#she texts Claire but she’s looking for Knight

[capitalisticveins]

Imagine how hard it was for Genevieve to be talking to her beloved over the phone, all giggly and happy, and in an INSTANT suddenly she hears them running for their life and I expect at some point they drop the phone or hang up and she’s forced to spend who knows HOW long wondering if they’re okay and what they’re running from. At some point she would’ve wondered if they’re dead when they wouldn’t respond, no?

[devilofthehounds]

God Eater 3 Character Novel | Unstained Choice: Chapter 6

[image id: A novel cover. On the right side is Claire Victorious from God Eater 3, holding her Charge Spear-type God Arc and staring off into the distance with determination. On the left side is a young Claire, holding a handkerchief in her hand and looking sad. In the background is a Gleipnir banner. The text, when translated into English, reads “God Eater 3 Character Novel | Chapter 3: Claire Edition | Unstained Choice”. /end id]

This is a fan translation. Original text here.

Masterpost 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

"...Huh... Claire...?"

"Oh, you're awake. This is the infirmary. We're aboard an Ash Crawler heading for Arrowhead at full speed."

I held Eir's hand as she laid on the bed, slowly taking in her surroundings.

"...That's weird. Pretty sure I died..."

"It was certainly a close call, but..."

I had managed to stop the bleeding and treat her wounds in time. Thanks to some sedatives I had on hand, I'd been able to calm her overactivated Oracle Cells and treat the burst inducer overdose.

The others in my unit had rushed in—to rescue me, not Eir—and barely made it in time to transport her.

"Some of the ash has seeped into your body, so we're not out of the woods yet, but... I think we'll make it to Arrowhead, and we can get you proper treatment there."

"...Whoa... Look at you, sounding all confident."

I'd started studying medicine because of what Eir did for me back then, but I never thought it'd end up saving her life. I only hoped I had been able to repay her for her efforts.

"...Claire. What about my unit... and the AGE kids?"

"We've received word that they found another caravan. But..."

Since Eir was suspected of murdering her superior officer, everyone in her unit ended up being taken into custody.

The truth was in our hands: the two of us, here and now.

"Eir, please. Tell me what happened. ...You're not the one who killed him, are you?"

Even now, there had to be something—someone—for me to protect.

"...When the Ash Storm stopped the caravan, our dearly departed commander gave the order to continue the operation."

After a long silence, Eir slowly began to speak.

"He thought if we could intercept the approaching horde of Aragami and restore the beacon, he'd be able to take the glory. Anyone else could see that it was suicide. I tried to stop him, but he..."

Eir squeezed my hand.

"He pulled his gun on me, yelling about fools who didn't understand justice."

"What...?!"

"What a joke, right? A guy like that trying to get someone out of the way."

Staring into space, Eir spun the tale of what had happened on the ship.

"Before he could shoot me... one of the AGE kids swung at him with their God Arc to protect me."

Those brave little knights...

"After that... things didn't calm down until they were all dead. ...No matter the reason, an AGE who kills a superior officer is sentenced to death. To prevent that... I staged the footage so that it'd look like I acted alone."

"Why... Why would you do that to yourself?!"

After a heavy silence, Eir turned her gaze toward me.

"...Wanna know something, Claire? I actually used to be an orphan."

"...Huh?"

"They thought I'd have a high compatibility, so I was adopted from an orphanage. I've been a tool of House Albert ever since. ...I'm really not all that different from an AGE."

"...Is that why you were so kind to those AGE children?"

Her wry smile confirmed my suspicion.

"For the sake of my family, for the sake of my parents, I'd do anything... The rumor about me killing my comrades was completely bogus... but I did leak insider information from Gleipnir, and to try and earn some glory, I even purposely lured Aragami to the battlefield, needlessly creating more casualties."

On her parents' orders.

Eir's voice conveyed no emotion as she spoke.

"Why... Why would you do such things?! You shouldn't have to obey orders like that!"

I felt so angry at Eir's parents, at House Albert.

Was it truly necessary to make her go that far? Had they ever considered Eir's feelings?

That was all I could think about.

"But if I don't... will my family ever love me?"

That one question, so frank and without pretense, stopped me in my tracks.

"I still can't forget how I felt the day I met my mother and father, sitting there, hugging my knees. ...We've been looking for someone like you. We wish we'd found you sooner. Those words, and their warm embraces; they made me feel so much joy. ...Do you really think you could ever understand?"

Warm tears fell from Eir's cold eyes.

"If I could go back to that moment... If I could make them smile and hug me again, I'd do anything. Money? Power? I'll get you all of that and more. Because the only thing I want..."

That day, Eir had said she would create the House Albert she desired.

Now I understood the true meaning of her words. I desperately clutched her cold hand.

I wanted to fill the void in Eir's heart, even if just a tiny bit.

"But I've reached my limit... The orders I received from my parents before the operation were for an assassination. To use the AGEs to kill the commander who was getting in my way."

"No..."

"There was no way I could order a kid to kill someone, then leave them in the Ashlands to get rid of the evidence... I tried so hard to convince them, but Mother and Father just wouldn't listen... I'd almost given up hope, but then... I found you again, after all this time."

As I sat there in shock, Eir stared at me quietly.

"Hearing you talk about how you wanted me to fulfill my dream... it woke me up. It made me remember who I was, what I'd almost lost sight of."

I couldn't take it. Tears started to well up in my eyes.

So, this time...

"I would no longer be my parents' puppet. Just as I made that decision... the exact scenario my parents had proposed played out. I realized that this was my fate."

Was this how it was meant to be?

Why had not a single ray of hope reached Eir?

"So, in the end... I decided to take the blame for the AGEs who had protected me and lay down my life. I gave my unit strict orders to protect them with everything they had. Seeing all those kids crying for me... I have to admit, it did give me one last bit of solace."

Eir gripped my hand tightly as she tried to raise her battered body.

Within her eyes, I could see her unshakable will.

"Sorry, but... I have one last request. And you're the only one who can fulfill it."

As my tears continued to fall, she gave me a gentle smile.

Eir entrusted her final wish to me.

I sat outside the intensive care unit at Arrowhead, immersed in silence and emptiness.

I went over Eir's wish in my mind again and again.

At that moment, the sound of brave, bold footsteps approached.

"I have been told you were the one to secure a confession from the suspect Eir Albert."

When he entered my vision, I immediately stood up.

"G-Governor-General..."

The chief commander of Gleipnir, Governor-General Abraham Gadolin.

He had taken over my father's former position, becoming the most powerful man in Gleipnir and the mediator of authority.

"I've been given a summary of what took place during the operation, but I'd like to hear the details from you directly. ...Would you mind telling me what happened?"

I was overtaken by a sense of intimidation. Falsehoods would not be tolerated here.

His demeanor was identical to my father's during his work.

Taking a deep breath, I began to speak.

"...During the operation, the caravan carrying Eir Albert confirmed the presence of an Ash Storm in the direction they were traveling. With the numerous amount of Aragami that had been herded into their path, the unit had to decide whether to continue the operation or abort it."

As I faced Governor-General Gadolin, it felt as though I was face to face with my own sense of justice.

"Eir Albert, concerned by the risk of casualties, advised her commander to abort the operation. However, he wouldn't listen to her, and an argument ensued. Then..."

Then...

The words died in my throat. I couldn't stop my clenched fists from shaking.

"...Is something the matter? Please, continue."

Eir's final wish.

I didn't want to fulfill it. I wanted to save her. I wanted to defend her.

But this was what she wished for and gave her life for. With her own will.

And, for the first time, she reached out to me and entrusted me with it.

"...Eir Albert, wielding her God Arc... single-handedly took over the caravan."

I would spin the tale she desired.

"After taking control of the ship, Eir Albert's unit objected to her actions. They left her in the Ashlands and fled the scene. Discovered in an underground research facility, Eir was taken into custody, which brings us to the present..."

I couldn't stop my tears from overflowing.

"And so, Eir's unit and the detained AGEs aren't at fault...! All the blame lies with Eir Albert alone, who disobeyed her commander's orders and massacred her comrades!"

In lamentation, I let free the truth.

I made it the truth.

Her wish—her final wish, entrusted to me—had been fulfilled.

"...I understand. I have full confidence in your testimony."

As I sobbed, Governor-General Gadolin gently placed a large hand on my shoulder.

"Your father and aunt did a great deal for me throughout the years. I sense the same noble will in you as I did in them."

What part of me could ever be called noble?

In the end, I couldn't save anything.

"This operation was a rehearsal for our next large-scale operation. Its purpose was to reaffirm the power structure within our organization, and to find God Eaters we could trust therein."

Governor-General Gadolin looked me in the eye and revealed the true purpose of the operation.

"Someone who will continue to search for the right course of action in any given situation. We wished to find someone who would not be blinded by immediate temptations, who could follow their own sense of justice."

I stared back at him, unable to grasp the true meaning of his words.

"...Claire Victorious. I am entrusting you with the hope of humanity against the Ashlands."

"The hope... of humanity...?"

At that moment, the door to the treatment room opened behind me.

"It's all over. We were in hot water for a moment there, but there's no need to worry anymore!"

Governor-General Gadolin gave me a nod as I turned.

"Your friend, I presume? Go to her."

I bowed deeply at his words and ran into the treatment room.

"Eir... Eir...!"

Lying on the bed, her face pale, Eir gave me a small smile when she saw me.

"...Claire."

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry...! I couldn't save you...!"

I had blocked her path.

It made no difference that it was what she wanted.

The future with her family that she had risked everything for could no longer become reality.

"Heheh... What are you talking about? You did save me."

Eir's hand touched my cheek.

I could feel a faint warmth from her fingertips.

"Because you were there, because I met you, I was able to live my life the way I wanted to until the very end."

Freed from her curse, Eir turned toward me, her eyes unclouded.

"I like the way you live your life. So, keep going. I'm sure of it: waiting in the future are people who will happily fight alongside you, rebelling against reality."

Eir lowered her arm and closed her eyes in satisfaction.

"Now it's my turn to support you on your path, forever and ever. ...Don't forget, okay?"

"...!"

Eir's body was restrained and carried away.

She was a criminal. Even though she was grievously injured, she managed to survive. And so, she had to atone for her crimes.

Perhaps with her life.

I continued to stare after my friend as she was taken away, still feeling her warmth lingering on my cheek.

"...I know, Eir. I promise."

I was certain that I would continue to have worries, to stumble and fall as I moved forward.

There might even be times when I would feel overwhelmed by reality and my own powerlessness.

But I wouldn't stop. I would continue to believe in myself and in the words she gave me.

"I'll always strive to be someone you can be proud of... So, keep watching me."

With that vow, I wiped away my tears, turned away from my friend, and set out toward my future.

[spiderluvbot]

🖇 KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR ! ethan landry.

pairing — ethan landry x popular!fem!reader. summary — sometimes you have to remind your boyfriend that he's the only one for you, not that you mind. genre — no ghostface au, hurt/comfort (i think), fluff for like five seconds, suggestive. notes — just rewrote this entire thing and i still think it's kinda shitty but it's definitely better than the first version. warnings — mdni, swearing, alcohol consumption, suggestive themes, ethan being insecure but also ethan simping over his girlfriend, praise kink, slight religious imagery. word count — 1907.

ENGLISH IS MY SECOND LANGUAGE.

ethan downed yet another drink, attempting to listen to his friend as his eyes darted around the room, trying to find you between the dancing crowd and blinding lights.

"dude, are you even listening?" chad sighed. ethan had been worriedly looking around for the last twenty-five minutes. the taller boy looked back at the kitchen island, wondering what to fill his cup with, before speaking again. "maybe you should just go find her."

"her text said to wait for her here." he moved the plastic cup in his hands, watching the clear liquid sloshing around to avoid the need to scan the crowd. "maybe she got caught up talking to someone."

somehow, his cup seemed more and more interesting by the second. maybe it was the way the alcohol seemed to vibrate with the music, or maybe it was just the fact that he desperately wanted to ignore chad's look.

he felt a heavy hand against his shoulder and looked up just in time to see him rolling his eyes.

"you already got the girl, ethan." chad stressed as he shook him. "there's nothing to worry about."

"yeah. thanks, chad."

he didn't sound very convinced, how could he be? in his mind it was already incredible that he managed to date you, to keep you interested in him. for your relationship to be something more than some sort of short-lasting, nerd-dating phase would be a miracle.

he heard your voice calling his name, and even half drowned in the music it still brought a warmness to his chest that had him wanting to hold onto you and never let go.

in his eyes you were like an angel, and tonight, thanks to anika, you were dressed like one as well. (if the two of you heard him say that you would probably complain, rambling about the specifics of claire danes and romeo and juliet. but you had wings and a type of beauty that made him blush and thank god for sending you his way, even if he wasn't particularly religious.)

you were all smiles and excitement, eyes glued to him as you ignored a few classmates who called for you and tried to keep you with them in the living room turned dance floor. you were quick to wrap your arms around him and greet him, but he couldn't help but keep glancing between you and the people who had called for you, brows furrowing as a familiar uneasiness settled in his stomach.

he knew that you were beautiful, and definitely out of his league. and so even now, when he had you in his arms and painting his face with lipstick with every kiss you gave him, he still found himself staring at the many boys with their eyes set on you, his jaw clenching in anger.

they were a usual reminder that there was always someone stronger, taller, smarter, someone popular and confident, someone you should probably be dating instead of him.

"aw, this is so cute." you smiled, using your finger to grab the cardboard and pull him closer, leaving a small kiss on his lips. "did you make it yourself?"

he felt his cheeks getting warm and finally dared to look at you.

"it was a last minute thing." if there was one thing he knew, it was that he would rather die before telling you that his social life was lame enough that he was perfectly capable of recreating the costume of some unknown low budget movie you liked, all while balancing studying, his part-time job, and going out with you.

"yeah, right. he spent like a week on it, said he wanted to impress you." he gaped at that, feeling offended and slightly betrayed because apparently, his friend didn't know when to shut up, but chad ignored him and left with the excuse of finding mindy.

great, now you knew about his shitty diy skills, he had never felt more embarrassed in his life.

"well, consider me impressed." you held his face between your hands and pressed more kisses where the helmet allowed you, continuing to paint him a soft pink.

"i even used velcro." he joked half-heartedly.

"oh my god, take me back to your dorm." you teased back and tightened your arms around his neck, laughing and slightly swaying in your blissfully intoxicated state.

looking up, you focus on his eyes. soft brown and half covered by light curly hair, bright and surrounded by long lashes, eyes that look back at you filled with love as the warmth of his hand settles on your waist and his fingers slowly caress you.

you could spend the rest of the night like this, and you probably would have, had someone not pulled you away.

the guy is from your literature class, an overbearing asshole named john, or josh, or something, and he grabs you harder when you try to break free.

"hey, y/n, come play beer pong with us!" his friends seem to build a barrier between you and your boyfriend and you're whisked away from him and pulled towards a table far away.

ethan freezes in place and, while you try to set free, he can't help but think you make far more sense over there, standing in between those that are mean and somehow popular.

hell, it would be easier to picture you dating chad rather than himself, he still couldn't figure out how he got you to date him. and the worst part was that everyone thought the same, he knew by the way people stared in surprise when you were together and in the way people —even your friends— mocked your relationship, and in the way he thought you looked beautiful in your costume while he looked like a total loser, even if you said otherwise.

he felt something cold and wet in his hand and looked down to find his cup crushed. his gaze returned to you only to find you animatedly speaking to a girl and he sighed, dropping the plastic cup and making his way towards a table in search of some napkins.

"ethan!" anika saw him and called him from the couch, where she and mindy sat between a bunch of abandoned jackets. his body collapsed on the old cushions and he dropped his head on her shoulder, letting out a groan in hopes it would make her say something that made him feel better.

"this again?" mindy spoke, leaning forward to see past her girlfriend, and rolled her eyes. "you know she loves you... somehow. you don't have to be so dramatic over some dude having a crush on her."

anika tried to hold her laugh as she felt ethan mocking mindy against her shoulder and patted his leg before turning to look at him.

"you know, you should just tell her how you feel, e, i'm sure she'll understand."

"no, that's shitty advice."

"it wasn't shitty advice when it got you a girlfriend." she rolled her eyes and looked your way, you were, once again, being hovered over by the guy that pulled you in, and the girl you were previously talking to was nowhere to be seen. "ugh, she looks like she wants to die in there. just take her upstairs, where you can talk in private, and talk about it."

"fine." he got up and made his way to you, pretending to crash into the guy hard enough to make him dump his drink on himself, and took advantage of the distraction to pull you away.

"look at you, my knight in shining armor." your smile immediately disappeared once you saw how sad he looked, being replaced by a frown as you reached for his hand. "hey, what's wrong?"

"can we talk? alone?"

"yeah, of course." you tightened your grip on his hand and guided him through the crowd, worriedly looking back at him as you made your way up the stairs, searching for an empty room.

you stopped in front of a door, knocking on it twice and opening it once you got no answer, and motioned for ethan to enter before turning to lock it.

"okay, what's wrong?" you turned around to find your boyfriend sitting on the bed, playing with his hands and avoiding your gaze the way he did when he was extremely nervous.

"do you— do you wanna break up with me?" ethan stuttered, looking at you only for a second before focusing on his hands once again.

"i— what?" your mouth opened in disbelief and you went to sit by his side, taking one of his hands on your own.

"that doesn't make any sense." you chuckled at the sheer stupidity of the thought before noticing his teary eyes and getting serious again. "ethan, why would you think that?"

"we don't make sense together." he sniffed and lifted his hand to wipe a stray angry tear. "i'm not the kind of person you should be dating."

the words made him feel like his throat was burning up, and he felt rage, at both his tears and the fact that he kept letting people get to his head.

"that's fucking bullshit, ethan." you grabbed him by the chin and forced him to look at you. "no one gets to decide that but me, not even you. you are exactly who i want and should be dating."

your hands reached for his face, fingers slowly caressing his cheeks and wiping his tears as you pulled him closer, planting a soft kiss on his lips. he started to return the kiss after a few seconds, placing a hand on your waist before you pulled apart.

"i love you, okay? nothing's gonna change that." you take the cardboard helmet and drop it on the floor before grabbing him by the neck, pulling him close again and feeling him deepen the kiss as his other hand moved from his side to your tight, slowly reaching under your dress.

pulling his hands away, you push him down until he lies on the bed, kissing him hard before your lips travel down his neck, leaving him with a tingling sensation on the way. he feels that warmth that you bring to his chest once again, and as you softly whisper i love yous in between kisses, that same warmth travels down and settles in his navel.

one of your hands reaches to pull his hair just the way he likes, and he tries to hide his face against the mattress as he starts to desperately rock his hips against you, while the other lifts the part of his shirt that isn't covered by the costume.

you lower yourself until you reach his stomach licking and kissing the skin, leaving marks that bring low whimpers out of his mouth.

"you're such a good boyfriend, e. such a good boy for me." you whisper, earning a groan as your hand opens the button of his pants.

there's a small wet spot on his underwear, and he moans and twitches as you leave a kiss in it before getting up, grabbing his face to force him to look at you.

"you know that i love you, right baby?" your fingers caress his stomach, so close to where he needs you, and he quickly nods with half-lidded eyes. "i need words."

