#she passed in my late teens. rest in peace

[realpokemon]

Which makes a worse first pokemon? Minccino or glameow?

minnccino was my first pokémon actually. she was a fickle bitch and easily spoiled and i was deep cleaning my room every week. wouldn't have traded her for the world. i'd recommend.

[thewidowsledger]

Good Luck, Babe

Chapter 2: Debt

© thewidowsledger 2024 - DO NOT REPUBLISH AND PLAGIARISE

Summary: The once secret, a forbidden love hidden from the world. Those stolen moments together had been thrilling, but ultimately, drove the person you trully love away from you. But when she left, she didn't just leave you; she also left you a part of herself that would constantly remind you of her for the rest of your life. This fragment of her essence became an indelible mark on your soul, shaping the course of your life in ways you never could have imagined.

You know what they say, when someone leaves, someone else will come.

Pairings: Natasha Romanoff x Female Reader

Word count: 2.8k

Tags | Warnings: this is going to be a ride, ANGST, little fluff, custody battle, Natasha being a bitch (?) forced marriage

Author's Note: I know I promised a Wanda fic but I need to post this first…

Navigation | Masterlist | Series Masterlist

⧗

3 years later…

Late one evening, Natasha found herself wandering the aisles of a quiet, upscale grocery store. Gone were the power suits and sky-high heels; tonight, she was clad in a simple hoodie and jeans, her hair hidden beneath a baseball cap.

She had booked a small, cozy airbnb for a week, craving solitude and anonymity during her brief vacation. As a wealthy businesswoman, she could afford any luxury, but tonight, she sought the comfort of anonymity. The store's peaceful atmosphere and lack of familiar faces provided the perfect refuge from her hectic life.

Unfortunately for Natasha, her younger sister, Yelena, possessed an uncanny talent for tracking her down. Two days into her secret vacation, Yelena appeared just outside the door of her small airbnb.

Natasha's journey to becoming a successful businesswoman began unexpectedly. As the lead guitarist of the college band, her passion for music was unwavering. However, fate intervened when her father, the CEO of a multinational corporation, suddenly passed away, leaving her in charge of the family business.

And of course, her dreams about music were all forgotten as she threw herself into learning the intricacies of the business world—her only way to cope after you.

“Hey, Nat! I’ll go get some toiletries.”

“Okay, I’ll get my yogurt.”

Natasha strode towards the dairy section, her eyes scanning the shelves for her favorite indulgence. She loved yogurt, but there was only one brand that truly satisfied her discerning palate. To her dismay, the shelf was bare, but there was still one remaining tub of the creamy, tangy delight.

Just as Natasha's fingers closed around the last tub of her favorite yogurt, a sudden, lightning-fast movement from behind startled her. Before she could react, a small, eager hand darted out and snatched the yogurt away, leaving her empty-handed.

When Natasha knelt down to the culprit's eye level, the small girl took a step back, suddenly looking uncertain. The yogurt was still clutched tightly in her small hands. The little girl tilted her head to the side, her innocent, wide-eyed gaze fixed on Natasha. Her long lashes cast shadows on her rosy cheeks as she blinked curiously, taking in the woman kneeling before her.

Without warning, the little girl eagerly toddled forward and threw her arms around Natasha's neck, burying her face in the crook of her arm. Caught off guard, Natasha hesitantly returned the hug.

“Mama,” the small girl whined.

“Oh sh—gosh, I'm so sorry about her! She's just a little rascal when she's excited!” A teen boy hastily approached, tugging gently on the girl’s arm. “Come on, Liah, leave the nice lady alone.”

The young girl hesitantly allowed herself to be pulled away from who she thought was her mama by the boy. She looked up at her with wide, innocent eyes, her lower lip trembling slightly.

“Sorry, miss,” the teen mumbled, keeping a firm but gentle grip on the little girl’s hand.

The teen paused, his brow furrowing as he stared at Natasha. “Wow, this is a bit awkward. You look exactly like...Liah.” He trailed off, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

“Liah?” Natasha echoed, taken aback. She glanced at the little girl, who was now timidly clutching the boy’s hand. “Is that her name?” The boy nodded, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

“Yeah, Aliah, can you introduce and apologize to the lady right here?” The teen encouraged gently. The girl eagerly complied, turning to Natasha with innocent eager eyes.

“Awiah, mama, I Awiah mama…” she introduced herself, holding out the tub of yogurt, Natasha bit her inner lip, her heart aching as she looked at the little girl who is calling her mama.

“Hi I—”

“Liah, she’s not mama okay? Mommy is waiting for us outside.” The teen interjected quickly, giving Natasha an apologetic look and not letting her introduce herself. “I am really sorry miss, we’re gonna go now.”

Just as the two left, Yelena appeared at her side. She glanced down at her sister’s lost reaction. Suddenly, a curious expression crossed her features.

“That kid looks a lot like you.” She casually said as she hugged the rolls of toilet papers.

“You saw?” Natasha asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “The whole thing, I mean.” Yelena nodded, her brow furrowing with concern. “Yeah, Nat. Are you alright?”

“Yeah, let's checkout now,” Natasha dismissed and started walking to the cashier.

“Hey! Did you get your yogurt?” Yelena asked as she walked behind her sister.

“The kid got it, but it’s fine,” the redhead said quietly, trying to brush off the situation and avoid discussing it further.

⧗

“Hey, did you two get my tub?” you called out. To your surprise, both Billy and your daughter took off running towards you.

“Yes!” the boy shouted back, and your daughter lifted the tub of yogurt triumphantly as they neared your car. “We got it!”

You grinned widely, feeling relieved and appreciative. As the two reached you, you scooped Aliah into your arms, her tiny body warming against your chest. She eagerly showed you the yogurt, her eyes sparkling with joy. “You got it! Thank you so much, sweetie,” You cooed, giving her a gentle squeeze before addressing the teen. “And thank you too. I really appreciate it. Let’s go home?” You set Aliah down gently, and she clung to your leg, peeking out shyly at the boy.

You load the groceries into the backseat of the car, then secure Liah in her booster seat. While Billy sat beside her. Once everything is settled, you slide into the driver's seat and turn the ignition, starting the car and beginning your journey home.

“You guys took long,” you commented as you drove.

“Oh yeah, we stumbled into this lady who looked exactly like Liah,” Billy giggled, glancing back at the car seat where Aliah sat. Your daughter was looking through the windows as if she was deep in thought.

“Really?”

“Yeah, and Liah actually called her mama,” Billy continued, laughing heartily. “It’s so funny. The lady looked really surprised, though.” You felt a surge of curiosity, your grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel.

“Oh, that's...interesting,” you said awkwardly as you continued to drive with a feeling of unease.

Three years, three years had passed when you called the engagement off with Steve, not being able to bear the things you did behind his back throughout your relationship. Besides, he immediately picked up on your daughter’s features that she wasn’t his, he’s a celibate for fuck’s sake.

But he made sure you pay for everything you have done. He used his connections and influence to make sure you were passed over for the coveted law school you had poured your heart into getting into. He ensured your applications for every job you're going to get into were rejected. But his wrath didn't stop at your plans and dreams after you graduated. Steve came up to your mother, laying bare the truth of your infidelity and the circumstances surrounding your daughter's birth. And he made sure that your own mother would turn her back on you, disown you and cut off all contact with you—and she did.

In the last three years since everything happened, you had poured all your love and energy into raising your daughter, Liah. She’s three now, she is a vibrant ray of sunshine in your life. Her infectious laughter and innocent hugs helped soothe the ache of lost dreams and shattered relationships.

So you made sure to shower her with love, provide a secure and nurturing home. You are determined to ensure that she never feels the absence that plagues you, that your love is enough. You would go to great lengths to fill the void, never wanting her to suffer any absences in her life.

You had to start over because your reputation had already been irreparably damaged. You never blamed Steve for what he did, even though he had gone out of his way to deliberately ruin your life, you can't help but solely blame yourself for the situation. The guilt and self-reproach weigh heavily on you, blaming only yourself for the consequences of your own choices and actions.

Only if you weren’t a coward.

In a bid to start anew, you made a bold decision to move states, trading the life you knew for a fresh start. From being a once-admired student, you started as a cashier in a small grocery store, earning just enough to provide for your daughter. It’s a stark contrast to your former life, but your daughter’s well-being is your top priority, making your humble job a small sacrifice for her happiness and future.

Over time, through your hard work and perseverance, you have regained your footing, making commissions as an advertising sales agent. What you do right now is far from what you graduated but it no longer matters to you, each day, you strive to climb to the top, motivated by the desire to give your daughter a life you couldn't give yourself, not only planning to make it to law school again but making a new name for yourself to erase the mistakes of your past.

Make it to those people you owe. And there is one particular person you owe the most.

“Y/N, I can walk from my house since it's on the way.” You blinked rapidly, you shook your head to clear your thoughts and pulled over to the side of the road.

“Are you sure? I can drive you door-to-door Billy, I don't want you momma worrying.”

“Don't worry, I got it from here plus princess here looks really tired.” He poked the cheek of your daughter who is still looking at the window of the car, deep in thoughts like you awhile ago.

“Well, okay then. Same time tomorrow?” You asked, your eyes never leaving your daughter's as you look at her through the rearview mirror.

Billy grinned, “Of course, Y/N. You know I love spending time with your little munchkin. Where are you off to anyway?” He zipped up his coat, preparing to exit the car.

You sighed, running a hand through your hair. “Work's been piling on more responsibilities lately. It's requiring me more time at work.” You gave him an appreciative smile. “Thanks, Billy. You're a lifesaver.”

You reached into your purse and pulled out an envelope containing the babysitting fee. “Here you go,” you said, handing it to him. “She needs to be picked up 3 hours early since their teacher said it's a shortened period for their class. So…it's not the same time for tomorrow.”

He noticed the worn edges of your wallet peeking out from your purse and the slight hesitation in your voice when you mentioned the time. “You know, Y/N, it's okay if you can't pay me this time, consider it a favor, no payment needed.” You felt a lump form in your throat, touched by the kid’s gesture.

“Billy, no, I can't ask you to do that for free,” you insisted, a hint of guilt in your voice. “I was supposed to go home an hour early today, but then work piled on more tasks, and now I'm late again…and so is my commission pay.”

The kid held up a hand, stopping your apology. “Y/N, it's fine, really, I understand. And I love spending time with Liah anyways.” Billy waved goodbye, turning to walk away. You hesitated, still wanting to argue, but he purposefully ignored you, shouting over his shoulder, “No, Y/N, you need the money. I'll be fine. See you tomorrow!”

You beeped your car, leaning out the window. “Come back here, young man!” But he just grinned, turning around. He walked backwards, facing Liah in the backseat, and dramatically made finger guns at her, pulling an exaggerated face that finally made your daughter giggle.

“Liah's pick up is 1 PM instead of 4 I know, Y/N, bye!” He laughed, giving you a wave before turning the corner and disappearing from your view.

You could only sigh, watching Billy leave. He'd been Liah's trusted babysitter. He is a teen from your neighborhood. Billy was a sweet, responsible kid with a heart of gold. Despite his own financial struggles for university, he never once let it affect his care for Liah. And you have never been grateful for the kid.

⧗

Once home, you heated up some leftovers for dinner, sitting down with Liah at the tiny kitchen table. She quietly ate her chicken nuggets, still not having spoken much since from the grocery store. You were unused to her prolonged silence. “Aliah, sweetie, thank you for the tub. Mommy is happy.”

The kid just gave you a tight-lipped smile, swinging her feet as she ate.

“Did something happen, sweetie? Mommy is worried.” Liah shook her head again, still not speaking. You sighed deeply, knowing you probably shouldn't ask but your curiosity was getting the best of you.

“Liah, is it true you saw someone who looked like Mama today?” Her eyes widened and she nodded vigorously, practically bouncing in her seat.

“No! She is mama mommy!”

“Really?” you hesitated, not wanting to asked further. You shut your eyes closed, biting your inner lip, your mind drifting back to your past...you opened up your eyes looking at your little girl who looked exactly like her, a name you don't want to mention as of now not until you had any confirmation.

“What did she look like, baby?”

Liah hopped off her chair and scurried over to the mantle, grabbing a framed picture you always kept displayed. She brought it back to you, presenting the photo you always see before you go out and comeback from work.

Since her disappearance, you never hid the truth from Liah. You told her that her mama was just working really far away and would be coming home soon—you never removed her from the picture in Liah's life. You wanted your daughter to grow up believing she had a complete family. You spoke of her often, shared stories and memories, humming the same music she used to sing to you when you sleep on her arms—always presenting her as a loving mother who would return someday.

Your heart was racing, nerves fluttering in your chest as Liah pointed at the photo. It was a photo of you together, her arms wrapped around your neck. “She is mama, I saw mama,” your little girl said, from not speaking a word a while ago, now, she is joyful, pointing at the photo of her mama.

Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes as you realized the implications.

She saw her mother. She saw Natasha.

Liah was far too innocent to lie about something like this. She believed with all her heart that she had seen her mother, and you knew she wasn't mistaken. Natasha was out there, somewhere, and she had somehow come face to face with her daughter.

The realization sent shivers down your spine and that has led you to this very moment…

“Natasha, please, you can't take Liah away from me!” you cried out, running after her as she stormed out of the courthouse. You have been summoned to the court, delivering the devastating news that Natasha was pursuing full custody of your daughter.

Natasha didn't know Yelena did a secret investigation after she saw the kid that she told her looked exactly like her, she even forgot about it days after the encounter. But when Yelena came to her and told her what she found out, that the kid was in fact yours, it led her to uncover the truth—the kid was also hers and everything can be figured out only from that fact.

You wanted to argue, to present a denial, but the truth was plainly obvious. Liah looked exactly like Natasha, her carbon copy. If the court demanded a DNA test, it would be the end of you, you might also probably serve some time in jail.

So in your desperation, you resorted to begging, pleading with Natasha for mercy.

“N-Natasha…please!”

She walked briskly away, her face expressionless, she didn't bother to look back at you. You chased after her, your steps urgent as you pleaded, “Natasha, please, let’s work something out. Wh-what about shared custo—”

“I want full custody.” Her voice was steady, leaving no room for negotiation and immediately cutting you off. “The next hearing is in a week. Don’t bother showing up if you can't match my offer.” Her heels clicked harshly against the marble floor as she continued her inexorable march away from you. Each step she took echoed with finality. Your words seemed to bounce off her back, unheard, unimportant.

But you will do anything, you will meet the ends not to be away from your life—from your daughter.

“Please, you can't just take Liah from me. There must be another way!” Your voice cracked, desperation clawing at your insides.

“Marry me.”

“I’ll marry you!” you blurted out, the words tumbling from your lips before you could stop them. The courthouse fell silent, and a few people turned to look at the two of you. A tear slid down your cheek as the magnitude of your words sank in.

Natasha looked at your tear-stained face, your pleas are already music to her ears and she took her time taking in the sight of your desperation with a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes.

“It’s settled then,” she declared, her voice carrying a new same authority she had on you. “In a week, same courthouse, not for custody battle but for our wedding.”

[howtowhumpyourhiccup]

I Love You

Summary:Written for the Sweet & Spicy Hurt/Comfort Bingo.

Set after Httyd 2. Hiccup has a minor accident in the forge and Astrid is there to help.

Warnings: Blood

Rating: Teen and Up

Words: 636

Prompts: Blood Loss to Words of Affirmation

Fandom: How to Train Your Dragon

Characters: Hiccup, Astrid, Toothless, Stormfly

Pairing: Hiccstrid

Author's Notes: Been thinking a lot about Hiccup's self-esteem issues as of late.

Enjoy!

-XOXOX-

He was working in the forge, sharpening a dagger for his betrothed. She sat nearby, waiting for him to finish so she could accompany him to his home for dinner, where the other Dragon Riders were. Their dragons waited for them outside.

It was peaceful and rather quiet until the moment something went wrong and he cut himself.

Hiccup shouts, pulling his hands back. The dagger drops to the floor. Astrid is on him immediately and Toothless just as fast. Stormfly squawks from outside.

