#she was Desperate. she was scared. she wanted to be Seen. and Heard. and Understood. she wanted her own happy ending!

[mymarifae]

i feel like if you walk away from ddlc thinking of monika as a bad person you might have missed the point

[vsimp]

"glimpse of us"

pairing: zhongli x reader

genre: angst, no comfort

w/c: 850

summary: "glimpse of us" by joji, but you are not her

You have been through everything with him. Through the archon war, through the cataclysm, through the ongoing erosion, and through the “death” of Morax. You wanted to think that you were the closest person to him. You knew all of his likes and dislikes. You knew what all of his hobbies were. You knew how much he cared about his people, the people of Liyue. You understood him more than anyone.

“My dearest and oldest friend…” Zhongli’s deep voice rumbled through the plains of Liyue, like a gentle breeze that could soothe even the most unfortunate of souls. “My y/n… You have truly proved yourself to be my most loyal companion. I was once an archon, and now I am merely a man, yet you love me anyways, and it has taken me this long to realize that. Will you accompany this old soul for the rest of his modest life?”

When he had proposed to you, you felt like the happiest person in the world. The man who you had been in love with over the last thousands of years had finally realized your feelings, and you were ecstatic. But despite his whispers of love to you, despite all of the passionate feelings that he vocalized, there was always a lingering thought in the back of your mind. 

Indeed, you knew everything about Morax. Even his heartaches and troubles. Even his old love who he lost many, many millennials ago.

The death of Guizhong broke your heart as well. She was loved by many, that included the Geo Archon himself. You didn’t think your unrequited love would ever be returned, and yet, you still somehow felt guilty now that you’ve taken the place of your old friend, the one who used to stand by his side.

He had never once looked at you the way that he looked at her. He had never once smiled at you the way he did her. And even at night when he dreams, he dreams of her.

But you smiled on, hoping and wishing that Zhongli would be happy by your side. Minutes passed like hours, as you kissed his lips, and hours passed like seconds as you laughed by his side. But you knew that you were just her replacement. You knew that whenever he looked into your eyes, he was not looking at you, but instead at a glimpse of her. 

“I love you, Guizhong,” Zhongli had let out one day. Whatever you had in your hand had fallen to the ground at the time, leaving a loud thud amidst the silence. “No… No, I meant y/n. I love you, y/n.” Zhongli was flustered, which was unlike him, and also quick to correct his mistake, but it was too late. You had already found out about his true feelings.

He chased you outside as you ran straight into the rain, calling your name and asking you calmly to come back inside. You didn’t know how to feel. You didn’t know how to react. You just knew that you could no longer face him. The thunder roared loud in the sky as your heart ached.

Your fears were confirmed that night. You had never seen Zhongli look so desperate and scared before. It was like he knew what his true feelings were, but he just didn’t want to lose you. The damage, however, had already been done.

He held you in his arms tightly, catching you before you got too far, your back against his chest. 

“Y/n,” he pleaded, “please… come back inside. It’s raining and you’ll get sick.”

“It’s been thousands of years, Morax.” Zhongli’s grip tightened as he heard your firm voice, as if he was afraid he’d lose you like how he had lost everybody else in his life. “I’ve always been yours… but when will you ever be mine?”

“I apologize. I truly am sorry. It was a slip of the tongue.” But he couldn’t deny the truth. You had hoped he would say that you were the only one in his heart right now. That you are the only one he thought about. He remained uncharacteristically silent but still clinging onto you.

It was time you put yourself first for once. Everything you had done had been for him, the man you love. But his silence spoke louder than his actions in this case, and it cracked open your heart even further. 

“I think… we need a break. I’m sorry.”

There was a long pause before Zhongli let you go.

“Very well,” he said hesitantly and cautiously. “I cannot force you to stay. But remember this, I truly love you. And when you would like to speak again, I will be here waiting for you.”

“Unfortunately, I’m tired of doing the chasing,” you said simply. 

“The chasing…? Oh, my dear…” You couldn’t look at his expression, but you could tell he finally understood your feelings. Still, he hesitated to say what he truly wanted to say, a long pause between his words. “It appears I cannot convince you to stay…”

“Yes. Goodbye.”

Zhongli watched as you walked away. The light of his life had faded, and now, he truly was all alone.

[ghoul-bonez]

~Then There Was You~

(Tsireya x Fem! Sully! Reader)

Summary: Tsireya felt bad that the Sullys had to leave their home in the forest, she really did, but she was glad they were here. She had met her new best friend Lo’ak, and was enjoying teaching the Sully children how to live like she did, but something was bothering her, more like someone.

Word count: 2.5k

Author’s notes: First ever beta read fic 💪🏻 (thanks @inlovewithpandora 🥰) Enjoy!

~Masterlist~

Then There Was You

When Tsireya had heard a family of people from the Omatikaya clan were coming to live in Awa’atlu the first thing she felt was sympathy. She felt bad for them, having to leave their home. Having to leave their family that was left behind, and their ways of life. Even though she felt sorry for them, she couldn’t help but think about what they would be like.

From the moment the Sullys had landed in Awa’atlu Tsireya had found herself enamored with them. They were different, much different, and although most of her clan was hesitant because of this, it drew her in. She thought their deeper blue skin was beautiful, and their golden eyes matched them perfectly. From the moment she had seen the Omatikaya family they had drawn her in.

Tsireya remembers seeing you all the day your family had arrived in Awa’atlu. She had first seen Lo’ak, smiling at her and staring shily, blushing when she smiled back. Neteyam had laughed at him and she couldn’t help but giggle to herself too, the poor boy had no chance with her, and she wasn’t sure how she was going to break it to him.

Kiri was pretty, but odd. She looked more tawtute than the rest, five fingers, and her nose was a bit off, but Tsireya found it endearing, Little Tuk was adorable, and Tsireya felt awful for her, it must be so hard for her to process this big move.

Jake Sully, the Toruk Makto, was just as impressive in person. He held an air of confidence around him. However, Tsireya could tell he was unsure. He was determined though, he would get what he wanted, but he was determined to get this because he needed this. They need shelter. Neytiri also held confidence in her stance, more so than Jake at this moment. She wasn’t happy with this move, and she let it be obvious by her body language, but she held strong for their kids.

Then there was you.

You had always been different.

Then she saw you, hidden among your family. She remembers you being huddled in a brown woven shawl, you pulling it as tight around your shoulders as possible as if you were trying to hide in it.

She remembers you clinging to your mother, holding her arm desperately in your grasp, like she was your safety net and you were falling. She remembers looking from Neytiri to you, an almost complete copy of her, yet you were still undeniably you.

She remembers you looking so scared, eyes blown wide and ears twitching as you took everything in, the feeling uncomfortable drawn all over your face. She remembers thinking she would feel the same way.

Throughout all of that she thought you were beautiful. Tsireya imagined you had similarities to your clan members, but to her, someone who hadn’t been exposed to the Omatikaya people, you were completely unique.

Your skin was more vibrant to her eyes, your stripes standing out boldly. She admired your hair, put up in braids, with little beads throughout them. You didn’t have eyebrows like your dad or two of your siblings, but she didn't think that would take away from your facial expressions. She couldn’t wait to see you smile.

Once Tsireya’s mother arrived on scene she knew things were going to get more serious. Ronal went around judging and poking at the Sullys, berating them for things they couldn't change, but Tsireya understood why, she was scared, these were outsiders, and one of them had been a tawtute on top of that. Throughout all of this it was like she didn’t even notice you, avoiding you like a plague. Maybe it was because you looked more Na’vi, four fingers and toes, or maybe it was because she could sense you were scared.