"yes. yes, please." he pleads, hands attempting to grab you somewhere, anywhere. "please."

"i don't think you understand, e. i should prove it to you, don't you think?" he nods desperately, and you kiss him again, using a finger to pull down his underwear. you could spend the rest of your life proving how much you love him, having him just like this. your pretty knight in shining armor.

[commandingdaylight]

Coming Home: A Wizards/ Jlaire One-Shot

After the events  of “Wizards”, our heroes come home and await for the battle to come.

As Jim looked up at the Lake house, his heart warmed with comfort. Never before had those two front pillars looked so welcoming, the faint sounds of voices coming from the window, cracked open to let in the summer night breeze, more like family. 

If his mom had not been busy with a nursery full of children, Jim was certain she would have noticed him, Claire and Toby standing out in the street before the home. He imagined, however, that she and Strickler had their hands full. She’d taken leave from the hospital, yet his mom had found another way to take care of others. 

“Are you ready?” Claire asked, giving Jim’s hand a reassuring squeeze. She still wore her armour, her hair lose from her ponytail and blowing in the night wind. Her face was scratched with patches of dirt from the fight, eyes bagged with fatigue. Yet, Jim thought she had never looked so beautiful.

“Not really,” he admitted. 

He had lost his cell phone after the fight with the Green Knight, and hadn’t been able to let her know he was okay since. Toby had texted her awhile back to let her know they were all alive, but what they had gone through in the past weeks was a story she deserved to hear in person. 

“I think the question is is she ready!” exclaimed Toby, “Dr. Lake is going to be so surprised! It’s going to be—“

“Awesomesauce?” guessed Jim, an inquisitive brow raised.

Toby chuckled, “Yeah. Awesomesauce.”

Jim took a deep breathe, and gulped. “Alright,” he declared, “Let’s go in.”

Together, the three Trollhunters stepped forward off the street and up the driveway, the faint sounds of cars and houses going to sleep in the distance. When they reached the door, Jim reached out, and slowly turned the knob.

When he stepped inside, the door gave a creak, as he called out.

“Mom?”

Jim only just heard a faint gasp from the upstairs room. 

“W—Walt, can you take, erm, baby you?  I think I heard… yes, thank you.”

The door latched close, and Jim heard the familiar sound of his mother’s steps coming down the stairs.

“Jim?” she called out, “Jim is that—“

Barbara rounded the corner of the stairs and froze, eyes wide in shock.

Her hair was wound back as always, her eyes tired with bags underneath. She was tired, like when she took double shifts at the hospital, but happy.

“Oh— oh Jim,” she cried. A gleam of love and relief shone over her eyes before her face widened into a smile. Before Jim could say a word, she barreled down the stairs before engulfing him in a smothering hug.

 Claire and Toby barely had time to move out of the way, as Jim hugged his mother tightly.  

“I’m here, mom,” assured Jim, unable to stop the warm tears which began to roll down his cheeks, “I came home.”

“My beautiful boy,” said Barbara, “You’re back. Though those eyes— they never changed. What— what happened? How….”

“That’s a long story,” admitted Jim, “but we can thank Claire that I’m here.”

Barbara looked over Jim’s shoulder to Claire and gave a grateful nod. Claire’s cheeks were slightly pink, but her eyes told Barbara that what her son said was true. Claire’s amour was scratched and dented, her large eyes worn and slightly duller than their usual warm glow. 

“You kids deserve a long rest,” Barbara declared, “I’ll put on some tea. Can’t mess that up, right?”

Jim gave a silent look to Toby and Claire which said “wouldn’t count it out—” but his mom was already halfway to the kitchen. 

“Well,” said Toby, whose energy always somehow never seemed to be dampened, “I think I’ll turn in for the night, say hi to Nana. The end of the world is exhausting.” 

Jim chuckled, “Good night, Tobes.”

“Night, Jimbo,” replied Toby with a smile, “But tomorrow? Tacos.”

“Tacos,” agreed Jim. Since befriending Krel, Stuart was even happy to give them a discount. 

There was so much to talk about— much of the walk home had been in silence. Jim knew that he and Toby would spend the day together tomorrow, however, and that Toby would share everything that happened while he was in the 12th century. 

“What about you, Claire?” Jim asked, “Want to stay for tea?”

Claire smiled, “Sure. I’m exhausted, but I think I can manage a portal to my house.”

Jim nodded, well aware it was true— Claire had grown so much in her magic since they left for New Jersey. She had even managed to teleport them halfway across the world to his house, a portal across town would be nothing for her.

“Want to go outside?” asked Jim as he laid his hand in Claire’s, “It’s a nice night, and we have a date we’re about nine centuries late in finishing.”

Claire beamed, “That sounds lovely, Jim. But I’m making guac. A giant bowl of guac.”

Jim laughed, “Deal. I’ll get the chips.”

Fifteen minutes later, the two walked out with steaming mugs of tea in one hand and a giant bowl of guac in the other, as Claire had promised. 

While the tea finished steeping, Claire had changed out of her armour and into her normal skirt and leggings, her lucky Papa Skull jacket draped over her shoulders. She still looked exhausted, but Jim was glad to see her more relaxed.

Jim put his tea mug on a large rock— one of the ones which he distinctly remembered getting his sword stuck in when he first transformed into his armour— and pulled out the blanket he had tucked under the ships. Which a swoosh, he laid it out on the grass, and sat down next to Claire.

“This is nice!” Exclaimed Claire, scooping one of the chips into the fresh guacamole, “Good call.”

“It’s nice not to have to run off and fight for once,” said Jim, as he thought of their date in this very spot nine hundred years ago, as well as the night after the dance. Something was always getting in the way of just having a nice, quiet moment together.

“Yeah, it is,” agreed Claire, her eyes turned solemnly down at her mug.

Jim instinctively laid his hand over hers.

“Claire, I—” he began.

Claire’s eye’s glanced up to meet his, glistening with tears.

“I never got the chance to say it earlier,” he declared, “So I’m going to say it now. Thank you. You— you saved me. Never gave up on me. And I don’t remember much of what happened while I was that... beast, but I remember you. Your voice. And I—”

Jim took a deep breathe.

“I love you too, Claire. I love you so much. I never knew how to say it, but after everything you’ve done for me I—”

Claire threw her arms around him, and cut him off with a kiss.

Jim kissed her back, a moment of silence filling the space between them before Claire rested her forehead against his.

“I know,” she whispered, tears falling down her cheeks onto the blanket, “I’m just glad you’re here with me,” she stated, her voice choppy from crying, “I promised I wouldn’t lose you again, and when that shard entered your heart I was so scared I had. Just... promise me you’ll never try to sacrifice yourself again, okay?”

“I promise,” said Jim, as he wiped a tear from her eyes— those large, warm eyes Jim had always loved so much, that seemed to hold the entire world in their depths.

“You make dating you very stressful,” she laughed.

Jim laughed in return, “Sorry. But the battle to come, Claire— we’ll get through it together, okay? Like you always say.”

Claire nodded, and took his hands in hers again, “What do you think you’ll do, now that you’re not the....”

“The Trollhunter?” Jim finished, “I don’t know. It might sound crazy, but when I looked at Arthur’s sword I... felt something. Like when the amulet was calling to me. I might not have the amulet anymore, but maybe I am meant to play a part in this war. Maybe everything we’ve been through has been preparing us for this.”

Claire nodded, and handed him a chip full of guacamole.

“For now, let’s appreciate the nights we have,” she decided.

“And guacamole,” added Jim, between bites, “Always appreciate the Avocado Master’s guacamole.”

Claire gave a full- belly laugh, and flopped back onto the picnic blanket, hand in hand with the boy— the beautiful, brilliant, brave boy— who she loved with her entire heart.

How had they gotten so lucky?

The night passed as they sat there, fingers interlaced, looking at the stars. Once in awhile one would reach for another bite of guacamole, or make a quiet comment, but mostly the night was spent in silence, just enjoying the other’s presence amidst the summer night air and faint chirps of the crickets.

Their time in this peace was limited, the final battle yet to come. Tonight, however, those worries were dissipated into the breeze.

They were home. And that was all they needed.

[anything-goes-my-friends]

A New Beginning

The ending of ROTT broke me and I was left very disappointed in the ending of the show. I loved the movie, but the last 10 minutes didn’t sit well with me. I needed a fix-it fic with the ending I think the series deserves, so don’t be mad at me if you don’t like it. This is just what I think it needs, obviously not what everyone else thinks it needs.

In this fic Jim goes back to the day he got the amulet, but instead of giving it to Toby he takes it himself, and relives his journey with the knowledge and experience to save everyone he lost.

A New Beginning When he said goodbye to Blinky, Claire, and the others, Jim knew the journey ahead would be the most difficult thing he’d ever have to do. He needed to find a good time to jump back to, but whenever he settled on a date he thought of someone else he could save, and the date was pushed forward.

So he settled on the day it all began.

When his alarm buzzed, there were no words to explain the emotions swirling through him. With the deaths he witnessed still raw, and the destruction fresh in his mind, being in his old room seemed foreign. He remembered one of the last times he was there, recently half troll and struggling to adapt. But now, none of that had happened, but it had to him. He thought of everything ahead and smiled. But first, Toby.

He hastily prepared the meals for himself, his mom, and Toby, but nothing as fancy as the meatloaf he made the first time around. His head was buzzing and he struggled to focus on the simple task of making the sandwiches. But soon enough it was time.

The garage door opened and he gripped the handlebars of his bike until his knuckles turned white. This would prove that everything he did was worth it. Just to see Toby’s smile once more. The innocence in his eyes. He would never take it for granted again.

And there he was, his best friend. Jim let out a sound that was a mixture of a laugh and a sob and rammed into his friend to engulf him in a hug. It was worth it. All the pain he’ll endure again, and the burdens he has to bear were worth it for this moment.

“Come on Tobes, let’s take the canals today, I have a good feeling about it.” Jim took off on his bike, Toby hollering nonsense to pass the time and it was music to Jim’s ears. 

And when they reached the bottom of the canal, and he heard the amulet speaking his name in Kanjigar’s voice, Jim smiled.

“Hello again, old friend.” He whispered as he ran his finger over the familiar metal of the amulet.

<><>Time Skip to the end of ROTT with the new ending Jim created<><>

Jim read the text on his phone from Claire, asking him when he was on his way to Trollmarket. He hastily typed out ‘be there in 10’ before shoving the phone back in his pocket. He could feel the amulet buzzing in his bag, and grinned to himself. He knew what today was, he had it marked on his calendar for years. Today was the day the Titans were defeated in the old timeline. The day Toby died, and Strickler, and Nomura, and countless others. He thought of how different things had become as he rummaged in his bag for his horngazel. The door opened easily under the bridge and he started to descend the stairs.

“There you are, Trollhunter, cutting it close aren’t we?” Claire teased as she met him at the bottom of the stairs. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and she threaded her fingers through his. They began to walk through Trollmarket, all the familiar buzz that had been lost the first time. Jim had learned from his mistakes, but also knew there were some events that had to happen. Losing Trollmarket was not one he could bring himself to do. His gaze shifted to Claire, who’s white streak in her hair, the ponytail, and purple armor was the same as the day the titans attacked. But she was smiling, and there was still a light in her eyes.

“Romeo and Juliet? I would love to try out...Your brother was taken by goblins into the Darklands, I’m sorry, but I’ll get him back I promise. For now, try to get to know NotEnrique, he might surprise you...Everything we’ve done, we’ve done together, I love you Claire, and I always will.”

He had dreaded letting Enrique get taken into the Darklands, but Claire had once remarked that she was glad NotEnrique came into her life, and thought of him as a brother. He didn’t want her to lose that relationship. And saving Enrique pushed Claire to become the sorceress and warrior she was destined to be, bringing the two of them closer together in the process.

The two of them waved to Barbara and Strickler, as Barbara showed off her new ring to a group of changelings. Strickler gave Jim a nod, and he returned it with a smile.

“Strickler, I would like you to meet my mom...The Janus Order has fallen, you’ll be safe in Trollmarket...Yes, I would be honored to be your best man.”

The fall of Gunmar had been a shock to troll kind. Jim had arrived in Trollmarket knowing where the Janus Order had hid the bridge, and used that knowledge to secure it early on. Toby, Claire, and Jim had trained for months as Trollhunters, answering calls and building strength to enter the Darklands. Jim had made the mistake of going alone once, and didn’t want to do that again. So when they were ready, they entered together. Blinky and Aaarrrgghh had rescued Gunmar’s prisoners, even though they got distracted by Blinky’s brother. Claire and Toby had gone off with NotEnrique to free all of the babies, while Draal and Jim faced Gunmar. And at the end of the day, and with a battle that lived in infamy, they emerged victorious.

Gunmar, eager to avenge his son that Jim had slain, and his ego clouding his judgement, had agreed to a fight to the death with Jim. A fight that Jim won. The Trollhunters exited the Darklands with refugees and freed Gum Gums, and babies that were taken care of by Barbara and Strickler until they could find loving homes for them all. And with the fall of Gunmar, the troll world was left without direction. The Janus Order struggled to adapt now that they couldn’t take form as human, but Jim made sure they were welcomed into Trollmarket with open arms. Gunmar’s spies and allies were hunted down by the Trollhunters if they made a mess of things, and after months of struggling, peace was nearing. When Strickler was brought into Trollmarket, he drifted closer to the Lakes, and when he got down on one knee, Barbara didn’t even hesitate to say yes. He had even given Jim the ring to Angor Rot’s soul, and Jim was able to return it to its rightful owner, and set the Trollhunter Hunter free. And Claire, reunited with the real Enrique, gained a brother in NotEnrique, and her family became a little bit bigger. 

Jim never slept better after the Darklands. He was proud of his decision to go in together once they were ready, as was the original plan the first time around. Jim knew the importance of seeking help from friends, and he was able to live without that particular trauma twice.

Gunmar was defeated, Trollmarket wasn’t lost, Angor Rot became an ally, and his friends were alive and happy. Jim smiled as he and Claire walked past the forge, where Draal and Nomura were sparing, swapping insults that bordered on flirting, although both would deny it. Jim was most proud of saving Draal, although he would never tell anyone that. After defeating him in battle in the forge and gaining the respect of Trollmarket, Draal moved into his basement and the two of them renewed the bond that had been ripped away by Gunmar. Draal never lost his arm, was never under the control of Gunmar, and never died saving Jim’s life. He fought beside Jim as equals throughout his battles, and remained one of his closest allies and friends.

Vendel entered the forge to yell something at Nomura and Draal, but it wasn’t long before the three of them erupted in laughter. Vendel looked around and noticed Jim smiling at them, and gave a curt nod with his staff to signal a hello and his continued respect. 

“Vendell, Queen Usurna is working for Gunmar, she wants to take over Trollmarket and steal the Hearthstone.”

When it had come the time of the Eternal Night, there was no Morgana to rage war, and no Gunmar to destroy Arcadia. Jim stayed human, and stayed in Arcadia where he belonged. Blinky shortly became Vendel’s right hand, and the two of them set out on a mission to organize trollkind in the wake of Gunmar’s defeat. Dictatious had wanted to go along with his brother, but knew he was needed in Trollmarket to help the Changelings and Gum Gums adjust to a life post-war. He was joined by Aaarrrgghh in his endevor, who was happy to help others the way Blinky helped him. 

After the day the Eternal Night was supposed to be, Jim found himself wandering into the cafe Douxie worked at.

“Douxie, we need to find Merlin.”

Teaming up with Archie and Claire, the four of them set off to the tomb, where Merlin was resurrected and the next steps were taken. While they prepared for the war with the Arcane Order, Toby had stayed back in Arcadia as it’s one Trollhunter. He had formed bonds with Aja and Krel, and protected Arcadia from the threats better than Jim would’ve. He came into his own as WarHammer, and had accepted the role he chose himself.

“Claire, let’s free Morgana. She isn’t a bad woman, and she can help us in the days to come.”

With Douxie and Merlin at her side, Claire had freed Morgana and managed to settle her down enough to talk. And with her help the plan was made. The Wizards and Trollhunters traveled in time to determine the identity of the Green Knight, where Douxie was named a Master Wizard and the Trollhunter amulet was made. Deya was named the first Trollhunter, and the past was secured. And when they returned, it was Morgana that saved them from the Green Knight. She gave Arthur the rest he deserved, and when the battle was over, she left with Merlin to grieve and find themselves in the new world. Nari had stayed behind with Douxie, who had accepted his role as protector.

“There’s Douxie!” Claire briefly let go of Jim’s hand to wave, and Douxie beamed and returned it. Archie was sitting on his shoulder while Nari padded along after the two of them. Archie was mentioning something about going to visit his dad, and Douxie agreed to go along for moral support. Nari looked at Jim with a knowing look in her eyes, the way she always looked at him. He could never tell if she knew what he did, and all that he had changed, but he decided he didn’t care. She was alive, and Douxie had succeeded in protecting her, and that was all that mattered.

“We need to find the seals Nari...Do you know where the rest of the Arcane Order might have gone?...It’s over now, you’re safe.”

The Genesis Seals had been found and rehidden by Douxie, who didn’t tell anyone where he hid them. Not even Jim or Nari. They had all agreed it was for the best. When Douxie died the secret would die with him. Unable to find and open the seals, Skrael and Bellroc scrambled to find Nari and finish what they started. And with the help of Krel and Aja, the Trollhunters, and the Wizards, the two had their magic stripped away by Akiridian tech, and Jim was able to deliver the finishing blows.

Now today, the day the Titans were supposed to have risen, there was nothing but blue skies. School happened like normal, and the world was at peace. Claire and Jim finished their stroll through Trollmarket as they arrived at Blinky’s study. He was ready for them, and complained that they were the last to arrive. 

Inside sat Toby and Aaarrrgghh, who were shoving their faces with the feast that Blinky had prepared. Jim and Claire sat down at the large table and Blinky looked at him expecting him to speak. Jim chuckled and rose to make a toast.

“We have overcome a lot. The defeat of Bular, Gunmar, and the Arcane Order. Merlin and Morgana are off on their own. Douxie and Archie are protecting Arcadia from mystical threats. Aja, Krel, Steve, and Eli are off on Akiridion-5 to rule together. The Darklands liberated, our families reunited, and our loved ones close. This was all I ever wanted for all of you, and I couldn’t be happier.” Jim looked around at the smiling faces surrounding him. This was his family, the ones that had been with him since the start. Blinky, his mentor and father figure, Aaarrrgghh his loyal friend, Claire the love of his life and powerful sorceress, and Toby, the friend who had been with him since the beginning. From a time before trolls and aliens and wizards. When he had wanted more excitement in life.

There were days the burden of the what-could’ve-beens plagued Jim’s mind and he struggled to carry on with the weight of his mistakes. But then days like this happened, where he knew he had changed things for the better, and the world was better off because of his sacrifice. He wouldn’t change a thing, and given the choice to have the time stone again, he would toss it aside. This was the happy ending they all deserved, the ending he worked hard to give them all. There had been changes that brought new threats to face, new calls to answer. But he faced them all with the friends and family he chose and surrounded himself with, and he used his experience to do what he could. He was a hero, the Trollhunter, the champion of Trollmarket. He was Jim the Bular Slayer, the Gunmar Slayer, but most importantly he was Jim Lake. The first Human Trollhunter. And he didn’t think, he became.