“Come on, you stupid, stupid-! ARGH!” He doesn’t finish that sentence before shouting again. He knows Astrid wouldn’t have liked what he has to say. He holds his bleeding right thumb. Somehow, he cut himself near his palm.

While Toothless is still trying to take a look with his Rider pacing around the forge, Astrid searches for a clean cloth.

“Of all the stupid, dumb, idiotic things!”

“Okay, that’s enough out of you,” Astrid tells him and takes his hands in hers, cloth pressed to the profusely bleeding cut. It’s rather long.

Pulling a chair closer with her foot, she manhandles him onto it without releasing her hold on him once. She stands behind him, using him to lean on, her chin resting on his shoulder. They put pressure on the bleeding together, his hand on fire.

“Stupid…” He shakes his head.

“Stop that,” Astrid chastizes him. “That’s my future husband you’re talking to.”

After that, he doesn’t make another comment like it again.

“I’m sorry, it’s just-”

“It’s just an accident. It can happen to anyone and you’re not the worst person ever because you had one,” a deep sigh leaves him afterwards.

He doesn’t have much of a self-esteem. Hasn’t had one for as long as she can remember. Sadly, she knows exactly why that is. It’s gotten better throughout the years, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still say some ugly and downright cold-hearted things about himself. Like seconds ago, when he tried to call himself every word of “stupid” that he knows because the knife he was sharpening accidentally slipped a little in his grip.

The Dragon Riders have heard him open up about his insecurities, but only she and Toothless know just how bad it can be.

And as Stoick recently passed, he’s at the lowest point he’s been in years.

Valka leaving for the Wingmaidens hasn’t helped much either. She stated she wanted to confer with Atali about something, but apparently, all her son heard was that she wanted to get as far away from him possible and as quickly as she could.

He’s not doing so well.

It’s quiet as minutes pass and they hope the bleeding will stop on its own. Toothless sits in front of them, watching them and Hiccup’s hands.

Astrid places a soft kiss on his cheek. He wipes it and the other one on his sleeves, they’re wet with tears. There’s an ache in his throat and some managed to slip free, despite his efforts to repress them.

“You know I love you, right?” She asks him. The silence tense with self-deprication.

“I love you, too.”

“No, that’s not why I’m asking,” she starts. “I’m asking because I love every part of you. I love how caring and attentive you are. How passionate and smart you are. How good of a person you are. I love you right now as we’re holding your thumb and hope it stops bleeding soon. I love you and I wonder if you know that.”

There’s a pregnant pause.

“I know,” eventually, that’s his answer.

Astrid kisses his cheek again as more tears fall. He doesn’t sob or sniffle, but he does take a shaky breath. Releasing his thumb, she captures him in a hug instead and holds him tight, rocking him side to side.

[marymary-diva17]

Leave him alone leave us all alone (3)

Regret and worry had become feeling of the village since the discovery, of the metekayian clan olo'eythan eldest daughter. The two clans had already been worried about toruk makto eldest son, but now that worry had been passed onto the girl who had been blamed for everything. Regret and worry had been felt by the parents and sibling, and it had been felt by the sully family as well. Regret and worry will be felt forever for the actions that had been placed.

mo'at " please great mother hear my pray help this child, one of your children who in needed of your help please great mother" mo'at was praying for the recovery of angi as she still laid there sleeping.

norm " her heart rate and brain waves are still the same no change"

mo’at “ angi you can’t leave the world like this”

Max “ this is terrible all around we were all worried about neteyam, that none of us checked on her and now look where it got us”

mo’at “ angi is a girl with pure heart and spirt of warrior she will fight this”

norm “ what if she chose not to fight what if it not up to her to decide” silence had filled the room as the three adults were looking at the teen girl, who hadn't woken up yet. Most of the night mo'at had stayed up watching over the girl hoping she will wake up, but the only movement the girl did was breath but her breaths are very low.

norm " how bad did we allow this to get"

mo'at " bad enough for her to be in this state and for us to be in this waiting game for her to awaken"

norm " the children seem torn up about everything last night"

max " they are all close to her and I'm start to think that regret what they said"

mo'at " yes it seems like they true but did regret come to late"

????? " grandmother" the three adults soon turned around and saw, the kids standing there. Kiri and tsireys to holding basket of food while rotxo was holding a jug of water.

neteyam " we came to see how angi was doing"

norm " you should be resting neteyam you were hurt as well"

neteyam " yes I was hurt but I'm not the one who got badly hurt saving someone else from death and now laying down in deep sleep or coma"

mo'at " let them stay it will be good to have more company and maybe the present of her sibling and friends will help" the kids were soon allowed to step into the room, as they place the stuff down that they brought.

kiri " we brought some food and water for you grandmother and angi"

lo'ak " will she be able to eat or drink"

mo'at " she able to drink but I don't think sold food will do her well, only soups"

tsireya " sister please wake up you can't be like this we need you I need you"

rotxo " here some water for her make sure she drinks it" tsireya had taken the cup, and made sure angi could drink it safely.

rotxo " hey sister I'm here as well you have to wake up and stay to meet our new baby sibling, they going to need you as we need you"

tuk " angi will be okay right grandma"

mo'at " yes sweetie she will be fine we just need her to wake up"

tuk " angi it me tuk I want you to wake up please so we can play again"

kiri " we all need her"

spider " dad she is okay"

norm " yes son she will be okay we just need to wait we are make sure she getting all the help she can"

lo'ak " I hate this waiting game"

neteyam " lo'ak"

lo'ak " sorry I just hate all the talk that going around today, everyone has been saying their own opinions on angi right now"

kiri" everyone seems worried about her she in a worst state then I was in" the group was quite was they are sitting in the room waiting for anything to change. Soon the sound of someone arriving towards the entrance had gotten everyone attention, everyone soon looked up to see the four adults

Tonowari " hello everyone" ronal didn't say anything as she made her way towards her daughter, soon sitting down and looking at her daughter.

ronal " she looks so peaceful"

tsireya " don't worry mom everything will be fine angi a fighter she will wake up and everything will be fine"

ronal " ma daughter if you can hear me please wake up your family and clan still need you"

tonowari " she will awake up ronal our daughter will return home to us"

Jake " kids the adults need to talk right now you all should of hangout or play for some being"

lo'ak " dad we wish to stay here with angi she will do the same of us heck she has done the same for kiri and tried to do the same for neteyam"

Jake " lo'ak I'm not going to fight you right now it best if you all leave this is an adult conversation, you all are still kids"

Kiri " we will be able to see her later"

Jake " yes you all can"

tuk " oh okay angi we will be back shortly to come see you" all the other kids had gotten up after saying goodbye to angi, but neteyam still stayed.

Jake " neteyam you need to leave it okay"

neteyam " I wish to stay I don't wish to leave until I know she okay"

Jake " son please"

neteyam " angi please come back to us don't leave me don't leave us" neteyam didn't care who heard what he had just said and how they took his words.

tsireya " we will return sister"

rotox " yes we will be back" the kids had soon bid their goodbye to angi they hated on how, they didn't get a reply back from her. The kids soon left the aura of the room had become even more worried and sad.

Jake " max give it to us straight about angi condition"

max " if she doesn't wake up soon we might have to declared her ..."

tonowari " declare she what human tell us"

max " we might have to come to terms that she will die"

ronal " no she to young she can't leave this world so young"

max " we will do everything we can but that the end of day we can't control death and life as well"

neytiri " no"

mo'at " sadly it true"

ronal " she so young she has so much to live for we can't lose one of children"

tonowari " don't worry ronal will fins out a way and save our daughter"

ronal " yes" ronal had placed a hand on age forehead as she looks at her daughter, lay there and just sleep.

ronal "please great mother hear my pray and save our daughter"

Jake " none of the children were able to sleep last night they had become overwhelmed with worry and fear"

tonowari " either tsireya and rotxo could sleep as well, they didn't see that good this morning as well"

mo'at " she their sister and friend she very important to them, and she seem to be a different type of importance to neteyam" the four adults looked confused by mo'at words.

tonowari " what do you mean"

mo'at " if you can't tell by he was the one closer to her and wish to stay and almost fought you on that, then the words he said you are all blind and deaf fools"

ronal " how ...."

mo'at " enough no more fighting"

Jake " I know this not the time but the meeting will be happening soon we need to attend to protect our clans and families, we have to do this for the safety of everyone"

tonowari " Jake is right"

ronal " tonowari"

tonowari " we need to be there for our people our daughter a fighter will be come see her later, and maybe we can find out a way to save her as well"

norm " we will stay and watch over here and come to tell you if anything bad happens, we will make sure she stays safe"

max " yes we will stay with her until your return or mo'at return"

tonowari " thank you" all the adults had looked expect mo'at had left leaving her alone with the humans.

mo'at " angi if you can hear what had been heard please fight or see what had happened to you ... I don't know if the great mother is testing you or us but she most have something planned... but please fight and overcome this challenge that had been placed on you I believe in you child"

mo'at " oh great mother please take care of angi whatever the outcome this event might have on us" mo'at soon left the room leaving the humans alone with angi, everyone had some hope that angi will wake up and that she will be fine but there was also some fear and worry that angi will never wake up.

[kreativewritin444]

not forbidden / j.m

 authors note// this show has had a grip on me & so have bella and pedro... so this could not not be done. enjoy my loves ( all work is mine, i dont own the show or characters tho)

warnings: age gap (reader is in their late 20s) , violence, death,

 summary: being involved with Marlene and the fireflies leads you to take Ellie with Joel…

 after being stuck with joel and tess, to protect ellie on this trip to get her to the other location. due to marlene getting shot, and now being with them things have been something...

   you were younger than joel and tess, but not a teen or anything. seeing how him and tess were towards each other you didn’t even bother trying. even though at any chance your gaze shifted onto the man near you. yet deciding to just prove yourself smart and worthy.

 after tess’s death it left the two of you with ellie, things have changed dramatically. you were protective of ellie in your own way, but being alone now with joel the atmosphere shifted. more for you since he was off standish.

   about a week of being out in the wild has gone by; a fire was going and ellie was snug in her sleeping bag asleep. as you watch her, the similarities of your younger sister, who was about her age when she died, and ellie we very much the same.

 gulping that thought down, your eyes shift and catches joel’s who eyes were already on you. clearing your throat, you sit up more.

 “get some rest, i’ll take first watch.”

 you hope he doesn’t argue with you since the idea of sleeping made you sick. shockingly he actually agrees, before heading over across ellie on the other side of the fire. you shift your gun before walking around slightly, checking the perimeter before getting comfy by a rock.

 hours pass and you strolled around atleast 6 times, until settling back in your spot. eyes shifting on joel who was facing toward you, he looks peaceful. not scowling or seeming stressed or tired, something you weren’t use to seeing.

 glancing over at ellie who was still in deep sleep, you bit your lip. thoughts creep in... your sister died almost a year ago, with you being the one to have to do it.

 you escaped FEDRA with lara, after your dad passed from one of the guards doing. being only about 17 and your sister was 13, you two found marlene about two weeks later.

 until then things were good; you two were together, fed and somewhat safe. you did runs with marlene but you made lara stay at base since it was too dangerous. till one day your sister who thought since she was getting older insisted on coming...

 “i told you no, i don’t give a fuck it’s already dangerous enough.” you glare at her, tired of her trying to be reckless. running your hand over your face in annoyance.

 “marlene said i can so i’m going. you cant treat me like a kid forever!” she yells at you, your eyes snapping in her direction furiously. stalking forward giving her a huge shove, she stumbles back in shock.

 “im your sister! i fuckin’ look out for you, so don’t you ever tell me what the fuck i cant do. until you stop acting like a child, i’ll keep treating you like one.” your anger was obvious but you try to retain it the best you can.

 her face matches yours, chest heaving with resentment. “i’m going.” she shoves you back softly, you giving a warning look.

 “if ya’ get in trouble don’t come screaming for me. i warned you once.” with that you grab you pack, stalking out the room. your eyes find marlene’s and anger courses through you.

 “if anything happens, i sw-”

 “she’ll be fine, she’s ready.” you scoff, ready your ass. “she’s fourteen!”

 “and you were only a few years older, if i remember correctly.” you glare at her, sighing in annoyance. “i swear marlene, anything.”

 -

  “y/n!” the violent scream echoes as you round the corner shooting the clicker in the back of the head, making it topple over on the side of lara.

 “lara!”

 rushing forward as she sobs reaching out to hold onto me, “it’s okay. it’s dead- it’s dead.” trying to reassure her, as you gently pull her up in your arms. eyes watering at the look on her face.

 “i-im so sorry.”

 you push her hair out of her face her face scrunches in pain. “ow.ow...” she moans out clawing towards her shoulder, as your eyes follow on the deep bite mark on her.

 your heart sinks, shaking your head in disbelief. this is your fault. this is all your fault.

 her eyes glance down at it before her lips start trembling, “i’m so sorry y/n/n...” shaking your head at her.

 “shhh... im so sorry i yelled at ya’ earlier. i should’ve never left you alone.” eyes water as you pull her in tighter, rocking back and forth anxiously.

 you should’ve never left her alone, your baby sister.

your responsibility.

 “please, pl-please don’t leave me alone.” her voice breaks and it hit you, the roundness of small baby fat still lingers on her filth cover cheeks. her small frame of being so young, so young...

 “no, no you’ll be just fine.” wiping her tears you pull her into your arms like a child, and she clings to you in pain. “it hurts so bad. y/n/n im so scared...”

-

 “no! no!” the voice pulls you out of your thoughts, joel sitting up gasping. true fear shown across his face, the way his hand shook as he brought it up over his face.

 his eyes roam around and catch yours, shuffling under his gaze. deciding to air out the silence, “i get ‘em too.”

you confess which didn’t help much. he nods keeping quiet before looking around.

 “how long was i out for?”

you hum softly, “only a few hours.”

 he nods stretching his body slightly, “here, i’ll take over. you go ahead.” you shake your head, “it’s okay. i can’t sleep tonight anyways.”

 he looks at you confuse, “i bet if ya’ try-.”

 “when you do this long enough, you’ll know when those nights come.” that’s all was said before you look away, focusing on the tree line.

  joel attempts small talk after 10 minutes which shocks you slightly, but the question made everything else disappear.

“you mentioned before you had a sister, is she back at fedra?”

 “uh, no sh- she’s dead.” you clear your throat, looking at his reaction. which was unreadable, “sorry to hear.”

 “same to you...” it was hesitant and small,  “i never got to say it, but im sorry about ya’ girlfriend. tess.” his eyes flicker over to you, he shakes his head.

 “she was my friend, not my girlfriend.” you give him a look but leave it at that. he looks like he wanted to say more, but as time pass you ended up falling asleep.

 with it cold out, joel places his bigger coat over you in attempt to keep you warm. he could tell there was a lot to you, been through some shit. he wanted to know what exactly.

- 

 you woke a little later, joel still on look out. ellie was still asleep, as you grab your pack and hand him his coat back. “thanks.”

a small smile toys your lips as he stares down at you with a nod.

 you walk off around some trees that were out of view. opening your bag, grabbing out another shirt. one you were able to wash in a creek a few days ago. dropping the bag onto the ground, tugging your shirt off.

 throwing it on top of your bag, leaning down grabbing the new shirt. flipping it from inside out before your name was called out.

 “y/n!?” joels voice rushes from the corner, you barely having the shirt on.

rushing to tug it down your eyes connect with a shocked pair. “What?”

 “i-i, my bad i thought-“

His eyes look elsewhere but he never leaves.

 “it’s fine.”

you shrug still a little shocked he caught you shirtless, but you lean down to get your bag. “it’s boobs.”

 he swallows thickly at your blunt answer, only being able to nod slowly. with a small smirk you walk past him, “we need to stock up again soon.”

He grumbles something under his breathe following behind you.

-

 “okay let’s clear through here.” joel stands in front of the door staring ellie in the eyes. “behind me, don’t touch nothin’ either.”

 you snicker slightly, “joel can you just go in?”

ellie gives him a pointed look as he just sighs. he swings the door open quietly, all of us fall into hush silence.

 his gun is held high as he steps inside, ellie following behind him. gripping your gun tightly as you step forward. making it further into the house with no sign of anything. joel looks back at us.