Tsireya had quickly decided she wanted to learn more about the Sullys, about you, so she was ecstatic when her father had put her and her brother, Ao’nung, in charge of teaching the Sully children. Ao’nung had been the complete opposite of her, in fact he wanted nothing to do with them, but with time had come around to them.

Tsireya quickly discovered how different each of the Sullys were, and she enjoyed learning their small quirks.

Neteyam was a quick learner, and determined to be the best, determined to not let his father down.

Kiri was enamored by the life around her, taking to the water quickly, and loved simply watching as sea creatures went about their lives as she looked on.

Lo’ak was more or less interested in doing his own thing, learning at his own pace, and creating chaos when he could.

Tuk was adorable and innocent, she had befriended all of the ilus she had met, her air of kindness infecting everyone she met.

Then there was you.

You were the person Tsireya was most excited to get to know, but it wasn’t as easy as she had hoped it would be.

On the first day when she had gone to find your siblings to start their teachings in the Metkayina ways you hadn’t joined them. She had hoped you were just hesitant about the water, not wanting to jump in after them, but it became apparent that wasn’t the issue.

When she had asked Lo’ak, who she had grown quite close to, them becoming best friends quickly, if you were afraid of the water he had revealed you loved the water. After that she’d kept a closer eye on you, watching as you splashed around at the beach, and swam around on your own.

It wasn’t just the first day that you had avoided her lessons, and it quickly became every day. Ao’nung even questioned where you were once in a while, and Lo’ak would always answer “She’s off in her own world.” whereas Neteyam would correct him, “She’s with mom.”

When Tsireya would look around she found you were always with Neytiri, trailing her and helping her with whatever she needed. You seemed to stay close to her except when she was talking with other people and you would slink away.

You seemed to be closed off, on your own most of the time, other than when you were with your family. However, when you were with your siblings you seemed so open, and Tsireya often tried to use that to her advantage, trying to join in on conversation, but when she would make herself known you would quickly scuttle away.

One day as Tsireya and Lo’ak were sitting around after a lesson, simply chatting and existing, Tsireya couldn’t help but bring you up again, “Lo’ak, why does (Y/n) always avoid me?” She asked sadly.

Lo’ak was curious about why Tsireya was so interested in you, asking about you more frequently as time passed. He was oblivious to Tsireya’s real feelings, blinded by his own crush on the girl, “What do you mean?”

Tsireya sighed, “I feel like every time I try to join a conversation with you guys she always runs off.”

Lo’ak thought something clicked in his head when he had the thought that Tsireya wanted to be your friend, but unbeknownst she wanted so much more than that, “Oh, she does that with everyone. She likes to be on her own.”

Tsireya knew that was wrong, it had to be. Nobody likes to be on their own. You had to want friends, she wanted you to have friends. She wanted to be friends with you, to be seen by you. She wanted to help you open up and find yourself in friends, more than anything else, but no matter what she tried you wouldn’t let her in.

She tried inviting you to lessons personally, going up to you while you were on your own. She tried getting Lo’ak to tell you she needed to talk to you, instructing him to not pressure you, but to be firm. She tried, once again, to talk to you while your siblings were around again, but you still strayed from the group when she arrived. She tried calling out to you as you walked past with Neytiri, but only Neytiri’s head would turn to her before she would turn to you and say something.

“Why don’t you go talk to her?” She would ask you, trying to gently push you into making friends.

You would reply, “Maybe later.” but you had no plans on following through with that.

At this point Tsireya was growing frustrated, she had tried what seemed to be everything, and so she hunted down Lo’ak, “I need your help.” She spit out when she found him.

Lo’ak was slightly peeved, but wasn’t too upset with the girl who had dragged him away from Ao’nung and some of his new friends, “With?”

“Your sister!” Tsireya shouted, frustration showing through her tone, “(Y/n)...”

Lo’ak rolled his eyes, “What’s so special about her?” He had known you his whole life, and he loved you, but he couldn’t see what Tsireya saw in you.

Tsireya looked into the distance, thinking, “I do not know, I can not exactly figure it out. There is just so much going on with her, and I want to know everything.”

Lo’ak just sighed, “I don’t think she wants you bothering her. I don’t think she wants anyone bothering her.”

Tsireya went to talk again, to protest, “But-”

Lo’ak scoffed, “Why do you care so much?”

She sighed, thinking about how to word her next thoughts, carefully, “Lo’ak, I do not know how to tell you this. I want to see her. I want her to see me.”

Lo’ak’s jaw dropped before he quickly regained his composure, “Oh…”

Tsireya couldn’t help but feel bad for the boy, “I am sorry.”

Lo’ak quickly stopped her before she could say anything else, “No, no, I should’ve seen that. Neteyam has been trying to tell me you want nothing to do with me since the beginning.” He joked, “Okay, so, what you have to do is just talk to her. You have to corner her, give her no escape.”

Tsireya frowned, “I feel like that is mean. I think she should have the choice to leave if she wants to…”

Lo’ak rolled his eyes again, “Trust me, she will find a way to leave if she really wants to.”

“But why does she avoid me? There must be an answer.” Tsireya asked, desperate for any answer.

“She has anxiety.” Lo’ak answered, the foreign tawtute word sounding weird to her ears, “She gets nervous around new people.” He explained.

Tsireya immediately felt bad for you, “Well, I do not want to stress her out. I do not want to upset her.”

Lo’ak just shrugged his shoulders, “She’ll be upset no matter what. Just try it. She usually goes to the beach after meal time, so try to find her tonight.”

Tsireya gave in, if you would be upset no matter what then why not try, “Okay.”

The air was cool now, a gentle breeze rolling in off of the ocean. Eclipse was beginning and the sky was slowly darkening, shades of orange and red painting across the horizon, reflecting in the water. The fluffy clouds in the sky looked painted onto the background of warm colors of the sky. Tsireya basked in it all as she traced the beach, looking for you as she walked.

When she found you, you were sitting under a tree, and it looked like you were nearly asleep, a peaceful look resting on your face, opposed to the usual nervous and uncomfortable one Tsireya was used to. Your eyes were still open however, and you watched the waves of the ocean crash against the shore, the warm watercolor sky reflecting in your golden eyes.

Tsireya spoke quietly so as to not overwhelm you, “Hello?” she greeted you, but it sounded more like a question.

Your head shot up and your eyes widened at her, you looked unsure of what to do, whether to run or stay and try to converse.

You decided to stay, which meant you had to talk to her, so you spoke, and when you spoke to her your voice was so quiet, so weak, “Tsireya.” Was all you said, and the sound of her name on your tongue sent a shockwave through her body.

“(Y/n)” Tsireya mirrored you, before continuing, “Can I sit with you?”

You smiled a little, and Tsireya caught it, before you covered it with your hand, trying to hide yourself, “Sure.” you spoke.

Tsireya searched for something to say, thinking of how to start conversation, “Lo’ak told me I could find you here.”

“Lo’ak is an idiot. You shouldn't believe what he says.” You spoke simply, and Tsireya giggled at you before you continued, "I don't think he’d lie to you though, likes you too much for that.”

Tsireya couldn’t help but smile at you, clearly everyone was aware of Lo’ak’s little crush on her, “Yes, we are good friends. I want to be friends with you too.”

You sighed, “I’m not sure how great that would be for you.”

Tsireya nudged your side, “(Y/n), I am sure I want to be friends with you.” then she paused, “I want to be more.” She admitted.

“Oh.” Was all you could say.

