking up was easier, his body still in full fight mode as he jumped up, trying to locate the danger. Quickly realizing it was gone, and he was alone once again. The days started to form into a week, he's given no food, forced to drink water from the leaking sink in the block room - it drives him crazy, drip, drip, drip. Stomach painfully twisting as a tray is slid from under the door- a small piece of bread, what looked like chicken broth and a banana, better then nothing at all. His mouth salivates at the salty smell of the warm soup filling his nose, almost dizzy from the lack of food. It must be his lucky day, a few hours later lunch is there too. A sandwich with an apple, they even have him a cup to drink his sink water out of.

Dinner isn't existent, but for once this whole week he is not weak, stomach not painfully squeezing inside of him. Hes not full, but satisfied. The echoing of foot steps followed by the shuffling of a shadow behind the door thinking its a late dinner but the locks unhinge, the woman revealed, two large men standing behind you as you walked in.

Steve eyes meet your face as the door is closed, your eyes avoid him at all costs. Hair perfectly flowly, features even softer than before, might even say a sight for sore eyes that have been staring at half understandable words on a page and cement walls. Except for once small detail, a countless amount of bruising ranging from small to big across your arms, most likely from the men roughing you up, grabbing harshly at the small girl.

"Hey are you okay?" He is surprised by the small squeak of a yes as you finally talk. "Why are you here?"

"I, ugh - don't know." Shakily you cross arms across the swells of your breast, a surivial instinct, protecting most vital organs. Steve chooses to ignore it, "what's your name?"

"Y/N." Its softly spoken, but a name that fits you very well. The soft patter of drops against the sink, the only sound filling the room as you finally meet his eyes. Beautiful ocean waves, big blue skies being the only words that come to mind. His features are hard bit form a devilishly handsome man, but eyes so soft reminding you of the beautiful things in life.

"Did they feed you? I have an apple left from earlier." The large red apple looks so small in his gigantic hand. You shake your head, "No, I'm okay."

"You can sit down. Do you know where we are?"

"No, I'm okay." The honest truth is men scared you, especially the largely built one who stood with so much strength that you backed away from him.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not like them."

"I just don't want you by me."

Steve nods in understanding, forehead creasing i though as his tongue runs over his lips as he looks around the room. "You can sit on the bed, I'm going to go over here."

Steve points to the opposite corner of the room, "I'm going to move now, you don't have to be scared." You want to thank him for the warning but bite your tongue and nod, making sure he reaches the other side of the room before routing yourself to the pathetic excuse of the bed.

"I see you're getting along." The voice rings from the camera as Steve's eyes squint in annoyance. He decides not to play in, his gaze burns against your skin. It wasn't in a way that was uncomfortable, but he wanted to test you, ask you questions you wouldn't answer.

"She's a gift for you steve, aren't you lonely? we want to be your friends." Steve scoffs, "last time i checked, friends don't lock each other in prisons."

"You can do whatever you want with her." The voice darkenly is suggestive with unlawful thoughts, a concept as dark as that doesn't even register in his mind.

"What does that even mean?"

"We want you to take her." Steve's forehead creases in confusion, fingers stretching lines across his forehead, but when met with the horrified look on your face realization hits him like a ton of bricks, crushing his chest. Stomach clenching as he feels sick, was this normal for you to do?

The captures realized Steve wasn't going to just give up his blood, he also wouldn't take what they gifted him. Steve Rogers was a man of a moral code, the best kind of man mixed with a gentleman, that would never hurt a lady but wouldn't ever allow one to die because of his hand either. "If you don't fuck her, we will kill her."

They will strip away every part that is good of him, take away every moral and goodness this man has, starting with taking away the fact that he has a choice on who he sleeps with. Steve's ocean blues meet yours in panic, chest tight, he couldn't breath at the suggestion.

"No."

"She will die, and it will be because of you. You could've saved her Steve." This isn't right, the giant pit in his stomach screaming in horror as the words leave your mouth, "it's okay steve."

Your welcoming this, accepting it is survival but he isn't standing for it. His eyes water, he feels sick, taking away the one sense of security you posses, your choice and willing accepting that is gone. "No. I am not doing that."

"You're doing to let me die?" No, he wasn't going to that either. "They're not lying, they will slit my throat the moment I walk out of here."

"You can't even look in my eyes let alone do this!" Feelings getting the best of him as the wall crumbles underneath his power, bloody knuckles spreading the redness across his face as he rubs it stressfully.

"You have 30 seconds Steven." The voice warns, threatening is more like it.

"It's okay, i know you won't hurt me." Your soft voice is what makes him really choke up, an angel that didnt deserve this. Steve's weight is on top of you, his hand pressed against the matress supporting most of it. A hand so shaky he can't even pull at the strings of your sweats so instead you pull them down revealing what should be your choice to him.

"I am so sorry." It was a choked sob filled with so much sadness, a gruff from the chest that made even your heart break for him right now. He closes his eyes, preventing the tears from falling but in a forced moment like this, couldn't find himself to find excitment, but the fact that this was going to be life or death out weighed his feelings.

It was a small kiss, a peck barely there against his clothed shoulder made him gasp, not expecting the comfort in this moment. You of all people, comforting him, a sobbing mess of a man while your innocence he was taking unwillingly. The wetness of his tears meeting your cheeks, sliding down as he pushes into you and with that his heart breaking.

It continued for days, over and over again they make him get to know every part of your body, he begs them to stop, you tell him its okay, that this is how it has to be, but he can't take it. Sleeping soundly he watches you, peacefully in a peaceful world unlike this one. You don't care much for his touch, but sleep is the one place you don't scower from it. Its hard not to be close, the twin matress making it nearly impossible to not touch. The dark blush of the bruising is starting to fade, hand softly rubbing over the skin as you breath heavily. Chest is moving with every breath, lips slightly parted, beautiful.

Warm against him, he is glad you can sleep. It's been days since he has, guilt eating him alive, which is exactly what they want. They will continue to make him disgrace you until he breaks and allows them to give him the blood, and willingly participates in their experiments. The loud sound of cement crumbling following loud booms makes him clutch you close to his chest, back facing the door to protect you at all costs. Your awake now, breathing heavily into the chest as the sound of bullets ripple from outside of the door he coos. "Its okay, its okay. I'll protect you."

Nothing else is said as the fight outside continues until it stops, you look up at him, looking for answers until eyes widen in fear as the locks of the door sound. They were coming back for you. Steve turns, pushing you behind him as he stands tall, a man ready to fight.

"Buck?" It's just above a whisper as a tall man, almost as big as him stands. A metal arm, long black hair that reaches his shoulders.

"Steve we got to go." The girl is only noticeable when he reaches around to grab your hand, Bucky notices the messy hair, dried lips and the dark bruising against your arms. "She's coming with us."

The sunlight hurts, you cover your eyes quickly as you almost stumble to your knees trying to keep up with the two large men as bullets wiz past. Steve's arms are lifting you by the waist, nudging you to get back up. The quinjet sits only feet away, a tall, dark man yelling incoherent sounds over the swooshing of the blades in the air. In seconds the metal of the floor is cold against bare feet, door closing, it was safe.

Taking a deep breath your eyes running over the tower of Steve as the jet takes off. Bucky can't help but notice the shortening of breath from the small girl, coldness of the metal arm making you jump away in shock, "are you okay?"

"n-no!"

"Buck, buck, don't." Steve reaches for him, taking the artificial touch from her. "She doesn't like being touched. "

You feel trapped in here, three large men making it suffocating in this tiny box, that some how seemed even more freeing than the one you've grown so used to despite being high in the clouds.

"Breathe sweetheart." Steve coos, sinking down to your size, arms reaching out but not quite touching. "Its just me, my touch is good."

His touch is filled with unwanting pleasure, a reminder of what was taken away from you but also a certain gentleness that made you feel safe and secure. You don't let him touch you but nod at his words, following the rythm of his breathing from the pattern of his chest.

"What the fuck happened there?" Bucky wanted to say what the fuck is wrong with you but noticed how uncomfortable you already were.

"I just need to sit down." Steve looked broken as well as he sat finally, still feet away from you. Hands rubbing over his face, as a small cry feel from his lips. Any other time being captured by enemy lines wouldn't even affect him, but he didn't feel like the same man, he was a disgusting excuse of one that fell victim to them, they might have not gotten his blood but did strip the one piece of him he held dearly: his moral code.

Bucky chest squeezes as his best friends sorrow, hand meeting his back, rubbing soft circles of comfort. You watch every second of it, this was bound to happen, you saw the change every time he was forced to touch you, the breaking away of his head, of what he stood for but most of wishing you could accept touch like that, comfort, but any man that touched you only brought pain, physically and in the cause mentally. The ride was quiet once Steve managed to stop crying, didn't dare to talk, the emotion still raw in his chest, afraid it would start again. Once on the ground, a group of people surround him, hugs, kisses to his cheeks. Once again you were envy of his acceptance, the thought making you sick. Steve showed you to a room, placing a pair of what looked like his clothes at the end of the freshly made bed. "You can lock the door when I leave if you'll feel safer." Nails nervously scratching the back of his neck, "You can shower, and if you need me I'm right across the hall, goodnight."

Steve wanted to talk, apologize for what he had done to you but didn't also thought the events of today were enough, you deserved a goodnights rest.

Steve's clothing hung loosely from wet skin, the sweats needed to be rolled, sweater reaching mid-thigh. Sleep did not come easy, noisy sounds of the busy city, honks, and whizzing cars, something you weren't used to being secluded for so long. Anxiety bubbling deep inside your chest, burning your skin. The constant fear that they would come back for you, take you away with just a taste of this freedom.

It was strange but you missed the security, the sense of being protected by him, a feeling you have never felt before. Quietly you enter his room, he's not sleeping just deep in thought as he stares at the ceiling, not noticing your entrance.

"Steve?" Rolling your hands nervously into sweater paws as looks at you with worry. "What's wrong?"

He's sitting up now, ready for anything, trying to figure out the emotions of your face you keep so guarded. "I can't sleep."

He lays back down, hand extending opening the covers to allow you in. Thankfully he doesn't try to touch you. Running over the defined features of his face, ocean eyes so soft. For the first time ever he looks relaxed despite the dark circles under his eyes, the ocean surrounded by a deep red of regret, disgust in himself. He offers a sweet smile, which you can't find yourself to return but try your best.

Closing your eyes feels nice, his breath in your ear, you feel safe as you slip into a world of peacefulness. But not before hearing, "I'm sorry. Sweet dreams sweetheart."

Note: if you want to be tagged in the next two parts, comment below! Part 2 comes with the reader learning to accept his touch and unexpected surprise.

[fieryfafarfanfics]

(Bederia) Unplanned Confessions 1

 This was absolutely ridiculous.  Unheard of. Unbelievable. Utterly unthinkable.  And yet here he was.  Standing in the middle of Lake of Outrage. Watching in baffled daze as the women a few steps away worked and moved her way to the set up her—their—camp.  Well, to be precise, she was technically setting up her camp. His own tent was still tucked inside his backpack while hers had been neatly arranged and formed in one of the open fields. All 6 of her Pokémon were out from the moment he arrived, all either hopping or running or even sparring with one another like a bunch of baby Pokémon.  Dangerous baby Pokémon, he corrected as he spotted the fearsome Hydreigon spouting Dragon Rage at an enthusiastic Cinderace.  “Bede!”  Her name was a bell that cleared away the clouds in his mind. Violet eyes were lost in a sea of crimson that shined between a pair of glasses. Quickly he regained his senses. Though years of rivalry and friendship enabled them to get comfortable with each other, the Gym Leader still felt on guard when it comes to her and her specifically.  Well, both her and that unruly best friend of hers. But Bede knew Gloria’s case was a much more…delicate matters of the heart.