 “alright look for anything important and only of what ya’ can carry.” his eyes fall onto you and you know its because you had to unload your bag after the first raid. you stuffed everything you could find in it.

 walking down the hall you pass by a room. swinging the ajar door open, you scan the room. a crib with a few baby toys and stuff display all over the room, making you swallow.

 you look around finding two small blankets and some rags. deciding those would be useful in future times, you roll them up and shove them down inside the bag.

 the sound of footsteps makes your head lift up. they were coming from upstairs, you didn’t even think to check there.

 heading down the opposite side of the hallway, turning at the corner the stairs come into view. just before you reach them ellie comes out, “imma check upstairs, find anything yet?”

 “yeah a few things, i’m gonna check the garage.” you nod at her as you walk up the steps, wondering if joel found anything up here.

 not even hitting the top stairs, a yell rings out from downstairs follow by a loud thud. your eyes widen as you go to move back downstairs, but you halt at the sound of footsteps coming your direction.

 “scott?” the mans voice made you freeze as he comes into view. his eyes narrow onto your figure as you step down one of the steps cautiously.

“fuck!”

 another yell rings out before a gun shot, the man in front of you rushes forward. his body hits into yours making you slip and fall down the stairs. landing at the bottom with a harsh groan.

 your gun slide across the floor, unable to move for a second since the wind was knocked out of you. registering his footsteps coming down the steps, you push yourself up.

 struggling to move quickly to where your gun was, the man grabs a hold of your hair. “you’re a pretty one.”

 your elbow flies back into his ribs, him releasing you slightly. you move forward ignoring how it felt when some of your hair pulls out. “fuck you.”

 kicking his knee he stumbles, before spitting in your direction. your eyes flicker down the hall as another gun shot rang out. in a split second his left hand met your jaw, leaving you to stumble almost falling.

 your ear rang as your hand cups your cheek, blood lingers on your tongue. his hands are on you again scooping you up and tossing you onto the ground like a rag doll.

 wheezing as you scramble to move, but his foot connects with your stomach. you hunch into a ball as his knees drop on the ground beside you.

hands grabbing onto your arms holding them as he tries straddles you. your heart sank as he his free hand starts lifting your shirt, unable to breathe or get out of his grip.

a gun shot rings out and his blood splatters onto your face. his body lands halfway on you and the ground beside you as you struggle to inhale.

 joel throws him off of you, his harden expression drops at the sight of you. eye swollen, the side of your face bruised and bleeding. “y/n.”

 he lifts you into a hug feeling how your body was shaking. you grip onto him tightly as your eyes land on ellie, who is only staring at you in worry. your ribs ache horribly making you wonder if any of them are broken.

 “he-he t-” joel pulls back pushing my hair slightly out my face.

 “hey, it’s okay. he’s dead-he’s dead.” you nod slightly as his eyes connect with yours, him unable to know exactly how you feel.

“You’re safe.” He reassures and you stare down at your shaking hands.

 -

 you three made it to a small house that was checked by joel alone. him not wanting a repeat, trudging in slowly you take in the place, small but warm.

you felt how tired you were and how everything today took a toll.

 “there’s two beds.” ellie sings out almost as she comes back into the living room, your bag was now on the ground. your hands held a spot on your ribs as you nod.

 “go ahead and get some rest.” you motion to her to go grab one and she nods rushing off.

 “you should too get some rest, i’ll take watch.” you didn’t care to argue with him. you head in the back checking out what room, seeing ellie on a twin size bed and seeing there was a king.

 you turn back and into the living room where joel was checking his weapons. “can you check this out?” your voice was hoarse as you lift the side of your shirt up slightly.

 the red and purplish splotchy color kisses up and down the side of your ribs. joel’s shoulders felt heavier as he goes to speak, “definitely bruised, doesn’t look the best but it’ll heal.”

 you nod, “thanks.”

you walk past him grabbing your bag off the ground.

“there’s a huge bed in here, if you get tired... i stay on my side.” you offer out to him not really knowing what to expect.

his eyes linger on you for a moment, “thanks.” he clears his throat.

 pursing you lips you move forward, “goodnight joel.”

 “goodnight, darling.”

the nickname wasn’t unusual but it was rare. It felt like something shifted inside the two of you.

you drop your bag on the ground beside the bed, pulling out some of the band aids and the small mirror you found a few months back.

switching your flashlight on and setting it where it faces you. You analyze your face, a small cut was open on your cheek. sighing softly feeling everything replay back, your eyes start to water.

blinking rapidly so you wouldn’t cry, you grab one of the little cleansing wipes out the box of bandaids.

hissing in pain, you bite your lip as you clean it. opening the bandage and putting it on, you hear footsteps head towards the room.

joel walls in almost hesitantly as he notices what you were doing. “decide to rest after all?”

he lets out a breathe maybe one of a laugh, as he sets his stuff on the ground. “something like that.” he mutters.

you move your stuff over to the side of the bed scooting yourself over. shoving everything back in the box, leaning off the side of the bed to set it in your bag.

he sits on the edge of the bed. sitting back and laying your pillow down, he takes his shoes off. “are you...” he starts shifting himself to look at your sorta.

 “are you a virgin?”

the question was random to you, but not to joel. he saw what that guys intentions were for you when he was sliding your shirt up. he wanted to know if you ever lost it or that was something that he almost took.

 “i’m not try-”

 “no joel, i’ve had sex before.” your eyes narrow at him. he looks like his mind was racing but not in a sexual way. was this about earlier?

deciding to drop it he stands up, “you uh sure?” he motions to sleeping beside you, leaving you to nod in response.

 you honestly didn’t wanna be alone. “after earlier i don’t really wanna be alone.” the confession was nice because after earlier he didn’t want you out of his sight.

 your shiver as the blanket does nothing for the cold air. joel slips in beside you moving his pillow slightly, you turn the flashlight off. the moonlight shines through the window as joel shifts getting comfortable.

 you turn to face the wall as he faces you, another shiver runs down you. “here, i can’t deal with that all night.”

 he moves his arm around your waist, pulling you back slightly in his chest. his body heat hugs you making your eyes widen slightly. “oh.” was all you could say.

 “thanks.” you mumble actually enjoying how you felt wrapped up in his arms. you don’t know what exactly shifted between you two. maybe seeing how he was with ellie, or how you were slowly starting to care for him.

 his other arm lays out flat, “lift your head.” he mumbles out as you do what he says. feeling his arm slide under you, you lay down more in his embrace this time.

 “thank you joel, for saving me earlier.” your hand wraps around his forearm softly, he rest his head softly onto you.

 “i’d kill anyone who would try to hurt ya’.” he confessed and you went quiet. not knowing what to say you allow yourself to slowly drift to sleep.

-

the next few days were a little awkward. you two talked and what not but never mentioning that night. you were so close to where joel’s brother was suppose to be at.

 “alright let’s camp out here tonight. where about less than a day away.” joel looks around as ellie shrugs her bag off. 

 “fine by me.” she mutters and you look around. the sun was setting soon, “no one should be around this part, so we can build a fire right?”

 it was freezing and you hated the cold. joel nods, “well i’ll gather fire wood then.” you drop your bag on the ground beside ellie, stuffing your gun in your waist band.

 you walk around the woods, gathering a big pile of small sticks and a few leaves. joel gets them together and starts working on the fire.

 leaning down you shuffle through your bag, pulling out a few granola bars you found. you hold out one to ellie, “here.”

 she takes it reading what it says, “thanks.”

 you smile softly as you open yours up, “there we go!” ellie exclaims as the fire start. you sigh in relief pushing yourself up and over closer to the fire. ellie does the same, as you drop your bag on the ground. bending down you pull out your sleeping bag.

 laying it out, you sit down before looking over at joel. “here take this.” you hand over the last unopened one and he looks down at it.

 “haven’t seen these in years.”

 “good, enjoy.” you joke as you finish yours. the sun went down as you three talked softly, joking about a few things.

 eventually ellie passes out with her book and you glance over at joel.

“hey, i’ll take watch first. you did it last night.”

 he shakes his head, “it’s fine i got it.”

you give him a look.

 “we’ll both stay up then.”

you mutter standing up. he gives you a questioning look.

 “im going pee.”

with that you walk off in the dark. trying to see your way through. a few more feet you end up tripping over something, letting out a shriek as you fell.

 hitting the ground with a thud, you groan softly.

 “y/n!” joel yells from not too far behind. you lift yourself up seeing the big root you fell over.

 “i’m fine.”

 you call back but he appears in front of you, gun held tightly in his grip. he notices you on the ground, you giggle softly.

 “i fell.”

“jesus, you scared the shit out of me.” he glares at you, letting his arms fall from their stance.

 “that’s why you pay attention! your damn yelling is gonna cause infected to come crawling this way.” his voice was harsh, not as the tone before. you stand up, glaring back in his direction.

 “fuck off joel, i fell it’s not like i purposely tried to do that.” you step closer to him as you start to get angry.

  “you think they care when you get ambushed and bit, because you didn’t pay attention?” it’s like he’s trying to scold a child. or give a damn lecture.

“i already know, jesus your not my father and your not my boyfriend.”

the last part sent a feeling over joel who moves closer to you. “i can’t keep worry about you and Ellie, damn it.”

“never said you have too! Jesus, why do you care joel?” tired of him trying to argue.

 “because i care about you!” it slips and you feel yourself tense up.

  “no you don’t.” you mutter out, going to walk past him. giving up on your idea of peeing at the moment. joel says stuff but he doesn’t mean everything. besides this wouldn’t be what you wanted.

 you were younger, he made sure you knew with his constant scolding.

 his hand wraps around your bicep stopping you from leaving.

 “i-” you cut him off before he gets to speak.

 “look i don’t know what you want joel, but i’m not interested in having my emotions toyed with so j-”

 he cuts you off with his lips landing on yours, feeling his beard scratch against your bare face.

 his tongue licks across your lips, before your tongues touch. his hand slips up into your hair, the other around your waist pulling you closer. you pull away breathing heavily, eyes gazing in each other.

 everything was dark but the moon was full only letting you see the outline of each other.

 “i don’t wanna mess with you darling, i care about you y/n.”

 his hand comes up and under your jaw, his thumb rubs over your bottom lip. your stomach flutters as you push yourself up to kiss him again. this time he pushes you softly against the nearby tree.

 “oh gross.” ellie says from behind you two, waking up from the yelling she came to check out where you two went.

 “i thought someone was attacked, now i see it’s you two attacking each other.” she groans making you giggle softly into his chest.

 “oh god..” he mutters in your ear.

[lampmanliveblogs]

Dragon

Vee Week Day 5

Prompt: Masha

Part of the Vee Week 2024 (aka Veek) fandom event organized by @vee-week

Fandom: The Owl House Rating: Teen Language: English (well, there is a single word in swedish) Status: Complete Oneshot Words: 1 300 Warnings: This work contains nothing I find worth warning for. Read tags and description.

Relationships: Masha/Vee

Relevant Characters: Vee, Masha

Additional Tags: Swimming, Skinny Dipping, Late Night Swims With Your Giant Snake Girlfriend, Fluff

Summary On a warm summer’s night, Vee and Masha go swimming together.

Excerpt Masha breathed in the fresh air. The moon’s light reflected on the lake’s surface. In a faraway land, they would call that a mångata. To think that there could be such beauty in the world, just a stone’s throw away from where Masha had lived their entire life. They had been at this very lake maybe not a hundred times, but plenty of times. But they had never seen it like this, at night, at peace, only the moon and the trees and the animals of the forest as company. The wind was silent, granting no relief.

More time passed by. How long was it? An eternity without a boring second.

Something large moved just under the surface of the water, stirring the water. Little waves crashed into the wooden dock with little splashes.

She rose from the water like a creature from the mind of the ancient mythmakers. A sea serpent, a dragon of the depths. There was the true beauty in the night. A huge yet graceful monster, she rested a hand the dock, making it creak and groan.

”Oh lady of the lake, I beg of thee,” Masha said after taking a moment to compose themselves after such a sight. ”Bestow upon me the fabled sword Excalibur so that I may claim my rightful place on the throne.”

Vee blinked and slowly lowerred herself back below the surface. She stayed down there briefly, letting out a few bubbles before reemerging. She put an old bike on the dock. It had evidently been in the water for some time, decayed and rusted as it was.

[copiummaximum]

My version/take on the Divine Warriors (Part one)

Irene the Matron: Born a gifted prodigy in the field of Healing and Light magic to a family of nobles in her time. Her family had a reputation for being philanthropists of sorts, so it only stood to reason that Irene would carry on this legacy. Especially considering her magical capabilities. Irene would go on to become a social activist in her late teens, but then become sort of a wanderer around her late twenties/early thirties as she pondered whether true peace and equality could be achieved in the world. Her belief in fighting against prejudice led her to befriend Shad, who was an outcast. She and Shad discovered the Magi together, and Irene became convinced that it was the key to creating true peace (spoiler alert: it wasn't). Irene set out on an Avengers Initiative™ to split the power of the Magi and create the Divine Warriors. As time went on, Irene became disillusioned, numb, paranoid, and developed a God complex as well as a dim world view as her efforts fell apart. Being a shell of her former self, she allowed herself to be persuaded in the pseudo-coup against Shad that turned him into the Shadow Lord. It was shortly after this that the Divine Warriors disbanded, and Irene decided to settle for reincarnation. The Matron relic is the relic of healing, fertility, light, support, possession, and grants the ability to create pocket dimensions.

Shad the Destroyer: Shad was claimed to be destined to bring upon great suffering and pestilence upon his birth. As a result, he was consistently outcast by his village and eventually his own family. At the age of 13, his own unmastered chaos magic came to him, and he became an even larger target to others. Growing up in a cruel and harsh environment, Shad became bitter and rageful, and became a violent criminal who went out of his way to terrorize villages who especially stigmatized magical beings or those with magic abilities. Shad was not initially trusting of Irene, but grew to befriend her over time and learn to open up and overcome his trauma and rage as he learned to see the value in trying to heal the world rather than destroy it. Unlike Irene, Shad was apprehensive about using the Magi, and wanted to leave it alone, but he was ignored. Shad's happiest memories were during the early days of the Divine Warriors. Shad's descent to darkness came as the Divine Warriors lost sight of their goals, and as they came together and advocated for his death and the destruction of his relic. He realized that nothing had truly changed since he was a young man and that perhaps total destruction was necessary after all. The Destroyer relic is the relic of chaos, decay, darkness, disease, resurrection, and grants the ability to destroy sections of the realm barrier temporarily.

Enki the Keeper:

Like Shad, Enki was also shunned in his early life due to being a warlock. Enki found solace in books and conducting research as a result. Enki was not particularly impressed by Irene when he first met her, but he quickly became close with Shad due to their shared social issues. Enki was anti-social and was not at all interested in going out of his way to help people, let alone bring peace to the world. He believed that using magic to deal with social matters would cause more harm than good. Enki was only convinced to join the Divine Warriors as he wishes to study the Magi and the nature of the relics. Shad was the closest person to Enki, and Enki acted as a sort of advisor to Irene and the group as he was the most wise and knowledgeable. As time passed, Enki's mind struggled with the burden of knowledge that he was maybe never supposed to have, but he stayed out of fear of what someone other than himself do with the knowledge contained by the Keeper Relic. Enki was only convinced to kill Shad due to his ability to discern right and wrong having been muddied. Enki retired from the Divine Warriors soon after Shad's banishment and lived the rest of his life in solitude. The Keeper relic is the relic of knowledge, mind magic, memory magic, cloaking magic, and granted the ability to create pathways to other dimensions.

[lady-loveluck]

Like serious max reminds me a lot of my aunts dog Polly she was a small and visitors chihuahua who hated my very being until a few days before she died (she got hit by a car) she was old as hell in her late teens missing several teeth and knew how to spell. She was so tiny but I know she craved blood and vengeance. Her favorite pass time was growling at small children, and going on walks. The only person she liked was my aunt and she tolerated my uncle (aunts husband).

-💦🐁

Aww, Rest in peace Polly, despite sounding like a little fiercy thing, she also sounds adorable, I love chaotic animals!