Tsireya took a deep breath in, “I think you are so special. I want to know everything about you. I want you to know everything about me too. I want to see you. Let me in, so I can see you.”

“Okay.” Was all she needed to hear before she was off asking every question she could think of. She asked for your favorite color, your favorite food, your favorite game as a child, your favorite sibling, and she laughed when the answer wasn’t Lo’ak. It was Neteyam.

You spent the whole night talking, and eventually fell asleep on the beach, cuddled up together, leaning on each other for support. It was colder than usual, but neither of you felt the chill as your body heat radiated off to each other.

When morning came your parents were panicked when they woke up and you weren’t home, but when they found you and Tsireya they couldn’t help but smile. They knew she was special from what Lo’ak had told them, and the effort she had made many times to break down your walls. It appears she had finally succeeded.

When morning came and Tsireya woke up she found you already awake, looking down at her with appreciation in your eyes. Gentel good mornings were shared, and you couldn’t help but smile back at Tsireya who beamed at you. It was quiet, calm, and soothing, three things you needed, but especially at that moment. As you examine her features you begin to see, and you realize you were always meant to be with her, to be hers.

Tsireya had met many people so far in her life, some who had made no mark, and others who had helped form who she is as a person.

Then there was you.

You who made Tsireya feel unimaginable things. You who made butterflies in her stomach with the smallest gestures. You who was still learning to open up to her. You who she loved with all of her heart. You who loved her back with your whole soul. You who she sees. You who sees her back.

Word Bank:

Omatikaya (Forest Na’vi)

Awa’atlu (Metkayina village)

Tawtute (Sky people)

Toruk Makto (Rider of Last Shadow)

Ilu (Metkayina animal transportation)

Metkayina (Ocean Na’vi)

[teddymoon06]

Oneshot

Sweet Home: Yeong-hu x Y/N Fanfiction

The air inside the building was thick with tension. It had been weeks since they had taken refuge here, away from the relentless horrors that had transformed the world outside. Amid the chaos, though, Yeong-hu had managed to keep his group alive, protecting those under his command, including his wife, Y/N. They had been married long before the outbreak — a bond forged through love and tested by fire. In the apocalypse, it only grew stronger, and Yeong-hu had become fiercely protective of her, especially now when every step outside was a risk.

Y/N was the light in his life, the one thing that kept him grounded in the madness. As the leader of the group, Yeong-hu had to make tough decisions daily, and often those choices weighed heavy on him. But he always found comfort in knowing she was safe, always by his side.

It had been a long day when one of his men, Jin-soo, approached him. Jin-soo's girl, Min-ah, had been sick for days, the infection spreading fast. The situation was desperate. Jin-soo had come to Yeong-hu to beg for permission to go out and search for medicine.

"Captain, please. If we don’t get it… she won’t make it," Jin-soo pleaded, his voice shaking with fear and hope intertwined.

Yeong-hu ran a hand over his tired face, his jaw clenched as he weighed the options. The world outside was crawling with monsters, each more dangerous than the last. Sending Jin-soo out was dangerous enough. And yet, Yeong-hu couldn’t deny the man a chance to save the person he loved. He understood that feeling better than anyone.

“Fine,” Yeong-hu finally agreed, his voice firm. “But you’re not going alone. Take Dong-wook and Seung-ho with you. You’ll need backup.”

Jin-soo’s face brightened with gratitude. "Thank you, Captain."

Yeong-hu nodded. “Get in and out fast. Don’t take unnecessary risks.”

Hours passed after the group had left. The tension in the building only grew with their absence. Y/N had been quiet most of the day, something that hadn't escaped Yeong-hu’s notice, though he figured it was the stress of their current reality. He kept a close eye on her, always making sure she was safe.

But then… she was gone.

It happened too fast. One moment, she was with him, and the next, she had disappeared without a word. Panic surged through Yeong-hu’s veins. He combed through the building, shouting her name, his voice growing raw with each call.

“Y/N! Y/N, where are you?!”

The other survivors exchanged worried glances as they heard his frantic cries. No one had seen her leave. His heart raced, dread settling in his gut like a stone. She had always been stubborn, always wanting to help, even when the world was normal. But this? Going outside? Alone?

Dong-wook, one of his men, rushed up to him, his face pale. "Captain, Jin-soo's girl said something before she passed out… She told Y/N about a safe route to the pharmacy. Y/N said she was going to help get the medicine."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis.

"No," Yeong-hu growled, his fists clenched. "No, no, no…"

Without wasting another second, Yeong-hu grabbed his gear, his eyes burning with anger and fear. "We’re going after her. Now."

His men moved quickly, understanding the gravity of the situation. They had seen Yeong-hu in action before, but this was different. This wasn’t just a leader protecting his people. This was a man desperate to protect the love of his life.

As they stepped out into the night, the silence was eerie. The streets were empty, but the threat of the monsters lurked in every shadow. Yeong-hu moved quickly, his instincts razor-sharp. His mind raced with images of Y/N — alone, scared, vulnerable.

If anything happened to her…

He couldn’t even finish the thought.

The pharmacy wasn’t far, but it felt like an eternity before they reached it. When they finally arrived, his heart stopped for a moment. The front door was slightly ajar, a sign that someone had been there.

He stormed in, gun raised, his breath ragged. "Y/N?!"

A weak cough echoed from behind the counter. Yeong-hu’s chest tightened as he rushed over, his heart pounding in his ears. There, huddled on the floor, was Y/N, pale and trembling. Beside her was Jin-soo, barely conscious, clutching a bag of medicine.

“Yeong-hu…” Y/N’s voice was weak, but she smiled when she saw him. “I… I got the medicine.”

Yeong-hu dropped to his knees beside her, his hands shaking as he touched her face, inspecting her for injuries. “You’re hurt,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “What were you thinking?”

“I couldn’t let Jin-soo go alone. Min-ah… she’s dying,” Y/N said, her breath shallow. “I had to help.”

Yeong-hu’s jaw tightened, his anger momentarily eclipsed by the overwhelming relief that she was alive. “You could’ve died out here. Don’t you understand that?” His voice cracked, his emotions getting the better of him. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, as if letting go would make her disappear.

“I’m sorry,” Y/N whispered, burying her face in his chest. “I didn’t want to scare you.”

"You scared the hell out of me," he muttered, pressing his lips to the top of her head. "You don’t ever do that again. Ever."

Before Y/N could respond, a low growl reverberated through the air. Yeong-hu's body tensed immediately. His grip on her tightened as he glanced at his men, signaling them to prepare for a fight. One of the creatures — the ones they had tried so hard to avoid — appeared at the pharmacy’s entrance, its grotesque form casting a long shadow over them.

The monster’s bloodshot eyes locked onto them, and in a split second, it charged. Yeong-hu barely had time to react, pushing Y/N behind him as he raised his gun, firing a shot at the creature’s head. It stumbled but didn’t go down, its gnarled limbs dragging it closer with terrifying speed.

"Get back!" Yeong-hu shouted, his body moving between Y/N and the monster.

His men sprang into action, firing in unison, trying to bring the creature down. The battle was quick but brutal, the sound of gunfire echoing through the deserted streets until finally, the monster lay still, a lifeless heap on the ground.

Yeong-hu stood there, panting, his heart still racing from the adrenaline. His first thought was Y/N. He turned to her, his eyes wide with concern.

“Are you okay?” he asked, cupping her face in his hands.