 Ugh. Slowly sucking in a breath, he walked towards her. At every step, he could feel the excitement of his Pokémon from inside their balls. It seems that he wasn’t the only one who formed such a friendship with the Champion.  “Gloria.” He stopped in front of her. His height hovered tall and proud before her, but not once did Gloria ever feel threatened by his presence.  What he found as offensive before, now he thought of it as sheer relief.  Crimson eyes looked up at the Fairy-specialist. “I’m so glad you could make it!” Excitement bubbled all too obviously, yet Gloria toned down her glee in fear that she might make a fool of herself. Merely flashing a smile next, the young woman continued to focus on her camp.  Why was he here?  Right, he grumbled inwardly, you know damn why, you stupid mind. ---  It was a few days back. They had their daily spars with the other gym leaders. Gloria as usual stomped each match despite using the exact same team she had been using since the first day she was crowned Champion. Many leaders thought they had the upper-hand for learning and studying her battle tactics and her Pokémon’s battle techniques. But no matter the research, the outcome would always vary with the only thing being the same is her victory.  But what he thought was a normal day immediately burned to the ground when he bumped into her in the prep room.  She was sweaty and hot—figuratively—when he saw her. The Champion outfit stuck close to her body, absolutely complimenting every curve and taut muscle a 20-year old would achieve from rigorous trainings. The dark hair was in slight disarray, still short as she liked it, and Gloria heaved a heavy sigh as she raked through the black strands backwards.  Bede felt pathetic to feel breathless on the spot.  Once their eyes met, he remembered flinching. He also remembered her asking how his day was. His answer was curt, simple. Though challenging, his eye contact was sorely focused on her mesmerizing irises rather than the supple curve of her breasts. How demeaning, he chastised himself, for ogling at her body like some sick freak.  It was then that remembered saying something that sounded like a dumfounded, “Yes?”  And this caused Gloria to chime in both nerves and excitement when she continued with, “Great! I’ll see you there!” ---  And now…here he was.  He was an idiot.  A fucking idiot. Opal would never forgive him for raising such a dumb, idiotic pervert. Stop! He shook his head. He was not dumb! He was not an idiot! And he definitely was not a pervert! Bede knew better than to treat humans like tools or trash. As bitter as he was when he was a teenager, at least the Gym Leader was thankful to have some morals embedded into him.  And yet…  The memory of her body sent shivers down his spine.  “Bede! Come on! I need help!”  “Arceus save me…” He really needed to make it up and apologized to Gloria somehow without offending her in the process. ---  He was here! He was here!  She couldn’t believe he accepted her invitation! Granted, it was a long shot. Gloria was more than ready to suck it up and wallow in Lake of Outrage if she ever got rejected. She was at lost on how to make it subtle and obvious about her feelings for him.  Tea time? They always had that twice every month. Sparring sessions? Had that nearly every week. Gym Battle season? Arceus forbids if she ever had time for herself at all.  Ever since he took the official status as Ballonlea’s gym leader 3 years back, Gloria was a bit…iffy that she couldn’t spend time with him other than battling or Pokémon context. The last time they ever had time alone together was when they celebrated his victory for holding the mantle as the 8th and final gym leader last year.  He was getting stronger. And prettier.  And it sucked that their raging popularity disabled them from having a normal outing whatsoever that involved them and only them. It was easy hanging out with Hop since the young man now studied and worked in Wedgehurst. Hell, it was even easier hanging out with Marnie since the woman lived in the growingly popular Spikemouth. Despite the fact that Bede lived in peaceful Ballonlea, only an idiot would just rush to his front door and blatantly go, “Hey! I like you! Wanna hang out and do nothing since I feel comfortable around you?”  She was a moron.  A lucky moron, though.  Building up all the courage she collected since last week, Gloria finally blurted out her camping plans this weekend and finally—with a rapid heartbeat—asked him if he would like to join her little camping trip. Alone. With her.  Now that she thought about it, anyone would take it as a joke, especially from the snarkiest person in Galar.  Never thought he would accept it, much to her pleasant surprise.  Now here she was, crouching in front of a bunch of stacked logs, staring at the wood like a dumb Wobbuffet. What do I do? What do I do? Clearly, she didn’t think this through. She may have had two days to prepare herself, physically and mentally, but overestimation clearly played her hard when the target of her affection actually showed up.  Bulk up, Gloria! She scolded herself, palms giving a few slaps before mouth huffing out air. “Okay.” She talked to herself. To the logs. “I can do this. Just…hang out. Talk to him. Have a nice camping trip with him and hopefully…hopefully…” A gulp slid down her throat. “I can get a chance to confess to him.” ---  Easier said than done.  Luckily, they were so used to each other’s silence that he managed to prop up his tent with ease. The noises from their Pokémon were quite helpful too. The moment Bede released his team, Gloria’s Pokémon greeted them with such loud—very loud—exuberance. Her Cinderace started hopping and bouncing in glee in front of his Hatterene, seconds before Gloria’s own Hatterene butted in and snarled in what he assumed was jealousy at his own surprised starter.  His Mawile could be seen playing tag with his Sylveon and Gloria’s Corviknight and Hydreigon. A Toxtricity—Gaara, he remembered her calling him—was seen talking to his Gardevoir who looked like she actually enjoyed his company. Violet eyes turned to the very Champion, now accompanied by her Runerigus who was stirring whatever was in the boiling pot.  A smile unwarily curled the corners of his mouth. If he didn’t know any better, it looked as if he was a husband fawning over his wife and lively child—  Stop.  Immediately and quickly he shook his head, which he then groaned in regret at the sudden dizziness that he conjured up by accident. ---  “Hey Gloria.”  She looked to his side, head tilted slightly to match his height. “Yeah?” Swallowing once, she took another bite of her apple curry. The two sat on the grassy field, observing the very wonderful view of Hammerlocke. The edge of Lake of Outrage was dangerously high. One wrong step and it could be the end for any human or Pokémon. While the two trainers knew there was a huge ocean that blanketed underneath the cliff, none wouldn’t dare to try out the theory on whether or not anyone could survive from such a scary impact.  Besides that, the view was spectacular, though.  “I’ve been meaning to ask.”  Gulp! Oh shoot, here comes her nervousness.  But alas, a sigh of relief silently peeped between pursed lips when he continued, “Why did you choose to camp out at Lake of Outrage?”  “Oh?” She swallowed again. Phew… “Well, for starters, I really like the view. Hammerlocke at night is so breath-taking at night.” She was thankful to have found out that little information by accident during one of her campouts.  He chuckled. “You said ‘at night’ twice.”  Pink dusted her cheeks. “Well, you know what I mean!” Lower lip jutted at the little tease. Pushing her glasses properly back to the bridge of her nose, Gloria harrumphed lightly and continued her meal.  Cute.  Unbeknownst to her, her actions right now was a strike to his heart.  Calm down, me! “True.” He shrugged once, then tore his gaze away—hesitantly—to bask on the view before them. “But isn’t this place crawling with powerful Pokémon? I’m not judging your team’s strength or anything. But it seems like hardly a place for any trainer to think, ‘Hey, what a great place to camp out and hopefully not get mauled by a wild Pokémon!’”  He peeked once he heard a grunt.  “I’m still alive, aren’t I?” She jutted her tongue—by Arceus, she was killing him—and brushed away the bangs that hovered across her forehead. “Besides—”  ‘Woohoo! I got another one!’  ‘No fair! Best two outta three!’  The Gym Leader jumped at the Pokémon’s exuberant cheer, while Gloria herself only giggled in amusement. Quickly they turned around, only to see a happy Cinderace hopping above a pile of fainted wild Pangoros and Skuntanks.  What the ever-loving hell? Bede remained in stupor when he saw the Champion’s Toxtricity crossing his arms in distaste—all the while standing in front of a pile of fainted wild Grimmsnarls and Pangoros himself.  Ah. Like an idiot he stared, merely gaped even as the two chaotic Pokémon spread out back in the field for their little game.  Looks like his question was answered. ---  “Thank you so much for bringing the desserts!” Cheeks warmed in pink at the succulent taste on her tongue. “Please tell Ms Opal that they’re divine!” She could still taste the cream in her mouth. It was a pity that there weren’t any left, but Gloria was more than happy to see her team enjoying the treats just the same.  Hell, she even had to break the fight between Starlight and Gaara for the last cupcake.  It was a shame that Ares beat them to it. Oh well, the Cinderace asked for it as he ended up being chased by both Hatterene and Toxtricity.  Pride swelled up to hear endless compliments from the woman. In truth, he actually baked all the cupcakes. While it was true that the desserts were Ms Opal’s recipe, he did most of the shopping and baking in order to impress her. How could he ever forget Ms Opal’s knowing smirk as he said he wanted to bake the treats for their campout.  Arceus, if the oven ran out of heat to burn the cupcakes at that time, Bede knew the blush in his face would be enough to suffice.  Would he tell her that he baked them? No. As much as he craved for her compliments to rain down upon him, Bede figured it would be nice to let Ms Opal get the spotlight.  He knew the old woman would spill the beans anyways when Gloria paid her next visit to Ballonlea.  “I’ll tell her that.” For now, the sight of her smile was sweet enough. ---  Night time finally blanketed the sky above. True to her word, Hammerlocke truly provided such a breath-taking view once the sun was out. Thankfully, it didn’t rain. The moon was a crescent gleam tonight, so this allowed the stars to shine and sparkle their magnificence for the world to see.  “Man…” When he was a teenager, Bede was never one to look up at the stars. He was so used to looking down. To looking at his own feet. And when he did look up, the poor boy only saw broken rooftops or monstrously tall buildings. He was never one to admire nature. It was only that he lived in Ballonlea that Bede sometimes cherished the peaceful moments under the soft, soothing glow of the mystical town.  “Beautiful, isn’t it?”  Violet eyes turned to the lady next to him.  The hair was in its usual disarray, despite having it combed backwards many times after her bath in the lake. The pyjama she wore was…cute and elegant to say the least. Red and black never strayed as her choice of fashion. A splash of red here and a swirl of black there made the attire to look somewhat…passionate.  If not for the fact that a cute Cinderace icon was stitched on its back, Bede would definitely find her alluring.  …  ………  Okay. He lied. She’s alluring still even in those damn Cinderace jammies.  Her eyes never strayed from the blanket of beauty. The glasses shined faintly under the lovely glow. It only intensified the colour of red iris. It only allowed him to be enraptured by such fiery elegance.  “Yeah…” he mumbled softly. “Beautiful…”  Before she could look at him and ask about anything else, Bede quickly brought his gaze back to the stars. ---  “Well,” She stretched, “it’s getting way dark. I think it’s high-time we call it a night.” Palms pressed together and placed under her chin, Gloria looked at the silent man. Bede talked a lot during their conversation—which was expected—but to obtain silence now was a bit…unnerving.  Was this how people felt every time she remained silent at a certain topic?  None said a word next, for eyes moved to the tents that were positioned side by side. The gap between the tents and the cliffs were many steps apart, but honestly, that wasn’t the distance that Gloria felt nervous about right now.  Violet met crimson. Pink and red dusted and swirled so adorably.  “Yeah…” He needed to be convincing. “Yeah!” That’s better. He thought.  Taking a sharp breath, he looked at the short Champion. “I’ll see you later in the morning.” A mask of indifference was worn nicely on his face. He saw the hesitance, the unknown emotion that flickered in her eyes. If he was selfish, just selfish enough, Bede would think that those eyes meant—  He shook his head. “Goodnight, Gloria.” His body felt warm. His fists clenched behind his face.  A weak smile pulled her lips. “Goodnight, Bede—”  ‘GLORIA, WATCH OUT!’  Just when they were lost in their melancholic moment, it burst just like a balloon when they heard the loud chirp. Before any of them could react, a raging ball of fire zipped right between them.  Right into Bede’s tent.  Right towards the edge of the cliff.  BOOM!!!  An explosion actually made both jump from shock. Pupils shot to tiny dots. Heartbeats formed a maniacal pace. Everything happened too fast. Very fast. Both adults remained in pure stupefaction in their place. One had their baffled gaze at the Cinderace who was now cowardly hiding behind Hilda. One had a face of sheer, utter, bewilderment at the lack of tent and sprinkles of ashes.  “M-My…” Jaw dropped so low he could attract Ninjasks. “M-My…My…”  Fury now fuelled within the Champion, along with shame and regret that were quickly switched as she looked at Bede and her starter. “ARES!” She wasn’t one to raise her voice. If anything, people could say Gloria was ‘The Divine Champion’ for radiating an air of passion and grace.  Not tonight, though.  Ares merely tugged his ears downwards and crouched behind the sighing Corviknight once he heard a very fuming, very piercing, “What. Did. You. DO!” ---  She wanted to jump off a cliff.  The cliff was there, so the option was really whether she was ready to throw herself without risking being saved and scolded by her entire team.  For something that had transpired in an hour, Gloria felt like it was a long, long, long, night. Finally, after constant apologies from her and her starter, Bede finally forgave Ares—Just Ares. He figured Gloria had no fault in this except maybe the damn Scorbunny as her starter. She felt absolutely guilty, and she would feel even worse if she knew Bede was sleeping outside in the cold.  So of course the next option was to offer him his tent while she slept outside. Which he of course rejected because what kind of bastard would he be to let a woman sleep outside?  Finally, after an emotional brainstorming, the both decided to sleep in her tent. Together. Alone. Together.  Alone.  Gulp!  It seems the heat in her stomach wouldn’t disappear anytime soon. Her back faced his the moment she lay down. And she knew his back was facing hers as well as he looked at the other side.  Was he asleep? She didn’t know. Was she asleep? Of course not! Her mind was a Tangela of messes. Both arms curled and pressed against her chest, between her breasts. Breathing was in and out, calmly, forcefully. Another gulp slid down for Arceus knows how many times tonight.  She felt nervous. She felt guilty. She felt…oh damn she did not want to admit the other thing she was feeling right now.  “Sorry…”  The word slipped out before she could stop himself. She felt him fidget, and she didn’t dare to turn around. ---  While she battled her emotions, he had a battle of his own.  Here he was, lying in the same tent as her. Lying down next to her. Although Bede firmly declined and rejected her very offer to sleep in the same tent together, he would only lie to himself if it wasn’t…absolutely thrilled to share the same room as her.  “Please!” She convinced, palm roughly pressed against each other as she pleaded. “I promise it won’t be weird! I promise I’ll payback the tent that Ares burned down!”  He was fine with the latter. He just wasn’t…entirely fine with the former.  He was sure she wouldn’t be the reason for them being weird in a tent together.  But alas, she managed to convince him. It wasn’t much of a discussion anyways. As much as Bede tried to be sane about the subject, he was anything but when it comes to her.  And now, here he was, wide awake at the thought of his rival and long-time target of affection sleeping right next to him.  So close. So quiet.  Should he say something? He’s supposed to be asleep. Should he wait for her to say something? She was already asleep—  “Sorry…”  Well, guessed not.  His head tilted slightly, body still remained on his left side. He peeked as Gloria moved in her place, showing signs of guilt and nervousness.  A sigh slipped out. “Don’t be.” He looked at the clothed wall of the tent. Arms crossed tightly against his chest. Uncomfortable as he may be, Bede was too afraid to unfold himself just in case he suddenly felt…twitchy.  Silence lulled inside the tent for a few minutes. “Still…” She was at lost. “And…thank you. A lot.” Air held back behind pursed lips, Gloria slowly turned around. “Not just for forgiving Ares and me. But for today.” Hands still cupped closely to her chest. Seeing that he wasn’t about to turn anytime soon—much to her dismay—Gloria finally faced him. “I’m happy that you decided to have camp with me. I’m happy that you brought desserts and talked to about so many things. Honestly I—” She stopped. Hesitant.  He merely listened in nervous anticipation.  Crimson eyes that were free from glasses now stared at the tall man lying before her. “Bede…”  Her voice sent shivers on his skin. Her warmth seeped right into his body.  She noticed.  Dup-dap, dup-dap! The beat of one’s heart echoed in the tent. Was it hers? Was it his?  “Bede…” She tried again, lips quivered as she let out a shaky sigh. “Why…Why did you agree to camp out here with me today?”  It was a silly question. A childish one. One needn’t a valid reason to agree to her campout. He simply wanted to hang out with her. He simply wanted to catch up and talk about random stuff with her. He simply wanted to unwind from the public and get some fresh air, and she was an excuse for it.  He wanted to say all of them. Any of them.  Instead, he opted for the truth.  “I…” Eyes squinted shut, Bede released a sigh he didn’t know he held back. Arms tightened across his chest, he finally flipped and turned to face her.  Only mistake here was: neither anticipated the close distance.  They were a short breath away. The tip of her nose almost his own. Crimson eyes met a pair of dazzling violets. Both were at lost for words. Both mirrored each other by the shade of red on their faces.  Their hands were close to each other’s respective chests. None moved a muscle. None said a word.  Her eyes then gleamed the emotion he wouldn’t dare to guess hours ago.  The unspeakable emotion was back in her eyes. Hotter. Clearer. Drawing him breathless.  “I care you,” was all he responded, mouth then gaped at the foolish sentence he had ever muttered.  Heat burned straight to the tips of his ears. Having almost a clear mind to just bolt out of the tent and never to see her again, Bede instead froze in his place once he felt her palm, so warm and loving, on his left cheek.  Her smile became the answer to his doubts.

[borisbubbles]

25. PORTUGAL

Elisa - “Medo de sentir”

We’ve finally crossed over into the “I like this” territory :-) Let’s celebrate by booting another ballad ^_^

Song Analysis

This will be short and sweet though, since there isn’t much to say. “Medo de sentir” basically the Marie Myriam of its national final: It is a cromulent ballad that did nothing wrong and is solidly good, but not great in all the relevant areas (vocals, composition, staging). 

I mean,

Even so, Elisa gave me a few small nuggets that warmed me to her, serving DRAMAFACE in the FdC Semi

and LOOKS in the Finale: 

Peach puffy sleeves that rival Leonor Andrade’s legendary shoulder pads as a fashion statement <3 (honestly, this is pretty subdued for FdC fashion even? Hold on until I get talk about Felipe in the NF Corner) 

Honestly, you may wonder why I like this more than “Répondez-moi”, but I don’t really have a reason  - unless you’re willing to accept “Medo de sentir is underrated, is performed by a Weird Indie Girl and is from a criminally overlooked Eurovision country” as valid argumentations. Oh and while I only *very* mildly like Elisa, it is a decision I made myself, completely free of the social pressure I feel whenever Gjon, or heaven forbid, Roxen or Diodato, pop up. 

Furthermore, the fact that I still like Elisa even after she won her NF also speaks greatly in her favour. I’m not sure if you were aware of how good FdC was this year? Well, sit down because you are about to witness it!