[lilypadlys]

Mission Impossible

Sunny wants to play a practical joke on Sister Imperator and Swiss finds himself dragged into the fray. *Cue the Mission Impossible theme music*

Characters: Sunshine, Swiss 

Word Count: 2,060

Rating: Teen

Tags: shitghosting

CW: references to marijuana and sex, and cursing

Below the cut or on AO3

“Hey Honeybee!” Swiss greets cheerily before hesitating. “Are you okay? Something wrong?”

Swiss had wandered into the ghouls’ kitchenette looking for a snack, only to find Sunshine pouting at the table.

“Imperator yelled at me.” She grouses.

“She does yell a lot.” Swiss agrees before sheepishly adding, “May I ask what it was this time?”

Sunny purses her lips. “About this morning. She hasn’t seen the laundry room yet.”

“Oh good. I mean, uh, oh no! Sorry to hear that.” He shrinks under her unamused look.

That morning, Sunny had come to Mass stoned out of her mind. She and Mountain had been having an early morning smoke. She’s a bit of a lightweight; compared to the earth ghoul anyway. Mountain had still been moderately sober while Sunny was long gone.

In the interest of avoiding a lecture for skipping mass, Mountain had guided, though carried would be more accurate, Sunny to the chapel and sat her down near the back. At first she’d been content to marvel at how the sunlight refracted through the stained glass windows.

Mass was almost over when Sunny suddenly found something, nobody but her could be sure what, extremely funny. She began laughing shrilly. In the middle of Copia’s sermon. Mountain had to catch her before she fell off the pew in her hysterics. He quickly escorted her out, but not before siblings began turning their heads and Sister Imperator shot the two of them a terse look. Both of them received a talking to from Imperator afterwards.

Now sober, Sunny can’t even be sure herself what had caused her mirth. What she is sure of however, is that she’s grumpy. And that she wants to do something about it.

Swiss makes the unfortunate mistake of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. “Anything I can do to help?” He instantly wishes he could retract his words as he sees the gears turning in Sunny’s head and the evil grin on her face.

“Wanna help me prank her?”

Swiss knows it’s not really a question. Or at least that she won’t take no for an answer. “I mean, I helped you with the fake bugs but-”

“So what we’re gonna do…” She launches into the plan.

Swiss sighs knowing it’s useless to try and stop her now.

It’s late afternoon. Swiss feels more than a little silly. He’d tried to get Sunny to wait until proper nightfall but she had been too eager. Now they sit outside, crouched behind the hedges in a stake out. They’re watching the siblings and ghouls milling about the gardens, wrapping up their landscaping tasks for the day.

Sunny only has eyes for the garden shed, and the prize that lies within. Swiss however, glances around nervously. They already had a close call when a sibling went to trim the very hedge they were crouched behind. The poor sibling had jumped about a foot. The ghouls had to scramble to pretend they were making out to justify their lurking.

Well, it quickly became more than pretending. At least it passed the time well and made the rest of the garden crew give their bush a wide berth. Afterwards, they were left to their stakeout in peace. Not much of a covert operation though if everyone knew they were there. Swiss tried to say as much but Sunny would hear none of it.

Finally, the church bells ring, signaling dinner time, The siblings and ghouls finish cleaning up and head inside. Swiss stands up and stretches, sore from crouching for so long. Sunny hisses at him to stay hidden.

“You’re taking this heist mission way too seriously.” Swiss teases.

Sunny sticks her tongue out. “Yeah yeah. Let me have my fun.” She makes a show of scanning the area, head just barely peeking over the top of the hedge. Then she vaults over the bush, and scurries across the lawn to the shed. She presses herself against the side, looks around again, and finally waves that the coast is clear.

Swiss rolls his eyes as he steps out from behind the shrub, but indulges her by scrunching down to sneak across the courtyard.

When Swiss joins her, Sunny raps on the shed door. “Okay, so now we need to pick the lock.”

Swiss squints in confusion. “Or we can just open it.” He pulls the handle and the door swings open, uninhibited. “It’s not locked.”

“Or that.” Sunny seems slightly disappointed. Her excitement returns though when she spots their target. “Bingo.” She trots over to the storage shelves along the back wall. They’re full of small gardening implements, bags of soil, seeds, terracotta pots, and soil additives.

The item they’ve come to retrieve is a small glass bottle of fertilizer spray. It’s a potent mix devised by Primo and perfected over the years, concentrated and magically enhanced to only require a few spritzes to fertilize large plots of soil. Of course, Sunny’s not planning to do any planting.

“So we have the spray. Now what.” Swiss tilts his head and raises a brow. “What do you need this for anyway?”

Rather than explain, Sunny unscrews the lid and a foul stench wafts into the air. Swiss’ sensitive nose scrunches up and his eyes begin to water.

“Unholy fuck! Close that before you kill my nose!”

Sunny looks ready to gag, herself, and she hastily replaces the top. The two evacuate the shed in search of fresh air.

As they head back inside, Swiss eyes the bottle. “Why do you need that shit? Who are you trying to kill?”

Sunny snorts. “I’m not tryin to hurt anyone. Just annoy them a little. I’m gonna make stink bombs and put them in Imperator’s office.”

“Wonderful.” Swiss chuffs. “I’ll miss you when you get sent back to the pit.”

“She’s not gonna know it was me.”

“How? I’m not doing your dirty work for you.”

“Of course not silly. I’ll place the bombs. You distract her so I can get into her office.”

“Oh fuck no!”

“Please?” Sunny puts on her most adorable pleading look, adding a whimper for good measure. It’s her secret weapon that gets her out of a lot of trouble. She and Swiss both know he’s helpless to resist it.

“Sunny?...” He grumbles before sighing, “Okay fine.”

It’s the next day, and Swiss has resigned himself to doing the ghoulette’s bidding. That being said, as he approaches Sister Imperator’s office, he still asks himself how he got into this mess. He’s all for causing mischief, don’t get him wrong, but even he tries to stay on Imperator’s good side.

As he steps up to the closed door, he shoots a look over his shoulder. From the end of the hall, Sunny pokes her head around the corner, grins, and gives him a thumbs up. She’s way too happy about this, he thinks.

Finally he gives a half hearted knock. No answer. Swiss shrugs and turns to leave.

From around the corner, Sunny rolls her eyes before running over. She gives him a conniving smirk before sharply banging on the door. Then she quickly retreats to the end of the hall.

Swiss doesn’t have time to react before Sister Imperator is calling, “Come in!” in an annoyed tone.

He gulps and slams the door open, putting on his best panicked face. “Come quick! It’s Dewdrop.”

Invoking the name of the abbey’s resident arsonist has Imperator on her feet in a second. “Where?”

“This way!” Swiss beckons and takes off down the hall. Imperator follows close behind.

As Swiss and Sister Imperator disappear down the hall, Sunny slides out of the closet she’s been hiding in and gets to work. Since the vile potion was already contained in a spray bottle, they figured it’d be easier to just spritz the room with it. Neither ghoul was brave enough to risk uncapping it to soak cotton balls in the stuff, and then have to touch said stink bombs to hide them around the office.

Sunny walks around the perimeter of the room, liberally dampening each corner, then the carpet right under Imperator’s desk. After she’s satisfied that the room is entirely uninhabitable, she makes her escape. The smell is nearly unbearable and it’s all she can do to hold back from puking right there.

She’s about to slip back down the hall when she hears approaching voices and she freezes. One sounds like a very apologetic Swiss. The other is none other than Sister Imperator. And she sounds angry.

“Shit shit shit!” Sunny hisses under her breath. Swiss had been supposed to distract Imperator for longer. Lead her on a wild goose chase looking for Dew then eventually split off and rejoin her. Something has gone terribly wrong and she has nowhere to hide. If she retreats to the closet down the hall, Imperator will see her. The other direction is a dead end.

Swiss might have been found out but she isn’t ready to lie down and wait to be caught in the act. She darts back into the office, pinching her nose and trying to breathe through her mouth. She shuts and locks the door behind her hoping it will stall them.

“Shit! What now?” She frantically scans the room. Hiding is out of the question. She will puke if she has to stay here. But how to escape. The window!, she realizes. She runs over and pries the window open. It’s rusted, preventing it from opening all the way but she manages to force it just wide enough. It’ll be a tight fit but she thinks she can squeeze through.

The office door begins to rattle. It’s now or never. She starts to wiggle through but suddenly catches sight of the drop. Sister Imperator’s office is on the third floor. She doesn’t have time to change her mind though. The door starts to swing open. Sunny lets herself fall.

Everything has gone horribly wrong. Swiss attempts to stall even as they get closer to Sister Imperator’s office “I’m sorry Sister. Really! I thought Dew was getting into trouble and I thought you should know! I heard yelling and I thought…” He shrugs embarrassedly.

Imperator just sighs as she steps up to her office door. “I don’t want to hear it Swiss. Just don’t let it happen again.” She tries the door “Didn’t I leave this unlocked?” Brow furrowed in confusion, she pulls out her key and unlocks the door.

Swiss freezes. What now? With his more attuned ears and nose, he can tell Sunshine is still in the office. Even despite the stench wafting out from under the door. He watches in horror as Imperator opens the door and…nothing. Well, not nothing. They both immediately recoil, noses twisted in disgust at the smell. But no Sunny.

Swiss breathes a sigh of relief that he instantly regrets. Coughing, he makes a hasty retreat, leaving Imperator to sort out the mess.

Sunny tumbles towards the ground. At the last second, she buoys herself up with her air magic to soften the fall. She lands into the flower bed below her, slightly rougher than she’d like, but relatively unscathed.

She lies there for a minute, taking stock of everything. Arms, good, Legs, good. Didn’t hit my head.

Swiss finds her as the panic ebbs, giving way to laughter.

“Shit! Sunny are you okay?!” He says, his own panic still in full force. “What happened?”

“I fell out a window!” She giggles, way too nonchalantly.

“Why?!”

She shrugs.

“Are you hurt?”

“Nah.” She hops up and twirls around.

Swiss shakes his head but he can’t help but crack a smile. “No more jumping out windows.”

“Aww, okay” She sticks out her tongue. The two ghouls begin to head back inside. “So what happened to the plan?”

Swiss snorts. “Dew happened. I pretended to have seen him in the practice rooms doing something. But he was actually there!”

“Behaving for once?”

“I didn’t say that. He was there. So was Rain. They were both a little occupied in the storage closet. Imperator ripped the door open and got an eyeful.”

“Bahahaha!” Sunny doubles over laughing. “That’s even better. We should have just done that!”

“No! Don’t get any ideas.” He chuckles though; succumbing to the giggles. “Her face was pretty great though.”

“That was fun. Let's do it again!”

“Absolutely not.”

[tsarisfanfiction]

Twenty-Five Fingers

Fandom: Daughter of the Deep Rating: Teen Genre: Friendship Characters: Gemini, Ana, Ester, Franklin Gem remembered to watch Ana's six, he just forgot to watch his own. Seeing if I can get whumptober going again this year - starting with a new fandom and therefore new characters to play with, but I've been meaning to write something for Daughter of the Deep for a while, and the Day 1 prompt "How many fingers am I holding up" fit one of the vague muses I've had since finishing the book, so here we are! This ended up rather longer than planned (story of my fic writing life), and while it's the first thing I've written for this fandom, I don't plan on it being the last!

There were too many thoughts whirling around Gem’s head and he knew it.  Worries, mostly – for Dr Hewett, dragged onto the Varuna without a medic to keep him stabilised and possibly dying, for Ana with the stab wound he’d only been able to do so much for, for the combat situation they were entering with only two guns and a knife between them.

He felt off-balance, with only a single gun in his hand.  It hadn’t been a mistake giving the other to Ana, not tactically and not for his peace of mind, either, but the empty air instead of cool aluminium in his palm felt fundamentally wrong.

It wasn’t as though Gem was fully functional, either, not when he could feel dried blood on his temple and an ache around his shoulders from their underwater scuffle, but he was their combat specialist, the least injured (and Ana’s wound worried him; she needed stitches and rest, not the near-guarantee of another fight), and keeping Ana safe was still his priority.

Except his thoughts were whirring too much, the calm state he entered when he had a gun in his hand just wasn’t coming this time, he was distracted and worried and-

He saw Ana turn around, lips parting as though she was about to say something.  He saw her eyes widen, heard the start of a scream and too slow, too late, realised he’d been watching her six but not his own and-

CRACK.

The throbbing of his head told him in no uncertain terms that he’d been an idiot.

Everything was black, both his hands were empty, and the simple act of even twitching his fingers because his hand being empty was wrong sent a throb of pain all the way through his body, bright colours sparking through the otherwise prevailing blackness of his vision.

There were noises, vibrations travelling through his body.  Familiar noises, even, but it hurt too much to even think and he gave up trying.

He didn’t know how much time passed; something as mundane as keeping track of time was definitely too much effort when his head was pounding hard enough it felt like it was going to explode, but slowly the feeling of something important started to creep up on him.

It wasn’t whatever was causing his hand to feel empty, for all that that felt wrong and like something he should be concerned about.  It wasn’t the noises and vibrations that at some point he’d stopped feeling, although something inside him felt a bit concerned at that, too.

It wasn’t strange material against his skin, cool and definitely not a t-shirt.

Well of course, he’d lost his t-shirt earlier, because Ana had been injured and-

Ana.

He tried to say her name, fighting against the black of his vision now because Ana was in danger and he was supposed to protect her but he’d failed again and where was Ana?

After a moment of fighting, his eyelids peeled open and he blinked slowly.  Nothing was in focus, not the brown or the blue or the dark blob that appeared a moment later, swallowing up almost everything else.

“Hey…” the blob said, voice faint and shaking but familiar and part of Gem almost passed out again in relief because that was Ana’s voice.  All that kept him alert was the fact that she didn’t sound right, didn’t sound like the confident girl that snapped at him more than spoke over the past two years, or the captain that it felt right to follow.  She sounded like something was wrong, and Gem pounded his hammering brain into at least trying to be more awake.

“How many fingers?” he heard her ask, and he squinted as a smaller blob separated from the main blob; a hand, no doubt, but he couldn’t make out any fingers at all, just the blob with a blur around the edges.

“Twenty five?” he rasped, knowing that couldn’t be right but if he really squinted it looked like something like that.  Maybe it was five?

“Yeah, you’ll be fine,” she said, and Gem wasn’t sure that sounded right, but then again Ana didn’t sound right.  If he concentrated enough, the blob looked a bit less blob-shaped and more Ana-shaped, although her face was a bit too shiny.

Water?  No, that didn’t seem right.

He forced his brain to start turning again, to analyse the situation because that was what he was supposed to do, for all he’d messed up already, his head still shrieking a reminder that he’d let someone get behind him, hit him hard enough to knock him out and there was no way he didn’t have a concussion.

Under duress, his mind reached the conclusion that Ana was crying, and Gem had no way of knowing for sure who hit him but something whispered the name of his house captain – former house captain, because Gem would never accept Dev Dakkar as his captain again, not when Ana Dakkar was right there and so much better – and Dev had always been persistent.

“Is Dev-?” he asked, not sure what to say beyond the older boy’s name, but Ana interrupted him before he had to think any more.

“Taken care of,” she said, sounding almost as bad as Gem felt, and the all-too-familiar taste of failure filled the back of his throat because his single order, sole mission since HP’s destruction had been to protect Ana and he hadn’t managed that once.  “I shot him with rubber bullets.”

The shock of her words cut through the pain of his head and nausea of failure, and for a moment he could see Ana’s face clearly, dirty and bruised and red-eyed.  Ana loved her brother, had been cut deeper than any of the rest of them, even Gem and his fellow Sharks, by his betrayal.  Dev was also the top Shark in hand-to-hand combat, and Ana had faced him all alone.  “That couldn’t have been easy,” Gem managed, somehow managing a full sentence although his voice sounded muffled to his own ears.  “Ana… are you…”

“I’m okay,” she told him quickly, and Gem didn’t believe her for a moment, not when her voice was shaking and her eyes were still rimmed with red.  “I’ll be okay.”