[cafedanslanuit]

Home || Jumin x MC - One shot

genre: angst, some fluff.

summary: You are staying at Jaehee’s after Jumin did something that made you really angry. While staying there, you start feeling sick and end up at the hospital. What you first thought was nothing to worry about, quickly turns into a nighmare that could change your relationship.

warnings: not graphic, but the story discusses blood and miscarriage

You weren’t really broken up.

Not really. Your things were still at the penthouse and you really weren’t planning on picking them up, but you were still mad at him. Until you could work those feelings out, the best way to avoid your boyfriend for a while. Thankfully, Jaehee had been kind enough to let you crash on her couch. It wasn’t really uncomfortable, but it smelt funny. You thought it was because of Jaehee’s habit of snacking while watching Zen’s musicals. Maybe there were some crumbles between the pillows, because every time you woke up, you were so disgusted by the smell it made your head twirl.

You loved Jumin. You really did, but you couldn’t help being so angry with him. You wanted you go to the penthouse, talk to him about what happened and fix things up, but you knew you couldn’t do this if you were still as angry and resentful as you were. You needed a couple of days away to melt down your rage and also to teach Jumin the weight of his actions.

That day, you were having breakfast on the kitchen table as you read some news on your Twitter feed. Jaehee had already gone to C&R, asking you if you wanted to send Jumin a message. You knew it wasn’t she didn’t want you there, but she had mentioned Jumin looked restless, more irritated and didn’t have the capacity to focus as much as he did before. You told her, yet again, you didn’t have anything to tell him. She nodded, pursing her lips and went to work.

When you finished eating breakfast, you decided to help a little by cleaning the house. You put on your headphones and started sweeping the living room. Just as you were almost done with it, a known song started playing, making you stop your movements to listen to it. Obviously Je Te Veux by Erik Satie had to come up on your playlist while you were trying your best at being mad with the man who had presented that song to you. 

“Fuck you, Jumin Han” you muttered as you started sweeping more angrily than before.

You knew he hadn’t meant to hurt you, but he had. You knew it was part of his work, but maybe it shouldn’t be anymore. Or maybe… maybe you could adapt to it? You didn’t know what was the right answer. And when you knew it, you would return to Jumin’s apartment, if he’d still have you. A knot formed on your throat. Yeah, he would take you back. You were sure.

Almost sure.

As you were done with sweeping, you started cleaning the bathroom. That was when you first felt wetness between your legs. You checked the date and realized it was your period. Thankfully, Jaehee’s bathroom was equipped with pads, so you had no problem with washing your panties and putting a pad on a fresh pair. You kept doing the cleaning, thankfully not having any cramps yet. Half an hour later, you went to the kitchen, where you started washing all the dishes and putting everything in its place. You went to the bathroom again and realized there was a medium sized blood clot resting on your pad. You furrowed your eyebrows. You hadn’t experienced anything like that before, well, at least not a clot that big. It was probably the size of your thumb. You changed pads again, also noticing you were having a heavier period than usual.

You went back to cleaning, but an hour after that, you went to the bathroom again to find yourself in the same situation. This time, you knew something was wrong. But you didn’t like the idea of going to a hospital. Yes, your period was definitely heavier than usual but that didn’t mean it was worth a hospital visit. You changed pads, trying not to notice the clot was bigger this time.

Half an hour later, your pad was fully damped again. You felt like calling Jaehee, but that would mean Jumin would have to know about her hospital visit and you didn’t feel like seeing him in that moment. Especially not in this vulnerable moment. You changed your pad again and stuffed some more in your purse. As you were leaving Jaehee’s apartment, you took out your phone and sent a voice message to Zen, avoiding using the RFA messenger app.

“Hey, I’m… I’m okay but I’m going to the hospital. I’m a little scared?” you laughed nervously, hopping on the elevator. “Uhm, I’m having… how should I put this?”

You forgot how awkward it was for you to talk about your period with someone else. And a part of you thought maybe Zen wasn’t the right person after all. He was, after all, someone who wanted to present himself like a knight in shining armor, waiting to rescue their princess. And princesses didn’t talk about period or blood clots.

But fuck it.

“I’m bleeding a lot heavier than usual. Like, a lot. And I’m scared, so I’m going to the emergency room. Just… please tell me everything’s fine?” you added in a small voice.

You sent the message and hopped on a cab. A few minutes later, you received a text that simply read: “Which hospital?”

----------

“I hate to say this, but maybe you should have gone to that clinic that is a partner of C&R” Zen muttered, letting out a sigh. “They would have called you earlier”

“I hate you for saying that as well” you replied, shifting on your seat.

It had been an hour and a half and you were still on the waiting room and of course, you were still bleeding. It wasn’t the best hospital in town, but you didn’t want to cause a scene in a hospital or clinic C&R had a relationship with. You didn’t want to take the chance of having someone call Jumin and let him know you were there. But you had already gone through two changes already and you were afraid you were going to stain your clothes. 

No, not really. The reason you were starting to freak out was because you knew what could be a cause of heavy bleeding. You didn’t want to think it was an option, but you knew there was a possibility it was a miscarriage. You swallowed thick, not wanting to entertain that option. You were young, even younger than Jumin, it didn’t make sense you were suddenly having a miscarriage. You weren’t even sure you had been pregnant. You couldn’t be-- your period wasn’t even late and you weren’t showing any symptoms of pregnancy, you would have noticed if you--

Suddenly, the memory of waking up to a smelly couch made you tense up. What if it really wasn't smelly? What if it was some sort of mild morning sickness? And maybe your bleeding was not actually your period, just an horrid coincidence on that day your body had decided to have a miscarriage. You felt your knee going up and down, not being able to do anything about it.

“MC” Zen insisted. “I can’t take this anymore, we need to go to St. Claire’s. I know it’s owned by C&R but there’s a reason the trust-fund kid always goes there, they treat him like royalty. And you’re whiter than when we first got here. I don’t know what’s going on with you but please, at least let a doctor see you. We need to get out of here” he insisted.

“No. They’re gonna call me any moment now”

“Fuck, MC…” Zen sighed, a hand going through his hair. “I don’t know what happened between you and Jumin, but this is your health that’s at stake. So, listen to me”.

Would Jumin take you back now that you were probably having a miscarriage? Would he blame her? Of course it-- it wasn’t her fault if that was the case but… how would he take it? Would he close himself, not letting her be a part of the grieving? Would he send her back, not wanting to be reminded of having lost his unborn child every time he looked at her?

You realized you were crying when you felt Zen taking your hand into his. You quickly wiped your face with the back of your hand, trying to hide how scared you actually were.

“Jumin, I’m with MC at the hospital downtown” you turned your head quickly at Zen’s voice and shook your head, trying to make him stop. “We’ve been waiting too long for a doctor, but…” you unsuccessfully tried to take away his phone. “Stop” Zen warned you. He went back to his phone call, “We’re going to St. Claire’s, tell them MC is on the way and she needs a doctor right now”.

Zen made a pause while you hid your face on your hands, hating how the situation had gone out of control. “Yes, send an ambulance. She’s not critical but she’s too weak for me to take her on my motorcycle”. Zen hung up his phone and helped her stand up, leaving the emergency room and heading towards the hospital entrance.

“Why would you do that?” you complained, taking your arm away from Zen, but still walking alongside him. “I told you I didn’t want him involved in this!”

“Look, babe, sorry but I wished you could look at yourself. You’re really pale, you’re losing more and more blood and while I hate that Jumin practically bought a clinic just so he didn’t have to wait, I don’t care if it means you’re getting that treatment too”.

You sighed and nodded, defeated. You were surprised you hadn’t felt dizzy or felt any sort of pain since all this nightmare had started. You just felt anxious about the possible miscarriage you could be having. 

Ten minutes later, an ambulance from St. Claire’s clinic arrived at the front of the hospital. You reluctantly entered the ambulance, the paramedics asking you thousand of questions and already connecting you to some machines to see how you were doing. Zen told you he was going to follow the ambulance with his motorcycle, only obtaining a nod as an answer from you.

You explained your situation to the paramedics, who asked you to lay down so you could rest until you arrived to the clinic. There was a woman who had the softest voice and assured you you were doing just fine, but they could see what was exactly the problem once you arrived to the clinic. She kept trying to engage in conversation with you, trying to ease your mind about everything.

“Is it… a miscarriage?” you asked in a soft voice. The woman pursed her lips and you felt yourself breaking a little.

“We don’t know yet. We’ll know once we get there, don’t worry” she said.

She kept talking, trying to ease you but you couldn’t listen anything further than they didn’t know if you was losing your child or not. You didn’t care about anything else.

Before you thought, the ambulance came to a stop and when they opened the doors, you recognized the two tall men standing in front on the ambulance, one with black hair the the other one with silver hair.

You escaped from Jumin’s gaze, but perfectly heard him questioning the paramedics what was wrong with you. You didn’t understand a lot of what they were saying, but you did get to hear “gynecorrhagia”. What a wonderful way to put a name to something just so they didn’t have to say they didn’t know what caused it.

The paramedics helped you sit on a wheelchair and you were rushed into the clinic. Not even a minute later, you were in front of the gynecologist office. You heard the nurse explain to Zen and Jumin that he was the head of the Gynecology Department, and that they were prepping the room for you. You heard your boyfriend make further questions but even though his tone was firm and stern, you could tell how his voice wavered just a bit on the end of his sentences. He was scared. Maybe because he also knew what it could mean?

“The doctor’s ready for you” you head the nurse say to you, making you snap your head to her direction, startled. You nodded and you felt her wheeling you to the office. You looked around, seeing you were in a small hall rather than an office. You were helped out of your chair and once again, you felt yourself completely wet with blood. The nurse guided you to a small bathroom and gave you a hospital robe, instructing you to change into it.

Once in the bathroom, you took the chance of cleaning yourself up before changing into the robe. You looked at yourself in the mirror and realized Zen was right: you were in fact very pale. You washed your hands thoroughly and got out of the bathroom, where the nurse was waiting for you.

“I’m scared of staining these” you confessed, following the nurse to another door, presumably the actual doctor’s office.

“Don’t be, please. You’re going through a hard time, don’t think about that. Besides, those are disposable” she explained with a soft smile. You smiled back. “Do you wish anyone to accompany you inside the office?” she asked, before opening the door.

In that situation, honestly you couldn’t think why it was even an option. There was only one person you wanted by your side in that moment.

When you entered the office, the doctor smiled warmly at you and showed you to the examination gurney. She started asking you questions about everything, her soothing voice calming your nerves. You heard a knock on the door and then the nurse’s voice announcing Jumin was there. Thanking the gurney was not in front of the door and you were covered from shoulders to knees, you turned your head towards the door, looking at an awkward Jumin standing there, waiting for an indication.

“Hey” you muttered softly. Jumin looked at you, and for the first time, you could see how scared he was. He was doing his best at trying to hide it, but the way his legs were shifting his weight and how he was incessantly twisting his own fingers gave him away. “Come here” you said, holding out a hand for him. He walked to you, standing on your side while the doctor turned on one of her machines and put on a pair of gloves. Jumin took your hand and you squeezed it, trying to calm both of you.

The doctor warned you, but you still felt some discomfort when you felt the head of the ultrasound scanner entering you. You saw some incomprehensible black and white figures on the screen, wondering if you were supposed to see something.

“Well, I don’t see anything” she commented, making you heart sink.

“I lost it?” you quickly asked, your voice breaking down. Your hold on Jumin’s hand tightened and so did his, but you couldn’t bear to look at him in the eye yet.

“Lost? No, don’t worry. You didn’t have a miscarriage. The blood they took from you on the ambulance shows you weren’t pregnant at all” she explained. You felt your soul return to your body and pulled Jumin’s hand in front of your mouth, pressing light kisses to the back of his hand, whispering soft nothings, almost like a thankful prayer.

“So why did she…?” Jumin asked, his voice more neutral now.

“It was probably an hormonal imbalance” the doctor said, removing carefully the scanner. “Right now I’m going to ask for some IV for her so the bleeding stops. Then we’re going to do an exam on her hormonal levels so we can recommend some medicine in case she needs it”.

“Just like that? She’s… okay? She’s been bleeding all morning” Jumin interfered. You knew he did it out of worry, like a part of him wanted to be entirely sure you were healthy.

“The woman’s body is full or mysteries, Mr. Han” the doctor commented. “I’ve seen this before. In most women’s, is a once in a lifetime scenario, and they never present that problem again. Some may not even need medicine on the long run, but I’m still going to order every exam I can think of so we make sure she’s completely fine” she assured him.

You turned around and looked at Jumin, who still didn’t look convinced.

“Jumin” you said, his eyes looking right into yours. “I’m okay. You can rest now”. He pressed a kiss on the top of your forehead while you kissed his hand again. You felt incredibly happy to have him by your side, knowing you hadn’t lost anything and neither of you were going through that kind of pain.

The doctor excused herself, leaving the room as she gave the nurse some instructions you thought were about the IV she had mentioned.

“When the IV’s done… I want to come back to the penthouse” you said softly, looking at Jumin’s hand. You felt him chuckle and softly moved your chin so you could look at him. God, why did he have to look so handsome?

“Yes, of course. We’ll return home after this”

You felt your cheeks heating at the thought of the penthouse being ‘home’ for both of them.

“But…” you started. You smile on Jumin’s face wavered a little, but still let you continue. “I still don’t like when those women flirt at you. I know it’s part of your job and I know it’s not like you flirt with them, but it still hurt when I saw that woman with her hand on your arm, trying to gain something”

“I used to do that. A lot, I… I always let women invested in the corporate world to flirt with me when there was something for C&R to gain. I would, at best, use some gentleman mannerisms to keep that going. But I don’t think that’s something I want to keep doing” Jumin stated. He brought closer both of your hands and kissed the back of your hand, making you smile. “I’ve already told you I want to marry you. I agreed to your request about waiting at least a year before I officially ask you, but I can’t see how I would change my mind. With each day that goes by, I am only reassured with my desire to make you my wife. But I didn’t take your feelings into consideration with the way I used to run deals. I like to believe I’ve made my work known in C&R enough to stop using antique ways to make deals go through instead of trusting my negotiating abilities. MC, I can promise I won’t do that again”.

“Thank you” you smiled. “Now, please kiss me”

Jumin didn’t wait long before bending down and kissing you softly on the lips. Not being able to kiss that man for almost two weeks was definitely torture, not something you’d ever want to be without again. You were five months into the year you had asked Jumin to wait, but if he kept being such an extraordinary man like this, you were seriously thinking about cutting that time in half.

Once he stood up again, you noticed a playful smile on his lips.

“Now that you mention it, you called Zen before calling me?” he asked, arching one eyebrow.

“Hey, want me to go back to Jaehee’s?” you threatened playfully, making him chuckle.

The nurse returned to the room and helped you stand up, giving you a fresh robe for you to change.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Better” you admitted. You looked back at Jumin and smiled. “But right now I just want to go home”.

[fantasy2739]

fic where the trollhunter gang visits Douxie, Nari, and Archie in New York please! where they just give each other life updates and stuff

I took two days off writing to get some me time, hope no one minded too much. I hope you like this, it started out update and became Steve and Douxie are buddies.

I hope you enjoy!:

The knock at the door was expected but Douxie still looked through the peephole cautiously. He smiled when he confirmed who it was, throwing the door open.

“Good to see you.” He greeted. Claire hugged him tightly and he gave Jim a fist bump. Steve got a ‘manly’ hug with lots of back pounding. “Come in.” He waved them inside the small apartment, nodding to Toby and Krel. He assumed the Trolls were stuck back in Arcadia, avoiding daylight. It was a single bedroom, which left Douxie to sleep in the lounge. They paid for the place weekly, in preparation to move for when the Arcane order turned up. Nari was nibbling at cookies in the sofa, while Archie caught stray crumbs. Claire settled into the other sofa, tugging Jim with her. Toby joined them, grinning brightly at Nari. She gave him a nervous smile back. Steve and Krel flopped onto the floor. Douxie set about making drinks for the guests. He passed around coffee while everyone got comfortable.

“So how’ve you been?” Claire asked.

“Good. I’ve been working as a waiter again.” Douxie said. “Nari’s been helping me.” He tossed a wink to the little green sorceress.

“I like making coffee.” She said shyly. “And meeting all these new people.” Douxie flopped next to her.

“What have you been up to?” He asked. This launched everyone into a million different stories. Toby started talking about how him and Darci had gone on an amazing date. Steve told them about all the messages Aja had sent, along with Eli. Krel talked about having to rebuild his ‘parents’ and talked about Aja. Jim gave a sheepish talk about how his mother had handled his return. Along with having to share his house with what felt like a billion children. Claire had rolled her eyes a little at that, no doubt thinking of her own little brother. Claire told them how her parents had been delighted to see her again now that she might be back for a while. And how they didn’t really understand the whole ‘magic’ thing but were proud of her.

“I wish you could have been there Teach.” Claire said with a grin. “They wanted to know if it was an elective.”

“I wish I could see that college application.” Douxie said with a chuckle. He switched his voice to a dull tone, like someone reading a script. “Can use magic including shadowmancy.” There was a smattering off laughter around the room.

“I wonder if I can put wielded the Amulet of Daylight on my college applications.” Jim said jokingly.

“If you did, I could be a reference.” Douxie said cheerfully. Jim snorted.

“Yeah that’ll go down well.” He said. “Me claiming I have a magic sword and my back up is a 900 year old wizard who looks 19.” They all laughed at that.

Douxie and Steve ended up by the kitchen counter. Douxie noticed that when no one was looking Steve looked... kinda down.

“Are you sure you’re alright Steve?” Douxie asked. Steve looked up and stuck a smile on his face.

“You know it.” He said. He struck a victory pose. “I’ve never been better. You’re talking to a knight of Camelot.” Douxie let the mindless chatter wash over him for while. Let Steve pull out all his moves and phrases. Such a shield. Douxie took a sip of tea.

“You miss Lancelot don’t you.” He said softly. Steve stopped and stared.

“What? No!” He exclaimed. “I mean yeah I miss him but I’m fine.” Douxie patted Steve’s arm.

“It’s okay to miss people.” He said gently. Steve looked down and didn’t try to pretend it was all fine.

“I miss him a lot.” Steve finally admitted. “And I miss Aja and Eli. I wish they’d been in Camelot with us. Texting is not the same.” Douxie gripped his shoulder. He knew vaguely of Eli, the kid who Steve had started the Creepslayerz with, and Aja, the Akiridian princess who had to go home.

“You don’t have to shoulder it alone Steve.” Douxie said. “We all need people to lean on.”

“Nu-uh, not another one of your speeches.” Steve said, crossing his arms. He pouted for a moment. “Even if, if, I wanted to talk. The only other person I’d really want to talk to would be you.” It was Douxie’s turn to stare.

“Oh.” He managed. “I see how that could be a bit difficult.” He hadn’t told their guests. But he Nari and Archie would be out by the end of the week. Too much risk staying in one place too long.

“Being a teenager sucks.” Steve grumbled. And Douxie didn’t see what that had to do with anything. “Adults don’t go on world saving quests.” Ah that was it. True it seemed like ‘children’ only ever got involved (Douxie never counted himself, he was 900 and felt it). He gave Steve a comforting shoulder grasp.