NF Corner

Remember how old Eesti Laul’s neck was snapped and its corpse was urinated on by the shit Estonians? Remember how the quirky indie weirdo entries had to find a safe haven elsewhere in Europe? The Portugese hallmark traits of “Not Giving A Fuck”, “Doing Our Own Thing No Matter What” and “What Do You Mean This Isn’t A Vimeo Showreel?” allowed for Festival da Canção to absorb Eesti Laul’s broken spirit and channel it from every (Ley-La-)Ley-Line.

and since this is the first *GREAT* 2020 NF I am covering, I will do HONORABLE MENTIONS before I actually review my four choices :o

Dubio - “Ceguiera”: Hamburglar-looking goddess <3333

MEERA - “Copo de gin”: Pure EL-style EDM *and* it’s about drinking gin, needless to say this song is basically *my anthem*.  Jimmy P - “Abensonhado”: Rap rarely is my thing, let alone three minutes of it non-stop. Having said that, this is genuine and dramatic and Jimmy is flanked by a GOSPEL CHOIR (dressed in chasubles!!!) who support him in ENGLISH... I am not made of stone.  JJaZZ - “Agora”: Totally slept on this weird indie anthem, but then they showed up looking like this:

and yes, it was even funnier in motion (sadly gif’ing rights are reserved to the Elite 4 soz) Elisa Rodrigues - “Não voltes mais”: a jolly tropical ballad in a genre I recognize but cannot name (some sort of pimba fado jazz? Does this work?) and was incomprehensibly hated by the Portuguese? Will I ever understand how this country operates? Probably never. Kady - “Diz so”: another pimba fado jazz sort of thing? My friend André (who is from Brazil) tells me it’s actively parodying Brazillian counterculture and leftist stereotypes which is such a random quirk to put in a Portuguese music comp <3

And before we move on, I’ll chuck in a very speclal DISHONORABLE mention for our good friends Blasted Mechanism.😈 I actually forgot to do my jury duties for ESCUnited here, so I’ll just let James (the person with the best taste on our team, including yours truly) do it for me: 

Fucking *TRUTH*. “Rebellion’”s problem  has always been a lack of motherfucking balls. Sure, these middle-aged steampunkers attempt to implement a genre shift between indie rock and fucking ORCHESTRAL METAL/HIP HOP and make it so underwhelming and pathetic? People blame the live, and yes it was *bad* (forever cackling at “REBELGIUM” tho), but it was the studio that failed to deliver on the promises it made.  It always surprises me when people (Sean and Roy I AM coming for you) slam "Verona” for being a “fanwank” and then fall for a Rebellion which is basically a fanwank for heterosexual snobs. #ShotsFired. 

Now, as for the actual Boris faves, LET US START WITH A LIBERAL DOSE OF ASKEW CUBISM

Judas - “Cubismo Enviesado” 

VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?   

VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  

VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?   

VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  VÊS OU NÃO?  

 WHAT A FUCKING SPANDEX CATASTROPHE. “Cubismo enviesado” is a horrible song, the choreography looks like it had been conjured up during a particularly drunk night of bedroom karaoke and Judas can’t hold a tune for the life of him. The lyrics don’t even make sense in Portuguese <33333 It is an art school project gone disastrously wrong. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM OBSESSED.😍

Filipe Sambado - “Gerbera Amarelo do Sul”

That look

The regal panache

Those... leather shorts?

IT IS SO QUEER I LOVES IT. As with Cubismo, I am fucking OBSESSED. However, unlike Cubismo, “Gerbera amarela do sul” is *legitimately* great, lol. In addition to having a KICK-ASS fado rhythm and the off-the-charts visual components (the jewellery! the hats! the throne! the hand choreography!), the lyrics are highly intelligent poetry geared at dismantling upper class snobism.😍 Rare to find an entry that kicks ass on SO MANY levels. Even harder to see it lose to Elisa Myriam - but I’m not sad it lost because, you know, it would have befallen the same fate as a “Telemóveis”. At least his existence makes the memory-holing of Achille Lauro’s ICONIC Virgin Queen Cosplay so much easier to stomach. 

Throes & The Shine - “Movimiento”

I mean, entries that open like THIS: 

are instantly iconic, ngl. The best FdC entries offer a great triple of great looks, unplugged stubborn artistry and fun quirky rhythmes. Throes + The Shine pass this with flying colours and I mean, THOSE sunglasses alone yank up the laugh-out-laugh factor to astronomical levels. add in a hilarious choreography, sound effects that seemingly imitate duck mating noises and three very attractive men (in 2020! the concept!) and it’s an instant fave right there. 

AND THEN MADE THEIR ENTRY EVEN BETTER BY ADDING MIDNIGHT GOLD/JOWST EFFECTS TO THEIR STAGING. 😍😍😍😍

MANCHAS DE LAMA NA SUA PELE  

HEROES. 😍😍😍

and of course, this wouldn’t be a 2020 NF without an obvious runaway fave losing at the last minute: 

Bárbara Tinoco - “Passe-partout”

SHE IS TINY <3333:

She’s like a human bonsai... or a personal attack chincilla.

Okay, so Portugal were *THIS close* to out-France’ing the French with this sassy Zazballad, served with a generous dollop of parisian accordion and stank reaction shots.

Yet another entry that shamelessly uses an attractive man as a boytoy prop <333 For a brief moment, Bàrbara and Tiago establish themselves as a pair of lovestruck La La Land idiots, gearing themselves towards the EPIC moment where she will dump him... and then this happens before the first chorus:

Barbara opens up a can of dancer carbs and it completely fucks up her no-bullshit keto diet. 

Those dancers man. They aren’t a *bad* addition in itself, but if your thing is “romance ballad but *plot twist* it’s actually an end of romance ballad get lost loser” do not burn the clou within the first minute of the performance to a group of dancers who don’t even dance *along with the beat of your song*. UGH.

(and also, more devastatingly, the reduce tiaGOD’s airtime how dare they grrr)

Fortunately though, I have learned to appreciate the wrecktitude of it all because it caused one of the funniest downfall narratives in recent ESC history. The Portuguese were, of course, foaming at the mouth with all the decisions Bárbara had made (not even for the points I raised, necessarily?) and Bárbara was having none of it. It went kinda like this

Juries: EWWW DANCERS AND CHOREOGRAPHY YOU ARE RAPING YOUR OWN SONG YOU PHILISTINE WHORE. Bárbara: 

Juries: WOW WHAT *ARROGANCE*!! YOU THINK YOU CAN WIN BUT BOY DO WE HAVE NEWS FOR YOU :-) 

and lo hand behold, the finale rolls on and Tinoco’s dancers are still there, and are even *MORE* present than they were in the semi (but also in sync with the beat) and Bárbara gets promptly jurydunked into third place. 😍 Even though she has the *ONLY* song in FdC that could have qualified in its semifinal. 😍  A woman who stands three apples tall trolling an entire nation and juries because she knew she had gold in her hands and then getting rigged out of the easiest nf victory out of pure SPITE 😍  WHAT AN ARC. 😍

Portugal 2020 vs Portugal 2021

Elisa probably would not have qualified. I’m not sure how popular of an opinion this is, but I prefer the semifinal performance of “Medo de sentir” and that wasn’t the staging they were going for. Not many people seemed to care either way, and that’s usually the death sentence for Portugal. 

Elisa won’t be back for 2021 or whenever Eurovision is rebooted. :sigh: Fuck you, Coronavirus. 

Freaky! Friday! Factor!

See: NF Corner:

Score: 4 Senhits out of 5. 

[rhymesswith]

Chapter 3 scene 5

BRIENNE

Brienne has never been a spurned lover before, and is uncertain how things are supposed to proceed. She’s fairly sure that as the wounded party she’s not supposed to be the one to reach out, it would certainly feel pathetic to do so. But inhabiting the same castle and not speaking to Jaime is growing rapidly unbearable.

In the end he saves her from having to decide and breaks the silence himself, approaching her in the hall after morning meal. “Ser Brienne. Do you have a moment?”

She looks around - her father is safely distracted talking to some old lords, dragging Podrick around and introducing him to all his old friends. She nods and follows him through an archway into a deserted corridor. Like the rest of Dragonstone it’s sparse and drafty, lit only by a series of tall windows, all too narrow for a human to pass through. They look out over the hundred foot drop to the bay, and Brienne tells herself the swooping sensation in her stomach is from the dizzying height.

Jaime stops midway down the hall and turns to face her. It’s the first time they’ve been alone and she’d been so afraid she’d never see him again. Any ambition she might’ve held to stay cool and distant deflate standing here with him. Damn her maidenly heart. This close it’s clear that he’s suffered, she knows his face well enough by this point to read the new lines that grief has drawn. She wishes she felt the urge to punch him instead of this desire to draw him close and kiss his brow.

He speaks, “I owe you an apology Brienne. I’m truly sorry for how I behaved.”

“It’s alright-“

“No it’s not!” He exclaims forcefully. “It is not alright, I treated you dishonourably. I went back on my word and I broke your trust. You did not deserve that, please don’t tell me that it’s alright.”

She’s not sure what she’d expected, but he’s far more ruffled than she’s ever seen him. But he is right, they owe each other this conversation, in all its honesty. “You’re right; It’s not alright. But.” He opens his mouth but she holds up a hand and he shuts it again quickly, “But. I understand why you did what you did. I know you. Of course I wanted you to stay, but I’m not a complete fool. I knew that you couldn’t. I just...I had to try or I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself, after. I was never deluded enough to think it would work.”

He’s shaking his head, “It’s not delusional, I wanted to stay. I tried to stay.”

“I know. And to be honest I forgave you almost immediately.”

It’s not a smile but the corners of his mouth do lift weakly, “Almost?”

“Well, I had to allow myself a couple of days to play the scorned woman. I’d never had the chance before.”

The lightness that had entered his eyes fades away as quickly as arrived and he’s back to miserable. “How are you not more angry? You should hate me, I deserve it.”

He’s clearly not going to let it go. She treads carefully, thinking through her words before speaking, “I think - no matter what you may have done - I think that you’ve suffered enough.” He looks down, his hair long enough to obscure his eyes. She can no longer hold back, and reaches out to lay her hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry about your family.”

He swallows, the apple of his throat bobbing, still not looking at her. “Yes, yes  me too.” He says tonelessly, and when he finally lifts his eyes they’re dreadfully empty.

She tightens her fingers in his shirt instead of lifting them to cup his face like she truly wants. It’s not her place anymore. But she needs to tell him, “I’m glad you’re alive. I was afraid-“

He backs away, shaking her off. It’s not a surprise but it still hurts. “Well, that’s one of us.”

“Jaime-“

“Brienne.” He shakes his head, warning her off. It’s too soon. “I am sorry for how I treated you. I needed you to know that.”

The distance he puts between them is frigid and desolate. There’s nothing further she can do to help him, as much as she aches to try. “I do. And I forgive you.”

He laughs hollowly. At least he’s no longer insisting that she shouldn’t. By some unspoken agreement they begin to stroll slowly down the hall, side-by-side but still with that distance between them. “What are you going to do now?” Brienne asks. She means tonight, in the council, but also after.

“Well.” He starts, “You see I don’t quite know. I didn’t really expect to make it this far.”

She knows the feeling. None of them had thought much past the war and being here now is quite surreal. “At the meeting tonight,” she prompts, “Will you pledge to Daenerys?”

“I doubt she wants my pledge. And besides, it doesn’t mean anything at this point.” Brienne looks sideways at him, trying to puzzle what he means by that. He sees her looking and clarifies, “I’ve renounced my title, Casterly Rock, protection of Lannisport, all of it.”

She can’t quite formulate a response that seems right, but silence might be the most appropriate of all. He continues, “I’ve never wanted to be Lord, never been any good at politics. All of that was for the others. It’s the most ironic thing that my father could never see how Tyrion was made for it; that he would have been a great Lord. But I’m the only one left and I don’t want it. So I’ve given it all to Bronn.”

This she has to exclaim at, disbelief, “Bronn? The sellsword?”

He shrugs, “He had accrued quite a debt from the Lannisters. My brother promised him a grand castle and lands. And Casterly Rock is the only one I had so it will have to do.”

“My god, that man in charge of a holding like that. Is it really wise?”

“Perhaps not. But it feels right. The mines are run dry at any rate, and i doubt the new queen will forget my family’s deeds any time soon, so she’s bound to take away the wardonship. It’s almost a burden that I’ve given him when you think about it. Debts and grudges, off my shoulders and onto his.”

“It’s still one of the most important seats - what about the rest of your family, are they not angry?”

“My cousin Daven would technically been next in line after myself, but he’s not the ruling sort any more than I. And he has no children or younger brothers. No, the Lannister line has run as dry as our mines. Bronn will let them stay on as vassels, their lives won’t actually change in any way that matters. They’ll have an easier time to rebuild without my ruined reputation getting in the way.”

He’s not wrong. Still, it’s a lot to take in. “You seem at peace with it.”

“It’s a relief. I don’t want it.”

What do you want? the question is on the top of Brienne’s tongue. She bites it away. She has a feeling the answer would only hurt. Just weeks ago she had thought he wanted her, she doesn’t much want to hear confirmation that that has changed. “Lady Sansa is going to declare independence.” She says instead, “All of the northern lords are behind her.”

He manages another one of those empty smiles, “But of course. I would expect nothing less. You’re to stay with her?”

“I’m to be Commander of her queensguard.”

His hollow smile grows warm and for the first time he looks less than half-dead. “Perfect. Nobody deserves it more.”

Now she’s the one looking at the floor, cheeks warm. They’re interrupted when their empty corridor is suddenly no longer empty. Lord Gendry Baratheon stumbles over a crack in the floor on his way out of a chamber ahead. He looks distraught, and then dismayed to see them, ears turning instantly red. “Sers.” He grunts, wiping his face as he moves to hurry past them. But then he hesitates and turns back. “Could you...would you go check on her?” He asks, “please?” Before spinning back around and taking off down the hall.

Brienne and Jaime exchange a befuddled glance. The door Gendry had come from leads down a half flight of stairs into a small room. Like the whole castle it doesn’t have much in way of furniture, so it’s hard to say what it’s intended purpose is. There’s a large window in a nook with built in stone benches. Arya sits alone silhouetted in the window. 

Brienne approaches slowly, boots loud on the stones, but the girl doesn’t look at them. “Arya, are you alright?”

She does look then, offering a smile far wider than her usual one. “Oh yes!” She exclaims cheerily, “I am just wonderful! How are you Brienne?”

Something is definitely wrong. Brienne takes the bench across from Arya, leaning back casually. “I’m well thank you. It’s quite something being here with the whole realm gathered together, isn’t it? Everyone in the same place, families who were all trying to kill each other not so long ago, now sharing ale. Starks, Targaryens, Lannisters,” She tilts her head at Jaime hovering in the corner, and then with emphasis that might be a tad unsubtle, “Baratheons.”

A flicker of the eyes is the only reaction she gets, but from one as schooled as Arya Stark it’s enough. “We encountered Lord Gendry on our way in. Did he say something to offend you?”

Her laugh is high and girlish, one of the few things girlish about her. It burbles from her, edging quite close to hysterical. “Oh he said many things!” She giggles, bringing a hand up to her mouth, behind which the laughter stutters and morphs all at once into a sob. Brienne watches in growing dismay as the girl’s face crumples and a tear rolls down her cheek.