She nodded, her eyes filled with tears. “I’m fine, Yeong-hu. I’m sorry…”

But he didn’t let her finish. Instead, he pulled her into his arms again, holding her as tightly as he could without hurting her. His voice was raw with emotion. “You can’t do this to me, Y/N. I can’t lose you. Not in this world. Not ever.”

She rested her head against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart, a reminder that, despite everything, they were still here. Together.

“I promise,” she whispered. “I won’t leave your side again.”

Yeong-hu closed his eyes, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Good. Because wherever I go, you go. From now on."

The world outside might have fallen apart, but as long as they had each other, there was still hope.

[pillowspace]

Pspsps tell me about your OCS 👁️👁️👁️👁️👁️👁️

OKAY, SO SO SO, UHHH. Where is it. I'm about to go on the biggest ramble, you have no idea

THIS IS LUCA. There's also Carmen, who is Luca's older sibling / caregiver. Carmen is bigender, any pronouns. I don't have an official design yet, but Carmen has straighter, choppier hair and is years older.

In Luca's first life, he was just miserable. At a young age, he regarded his older brother Carmen (these were not their names at the time) as someone he greatly admired. Carmen wasn't the best brother, turned irritable after the grief of losing parents Luca never even had the chance to meet, but they still had their moments of fun and play. That was short-lived though, as Carmen quickly moved out, leaving Luca behind with only a glance. So at this point, Luca has already understood that he is not somebody worth saying goodbye to. Throughout this all, Carmen had been the closest Luca had to a friend.

After their grandparents who Luca had been living with passed, he was sent to live with his older brother at the age of thirteen. Carmen was cold and distant, always avoiding Luca, but always protecting him in all the wrong ways due to a sense of obligation. Luca was constantly sheltered away from other people while still not getting any actual attention within that shelter. It resulted in the brothers arguing, which resulted in an unhealthy realization: Luca would be looked at and talked to if he was causing trouble. So he began constantly acting out, and Carmen, who couldn't even realize why Luca was doing it, got more frustrated because of it.

Eventually Carmen got a wife. Luca, still only a teenager, would insult the wife to Carmen in private. But Luca actually adored her, so the insults were more just about Carmen's tastes, meanwhile she taught Luca archery. Those were the only times Luca could even remotely be himself.

It all just resulted in a downward spiral of Luca's mind, until he heard of a romantic legend from a neighbour he snuck out with one night. It was said that whoever performed it could remain with a lover through every lifetime, forever meant to be theirs. Forever to belong, with the memory of every life to cherish. Luca found it dumb, saying that immortality sounded more like a curse than anything. How could one bare the horrors and loss of every single life for all of eternity?

But it stuck with him. Until finally, at the age of seventeen, he reached a breaking point. He was convinced Carmen hated him, and Luca wanted nothing more than to be seen by his brother. So he took that ritual and twisted it into something terrible. It sounded like a curse, and so he would make it one. Luca attacked his brother, and performed it on both of them. It differed, in that Luca would intentionally fracture his own soul during it, so that Carmen would be the only one to remember, while Luca would never have to. For every life, Luca would find Carmen. Luca saw this in itself as a punishment, firm in the belief that he himself only served to make his brother miserable. For himself though, it was simultaneously a punishment on himself and a means to stay with his brother forever in his confused desperation. And for every life, they would die at the exact same age they died in their first.

For the first life after that, Carmen was scared of Luca. For the first few lives, she was avoidant and tried to flee. But it was true, that Luca was to always end up with Carmen. Luca was often only just a confused child who actually knew how to smile and laugh though, so he was always unsure why Carmen looked at him so strangely. It was as if these new lives of Luca were an entirely different person.

This progressed across lives until Carmen began to understand her brother. Avoidance turned to guilt, and guilt turned to horror for how misguided she had been in being both Luca's brother and caregiver. She had thought it enough to give him a home. She had thought it enough to shield him (though the joy she saw in Luca when he played with the other kids now filled her with doubt). And it was in the face of Luca so unfamiliarly happy that clicked in place how miserable he had actually been. Somehow, Luca's fighting had become no more than background noise. It had all just been background noise to Carmen, and he hated that he had allowed that to happen. What Luca did to him will always haunt Carmen, as he experiences loss after loss through every life. But that could co-exist with him still wanting to make up for his own wrongs.

So through every life, Carmen gives his brother the happiest life he can while trying to restore Luca's soul, so the curse can be broken on both of them. And after every death, Carmen sees the fractured soul of Luca's first life within the dark waiting room void between lives, and silently sits by it quietly muttering apology after apology, for he has grown to love Luca more than anything over their shared lives.

This is all a backstory though. There is a main story, and it's about a group of people who are all immortal through different means trying to find a way to lose their immortality. A reversal on people trying to find the secret to it. There are more OCs. Luca and Carmen (the actual names of this life, and Luca now has the design shown above ^) join in. Carmen does not tell Luca why they're there, but Luca has been... starting to wonder.

This is their second to last life before Luca's soul is finally restored. Before their story ends, in the black void once more, Luca (with all of his memories) makes one final request that he tearfully grants his brother the ability to refuse: one more life. Just one more life where they can both be happy, and neither have to remember the curse at all, living a final life that may only end in old age. Carmen agrees. And they have one more life.

In their final life, they live a happy childhood together. Luca finally grows past the age of 17 to become an adult. He becomes a florist, and there is both love but a healthy distance between him and his brother. Independence. The other immortals they had travelled with come to buy flowers from Luca only once, no longer remembered by him. They are happy for him, and leave both him and Carmen to live out the happiest lives they never thought they'd get to have.

And that, is Luca and Carmen's story.

[bi-bard]

And Lover, Be Good to Me - Joel Miller Imagine [HBO's The Last of Us]

Title: And Lover, Be Good to Me

Pairing: Joel Miller X Reader

Based On: Be

Word Count: 2,404 words

Warning(s): nightmares, mention of death/violence

Summary: The world suddenly crumbles down. When met with anger, fear, and tragedy, the only constant that Joel has left is (Y/n). And he's desperate to avoid losing that too.

Author's Note: I haven't seen a lot of (or any, really) early apocalypse stories about Joel, so I wanted to shoot my shot with it.

WASTELAND, BABY! - HOZIER WRITING CHALLENGE MASTERLIST

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The beginning of the end could be traced back to the morning of Joel's birthday.

I had gone to see him and Sarah before I went to work.

I knocked on the door but walked in without waiting for an answer from anyone. I had grown so close to them that I didn't need to worry about it.

"Where's the elderly one?" I yelled as I walked into the dining room.

"Sitting right here with perfectly fine hearing," Joel said, flinching a bit at my voice.

"Happy birthday, dork," I ruffled his hair. I waved at Sarah, who was sitting at the table next to him. "Morning, sweetheart."

"Morning," she smiled. "Want some eggs?"

"With added shells," Joel added.

"I actually can't today, big meeting," I explained. "I just wanted to stop by and drop this off."

I placed a birthday bag in front of Joel on the table. He stared at it for a moment.

I chuckled at him before leaning down and hugging him. "I'm serious. Happy birthday."

"Thanks," he muttered back.

I leaned back and waved to Sarah. "Make sure this one has a good day, got it?"

"Understood," she nodded.

I started walking out of the house, but only made it a few feet before Sarah came running out and stopped me. I furrowed my eyebrows, confused about the urgency that seemed to form in the last few seconds.

"I need your help with something," she explained. "My dad has this watch that I was going to get fixed for him, but the guy at the shop-"

"You need cash?"

She sheepishly nodded.

I reached into my wallet and pulled out a bit of cash. "You can keep the change as long as you aren't using it to buy anything illegal."