He didn’t get the chance to call her out on it, wasn’t sure if he should; they’d finally started working together, had finally cleared the air from his insensitive blunder when they’d first met, but that was the sort of things friends did and Gem wanted Ana to be his friend but had no idea if she wanted the same or if the past week had just been necessity.

Ana’s hands were shaking as she hooked them under him, and Gem realised she was trying to help him up.  Up sounded good, much better than laying limp on the deck, but his muscles didn’t want to co-operate with her and when his head moved the nausea surged.  His vision reset to blurs, a blue that was probably the sky taking up most of it while Ana reprised her dark blob appearance, and he groaned, letting gravity yank his dead weight back down to the deck.

At least he was on his back now, rather than slumped on his front.

“I think maybe I should just… stay here for a minute,” he admitted as Ana’s hands slipped off of his wetsuit.  After a couple of slow blinks, her blob came back into focus again, haloed by the sky behind her.  She looked worried, and Gem almost said something that was supposed to reassure her before he realised what had been so wrong about the lack of noise and vibrations.

“Why has the boat stopped?”

That was wrong, that was a problem because it was just the two of them and unless he’d been out long enough for Ana to beat Dev in a fight, go to the engine room to stop the boat, and then come back-

Two hostiles, his brain dragged up out of nowhere.  With Dr Hewett.  Neither of them had been Dev.

“I’ll check the bridge,” Ana said, and that told him that she hadn’t done it, which meant active hostiles, and Gem tried to pull himself back up so he could help but his muscles mutinied and his body stayed exactly where it was.

“You look terrible,” he told her, because he couldn’t tell her no, knew she wouldn’t listen even if he did, and out of the two of them she was definitely in better shape, but she didn’t look up to taking down any more hostiles, either.

“Thanks,” she replied.  He couldn’t tell if she was being sincere or sarcastic; it could have been either.  “Don’t worry, I’ve got this gun.”

Light glinted off of the weapon, drawing his attention to it.  The shine of sun on metal made it difficult to look at, and the bright flash certainly didn’t do his vision or his pounding head any good at all, but even concussed Gem knew one of his twins when he saw one.

That was why his hand was empty.  He’d given one to Ana.

Where was the other one?

“It’s a nice gun,” he agreed, because it was.  There was a reason the rumour that his name came from his guns existed.  Still, Ana wasn’t the best markswoman and he didn’t know how many rubber bullets were left and just one gun wasn’t enough, but also Ana was stubborn and he knew he couldn’t persuade her otherwise.  “Be careful,” he begged her.

She didn’t reply, and Gem forced his head to turn so he could watch her as she staggered across the deck, looking like the recoil of the pistol would knock her down the moment she fired it.  There was no sign of his second gun, not that he could do anything if he had it.

His head still pounded mercilessly, his vision swimming from the movement of his head.  Nausea choked up his throat; the best he could do if a hostile found him before Ana came back – because she had to come back, had to beat the LI upperclassmen because if she didn’t, she was dead – would be to throw up all over them.

No-one came.

He couldn’t hear anything, either.  No gunshots, no sounds of a fight.  Just the sea, lapping against the unmoving hull of the Varuna, and the ever-pounding throb of his head.

It was disconcerting, and after what he thought were a few minutes had passed he tried to roll over with the intention of staggering to his feet.

He got as far as laying on his side rather than his back before the nausea protested and he threw up.  The world span alarmingly and he completely lost his bearings.

When everything stopped moving again, he was back on his back, staring semi-blankly up at the sky.  Beneath his head, the deck vibrated in short, sharp bursts.

Footsteps.

“Ana?” he called, but the girl that appeared in his vision was completely the wrong colours.

“Ana passed out,” Ester said, and Gem’s eyes sluggishly tracked her as she crouched down next to him.  “She lost a lot of blood but I stitched her up.  You have a concussion.”

Where had Ester come from?

“Ester?” he asked.  “How..?”

“Your pupils are dilated and your reaction time is very slow,” the Orca informed him.  “You’re also bleeding.  You know head wounds bleed a lot?”

“I… yes?”  Gem winced as she leaned over him and touched his head lightly.  It flared, not appreciating the extra contact, and he groaned a little.

“I can’t carry you,” Ester told him after a moment of gentle prodding that nonetheless had his head screaming.  “Can you stand?”

Gem wanted to say yes.  He wanted to get away from the deck and at least to the infirmary with Dr Hewett and no doubt Ana as well, but he knew there was no way he could even sit up, let alone stand, even with Ester’s help.  “No,” he admitted.

Ester nodded.  “Okay,” she said.  “You should stay still, then.  I’ll be back.”

Gem blinked as she disappeared from his view, left alone with his throbbing head and several questions.  How had Ester got on the Varuna?  Was anyone else with her?  Were all the hostiles accounted for?

Ester hadn’t seemed worried, so he was going to hope the answer to the last question, at least, was yes.  He didn’t think she’d have left Ana’s side if she thought there was a danger to her.

True to her word, she didn’t take long to return.  “Painkillers,” she announced as she knelt down next to him with a syringe in her hand.  “I didn’t think you would be able to swallow any,” she explained, and Gem gave her a small nod of acknowledgement.

“Probably not,” he admitted.  He barely felt the prick of the needle past the throbbing in his head.

He did, however, feel the antiseptic as she dabbed at the source of the pain on his head.  Gritting his teeth didn’t stop the groan as the sting made its presence known, but Ester didn’t hesitate.

“This might need glue or stitches once the Nautilus arrives,” she told him as she lifted his head enough to wrap bandages around it.  “But I can’t move you by myself so it will have to wait.”

“That’s okay,” Gem assured her.  “How’s Ana?  And Dr Hewett?”  He shouldn’t have been surprised when his head was put down on something made of fabric – not as much give as a pillow, but far more comfortable than the hard deck – but he was.  He appreciated it, though.

“They’re both unconscious,” Ester told him.  “Ana’s lost a lot of blood and needs a transfusion.  Dr Hewett needs better equipment.”

Gem wasn’t surprised at either status, although neither of them were good news.

“Go back to them,” he told her.  “I’ll be fine.”

“You have a concussion,” Ester protested.  “You should be kept under observation.”

Gem appreciated her expertise, but, “it’s just you, right?”

“Yes,” she confirmed.  “But the Nautilus is on the way.”

That, Gem didn’t doubt for a moment.  He expected nothing less of Nelinha than to get their submarine operational as quickly as possible to come and back up Ana.  “Go back to them,” he repeated.  “Please,” he added almost immediately.  “I’d feel better knowing you’re with them.”

Even if there was nothing more Ester could do with the Varuna’s supplies, the idea of either of them being left unsupervised while they were unconscious worried him.  Ester was resourceful; if something went wrong before the Nautilus arrived, she would work something out.  She couldn’t do that if she wasn’t with them.

“I should stay with you,” Ester said.  “You need to stay awake.”

“Please,” Gem begged her.  “I can keep myself awake.  Just… make sure they’re alright.”

She frowned, but to Gem’s relief, she caved.  “Don’t fall asleep,” she said firmly.  “I’ll check on you.”

“Thank you,” Gem sighed.

Laying on the deck would be boring if not for the throbbing of his head �� less than it was, but the painkillers weren’t enough to douse it entirely – and the persistent worries in the back of his mind.  There were several of them, from the hostiles he couldn’t confirm had all been secured, to Ana’s injuries, to the fact that Dr Hewett’s cancer must have worsened whilst in the hands of LI.

True to her word, Ester kept coming back on deck to check on him.  Neither of them were willing to risk moving him – Gem’s nausea and vertigo was not abating, and he was too tall for Ester to feel comfortable lifting – which left him on the deck, but as hostiles remained absent and Ester had no worsening news about her other two patients, Gem found himself starting to relax.

The first sign of the Nautilus docking alongside them was the vibrations of the ship as something hooked onto the Varuna.  Almost immediately he heard familiar voices, although that didn’t stop his head from throbbing at the noise as feet landed on the deck.

“Gem!”  Multiple footsteps ran towards him and he winced as Cooper came into view, golden light glinting off of the Leyden gun in his hands.  Behind him, Gem could make out the rest of the Sharks spreading around the deck, guns at the ready, and finally relaxed fully.  The rest of his house would make sure the ship was secure.

“Cooper, make sure Dev’s not going to give us any more nasty surprises.”  A shock of blue hair heralded Franklin’s arrival as the Orca prefect nudged Gem’s fellow Shark out of the way.  He still looked almost as awful as he had the last time Gem saw him, but that didn’t stop him kneeling down and checking Gem’s pulse.  “You look like you should’ve kept a few more weapons,” the other boy said.  “That’s a bad concussion.”  He held up a hand.  “How many fingers?”

Gem blinked at it.  “Three?” he guessed, before his vision focused a little more.  “Ah, two.”

“Got it the second time,” Franklin confirmed, bringing his hand back down.  “Let’s get you off this deck.  Rhys, give me a hand.  Linzi and Brigid, go see what help Ester needs with Ana and Dr Hewett.”  Gem hadn’t noticed the other Orcas lingering around, and glanced up at Rhys as she knelt down on his other side.

“Do you think he can stand?” the other Orca asked.  Gem grimaced, and Franklin frowned.

“I want to try,” he said.  “If he can’t, he’s worse than he looks.  We’ll take it slow.  Think you can try, Gem?”

“I can try,” Gem confirmed, although the nausea in his throat didn’t seem too keen.  Franklin and Rhys slid their hands underneath his shoulders, and Gem closed his eyes as the world spun.  Nausea threatened again, but somehow it stayed down as the Orcas got him up into a sitting position.

They paused then, letting him resettle for a moment as he breathed through the nausea and the still-persistent throbbing of his head.  “You good to keep going?” Franklin asked him, and Gem opened his eyes a crack.

“Yes,” he said.  His shoulders, lightly aching but nothing compared to his head, made themselves known a bit more as Franklin and Rhys looped his arms around their necks.

“On three,” Franklin said.  “One, two, three.”  Gem closed his eyes again as he was pulled to his feet, feeling his body sway as his balance struggled to settle.  It took a few more moments before he felt remotely steady, and his supporters held still as he staggered to get his feet under him.  Walking was a challenge, but opening his eyes a crack, Gem managed to stumble over to the side of the ship, catching sight of the Nautilus bobbing in the water next to the Varuna.

Boarding was harder, and Franklin enlisted extra help in the form of Virgil and Jack, but eventually Gem found himself being lowered onto a bed in the Nautilus’ sickbay, and he sank gratefully onto it.  The extra anaesthetic supplied by the submarine helped the throbbing of his head fade away further, even when Franklin removed the dressing Ester had placed to give the epicentre of the pain another clean.  To his relief, after some discussion between the Orcas and Ophelia, the decision was reached that his scalp didn’t actually need gluing or stitching back together, just secure bandaging and bedrest.

The biggest relief, though, was when he saw Ana and Dr Hewett being transferred in a short time after his head was re-wrapped.  Both of them looked awful, but the Orcas and Ophelia were all hopeful that Ana, at least, would make a full recovery.  Dr Hewett was still up in the air, but Nautilus immediately started producing something for him, which Ophelia also declared a good sign, and the knot of worry that had been sitting in Gem’s chest since finding his mentor passed out a week earlier loosened slightly.

Not everything was resolved – LI were still a distant threat, despite the defeat of their upperclassmen and the destruction of the Aronnax, and Ana and Dr Hewett were still very much unconscious and expected to stay that way for at least a day – but the main battle was over, Ana, their class, and the Nautilus were all safe, and after a few more checks by Franklin, Gem was cleared to finally pass out from exhaustion after running on adrenaline and shock for the past week.

It didn’t take him long to do exactly that.

[trumpetnista]

Goodbye, Daddy. With love from Cookie.

August 3rd 1964 - August 15th 2023

As I mentioned a few journal entries ago, my dad had been sick and bedbound due to a bedsore that became an open wound. That open wound became septic down to the bone. While there were signs of it healing, his body could no longer take the stress it was under. The pain he was in was too intense. There was nothing more that could be done to help him medically. After discussing things with all of us, Dad was put into hospice care on the 8th. The IV drip was removed and he was put on a morphine/diluadid regimen to reduce his pain and aid his departure. Even after that, he kept fighting to stay with us. He didn't want to leave us. I know that in my soul but in the end? Loving someone is knowing when to let them go. We had to let him go so he could depart in peace, so he could be Free and out of agony.

This morning, at 2:30AM, he took his last breath.

My mom, my Aunt Paris, my younger brother, and myself were there. My big sister @dynamicspacebabe and her husband joined us shortly afterwards. Our whole family and several of his friends visited over the weekend and yesterday because we all knew that it would be soon. His kidneys had begun to fail. His brain was shutting down. He was no longer able to eat, drink, speak and during his last 48 hours, see us despite his eyes being open.

He could still hear us, though.

My mother had been playing music for him the whole time but in his last 48 hours, I took over as the DJ. Songs that he loved, songs from my childhood kept playing, and each one was deeply comforting, even the ones that made me sob. Eventually, I began singing to him, surprising everyone. I typically am not one to sing in public, despite having a pretty good voice, but I wanted him to hear me as much as possible. I wanted to let him know that I was still with him, even though I no longer had any words to say other that I loved him and that I would always be his Cookie.

His nickname for me happened on my birthday. According to the story, when I arrived, I looked like just like a gingerbread cookie. My mother's adopted father wanted to call me Pumpkin but that was promptly shut down. Too many stories about people getting into trouble involved someone known as Pumpkin, at least according to him, which was actually pretty accurate given that we lived in Gary, Indiana at the time. So, Cookie it was and Cookie it stayed. He was the only one who was allowed to call me Cookie. Cookie, it will remain for the rest of my life.

I know that I mentioned that I had conflicted feelings towards him. I know that I said that I was angry at him for his behavior towards me and my siblings as a parent in the past/present. I still have those feelings but they are outweighed by love. It was like that before he passed away and it will definitely be going forward. I won't pretend that it never happened. I won't rewrite history. I can't but I can have nuance. I can have balance. I can forgive but not forget. I can have empathy, not just for him but for my Mom.

Mom and Dad met when they at U of M in their late teens. They were together for 40 years. They were best friends and now, she's by herself for the first time since before they met. She still has us. She has her mother and siblings. She still has her true friends but I am terrified that we will lose her, too. Diane and I gave her resources to keep her here. Diane gave her the Suicide Prevention Hotline number and I told her how to use the crisis line at Easterseals, which I've been using frequently since the 8th. I also figured out how to check into a mental ward that's closer to home, not just for her but for myself.

I'm still afraid to be in a ward by myself but I have to be realistic. I have faced tragedy many times in my life. My family has faced tragedy many times but nothing on this level. Every time we've been through hell, Dad was always there. He supported us all as best as he could but this time? He is the tragedy and what makes things worse?

This could've and should've been avoided.

The nursing home who neglected my Daddy, murdered him. It's as if they pointed a fucking gun at him and shot him point blank. It wasn't congestive heart failure or diabetes that took him away. It was them.

If it wasn't for their callousness, their lack of professionalism, their utter contempt for the people in their care? He would still be with us.

And my father isn't the only victim. Every time we named the facility, people recognized it and reacted with sadness/horror. I am well aware that there are many other nursing homes just like the one who murdered my Daddy. I am well aware that it's a systemic problem through the United States and globally. I get it. I've been a Caregiver for over a decade. I have no choice but to get it.

That being said, I'm making it my mission to take down the nursing home and every person inside of it who took my Daddy away from me. I want to make sure that no one else will lose their loved one to them. I want to hit them where it hurts the most: in their wallet and I want to expose their shitty reputation to the masses.

It won't bring him back. It won't restore him to the man he was before all hell broke loose. It won't undo the pain and trauma we've gone through since late February-early March. It won't and can't do any of that but having a place to target, having people to blame for this makes the situation better. Having a mission after tragedy adds to the motivation to stay alive, at least to me. Maybe it's because I watched too much Batman growing up or maybe it's just me being spiteful but I'll take it.

I am heartbroken but not spirit broken. I can't speak for the rest of my family members but I know that I will survive this. I have the coping mechanisms, the support system, and most of all, I have a promise to keep.

Before cancer stole my Bunny, my Sara Elizabeth from all of us, she made me promise two things: she made me promise that she would not die alone in a hospital and she made me promise that after she was Gone, I would do my best to be happy and to live well.