“My lady-“

“N-no!” She hiccups, dashing the tear away and smiling wetly, “I’ve done it to myself. I was stupid and a coward and now it’s too late. He’s gone and gotten himself betrothed to someone else.”

This is a day full of surprises. Although looking back there had been something there between her and Gendry. A compatibility both on battlefield and off. They were always in tune in with each other, moving together in harmony, speaking without words. Brienne has seen them spar on occasion, back in the North, and despite their opposite styles of fighting it was like watching a pair of dancers.

Surprisingly it’s Jaime who responds first, and with emotion; Brienne had forgotten that the two of them had formed an unconventional sort of friendship these past weeks. “You are the farthest thing in the world from a coward.”

Arya shakes her head, chin quivering, “I was, he asked me to marry him first but I was afraid and I hesitated. I never hesitate.”

This is completely foreign territory for Brienne, but with the pain of her own first heartbreak this fresh, she’ll do her best to help. “The two of you clearly feel the same way now, he could break off the engagement, it wouldn’t be so unusual.”

Instead of helping it seems to make it worse, a fresh batch of tears trickles down her face. “H-he said that he would, for me.” she sniffles, “But I told him not to.”

“Why?”

“Because. He’s gone and agreed to marry the queen.” She laughs again, twining her fingers in her lap, “He can’t exactly back out of that, can he.”

She doesn’t even phrase it as a question, just complete resignation. Brienne glances at Jaime, who’s eyes-brows have peaked up to his hairline. “She’s aiming to tie herself to Robert’s house, to cut the likelihood of a loyalist rebellion. Their heirs would have claims through both lines. It’s a smart move.”

Arya makes a sound like a wounded puppy and she gazes determinedly our the window, eyes glazed. Brienne glares at Jaime, “Sorry, but it is. Thinking ahead of your enemies, keep them close, etcetera. It’s an effective strategy, and it’s worked for centuries.”

“You see.” Arya whispers, “And I can’t let him break the engagement, because it would ruin everything. He would have to give up his lordship. And there’s no chance Daenerys would take an insult like that without some sort of revenge, especially after Jon turned her down first. It would put the treaty at risk, everything Sansa’s been working so hard to build.”

She’s not wrong. Daenerys is prideful, and possesses a fiery temper that’s been burning an increasingly short fuse. Even if she has no true feelings for Gendry, she would not accept the jilt without taking something in exchange. “How about I take you back to your chamber, you can talk to your family, it’ll help you feel better.”

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I don’t want to think any more.” She turns her eyes back up to Brienne. They’re dry now, her face mask-like. “Can we go fight?”

That is something she can do. Some good sparring would actually be a very welcome distraction for Brienne as well. She rises, offering a hand the help Arya to her feet. “After you my lady.” She allows Arya past her and up the stairs. Lingering, she looks back at Jaime, who’s moved towards the windows, seemingly content to linger. “Ser Jaime.” She offers in farewell.

Jaime turns back and inclines his head, “Ser Brienne.”

When Brienne walks away it feels somehow very final. Yet at the same time she feels better inside, the air not quite so biting. It hurts still, but now it feels like it’ll be okay. Shaking herself, she jogs up the rest of the stairs to where Arya awaits.

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

Chapter one / previous / next

a/n: crushing your ships left and right! I’m sorry! It’s just not that kind of fix-it....I’m as bad as d&d :(

I kinda thought that they were going to set Dany and Gendry up when I watched episode 804. The scene where she legitimized him felt idk...pointed? But I guess I was imagining things, but I still kinda thought it would make sense, classic political move. 

[fallenidol-453]

31 Days of Unedited Writing, Days 1-6

Fuck it, I’m doing it. Six samples of both original and fanfiction work under the cut. 

I’m not sure how i’m going to complete this challenge this year, but if I have to write something every day then so be it.

Day 1: Original Fiction, code name Grisaverse

“You are not wearing that to the masque!”

“It’s the only fancy outfit I have, Luc!”

Rowena cocked her head at the shouting coming down the hallway. Well, this was odd. Davaros and Lukasz never fought in her general vicinity, much less at the screeching tones she heard now. She marched up to the heavy wooden door that led to the room Davaros converted into a lover’s nest and pushed it open.

Both men were standing in front of an opened wardrobe. Davaros was wearing a black robe, but Rowena didn’t pay attention to it because that was all he wore. Lukasz stood in front of him, his face flushed with embarrassment. He was pulling his hair in exasperation when the door opened, hinges squealing loudly.

“That’s enough, you two!” she shouted. Both men stopped stared at her. “What’s this fuss about?”

“Luc doesn’t like my outfit—" Davaros whined.

“It’s not appropriate for a masque!” Lukasz exclaimed over him.

He sounded afraid. Why would he be afraid of an outfit?

Day 2: Original Fiction, code name After the End

“I… I was hoping you would help me identify the owner of a pendant in my possession.”

He reached into his robes, pulled out Gera’s pendant, and closed his fingers over it. The grooves in the metal and the sharp inlaid gems dug into his palm.

“My oldest sister would have been the person to ask about this; old jewelry and determining their age was her passion,” Heloise replied. She held her hand out. “Give it to me. Maybe I can put what little she taught me to good use.”

Slowly, Hri extended his hand toward Heloise and opened his fist. The pendant was gem side down, exposing the plain gold back side. His hand shook as Heloise gingerly picked it up; he didn’t want to part with it.

“Your Majesty, I think you misinterpreted my question. I seek help identifying the owner of the pendant,” Hri explained. Heloise looked at him sharply, but she gave a nod for him to continue. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “A soldier died under my care during our kingdoms’… petty dispute. Shortly before he died, he asked me to give that to his sister Helle. I’ve held onto it ever since.”

Heloise examined the pendant by the light of the fire. It was missing three gems from the outer circle, and the ribbon that it was threaded on had long lost its silky feel and shiny white color. She absently traced the grooves and ridges with a thumb and held up the white ribbon with her free hand.

“My family called me Helle, but…” Heloise replied, her voice trailing off. She traced the grooves and ridges of the pendant and eventually found her voice. “Do you remember what this soldier looked like?”

“Young. Twenty or younger at least. I mistook them for a child soldier at first,” Hri admitted. “He had light brown hair and brown eyes. There was a mole on his left cheek. If he had been able to stand at all, he would’ve been as tall as me, maybe an inch taller.”

Day 3: Fanfiction, 1789: Les amants de la Bastile

The idea of being his mistress is repulsive, his offer of a luxurious life in England even more so, but she’ll stay alive. That’s what matters the most.

But she refuses to let this be a one-sided deal, and she aims the pistol Ronan gave her at his face.

“My father and sister. I want them to come with us.”

“There won’t be enough room—”

Her hand jerks and she steadies her grip by holding the gun with both hands. It’s not loaded, but it’s the threat that counts.

“They come with me or I won’t come to your bed.”

“Y-Yes.” Artois replies. Olympe hears him take a step back and relishes the squeak in his voice. “They will come with us.”

Day 4: Fanfiction, Last Knights

Lilly doesn’t miss the healing split lip on Hannah’s mouth or the long-sleeved fashions she wears despite the warm spring weather. She herself still has night terrors of her kidnapping by Gezza Mott’s men and her time in the brothel. She may not have had to lie with any man, with the price to take her virginity being astronomically high enough that only the Emperor could have afforded it, but she wasn’t blind to the activities going on behind closed doors.

Day 5: Fanfiction, Elisabeth

The tug of the noose is a sweet relief until he hears the Judge’s demanding voice asking the question that has haunted him for eternity: But why, Lucheni? Why did you kill the Empress Elisabeth?

Lucheni is both alive and dead, cutting down his “dead” body while shooting out mocking answers. They are different every time; sometimes he tells the Judge to kiss his ass and others he tells them to go fuck themselves.

But when answers and his pathetic excuses aren’t enough, all he can do is tell the story. The ghosts are his to manipulate like puppets. They sing in sweet, discordant voices like buzzing insects in a hellish choir; courtier and family members alike screech into nothingness about their beloved or hated empress.

Elisabeth herself may have watched once upon a time, outlined in a light too great for Lucheni’s eyes, but it has been too long since he tempted her spirit to come before the crowd.

Day 6: Original Fiction, code name Unremembered

The basement is warm, and good beer is being served. All around the table, we sit and laugh. There are papers scattered on the table in front of us, but nothing is on them.

Maryse and Johanna laugh and kiss while sharing an apple, and Rurik sits across from me. His face is unblemished; the knife attack that took his eye was nothing but a distant memory of an event that will never happen here.

Catrin is face down on the table next to Rurik, already drunk. Sev is trying get her to dance, but they're unsteady on their feet. They laugh as they collapse in a chair next to her, and says something to her that's heavily slurred. Clara and Roran are joking and arguing about the beer at the next table, their voices loud and drunk and jovial.

Even Ilya and Henryk are relaxed. They sit on the other side of the room, counting the flowers that came from Henryk's mother's shop. They are not plotting how to carry out the assassination of Allegra's father. They might leave later and go dancing at one of the clubs that still allows entries for foreigners.

There is no threat outside.

No one will discover us.

There is no assassination to plan.

The door opens quietly, and I look to see Allegra step inside.

So, she has died as well. They finally caught the woman whose act of patricide ended the war.

There’s no need to ask how she died. She is wearing her finest coat over her plump frame and a beautiful hat over her blonde curls, but the shadows of bullet holes cover her body.

She sits apart from us, beer in hand, and quietly waits for someone.

[formerlyrunephoenix6769]

Fields of Gold.  (Bumbleby fic)

She was loath to leave behind a good job with a reputable newspaper that she had worked hard for, but things with her ex-boyfriend had gone too far, so she had packed her most cherished belongings into her car, she had hugged her housemate goodbye, n tearfully parted, not telling Sienna where she was moving too so as not to put either of them in danger. Plus she had no idea where she was going. Absconding in the middle of the night, she had driven to a dealership,which coming to think of it had seemed at bit sketchy, swapped her car, bought a new sim card  and deactivated all her social media accounts.

She couldn’t remember how far she had driven, Route 66 meandering across America, she was sure she passed a number of state lines, she had stopped off at diners in the small nondescript towns.. 

None of them taking her fancy.

It was in Oklahoma, 10 or so miles outside of somewhere called Clearwater that the engine gave out. Spewing up steam n making a bit of a gurgling sound as she willed the car to keep going, inch by laborious inch the noise became too loud to ignore giving one last pathetic squeal before the lights on the dash flickered and died and Blake thunked her forehead against her steering wheel in defeat. 

It was only when she was rummaging through her purse she remembered that she had forgotten to purchase data, so there was no googling mapping where she was or figure out if there was any local tow companies.

Maybe if she got lucky she would be near one of the orange emergency phones that were dotted along the highways of America in case of this exact emergency.

With a deep sigh, she collected her purse and got out of the car to be instantly hit by a bank of oppressive heat and the glare of the midday sun. Shielding her eyes, she scanned the horizon and was meet with nothing but two fields either side of the highway, tall grain, rippling as far as the eye could see spread out like a vast yellow ocean.

The highway stretched like a snake, basking in the rays, heat shimmered off the surface and in the far distance a twinkle, more than likely a mirage.

She wasn't dressed for this vastly different weather, clad in heavy black jeans, a black tank top and leather jacket.

Reaching back through the car door, she retrieved her sunglasses from her visor and peeled out of the jacket, tossing it haphazardly on the back seat. She began rummaging through the trash she had accumulated over course of her journey in the already sweltering car, sifting through candy wrappers, crisp packets and sandwich covers, stretching out, she blindly searched under the passenger seat, and let out a squeak of triumph when her fingers coiled round the familiar feeling plastic of a water bottle but her victory short lived as when she retrieved it, there was barely a drop left.  The  ground beneath her feet began to vibrate. like the very asphalt itself was coming alive and a deep rumble began reverberate the car. Blake crawled backwards, trying to get out of driver’s side door only to hit the back of her head on the roof.

“ Fuck! ... God damnit!”  She cursed, outloud to no one in particular

In a fit of temper and mounting frustration, she threw the bottle back into the depths of the car as the rumbling noise almost became deafening. 

Turning to investigate the hellish sound, the journalist saw in the distance a huge green tractor approaching at a speed that surprised her. She had always been under the impression that tractors where slow and lumbering. This was anything but, it was large, much larger than she ever anticipated and it was fast approaching. Maybe whoever was driving was local? Maybe they would know a tow company or maybe they were a country bumpkin serial killer and all they would find of blake was her busted car?

She could be easily buried in a field  and turn into one of those cold case shows her mother liked to watch. It's not like anyone knew where she was.. OR, She could stand on the side of the road, roast to death and  die of thirst. They were her options! looking up at the cloudless cerulean skie, she spotted a bird hovering over the field... .  I'll die here and my bones will get picked clean by vultures, what a fitting end! In university, she hadn't been voted most likely to die in a freak accident and she had  no intentions of putting herself in the running.. Death by country bumpkin serial killer it is then! Wiping her already damp hands on her jeans, she stepped out giving the universal  symbol of hookers everywhere and "Im available to be mass murdered." , stuck her arm n thumb out and shielded her sunglasses from staring in the direction of the sun. The tractor ate up the asphalt,  leaving a plume of what looked like off coloured clouds from its side attached exhaust pipes. The machine looked monstrous, as it drew closer, Blake could make out the height n width of the tyres, at least another foot towering over her decent 5ft 7 in ,and she tried not to imagine being squished underneath them instinctively causing her to take a step back from the road.  The wind screen was tinted making it near impossible to make out the driver.

The noise of the machinery clunked and clonked, almost as if making a mockery of Blake's car's plight, its cabin rocking and bouncing with its suspension,even on the supposedly flat surface of the road and did not seem to be slowing down any time soon.

In desperation, Blake flipped her long silky dark hair over her shoulder and flashed what she hoped was a megawatt inviting smile. With a deafening roar the tractor sped past, with a rush of wind, leaving Blake in a cloud of dust, dirt and nasty exhaust fumes that stuck in the back of the throat, causing her to cough and splutter. With watering eyes, she was about to flip the jackass the bird when she noticed the tractor beginning to slow down before  coming to a halt up ahead on the side of the road.

Nobody alighted from the cabin and Blake remained cautiously beside her car, the driver’s door open, in case she needed to hastily duck back in and lock the doors. Not that it would offer much protection from a LeatherFace kind of creature hell bent on ripping her limb from limb. 

After what seemed like an agonisingly long moment, the door to the cabin opened and someone hung out.  From this distance, Blake could just about make out a brown cowboy hat, the sun glinting off a pair of glasses and a mass of unruly blond locks. A voice called out that invoked images of apple pie,  iced peach tea on the wrap around porch, nights spent plinking a guitar round a campfire on the plains, and lazy summer evenings watching the fireflies  dump into each other.  "Is everythin alright there, darlin?" Ignoring the slight electric shock down her spine,  and the 'darlin' part of the question, two very conflicting feelings, which right now was not the most opportune moment to act upon. Blake took a step forward, n away from the car. Holding up her hands so the other woman could she see wasn't armed.  "My car..." She called out,  "It conked out.. and my phone.." She gestured, " has no data...  was wondering if you might know a tow company I could call." The blond paused, almost as if she was weighing the options as Blake stood there  sweating her tits off in the midday sun in the middle of the road in buttsville county in whatever the fucking state she was in. Finally, coming to a decision, the woman climbed down from the cabin. As she approached, Blake began to wish she hadn't.  As the Cowgirl, as Blake was beginning to think of her, came closer she could see the glasses were aviators. The blonde moved in confident strides, a roll to her hips n shoulders. worn brown cowboy boots, skin tight blue jeans held up with a chunky buckled belt. a yellow n brown flannel undone, but knotted just on the tummy, accentuating the woman's flat stomach and the rather impressive assets currently been held back by a straining bright white tank top. 