She sighed dramatically. "I guess that's fine."

I faked a laugh before hugging her. "Have a good day."

"You too."

If I knew that was the last time that I was going to see Sarah, then I would have held onto her for a little bit longer.

That night, the world came crumbling down. In all manners of the phrase.

It all felt like a bit of a blur.

I remember running from work after my boss tried to attack me. I found crowds of people attacking each other and yelling. I saw fires and heard gunshots. I couldn't get to my car. I just kind of ran for it.

I don't remember how long I spent trying to run and stay safe. I was just scared and doing anything I could to survive.

I was lucky. Especially compared to most other people.

I found myself at a triage clinic with a large bruise on my side and a few small cuts.

I was sitting on a cot while a doctor looked over my injuries.

It was the first time that I had taken the time to truly think about what had happened. I was alone. My family was God knows where. The only people I truly had in town were Joel, Sarah, and Tommy. I didn't know where any of them were. If they were alive.

"Do you guys have a list of people that have been here," I asked, cutting off whatever the doctor had been saying.

"No, sorry," he said. "With the large number and the speed it was all set up, we never had the chance."

"Okay," I nodded.

I mindlessly looked at the crowd.

I wasn't truly looking for anything. I just wanted to have some semblance of hope.

My eyes latched onto one person in particular.

I thought I was hallucinating when I first looked over. However, as I sat there longer, just staring, I realized that I wasn't. This was real. Tommy was walking by right now.

I shrugged off the army doctor looking over me. He tried to scold me, but I ignored him. I pushed myself off of the cot that they had been using like an examination table, still not listening to the instructions to stay still to make sure I don't injure myself further.

"Tommy!" I shouted.

He looked over at me, a confused look stretched across his face. I saw the look change into a smile that showed nothing but relief.

"(Y/n)," he muttered.

I ran over, trying to pay no mind to the bruises on my side. When I finally made it to Tommy, he yanked me forward into a hug, holding me close to him. I closed my eyes as I hugged him back.

"God, I was scared you got infected or shot or just- God," he muttered.

"Could say the same to you," I replied.

Tommy stepped back, looking like he just realized something. "I know someone who's gonna be very happy to see you."

I had a sneaking suspicion of who it was. But it didn't bring me the overwhelming sense of happiness that I wanted it to bring. The idea of Tommy just saying "someone" and not something like "people" made my heart sink a little.

I tried to not pay any mind to the sinking feeling in my stomach as Tommy led me somewhere.

I stopped when I spotted Joel.

He looked exhausted. Angry. The exhaustion was understandable. It was hard not to be. But I don't remember ever seeing him with so much anger on his face before. This wasn't a look that went with being angry in the moment. This was anger that was consistent. Anger with the world, instead of anger with a single subject.

I took note of Sarah's absence. I knew Joel. He was protective before all of this. I knew that he would never let her go anywhere without him now. He would be glued to the girl's side, keeping her from all harm. That's just who he was.

"You alright?" Tommy asked, touching my arm.

I didn't pull my eyes from Joel as I nodded. He dropped his hand and went to guide me further, but I stopped him, touching his arm. "Tommy?"

"Yeah?" he looked back at me.

"Where's Sarah?"

I didn't want to ask Joel when I met him. If it was bad, then I didn't want to be the reason that he thought about it.

Tommy looked down for a moment.

"Joel, Sarah, and I got around that initial blockade that the army had put up," he explained. "We made it into town. A plane crashed and it caused the truck to crash. I got separated from Joel and Sarah for a while, but when I found them, there was a soldier holding a gun up to Joel. I shot him before he could shoot Joel. And then I heard Joel scream. The... The soldier had fired before I got to them. He got Sarah through the torso. She... She died."

I let out a shaky breath as tears filled my eyes. I looked down. "Oh my god."

He stepped forward and hugged me again.

It took me a moment, but I eventually stepped back and let out another sigh.

"You alright?" he muttered.

"I'm good," I nodded. I had gotten my tears under control. I was just grateful that the crowd had blocked Joel from the little scene that had taken place before.

I decided to walk over to Joel after a moment. I steered through the crowd easily enough. Tommy helped.

"Joel," he called once we were a few feet away.

Joel looked up from whatever spot on the ground he had been using to zone out. I saw his eyes go wide as he looked at me.

"I found a stray," Tommy added.

"Fuck you," I mumbled, chuckling a bit.

Joel stood up. "(Y/n)?"

"Hi," I felt a new wave of tears fill my eyes.

He quickly stepped forward and pulled me into a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his shoulder and closing my eyes. His hold on me only seemed to tighten as he did that.

Joel's voice was shaky as he muttered into my ear, "I thought you... I thought you were-"

"I'm fine," I cut him off. "I promise."

His shoulders relaxed a bit, but he didn't let me go. Not quite yet.

When I pulled back, my eyes caught onto a wound on his head. I didn't question it at the time, but I couldn't help but notice it. Something in my gut just told me that something was different about it. It wasn't a normal wound from getting hurt. It was just... something different.

"Anyone tell you guys where we're meant to go," I asked. "Not like there's much left."

"Not in the slightest," Joel muttered, glancing around. "They only seem worried about the really bad ones."

"Really? They were treating me like glass and all I got is a bruise on my side."

"From what?" Joel's eyebrows furrowed, immediately worried.

"It's fine, really," I touched his arm. "I fell while dealing with an infected. It was why I was dragged here."

"Nice to know the clumsiness hasn't changed," Tommy smirked.

"Believe it or not, the end of the world isn't the ideal time to work on coordination," I replied. "And hey, did good enough to live."

"I say we grab supplies and get the hell out of here," Joel suggested.

"Head out on our own?" I glanced around the area.

"If an outbreak hits here, I don't wanna be in the crowd."

I nodded. "Can't get supplies now."

"Tonight," he decided. "We get what we need then we hit the road."

Getting out of the triage clinic with needed supplies was easier than I thought it would be. Maybe it was the universe showing just a brief moment of kindness considering how difficult surviving was going to be after this.

It was a few nights later when we found ourselves hidden away in an old, abandoned house. After clearing it out, we made ourselves a small camp in the living room.

"I'll take first watch-"

"I've got it," Joel cut me off.

"No, you've been taking first watch every time we've stopped," I replied. "Get some sleep, Joel. I've got it."

"You sure?"

I nodded.

"Fine by me," Tommy shrugged before going to lie down.

"Night," Joel nodded at me.

I grinned. "Night."

As the brother drifted off for a few hours, I found myself relaxing against the wall. The first night I kept watch; Joel had told me all about all sorts of habits to keep me awake. Not that I really needed them. Fear was enough of a motivator for me.

That night had been calm. Nothing to worry about.

Until I heard muttering.

I furrowed my eyebrows, looking around the room.

It was Joel.

I walked over, glancing down at him. It took a matter of moments for it to become clear that he was having some kind of bad dream. I furrowed my eyebrows and knelt down next to him.

"Joel," I whispered.

I pushed a bit on his shoulder. Nothing happened.

"Joel," I repeated, pushing a little harder on his shoulder.

He started shaking more, which was when I started panicking.

I grabbed onto his arms, shaking him roughly. "Joel, Joel!"

He woke suddenly, staring at me with wide eyes and panicked breathing.

"Hey, hey," I held onto his shoulders. I quietly hushed him, muttering about how he was okay.

He sat up, yanking me forward into his arms.

I let one of my hands run through the hair on the nape of his neck. His face was hidden in my shoulder as his hands flexed a bit against my back as he tightened his arms around me.