“Sorry I can’t be there.” Douxie said honestly. “I wish I could.” He glanced at Claire and Jim. They had each other. They had Toby. “Why don’t you talk to Krel?”

“He wasn’t there.” Steve said. “I don’t know... I’m not good with words.”

“You don’t need words.” Douxie said. “Besides Lancelot said you’re a wordsmith. I’m sure you’ll be able to say it in your own way.”

“Thanks College dude.” Steve said with a grin. Douxie tried not to laugh at one of the first names Steve had used for him. He couldn’t help the snicker.

“Any time Buttsnack.” He said.

[good-beans]

For the Echoes ask game 3, 4, 8, 17, 31 and 36!

Thank you pal!! These were so much fun! ☺

3. Who's your favorite character from Celica's side?

Celica herself! For a war strategy franchise with mostly warrior protagonists, it was so cool to have a main character who's constantly pushing peace and faith -- and it's not in a naive way. She's very smart, strong (both physically and mentally), and has such powerful love for her friends, her kingdom (even before ger identity is revealed) and everyone she comes across. She's willing to sacrifice her life for all of theirs, regardless of the slack she gets for it.

4. Which Act of the game is your favorite, gameplay or story-wise?

Ooh, it'd probably have to be Act 3! You get both armies, and by then you've pretty much recruited everyone. You get pirates, knights, castle sieges, classic rescues, everything to satisfy my simple fantasy needs 😂 Act 4 starts getting deep into the drama and angst, so 3 has the perfect balance of adventure and excitement and drama!

8. A scene or character moment you really liked?

I mentioned it real quick in my other answer, but I really like the scene where Alm confronts Mycen about his past. He doesn't hold back because Mycen's his grandfather -- he's mature and independent enough to demand answers to why he was treated like that (and he's right). The emotion, music, and voice acting always Get Me.

Support-wise, Python and Lukas’s A support just constantly ives in my mind, it was so beautiful and amazing!

(And, if you're including the drama cd, I could rant about the Python/Alm fight and Lukas/Forsyth fight because they were both so painful but revealed deep love and fears in these characters)

17. What's the flavor text quote that made you laugh the most?

Haha, I really liked this question! There were a ton of good ones, but it's gotta be between Alm looking directly at the sun, the urn pun because I'm a sucker for bad puns, and Celica's "booty... heh..."

31. Which characters do you think should have had a support together? (Characters from different routes are fine, too!)

Okay, I got a bunch and they're mostly from Alm's army so bear with me 😅 Celica with basically all the Ram kids, I want them to catch up after "growing up" together. Faye with literally anyone that isn't about Alm 😔 Sonya and Delthea about angsty witch stuff. Mae and Delthea just because they'd be a fun chaotic bunch. Silque and Celica because I love Silque and they were at the priory together if I'm not mistaken? Tatiana and Mathilda about their relationships. Mycen amd Forsyth, since he's a legendary knight Fors would have looked up to. And honestly? I just want so many more between the Deliverance knights: Clive, Clair, Mathilda, and the trio. They're my favorites and I think they have such fun dynamics to play with. They have a bunch, but there are still a ton more I'd love to see!

36. If you could make a small change to the game, what would you do?

I know it's because the game is a remake, but I wish there could have been the pairing up mechanics like in the other games. Not a whole marriage thing, no kids, just that mechanic during battles. It added to the strategy element of planning dual attacks/defense/stat boosts, and also allowed for those neat lil quotes to each other! I just really enjoy it and was sad echoes didn't have it.

These were great, thanks again! :D

[sylvies-chen]

A few lyric choices for Melendaire

"There's a rumor going 'round and 'round and round. What'd you say we make it true." Rumor by Lee Brice

"We do almost everything that lovers do, and that's why it's hard, just to be friends with you." Why ( are we still friends) by 98 degrees

"say something I'm giving up on you. I'll be the one if you want me to. Anywhere, I would've followed you. Say something I'm giving up on you." Say something by A Great Big World.

// We do almost everything that lovers do and that's why it's hard, just to be friends with you \\

Claire doesn’t mean for the lines to blur. 

It starts when she’s sitting down in the cafe one day. Neil comes up to her and asks her for advice on what to buy for his sister’s birthday. He scrolls through his phone and shows her some options he had found online. 

“Your options are... alright,” she hesitates. 

He sighs and laughs, “I’m not very good at this gift picking thing, am I?” 

“It just takes practice. Gifts have to be about the sentiment behind them, make it something personal.” 

“Well, what if you come with me to shop for a gift? You’re great at this sort of thing.” 

The whole idea seems innocent enough, so she agrees. The trip is fun and uneventful. They spend the afternoon looking around crowded malls, window shopping and getting a feel for what Gabby would want as a present. They even end up getting lunch in the mall cafeteria, with food that isn’t half as gross as she had expected. 

A few weeks later, she’s complaining to Park about what a pain it’s been to replace her dresser and how the dumb IKEA catalogue lied to her and said they’d pay for someone to build it for her. Melendez overhears their conversation and chimes in when she brings up how expensive it’ll be. 

“I could do it for free.” 

“Really?” 

“Yeah. I know how to build a dresser. I’ll come over later and help you set it up.” 

How is Neil Melendez always the knight in shining armor? She swallows hard, hesitant on whether it’s a good idea but accepts the offer, in desperate need of help. Claire tries to ignore the knowing look Park is giving her, and texts Neil her address during her break. 

He comes over to fix her dresser and just. Ok. Claire knows how to be professional. But he’s in her bedroom, and he’s wearing a tight t-shirt while building this literal piece of furniture for her and just. Damn. She doesn’t know how someone can look so good while sweating. It’s... distracting. And it definitely makes her job of staying distant and professional hard, but she doesn’t care. 

“Enjoying the view?” She catches him teasing her when she realizes she’s been staring at him, his eyebrow raised and his tone cocky. 

She blushes, rolls her eyes. “You wish.” 

Friends have flirty banter with each other all the time, right? 

Then, the lines blur even more. They’re all sitting down on the couches outside his office, trying to find the best course of treatment for a patient. They’re sitting on the same couch while Morgan and Shaun sit on the couch adjacent to them. 

She doesn’t remember when, or even how, but at some point she stretches her legs out on the couch which results in her feet landing in his lap. By the time she looks up and realizes what they’re doing, too much time has passed to put her legs down without making it awkward. He doesn’t look up from his papers, doesn’t try and move her legs, doesn’t even seem remotely uncomfortable with it. She watches him concentrating on his papers, his brows scrunched and his lips tight at the corners, and smiles to herself before looking back at her work. 

Then, later in the afternoon, it happens for a fourth time. She’s standing in a circle with her, Melendez, Shaun, and Morgan, discussing their plan. That’s when Claire sees it. Sitting on the shoulder of Neil’s blazer as clear as day, is a piece of lint. 

So Claire picks it off. 

“Sorry, you had a little lint there,” she brushes the shoulder of his blazer off. Apparently though, picking lint is now a crime, because the group falls silent. Neil doesn’t seem to notice, suppresses a smile before continuing to update everyone on the patient. 

As soon as he’s finished, Morgan yanks Claire aside to talk in private. Claire feels like her arm is getting ripped off and knows she’s in trouble for something when she sees that stern, motherly look creep onto Morgan’s face. 

“Browne, is there something you want to tell me?” 

“Uhh, I don’t know, is there?” 

Morgan replies by directing her eyes towards Melendez, waving a finger in between him and Claire. “Lint?” 

“What? He had a piece of lint on his shirt.” 

“Uh, dude. You’re the girlfriend.” 

Claire immediately snorts with laughter. “What? Morgan, stop being ridiculous. I was just being friendly.” She tries to ignore the way her stomach does backflips when the word girlfriend is associated with her and Neil. 

“Nuh-uh. When your friend has a piece of lint on their shirt you go ‘Hey there, bud. You got a piece of lint on your shirt’. When your boyfriend has lint on your shirt, you pick it.” 

“Since when has this rule existed?” 

“Since forever, Browne. It’s like the standard for boundaries. Like, ok, you can drive a friend to the airport, but only boyfriends and girlfriends will walk with you all the way to the terminal.” 

“Morgan, I work with Melendez. Nothing more.” She feels her heart drop a little and that’s when she realizes it. Realizes she wants more with him. 

“Park told me about the dresser. How he built it for you. And then today with the feet? You should have seen the way he looked at you when you first put them on his lap. Practically drooling. As someone who has actively looked for reasons to tear you down in the past, I’m telling you: Neil Melendez is definitely one of them. You’re the girlfriend,” she repeats.

Oh shit. Claire’s the girlfriend. 

“I... Excuse me,” she nods before leaving Morgan. This time, she’s the one yanking an arm as she pulls Neil into his office. He’s struggling, trying to pull away and looking around at the people passing by them, extremely confused. 

When she reaches his office, she’s almost out of breath as he stares at her, bewildered. “If you wanted to speak with me, you could have just asked.”

“I’m the girlfriend,” she huffs, her breathing still heavy. 

“What?” 

“You asked me to shop for your sister with you,” she starts explaining. “And then you come over to my place and build a dresser for me, and then the whole foot thing today. We always do these things. It’s confusing and... I don’t know,” Claire sighs, defeated. “Morgan’s just gotten inside my head.” 

“Oh.” His eyes look hesitant as he takes a moment to think everything over, but there’s something else there. Longing. He wants something and Claire doesn’t know what.  “Well, I’ll admit things have been less than professional for a while now. I don’t know,” he shrugs timidly, his hands in his pockets, “I know there’s a difference between friendships and relationships it’s just... it’s different with us.” 

“Yeah,” she agrees, lets herself smile. “When did these lines get so blurry between us?” 

“I don’t know,” he shakes his head thoughtfully. “We’re just kind of stuck in this limbo.” 

“Yep,” she replies with her lips pursed. “We’re too far gone to go back to being just colleagues and not far enough to be... well, you know. Not that I’m suggesting we do that,” she backtracks after a moment. “Unless you want to.” 

There’s this moment where it’s dead silent and they just look at each other intensely, his eyes melting in her gaze. Claire swears the world stops spinning on its axis for a second. 

Then, the barriers break down. Neil steps forward, cups her face, and kisses her, all in one swift motion. It’s warm and tender, his lips pushing against hers. She’s frozen for a moment, but quickly reacts and lets her lips fall into his.

And just like that, they leave the middle ground. 

“I definitely want to,” Neil answers her, catching her bottom lip as he pulls away. “I have wanted to do that for a long time.”

“Me too,” she realizes as she says it out loud for the first time. It’s actually stupid how much she’s smiling right now. Her cheeks almost hurt. It’s a feeling she doesn’t get often lately but she knows that’s about to change.

“So I was thinking,” he smiles nervously as he takes her hands in his, “that tonight, I take you out to dinner. On a real date, with your real boyfriend. What do you think?” 

The lines are sharp now, clearer than ever. It’s a technicolour rainbow of feelings she had tried hiding. For the first time quite possibly in her whole life, she says three words. “That sounds perfect.”

[goalcaufield]

goodbye summer nights – spencer knight (pt. 1)

inspired off danielle bradberry’s “goodbye summer” and “summer nights” from grease! i’ve wanted to use goodbye summer for a while now, and here we are;)

———————

Being told you wouldn’t be going on your normal summer vacation to Wildwood, New Jersey, sucked enough. Now imagine having to drive three hours, by yourself, to a state you’ve never even been to before. Your parents had broken the news to you only a few weeks before summer vacation actually started: instead of spending the summer with all your best friends in Wildwood, like always, you’d be going up to Connecticut to live with your aunt instead. And god, did that suck. All the plans and traditions you had, like going to Manco and Manco’s, getting Kohr Bros every single night, going onto Morey’s Piers, the boardwalk, tubing in the bay, all the things you did every year? Yeah, they were shattered.

You park your car on the long driveway in front of your Aunt’s house. You have to admit, it’s nicer than you imagined — much nicer — and being on the lake? You could certainly deal with that for two months. You take in a deep breath, and that’s when your Aunt Jaclyn finally comes out onto the porch with a grin on her face. She always was your favorite aunt, only being 28 and being like an older sister to you, but you were only upset that your usual summer to-do’s wouldn’t be to-done’s.

You get out of your car to greet your aunt, and she immediately throws her arms around you. “It’s so great to see you again, love. Michael is thrilled you’ll be spending the summer with us, and the twins are excited for their favorite cousin to be here.” She says and you can’t help but smile at her as you pull away. Jaclyn has two four year olds - a boy and a girl - that were the cutest things you had ever seen.

“I’m excited for a change of scenery,” You say, your eyes wandering around the landscape of freshly cut grass and meticulously placed flowers. “This is beautiful, Jac.”

“The inside is better, c’mon,” Jaclyn grabs your hand and pulls you towards the steps that lead up to the porch and then the front door. And she’s right. You’re pretty much blown away at the interior design of the house, and it leaves you wondering how much the house actually cost.

She gives you the full blown tour. The house consists of some extremely unnecessary rooms, such as a movie theater and a game room, but you know you’d be fine with spending your summer watching Netflix on the flat screen in the basement. She shows you both of the twins’ rooms her and Michael’s room, and then finally your room. Complete with a bay window, a balcony, and a queen sized bed that had an extremely inviting fuzzy blanket on top of it. You could for sure deal with this for the summer.

“You know, this won’t be as bad as I thought,” You say, turning around to face your aunt. She’s leaning against the doorframe smiling at you.

“I know it isn’t exactly what you had planned for this summer, so I was hoping you’d warm up to the idea eventually.”

“Oh, I think I will,” You laugh. “I’m gonna go grab my things. I’ll be right back.” Jaclyn nods and you disappear down the stairs and outside. As much as you hate to admit it, you’re starting to think this might be better than Jersey.

Going out to your car, you grab your bags out of the trunk. You’ve overpacked, like normal, but you’re spending an entire summer here, so what good would it even matter?

Across the yard, Spencer’s standing on the balcony trying desperately to catch his breath. Hannah had decided it would be funny to chase him all throughout the backyard with the hose, and he ran up the stairs to the balcony. Although he was fairly in shape for the rigorous training he had been doing, he’s still hard at catching his breath. He’s hunched over, arms resting on the balcony as his bare chest heaves up and down. He lifts his head for a moment, and that’s when his entire world comes to a screeching halt. He sees you walk out to your car, and he can feel his heartbeat in his chest accelerate.

“Whatcha doin’ there, Spence?” Spencer hears the voice of his younger sister, and he’s ready to initiate his fight or flight responses in that moment, scared she somehow is ready to ambush him again.

“Han, not right now,” Spencer huffs out, his eyes glued to you as you grab your bags from your car, and he wants nothing more but to in that moment go and grab your bags for you. He’s fallen in love before you even unpacked your bags. He’s smitten already.

“Oh, she’s pretty,” The little blonde mumbles, her arms resting next to Spencer’s on the railing. “Why don’t you go say hi? She looks nice.” His little sister then takes in a deep breath at the sudden realization. “Spence! She’s at Jackie’s! You’ve got a shot!”

Spencer can’t help but laugh at Hannah. His family was pretty close with the Barclays, and Jackie had babysat Hannah a handful of times when Spencer and Claire had been busy. But he couldn’t just waltz over and meet whoever you were. “It’s fine, Hannah. She looks like she’ll be here for a while anyway.”

He watches as Jaclyn’s two kids, Avery and Alex, run towards you as Michael walks behind them. You bend down and hug the both of them, and Spencer can feel his heart literally melt.

“Spencer’s in love!” Hannah sings, and Spencer just rolls his eyes.

You wrap your arms around the two little ones that you hadn’t seen since Christmas, and Avery throws her little arms around your neck. “Y/N/N, I missed you!” She squeals, and once Alex lets go of you, you lift Avery up.

“I missed you too, Aves,” You kiss her cheek and turn to see Michael. “Hey Mike, thanks for letting me stay here for the summer.”

“No problem, Y/N. You’re always welcome here, you know that. Plus, these two love you.” Mike motions towards Avery in your arms, and Alex that’s pretty much hugging your leg. “Want me to grab your bags for you?” Mike motions towards the bags you had dropped to hug the twins.

“It’s fine, I got it,” You say and set Avery back down on the ground. You pick up the bags you had dropped when you saw the two, and once you’re situated Alex is grabbing for your hand. While you turn to head back to the house, you can’t help but notice the blonde boy staring at you. You giggle to yourself and raise your hand to wave at Spencer – but you don’t know that yet – and he’s like a deer caught in the headlights. His cheeks flush pink and he raises his hand to wave back at you. I mean, he doesn’t wanna make a bad first impression.

The four of you then head inside, and you go straight up to your room to start unpacking. You put a good playlist on, and then you’re set to go. You put all your clothes away in the drawers, toiletries in the bathroom, and start to hang up photos of your friends on one of the walls. Then you go to pull aside your curtains, and when you did, you sure as hell weren’t complaining. The blonde boy from earlier is now accompanied by a couple boys and they’re all swimming in the lake and jumping off the dock. So yeah, maybe this summer would be pretty sweet after all. Hot guy next door? Yes please. Hot guy with hot friends? Yes please.

You hear a knock at your door, and it seems to startle you enough to snap you out of the trance you’re in. “Enjoying the view?” You glance back to see Jackie standing at your doorway.

“Oh, yeah I am,” Jackie laughs and you finally tear your eyes away from the boys in the water. “Who is that?”

“That’s Spencer. He’s a sweet kid, he babysits the twins sometimes, and sometimes we watch his youngest sister. Go down and say hi,” Jackie has a smile playing on her lips and you roll your eyes with a smile. “I’m serious! He’s a sweetheart.”

“I don’t need my aunt playing matchmaker, thank you very much,” You say, walking back towards your bed to sit down on it.

“Well, I came up to ask you if you wanted to come with us to grab food. We were just gonna go to a pizza place, but I wasn’t sure if you just wanted to chill for now or not.”

You think for a second. Relaxing for a few hours doesn’t sound all that bad. “I think I’ll stay here, but thanks for the offer, Jac.”

Jackie smiles. “Course. We’ll bring back a slice or two for you, don’t worry. See you in an hour or two, sweetheart.”

“See you!” You call after your aunt as she goes to walk out the door, but then she’s backpedaling right back in with a finger pointed at you.

“And no boys.” There’s a teasing smile on her lips that causes the two of you to break out in laughter.

“No boys,” You confirm.

“But, in reality — and for future reference, of course — Spencer is the only exception.” She sends you a wink before she waltz away, leaving you smiling and shaking your head. She always was more of a sister than an aunt to you, even being eleven years older. Your grandma had your mom, Jac, and your two other uncles relatively young, so there’s a small gap between you and Jac that gives you the sisterly bond you never had.

You can’t help but keep your gaze locked on the boys that seem to be playing some sort of version of water polo in the lake. You eyes keep drifting to the boy from the balcony, his blonde hair hanging in front of his eyes as he knocks the ball away from his friend. You make a mental note to yourself about tanning on the dock that you seemed to share with his family, it being in the middle of your two properties. The rest of your night is filled with texts and snapchats from all your best friends back in Jersey. They’re updating you on everything they’re doing, including Ronnie sending you a snap of her getting your usual ice cream order from Kohr’s. As if that all lightens the blow.