The only words that the journalist could bring to mind was ‘breathtakingly beautiful.’  As she came to a halt just in front of Blake, the journalist could make out a slight honeysuckle brown texture to the skin of her collar bones and her strong looking forearms, no doubt gained from long hours spent outside.  Blake licked her lips, finding her mouth suddenly dry. The blond woman's teeth were bright white and her lips were moving. Her ears finally getting the attention of her brain, Blake realised the blond woman had been talking as she had been staring. She sputtered,  "I'm sorry... I didn't quite catch that." With her fingers in the loop of her belt and a relaxed cock to her hips, the blond regarded her, making Blake suddenly conscious of the fact she had been practically living in her car for the past few weeks and the last time she had showered properly was at a truck stop. She attempted to draw her fingers through her hair. The blond removed her glasses and asked,  "How long you been out here? Did you get a touch of the sun fever?"

At first Blake bristled until she caught the hint of a smirk playing on the blonde's lips. She's damn well knows and she’s she's teasing me about it, the journalist thought. It was both parts hot and infuriating, but she couldn't help it when a laugh bubbled from her stomach and erupted from her chest, causing the blonde to break into a huge grin, with a devilish glint in her eye. Blake stuck out her hand in introduction. "Blake!  From New York."  The blonde took her hand shaking it with a firm grip. Her palm was surprisingly cool in heat of the day. This close blake could make out a smattering of sun dapples across the bridge of the blondes nose and apples of her cheeks and in the light her eyes looked almost lilac. As she shook her hand, she replied in that easy going almost teasing way,

 " I was gonna say, you dont look like you're from round these parts.". "Its that obvious?". “ Yup..... 1)  No one wears black out here, not on a day like today. 2) You're waving down strangers on the side of the road and 3) i know every one round here and I mean everyone  and you, I  don't recognise.... So you're either new to town or passing through.!” She paused,  "Also...... Imma gonna need my hand back if you want me to have a look under the hood"  And that's when Blake, the supposedly sophisticated big city slicker,  realised she had been grinning like a buffoon, her sweaty palm still pumping the cowgirl's hand. She let go, giving an embarrassed cough, mumbling,  "Of course.. of course." Once again the cowgirl regarded her with a look Blake couldn't fathom, as the flustered woman tried to regain some composure. Her cheeks were burning that had nothing to do with being under the sun's intense glare. In an attempt to hide her blush, Blake gestured with a incline of the head,  "I’ll just go pop the hood..... shall I ?"  "That would be ideal. "  Blake ducked back into the car and almost yelped when her hand touched the metal of the door, it was scorching to the touch. Sucking on her fingers, she slid into the driver's seat trying to ignore the pair of ever so slightly mocking lilac eyes watching her intently. 

Reaching underneath the steering wheel, she fumbled about. With it being a new car she wasn't entirely sure where anything was. Atleast she could duck her head n find some respite. Fingers clasped solid metal and she yanked hard to hear something click  and the bonnet of the car popped open. The blond flashed her a thumbs up before lifting the bonnet and disappearing from view. Blake hastily checked her reflection in the rear view mirror and quickly brushed her fingers through her hair before alighting from the car and returning to the front to come across the cowgirl bent over inspecting the engine, giving Blake a view of a very firm and pert backside, the skin tight jeans leaving nothing to the imagination. The white vest top had ridden up slightly showing off a muscular lower back and the ever so  slight hint of a red thong poking out of the lip of the jeans. Blake swallowed, biting back the urge to fan herself, just as the cowgirl straightened up. She removed her cowboy hat, taking a brief moment to look around before popping it on Blake's head and returning to what she was doing.  Blake parked her backside ever so slightly on the bumper and watched as the blond began checking the oil and water gauge. "I didnt catch your name."  "Cause i never gave it to you." Echoed from the depths of the engine straightening up the cowgirl gave Blake another annoying smirk,   "I'm Yang..... From down the road."  The two women held each other's gaze, before Blake once again broke out in laughter. As Yang removed a hair tie from her wrist and tried to bundle her unruly thick hair into a ponytail, Blake was certain she caught hints of gold glittering as it caught the sun light. "Would you have some water?" Yang asked. Blake shook her head,  "I'm sorry."  Yang gave a playful roll of her eyes.  "Now i definitely know you ain't from round here." Bracing herself on edge of the bonnet with her hands, Yang added. "Theres some in the tractor."  "You want me to go to the tractor?" Blake replied in slight disbelief, "Are you not afraid that I might just abscond with it?"  "Do you know how to drive it?"  "No." Blake admitted.  "Then I think i'll take my chances." There came another pause, ".... It's under the seat." Blake seemed to stutter at the trust she was being given as Yang's eyes raked her up and down watching in interest. Pushing herself off the car, the journalist set off in the direction of the tractor. Arriving at the monstrous vehicle, it took her two attempts to climb up the awkwardly shaped steps. She almost fell off when she yanked the door only to find that it swung from left to right rather than a car door, right to left. She hung precariously for a few moments as her trainers slipped on the steps and she was able to nimbly correct herself.  The cabin was surprisingly cool, tidy and smelt of freshly cut grass with a hint of lavender. With minimal effort she found the bottle of water retrieving it before ungracefully stumbling back down the steps, though she tried to be extra aware of her foot placement and closing the door with a slam. Head long, she rushed back only to find Yang casually sitting on the bumper of the car bonnet, flicking through her phone. At her approach, the blonde looked up and Blake spotted a dash of dark oil on her cheek.  Handing  over the bottle of water, she watched in fascination the way the column of Yang's neck bobbed as she swallowed the clear liquid. How it met the collar bones opening out to an expanse of honey coloured skin that looked soft to the touch, leading down to her cleavage that rose and fell ever so slightly. 

 For the second time in 10 minutes Blake was reminded just how dry her mouth  really was.  Another sickle of a smirk was her greeting alerting the brunette to the fact that she had been caught staring again.  Offering out the bottle, Yang innocently asked,  "Thirsty?"  A second, seemed to last an eon, as the implication hung there, crackling like an electron, and Blake caught the wicked flash of mischief.  Two could play at this game.   Blake reached out for the bottle, allowing her finger to graze Yang's as she took it. With a smirk of her own, she held Yang's gaze, as she replied with a sultry,  "Parched!"  She continued to hold the other woman's gaze as she drank and she was delighted to see a bit of colour blossom across the cowgirl's cheeks and a bite of her bottom lip.  Finished, she screwed the cap back on the bottle, slowly and deliberately drawing her thumb across her bottom lip to catch the slight moisture left there Without a word, Yang pushed herself off the lip of the car, closed the bonnet with a bang. She stepped up close to Blake, the other woman registered how the purple of her eyes was barely a thin ring, bordering huge black pupils that almost reflected her back.  She leaned closer,  her eyes darting all over Blake's chest hungrily before coming back to her face. Leaning closer still, she breathed against the brunette's ear,  "Bring only the essentials and come with me.” Blake barely had time to drink in the intoxicating smell of the cowgirl so close, before Yang deftly plucked the cowboy hat from Blake's head, popping it on her own, giving her a down right salacious wink and setting off back to the tractor.  Unable to move, Blake stood there in a stupor as her brain short circuited and a shock went straight from her stomach to her core, it was only when she heard Yang  shout from up the road,   "Unless you got better things to do."  that she was finally able to move It was almost like a jump start . She flailed and tripped over herself, yanking on the door, scrabbling around the backseat, tearing open bags in an attempt to find a change of clothes, underwear,a towel  and stuff them in a small backpack. She rammed in her toiletries bag, grabbed her laptop  and her purse. Closing the door with a slam as the sounds of the tractor's engine roared to life, she had  to retrace her steps so she could lock the door. 

She rushed almost head long across the bleached tarmac in the sweltering heat on a road in the middle of buttsville, wherever the fuck she was, about to willingly and very eagerly jump into a stranger's vehicle, leaving  behind no trace as to being there and as she scrambled to up the awkward steps and a strong yet cool hand reached to take her belongings, coupled with a warm megawatt smile, Blake realised, that she couldnt find it in herself to care. Her stuff safe stashed, she hovered a little awkwardly, as there was only one seat and tractors were not designed for two, until Yang patted her firm muscular thigh.  "Come mere, darlin, you ever ridden a cowgirl's knee before?"  Blake shook her head, trying not to laugh, instead she cheekily leaned forward, breathing against yang's ear,  "But i'm a tryer, i'll try anything once."  Before swiftly snatching Yang's hat from her head and placing it on her own once more. This time is was Yang's turn to laugh. "You're a feisty one, that's for sure." Blake grinned, wickedly,  "You have no idea"  "But I'd sure like to find out, Darlin."  Hands reached, helping turn Blake around  and pulling the slightly smaller woman on her lap on her lap, sitting her side saddle so Yang could see the road and reach the wheel. Blake lay one arm round Yang's shoulders and back, the other holding onto the stability handle to brace herself. "You comfy, darlin?"  And for the first time in over a year, Blake truly was. As Yang pressed the throttle, the tractor lurched forward, causing Blake to let out a surprised yelp and a giggle and Yang to guffaw.  As they thundered down the road, the cabin shaking and bouncing, which from Blake's vantage point gave her a very jiggly eyeful, she yelled out.  "High ho Silver.. Awaaaaaay!"  Much to Yang's amusement and a shake of her head. Never in her life had Blake ever imagined she would find a fresh start in the cabin of a tractor that smelt of freshly cut grass and lavender, wearing a cowboy hat from a girl from in the middle of the road in Buttsville, wherever the fuck she was. 

[ssaalexblake]

the mood is ‘it took me 5 tries to watch this goddamn episode of disco the other day bc i’m sick as a sick dog and kept passing out.. Until i finally had the sense to start off from where i left off before i fell asleep rather than start over. That is Pathetic But... Thoughts...

i had 2 nap twice writing this bc mobile is evil, i am also liveblog addicted and did this now despite my Original Viewing Experience;

Sonequa can run. Like, a great many people can run but when she’s sprinting down the halls to go to engineering she is like, proper sprint running form and i assume that was on purpose and i enjoy it. She’s serious. 

‘officer. orphan. widower. shipmate’ just... ordinarily i’d think it odd about including officer in this list but to michael after the whole s1 business of no rank, it’d mean something. And we know it does because of how much we Know orphan and widower are important. it also throws relief that she is part of discovery’s crew, shipmates Matter. anyway, still sick as a dog (wrote god 3 times by accident) and not v articulate. 

i mentioned the other week how i liked that michael and tilly’s quarters had warm light tones this season to signify it’s a home. This is why it being totally blue again when tilly is gone is doubly brilliant. It’s not Michael’s home if she’s not there. 

wish i could have seen goergiou’s face when the shuttle went careening off and she probs was sent flying. we missed her furiously fast hair and uniform fixing which absolutely happened. 

side note: the best thing about this ep in which something amazing happened is actually michael’s expressions in the bg whenever georgiou is talking. 

followed closely by pike’s faces @ the weird shit going on

give me a flashback ep of cadet georgiou drinking everybody under the table pls like don’t tease me give me pike out of it on the floor (bonus cornwell too pls) while she just sips a tumbler of something smirking (seeing the captain in the emperor in her better moments is fun but seeing the emperor in the then cadet would be funner (enough so for me to use a not word to describe it)).

THE ONLY OTHER ANSWER IS!!

*michael and georgiou breathe in *

CLASSIFIED MISSION

*michael and georgiou breathe out*

(Reminder, watch michael’s faces)

srsly i like that starfleet were all’ this is CAPTAIN GEORGIOU’ but haven’t bothered to convince her to actually properly pretend to even be her she’s just flying around laughing at people confused as to why she’s so... That nowadays. 

she’s like a cat.... Not a cute one, one that will scratch out ur eyes but u love it anyway because she looks like a cat u had one time who was lovely and once in a blue moon is nice to u but usually steals ur apples and scratches ur chairs. And galactic domination. 

look ok i said after the klingon greek soap opera thing that L’Rell picking up ‘Mother’ after talking to the mother of the fatherland was no coincidence and uh... after her title giving there i am Further convinced she just misses the pretentiousness and was spreading it about a bit in response. 

emperor: I;M THE EMPEROR

the crew: *shoves fingers in ears, does not hear*

still convinced at least detmer knows the score

also: still hot for the emperor so... there’s that

*hisses*

I gasped and had a coughing fit

3 times

stamets is unzipped to the maz and his forearms are showingso like... he’s bad rn

sylvia ‘gonna let my anger fester out of spite’ tilly

I... am iffy on Pike’s reasons for disliking Ash. Not gonna argue, ever, that people mistrusting him or even openly disliking him is unrealistic or even in certain cases unjustified but what he said is a bit??? fucked up? whether u buy it or not, that’s what is true and what happened (u know, evidently starfleet’s record lists it as so if this is what pike knows of it) and I react to ppl saying shit that amounts to ‘if i don’t believe it exists you don’t get to exist’ ... hashtag bi problems... 

‘the war changed her’

no shit

also i liked ash’s bun BUT loose is a whole other hot thing

also ash ur not helping urself lol way 2 sound shady

stamets: pls captain let me use ur ship as a doorstop, expose it to hungry shrooms oh and don’t touch anything b/c u will become the human equivalent of a twizzle stick

‘that’s for letting me do this captain but imma sass u too!!!’ 

oh stamets

handholding!!!!

... hugh

fuck me up 

i’d love 2 hear pike’s personal records bc i bet he’s just constantly confused and going what the fuuuuuc

ash’s hair... second bullet for ash’s hair and no regrets

this explanation was a bit Too weird to be buyable which i take as ‘we did not plan this’ but hell we got him back whatever

it also had me worried trek was saying when u die u go to shroom world and are painfully decomposed while concsious for a while So 

georgiou: i run this joint Dude don;t screw with me

i’m gonna take this as tilly did get her science gf because i can

also stamets should have hugged tilly in this ep!! 

she gave up a lot for hugh 

georgiou: smiles honestly and happily when nobody will ever see

the bit of the old score playing in the bg of hugh back is everything

i love cornwell

manlier than thou bullshit

she’s on the stairs 

SHE LIKES TO BE TALL

ths is exactly like a teacher of 8 year olds getting 2 kids in a pissing match to play nice

unless u prefer georgiou

no thank u

NOPE

are michael and stamet’s unifoms non shiny now b/c of the spores???

i need to know ur intentions towards spock

me: it’s not like she wants 2 marry him michael

keyla was touching owo’s shoulder so That Ship Is Sailing if u like it or not

its disgayvery not discovery

(still high on cold meds)

also interesting to note that stamets is Obviously full to the brim with Negative Emotions to Ask but holds nothing against anybody who isn’t??? ...ash... ash not ask

on disco they all hang out on the bridge for funsies

Pike is all ‘’m not a regular captain i’m a  cool captain!!!’ 

ok bye i gotta legit pass out i am Never bullet pointing on mobile ever again

[babyleclerc]

Love Her Madly

Pairings: Tom Hiddleston x Reader

Style: One-Shot

Warnings: Just mild cursing, but what’s new lmfao.