I keep my promises and the promise I made to Sara will be double downed on for my Daddy.

All he wanted was for all of us to be safe. All he wanted was for all of us to be happy. He adored his family and he showed it as best as he could. He did the best that he could and flaws and all? He was a good man. He was a good husband. He was a good father. He was a good friend.

Reginald Thomas Dixon was a good man.

He was my Daddy.

And I will always, always be his Cookie.

I love you, Daddy.

I'm so sorry that this happened to you and we will make the pieces of shit who hurt you, who murdered you pay for it.

I no longer believe in the doctrine that I was taught but I do still believe in an afterlife. I do believe that you are at peace and I believe that you are with our Bunny. Please hug her for me.

I sang one of your favorite Donny Hathaway songs after you were released from the prison your body became. I sang that Someday We'll All Be Free and your Someday has come.

Smile, Daddy. You're Free.

With all the love in my heart, Cookie.

[verycrowindeed]

The legend of the man from Covaspo

Howdy!! It's Crow here!! So i've been thinking lately and i've decided that i want to share with you all a little something i wrote a while ago.

Some context: This legend is a tiny part of the lore of a bigger story that my friend and I are writing. Everything is completly fictional and it contains upsettling themes (See the tags)

With that already said, here's the story

They entered to her website and were greeted with a big text, all in red, that seemed to talk about the old legend of the man who founded the city, a legend that was, of course, a simple horror story that some teens probably made up some decades ago, and that for some reason was passed from generation to generation as a way to scare little kids,

"Of course" -Sinno thought- "If anyone on earth would actually believe in this shit , it had to be Hela".

.The first man in Covaspo.

They say that a man whose surname was Covaspo was the founder of this town.

He, his wife and his two baby twins used to live in an unknown city, where their monetary situation was worse each day, and the Covaspo family lived in absolute poverty and misery, so one day, he decided to run away with his family to a place far, far away, where they could forget about all their problems and start anew.

After many hours of driving they found a place in the middle of nowhere, so they built a house near water well, and they started a new life there, where no one could bother them.

And that could be the end of the story, but then that man and that old well would mean nothing today, and we all know it isn't like that, because it turns out that Covaspo and his wife (of whom we don't know the name) were really good people, and so they decided to invite some close family to live with them in what they called "The Covaspo Community", the word started spreading and what once was a little community formed by family and friends gathered around a well, slowly became a small village, and then a town.

And so, the city we all know and love today, was born. Or at least that's all they teach us in school and in books, but they refuse to let us know what happened to Mr Covaspo's family after that.

Well, to make it simple for everyone, the man went nuts.

So, you see, Covaspo had run away from his old life in the city to finally be able to take a breathe and have a peaceful time the last years of his life, not to accidentally become a Mayor in a city he accidentally created, so that caused him some stress, and, in the top of that, protection wasn't exactly a thing back then, so he had more kids.

His wife announcing her 5th pregnancy was the last straw for him.

The night after she gave birth, everyone gathered at the church to bless the newborn and to pray for his health while the mother stayed in her mother in law's house, who would take care of her and the baby the first month, as it was the tradition back then.

Mr Covaspo stayed at home, taking care of his other kids, because at that time people believed that the man was the strongest one in the relationship, so he had to manage the kids while his fragile baby and spouse where resting. Everything seemed to be normal, the kids where playing and laughing and yelling -As kids usually do-, until suddenly there was complete silence.

It turns out that it was really late at night, and Mr Covaspo couldn't stand all the noise, so he came up with an amazing solution, with a kitchen knife he slitted all the four kid's throats open and they all bled to death.

After that, Covaspo was never seen again.

A week after the incident, miss Covaspo, was found dead in the city well, some say the grief and fear was too much for her so she decided to take her own life, some others claim that it was Covaspo who came back to finish his job, but nobody knows for sure what happened (But, if you ask me, i think it wouldn't make sense for it to be covaspo's revenge, because then why wouldn't he also kill the baby, his fifth son??)"

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

At the end of the publication there was a "Do you want to cite this?" link that when you clicked it, it showed this little window to copy and paste in whatever you wanted to, if for some reason you really, really wanted to quote this crazy girl

"De Covaspo, Hela. "The first man in Covaspo." Aug. 28, 2000, find more about this in my website; Hela's Magic World."

Okay! I hope you guys liked it and if you did, please reblog this!!!

[devintrinidad]

Episode four here we go:

Right away, I think this is the best opening of season four. I have always had a soft spot for the Hargreeves as their young child selves. It was something that I wished we had more screentime of back in season one and season two. (Like, all the past flashbacks are my favorites). That said, this was pretty good and I love how they solidified that Ben and Viktor were somewhat close in the past, at least close enough that Viktor could be in Ben's room and try on his mask.

I'm not sure if they totally retconned Ben's meek/nice self or maybe he became jaded when he was in late teen years and became "wholesome" again when we see him again at the start of Season One. I mean, I can give his snarkiness a pass since he is a teen and maybe being dead changed his personality a bit. Or maybe Klaus' ghost powers somewhat influenced Ben???? I'm not sure, but hey, I'm just speculating.

Anyway, I talked about how yesterday that there was another creative umbrella opening and today was so good! I loved how Ben and Jennifer together formed the umbrella. I also liked how the clothes mirrored each other like a yin/yang symbol! That's so cool! Kind of like how durango and marigold are opposites of each other???

Another thing that I like to mention, I love the interactions among the children. Luther taking point, Diego eager to prove himself, Allison trying to help Klaus, Klaus being Klaus, it's all great.

Wish we could have seen more from the child actors and I'm happy that they got someone great for Ben. I have no idea if these are the original child actors from season one, but if they are, that's awesome.

As for the rest of the plot... I'm still iffy on Reginald's wife. Why is she??? Like tht??? She's too good to be true. It's kind of interesting that she's his complete opposite, but Reginald totally adores her. However, it becomes all the more grating when there's no contrast coming from her. She's too nice and too good. She appeals to Reginald, but like... Why? We get from Reginald that he thinks himself superior, so what about Abigail? I think it would make her all the more interesting if she thought herself better as well and only see their children as helpless and weak. I don't know. I need more to her character.

Viktor really went off this season.

But, I feel like this was a rehash from season one? Like, didn't he already make his point? About wanting to be part of the team? About wanting to be seen? I thought this was already resolved in Season Two and he was already pretty much part of the team in season three. Why again? I get he wanted to be at peace, but??? Wasn't he already at peace???

That said, I love how there's a continuation of Viktor being a mediator, always coming up with a plan. I wonder if it will come to fruition, though.

Also, there was this analysis way back from season one and how it commented that Reginald respected his children enough in some ways. Kind of like how he allowed Allison to have her natural hair, which is cool. Here, he calls Viktor a boy and like. Good for him, he basically was decent enough to respect Viktor's transition.

I feel like Luther and Diego were given a bone just so that they would have something to do. Luther isn't a himbo anymore, he's just... flanderized at this point? His one redeeming quality is that when Diego tells him that he needs to have something like the CIA< Luther noticeably relents and lets his little brother do his thing. That was cute. I respect it.

Klaus. Ummm... Gosh... Please, save him. I'm glad that he isn't drugged up, but what happened to him is on the same par of horrible. He should not have been put in that situation and I think the writers wanted to get rid of him just like they wanted to get rid of Luther and Diego. Done done done done done dirty.

Allison knowing rigor mortis because of a tv show and her accurate aim was amazing. No notes. She also clearly cares about Klaus. However... I don't think Klaus was always reaching out to her??? Like, I don't think I saw any one of that in season one??? (I don't deny that I could be wrong, though). Klaus was always alone and Allison had moved across the country. I get that there was a flashback earlier in the episode, but I feel like that was only to cement Allison's comment about Klaus always turning to her and hoping the audience doesn't rewatch season one or something.

Claire is using therapy buzz words and she's a teenager. There could have been a more appropriate way of saying those things, but I guess I could give it a pass? I don't know that much about Claire as a character and she seems mature for her own age.

Lila and Five going off on another adventure again. Yay. Lila really needs to confront the fact that if her marriage is having problems she shouldn't always be running away from talking to Diego. At least Diego is putting in the effort to actually confront her and talk to her. Lila's using Five as an escape and I feel like Five knows??? But enables her??? Or maybe he's confused and is trying his best to help in his own way? I mean, he's also trying to prevent another apocalypse, but still. It should look fishy on his end and I feel like Five from previous seasons would have wisened up and told Diego point blank what Lila is doing because, he should, care more about his brother and used bluntness as a tactic to make sure his brother knew.

One good thing about Lila and Five's trips to alternate timelines was the Phoenix Academy??? I wonder how Reginald came up with the names! Like, why umbrella? Why sparrow? And I love how the different uniforms reflect the different timelines lol. It's interesting that Klaus was included in the Phoenix Academy, but I wonder if that has something to do with his powers.

Ben and Jennifer... I now understand why people are saying Ben is a yandere lol. I would question why Ben and Jennifer are suddenly so interested in each other, but I suppose that marigold and durango interacting are why. I wish there was something more, but I feel like these essences or chemicals or whatever is the sole reason.

Also, Ben being somewhat romantic when he says that he has tentacles and Jennifer was inside a squid means that they were meant to be??? Just kill me, omg

Also, quick question, if there were multiple children of marigold... what about durango? Or does the idea of opposites also include durango? Like children of marigold is multiple, but durango can only happen to one person.

What are the odds that Jennifer happened to be in the vicinity of someone with marigold??? With the odds of billions of people on the planet, there should have been a near zero percent chance of the apocalypse happening in the first place. If you think about, it was Reginald's fault that he kept Jennifer in close proximity to the Umbrella Academy in this universe. He could have easily sent her to another country and that would have been it.

Also, was it ever explained why Jennifer from the original timeline was in a shipping container? if she was so easy to kill, why couldn't Reginald kill her himself? If this was a test, then everyone failed, but still. If this was such a dangerous thing to happen, he should have just gotten the job done himself.

Also, I know it's not going to happen, but it would have been so cool that when Viktor was using his powers on Reginald, Reginald actually turned into his alien form. I think that would have been great to reveal him as the monster he is when he's at his most vulnerable.

Anyway... episode five tomrrow?

Not gonna lie, I just watched the first episode the new TUA season. It doesn't seem bad. Yet.

I thought it was pretty fun and entertaining, if a bit mean spirited and took the characters in vastly different directions than I thought.

(They gotta stop dunking on Diego and Luther. They're himbos, but that doesn't mean you get to insult Diego's appearance and make Luther the butt of every single joke).

That said, knowing what I know about how the season will develop... I did get a sinking feeling when I saw Lila and Five having fun after the Keepers meeting and saw that Diego was watching. That little sideplot could have easily been played off for laughs and would have served as more fodder for siblings who like to tease each other... but I know what's going to happen, but I'm prepared for it.

Really, what stood out to me was that Five and Viktor sat together when they were at the Hibachi grill. I don't care anything else in this episode (though I am glad that Klaus is sober and seeks control in his life and Ben is... Ben is being very conniving and I wonder why he didn't take all the marigold for himself). Anywhoozles my 2019 Fiveya heart is smiling with joy, especially considering how close Five and Viktor once were.

(It's a long shot, but I hope there's a few more Fiktor moments here and there).

[mochiwrites]

Two feet enter his vision as Mumbo lays on the soft grass below. It’s the middle of the night, with the chilly air sweeping over him comfortably. His head rests in the grass, arms on his stomach. The grass is cool against his skin, leaving him quite comfortable. He gazes up at the moon, finding himself feeling at peace.

Except for when those feet pop up. The peaceful atmosphere is ruined, tearing Mumbo away from his pleasant moon watching.

He rips his gaze away from the moon, and instead looks at the avian standing behind him. From this angle, he can see the still healing puncture wound on his neck. Mumbo winces. He then forces the feeling down and instead smiles sheepishly, “Ah, hello Grian.” He greets.

To his dismay, Grian does not smile back at him. If anything, the colorful feathers of his wings puff up as a frown forms on his face. He sets his hands on his hips, and gives Mumbo a look of disapproval.

“Oh dear, it’s your grumpy face. That can’t be a good sign.” Mumbo says, voice carrying nervousness. He can already feel himself sweating under Grian’s scrutinizing look.

“No Mumbo, it’s not a good sign.” Grian replies, his tone blatantly giving away his displeasure. Mumbo shrinks back under his gaze, and it causes Grian to sigh. He drops his hands from his hips as he moves to sit in the grass next to the teen.

Finding himself growing more and more nervous which each second that passes, Mumbo slowly sits up. Grian doesn’t speak immediately, fingers picking at the blades of grass instead.

“Your mother spoke to me today.” Grian suddenly starts, making Mumbo go still. “She told me you haven’t been er… ‘taking care’ of yourself.” His brows furrow, “Even though you have tons of blood available, you refuse to drink it.”

Mumbo winces. He had really hoped that Grian wouldn’t find out about that, considering he knows what his best friend is like. And he can’t just… tell him why. No no, that’d be mortifying.

But he knows Grian, he knows how he likes to push.

The thought alone makes Mumbo want to crawl into a hole.

Instead, he sighs quietly, lips tugging into a frown as he stammers, “I, erm, well uh…” Mumbo stops himself, biting the inside of cheek. Though he quickly regrets that decision, fangs and all. He resolves to meeting Grian’s eyes, “Look, Gri, I’m alright! I’ve just… sort of forgetting lately?” He cringes at the way he says it, and Grian lifts a brow.

“You’ve been forgetting.” Grian prompts.

“Yes.”

“Even though your family makes it a point to have it at dinner so that no one forgets.”

“Mhm, I guess I’m just too forgetful for them.”

“Yet you used to be on top of it, to the point you’d mark it out on your calendar.”

“Ah, well you know, it became too much work.”

The look Grian gives him is one dripping with disbelief, but unlucky for him, Mumbo has chosen this hill and he will die on it.

“Sooo, does this forgetfulness have anything to do with my blood?” Grian is quite blunt as he asks the question. So blunt in fact that it makes Mumbo jump.

“W-What?!” He mock shouts in surprise. He quickly realizes that that’s the exact reaction Grian wanted and he quickly coughs, “N-No! I have no idea what you mean!”

In turn, Grian sighs at him. “Mumbo, I’m not stupid. I can see the effects that avoiding blood has on you. Your mother is worried and so am I. You’re hurting yourself, and I just want to help. You haven’t been the same since er… that night.” He says, trying to prod at Mumbo gently. He doesn’t want to overstep, to make the other uncomfortable. He just wants him to be okay.

As Grian mentions that little incident, shame curdles in Mumbo’s gut. He’ll never forget the night he accidentally attacked his best friend. It was the worst night of his life, finally coming to with Grian limp and bleeding out in his arms.

He frowns, “I didn’t want to worry you of all people. Usually that’s the other way around, with all of the magic shenanigans you get up to.” Grian chuckles at that.

“So then what’s going on, huh? I know this isn’t your typical spoon behavior.” Grian questions, raising his brow.

“There’s no getting out of this one, is there?” Mumbo grumbles.

“Nope! So you better get talking or I’m filling your room with chickens again.” Grian threatens.

“No you’re not! I still have random feathers all over! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve woken up with a feather in my mouth!” Mumbo wildly protests in return, making Grian cackle. Mumbo sighs, “Yes yes, I know you’re very proud of yourself for that one.” He frowns.

“It was your fault for falling asleep. You left me unattended.” Grian hums innocently.

“Biggest mistake of my life.” Mumbo sighs before getting serious again. “The truth is, — and you’re not allowed to laugh — animal blood just doesn’t… do it for me anymore.” He mutters, and he feels oddly embarrassed talking about this. “Ever since that… the vampiric side of me doesn’t want anything other than your blood.” Mumbo admits it, and he can feel his cheeks burning.

He doesn’t want to look at Grian’s face; so he doesn’t.

At least, not until Grian starts laughing.

“Hey! I said you weren’t allowed to laugh!” Mumbo scolds, and yet Grian’s laughter continues.