"I've got you," I mumbled.

By the time I had said that his breathing had calmed down significantly. He was just resting against me now. As if he was scared to let me go.

"Always did, didn't you?" he replied. "Always trying to save me."

"I never needed to save you," I argued.

He leaned back slowly. "Maybe you never tried, but you did. You were always there somewhere. No matter what happened."

My hands were still on his shoulders. His arms were still around me. I wasn't comforting him anymore, but it felt like if I pulled away from him, then I'd be committing some crime.

"I... I lost too much these last few days," he continued. "I can't lose you too."

"You aren't gonna lose me, Joel-"

"I... I want you to stay with me," he cut me off. "All the time. I don't want to let go of you."

"Okay..."

There was a long pause between us. I could have sworn that I saw the gears turning in Joel's head. I could see him imagining a million different scenarios in a matter of seconds. I could have sworn that I had never seen him so... nervous.

But the more I looked at him, the more I realized that I had seen that face before.

I saw it just a few days ago when I hugged him. I saw it whenever I left after babysitting Sarah. I saw it every time he walked me to the door of my car and I jokingly called him a gentleman. I knew that look so well. I just never knew what it meant.

I got to know the meaning just a few seconds later.

When Joel leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine.

I paused for a moment.

I had imagined this before. I had spent countless nights drifting off with this very image rattling around my brain, haunting me as I tried to find some semblance of peace.

Experiencing now was nothing short of that pure peace that I had been longing for.

My lips slowly moved against his as my hands moved to cup the sides of his face.

Just a little while ago, I was certain that I had nothing pushing me to keep moving and keep living. But now, I was reminded of why I hadn't just laid down and died the first night it all went to hell.

I leaned back slowly, resting my forehead against his.

"Stay," Joel muttered.

"I have no intention of going anywhere," I replied. "I'm going to stay right here."

And I meant it.

No matter how hard I needed to fight, who I needed to get through, or what I had to do.

I was always going to be right there.

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[goggles-mcgee]

Ashes of Rage: Act 1 - Pick Me Up As I Fall

Chapter 5 of the story for @miner249er

Ao3 Last Chapter

Summary:

Roger rarely had to take himself off of a case he so fiercely wanted to solve, but there was only so much he could handle. All he ever wanted to stand for was justice, but when justice came at the price of a child? That's something he never expected, nor wanted.

Pick Me Up As I Fall:

Roger had always wanted to be a cop ever since he was a little boy. It had surprised his parents that his interest hadn’t waned over the years but they had been overall very supportive of him. They celebrated when he got accepted into EOGN and they celebrated when he graduated. Roger had loved every minute of training and after training, working. It was tough, he would admit that, but it was something he loved and that kept him running on his most difficult days. Then he had Sabrina and his focus shifted for a while. No longer was his entire world his wife and work, his entire world became his daughter. He took time off work to help his wife after Sabrina’s birth and he loved it. He loved holding her in his arms, he loved the little gummy smile she would give him when she saw him, he loved the smell of her baby lotion and detergent that filled the house, hell he even loved how her little nose would get red when she had soiled a diaper. He loved everything about her. 

Then his wife passed and it felt like his world would forever be darker and broken with no means of repair. He felt like the rug had been pulled from under his feet over and over again with that sickening sensation of a big drop ride accompanying it. But from that darkness and falling sensation, he found his footing in his baby girl. His baby girl who really hadn’t understood what was happening but knew her Papa was sad, so with her chubby little hands wrapped around his fingers she would pull him from his worst thoughts. She was his little light, she was his purpose and she was his world. Roger couldn’t let the grief suffocate him, for his baby girl he had to mourn and grieve and pick himself up again. His mother and mother-in-law had both been pillars of support he had desperately needed. He worked as hard as he could to make money and when he was home he spent all his time looking after his daughter. 

Things got easier as Sabrina grew, but time had passed by fast, too fast for Roger. In the blink of an eye his little girl had grown, it seemed like forever ago when he first heard her say Papa, since he saw her first steps, from the first day of school. It made him misty-eyed to think about it too long. She was so close to graduating, that also made him misty-eyed if he thought about it. She was such a smart girl but she had a habit of being a follower and that scared him. How would he protect her if she moved so far away? But at the same time he didn’t want to be a helicopter parent and restrict her or hold her back. Ultimately all he could do was be there for her, but he knew the fear would never go away. After seeing how her friendship, if you can even call it that, with the Mayor’s daughter had gone and how she had latched onto another powerful classmate, the thought of her leaving out of his reach made him uneasy. He had nothing against the Rossi girl, she sounded nice despite all the influence she had, but he hated how all the kids in her class followed her. 

It was more than a little disturbing and reminded him of some very unpleasant cases he had read about, heard about, or even seen, where a close group like that is susceptible to the ‘mob’ mentality. But despite his worry, the group was as close knit as they had been in collège and hadn’t gotten in any type of trouble. Sometimes he felt like he worried too much but with Hawkmoth still around and his helper Mayura he felt like he was entitled to worry. Especially about his daughter, she had already been akumatized about 4 times now and he just could not stand seeing her go through another. He just didn’t want her friendship taken advantage of again so maybe that’s why he always asked about her and her classmates. So he wasn’t all that surprised about a call coming for something happening at the Agreste Mansion. Though he would be completely transparent and say he thought maybe Adrien snapped and hurt his father or Adrien ran away or something like that. Sabrina had really worried about her model classmate and constantly told him how Adrien slipped some info about his home life to the class and how it worried her. 

So when the call came, Roger hadn’t been surprised, but as more details came in and when he and many others arrived, the surprise kicked in. Where the once impressive Agreste Mansion stood there, in its place, looked like what could only be described as a crater. No one really spoke for a bit and honestly if they had been Roger wasn’t sure if he would have been able to hear them. All he could think about was the fact he was most likely going to have to see more dead bodies and one of them would be a kid his daughter’s age. Cases that involved kids always hit him the hardest and he didn’t know if he would be able to do it. Miraculously no one had died…or at least that is what he thought in the beginning. The days seemed to pass incredibly slow yet somehow simultaneously in some kind of hyper speed. It was disorienting. 

The Agreste men and Mlle Sancoeur were in and out of consciousness but Roger had overheard some doctors discussing the merit of inducing comas. The winning side seemed to be no since there was surprisingly no traumatic brain injuries. Though the actual amount of injuries each received was staggering and nearly made him lose his lunch when he also overheard the surgeries and possible surgeries that were on the table. It was because of that, and the fact the heroes of Paris had been really quiet since that night, that Roger vowed to find the answers to this awful situation. The people of Paris were rallying in support of a speedy recovery for the Agreste men and Mlle Sancoeur. Some of Roger’s colleagues ended up being assigned as bodyguards for the three given how many times they had to escort fans of Adrien off the property. Somehow they always found ways to slip past the hospital’s own security. 

It was more than a rough time, those folks deserved their time to heal and recuperate and Roger thought that by solving what happened the night of the tragedy, he would at least be able to bring them some slight relief. Though he would be lying if he said he wasn’t also motivated to see what happened just to find out for the sake of finding out. It was a mystery, one that had everyone in a chokehold, not just the station, it was all of Paris. The Miraculous Team was all but missing, they hadn’t said anything about that night, not even on their official blog. Ladybug hadn’t been seen since, there was talk of some news segment that had happened that night but Roger had yet to see it. He had been so focused on the family that Nadja’s report had slipped his mind but it was placed in a folder on his computer to view later as it was considered evidence. The crime scene hadn’t been touched since but the fact that there had been so many people there that night that had no idea what they disturbed and what they hadn’t. So Nadja’s report was very important and Roger was going to start his investigation by watching that. 