Word Count: 1.8K

Summary: After probably the worst day of your life, you find yourself stood up at a nice restaurant by your date. To make things worse, you also run into your ex - who sees you there alone. Who better to save the day than the one and only Tom Hiddleston?

A/N: W O W. Guys. It’s been a fuckin’ WHILE since I’ve gotten Tom to flow through these fingers. PHEW it feels so fucking good to be back to writing him. I’ve missed him so much. All praise goes to my absolute partner in crime, writing buddy, and bestest of friend, @sxbastianstan. She is my everything, my ultimate bae, and the reason this fic even exists. So go THANK HER for getting me out of my writing rut. Ily all. Hope you enjoy. <3

This was officially, easily, the worst night of your life. You glanced at your Apple watch for the hundredth time that hour, its little neon numbers staring back at you; mocking you. As if looking at it again would magically erase time. Surprise: it hadn’t.

“Would you like to order anything, Miss?” You could tell your waiter was getting impatient and wanted to give the table to someone else. The hour you had been waiting for your blind date was starting to look pathetic, and you knew it. You resisted the urge to roll your eyes at the judgment laced throughout the waiter’s tone and smiled up at him as sweetly as you could.

“Sorry, just five more minutes.” Right as the words slipped from your glossed lips, you heard a male voice from across the room.

“Y/N?” He called out, and your heart sank. You felt your stomach drop and your head feel dizzy as you looked up at the owner of said voice, recognizing it immediately.

“Hey,” You said timidly as your eyes rested on your ex’s handsome face. Damnit, now this really was the worst night of your fucking life.

You stood to give him a quick hug, annoyed by the smell of his cologne and the blonde bimbo hanging off his arm, with perfectly manicured hands and highlighted hair. You immediately felt self-conscious of your own looks and tried to make yourself as small as possible in comparison (as if that were even possible).

“What are you doing here? Are you here by yourself?” He didn’t give you a chance to answer, and instead just plowed on. “This is Anastasia, my fiancé.”

Fiancé. Good. Fucking. Lord. This was just getting better and better.

You smiled tightly, that nauseating feeling twisting in your gut as you shakily held out a hand to meet hers, exchanging niceties. This was the worst.

“So… no date?” He asked again, glancing at the empty chairs in front of you and looking at you with pity. Was there a small smirk on his lips, too? You would give one million dollars to slap that look right off his face.

Before you could answer, you notice some shuffling from the corner of your eye, and a tall man, clad in a dark blue suit, approaches you, leaning over to kiss you gently on the cheek.

“I’m so sorry I’m late, darling. Traffic was a nightmare.” You felt your cheeks get hot and your eyes widen as the British man easily snaked an arm around your waist, his large hand resting gently on your hip. There was a collective pause from the group as they soaked in the man standing in front of you. You tried not to let your jaw drop as your eyes glazed over his gelled hair, his bright blues, and a slight 5 o’clock shadow resting along his jawline. He swiftly buttoned his suit jacket and extended a hand to your ex-boyfriend who just stood there, baffled. He turned his attention to Jack, as if just noticing him for the first time. “Ah, sorry, didn’t mean to be rude. I’m Tom.”

“Jack,” Your ex shook his hand and seemed to stand up straighter, as if measuring himself against this mystery man named Tom. (It was of no use, Tom was a full foot taller than him, at least). There was an awkward beat, and you hoped no one noticed that in reality you had no idea who the hell this Tom character was, but boy were you thankful that he had decided to step in right at this moment.

“Well, we should get back to our meal. I’ve been keeping my poor girl waiting for over an hour; she’ll kill me if I don’t get food in her system soon.” Tom winked at you and you felt yourself coming undone, your cheeks so hot they could burn the restaurant down.

Without waiting for dismissal from Jack, Tom led you towards the table you had previously been abandoned at, pulling your chair out for you and allowing you to sit down. By the time he sat down, swiftly unbuttoning his suit jacket in the process, Jack and Anastasia had gone back to their table, stunned. You could feel the envy seeping from both of them as your heart pounded in your chest, finally drinking in the man in front of you. He seemed completely at ease, as if this had been his plan all along. As if he hadn’t just spotted you from across the room at the bar, and decided to swoop in and save you like some sort of prince charming.

“Uhm,” You started, biting your lower lip. “You didn’t need to do that.”

Though his eyes smiled at you, his lips formed into a beautiful smirk, oozing with confidence. “A simple ‘thank you’ would suffice.” He raised his hand and called for the waiter. You sat there, stunned, sputtering stupidly. “I’ll take a vodka tonic, and the lady here will have…?”

He turned to you, waiting, and you blinked, your brain trying to process what he was asking you but being infinitely distracted by his confidence and distracting British accent.

“I’ll have a Scotch, please.” You finally managed out, your hands trembling slightly.

Tom flashed a smile towards the waiter, thanking him, before once again letting his beautiful blue orbs rest on you. It made you feel uncomfortable, the way that he was assessing you – as if he knew you were panicking and sweating beneath your somewhat (?) calm exterior.

“So, where were we?” He asked, leaning back against the chair, crossing one leg over the other easily. His hands rested on his thighs. “Ah yes, you were about to thank me.”

You would have scowled at him had his grin not been so fucking handsome. You hated to admit it, but the guy was smooth. Too smooth.

“Right,” You rolled your eyes, gaining some of your confidence back, “Thank you for swooping in and now hijacking my dinner.”

Tom raised an eyebrow at your tone, “I’m sorry, did you want me to leave so can eat by yourself?”

You glared at him, his comment a straight punch to the gut. You sighed, backing down. “No, but thank you for saving me. You don’t have to have dinner with me, though.”

Tom waved it off with his hand, shaking his head, “I was only teasing. No need to thank me. I hate seeing a beautiful girl stood up. I’m assuming that’s what happened, yes?”

You sighed again, but suddenly feeling more comfortable, nodded. “Yes.”

“Tinder?”

“Bumble, actually.”

“Ah.”

The waiter now returned with your drinks, setting them on the table in front of you and taking your orders. Tom ordered the fish while you ordered a steak (thank God you knew what you wanted already, you would have died if he looked at you stupidly again), and he took a sip of his vodka, letting the ice-cold glass rest in his hand. He fidgeted with the lime, head cocked to the side as his eyes watched you.

“So that’s an ex of yours, I gather?” He asked finally, swirling the drink in his hand as his head nodded discretely towards Jack.

You blushed slightly, embarrassed that he had caught you staring at Jack and Anastasia for the thousandth time. You sighed, nodding. “Yeah, we used to date. For a while, actually.”

“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.” Another swig of his vodka tonic. You watched as his tongue dashed along his lips slightly, annoyed at how effortlessly your body was in-tune with his.

You sighed, partially from the question but mostly from the way Tom oozed sexiness and comfort without even trying. “Long story, but he broke up with me. Typical ‘guy likes girl, guy wins over girl, girl falls in love with guy, guy falls in love with someone else’. It was a while ago.” You shrugged, taking a deep swig of your Scotch.

Tom’s eyes darted over to Jack, just in time to see him glaring at you. He thought for a moment, then peered back at you, a playful look dancing in his eyes. He leaned across the table and reached for your hand, allowing his fingers to gently intertwine with yours before speaking in a low, husky voice.

“Let’s make him burn with envy.”

Dinner went on so smoothly from there, it was hard to believe that the night had started out the way that it had, and that this was a “first date”. Tom was ever the gentleman – listening intently, complimenting you at all the right times, never getting distracted or looking uninterested. It was as if he was hanging on to your every word, like his life depended on them. It was as intimidating as it was refreshing.

“So tell me,” You started, cutting your knife easily into your steak, “What made you come over and save me earlier tonight?”

Tom grinned, chuckling slightly, “You should know by now that your radiant beauty made it hard for me to stay away.”

You laughed wholeheartedly, amused, “You seriously expect that line to work? What do other girls say to that?”

He shrugged, “Wouldn’t know, you’re the first woman I’ve ever used it on.”

You immediately sobered, your head tilting slightly, “I call bullshit.”

It was Tom’s turn to laugh, the corner of his eyes crinkling just slightly, his tongue peeking out from between his lips. You wondered, for just a moment, what it would feel like to kiss them…

“Not bullshit, actually, I hardly have time between filming to go out on dates.”

“So it just happened to be my lucky day that you were here, tonight, huh? Just waiting for a damsel in distress to save?” You grinned back at him cheekily.

“I’d hardly call you a damsel in distress, Y/N.” The way his accent drawled your name out sent goosebumps up your arms. You wanted to hear him say it a thousand times over, preferably in the dark, in his bed, his lips pressed against your skin in the most sinful ways.

You squirmed slightly in your chair at the visual, crossing a leg over the other in an attempt to calm yourself down. Tom noticed the slight gesture and smiled softly against his raised glass, fighting everything within him to wink at you.

Tom cleared his throat, glancing at his watch, “I know this is extremely forward of me, and I swear I would never ask just anyone this, but, would you-”

“Yes.” You answered before he could finish.

Tom grinned, his eyes twinkling. He pulled out his wallet and set down a few hundred-dollar bills – you weren’t sure how much but tried not to gape at the load of cash he still had in his wallet. He took you briskly by the hand, pulling you in front of him as he guided you out of the restaurant, both hands resting easily on your hips.

You were too happy, the grin far too wide across your lips, to notice a sulking Jack behind you.

Fin.

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[henry-hart]

Henry Danger Carnival/Fair Fic: Part 2

Dedicated to: @sunbeameyes @up-the-tube @youngbloodthekilljoy --thank you for all your great feedback. I'm positive this wouldn't have turned out so well (at least I wouldn't have liked it as much) if not for the motivation your kind words gave me! :)))

Summary: The gang--Ray, Schwoz, and the kids (Piper included)--spend the day and most of the night at the Swellview Fair.

A/N: Soooo, just describing two events took up a LOT more than I thought, so this fic is probablydefinitely gonna be more than the predicted 3 parts. Don't know if that's good or bad news, but....enjoy! xoxo

----------

The gang--Ray, Henry, Jasper, Charlotte, and Piper--arrived at Swellview Park where the annual fair was in full swing. They watched as people rushed in and out at a steady pace.

Ray parked the car next to a very familiar smart car, and everyone got out quickly, excited to be at the fair. It was a nice change from the usual job of crimefighting--apart from Piper who was just glad to have something to do, especially something she used to love as a kid.

The driver side door opened on the smart car, and a familiar face emerged from the tiny vehicle. 

"Hello everybody!" Schwoz called out, a giant smile on his face. "Guess who finally got their colon checked!"

A chorus of groans sounded from the others in protest to Schwoz' tendency to over share. 

"I really don't want to." Henry muttered with a look of disgust on his face. The others wore similar expressions. 

"Yeah, Schwoz, no one wants to be talking about your inside parts." Ray complained. 

Schwoz' face fell. He had been excited to finally get the procedure out of the way; he had been postponing it due to everyone else demanding he be at their immediate service, so it was a relief to be able to focus on his health for once. "Well, I'm sorry I'm excited about it. I've only been putting it off for months because of you people." He sniffed pathetically. "I could've died." 

Ray rolled his eyes. "You weren't going to die."

"You don't know that!" Schwoz protested, eyes wide. 

"Neither do you!" Ray countered. "You're not a doctor." Schwoz shrugged one shoulder, conceding the point, so Ray continued. "Okay, now that we're done talking colons, can we get to the fair please?" 

"Yes," Henry said dramatically, "Please."

The others nodded in agreement. 

"Alright, then, let's go." Ray lead the crew to the opening walkway of the fair, practically shaking with excitement now that he was this close to his candy apples--though talking about Schwoz' colon hadn't done much good for his appetite. 

While everyone filed through to the fair grounds, Piper watched Schwoz with a vague sense that she had seen him before--and a slight bit of nausea considering he had greeted them with talk of his colon--but she couldn't imagine where. She couldn't think of a reason she would have had for coming into contact with someone like him. He did kind of remind her of the strange interpretative dance guy she had hired for her tea party...weird.

The fair was crowded--as was expected; it looked like the entirety of Swellview showed up for the event. Popular news anchors Trent Overunder and Mary Gaperman were in attendance as well, filming a segment sure to appear on the news later that day. Henry had a hard time convincing Ray not to make an appearance as Captain Man for the cameras; he knew it would attract the attention of everyone around and that Kid Danger would have to appear as well. Although the prospect of Swellview's own heroes enjoying the fair with the rest of the town's citizens would definitely gain positive publicity, all Henry wanted was to spend the day with his friends as Henry Hart--no Captain Man and no Kid Danger. He felt he deserved this day to be selfish, to be able to just be Henry, a regular citizen (Ray reluctantly agreed--a reminder of candy apples being no more than fifteen feet away helped persuade him).

Kids ran around gleefully, faces painted and fingers sticky from the cotton candy they clutched in their hands, giggling as they went. Sounds of excitement and frustration sounded from the many game booths as people won and some less fortunate lost. Various carnival music could be heard carrying through the air from all the different rides and attractions, and even screams of excitement--terror as well--could be heard from the more extreme rides nearby. A multitude of smells from the different food booths wafted through the air into one scent, creating that familiar--to most--carnival smell. Everything was so brightly colored and wonderfully lit. There was so much going on, but it was still enjoyable, not chaotic. The weather was beautiful--not a cloud in the sky--and everyone was in high spirits; it was impossible not to be affected by the carnival.

Genuine smiles made their way to the faces of the six who had only just arrived--Jasper's being the biggest.

Jasper was in complete awe at the sight of the fair. It was like nothing he had ever seen before. It's sheer size was breathtaking on its own. He didn't even think Swellview Park was big enough to host such an event, and yet here it was, in all its colorful, magical glory. He could see a giant ferris wheel--much like the one on his bucket, much to his delight--on the far side of the park, easily visible because it was incredibly tall. Closest to him were the food and game booths, all of them painted in bright colors and adorned with even brighter lights. Just past the booths, the rides began, and there was a wide variety. Super rollercoasters, kiddie rides, bumper cars, paddle boats, a carousel, a tilt-o-whirl--they were all there. It was all incredible, and Jasper couldn't wait to try everything. His only problem was what to do first.

Ray had no problem figuring that out for himself. 

"Candy apples," he announced in a voice that said he was only thinking of one thing as they moved farther into the fair and the infamous candy apple booth appeared.

"Great," Charlotte sighed. She knew they all shouldn't go separate ways--it would be impossible to find everyone again in the mess of people--but Ray's mind was no longer functioning correctly. "I'll go watch him and make sure he doesn't do anything too...Ray."

Henry nodded. "Jasper and I will stick with Piper." He ignored the scowl on his sister's face and looked to Schwoz. "Take Schwoz with you."

Charlotte understood why Henry wanted Schwoz with her--it was better if Piper spent the least amount of time with him possible--and she pulled Schwoz after her, ignoring his protests and demands to go see the petting zoo.

Henry knew Charlotte would have her hands full with those two, but he would make sure to meet up with her later to provide some relief and to let her do what she wanted to do. "So," he turned to his sister and his best friend. "What do we do first?"