“S-Sorry! It’s just—” Grian takes a breath to calm himself. “Mumbo if that was all it was, you could’ve just asked! I don’t mind!” He says, and Mumbo stops.

“Do… do you hear yourself?” The vampire asks. “Truly hear yourself?”

Grian playfully rolls his eyes, “Yes, Mumbo. I’m not the spoon here.” He hums. “If you need to feed on my blood to oh, I don’t know, live, then that’s fine!” He even goes a step further, rolling up the sleeve of his shirt to expose his wrist.

Mumbo hates how his heart leaps at the sight.

Grian holds his wrist out to him, “Here.”

Mumbo stares between the offered limb and Grian and he can’t bring himself to move. “I could hurt you.”

Grian doesn’t miss a beat, “You won’t.”

That sends a pang through Mumbo’s chest, “I have.”

Something in Grian’s gaze softens as he reaches out and takes Mumbo’s hand in his own, “I trust you.”

And that’s all the little pushing Mumbo needs. With shaky hands, he takes Grian’s wrist and holds it. He brings it up to his lips and very, very carefully, he sinks his fangs in.

[bebepac]

A Piece of Heaven on Earth: Part 1

The Book:  TRR Pairing:  Liam x Riley (eventually)  Word Count: 2902 Warnings & Ratings:  Sexual Innuendo, mention of character’s perceived death, profanity; Teen Liam and Riley, Chance, Maxwell and Bryce belong to PB, all others are my own characters  to support our story. Summary:  Riley and Liam meet in an odd situation Song Inspiration:  I by Yiruma Story Inspiration: Just Like Heaven -you see similarity to the storyline of the movie but there will be differences I added in as well.

Original Post:  03/08/22 at 8:43PM EST.

A/N:  This is very special to me.  So please be kind.  I’m writing this as a tribute story to my Riley FC, the late Cheslie Kryst, in a way to deal with my grief which has almost been consuming my life.  I started following her in 2019 when I was watching the Miss USA pageant.  I rooted for her immediately.  Not only was she from my home state, but she was just this bright twinkling light on stage, she was a minority, like me. So when I came to the fandom in January 2020 and started writing stories for TRR I picked her as my Riley FC because she embodied what I wanted my “Riley” character to be.  Even in her untimely passing, I am still finding out more about her life and I have written her pretty accurately, even down to having depression.  So I will say it again.  If you need help please reach out. 

Reach out to someone you feel safe to.  I know I speak for everyone who has lost someone this way; I would rather cry with you over lunch, than cry for you at your funeral.  Cheslie, I miss you, and I really feel like I have your blessing on this one.  Because writing this makes me think of you and smile, when all I had were tears for you previously.  And I really feel that’s what you would want. People smiling when they think of you.  I hope you have found the rest and peace, you were searching for.  And I hope you like this.

RILEY

Riley pushed the door open and was met by a blinding  light.  When her eyes finally adjusted, she was standing on the rooftop of her apartment that had been converted into a garden oasis.  It was her garden, and it was absolutely breathtaking. Who did this for her?

“And who the hell is going to take care of all this? I’ve legit got a brown thumb. Mother Nature or God, I'm gonna need you to handle this!!!”  Riley chuckled to herself, starting to wander through the beautiful sweet smelling flowers.

There was a seat  in the middle, and on it sat a white rose.  For her? It better be, it’s her damn garden, on top of her damn apartment.  She picked up the freshly clipped  de-thorned rose, lifting it up to her nose, to breathe it in.  She closed her eyes as she sighed contentedly. It was the most fragrant rose and its lovely scent filled her nostrils. Riley sat relaxing, basking in the sweet air and the warm sunshine.

And there was a voice… it  was barely audible.   Who was he?  The gentleness of the sultry baritone tone felt familiar though, and put Riley immediately at ease as he began to speak.

“I wrote you a poem. It’s the first one I’ve ever written, because I felt so inspired by your effortless beauty..

Soft, Sweet….

Sensually smiling

Sighs…. Softly….

Shifting Stares…

Sharing Secrets….

Shhhh…….

Shuffling Silently

My Sweet Star. "

Footsteps approached her, and then a hand caressed her shoulder. 

She knew it was him, her soulmate, the one she had always been waiting for.  Riley immediately turned to gaze at the face of the man that had just made her grin like a giddy school girl in love, and just as she did, her alarm went off.

Of course.  And that’s how I ushered in year thirty, with a groan, and a dream that faded away too soon.

Flirty, thirty, and  thriving, is what I heard this birthday was supposed to be. My birthday began observing the torrential downfall  of a hurricane and still my brother and his fiancee wanted to meet for breakfast. We meet every year. It was our tradition. Minus one, my twin sister Taylor was M.I.A.

Of course Jaiden had talked the staff into singing happy birthday to me, whilst bringing a plate of cupcakes Bebe had made special for my day.  Taylor’s absence meant more cupcakes for me. It was one of the many perks of having a baker in the family or almost family, unlimited cakes, cookies and confectionary sweetness whenever the situation warranted.  First birthday serenade of the day? Check.

Sitting quietly for a moment I was able to take it all in. Thirty felt different to me, not going to lie.  The years before it, I felt young and carefree.  Even year twenty nine felt alright.  But this one, even weeks before my birthday, I started becoming introspective.

It made me take a cold hard look at my life as I know it.  Was I where I thought I was going to be in my life? Not completely.  I had the job well, maybe not the job I wanted, but working in the field I wanted. I wasn’t married, had no current romantic  prospects, and no children.  I had a nice apartment a few miles away from my job, and I had my dream car.

I guess in the grand scheme of things I wasn't doing half bad, and my student loans were more than halfway paid off.

“What’s up Dirty Thirty! Happy Birthday!!!”

“Thanks Nico!”

He saw the Tupperware container of leftover cupcakes. "Did Bebe make those? Can I have one?"

I released my grip on the container. Nico grabbed one, almost eating the whole thing in one bite.

He continued talking with an icing covered face.

“You look beautiful, by the way. Tell me you’re finally going to let me take you out so we can celebrate your birthday right?”  

Nico was trying to be cool leaning against the counter.

 The receptionist behind the counter hid the words "don't do him" in a cough.

I laughed at the receptionist. Everyone knew Nico had a playboy reputation around the hospital.

“No Nico, you know I don’t date coworkers. We've been over this before!”  

He grabbed the random flowers from the counter.  “Even if they buy you flowers?”

“You didn’t buy those, you just snatched them off the counter.”  

“You’re breaking my heart RB1.”

“And I told you about calling me that, my sister’s name is Taylor, not RB2.”

“Technically since you are the oldest,  she has your face. The nickname is sound. But fine! Just know, you’re still breaking my heart.”

“I’m sure there is someone on staff that can fix that. Byeeeee Nico.”  

Nico watched Riley walk away from him. 

“That’s never going to happen Nico KH.  If you kept it in your pants, you might have had a chance.”  Bryce patted Nico on the shoulder sympathetically.  

The Locker Room

“Why don’t you just give him a chance Riley?”  Hana asked while they were both in the locker room changing into their scrubs.

“Because Nico has a reputation here. He's been through the whole staff, including some of the nurses.”

“But he’s never been as persistent chasing someone as he’s been with you.”

“So, I'm the one that's gonna turn that hoe into a housewife?!? Yeah right!  I'm just the one that's been impossible for him to catch. Nico is all about the thrill of the hunt. If I give in to him, he’ll leave me alone.”  

“I still think you should give it a chance. He’s been asking for a date, not a trip to the oncall room. And it's free food. You two have chemistry.”

“Enough about me, how’s Maddy? Have you got any new pictures of the baby?  Of course you do, let’s see them.”  

I watched Hana’s voice change and the smile dancing in her eyes, as she went though picture by picture.  Hana had really changed once she had met her soulmate Madeleine, and they had a whirlwind romance, married, and found a donor, and they had an adorable baby girl that looked like Hana reincarnated. Hana had turned into a completely doting mother.

"So is she eating pizza yet?"

"And that's why Auntie Riley isn't going to babysit. She has four teeth."

"Your point is?!? She can gum the hell outta that pizza!  But Makenzie will always think I'm the cool aunt."

"You're right she will."

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I took a quick glimpse at the time.

"Happy Birthday my favorite twin!!!!"

"I'm your only twin. Twin means two Taylor."

"Sorry I couldn't make it for breakfast, but me and Maxwell are trying to create life here. So maybe he already gave me my birthday present."

"Ugh! That was so TMI Taylor."

Taylor continued talking about random plans and Maxwell and their upcoming dinner party.

"Taye, I got to go, we have a code!"

I quickly disconnected the call.

"We have a code?" Hana asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Me, the code is me Hana, because that conversation was killing me."

"I can't with you. RB1." Hana replied with a smile.

"Not you too."

"You should give him a chance. You never know."

Two Weeks Later

"I brought you a dress and heels to wear tonight so you don't show up to dinner in your scrubs. Hana put it in your locker."

"Taylor, I know how to dress myself."

"I want you to look nice, Maxwell invited a friend of a friend to dinner. He thinks the two of you will hit it off. Please make sure you are on time. 7:30 okay?"

I peeked in my locker at what Taylor had brought for me to wear.  Oh good lord!!!

"Yes Mother, I will be there! And you know you could have packed me a dress that doesn't scream 'I'm going stag to prom.' If he doesn't bring a corsage, the blind date is over."

Taylor laughed.

"I’m sorry!!!!! The dress will look amazing on you, Rye.  And I know it's the inside that counts, but I wanted to make your outside match too. I want him to be dazzled by you.  You have too much love in your heart to continue spending your life alone.  I want you to be happy."

As annoying and self absorbed as Taylor could be at times, she had her redeeming moments like this one. I couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you Taylor."

"You're welcome."

Work was busier than normal and at 7:28, I was shimmying into the dress Taylor had left for me. I decided to call Taylor as soon as I got on the road so she would not go nuclear.

"I'm on my way, I'm running behind."

"It's okay he's running late too. You two might be better matched for each other than we initially thought."

"You know I don't need you two to play matchmaker for me. I'm gonna get off the phone here, this rain is awful."

"I'll see you when you get here. Be safe."

"Love you Taylor."

"I love you too Riley."

At least I was able to tell her I loved her one last time.

One of my favorite songs came on the radio, so I glanced down to adjust the volume and began  singing along.  When I heard the screeching of tires, it caused me to sit up in attention; a van had hydroplaned into my lane heading directly towards my vehicle, their bright lights blinding me. My life flashed before my eyes in an instant. This is it….this is how it ends...

"Mom, Dad, Jaiden, and Taylor… I'll miss you…."

I closed my eyes, and braced for the impact. Everything went even brighter  for a second, and then….. there was nothing.

LIAM

It was the twelfth apartment Liam had looked  at with his realtor.  

From the look on his face, it was clear this wasn't the one either.

"This checks off all your boxes Liam. It's everything you asked for."

"Rashad, something just doesn't feel right.  This isn't the one."

Upon walking out of the apartment building a bright red flier caught his eye on the bulletin board.  It said Fully Furnished Apartment for Rent Call NOW.

"Liam there's no way I've arranged twelve apartment visits and none of them you liked. But a bright red flier is going to be the one."

Liam decided to  pull out his cell phone dialing the number and call anyway. The woman on the line was bubbly and cheerful and he liked her immediately.

"Yes we're not even a block away we can look at it now!"

When they got off the elevator,  the door was the most salient on the whole hallway, painted bright red.

"I wonder what's behind the red door?" Liam asked. They didn’t have long to wait as a young lady answered the door.

"Hi my name is Bebe, are you Liam?”

“I am! Nice to meet you Bebe.”

“I can show you the place if you'd like.  My fiance couldn't be here. I just made some cookies too."

“We get cookies too?”

“You catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar, and might I say, too bad I'm engaged because you are quite the slice of heaven, Liam."

Liam laughed.

"Sounds like you’re the Queen of the hive Miss Honey Bebe.  And I'm buying whatever you're selling; flattery gets you everywhere with me."

Bebe laughed, waving them into the dining room.

"So let’s start with a few  chocolate chip cookies. They are fresh out of the oven, and we’ll go from there."

"This is a nice apartment, are you and your fiance moving into a larger place?"

Her face turned sad.

"No, this place belongs to a family member. We're just doing a month to month lease for now."

"It's nice, you mind if I look around a bit on my own, and take some cookies?"

"Sure, go ahead. Makes my life easier."

Liam walked around the apartment.  First settling on the couch.

"Pretty great couch."

"Isn’t it though?  Rye was all about comfort.”

Liam lounged on the couch stretching out and he felt  something in the cushion, pulling out a blue bedazzled collar, reading the name on the collar aloud.

"Chance."

"The family pet."

The apartment door opened and closed.

"Hey babe are you still showing the place?"

"Yeah Jai, we're in here."

Jaiden and Liam both introduced themselves to each other shaking hands, and  Liam continued looking around.

"So Liam, what do you think of the place?"

"I love it. It feels like if Sunshine was a person, this is where she would live."

Liam called from the other room.  Rashad noticed the couple looking somberly at each other, and thought it best to follow Liam and give them a little privacy.

Liam walked up the stairs, out to the rooftop; Liam was already thinking of the possibilities of utilizing the rooftop space.

"Look at this! This is AMAZING!"

"You could really do a lot with this space, though the previous tenant did not.”

“I really love everything about this place, Rashad.”  

“It's month to month though, Liam. But it appears something tragic happened to the previous tenant.  Maybe they will come down in price, and give you a better deal.”

“Even if they don't, I still want this place. It’s worth it.”  

“Okay, let’s go make an offer then.”  

And an offer they did.  Liam also asked for a dozen of Bebe’s chocolate chip cookies for move-in day.  They obliged.

A different man had met Liam to bring him the keys to the apartment who had a resemblance to  Jaiden.

“I’m Jason.  We had the apartment cleaned for you, and as promised some of Bebe’s homemade cookies.”  

“Thank you.”  

It didn’t take long for Liam to get settled into the apartment, and have his stuff neatly put away.  

Liam ordered a pizza, sitting it on the table and going to the fridge for a beer.

When he turned around, A young woman was standing there.  

Both screamed at each other.  Liam dropped his beer, the glass bottle breaking on the floor.

“I KNOW TAE-BO!” she screamed. Taking a fighting stance.

“Um.....wasn’t that a 90’s workout craze?”  

“That’s beside the point!!!!!!  What are you doing here?!?! Get out of my apartment!!!!!”

“It’s my apartment, I leased it.”  

“So did I, and I’ll prove it.”  

She ran out of the room out of Liam's sight.

“Did you clean my apartment?”  

He ran down the hallway to follow her, and as quick as the woman appeared, she was gone.

Liam spent the next few minutes looking around the apartment for the woman but she was nowhere  to be found.   He glanced at the coffee table, he was only on his second beer, so he didn’t think he could have hallucinated the whole thing.  But the woman had evaporated into thin air.

He glanced at the empty beer bottles  in his recycling.  Maybe he had more alcohol than he thought.  But to hallucinate the strikingly beautiful curly haired woman wearing a blue dress and heels, like she was getting ready for a night on the town, seemed far-fetched even to Liam. He thought it best not to mention it to anyone, but he did buy an extra lock to install on the front door.

A few weeks passed and he never saw the woman until he was getting out of the shower.  Liam had felt refreshed, he wrapped the towel around himself 

and as he wiped the steam off the mirror he saw a woman standing behind him.

“I told you to get out of my apartment!!!”  

He jumped and turned around, almost losing his towel.

She screeched and  covered her eyes. The woman was still in the same dress and heels.

“It’s my apartment!”

“What are you doing here!” she shrieked.

“I’m finishing my shower, what are YOU doing here?”

“I live here!!!!!  I’m going to make a call buddy and you’re not going to like it.”  

She stormed out of the bathroom, heading for the bedroom. Liam was right on her heels this time; she was not going to evade him.  

“Who are you going to call?  I think the police would find it funny that you broke into my apartment telling me to leave.”  

“I’m calling my Dad, and he IS the police. I just need to find my cell phone, I usually keep it on the bedside table.”

She glanced down at the table confused.