“Lieutenant!” Or maybe it would have to wait. 

“Officer Allard.” Roger said in greeting.

“Sorry to interrupt but we got something big.” That had Roger’s attention immediately. 

“Is this for the Agreste case?” He had to know. 

Officer Allard nodded immediately, he looked breathless but excited. “We were able to recover video footage from the Agreste Mansion security cameras. We’re lucky that all footage was backed up.”

“We have footage?” Roger asked, he felt his hope rise. 

“We have footage.” Allard confirmed. 

It wasn’t long till they got everyone on the case in one of the meeting rooms in order to watch the footage. It was a mix of Roger’s department and the judicial police, who had let them work with them given all that had happened in Paris. They had the authority and definitely could have kept them out of the investigation but this had shook Paris to its core. This wasn’t an akuma attack, that they knew of anyway, this was an unknown attack and it scared everybody. They were so used to being terrorized by Hawkmoth and Mayura that they forgot that non-magical crime existed for a while. Though, there was no saying if this was magical or not, this just seemed so different than what they were used to. It wasn’t just the attack that had everyone on edge, Hawkmoth had been quiet, even before the attack he had been quiet. It was like the calm before the storm and it raised the people’s anxiety. 

“I got it connected to the projector, I’m going to play the day of the attack and if needed, I’m ready to view footage from other days if we need them.” One of the judicial police personnel announced. Roger felt a bit ashamed that he didn’t know all their names yet. 

“Sounds good!” Allard, ever the friendly one, said with a thumbs up. It had Roger huff out a quiet laugh. 

Everyone watched the screen in anticipation as the video started. It was odd to see all the different rooms at once but as soon as they saw someone enter the frame, the man who was at the computer made it so they only saw the one screen of the room. Everything looked fairly normal for the family, though no one really knew what normal was like for them but overall, it looked like a normal day one could imagine the little family had. They watched who they found out to be, the Agreste Family’s personal chef’s. The two, a husband and wife, were seen entering the house and quickly making the familiar path to the kitchen. It was honestly kind of boring so all those in attendance voted to rush through until more people came up. From there they saw the family eat, Adrien leave for school and the chef’s leave until they were required for lunch. More fast forwarding to lunch when Adrien arrived back home, Adrien, Nathalie and Gabriel seemed to request lunch in Gabriel’s office. 

Maybe that wouldn’t have been so weird if the chefs hadn’t looked so shocked. It wasn’t hard to guess that that wasn’t something that normally happened, or happened at all before that day. With no sound they could only guess at why this was so weird as they saw the chefs talking about it. Body language at least made up for the lack of audio. Lunch was served and it was obvious that the chefs had been dismissed, but they looked a little shocked to be dismissed so hurriedly. Roger made a mental note to invite the two into the station for an interview. They had a list of employees that the Agreste family knew and those who had been seen going in and out of the house, but with how hectic everything had been, they hadn’t gotten around to interviewing everyone. Time in the video went on and it seemed like the Agreste Family, and yes Mlle Sancoeur was included in that, had had a meeting of sorts that day in M Agreste’s office. It seemed to be about something serious. 

It also looked incredibly suspicious. Now, there was nothing wrong with having family meetings, but this felt wrong, their body language was odd and the way they kept looking at the portrait of Emilie Agreste was weird. “Why are they looking at the portrait so much?” Allard murmured, most likely he thought the comment wouldn’t have been loud but given how everyone present had been silent, the words had seemed like a shout. 

“I would say perhaps they were grieving her disappearance anniversary, but it is nowhere near the anniversary.” One of Roger’s oldest friends in the force, Agent Martin Darcy, pointed out.

“Is that something that is public knowledge?” One of the judicial team members asked in confusion. 

“Oh yeah,” Agent Durand sighed. “It was a big thing. The investigation had been overall short but felt like years. It’s still an open case and M Agreste calls for any new info every month like clockwork.”

“Hm…” Was all that was said as they all focused on the screen once more. 

Things passed and Roger had started to grow bored but he persisted in watching, it didn’t matter if it was mind-numbing to watch M Agreste take an hour just to decide which shade of yellow he liked for a design, Roger vowed to get them answers and answers he would get! More time passed as they watched and…they got answers, but it wasn’t anything they had expected. It left everyone speechless. Roger himself felt like his chair had been pulled right out from under him and he just kept falling and falling. He didn’t want to believe it yet the evidence was right in front of him. Gabriel Agreste had been Hawkmoth, Nathalie Sancoeur was Mayura and…Adrien Agreste had been Chat Noir and he had betrayed their beloved spotted hero, Ladybug.

And Ladybug…

Ladybug had been a child. 

Ladybug had been as old as his daughter when she…

Ladybug had been one of his daughter’s classmates.

Ladybug was Marinette Dupain-Cheng and she had saved them all at the cost of herself. There had to be something in the now destroyed Agreste Mansion that would point to what happened to her. She couldn’t just be gone. There had been that bright red light and then she was just gone and the camera’s shorted out. Roger had to…he needed to…he would find her justice. He had thought the Agreste’s needed his help, he had given them his sympathy and his time. Roger was enraged, he had barked out orders to get a squad together so they could all go investigate the Agreste Mansion. Everyone had acted swiftly and sooner than he had thought, they had arrived at the crime scene. It felt like forever before they were able to secure a safe way down. And down, down they went. It was eerie, no one spoke much as they investigated the place but then there had been that awful scream from Agent Fontaine. He would never forget her scream.

There was a rush of activity, they all rushed toward her, weapons drawn. There was no danger…well physically but the moment Roger realized what she had screamed at it felt like he had had years of his life ripped away harshly. He had seen enough crime scenes to know what blood looked like, even in its charred state. And there next to the charred body of blood, it really couldn’t even be called a puddle with how much there was, there was a piece of what looked like a cuff of a jacket. It was white with pink polka-dots…or at least it had been at one point. Flashes of the surveillance video abruptly crashed into the forefront of Roger’s mind and all he could see was a struggling Marinette who had been wearing her signature jacket. Oh god…her jacket. That was a piece of her jacket . It hit Roger like a freight train. He knew that jacket and he knew that little girl who had been struggling and fighting till her last moments. 

His legs gave out and he found himself on the ground, distantly he could hear panicked voices and felt hands try and help him up or check him over. “I can’t…”

“Lieutenant!” 

“I…I can’t be on this case. I take myself off the case.” Roger blurted out in a rush, almost as fast as the tears that fell from his face. “I knew her. Oh god…I knew her.” 

___________________

Officer Lucas Allard didn’t know what to do with himself. His colleague and superior Lieutenant Roger Raincomprix, someone he looked up to had taken himself off the biggest case they had ever had and it wasn’t like he didn’t understand why, but he found himself feeling lost. They had, all those who had gone back to the Agreste Mansion, had found one comatose Emilie Agreste in a hidden basement level no one had known about. They all had thought that the, what could only be described as a lair, in the videos had been the only hidden room but it felt foolish to believe that now that the evidence had been shown to them. Now, instead of them trying to find justice for the Agreste’s, it turned into a case against them. Someone had to go through all the available footage and Lucas had been the first to volunteer.