Jasper had been grinning from ear to ear the moment they arrived, and Henry didn't think he would stop. He of course didn't mind it. In fact, he liked it. It made Henry happy to see Jasper so excited because Henry knew Jasper's parents didn't take him to places like the fair when he was younger like Henry's parents had. Henry was saddened to think of all that Jasper had missed out on as a child that he himself had gotten to experience, so he vowed to make sure Jasper had the best day ever today. "I have no idea." Jasper breathed. "There's so much to do."

Piper, however, had no qualms with making a decision. "Bumper cars," she stated in a direct voice that left no room for questioning.

Henry was doubtful though. He had very distinct memories of Piper and the bumper cars from when he was a kid, and almost all of them were unpleasant. One year, Piper managed to cause a ten car pileup that only she managed to break free from, and a few kids got hurt, Henry being one of them. Six-year-old Piper rammed her car into the back of ten-year-old Henry's car, and the force sent his face slamming into the steering wheel of his car. To make matters worse, their dad was in the car with Piper. He obviously didn't help much seeing as how Piper caused the wreck with him present. Henry's nose was effectively broken, and the sight of his blood made most of the other kids freak out. They eventually had to close the ride to keep everyone from mass panic. Henry's day was ruined, but Piper was unfazed.Their parents banned the two of them from riding the bumper cars again after that. Henry didn't think it was fair that they both were included in the punishment considering he had been a mere victim to Piper's usual antics, but his parents didn't see it that way (Henry figured the real reason behind it was their fear that Piper would lash out if she were the only one punished), so Henry got a broken nose and a ban from bumoer cars at the same time. Henry's fear of riding in a car operated by Piper probably originated from those memories.

Henry rubbed his nose resentfully at the thought of that year. "I don't know, Piper, maybe bumper cars aren't such a good idea. Mom and Dad did ban them." 

Piper knew what Henry was referring to, but she didn't see why that mattered now. She was like six when that happened. She was twelve now, and she had a license. "Relax, Henry. What Mom and Dad don't know won't hurt them." She could tell he was considering this, and she knew she had him now. "I have a license now, so it's just the other idiots you need to worry about."

"Again with the license," Henry sighed. "Do we really have to go through this a second time?"

"No," Piper said. Henry was surprised by her answer--but then she continued. "We're gonna go ride the bumper cars."

Henry looked to Jasper, but Jasper was thinking that bumper cars sounded like a good idea too. "Bumper cars sound cool." He shrugged.

Henry's gusto deflated knowing he was in the minority and wasn't going to win. "Alright," he caved. "Bumper cars it is."

They headed to a ticket booth to buy their tickets first. Jasper was ecstatic that his bucket proved to be of use. Piper had brought money for herself, but Henry wouldn't let her use it. 

"I don't need you to buy anything for me." She grumbled. Her pride was slightly hurt; she didn't like to feel like she was in anyone's debt. She also wasn't sure how to handle Henry with all his niceness.

Henry only smiled. "I know, but I want to." 

Truth was he wanted to make sure Piper enjoyed herself as much as possible as well. He hadn't been spending much time with his little sister lately with all his time spent at school and at work and being Kid Danger, and he felt bad about it. Piper was a handful, but Henry did have fond memories of the two of them together. He was responsible for her today, and that meant he was also responsible for making sure she had a good time. He figured he'd start by buying her tickets and whatever else she wanted from the fair so that she could spend her money on something fun for herself another day. He had a job, so he wasn't worried about spending money on his little sister. Piper made a big fuss about putting her money away and accepting Henry's offer, but she was actually grateful. Henry knew enough about his sister to be able to tell that she appreciated it whether she said so or not. 

The made their way past multiple booths and various kiddie games until they made it to where the bumper cars were located. 

Henry let out a shaky breath, wondering if this was a good idea. Yeah, Piper wasn't her six year old self anymore, but she still had a volatile temper and severe road rage. Maybe Mom and Dad were right to ban bumper cars. The point is literally to hit other people--with cars. Someone like Piper shouldn't be given that much power. But when he looked at Piper and Jasper and saw that they were acutally smiling at each other, he instantly dismissed any negative thoughts he had about it.  

Maybe Piper was right. Maybe it wouldn't end bloody this time. He sincerely hoped--for his sake--that it didn't.

----------

Charlotte left the restroom and made her way back to the candy apple booth where she had left Schwoz and Ray. When she arrived, she found Ray sitting on the ground, apple cores and wooden sticks strewn around him. Schwoz was nowhere to be found. "Ray, how many apples have you eaten?" She gaped. "And where is Schwoz?" 

Ray moaned in discomfort. "I don't know." He burped loudly, and Charlotte flinched in disgust. "All I know is that I started with twenty dollars in my hand, and now it's gone."

Charlotte looked at the sign above the booth that said that one apple was worth one dollar. "You ate twenty candy apples?" She gasped. Schwoz was making his way to them now with a cup in his hand. She looked to Schwoz accusingly. "You let him eat that many?"

Schwoz didn't look like he knew what she was talking about at first, but then he noticed the apple cores. He held his hands up in surrender. "What was I supposed to do?"

Charlotte made gave a sardonic laugh. "I don't know, stop him?"

"He can't stop me." Ray asserted. He tried to stand up from where he was sitting but thought better of it when his stomach gave a sickening jolt. "He wasn't even over here anyway. He was too busy buying shaved ice."

Schwoz smiled, holding his cup up proudly. "I got the red one." He stuck his tongue out to show that it was stained from the red dye of the sugar syrup. 

Charlotte held her hand up to stop him. "Put your tongue away Schwoz." She turned back to Ray who was sitting on the ground. "You didn't answer my question. Did you or did you not eat twenty candy apples?" 

"No," he insisted. "I ate ten candy apples." Charlotte raised a skeptical eyebrow, so he continued after a brief pause. "The other ten were caramel."

"Ray!" She scolded. 

"What?" He cried defensively. "I've waited a whole year for these things. I think my actions were perfectly justified."

"Really?" She mused. "Well, now you're going to have to wait at least an hour before you can do anything else."

Ray gave a rude snort. 

Charlotte returned it with a challenging look. "You don't believe me?"

"No."

"Ray, you can't ride a rollercoaster after eating that much sugar." She pressed, wondering how this man-child could possibly be her boss, how he could be a superhero.

Ray got to his feet shakily and had to hold onto the Schwoz to steady himself. He immediately let go once he was upright. "Maybe you can't, but I'm indestructible." He pointed a finger at himself. "That means I'm better than you. No rollercoaster is gonna make me sick." He started to walk in the direction of the nearest ride that he deemed extreme enough to prove his point, but it would've been a lot easier to take him seriously if he weren't swaying as he walked. 

"I'm pretty sure that's not how being indestructible works, Ray!" Charlotte called after him, but it was in vain. He either didn't hear her, or he was ignoring her. 

Either way, he made his way to the line for that ride that's a circle that spins, and people stand against the wall with no belts or harnesses as the g-force from the spinning of the circle keeps everyone in place. In other words, the worst possible thing to be on with a full stomach. 

Charlotte knew what was about to happen, and it was going to involve a lot of puke. Great. 

"Come on, Schwoz," Charlotte sighed, grabbing Schwoz' arm. "Let's go buy a bucket."

"Why?" Schwoz asked, eating the rest of his shaved ice. 

"Because apples are about to go flying." 

She hoped that wherever Henry and Jasper and Piper were, they were having a better time than she was. 

----------

"Piper, stop hitting Jasper!" Henry yelled over the other kids in their bumper cars. 

"No, he deserves it!" She called back, continuing her assualt.

She had Jasper stuck in a corner, and she was backing up far enough to drive forward and hit him. Poor Jasper was trying his hardest to get away from her, but he wasn't too good at operating the bumper cars and Piper wasn't giving him enough room to maneuver.

Henry tried to make his way over to Jasper to help him, but he had problems of his own. His came in the form of an eight-year-old freckly brat who spent way too much time with his foot on the gas pedal. This kid was as persistent as Piper; he purposefully sought Henry's car out and was hitting Henry hard enough to give him whiplash. 

Henry was getting real tired of this little kid, and if he didn't stop now, there was going to be a bloody nose this year after all. 

"Yeah, Piper, this is great. It's nothing like when we were kids." Henry muttered bitterly to himself, regretting his decision to lift the bumper car ban.

Freckles rammed into Henry another time, and Jasper sent Henry another pleading look as Piper hit him again too. Henry knew what he had to do, but he wasn't proud of it. 

When Freckles backed up once more, preparing to hit Henry again, Henry accelerated instead, hitting the kid at an angle and sent his car flying into another one. Henry didn't even have time to appreciate the stunned look on the kid's face because the hit had caused a chain of hits to occur until the bumper car track was once again faced with a ten car pileup--this time with Henry to blame for it. 

Henry looked around, confident that his handiwork would get the ride shut down without the need for a bloody anything, but then he was suddenly jerked forward, and because he wasn't prepared, his head went flying forward, his nose making the all too familiar contact with his steering wheel. 

His face was numb all around his nose, and he felt little pricks of pain in his eyes that made tears form. Something warm trailed down from his nose to his upper lip.

Great. If only someone had seen this coming...

Henry turned around, hand holding his bleeding nose, to see who had hit him and found a kid who looked a lot like Freckles. Henry searched the track and found Freckles smirking at him before sending a salute to the kid who had just hit Henry. There's two of them. Wonderful. 

A voice cut off the music that was playing over the intercom to announce that the ride was shut down and that everyone was to vacate immediately. Henry made his way to the exit--he actively avoided the Freckle Brothers--and accepted the tissues one of the ride operators was offering him with a polite thank you (he hoped they didn't know he had caused the shutdown). He found Jasper and Piper waiting for him on the fair grounds. Jasper looked shaken up--rightly--and Piper looked like she was still harboring some of that fury from before.

"Why did you do that?" Piper demanded, ignoring Henry's bleeding nose. 

"Are you okay?" Jasper asked, obviously concerned. 

Henry placed a hand on Jasper's arm to calm him and let him know that he was alright. "I'm fine, by the way," He snapped at Piper. "I had to do something. You were terrorizing Jasper!"

Piper made a face. "He deserved it."

"What did I do?" Jasper cried.

Piper glared at him. "You know what you did." 

"No, I really don't." 

"You cut me in line." She gritted out.

Henry almost fell over. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "That's why you were torturing him? Really? I had some bratty little kid and his jerk brother tag-teaming against me, and you were mad about losing your place in line?"

Piper shrugged. "You have your ways. I have mine."

"They broke my nose!" Henry was sure it wasn't broken, but he exaggerated for emphasis. It did really hurt--and he was mad about that--but it was more the principle of the thing. He knew something like this was going to happen, but Piper didn't want to listen.

Piper waved her hands in a gesture to calm Henry down. "Don't get your underwear in a twist. We'll go get shaved ice or something, and you can put yours on your nose."

Henry just shook his head, mouth agape, and Piper walked away in the direction of the food booths. Jasper gave him another concerned look, but Henry just nodded for them to follow Piper. His anger dissipated soon after they caught up with her though because Piper seemed to have calmed down; he heard her conferring with Jasper on what the accident Henry had caused looked like. Piper was even able to describe with incredible attention to detail Henry's face when the kid hit him, and that got a small laugh out of Henry. 

They probably should've obeyed their parents ban on bumper cars, but in the end, they had had fun. That's what mattered. Besides, Henry's nose had stopped bleeding, so it really wasn't that bad after all. He had also really enjoyed giving Freckles a taste of his own medicine.

Henry wondered if Charlotte was having any luck with Ray and Schwoz. He hoped they avoided any nose bleeds or other injuries. 

[fernlomwrites]

Tenaria Tale: Chapter 3, Colorful Intros

The ruins are beautiful. You agree with this, and walk around slowly, admiring the detailed carvings into the pillars holding up the colorful mosaic roof. Considering you are walking down a hallway staring upward at the roof, its inevitable that you bump into someone.

“What in tarnation?” A thick southern accent resounds from the tall man before you. His arms and legs a smooth chrome, dressed in blue denim overalls, a brown t-shirt, and a red baseball cap. He turns and looks down at you.

“What kind of Character are you? You look small, whats with that striped sweater? You must be a kid. Huh. “ He kneels down at looks at you in the eyes, his eyes a deep brown. “Well welcome to the ruins, im Farmer John, I grow grapes down here. Come visit my farm sometime, it’s down the hall to the right. To the left is the path to the queen’s house.”

He stands up and nods down at you. You nod back, what a pleasant conversation. Farmer John smiles slightly and walks down the hall, taking a right to go to his farm. You stand there for a bit and ponder, should you go to his farm? Or just keep going and get to Tracey’s house?

You decide to go to the farm. You recognize plot development when you see it. What do you mean I’m breaking the fourth wall too much, I’m the narrator, I can do as I please. Just get walking child.

You start walking down the hallway and take a right, immediately around the corner, rows upon rows of grape vines are filling the room, at the end of the hall was a small house. Standing at the porch of the home stood Farmer John, leaning on a post stood another man in a clean blue suit, and red rimmed glasses. The two seemed to be discussing something about cotton.

You approach and the suit man looks down at you. “Oh, a child, i can tell by the striped sweater”

He smiles and munches on an apple. You aren’t sure where he got the apple, you decide not to question it too much and move on.

“I’m Pointdexter, I help John here with the farming cause ya’know, “ he takes another bite from his apple, the previous bite somehow missing. “Fruits and stuff”

You decide to question the apple now.

“My apple? I made it”

His answer is too vague and confusing.

“I make fruits and veggies. It’s my magic. John’s magic is strength, mine’s making fruits.”

This answer is better.  He offers you an apple? Take it?

YES          NO

You decide to take an apple, even though you aren’t hungry.  You understand that it might come in handy later.

YOU HAVE ACQUIRED A RED APPLE. IT LOOKS TASTY AND RADIATES A STRANGE ENERGY.

John and Pointdexter smile at you and let you know how to get back to the main path.

You wave as you walk out, heading towards Tracey’s house.

“Psst, hey kid”

A voice whispers from the hall. You turn and see two more men leaning against a wall, the one on the right dressed in a slick black suit, brown rimmed glasses and a black hat, with a red rim. The one on the left in a simple black suit and red tie, with dark black sunglasses hiding his eyes.

“You must be new down here” the Hat wearing man smirks down at you. “You must be new down here, allow us to give you a bit of expository information”

“Convenient right? “ The one in glasses comments.