The next morning you wake up to the mouth watering scent of pancakes and bacon. That’s enough to pull you out of bed and lug yourself down the multiple flights of stairs to get to the kitchen. Jaclyn flips the final pancake, and upon hearing your feet hit the landing she turns around with a smile.

“Good morning honey. You can sit at the island if you want,” Jaclyn points her spatula at the marble countertops and you sit down there. “Any plans for today?” She asks, placing a few of the blueberry pancakes on a plate to bring over to you.

“Thanks. And I think I’m just gonna tan, maybe wander around town this afternoon, get a lay of the land,” You say and a small smirk makes its way onto Jaclyn’s face. “What?” You mumble, eyes wide and a mouth full of pancake.

“I should see with Lilly what Spencer is up to this afternoon,” giving you a sheepish smile your aunt turns away, leaving you to glare at her back. “I’m just saying, I want you to make some friends this summer. He’s got a great group of friends down here.”

“It can wait a few days. I’m not looking for a summer romance, nu uh. Those never end well, Jac. You know that.” You give your aunt a pointed look, but she smiles innocently and turns away. “Okay, I’m gonna get some sun.”

After finishing your meal and placing your dishes in the dishwasher and helping Jaclyn clean up, you go up to change into a bathing suit to lay out in. You grab a towel in case you decide to take a dip into the lake, followed by your phone, sunglasses, headphones, tanning oil, and a book. You finally get outside and go out towards the dock to lay out.

On the other side of the spectrum, Hannah had spotted the mystery girl out on the dock. “Spence!” The little girl runs into the living room towards her older brother. He looks up from his phone. “Can we go play soccer out back? I wanna start practicing again before next season.”

The goalie sighs and locks his phone, knowing if he didn’t go outside with her she would throw a hissy fit. “Okay, fine.” He agrees and Hannah squeals before racing outside again. Spencer follows her, and by the time he gets out there she already has her soccer ball out and is dribbling it between her feet.

Spencer doesn’t see you at the dock. He’s more focused on his sister. However, Hannah decides to play matchmaker, strategically having Spencer stand with his back to you and her facing you. Hannah doesn’t make it obvious at first – at first she really is practicing against Spencer. But then she kicks the ball as hard as she can, and her plan goes into full affect.

You turn around at the sound of something rustling in the grass and see the soccer ball rolling towards you. Spencer mumbles a ‘fuck’ seeing you turn around, and he glares at his little sister. “So this is why you wanted to practice? I knew it was fishy, you hate soccer.”

Hannah smiles innocently at Spencer and urges for him to go get the ball. Knowing his little sister won’t budge, he swallows his pride and begins to make his way towards you. You get up and grab the ball, ready to hand it towards the cute blond boy you’ve seen numerous times now.

“Uh, sorry about that,” Spencer says awkwardly, his hand going up to rub at his neck. “She’s still working on her aim, I guess.”

You giggle to yourself, and Spencer can feel his heart skip a beat at the sound. Even with the sunglasses covering your eyes he can just tell they’d light up the room. “It’s okay,” You say and hand the ball to him. “We all start somewhere.”

“I’m Spencer.” He says. You smile at him, and he can feel the blush creeping up on his cheeks.

“I’m Y/N.” You respond. “So, I know this might be really quick, but what are you doing later?”

[devilofthehounds]

God Eater 3 Character Novel | Unstained Choice: Chapter 5

[image id: A novel cover. On the right side is Claire Victorious from God Eater 3, holding her Charge Spear-type God Arc and staring off into the distance with determination. On the left side is a young Claire, holding a handkerchief in her hand and looking sad. In the background is a Gleipnir banner. The text, when translated into English, reads “God Eater 3 Character Novel | Chapter 3: Claire Edition | Unstained Choice”. /end id]

This is a fan translation. Original text here.

Masterpost 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The day of the new route development operation.

First, caravans loaded with combat troops would depart from Arrowhead in all directions at once to secure the planned beacon installation points and the surrounding areas.

Next, support units would join from the rear and, after resupplying, the caravans would move farther ahead. By repeating this process, more routes would be opened.

The route we would be taking as a support unit went southwest from Arrowhead. It was a dangerous route that led from an abandoned underground research facility to the old city area, where beacon information was frequently lost.

And coincidentally, the caravan carrying Eir's unit would lead the charge on that route.

"Seems like fate's tied us together, huh, Claire? I'll leave the rear to you."

Just before the operation began, Eir came to see me. Like she said, my unit would be bringing up the rear.

"They say it's the most dangerous route... Don't push yourself, Eir."

"Thanks, but..."

Our gazes turned to the children wearing red armlets on both hands.

"It's those AGE kids who'll be on the front lines... We're just accompanying them so they can fight as long as possible."

Eir looked sadly at the line of AGEs, looking down as they waited to board the ship.

"Claire, what do you make of AGEs?"

An unfortunate product of the cruel times we lived in.

Without AGEs, most operations in the Ashlands would be impossible. And yet, they were treated as slaves.

A path chosen by children with no choice but to take to the battlefield.

I had heard there were many children who had been forced to become AGEs.

Seeing them standing there, broken and dejected... it felt familiar.

"I... want to stand on equal footing with them. In joy and sorrow."

"...I see. That's just like you."

At that moment, an arriving group of AGEs came running over all at once.

"Big sis! Are we going on a mission together today?"

"Hey, big sis! I'm gonna protect you, I promise!"

I was stunned to see Eir suddenly surrounded by AGEs.

"Right, I'm counting on you guys! ...Heh. One of my duties is administering medical checks for AGEs. After seeing me so much, they kinda got attached."

"I see... Everyone, be sure to take care of your big sister, alright?"

"Right!"

Looking at them, I couldn't help but smile at the brave little knights.

Their pure, innocent eyes shone so brightly, without a single exception.

I was certain she had given these children hope in their own times of darkness.

"Hmph. It seems birds with sullied feathers flock together."

At that moment, those words came from a man passing by.

It was the arrogant aristocrat who had approached me the other day.

"...Apparently, he's the commander of our route. He's an ambitious man; seems pretty determined to make a name for himself by taking the most dangerous route. Then again, I'm no different."

Eir spoke softly, all the while glaring coldly at the man's back.

"He's the kind of guy to pick a fight with anyone who gets in his way. ...I wouldn't complain if he just up and disappeared."

The man hadn't seemed too fond of Eir or the AGEs.

I knew from experience that there were those who took out their spite on those they had no interest in, regardless of the situation.

"...Please be careful, Eir."

"Yeah. You, too, Claire. Let's have some tea together once this is over, yeah?"

Smiling, Eir boarded the ship with the young AGEs.

And so the operation began.

We, the rear support unit, followed behind the front-line troops a few hours after their departure.

There were two Ash Crawlers ahead of us.

The combat unit included the commanders and the AGEs on board, Eir's medical unit providing support.

"Are you acquainted with Eir Albert?"

As we pressed forward, the captain suddenly approached me with a question.

"I should warn you: that woman and her family have a less than stellar reputation. If you're going to associate with her, you'd best be prepared."

"...House Albert's reputation?"

"Haven't you heard? They're well known for their greed. Noble families desperate for funds are hardly uncommon these days, but... the fact that their reputation has spread this far speaks volumes."

Even though Eir had done nothing wrong.

It was painful to imagine how terrible the environment surrounding her must have been.

I lowered my gaze. Then—

"Emergency transmission! Beacon information in the direction of travel has suddenly disappeared! The coordinates of the preceding Ash Crawlers have been lost! We have received no response."

An emergency broadcast rang out, accompanied by alarms.

I immediately went with the captain to the bridge to sort out the situation.

"The coordinates of the two preceding ships disappeared at the same time. The ash levels have risen to the point where our radars can't detect them. ...It's possible that an Ash Aragami has appeared."

The captain crossed their arms as they explained the situation to us.

Eir's ship was lost in dense ash. My whole body stiffened at the prospect of losing Eir and the AGEs. In my mind, I could still see the smiles we'd exchanged before setting out.

"It is within our rights to acknowledge the danger here, to stop and call for reinforcements. However, we're the only ones who can confirm their condition. To press forward, or to retreat. I'd like to hear your opinion."

Before anyone else could respond, I spoke up.

"We should move in. If they're in trouble, we have to go now, or it'll be too late!"

Everyone was taken aback by my firm stance. I wasn't usually the type to assert myself.

Even so, they all nodded in agreement.

"Right. We'll advance toward their last known coordinates, then investigate on foot. Have your God Arcs at the ready."

Saying a small prayer in my heart, I took off for the God Arc hangar.

When we arrived at the coordinates, I gasped at the devastation laid out before us.

All that was left was a heavily damaged Ash Crawler. One singular Ash Crawler.

There were traces of what appeared to be a massive amount of Aragami moving in on the area.

The other members of my unit dispersed to assess the situation while the captain and I entered the ship.

"This is starting to seem fishy..."

There were no survivors on the wrecked ship.

Surrounded by the stinging smell of iron, every last one of the Gleipnir soldiers laid dead on the ground.

"Even in ash this dense, their bodies are still intact. They must have died aboard the ship. Look: every single one of them... they've all been killed with a God Arc."

The captain spoke as they examined the soldiers' corpses.

Among them was the aristocrat who had been made commander.

But Eir's body was nowhere to be seen.

Not only that, there were no signs of her unit, nor of the AGEs who were supposed to be on board.

While I felt relieved, the uneasy atmosphere left me wondering just what had happened.

I frantically searched for a working terminal, desperate for clues.

"Is this... a recording from the inside of the ship? Captain, come see this footage!"

Displayed on the monitor was a video with distorted audio and lots of noise.

"It seems the data was corrupted due to the Aragami attack..."

I rolled the footage back to a point where I could ascertain the situation, albeit barely.

It showed the crew in a state of panic as they spotted an Ash Storm forming ahead of them.

"An Ash Storm...?"

It seemed the Ash Storm had gone in a different direction. However, in its wake, the ash density had risen sharply. Communications had gone offline. The way the situation was going, the Ash Storm would drive a horde of Aragami into a head-on collision with the ship.

In the footage, they seemed to be discussing their next course of action.

"...! Eir!"

Eir and her unit entered the scene, followed by the AGEs.

Eir appeared to be arguing with the commander—then the footage distorted. The next moment—

The footage cut to Eir mercilessly thrusting her God Arc through the commander's chest as he laid limp on the bloodstained bridge.

"J-Just now... What...?"

I couldn't wrap my head around what I was seeing.

As I stood there speechless, another member of my unit arrived, having finished assessing the situation outside.

"Captain, there are signs of another Ash Crawler heading north from here. We've also found traces of a trailer leading into the underground research facility."

After a moment of contemplation, the captain gave us their order, their voice heavy.

"We will retreat from the Ashlands immediately. Once we return to Arrowhead, we will issue a warrant for the arrest of Eir Albert on suspicion of murdering her superior officer."

"What...?!"

I couldn't help but balk at the captain's decision.

"Wait a minute! How can you say that?!"

"She took advantage of the confusion of the Ash Storm to eliminate those standing in the way of her advancement. She sent the AGEs to the underground research facility as a decoy while she left on the ship. ...It makes sense, doesn't it?"

"Not at all! It's nothing but guesswork!"

It couldn't be true. It was too simple, too easy of a conclusion to reach.

Nevertheless, the captain sighed and signaled for retreat.

I couldn't let things continue like this. Something... I needed to find a clue that would lead to the truth.

I opened my eyes and played the recording again.

There—right at the end. The moment where the footage cut out for less than a second.

The Eir on the monitor turned toward me.

"...Eir... Did you realize you were being recorded...?"

If that were the case, why would she leave behind such conclusive evidence?

Did she run out of time? Or... did she want suspicion turned towards her?

I could see her in my mind's eye—unperturbed by suspicion or ill will.

I quickly turned my attention to the slain commander.

It was hard to tell at first, but looking closely... there were two wounds.

One went through the heart. This, I realized was the fatal wound.

But there was more. In the footage, the wound Eir had inflicted with her God Arc had been made carefully, as if to obscure the first—

"Captain! I suggest we search the underground research facility!"

My voice resonated through the ship, still filled with the stench of death.

But the captain turned around in exasperation and gave me a disappointed look.

"Enough. The rumored fragger has gone rogue. That settles the matter neatly. No matter how you look at it, this is the best course of action. ...Trying to protect her would only tarnish your family name."

Even now, the reputation of House Victorious...

Emotions I usually suppressed suddenly overflowed, my anger spilling out relentlessly.

"My family's name won't be tarnished by believing in my friend's innocence!"

They were swayed by baseless rumors, distorting the truth without even pursuing it.

To eliminate anything troublesome or inconvenient, prioritizing stability within the organization.

"What is right... If... If this is what you call justice...!"

I'd throw it all away.

At that moment, my father's words came back to me.

So... this was what he had meant.

Taking courage from the past, I clutched my God Arc and took off.

"Hey, wait! Where are you going?!"

"I'll search the facility! Eir Albert is there!"

"Are you out of your mind?! The ash is too dense! Stop! If you go in there, you'll die!"

Not heeding their words, I leapt out of the wrecked ship.

Wait for me. I was certain the woman I knew would be there.

I desperately ran through the eerie facility, seeing no signs of life.

It seemed the trailer had been driven aggressively. Having caught fire, it sat in a secluded corner of the research facility.

The trailer was loaded with pheromones designed to attract Aragami. It should have been successful in luring a considerable amount to the facility.

Such shrewdness only strengthened my conviction that she was waiting up ahead.

I wanted to help her.

The woman who saved my heart that day.

Because that moment had been my beginning.

No matter what anyone said, I would never give up on that feeling.

"...There!"

Up ahead, I could see the remains of an Aragami. Given the density of the ash, the fact that it was still there meant it had been killed only a short while ago.

"Eir!"

Shouting my friend's name, I climbed over the Aragami's remains.

Beyond there—

".........I'm surprised. I didn't expect you to come."

Was Eir, her uniform stained with blood.

Leaning languidly against her Variant Scythe, Eir smiled at me, looking exhausted.

"Eir, you're injured... Wait right there!"

"Stay back."

Eir glared at me, wearing a short but powerful look of absolute rejection.

"Have you seen the ship?"

"...Yes. The surveillance footage, everything."

"I see. So, you're not here to rescue me, but to take me into custody."

Eir's hoarse voice echoed throughout the silent research facility.

"I'll confess. I... killed my eyesore of a superior officer for the sake of advancing my career."

Breathlessly, Eir told a plausible version of the truth.

"My people couldn't handle my brutal methods and left me behind. ...A fitting end for a fragging hyena, wouldn't you say?"

"Eir..."

"Giving the evidence to Gleipnir should clean things up nicely. I won't... last much longer, so... hurry and get out of here."

Eir closed her eyes tiredly. Facing her, I spoke.

"Yes. So, let's go."

With those words, I walked over to her injured body.

"Wha... Were you even listening?! There's nothing for you to gain from protecting me!"

"I didn't come here for any sort of benefit."

"Claire! What, are you doing this for friendship or something?! You're so stubborn... and annoying! I've never felt that way towards you... never..."

Even like this, she hesitated to continue.

There was no way I could ever doubt Eir.

"I'm not good enough to see through your lies, Eir, but I can tell you're desperately trying to deceive me."

From the moment we first met, she had always been honest.

"I don't know what you're hiding. I don't know if revealing it will make anyone happy. But... you don't have to suffer alone."

I gently placed my hand on Eir's back.

Just as she had done for me that day.

"I'll help you carry it. So, tell me the truth?"

"...Geez... How did a crybaby like you get this far?"

"I-I'm not a crybaby—"

At that moment, a huge shadow suddenly came rushing down a hallway of the facility.

"Huh?!"

"Claire!"

A shining silver blade barely grazed my face.

If Eir hadn't protected me right when she did, my head would have been cut clean from my shoulders.

"A-A Chrome Gawain...?!"

The obsidian beast, Chrome Gawain. Its ferocious gaze was fixed on us.

"Hah... I thought I'd cleared them all out, but there's still one pesky straggler."

As she spoke, Eir propped herself up with her God Arc. Then, she grabbed a fistful of pills from the pouch at her waist and chewed them all in one go.

"No, it can't be... Burst inducers?! Stop! If you use that many at once—"

"Of course I'll die! But it's okay. I'd rather die protecting a friend than be turned to ash for murdering my comrades!"

Burst Level 3 was supposed to be the limit of the human body, but in Eir's current state, she must have gone beyond that.

Eir blocked the charging Chrome Gawain's massive body with a single swing of her God Arc.

"Gah...! I'll hold it here... Go, Claire! No matter what you think, I've already told you everything you need to know!"

It was clear that this was Eir's last wish.

Even so.

"I already told you, Eir. We're going home together!"

Brandishing my God Arc, I thrust the tip of my spear into the Chrom Gawain's rigid arm, which had been trying to slice through Eir.

"To be close to people's hearts! That is my aim for House Victorious! No matter what anyone says, that is how I've chosen to live!"

Shaking the blood off my spear, I shouted out my beliefs.

Reflected in the tip of my shining spear, I could clearly see those that must be protected and those that must be defeated.

"...What a miserable way to live. Hearing you say that, I feel so sorry for you that I can't even die properly."

Finally, I could see Eir's smile.

"This is the last one, but... Claire, use this!"

"That's... Got it!"

Eir's trump card for the counterattack. Until its activation, we kept the Chrome Gawain in check with gunfire and Eir's Variant Scythe.

The Aragami lost its patience and charged forward with all its might. At the same time—

At its feet, a powerful shockwave exploded and coursed through it.

An anti-Aragami mine. The hit was perfectly timed, causing the Chrome Gawain's body to arch backwards.

"Hyaaaaah!"

Together, we slipped into the obsidian beast's embrace and pierced both its arms in one go.

The obsidian beast's death roar and the silence that followed made me feel as though I'd found a bit of hope.

"We did it... We did it, Eir!"

The elation of slaying a large Aragami made me break into a huge grin.

But right then, Eir collapsed before my eyes, completely drained.

"Eir... Eir!"

No matter how much I shook her or called out to her, she wouldn't respond.

Overflowing blood and fading warmth.

The moment I realized it, a scene I couldn't remember unfolded in my mind.

A flower bed stained with blood. My father's corpse. And my brother...

"Th_nk y__, Cl__r_."

The moment I recalled his mocking words, I was hit with a sharp pain that pierced my mind.

"Ah... Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

I clenched my teeth and clutched my head. Why was I seeing this?

"Gah... I... I won't...!"

Yes. Since then, I had remained helpless, foolish, childish.

But still... my friend, here with me, gave me the push I needed.

I wouldn't let this moment—fated since that very first step—go to waste.

"I won't let you die... I won't!"

Filled with determination, I shook off the intense pain threatening to overwhelm me.

[very-cool-ankylosaur]

i made a story i guess

    27th of october. It’s once again the time of the year when we choose our halloween costumes, carve pumpkins, experiment with food and clothes (I found one of dad’s old sweaters and I really like it), go to sleepovers, make A LOT of tea and listen to our favourite songs. My little brother Mike wants to be a knight for Halloween, but this year i won’t go trick-or-treating because Grace invited me to her halloween party. But I still think Mike’s costume is pretty sick. I mean it even has a sword, even though mom won’t let Mike take the sword with him. Sometimes, when no one’s home, I like to hold it and pretend I’m battling someone. Honestly, I think I could absolutely destroy someone in a fair fight. If I ever get that chance.