“You moved my cell phone?  Did you put it in the drawer?  You stole it didn't you?”  She pointed her finger accusingly at Liam. The woman went to grab the drawer to open it, but her hand phased right through it.

“What….? What’s happening?  What did you do to my table?”  

Liam stepped closer to the woman who clearly looked confused and she looked like she was about to panic.  

“Hey…. It's going to be okay…..What’s your name?”  

She opened her mouth to speak but then closed it.

“I don’t know.  I don’t remember.  Where’s my cell phone? What did you do to my table?”

Liam pulled open the drawer for her to inspect its contents.

“I didn’t do anything. Look, I can open it just fine. What's the last thing you remember before you got here just now?”  

“Just you with the pizza and the beer.”

“That was two weeks ago.

 My name is Liam.”   He cautiously stepped even closer to her.

“Liam, why are you looking at me like that?”  

“Because  something happened to you before, and I think that the part you don’t remember is….. you died.”  

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THIS TRIBUTE PIECE

[searidings]

Lena definitely just lets Jess walk into her office without knocking and that has definitely led to her walking in on Lena in Supergirl’s arms

Jessica Hoang’s job pays well.

Like, really well. Like, buy-your-mother-a-new-Valentino-purse-every-Christmas well. Surprise-your-boyfriend-with-a-trip-to-the-Bahamas well. Rub-your-success-in-your-high-school-nemeses’-face-at-the-reunion-but-like-in-a-classy-way well.

And it’s not that it’s exactly unreasonable. Being Lena Luthor’s assistant is no cake walk. Jess has been shot at. She’s been almost blown up on more than one occasion. She’s worked all the hours god sends and then some. Hell, she’s got the chief detective of NCPD’s major crimes unit on speed dial.

She has, at various times and with varying degrees of success, played the roles of bodyguard, nutritionist, nurse, therapist, and drinking buddy. She’s seen Lena in every shade and hue of human emotion; coaxed her through crisis after crisis with warm words and a kind smile and never once let her miss a meeting.

So, Jess doesn’t really mind accepting the generous salary. Has even made peace with the borderline obscene bonuses Lena likes to toss her way around Christmas, or her birthday, or any time Jess introduces her to a new kale recipe.

She’s not arrogant, but she’s not prone to under-selling herself either. She knows Lena values her, knows she’s integral to keeping L-Corp’s CEO afloat and thus, to the running of the whole operation. And more than that, she knows her own worth. Takes pride in the work she does.

So she’ll take the paycheck, and the late nights and the missed meals and all the other things that come part and parcel with employment in National City’s most conspicuous company.

And if those other things come to include a front row ticket to the tragicomedy of her boss’ relationship with a certain blonde reporter, so be it. She’s not about to quit, after all. Once she’d gotten a taste of sleeping on Egyptian cotton bed sheets, there was no going back.

-

It started with the unrestricted office access.

Actually, it started when Lena allergic-to-the-press Luthor first asked her to put in a call to the biggest news outlet in town to request a private meeting with one of their junior reporters, but Jess lets that one slide.

(She’s got her own hunk of a man to go home to every night, yet even she’s not immune to Miss Danvers’ button down and slacks combo, to her earnest blue eyes and eager charm. Lena can’t be blamed for falling under that spell, nor for the hypnotic allure of the muscles straining beneath those demure cardigans. She’s only human, after all.)

But adding Kara Danvers to the list of people to be waved straight into her boss’ office with no checks – or rather, creating said list, which to this day consists of precisely one name – was what really sealed the deal. It was portentous in every sense of the word, a harbinger of what was to come.

Since that fateful day, Jess has seen more of Lena and Kara’s relationship than she’s sure any of the three of them would ideally prefer.

At first, it was the interviews. They’d been fishy enough in themselves; sure, Lena Luthor is objectively interesting. But three separate articles in the span of two weeks? No one’s that interesting.

After the interviews, it was the lunch dates. The first time she’d interrupted one of those she’d almost fallen over her own feet in shock. The sight of Lena Luthor – the same Lena Luthor that Jess had, on more than one occasion, needed to actively bribe into ingesting anything other than espresso and scotch in a fourteen hour workday – licking burger grease off her fingers and happy as a clam, had thrown her off for the whole rest of the day.

(Lena had long since instructed Jess to just stick her head into her office without knocking if she needed her. “Things can go to hell far too quickly around here to waste time with buzzers and intercoms,” she’d said with a self-deprecating smile.

If only Jess had known then what she knows now, she might have put up more of a fight on that front.)

The lunch dates had gotten longer, and more frequent, and decidedly more intimate. A year after the reporter’s first appearance at L-Corp it had become commonplace for Jess to walk into her boss’ office to find the two of them slanted close together on the couch, Lena’s heels discarded, her stockinged feet tucked beneath the blonde’s thigh.

Then, Kara started showing up at 7pm to drag Lena away from her desk at a reasonable hour. Started dropping by on her way to Catco before work too, fumbling coffees and pastries in her blushing grip.

(She always brought a latte for Jess along with Lena’s regular order. Of all the developments, that was certainly one of the most welcome.)

She got to know Kara, as the years went on. Was pleased to discover that she truly was as delightful as she seemed. And it was nice to finally have an ally in her ongoing battle to regulate her boss’ shockingly unhealthy work habits. She and Kara could tag-team their efforts, trading off caffeine duty and playing bad cop to get Lena to leave the office before midnight. It meant that Jess had finally, occasionally, gotten a day off.

It didn’t escape her notice that Kara was always there on the bad days. She showed up like clockwork after every ruthless smear campaign against L-Corp, every stock market plummet, every assassination attempt. She would enter the office to find Lena crying and she would leave with the dark haired woman tucked securely against her side, if not smiling then at least calm. At least hopeful.

And Kara was there on the good days, too. The mergers and the product launches and the prototype successes; she celebrated every one of Lena’s triumphs as if they were her own. And Lena, Lena lit up when Kara was around. Bloomed like a rare flower beneath the megawatt glare of Kara’s sunshine devotion.

Her boss never said so in so many words, nor did Jess ever walk in on anything directly incriminating. But it was clear to anyone with eyes exactly what was happening between the two women, exactly where it would lead.

And then one day, Kara wasn’t there anymore.

-

The effect was as obvious as it was immediate.

Lena started coming in early and staying late, if she left the office at all. She barely ate. Her face was pale and drawn, and Jess would often enter her office to find her boss’ eyes red-rimmed.

It became glaringly, painfully obvious that without Kara dropping by at all hours of the day and night, no one was coming to visit Lena.

Her boss became closed-off and withdrawn, more so even than when Jess had first started at L-Corp. Gone were their weekly gossip sessions about the crotchety old men Lena couldn’t yet oust from the company’s board. Gone was her boss’ openness about her own life or her interest in Jess’, her frequent requests for photos of her cats or updates on the master’s in computer science she was studying for in the evenings evaporating into thin air.

Lena did not want to talk about it. Jess was informed of this emphatically and repeatedly whenever she would tentatively reach out, and slowly she stopped trying.

The closest they ever came to acknowledging the elephant in the room was the night of L-Corp’s annual fundraiser at the Luthor Children’s Hospital. Once the gala was over, Jess had run back to the office to drop off the donation paperwork in the company safe only to notice a faint light beneath Lena’s office door.

She’d entered to find Lena hunched on the floor of her private bathroom, heels kicked off and hair falling out of its intricate updo, mascara streaking her cheeks as she sobbed into her hands. Jess hadn’t hesitated for even a second before sinking down beside her.

Wrapping a secure arm around her boss’ shoulders and smoothing the flyaway hairs from her flushed face, she’d tried her best to convey the support and reassurance that Lena had so consistently shown to her. But the young woman had brushed off her platitudes even as the tears had continued to fall.

“It’s not okay,” she’d hiccupped against Jess’ shoulder, the scotch evident on her breath. “She’s gone. I won’t ever get her back.”

And that’s all she would say on the matter. Eventually, the tears had dried up and the exhaustion had set in and Jess had chaperoned her all the way back to her apartment and into bed.

Lena had shown up for work the next day in a pair of oversize aviators, clinging to her triple shot extra-large americano like a lifeline. She’d dropped a latte on Jess’ desk with a rueful smile, and that had been that. They never talked about it again.

-

That whole dark period only cemented the strong protective streak Jess had been cultivating over her boss ever since the very first attempt on her life.

It’s just that Lena is strong, and smart as hell and unfailingly kind and utterly undeserving of the punishment the world keeps foisting on her for her family’s sins. And worse, she’s not prepared to fight back. She just accepts it, internalises the hatred and the burden and the blame and Jess cannot, will not watch it happen. So sue her if she’s a little hyper-vigilant, a little possessive.

And so when Kara Danvers had shown up again one unassuming Tuesday, Jess intercepted her trajectory at Lena’s office door with narrowed eyes and a suspicious glare.

It must have been effective – she’d learned from stone cold boardroom killer Lena Luthor, after all – because the reporter shrank back a little beneath the force of her stare. Kara cleared her throat nervously and Jess had been a split second from launching into a what are your intentions with my girl speech ripped straight from a bad 1980s teen movie when the door opened behind her and Lena appeared.

“It’s fine, Jess,” her boss murmured and she had, reluctantly, stepped aside to let the blonde pass. Not before fixing Kara Danvers with one last pointed glare, though. If Lena wasn’t going to protect herself then Jess would just have to do it for her.

But there was no shouting, no screaming, no audible arguments. And when the blonde left a half hour later and Jess stuck her head through the office door to very unsubtly check on Lena’s wellbeing, there was no trace of red-rimmed eyes or tear stains. Lena simply offered up a small smile, a soft smile and once again, that appeared to be that.

Slowly, Kara Danvers became a regular fixture in L-Corp again, alongside the fancy espresso machines in every break room and the ever-present whiff of soldered metal.

Jess remained wary, a fact which did not seem to go unnoticed by the reporter. In fact, Kara redoubled her efforts to win her over, including new pastries and other sweet treats with the lattes she still regularly delivered.

“I can’t be bought, you know,” Jess had said once, taking the offered apricot Danish anyway. Her loyalty wasn’t up for auction, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t capitalise on the spoils of a bidding war.

Kara had only smiled sadly. “I know. I’m glad.” At Jess’ inquisitive stare she’d just shaken her head, reaching up to adjust her glasses. “I’m glad she has you.”

Jess had hmphed rather ungracefully, licking a stray flake of pastry from the end of her finger. She may have broken her boss’ heart, but no one could deny that Kara Danvers had great taste in desserts.

“I’m not looking for her forgiveness. Or yours,” Kara had continued, so surprising that Jess had inhaled a healthy gulp of latte directly into her lung. The reporter had waited until she’d finished spluttering before she continued. “I don’t deserve it. But for what it’s worth, she has me, too. Again, I mean. For as long as she wants me.”

Jess had narrowed her eyes, searching for any trace of insincerity in that earnest, handsome face. Finding none, her feelings toward the reporter had at last settled somewhere in the ballpark of grudging respect.

And there they’ve remained. She still watches the blonde carefully, still keeps a wary eye out for any sign that things may crumble into dust again. But Kara is true to her word. She shows up, she keeps showing up, and she sticks around.

And slowly, achingly slowly, the light comes back to Lena’s eyes.

-

It’s just another regular unassuming Tuesday when everything shifts again.

Kara Danvers hasn’t yet shown up for lunch and her boss’ conference call was scheduled to have ended a half hour ago, and this stack of expense reports desperately needs Lena’s signature so Jess doesn’t bother knocking as she shoulders open the office door.

A lesser assistant might have shrieked. They’d definitely have dropped the gargantuan stack of reports all over the floor. But Jessica Hoang was trained by Lena Luthor herself. She’s got dignity and composure for days.

Even so, it takes every ounce of poise she can muster not to let out so much as a squeak at the sight of her boss hovering a solid five feet above the floor of her office, enveloped tightly in the arms of a fully kitted and caped Supergirl.

It’s an unavoidably intimate embrace. Lena’s stockinged feet perch lightly on the toes of the hero’s red boots, her arms wrapped snug around the Kryptonian’s neck. Their foreheads are pressed together and they’re just gazing into one another’s eyes, Supergirl’s arms slung low around Lena’s waist as she drifts them in lazy mid-air circles.

For one horrible, stomach-churning moment Jess is faced with the mind-boggling possibility that her boss is, for all intents and purposes, cheating on her reporter gal pal with the city’s superpowered sweetheart.

But equanimity isn’t the only talent she’s picked up from Lena. Her problem solving skills aren’t bad either, or so her boyfriend is fond of grumbling when she steals the Sunday crossword out from under his nose.

Jess uses the split second before they react to her presence to appraise the scene with a critical eye.

At this proximity, there’s something decidedly familiar about those blue eyes and flowing golden locks. But the real clincher doesn’t end up coming from Supergirl at all. It’s the softness in her boss’ expression, the gentle slant of her features and the unguarded love in her eyes in the brief moment before she registers the interruption that really seals the deal.

Jess has, after all, seen Lena in every shade and hue of human emotion. The list of people her boss would look at like that, much like the list of people with unrestricted access to her office, consists of precisely one name.  

Two heads snap towards her in perfect tandem, two jaws hitting the floor in quick succession. Lena gasps and shoves herself away from Supergirl like the woman has suddenly become radioactive, apparently forgetting that she’s not currently abiding by the laws of terrestrial gravity and almost plummeting five feet to the ground.

She’s saved by the hero’s lightning fast reflexes, strong arms snapping out to catch her around the waist and pulling their bodies snugly back together into an embrace somehow even more intimate than the original.

Jess smirks. Lena’s cheeks are redder than she’s ever seen them as Supergirl floats them both gently back to the ground. “This isn’t— we were just— she’s not—” Lena tries half-heartedly as the superhero shuffles her feet at her side, blushing like a chastised schoolgirl.

Jess bites the inside of her cheek, calling upon every last shred of her professionalism to keep from laughing. “Your two o’clock is here,” she says gently, gracing her boss with a genuine smile. Jess may be proud of her own bullish protectiveness in front of others, but she’s a simple girl at heart. If Lena’s happy, she’s happy.

Both women are still staring at her slack-jawed. It appears no response is forthcoming any time soon.

Jess decides to put them out of their misery. “Just buzz when you want me to send him in, Miss Luthor. Miss Danvers,” she nods in acknowledgment as she ducks quickly back out of the room. Not quick enough, though, to miss the choked sounds of shock from behind her, nor the heated stage-whisper of how does she know, Lena? that follows her out of the door.

Jess shakes her head. And she doesn’t even have superhearing.

-

Lena Luthor has many strengths but subtlety, apparently, is not one of them.

That’s the conclusion Jess has no choice but to land on as she stares down at her phone. The extra 10k that has materialised in her bank account without warning or explanation could hardly be more obvious if it had come with the payee reference hush money right there in black and white.

Well. If Jess hadn’t been sure before, she certainly is now.

She shakes her head fondly. As if she would ever sell out her boss on anything, much less on what is very clearly a matter of the heart.

After all these years working together, she knows Lena trusts her. But she can also picture clear as day the scene that must have transpired in the office behind her just moments ago. Lena and Kara, panicking about being discovered. Lena falling back into her Luthor conditioning, deciding to clean up the mess by throwing money at it. The instant regret as she realises she’s just confirmed that there is in fact something to be covered up.

For a certified genius, her boss sure can be dense.

Jess chuckles. Taps out of her banking app and pulls up her messages. Your super secret’s safe with me she types, grinning. I’ve never told a soul that you were drunk as a skunk at the annual board meeting three years ago, and that was without a single dollar in bribes. Why would this be any different?

Hitting send, she swears she actually hears the sigh of relief her boss lets out despite the three inches of solid oak door separating them. She shakes her head again, biting her lip.

I’m happy for you, Lena she sends, warm affection swelling in her chest. Smiles when her screen lights up a moment later with a single red heart.

She locks her phone and squares her shoulders. Skims a critical eye over the weekly schedule she already knows by heart. Ushers in Lena’s two o’clock at her boss’ signal and settles back at her desk. Pulls up a new browser tab and searches up the cost of last-minute flights to the Maldives.

Just because Lena’s hush money was unnecessary, that doesn’t mean it can’t be put to good use.