“Lets start with introducing ourselves, I’m Don, and this is Agent Carter. “ The one with the hat began speaking, “And welcome to the ruins. The original home of the Characters when we first got banished down here. Set up by King Wechidna and his wife Queen Tracey, all of us lived in this area before the King began work on expanding out underground home. Now it is made up of six areas. Ruins here, Snowdin out there, then Waterfall, Hotlands, The CORE, and NEW Home. “

Agent Carter continues “The Readers trapped us down here with a magic barrier made by seven powerful readers known as Authors. The only way to free us is by the combined power of seven Reader souls. King Wechidna knew this would be an impossible task, gathering the souls and instead decided we would peacefully live down here instead. We, as people agreed and began settling in. “

“But that all changed when the first Reader fell down here” Don continued. “Their name had long been forgotten, but they were kind. Determined, but kind. King Wechidna and Queen Tracey took them in, and they quickly grew close to the royal son, Samexe. The Reader grew to love us Characters, and our culture, and began to grow angry at the cruelty of the other Readers. “

“So, as the legends go, the young Reader came up with a plan”

“They remembered long ago they accidentally made their father sick by feeding him buttercup flowers, so the reader gathered some up and ate them”

“Days, the reader lay sick in bed for days, the Underground grew silent, somber until the day they died. Samexe absorbed their soul and withit got past the barrier. “

“They took the body of their fallen friend out to the local Reader village. “

“The readers thought Samexe had killed the Reader. So they attacked. Despite all the power Samexe had, he never fought back, he simply set the Reader down on a patch of buttercup flowers and returned to the underground. “

“He fell to his knees as the entrance of the ruins, where that nice pumpkin patch is now and became the dust we all do. “

“It was after that, King Wechidna made a vow, no more Readers will pass through here, Royal Guards were put in place to capture all Readers and deliver them to the king. Queen Tracey was horrified by this behaviour after the next reader fell, another child. This child was one of Integrity, this one was captured here in the ruins, by you right don?”

“Yup, I captured that one, sent it to the King and Queen. I remember the Queen’s face when King Wechidna killed it,  capturing the soul in this jar thing. “

You step back from Don and Carter.

“Oh yah, we’re both Royal Guards kid” Carter replies. “But you have no reason to be scared, no Readers have fallen down here in years.”

“Yah, i hear they are super dangerous. Here” Don hands you a small pocket knife.

YOU HAVE ACQUIRED A SMALL POCKET KNIFE, IT’S VERY SHARP BUT TOO SMALL TO REALLY DO ANYTHING. SHAME

“Just incase a Reader falls, you can stay safe.”

You look at the SMALL POCKET KNIFE and shrug, putting it into your inventory. Agent Carter hands you an energy bar.

YOU HAVE ACQUIRED AN ENERGY BAR, IT’S GOT CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND A LOT OF GRANOLA. TASTY.

You smile and say goodbye the the two royal guards. They wave as you continue down the hall. You turn a corner and find the hall to be much narrower, blocking the path is a ghost sitting on the floor, he’s wearing a large puffy jacket with its hood up, the room seems to be much colder than every other room.

You need to get past, do you forcefully move the ghost? Or talk to it?

MOVE TALK

You decide to talk to the ghost. It looks up to you, startled “o-oh, sorry, n-normally no one comes through here so i like to sit here and wallow y’know?”

This ghost seems sad and pathetic, you should befriend it, cause its just like you. Sad and pathetic.

“M-my name? I’m H-Hail. I like to visit the Ruins cause it’s so quiet. D-Do you like music?”

YES NO

“Y-you do? C-cool! D-do you want to listen to some of my music s-sometime?”

YES NO

“You would!? W-Wow, I don’t have any of my music h-here, b-but come find me in Waterfall o-okay? I have my music at my house”

You cheered up the sad, cold ghost, he disappears and lets you pass. You walk through and find yourself in another long hallway. Leaning against a wall is a man in an all white suit, swinging a glowing cane. He smiles at you and motions for you to come over.

“Bake sale kid bake sale” He smiles as you approach “care to donate to a good cause?”

You ask what cause?

“I need to meet up with some friends in Hotland, but in order to get there I need to pass through Snowdin, but that's too cold. So me and my friend are raising money to hire a car to get there. Want to buy something and help?”

A little table stands before him with only two items, a little donut, and a bottle of cider.

“I made them both myself by hand, a rave donut and party juice. “

RAVE DONUT, TASTES LIKE FUN AND ELECTRO MUSIC, GIVES 5 HP AND INCREASES SPEED. 5 G

PARTY JUICE, TASTES LIKE FOGGY MEMORIES AND MISTAKES, GIVES 10 HP AND MOMENTARY INVINCIBILITY. 10 G

You dig through your pockets and pull out 15 gold and buy one of each item.

The man happily takes your gold and gives you the items.

YOU RECEIVED A RAVE DONUT AND PARTY JUICE, IT’S GOING TO BE A WILD RIDE.

“Thank you for your support of the ‘Bring Smiley Joe to Hotland” charity. Smiley Joe...smiles...and beckons you to go on your way.

You shrug and walk away. You take five steps before bumping into another character, its getting annoying at this point. You look up at quite possibly the most well built man you’ve ever seen, he’s dressed in hospital scrubs and a lab coat. He looks down at you.

“Oh hello Reader Child. Now don’t panic, of course I know you are a Reader, I am a doctor after all. I am Doctor Carter, pleasure to meet you. “ He suddenly gasps “What is that in your hands? Party Juice and a Rave Donut!” He quickly takes them from you.

“These should not be in the possession of a child! Joe! You are in big trouble”

Before you can object, the Doctor has run off, chasing Smiley Joe down the hall. You shrug and continue walking.

You exit the hallway and find yourself facing a large, dead tree, surrounded by fresh purple leaves, behind the tree stood a small, cozy house.

The cell phone in your pocket rings. You answer.

“Hey kid, it’s Tracey, listen I’m making you a pie, do you like cinnamon or butterscotch?”

CINNAMON BUTTERSCOTCH

“Huh, b-scotch ey? Alright, but you don’t hate cinnamon right? Nah, who hates cinnamon? Its amazing. Anyway, I’ll be coming back to get you in just a minute okay? I’m just leaving my house now”

With a click she hangs up, you hear the door opening to the house. Tracey steps out, her purple robe now dirty with flour and cinnamon. She dusts herself off and begins walking forward. She stops upon seeing you “kid!” She rushes towards you

“You made it here all by yourself? Wow, strong kid. Come on, your pie is in the oven”

Tracey takes your hand and leads you inside.

[jjkookie07]

Always and Forever- Chapter 2

Jungkook x Reader ( Mayze) warlock x vampire AU

genre: Angst x Fluff x Smut

Preview / Chapter 1 / Chapter 3

July 28th 2017 

Looking at him Mayze felt her knees go weak. She was bewitched by his strong manly appearance. From his prominent jaw-line, his big dark brown eyes, his perfectly shaped lips and the mole underneath, to his tall figure, his wide shoulders, he was perfect.

"Hello there hot and sexy warlock. I would love to mess with you a little bit but I am married" She said leaning against her chair. She never acted this bold around a man but just the look of him made her heart beat again. Maybe he could be what she was looking for.

"And here's the first reason to want him dead." Hoseok mumbled enough for Jimin to hear.

"Well witch, my first advice for you is :don't get involved in family problems" Jimin held out his hand and Jungkook gladly shook it. "I am not here to find troubles." He smiled, his gaze turning towards Mayze that was bitting her lower lip. He couldn't deny, he felt it too. It's like the word stopped and he was lost in her eyes. She was indeed a very beautiful creature, too bad she was already taken. Perhaps he was too late.

"I must be the prettiest problem and the sexiest trouble then" She said standing up from her seat. "I am going to bring the food then." She walked to the kitchen with Hoseok close behind her.

"Are you seriously going to make me look like a stupid vampire in front of a stupid witch?" He whisper -yelled at her.

"I didn't do anything wrong and he is a warlock" She defended Jungkook.

"You must be kidding me. I did not take you for that kind of bitch that raises her tail at every horny dog that passes by." he fired back.

"I did not insult you okay? Be careful what are you saying. It's not my fault you are this insecure." She took the plate that her and Jimin arranged for the appetizers ready to walk to the living room.

"You do make me feel insecure though." He grabbed the plate from her hands and placed it on the counter.

"Can we discuss this at home? You had too many glasses of wine." She grabbed the plate and walked inside the dining room while smiling sweetly.

The dinner finished without any big incidents even if Hoseok was looking at Jungkook with fire in his eyes, almost ready to murder him. He knew he wasn't going to solve the situation between him and Mayze. He lost her the moment she looked at the warlock. He felt his heart clench inside his chest. For a year he thought she was his.

How pathetic she thought. How can you see a person for one hour and feel like he is already part of you? How could he walk through those doors with his Greek god like figure and turn her world upside down? Was it even possible? If so this was most horrible joke the universe could play on her. Meeting him now? Why now? She will never be able to break the spell that links her with Hoseok and also she won't be able to cheat on him. Either way this sucked. Why was she creating so many scenarios in her head? What if he felt nothing? But what if he did?

Mayze started turning and tossing around on her side of the bed, her back facing Hoseok that she knew, was wide awake.

"Do you know him?" His voice suddenly cut through the tick silence.

"Whom? Jungkook?" She asked trying to avoid the subject as much as she could.

"Yes, him. You seemed very interested in him."

"No..I don't" she murmured wanting to add a but I want to.

For the next months until winter she spent a large amount of time in Jungkook's house not as lovers but as friends. The tension was visible but neither of them wanted to address the matter. He wanted her to be his and he knew she felt the same but there are many obstacles they need to overcome. He wanted to be with her in the morning when they go pick up plants from the forest. She was still annoyed by bugs but that's not what she feared the most. She was afraid she might lose another shoe in the mud.

He wanted to be with her in the evening when he would squeeze some of his blood in a cup for her. The image of her lips on someone else's body was infuriating, even if it was for nourishment purposes. At first she did not want to accept it but after a week she stared coming with packed lunch for him in exchange for his blood.

He wanted to be with her at night when the moon shines through her blonde hair making her look Celeste. She was too pure for this world.

During all this time, he never got to touch something else more than her hand. She was respecting Hoseok and he was respecting her choice. He always wanted to ask if she wanted to break the spell but he was too afraid she might get mad.

December 27th 2017 

"For awhile I taped soap operas and watched them at night when I thought I might be forgetting what it was like to be human. After a while I stopped, because from the examples I saw on those shows, forgetting humanity was a good thing."His eyes were still like caves with ghosts dwelling in their depths my throat dried at this perfect image of his.

“When I've meet you I was scared and broken beyond repair. And there is none to put the blame on but myself. I am the master of my own misery. Then I found you and you accepted me for who I was and you put up with my constant whining and my constant need of taking my anger out on someone. Hobi, not one man in a million would have allowed me the time without speaking now that I am thinking he never let me be me. I opened my mind to you, let my guard down completely, and relaxed. "His silence washed over me. I stood, closed my eyes, breathed out the relief that was too profound for words.

I sat on his lap and gently enveloped him in a tight hug.

" You are my beginning . I never thought I would taste love again, but now thinking how I feel about you, was it really love what I felt for him?" At the same time she couldn't help but wonder if it was love what she felt for Hoseok too. She did love him in a way but not romantically. Not that type of love that was making her heart jump just by looking at him. She knew she has been selfish until now but letting him go to approach another man wasn't that selfish too? No. She wasn't going to cheat on him.

"I need to go out for some fresh air." He whispered and slowly pushed her up from his lap. He opened the door and disappeared into the night leaving her there with her thoughts. She was feeling her chest cave in, it was as if a piece of her being was ripped off her body.

 December 28th 2017 

Jungkook took the sacramental chalice, and stretching forth his bare arm, cried in a loud voice, "Tui gratia Iovis gratia sit cures.“ He then took the snake and cut it open moving his bloody finger across the child's forehead. Then replacing the sacred vessel on the altar, he drew, one by one, from different parts of his body, from his knotted hair, from his bosom, from beneath his nails, the unholy things which he cast into it just to bring him back to life. Mayze was watching fascinated not daring to blink in order not to lose the magic. The child started throwing up water and he opened his eyes. " You saved him" She breathed and walked closer to Jungkook, placing a hand on his shoulder. "He was lucky that I was around. Can you please take him home?" She hugged the child close to her chest and in a second she was next to his bed, laying him down. While Mayze was gone, taking the child back home, Jungkook cleaned up the mess from the early ritual and then he went to take a quick shower. As she was coming back to Jungkook's she stopped to look over her shoulder. Someone was watching her.  She slowly closed the door behind her only to see the house empty. " Jungkook!?" She called him but there was no reply. "Where are you?" She moved her hair away from her ear and heard the water running. Perhaps he was taking a shower but, why wasn't he replying? That was strange. After a few minutes he heard Mayze calling him, actually her voice brought him back from his deep thoughts. She opened the bathroom's door to be welcomed by a naked Jungkook trying to pull the towel around his waist. " Geez, Mayze can I have a little privacy? " He laughed as he felt his cheeks getting hotter and hotter. She had her mouth open and her pale skin was now showing some redness in the apples of the cheeks she was just staring at him unable to take her eyes away from the scene. He had such a good body. He wasn't skinny but he wasn’t fat either , his muscles were defined on his arms, legs, stomach. He was perfect. Her eyes followed a drop of water making its way from his hair down to his abs and dying on the white towel. " I am sorry" Was all she said then vanished leaving a trail of dust behind her. That was really embarrassing and she needed some fresh air before her mind would push her to do something unholy.

Jungkook went to his bedroom and put some clothes on him before writing down something on a piece of paper. He fold the paper in his hands and as he spoke a few Latin word the paper burnt to ashes and disappeared. Mayze was sitting on a bench close to Jungkook's place and all she was thinking was him. How could a human mean so much to her ? She wanted to go home knowing that her father was waiting her and he will scold her again for being late. And there was the irony, Namjoon was still treating her as a little girl when in fact she could look after herself better than anyone else. But in that moment a piece of paper appeared in her hands. She unfolded it carefully and at first smiled at the written words: "You could have at least said bye. I'm not the first man you saw naked, so don't be so shy. I would be thrilled if you would come back and spend the rest of night with me. - sexy and hot Jungkook"  After she read the message, a sharp noise startled her . Again someone was watching her, but before she could do something , the man vanished in the dark. That was creepy. She stood up and walked towards Jungkook’s old house.

"I want to murder him in his sleep, Ah, no, I want to murder him when he’s awake so he can see the joy on my face when I do it. How dare he ask me to sleep with him?!" She mumbled as she tore to pieces the sheet of paper. She opened his door almost ripping it apart.

" Wow, that was a good entrance" He smirked as he expected her to come. " How dare you ask for me to sleep with you?" she pushed his chest but he wouldn't move. He just grabbed her wrists and pulled her close his nose almost touching her forehead . How the hell was he so strong, she was a vampire and he was a mortal. Their faces inches away as he leaned closer, his eyes were fixed on her pouty lips. " I didn't mean it that way. Haven't you ever just slept next to a friend?" He spoke, each one of his words stabbing her in the heart. Friends? That was all she was to him? She tried to pull her hands away, her eyes were wide and she was fighting hard not to cry. Never in her existence cried because of a male. "Let me go!" her voice cracked ,tears running down her rosy cheeks . " It's all we can be since you are married" He said as he let go of her hands only to hold her face and kiss away her tears. The intimate gesture made her stomach turn and her heart beat faster then when she was a human. Mayze saw how distracted he was trying to control his actions and took the opportunity to pull away. Her hand reached on the table and threw the first thing she found at him. " Abfugio!" She yelled at him full of anger, her breathing becoming irregular not from the physical effort but because he had that effect on her. He was breathtakingly beautiful when he was not acting like an ass, like now for example.

His face turned from shocked to amused hearing her words and let out a loud laugh but somehow his heart was beating so fast he could feel it in his neck. " I am not Harry Potter". He walked closer to her and wrapped his arms around her tightly , he pushed her head against his shoulder his fingers tangling in her soft blonde hair. "Shhhh. I am sorry". That was the first time their bodies properly touched but it didn't feel alien at all. She loved it and he just wanted to bring her closer.