    I’m in my room texting Claire:

          Me:”sooo...are you gonna come to the

party on halloween?”

          Claire:”u mean the one at Grace’s house?

          Me:”yeah”

          Claire:”i dunno...im still thinking about it. i

mean its halloween. and late”

          Me:”aw common claire! you HAVE to go. i

barely know anyone there. please please

please! ill be with you the whole time. ill

protect you! mike’s costume has a

sword :)))”

          Claire:”i like how you think :))))) ill be at

your house at 6”

    31st of october. I put on my favourite clothes, and mom also wanted me to wear my coat “because it’s cold”, but she’s not home, so I can do what I want. because of that I put on some eyeliner too. I’m super nervous. I just can’t wait until Claire comes and we can start having fun. Oh wait, I almost forgot! The sword! I don’t know if it’s necessary, but I don’t wanna disappoint so I go to the dining room to take it. Alright. NOW I'm ready. Umm...Claire takes kind of long to arrive. Must be the weather. It’s not raining or anything, but it’s really cold. Wait. What’s that? On the utility pole. It looks human...kind of. It’s just some moron in a costume who somehow managed to get there and can’t get up...right? I hold my sword tight in my hand. If there’s anything dangerous out there, I’m ready to fight. It’s very quiet. It’s eating something. Then suddenly, a piece of flesh falls from the top of the pole. It’s our neighbour Bill. I look at his (former) stomach and sit in terror for a few minutes. I’m backing off slowly, but when I look back at the top of the utility pole, the creature is not there. Then I feel a cold breath on my cheek. I want to run, but it’s like my legs are held down by Satan with all of his strength.  I look it in the eye. It’s the darkest shade of green possible. It’s covered in a mess of scales and feathers. Its eyes are more red than mine after doing homework. Its claws look like they could easily cut through human skin, and it can be seen that it has done so several times. I have no escape. This is it. All I have done my whole life, all of my struggles, all of the good times, all ”happy birthday”s and all “mom, I’m home”s, it’s all come down to one moment. And I gotta say, I’m not proud of it. I could’ve done so much better, so much more. I could’ve lived every moment happy that I’m alive and I could’ve cheered up my friends when they had a bad day. And who was keeping me from all that? My own self. I wish I could still try. I really do. But I’m far from ever knowing the good side of life again. You know what? I’m gonna give this sword a try. I have nothing to lose anymore. And when you have nothing to lose, it’s the best time to try. It’s my chance to destroy someone. So in a fraction of a moment, I cut its head off. Streams of black blood splash everywhere.

    My outfit is ruined. Or maybe improved. I dunno. It’s a halloween party. Claire finally arrives, and when she sees the body, she is way calmer than I thought she’d be.

    “What happened?”

    “I honestly have no idea. Let’s just go to the

party.”

     Edit: i just realised the formatation is weird so I had to change it. i have no idea if this is better

[yellowmagicalgirl]

How about Jlaire picking a cave to live in, in New Jersey? Or deciding on furnishings for their new home? Something fluffy and domestic

I figured out how to add a read-more on mobile! EDIT: Read-more doesn’t work.

Everyone, feel free to request more Jlaire fluff out of me!

AO3 (Yes, I gifted it to you)

FFN

They had done it. It had taken all summer, but they had done it.

They had found the New Jersey Heartstone.

Claire thought it was breathtaking in its blue-white glory, though ae knew that the trolls’ feelings must have been tenfold of aer own. It had certainly given Jim enough of a feeling of calmness that he had been able to take his armor off, at least momentarily. His cardigan and shirt were little more than vests, now, and his jeans were more akin to distressed capris. Before he had been able to quickly put on his silver - silver instead of black, blue instead of red, Daylight instead of Eclipse - armor out of embarrassment, Claire had been able to spy scars that looked like the carvings on his armor as well as the carvings on trolls.

Ae would have to go shopping sometime; purchase clothes for both Jim and aerself. While it felt like normal Arcadia weather now, it snowed here, or it would in a couple months.

Claire knew ae should probably call aer parents and tell them that they had safely found the Heartstone, but ae didn’t have the energy. Not only had it been a long day in general because of weird knights wanting the Heartstone, but ae knew aer mother. She would want Claire to come home. The trolls had found their home, and now ae should come back to Arcadia Oaks. And Claire, Claire didn’t want that.

That being said, Claire would still text aer parents… or at least ae would when ae got cell service.

“Hey, Claire?” Jim asked. “Where’re you going?”

“Looking for cell service; Hearthstone Trollmarket spoiled us with how well we were able to make calls. Our cave is probably going to need to be relatively close to the surface.”

“Our?” Jim asked. He blinked a couple times. “Oh, right! Sorry, I forgot. It’s been a long day.”

“Definitely.”

“I’m planning on going shopping anyways, you want me to get any furnishings?”

“Uh… honestly, I’m not sure. Lights would probably be a good thing, but first we’d need to find a way to get electricity. Hopefully Blinky will know.”

“Hopefully. I can get some battery-powered ones though.”

“That would work. I’d say get cooking supplies, but I kind of ate a blender so you’d need to somehow troll-proof it.”

“And gnome-proof, too.”

“Don’t remind me,” Jim groaned. He and Claire had had to chase the little creatures away from the supplies so many times in the past three months alone, nevermind all the times Bagdwella had made the three of them fight gnomes back in Arcadia.

“Ah-ha! Finally!” Claire exclaimed. “Signal!” Ae quickly texted aer parents before turning off aer phone and shoving it in aer pocket.

“I’m gonna call my mom; you wanna look for a cave in this general area?” Jim asked, kissing aer on the head. Ae waved over aer shoulder as ae walked away, ready to explore.

[leahloox]

TV Shows People MUST Checkout (Including Google Overviews.)

It’s just facts 🤷‍♀️

WARNINGS! Please note that some of these shows involve nudity, sexual scenes, violence and other mature themes that aren’t for everybody! (Red text)

-Downton Abbey (I love this series, every character, plot, and scene is always a masterpiece.) This historical drama follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in the family's Edwardian country house. The programme begins with the 1912 sinking of the Titanic, which leaves Downton Abbey's future in jeopardy, as Lord Grantham's presumptive heir -- his cousin James -- and his son, Patrick, die aboard the ship, leaving him without a male offspring to take over the throne upon his death. As a result, Lord Grantham must search for a new heir. As the programme progresses through the decade, other historical events happen leading up to Lord Grantham declaring in 1914 that Britain is at war with Germany, marking the beginning of World War I, which becomes a major plot on the programme. Does deal with difficult topics!

-Outlander (I actually just started this one but I’m really enjoying it.) After serving as a British Army nurse in World War II, Claire Randall is enjoying a second honeymoon in Scotland with husband Frank, an MI6 officer looking forward to a new career as an Oxford historian. Suddenly, Claire is transported to 1743 and into a mysterious world where her freedom and life are threatened. To survive, she marries Jamie Fraser, a strapping Scots warrior with a complicated past and a disarming sense of humour. A passionate relationship ensues, and Claire is caught between two vastly different men in two inharmonious lives. `Outlander' is adapted from the best-selling books by Diana Gabaldon. Maturity Warning! This show contains vivid violence and sexual scenes! GRAPHIC!

-Game Of Thrones (Lets be real everybody and their mother knows the existence of this series but just in case you hadn’t here it is. This series is my personal favorite regardless of the disaster that was the last season. Honestly everything until that point I loved, I watched it all in a month) George R.R. Martin's best-selling book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" is brought to the screen as HBO sinks its considerable storytelling teeth into the medieval fantasy epic. It's the depiction of two powerful families -- kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and honest men -- playing a deadly game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and to sit atop the Iron Throne. Martin is credited as a co-executive producer and one of the writers for the series, whose shooting locations include Northern Ireland, Malta, Croatia and Spain. (Way more families are involved, but okay google.) Maturity Warning! This show contains vivid violence and sexual scenes! GRAPHIC!

-Anne with an E (SO underrated! Very good though!) This reimagining of the classic book and film is a coming-of-age story about a young orphan who is seeking love, acceptance and her place in the world. Amybeth McNulty stars as Anne, a 13-year-old who has endured an abusive childhood in orphanages and the homes of strangers. In the late 1890s, Anne is mistakenly sent to live with aging siblings, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, who live on Prince Edward Island. Anne, who proves to be uniquely spirited, imaginative and smart, transforms the lives of Marilla, Matthew and everyone else in their small town.

-Glee (It’s just good folks, a very enjoyable show up until season 5 personally.) Optimistic teacher Will Schuester heads up McKinley High School's glee club -- New Directions -- a place where ambitious and talented students can find strength, acceptance and their voice. As the students find themselves, they also enjoy a respite from the harsh realities of life. Mr. Schuester hopes to help the kids in every way he can, and also dreams of taking the group to nationals. As Schuester and the glee club pursue their goal, they face opposition from a conniving cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester, who tries to sabotage the group at every turn.

-Stranger Things (At this point if you haven’t seen it I’m shocked. I will say I wasn’t a huge fan of season 1, and questioned if I should continue, but I assure you the next two seasons were great. If you were kinda like me and not into the first season, I’d highly recommend to keep going as I loved it. Season 1 had to world build. I won’t insert a overview because the overview is for season 2, so I’d just head to Netflix and read what season 1 is all about.)

-Jane the Virgin (I haven’t completed it but the story is overall compelling and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.) The daughter of a teen mother, Jane Villanueva grew up determined not to repeat her mom's mistakes. At 23, her life is on track; Jane is studying to be a teacher and engaged to a handsome detective who supports her decision to remain a virgin until marriage. Then a routine clinic visit flips her life upside down. Inseminated by a specimen meant for a patient in the next room, now-pregnant Jane is in a situation made only more insane when she learns that the sperm donor is her boss, Rafael. As her meticulously planned life gets more like the telenovelas she loves, she faces a lot of complicated decisions about where to go from here.

-Lucifer (If none of these peak your interest, please atleast check this one out. It’s just. So good. It’s something that anyone can get enjoyment out of. ) Based on characters created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg, this series follows Lucifer, the original fallen angel, who has become dissatisfied with his life in hell. After abandoning his throne and retiring to Los Angeles, Lucifer indulges in his favorite things (women, wine and song) -- until a murder takes place outside of his upscale nightclub. For the first time in billions of years, the murder awakens something unfamiliar in Lucifer's soul that is eerily similar to compassion and sympathy. Lucifer is faced with another surprise when he meets an intriguing homicide detective named Chloe, who appears to possess an inherent goodness -- unlike the worst of humanity, to which he is accustomed. Suddenly, Lucifer starts to wonder if there is hope for his soul.

[laughingpinecone]

Press Start letter

I am laughingpineapple on AO3

It’s a long list of character combos so the specific requests aren’t overly detailed, please draw at will from my general likes and general fandom likes in addition or as an alternative to any of those!

All requests are art or fic - for art, the stuff I like is the kind that depicts the characters doing something. I’ll always be happier with a very simple drawing of two characters walking together or sharing a cup of coffee than with an ambitious composition that looks like an Avengers poster. I also enjoy seeing them wear different clothes, getting a feel of what their fashion sense is like beyond their canon outfit(s).

Likes: worldbuilding, slice of life (especially if the event the fic focuses on is made up but canon-specific), missing moments, 5+1 and similar formats, bonding and emotional support/intimacy, physical intimacy, lingering touches, loyalty, casefic, surrealism, magical realism, established relationships, future fic, hurt/comfort or just comfort from the ample canon hurt, throwing characters into non-canon environments, banter, functional relationships between dysfunctional individuals, unexplained mysteries, bittersweet moods, journal/epistolary fic, dreams and memories and identities, canon-adjacent tropey plots, outsider POV, UST, resolved UST, exploration of secondary bits of canon, leaning on the uniqueness of the canon setting/mood, found families, characters reuniting after a long and/or harrowing time, friends-to-lovers, road trips, maps, mutual pining, cuddling, wintry moods, the feeling of flannel and other fabrics, ridiculous concepts played straight, sensory details, sickfic, places being haunted, people being haunted, the mystery of the woods, small hopes in bleak worlds, electricity, places that don’t quite add up, mismatched memories, caves and deep places, distant city lights at night, emphasis on non-human traits of non-human characters (gen-wise, but also a hearty yes xeno for applicable ships)

Cool with: any tense, any pov, any rating, plotty, not plotty, IF, nerdy canon references, unrequested characters popping up

DNW: non-canonical rape, non-canonical children, focus on children, unrequested ships (background established canon couples are okay, mentions of parents are okay), canon retellings, consent issues

Dark Souls

I’m only familiar with the first game+DLC! It’s probably relevant to mention that I think that linking the fire is kind of a dumbass move and Gwyn is an ass, but on the other hand Kaathe has his own agenda and there’s no winning move in this world, or at least no obvious one. Feel free to deviate from anyone’s canon endings, to make things happen that’ll stave off their hollowing. I am interested in any of these people meeting and possibly striking up a friendship, and also in exploring Lordran’s temporal/dimensional fuckery, where it’s possible to meet people who have been gone for ages…

Group: Solaire of Astora & Siegmeyer of Catarina: so much fanart of Sun Bro & Onion Bro being bros, so little fic. And yet, the potential! How’d they bounce off each other, what about the fact that Siegmeyer is apparently a proper Catarina knight after all while Solaire just painted his self-made insignia and left, what would Sieg think of Solaire’s quest?

Group: Alvina the Cat & Sieglinde of Catarina: dunno, kitty. I love them both and I want everyone cool to go on adventure with each other. What’s left for Alvina now that Sif is gone, Artorias’ grave desecrated? For her part, did Sieglinde, you know, (mimics Ash Lake)?

Ghost Trick

I am very interested in various characters finding about the erased timeline, but not getting their memories back, and having to live with being told about what they did but never remembering it. Exploring the ghost lore is great. All what-ifs welcome (what if they managed an acceptable happy ending but didn’t reset the timeline, what if a different party went back to the past and kept their memories, what if Alma’s ghost stuck around…) Also open to AUs here, especially for generic fantasy or sci-fi settings or the Final Fantasy ones I prompted last Yuletide.

For the non-canon sides of Jowd/Alma/Cabanela, please no infidelity? I’d be good with either setting the fic during the game timeline or some what-if thereof when the other spouse is dead or unavailable, or simply keeping them offscreen and not mentioning them (eg Alma/Cabanela beach day, Jowd/Cabanela precinct shenanigans)

For Jowd in general, I do love my big boy and enjoy milking that size difference for all it’s worth. In gen contexts too, it’s neat. him big.

Group: Jowd & Yomiel: I’d love to read about the intimate understanding that comes from their shared memories and the horrors they’ve mutually forgiven (and a penchant for morbidity they’ve gained from such horrors probably). Cat dads things welcome.

Group: Alma/Jowd/Cabanela: maybe once Alma and Jowd have figured out he’s smitten and that they do in fact reciprocate... they tease him to death, slowly and deliberately? Is it even a Jowd romance if there’s not an exhausting amount of teasing involved, I ask?

Group: Alma/Jowd & Cabanela: Cabs’ life is wild; his best friends’ home is a safe haven...

Group: Emma & Pigeon Man: Emma’s unsuspected beta reader...

Group: Alma/Cabanela: (taps mic) legs. And fashion!

Group: Cabanela/Jowd: a recent tumblr post made a convincing argument for Cabs liking to be in charge (the argument is just pointing at Cabanela, honestly). Jowd is... agreeable, by his own admission. But is it that simple?

Kentucky Route Zero

I love the ending and I’d love to see its themes and setting explored. I’m all for exploration of any of the game’s themes and for including any staples from adjacent genres - wanna go full-on American Gothic? Dip into surrealism? Take a leaf from Twin Peaks with tulpa / split narratives to explore the characters’ issues? I love AUs so that’s an option too. Or of course there’s Xanadu at the height of its glory, an infinite what-ifs generator. Were the requested characters part of it, what were their digital counterparts up to? A Xanadu narrative would be great! I’d also love to hear about any new spot along the Zero or the Echo river, or an expansion of some place that’s only mentioned by Will in HATATE or only gets a few paragraphs of text. Mostly, I just love all these characters so much and I’m going through the tagset’s options like a hyperactive cat. Any fragment of their lives will make me happy.

Group: Shannon Márquez & Conway & Conway's Dog: does Shannon get to see them after the ending? Even for a moment?

Group: Lula Chamberlain/Joseph Wheattree/Donald: so Lula went back to Mexico. Joseph is pensive. Did the events of the night shake up Donald, or what will it take?

Group: Junebug & Lula Chamberlain: artists! Outspoken... artists... with a complicated personality. Put them in the same room and...?

Group: Junebug & Johnny: where’s the strangest place they played in, and what did Johnny find there?

Group: Conway & Johnny & Junebug (Kentucky Route Zero): their story is about finding individuality, his is about succumbing and losing it. Would any of them pick up on this mid-Act IV? Or just... talking about limbs and stuff?

Group: Cate & Will & Shannon Márquez (Kentucky Route Zero): a few months later, Shannon finds herself on the Mucky Mammoth again...

Group: Carrington & Weaver Márquez & Shannon Márquez (Kentucky Route Zero): maybe the cousins were trying to bond or reminisce or whatever and Carrington dive-bombed into the conversation, but in the end it was an enriching experience... of sorts?

Group: Carrington & Lula Chamberlain (Kentucky Route Zero): I don’t usually look for college shenanigans but this may be the exception? Or Art Opinions?

Group: Carrington & Clara (Kentucky Route Zero): would she even... get a word in? Maybe with the right topic?

Group: Carrington & Cate & Will (Kentucky Route Zero): Mammoth life! ...what does theater have to say about mushrooms again?

Group: Shannon Marquez & Weaver Marquez (Kentucky Route Zero): at the end of it all, Weaver was waiting. After this end, they can stand side by side again...

Group: Emily & Ben & Bob (Kentucky Route Zero): so what does it mean, like, poetically, that they were temporally displaced and Act I is in their future from Act V? Is it possible they were not aware of it?

Mutazione

The island, the sense of community, newcomers joining the community, gardens and music... I love the mood of this little game. Got ideas for some part of the island we haven’t seen? What stories do they tell each other about Moon Dragon and the first days of the new life it brought? The plants encyclopaedia was great - do Yoké’s archives hide some other cool tome? Please, if Graubert is mentioned, I would much prefer a sympathetic portrayal - he’s got his issues but I felt that the game was much harder on him than anyone else.

Group: Yoké & Karoo: I love the friendship between Yoké and Nonno and filtering it through Karoo feels even cooler to me. When did the big spooky bird first visit, did Yoké know or perceive what was going on?

Group: Yoké & Claire: book club book club book club!

Group: Spike/Claire: they’re so cute! Dinner at Mori’s? Swimming together?

Group: Nonno & Spike: I love Nonno’s role in the community and Spike’s role in the community, and they’re the two people who landed there and decided to stay. Could they bond over this?

Group: Dennis & Nonno: Important Tree Health Business!

Group: Bopek & Jell-A: Jell-A is the absolute coolest and Bopek grew on me a lot. Their friendship is adorable! What could they do together? As a side note, Jell-A’s place has the tightest interior decor in the whole game. How’d that happen, and does Bopek get a flair for vintage shapes and volumes in his weaving?

Group: Mori & Nonno & Yoké: FRIENDS. Friends for a long time, through so much pain. An evening together while The Youths (tm) are at Spike’s bar?

Yoké: catch-all Yoké request because he’s my fave! Doing Yoké things, being a big nerd, caring for books and plants and stuff

Pyre

The burning found family feelings, the revolutionary passion, the tension between topside social constraints and the kind of freedom allowed by the Downside! Thoughts about finding oneself at  the end of an age, as everything crumbles down to form something new. I love all the themes, the solemnity, the heart of this game. I adore everyone in that Blackwagon+Dalbert+Celeste, so if you want to add a Nightwing or two to any prompt, please do! I also love all the Scribes and find Erisa a compelling tragic figure. Out of the other triumvirates, I’m “love to hate them” for Manley, Brighton, Udmildhe and Deluge and would not like to see them featured in sympathetic roles. My main interest usually lies in post-canon exploration when applicable, but I’m also into various adventures during canon. Pick a location or a place outside the map and see what happens? As for the ending variables, I’d ask for a peaceful revolution and Oralech alive, but no preferences for who’s up and who’s down, pick whatever works best for any given plot bunny.

Group: Tariq & Soliam: what were Tariq and Celeste like in their earliest days? Were they made or summoned from some sort of preexisting star consciousness? They’re wildly different scenarios! I’m good with either. Does Soliam then see Tariq as a child of sorts, someone he made, or something greater than himself? Did he mean to do that, to have these two immortals around? What does Tariq learn from the First Scribe?

Group: Tariq & Dalbert Oldheart: Any excuse for Tariq to hang out with the Fates for a little while, and treasure and be treasured by dear Dalbert...

Group: Oralech & Vagabond Girl: after all is said and done, Oralech’s view of the Scribes is probably... understandably... dire. So of course I want to see him talk it out with ae!

Group: Celeste & Ignarius: look, listen, if the various triumvirates just camped out near their respective Scribe’s place during the Nightwings’ years-long absence (not the only possible explanation for how you find them all neatly lined up before the first lib rite, but an explanation nonetheless, I think. just let me have my crack), that means Iggy was Celeste’s neighbor for a long time. Neighborly hijinks please?

Group: Bertrude/Pamitha: Pam returning from her travels, again and again, and finding a home in Bertrude’s lab, finding an understanding there... Bertrude’s attitude being thorny in a way that’s just what Pam needs to allow herself to open up... also: snake kisses.

Group: Volfred Sandalwood/Oralech: waking up and remembering that the mourning that’s set deep in your roots is for someone who never died, waking up and remembering that the bitterness that consumed you had made up a betrayal that never was, finding each other through these crumbling walls... 

Molten Milithe: that’s the pov for a love letter to the Downside, right? And/or which Scribe did she bond with the most? Or the least for that matter?

Volfred Sandalwood: catch-all Volf’n’anyone request. I want to see our tree interact with any friend and foe you might fancy! Arguing for his beliefs, being a history professor through and through, finding himself in a tight spot and getting unexpected help, verbally tearing Brighton a new one if they ever cross each other’s path again...

group: Volfred Sandalwood/Tariq | The Lone Minstrel: Volfred’s zodiac sign is Cancer and Cancer is ruled by the Moon, so there’s that.    I love how they both hold the other in the highest esteem, especially on Tariq’s part since he’s the immortal Herald of the Scribes and Volfred is, all in all, a history teacher, but listen to him and you’d think the roles were inverted. I love my nonviolent canon but could anything happen to either of them that may require a rescue, and/or some good old-fashioned h/c? What’s something that could make Tariq of all people lose it? How’s life 100 years on?

Shenmue

This game cares for the little things. I’d love to see fanworks that try to out-slice-of-life canon...

Group: Qiu Hsu & Xianzi Bei: cormorant kung fu adventure! Do they hang out sometimes?

Group: Hazuki Ryo & Shenhua Ling: any moment, discussion, small adventure from their travels together! I love their bond! For all its waifufication of Shenhua, S3 really sold me on their friendship and a shared brand of dorkiness. Alternatively, sometimes I remember that they’d be 50ish in the present day - how and where do you picture them?

The Silver Case

I‘m all for the surrealism, big things being introduced and never picked up again, Rashomon’ing it up with six explanations for the same thing where no single one can be true, people dying and then popping up again like nbd...  maybe the thing I like the most is characters transcending their humanity and looming over the dystopian world like ominous avatars. Correctness’ first ending had me swooning, that kind of mood is unparalleled. I have played TSC, FSR and 25W so far and have vague memories of K7. I’m aware of the “everything’s connected” readings but that’s not my main interest in these games. For FSR-focused requests, I see Lospass as a real island but also a metaphysical  place of transformation first and foremost, where strange things happen that don’t make sense elsewhere.

Group: Toriko Kusabi & Remy Fawzil: What’s Toriko up to when she’s not chasing Chris? I think it could be fun to throw her at Remy and see the island from their point of view!

Group: Tokio Morishima & Edo Macalister: since Tokio stayed at the Flower Sun and Rain... I’m interested in peculiar happenings on Lospass that are not centered on Sumio...

Group: Tetsugorou Kusabi/Sumio Kodai: Tetsu picked one hell of a crush, huh! What’s it like in the aftermath of the games, when Sumio is Like That? How does Tetsu grapple with Parade? Is Tetsu an anchor of sorts for Correctness Sumio, who seems (at best) to be existing on a slightly different plane of existence at any given time and could disappear if you blink too hard?

Group: Tetsugorou Kusabi & Shinko Kuroyanagi: I’m joining the “let these two be foulmouthed friends” masses - who’d be more fed up with the other’s nonsense, and in which ways would they be an unstoppable team?

Group: Shinkai Tsuki & Tetsugorou Kusabi: Both of them end their stories in the shadows one way or another, and defending their protégé may have had a hand in their misfortune one way or another. What kind of understanding could they reach? What IS Tsuki up to anyway?

Group: Christina & Catherine: anthro Catherine, as per the Placebo bonus chapter Yami, was unexpectedly charming. What was Chris before reaching Lospass, and did he also have a chat with her on the plane or on the island?

[waypathfinder]

Crimson Lane - Chapter 25 - Stay with Me Till Dawn

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Chapter Text

I got lost in him and it was the kind of lost that's exactly like being found.

— Claire LaZebnik

There was always that moment before seeing her, when Ben questioned whether he'd imagined everything. Backed against the hallway wall, in the darkest area he could find, the thought leaking into him like poison.

She wouldn't want him anymore. He was a criminal and she — she was like an angel. He watched in silence as Master Luke spoke to her, light cresting on that pretty face.

If he were less selfish, he might have had the strength to slip away now and just allow her to move on with her life.

But he was not a good man. He was selfish, and he would never stop wanting her.

Rey squeezed him in a desperate hug and Luke groaned with pain. "Easy there, tiger."

Ben couldn't stop the laughter that rumbled from his chest.

She looked up then, desperate to find him.

"Where is he?"

Her words lured him out, unfolding from the darkness like some voyeuristic gargoyle.

"Ben!" She threw her arms around him, her body a mix of warmth and softness, bone and muscle. It felt so familiar. He pulled her in close, drinking in the scent of her, pressing fervid kisses to her temple.

"Get inside," Luke hissed. "We can't risk anyone seeing us."

"Yes, quick, come inside," she whispered, indicating for them to enter.

They followed her into the apartment and waited as Rey pulled the door closed, very carefully latching the lock.

Once they were inside, she leant back against the wall, hands clenched in front of her like she was trying not to fidget. She wasn't looking at him, almost like she wouldn't, and yet here he was, unable to look away. A quiet dread crept back into Ben's heart, even more so when her eyes became glassy and her breathing was heavier the longer she avoided him.

"How is this possible?"

"A couple of favours, a bit of cash, a lot of luck," Luke said, dryly.

Rey bit her lip, slowly releasing it again, brow furrowed.

"Don't worry, it's all above board. He's been granted bail. Not for long mind you, but it's something." Luke rubbed at his lower back with a wince. "You got anything to drink here?"

"There's some orange juice and mineral water in the fridge," Rey said. This time she dared a fleeting glance at Ben as she spoke. There was so much behind those eyes, he could tell, they were like a dam holding back a million thoughts and questions.

They needed to be alone.

Luke clomped through the apartment and into the kitchen area, grumbling about a sore back and stiff neck. He filled the silence between them with a running commentary of the contents of Rey's fridge, wrinkling his nose at the number of items well past their expiry date, not to mention the take-out boxes overflowing from her trash.

Ben slipped Rey an uneven smile and she returned it with rosy cheeks.

Luke came back, sitting on the lounge with his feet on the coffee table. "Lando's put you up in a nice room."

Rey glanced at Ben again this time, the look on her face matching the one in his mind: How do we get rid of him?

When no one answered him, Luke cranked his neck to study them. "You can sit down if you want?"

"Oh, I'm fine," Rey answered quickly.

"Me too," said Ben.

Luke grumbled something under his breath before resuming his position. "Suit yourself."

Master Luke was perched on the lounge, staring out at the moonlit trail lighting an ocean-path to the horizon, his long-grey hair shivering with each gust of wind.

Ben leant against the wall, his gaze travelling from Rey, to Luke, eventually lingering on the bed. Each time he looked at it, his jaw shifted and he sucked on his cheek. Rey stared at it also, blushing at the old takeaway boxes on the floor, not to mention the dirty undies and yoga pants slung at the end of the bed.

What passed was the longest five minutes of her existence before Luke finally got up, grumbled something about getting sleep and turned to leave.

"You're welcome to stay," she said, even as she reached for the door handle.

Luke raised his eyebrows with a guffaw. "Subtlety was never your strong point, Rey."

Rey released the handle, her cheeks burning. "I mean it. You're always welcome here. You've done so much for me—for us—already."

"I know, kid." He gave her chin a little nudge as he walked past. "But I think you and my nephew probably have some things to talk about."

She glanced at Ben, but he was staring at his shoes.

"How long?" she asked, her voice a little shrill and panicked.

"Just the night. We're scheduled to leave on the 10 am ferry in the morning."

So short, she tried to swallow her disappointment.

"We can't miss that boat or there will be hell to pay."

She nodded, resigned. "I understand."

"I'll see you both in the morning."

The door closed, she latched the lock again and they were finally alone.

Rey hesitated by the door, almost like she was afraid to be alone with him. Her eyes were downcast, transfixed by her interlaced fingers pressing white pressure points into her skin.

Ben waited. He would wait all night for her if need be.

For now, it was enough to unabashedly stare at the beautiful woman before him. How many hours he'd spent locked in that steel cage, remembering every freckle dusted on her cheeks, the way her nose wrinkled when she smiled, the awkward, athletic way she walked. He'd pictured her sass, or giving him attitude, but not like this with cheeks flushed with a violent shade of red, the light reflecting a tear in the corner of her eye. That bottom lip, squeezed and sucked, hidden in her mouth, and then released, swollen and kissable. From there it was hard to look away from the long, slender curve of her neck and the sharp collarbone beneath it, and onto her black, cotton camisole. It must have been an old favourite, because it was thin and worn, the straps shredding from overuse. Something else caught his eye then, a pert nipple swollen and puckered beneath the material—both of them. She was probably just cold ...

A pulse jolted below the beltline, and he shifted.

He'd missed her in many ways. In jail, he'd missed her company, her laughter, the way she shot him down or soothed him, and the way she always tucked neatly into him when they cuddled.

But seeing her now, his body remembered missing her in other ways too. How many nights had he woken with a grunt, covered in sweat and cum on his sheets, clinging to the memory of her body coiled around him, her cries, creased forehead, panting breaths …

He stepped back a little, gripping his hands together in front of his crotch. It was the last thing he wanted her to see and yet, there she was, looking down there. That rich shade of colour blooming even more.

Fuck. He looked to the ceiling fan softly whirring overhead, feeling like he was 12 years old. There wasn't much point denying what was so damn obvious now.

"Sorry about that," he said with a low voice. " I've been looking forward to seeing you."

There was the understatement of the year.

"So I see." She gave him a fleeting smile at her lips and turned to look at the clock in the kitchen. He followed her gaze. It was late, just after 2 am.

Had he been presumptuous in coming here? She hadn't seen him in over two weeks and they'd had zero direct contact in that time.

She'd had time to think now, away from him, to map out her future. Perhaps, he wasn't in it…

He swallowed down that living nightmare of a thought and cleared his throat.

"I hope it's ok my uncle dropped me off here?"

She turned to him, surprised, thumb drawn to her mouth, biting at the nail nervously.

Shit. He panicked. "Because I can stay with my parents if it's a problem."

Ben forced his shoulders to relax, his erection had long gone and now he was stiff and awkward.

He'd dreamt of this moment every second he'd been away from her … but maybe she hadn't. At least, Rey wouldn't beat around the bush, if she wanted him to leave she'd have already told him.

"Rey."

He risked a step closer and her chin trembled.

"My love—"

Another step.

Rey was a relatively tall woman of her sex, but right now she looked so small against the wall, like a caged animal. Is this what he had done by hiding her away here? He'd meant to help her, but perhaps he'd just stolen her freedom.

He ground to a halt. "We don't have to—"

"Damn you, Ben Solo!" She all but ran at him, those lithe but muscular arms wrapping around his neck and pulling him down, face burrowed in his chest, muffled sobs leaking tears through his clothes. "I was so worried about you!"

"I know, I know."

Relief.

"And the last three days, we had no word from Master Luke or you, I didn't know if you were okay…"

He hadn't thought of that. All along he'd meant it to be a surprise, plus there were enough reasons to keep his movements secret with the Knights still out there.

"I am okay, now," he breathed into her hair.

He felt her hiccuped in his arms, and he brought a finger beneath her chin, raising it. "Let me look at you."

He did now, close to him and basked in light, her face was soaked with tears, eyes red and a stream of snot beneath her nose. She sniffed loudly, trying to wipe it all away with the back of her hand.

"I look like shit," she cried.

Ben laughed. "You look perfect."

He closed the distance between them, cupping her face, stroking her wet cheeks, marvelling at the feel of her skin beneath his fingers, before pressing a kiss on her forehead and she melted into him.

"God, I've missed you," Ben whispered, pressing soft kisses into her messy, brown hair. Even after midnight, she smelt like summer: sunscreen, sand and salt. It was an intoxicating scent, reminding him of something old, a distant childhood, fun and laughter on the beach, and something else entirely, a desire of warm, hot, sweaty sex.

With that thought on his mind, he kissed her lips, or perhaps he should say 'consumed', tasting every corner of her mouth, every curve on the fleshy pink of her lips.

"I've missed you too," she murmured, voice low and wanting.

Then her fingers were in his hair, lips fleeting across his own and down his neck. He felt the flick of her tongue at the rise of his collarbone and it was enough to fire all the blood from his head to his cock. With one hand, he pressed her into him closer, and the other clamped over her arse grinding her body into him.

"Ben—" she whispered, but the word was covered with another kiss, his tongue thrusting into her mouth. Her body slackened for a brief moment, as though her willpower had crested, but now she stopped his roaming hands again. "If we only have tonight, let's take it slow."

He nodded, understanding. Without a word, he reached around her back with one arm and lifted her like a bride with the other, carrying her in his arms to the waiting bed.

Rey gazed at Ben Solo's silhouette hovering above her, his ragged black locks flicking with a hot breath of wind, edges ablaze with the silvery moonlight. She shivered; not from the cold.

"Okay?" he whispered. She nodded, sliding her hands over his legs to take her mind off her shaking fingers.

"You're trembling." There was a slight quirk of his lips as he said this.

She lay beneath him, naked and stretched out upon the mattress, the way he had wanted her. He was taking time looking over her body, burning it into his memory, fingers tracing the path of his vision. With whisper-light touches, he moved along her arms and abdomen, swirling across her heaving breast and below her navel.

His touch, down there, erupted an explosion of goosebumps all over her body and as she gasped, his eyes grew wide and black as the night outside.

"Don't look at me like that!"

"Like what?" He lowered his lips to her ear, taking a small bite, his hot whispered breath sending shivers all the way to her curling toes.

"Like you're going to eat me."

He stroked her shoulders, painting tender lines down her arms, kissing down her pliant fingers. Rey felt every touch too deeply, beyond flesh and nerve endings, stoking a fire in her soul, heating her blood, readying her body.

"But I am going to eat you."

Every cell in Rey's body was on fire. With each brush of his lips, or sweep of his tongue gliding between her thighs bringing him teasingly close to the part of her that ached for him the most.

She remembered the first time he had done this to her, that ill-fated, terrible first night and the beginning of everything.

He pressed a heavy kiss atop her mound and Rey jolted as a pulse charged through her body. She arched, and gasped, but then — nothing.

She waited, longer, only feeling his hot breath between her legs.

Rey bit her lip, aching for more. She peered between her legs and there he was just waiting, eyes shining, a soft smile on his wet lips.

"What are you doing?"

"Remembering you like this," he said, wrapping two strong arms around her legs as he slipped a tongue between her lips. Rey gasped, unable to hold back the way her body jolted at the gentle stroke. "I want to remember what you taste like."

He lowered his head again, this time swirling over her clit and Rey grasped her fingers through his hair, an inescapable cry lurching from deep within.

"The way you sound when you come under my mouth," he breathed, picking up the pace.

He found his rhythm then, and, oh, God — Rey lost herself to the touch of his soft kisses, the trace of his tongue, searching, swirling, flicking and probing. She arched her back, moaning and whispering, tugging at his hair as everything pulled tighter, wanting him to stop, wanting more, begging to give him the attention he deserved, but unable to find the will to pull him back.

He brought her to the very edge, leaving her near-spent and panting as he climbed up her body. She wrenched him up in her arms, kissing his warm lips, harder and fiercer, showing him she would never let him go.

"More?" He kissed the word into her mouth.

Every part of her body ached for him to finish, or even more, to bring her to ruin inside her.

But she wanted to do something first.

She gave him one long-lasting languid kiss and whispered:

"Lie down."

He smirked with surprise, but quickly obeyed, lowering onto his back for Rey to crawl on top.

Now it was her turn to study him. With his hard body locked between her wet thighs, she navigated every inch of his skin, sliding the tips of her fingers across each mole, exploring the rise and fall of his chest. He tasted like sweat and salt, and, oh , did she want more.

Ben followed every move with dark hunger in his eyes. His thumbs rubbed circles on her forearms as she moved across the wide expanse of his chest and shoulders. There were scars there she hadn't noticed before, raised white lines long forgotten. She kissed every one of them as he trailed soft fingers along her ribs, her breasts, teasing her nipples, forcing a moan from her mouth.

Rey paused, raising an eyebrow at him. "It's my turn, remember?"

"Can't help it." He smirked.

"Just relax." Rey took his fingers in her mouth, kissing each one of them, rolling her tongue around them teasingly. He closed his eyes, cock pulsing. She kissed down the line of hair below his navel, each one deepening as Ben groaned and jolted beneath her.

Once she was between his legs, tickling her fingers on the inside of his thigh, she stole a look at him.

Ben was waiting, lips parted with anticipation, chest swelling with each breath. She burned that image of him to her mind, the way he looked at her with overwhelming desire and love, so vulnerable and desperate. She would keep it with her once he was gone.

With a smile, she pressed her lips to his cock.

Ben was … vocal as she rounded her lips around his head, clamping a firm hand at his base.

She started slowly, a teasing lick, a slow slide down his length before climbing back up again. It wasn't long before she could taste the sweet pre-cum seeping into her mouth. His strong hands gripped her shoulders, groaning profanities each time her tongue circled his head and lunged him into her mouth.

He was going harder with every intake, his hands grasped tighter, guiding her tempo: faster, faster, faster ...

Ben lurched, pulling her up, enclosing her in his arms and peppering her face with kisses.

"Too good," he panted. "You're going to make me come."

"That's the point! Unhand me so I can get back down there."

"No." He rolled her over again, eyes darker and even more intense. "I want to make love to you now."

The thrill of his words washed over her and Rey nodded, blankly. She wanted this, she wanted this so much. Her legs parted and she sucked in a sharp breath as his long length pushed inside. The walls of her body closed in around him, remembering the way he felt.

Making love to Ben was like muscle memory, they just moved with natural instinct. It felt so right , Rey thought, as she clasped her arm across his back. Every thrust was worship, every moan a prayer, she closed her eyes, throwing her head back to take him.

They moved with slowness at first, bodies swaying like gentle waves, heaving and gliding, then building with ferocity, cresting and crashing. She felt his fingers entwined through her own, pushing them into the mattress, his soft lips, pressing wanting kisses to her mouth, tongue exploring. With every thrust, they yearned for more—more touching, more kisses … more time.

"I'm not going to last," he whispered.

"Me neither."

Each thrust became more urgent then and Rey felt the walls of her vagina grow tighter as Ben grunted into her neck. She stared out at the glass doors, at the silvery-blue light beyond them. The world was still and silent. It was theirs to own, they would conquer anything so long as they were together.

But they had to be together. Like this. Always.

A tear slipped down her cheek, disappearing into the space between her face and his neck. In the ambience of the moon's glow, they chased the tempest, riding that peak of desire, holding onto it, like it was the string that tied them together.

Just tonight ... the thought taunted her on the cusp of her orgasm, her whole body clamped around his.

"Never leave me." She begged close to his ear as her hands slid along the sweat of his back, legs molding around his waist, holding him close until her whole body surged with shattering release.

Ben's eyebrows pinched, his face a mix of rapture and heartache.

He threaded his fingers through hers even tighter and Rey watched as his expression changed, tension peaking, breath racing, rapture, release.

He pulled out in a hurry, collapsing on her chest, a mixture of sweat and semen trickling across her middle.

"Rey," he whispered, forcing a sad smile.

Because he was going to leave her.

"I know," she said, blinking away a tear. "But for one moment, I just wanted to believe."

Rey cradled his face, swiping the dark strands off his forehead, pressing a long-kiss to his lips.

He nodded, his shining. "I want to believe too."

The moon drifted below the horizon, swallowing up the last of that silver light. Rey was quiet, legs splayed on either side of Ben's body, stroking his hair, watching the light of the smoke alarm flash red in the darkness. Her eyelids were drifting closed, no matter how much she fought sleep.

"What happens now?" she asked.

"We wait. I'll be appointed a lawyer soon, after that they'll set a date for the trial—"

"No." She pressed a hand to his lips. "That's not what I mean."

He raised an eyebrow at her and she snuggled him closer, wishing he could understand. She needed time to dream, to hope yet. "Will you go back to your apartment after tonight?"

"I—" he stalled, perplexed. His gaze shifted to the ceiling as if searching for answers there and then back at her, this time nodding in understanding. "I thought we could find one together."

Rey relaxed in his arms, ear pressed against his chest, listening to his heart's song. "Yes, I'd like that. Not Mustafar, Naboo perhaps, or maybe near the coast."

"We could get a pet."

"A dog," she grinned. "I think you'd like a dog. Something big and scruffy like Chewie. We could take him for runs in the morning."

"Or maybe we should wait until we've done some travelling?"

"Are you taking me away?" She asked excitedly. "Where?"

"I thought I'd take you on a long-tail boat in Thailand, or perhaps we could go hiking at Machu Picchu?"

Rey's heart squeezed, eyes welling with tears. The two places she'd dreamed of going, she'd had them framed on the wall of her apartment. He'd remembered.

"I'd like that. I didn't think I'd ever travel anywhere..." Her words caught in her chest and then, somehow, the illusion spirited away.

Because, of course, there would be no apartment, or pets, or travel. They wouldn't even have each other after tonight. She'd have her island home and him, a jail cell.

Ben wrapped his arms around her even tighter, and she slid her hand in the curve between his neck and shoulder.

"What's it like in jail?"

"Boring. Rigid. Every day is the same but the people around you change. The dynamics are constantly shifting, new people, new allegiances, fights that would make a Knights of Ren look like Mother Theresa." He stroked her hair, it was lulling her to sleep even faster. "I read once that prison is like animal cells and in Afgan Zoo, and that's not too far from the truth. There's someone always watching you, whether it's your fellow inmates or the correctional officers."

Rey stared into the black night, measuring his words. "Are you safe?"

He nods. "I can take care of myself in there."

"That's good. I was worried—" she yawned deeply. "And the rocks?"

Ben angled his head to look at her with a confused smile. "The rocks?"

"Do they—" she paused, breath becoming deeper. "Do they make you lift them?"

"What?"

"Hmm?"

"You asked if they make me lift rocks?"

She was silent for a long while, her brows pinched, and with a languid smile, she kissed his chest. "I don't know. I think I was falling asleep."

"Sleep, sweetheart. I'm not going anyway."

"No. Need to stay awake— "

Ben smiled. She was gone. He pressed one last kiss to her temple and held her close as her eyes fluttered and her feet jolted in the descent to sleep.

"I love you, Rey," he whispered, and while she didn't answer, he saw the flicker of a smile on her sleeping face. It made him believe, somehow, his words had made it through to her on the other side of consciousness. A bond. It had always been there, even from the beginning. It would be there still.

Dawn

Ben woke when the sky was still dark along the horizon. Venus blazed in the dying night. He recognised it immediately. As a child, he used to lie on the beach with a telescope, sneaking out while his parents slept to see the planets before the dawn. It took every inch of restraint not to stir Rey awake. The romantic in him wanted to kiss her beneath the morning star and then make love to her again as the sun rose. But when he looked back at her, she was sleeping fitfully beside him, lips parted and pupils racing behind her eyelids. He wondered what she dreamt about, praying they were kinder than his own had been these past two weeks.

They had slept skin-to-skin; a layer of hot sweat filling the space between then. She cradled him from behind, hand still pressed against his chest, her lips wet against his back. He had thrown off the covers sometime in the night, but she still wore them like a wedding dress, draped around her torso and flowing loosely over her hips. He peeled himself away, walking to the bifold doors for some fresh, peering out into the black sea, foaming with white bubbles. The world was still asleep, the only sound were the waves upon the sand. Confident there was nobody watching, he stretched his arms the length of the doorway, exposing his naked body and breathed the sea air.

"The breeze is nice in the mornings," Rey murmured, eyes still closed.

"I thought you were asleep."

"I was," she said dreamily, stretching her arm across the mattress to where he'd been only moments before. "But I woke and you were gone."

He felt the pang in her voice as she finished those words.

"Not gone," he said, returning by her side as he gently caressed her forearm. "Still here."

He sat down on the bed, it dipped steeply beneath his weight and she gripped his hands, pulling them close to her chest, they were clammy and trembling, and instinctively he knew why.

"Nightmare?"

She nodded.

"Snoke?"

"I always dream about that night."

Ben dropped his head. He needed no other explanation; he'd dreamt of it so often, oftentimes waking in his cell, covered in sweat and shouting. It was the reason his first cell mate had requested a transfer after the first two nights. They never replaced him.

He lay down, curling an arm around her body as she rested her head on his chest. It was little comfort, but it was everything he could give her.

He stroked her hair, it wasn't silky and soft as it had been in the brothel, instead, it was curly and rough, stiff from sea salt. He liked it this way, imagining her spending her days in the ocean, leaving it untied and billowing in the wind. God, how he wished he could see her like that — be there, even.

But Snoke had stolen that dream, as he'd stolen everything else.

"I dream of it too." His hand mechanically glided down her brown locks, floating down to her shoulders and back, repeating the motion. "I used to have many nightmares, but now there is just that one …"

He felt the need to gasp like a man drowning, trying to hold back the emotions threatening to overwhelm him.

"I dream that you're dying, and I — I can't help you. I see it almost every night." His lungs were burning as he tried to bury the images away. "Except for tonight. I felt you next to me and it was ... better."

She squeezed his arm just below the shoulder and laid a wet kiss on his chest.

He glanced down at her, but she was hiding her face, her shoulders trembling.

"I know everything will be okay so long as you're with me."

"Ben, don't—" The wretched tone of her voice sliced his heart in two. In less than a day he would be back in jail, staring out that tiny slit of a window, overlooking a monotone wall and barb-wire fencing.

Because all of this was fleeting and tomorrow the nightmares would return.

He turned away. And, as if sensing a change in him, Rey pressed the palm of her hand to his cheek, bringing him back to face her. "I didn't mean that. Keep talking"

He blinked. Once, twice. He couldn't —

Then she kissed him, and by God the way she looked at him like she loved him as much as he loved her. He broke, a sharp exhale. "I — I really don't want to go back," he whispered, staring at the barren ceiling.

"I don't want you to go." Her voice was raspy, strained and he felt her stiffen in his arms. "How long?"

Ben swallowed. "Before I'm out? I don't know...months...years…"

A warm teardrop fell on his chest from where Rey was laying and he tightened his hold.

His Rey.

"Why did you do it? Why did you give yourself up?"

"I needed to keep you safe," he said, hoarsely.

"But you didn't have to go that way — we could have run."

"And have you hiding for the rest of your life. Never knowing when the lies would unravel—" After all this time he'd hoped she might have understood. "I refuse to do that to you. I've hurt you enough."

"But I would have chosen it!" She looked at him squarely in the eye, there was no room for uncertainty anymore and her anger mirrored his own, only it was building.

"If it would have meant us being together, I would have done it!" She wiped away a tear and cursed. "You have no idea. I'm so upset at you, Ben. You didn't give me a choice."

"Is that why you wouldn't look at me when I came in, because you were angry?"

"Angry? You broke my heart."

She sat up, pulling her body away from his, and he followed her.

"You've been forced to hide all your life. I wanted to give you freedom from that, to be a journalist, to see your friends, travel—"

"I want that too, Ben, but not without you!" She folded her arms now, closing herself off from him as a steady stream of tears fell down her face. She ferociously tried to wipe them away. "Goddammit! Why can't I stop crying?"

"Rey." He pressed his lips together.

"I don't want to be alone anymore, Ben." She wrapped her hand over his shoulder, clamping it there. "I know what it's like to have someone now—"

"Don't wait for me!" The words rushed out, as a band-aid to her wound. He could fix this. He hated every word he was saying, but it was the truth. She could still find love with someone else, anyone would be better than him, that reporter, Finn …

"What?" The coldness in her voice made his blood freeze.

He panicked. "You're not tied to me—"

Rey wrenched herself away, staring him down with fresh fury. "Don't you ever say that to me."

He met her glare, fire on fire. "I won't have you give up everything for me."

"How dare you! You are tied to me in every way Ben Solo. How could you think I would ever be happy with anyone else? I'll only ever be yours."

A memory: "You don't own me. You don't own any part of me!" She'd shouted at him from behind the restaurant, chin held high and her voice haughty. He'd never owned her, not then, and not now. Rey was independent, spirited and could hold her own in a fight. She'd been so fed up with his bullshit that day. How he'd tried to protect her from the brothel, how Snoke had lied and manipulated him into believing she was spying on him. That bastard had seen through Ben's armour, straight to the weak point, this wafer-thin, freckle-faced girl he'd do anything for even then. God, he'd fallen so hard for her that day. That fighting spirit, the refusal to be tamed, or claimed, by anyone. He loved her for it.

With a sudden lurch, he kissed her, cupping his fingers around the back of her neck and pulling her down.

"We're not finished!"

"Yield."

"No," she hissed.

"Just accept that I love you and this is the way I'm showing you." He trailed hungry kisses down her neck. "Now, yield!'

"Never!"

His hand settled between her legs and she went quiet, obviously torn between her desire to fight and the bone-melting feeling of his fingers circling her clit. "Don't you play that card—"

His lips enveloped her own again, pressing fevered and messy kisses into her mouth, only stopping to gasp for air. She moaned, pushing her legs apart in a rush.

"I'll never give up on you." She clawed his back, returning his violent kisses with more of her own.

She wiggled beneath him until he could feel the slick of her heat. Ben's abdomen and hips tightened. She'd lit a fire in his veins, blood surged to his cock and the only thing he could think about was taking her.

They were desperate and frantic, the truth stuffed away into that forgotten place, neither of them wanting to revisit it anymore. Rey slid her tongue between his teeth and he pushed inside her. It was too rough and too fast, but she only kissed him harder. He relished the feel of her sex, closing around him. He would hold onto this forever, their last moment before the dawn.

Ben felt both pain and passion as Rey's nails dragged down his back, grasping his arse and anchoring them together.

"I do want you to wait," he hissed through gritted teeth. "I don't want anyone else to fuck you but me." Anger crashed through him, intensifying at the thought that this would be their last night, that it would never be enough. The thought of her with anyone else—

He claimed her with pounding thrusts unable to bear the thought. Of course, he wanted her to wait. She was only ever meant to be with him.

"No," she panted, clutching hold of him so tightly. "Just you. Only you."

She sucked down hard on his neck, knowing she was bruising him.

Ben closed his eyes, giving in to the feel of her body writhing beneath his own, the peaking ache of every touch and kiss forcing him to go deeper and harder.

It was not romantic lovemaking. It was messy and urgent, too fast, too hard and he wasn't going to last. With clumsy hands, he pressed the tips of his fingers hard against her clit and she spasmed.

"Too hard!"

He slowed, and she moaned to the dance of his fingers and thrust of his cock.

He was on the cusp of an orgasm, the tension in his body yearning for release as her hands and legs clung to him in every way, overriding his mind with the fever of passion. He kissed her again, pushing inside as deep as he could, and she returned it with animalistic rawness.

She'd never kissed him like this. There was a darkness to it, consuming and angry, it tugged at the part of him he'd hidden away— Kylo Ren, the man who took what he wanted and hurt where it suited him. The monster who dulled his pain with mindless, brutal sex. She did it too now. The darkness would always be there. But so would love and it was stronger and more hopeful than the long night ahead.

The bed creaked with the fast tempo of his thrusts, his breath coming out in heaves against her face, blowing loose strands to the side. There was a gleam of sweat around her face and chest, those eyes dark with burning desire. She was in her own ecstasy now, holding him tighter with every thrust, the breathy guttural cries of pleasure coming from her mouth only pushed him further.

And fuck, he was going to come so hard.

"Are you close?" she asked, breathless.

He nodded. A drop of sweat fell on her neck and he sucked it off.

"I want to fucking come inside you so much," he growled into her neck. Those words spilled from some primitive, fucked-up part of his brain, but he couldn't care about caution any more. They'd lost everything now and he wanted it all.

"You want to—" A high-pitched moan finished her sentence as Rey threw her head back, exposing a long white neck that he attacked with insatiable hunger. "Um..."

Her brow puckered as though thinking about it. She was so taut now that he'd have to pull out soon or climax inside her. His fingers blundered between them as she thought about it, the swollen flesh of her sex hot and slippery between his fingers as he forced her pleasure to peak.

"Oh God,' she cried out. "Come inside me, Ben!"

He paused, arms trembling, pressing a forehead to hers because surely he had misheard her.

"Please, just this once I want to feel it," she whimpered, sliding beneath him desperately.

He gaped, staring at her.

"Please, Ben!"

He should fight it, there was logic in his brain somewhere, tinkering around, the last vestige of himself that hadn't completely gone mad with his desire to be whole with her, but at that moment she cried out, her orgasm came, tightening around him with violent pulsing surges. It catapulted him over the edge, and — he couldn't fucking hold it, not with her coming on his cock like this.

"Fuck," he spat and spilled inside her with thrusts so hard flecks of paint fell down from the wall as the bed banged against it. He grunted into the nape of her neck, fucking her until he was soft, until his breath had slowed and she was left gazing up at him in misty awe.

"I love you so much," she whispered, as he collapsed on top of her, bathing in the afterglow of the strongest orgasm of his life.

He held her face then, kissing her. "Are you okay?"

She blinked and nodded.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No, Ben," she said, dreamily.

"You need to tell me—"

"Shh." She pressed a finger to his lips. "I like it when you take me. I wanted this. All of it. It was real, Ben. It was you: Ben Solo, Kylo Ren, the man in the mask. I want every part of you."

He nodded, relaxing in her arms, everything wet and supple between them.

Ben rolled off her, keeping a hand on her breast. He was still panting, red-faced, and his back felt like she'd marked him raw with red streaks but it was bliss, exhausted, utterly fucked, bliss.

It was only then that the reality of what they'd done dawned on him and he quickly looked over at her, feeling something akin to raw panic.

" Shit! "

Rey lay beside him, reflecting on the sensation of having him spill inside her. It was an odd feeling, wet, warm, she wanted to have a shower, but wouldn't because some sick and twisted part of her wanted to keep it all inside.

To say it was amazing was an understatement, and she still felt the glow of release. It was more than sexual energy, but heartbreak, anxiety, anticipation, lost hope, release of everything awaiting them.

And it wasn't wholly without thought, two days ago her period had finished. It would most likely be fine.

Most likely. She was sure it was.

But still… There was always a risk.

The spell lifted and she smiled awkwardly.

"Oh, boy!"

"Fuck, Rey…"

"It's fine. It will be fine."

"Rey, that was … I, shit ."

"Stop it!" she reproached him. This was Ben, always thinking after the fact but in this case, she'd been an accomplice to his recklessness. "I just finished my period. It should be fine, but we really need to think about some protection for when you get out."

She stole a sly glance at him. "It seems neither of us has much self-control when it comes to the other."

Ben rolled onto his stomach, utterly spent.

"But what if you—"

"I'm not going to be pregnant, Ben!" She all but shouted at him.

He rested his head on her chest, and she moved it slightly so he wasn't squashing her breast.

"By the time I get out, you'll probably be past the age of having babies anyway."

Rey was silent, focusing on the feel of his warm breath on her chest, the soft brush of waves on sand, the temperature of his skin, feverously hot.

"Don't say that!"

"It could be true though.."

"Then I hope I am pregnant."

Ben squeezed her breast again, his breath growing heavy with fatigue.

He fell asleep long before her, leaving her to lie awake thinking of her future and what it would look like.

How could she bear the hours ahead? How could she face the rising sun knowing it would take him away.

Their words had been shouted in passion, but Rey knew this to be true: there would never be anybody for her but Ben.