It was tedious and menial like all other video footage they had to comb through but with the context of what they could find it became so much more important. It was important to his Lieutenant, to the police force, to all of Paris and Lucas was determined to slap any and all charges he could uncover on the Agreste Family. There were many moments of watching Gabriel Agreste monologue to himself in his lair or talking to his victims and there were many moments of Adrien Agreste sneaking out as Chat Noir but it was noted that the times he left were considerably later than when he was needed or contacted. It just added more credit to the ongoing theory that Chat Noir had always been meant to betray Ladybug and the rest of Team Miraculous. It made Lucas unbelievably angry. 

Ladybug had done her best to protect them, then the team she put together did the same. They were all so dedicated and determined, it made it hard not to be motivated to be the same way in his work. He may not have been a hero in the magical sense, but Lucas had vowed to be his own kind of hero. So yeah, his eyes were stinging from his infrequent blinking, he was probably getting a headache from staring at the screens for so long and so intensely, but he refused to give in. He felt almost manic searching through each video they had and trying to find anything that could be important. He was so close to giving in to his fatigue when he saw it. A girl walked in and from what Lucas could remember, she had been in Adrien’s class.

They were going to eventually talk to the rest of the class to see if they noticed anything off about Adrien but hadn’t gotten around to it but they all knew who was in his class. That’s why Lucas recognized her as someone from Adrien’s class, he paused the videos to grab the file next to him that had people of interest and there she was, Lila Rossi. Why was she visiting the Agreste Mansion when Adrien wasn’t there? It was strange, more than actually so he watched as the girl greeted Mlle Sancoeur and then waited to be escorted to Gabriel’s office. From there it seemed they were having some sort of meeting and Lucas had been ready to dismiss it as a meeting about her modeling but paused when he saw Gabriel pull up a picture of Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Ladybug. His heart dropped at the way Lila Rossi’s face twisted into a sneer before she schooled it into a look of resignation. 

When Mlle Rossi finally left Lucas saw Gabriel save what had to have been a video of his meeting with the teen into a folder on his computer. Lucas burst into action, they had the computer with them, they were able to save some of the files and Lucas needed to know what it was. He heard some people shout in shock at him but he paid no attention. He sprinted out of the room he had been working in, the room the team had been in before, and grabbed the flash drive that held the contents of Gabriel Agreste’s computer. Lucas knew others from the team were following him now but he did not stop. He connected the drive and did his best to rush to the folder he had seen on Gabriel’s computer. Thankfully the laptop he was using was connected to the projector still so everyone who followed him saw what he was doing. 

Once the seemingly innocuous folder was opened they all saw documents on top of documents, videos on top of videos and voice recordings on top of voice recordings instead of design ideas meant for Lila Rossi. Lucas clicked on the top file which happened to be a voice recording. “ Hello? ” The room was filled by the voice of who could only be Lila Rossi. 

“ Miss Rossi .” Gabriel’s voice came out of the speakers, but it sounded deeper. Lucas did not fail to notice how some of those around him flinched at the sound, they had all been akumatized at one point he noted. 

“ Hawkmoth .” Lila greeted in barely restrained glee. It made Lucas’s stomach drop. “ Do you need my help again? Do you need me to be an akuma again?”

“What the fuck…?” One of the judicial police, Carmen Fortin, murmured in her shock. 

“Did she just say, again?” Agent Darcy growled.

“ Eager as always, Miss Rossi. ” Gabriel stated like it was the most normal thing he had heard. “ But no, no akuma this time. While I am aware you are…skilled in projecting your anger when the time needs, I am calling to see what progress you have made on Miss Dupain-Cheng .”

Everyone was quiet. 

“ I’m doing my best .” Lila gritted out in false cheeriness. “ I’ve isolated her in class, I’ve spread rumors, I’ve had her pathetic friends wrapped around my finger and had them denounce their friendship to her. I don’t know what more I can do. Why do you even want her to be akumatized? What do you and Gabriel Agreste see in her? She has no potential! She’s a lame goody-teo-shoes and- ”

“ Rossi .” Gabriel barked and everyone in the room flinched. “ Leave your inferiority complex at the door. I have explained time and time again why Miss Dupain-Cheng is imperative to our success. ”

“ Well then what do I do? ” Lila asked, obviously irritated. 

“ Do I have to have ideas for you too? Get creative Miss Rossi, if you can spin a web as…well as you do, this should be child’s play. I want Dupain-Cheng broken…I want her angry, I want her to be so impossibly lost that she won’t even think of denying Hawkmoth’s hand for help. ” 

“... I understand. I won’t fail you. ” It sounded like every word brought Lila pain.

“ No. You won’t .” 

The call ended then and still no one knew what to say. Hawkmoth had another accomplice and it was a teenage girl, and by the look of the absolute depth of the possible blackmail folder had, she had been an accomplice for a long time. Lucas didn’t call people evil lightly, but looking at the size of the folder he couldn’t help but think Lila Rossi was evil. How could one teen hate someone so much? How deep did this go? Just how many other people were involved in the attack on one Marinette Dupain-Cheng? On Paris? Lucas was scared to find out, but first, they needed to track down Lila Rossi and her mother.

Next Chapter

[helix-enterprises117]

Halo Reloaded: Raya Muse

---

Two months earlier...

John surveyed the latest Spartan-IV recruits assembled before him. The room had that new-car smell, only for soldiers: fresh paint on the walls, the subtle ozone tang of new tech. These weren’t kids scooped up from shattered lives like the Spartan-IIIs; these were pros. Academy hotshots and grizzled ODSTs stood in crisp lines, medals glinting under the sterile lights.

Raya Muse stepped forward, her gaze sharp. “Sir, I’ve read your file, seen your ops. I want to hit that standard. I’m here to learn.”

John gave a curt nod, eyes scanning the eager faces. “Training kicks off at 0600. Don’t be late.” His voice was flat, not unkind but stripped of warmth—a tool forged by necessity.

Present day...

Raya stared at the screen, the flickering ghosts of past miseries playing across her features. The grainy footage from an old security camera showed a young John—so small, so stubborn—lagging behind in a training exercise, his small form dwarfed by the obstacle course.

“Persistent, wasn’t he?” Lieutenant Dalmar’s voice cut through the hum of the archive room’s aging air conditioner.

She didn’t startle; had heard him come in. “Persistent, isolated, you name it. He was the squad's perennial underdog,” Raya replied, hitting pause. The frame froze, a moment in time: young John sitting alone, a plateless table before him while others ate.

“This... this is screwed up, right?” Dalmar leaned against the door frame, arms folded. “They pushed boundaries, didn't they? Morally, I mean.”

“It was a different time. Desperate,” Raya reasoned, but her tone suggested she wasn’t entirely convinced by her own words.

“They made machines out of them, Dalmar. Look at him.” They watched the silent, solitary figure of a boy who would become a legend.

“Ever brings this up, does he?” Dalmar asked, nodding towards the screen.

“Boss? Not a chance. He doesn’t dwell on the past. Doesn’t see the point,” she muttered, tapping her fingers against the desk.“

Might be his way of coping. Moving forward because looking back hurts too damn much,” Dalmar suggested, a rare slip of empathy breaking through his usually stoic demeanor.

“Maybe. Or maybe he’s scared he’ll find something in that past he can’t fight,” Raya added, her voice dropping to a whisper.

After another moment of silence between the two... Raya turns the holo-screen off.

---

The corridors of the medical facility resonated with the urgent clamor of alarms as Silver-Team burst through the sliding doors. Vannak-134, his broad shoulders straining against his armor, led the charge, his face a mask of contained fury and fear. Behind him, Kai-125 and Riz-028, equally grim, assisted in guiding the antigravity stretcher that bore the unmistakable, battered form of the Master Chief. His armor was dulled and scorched from a battle that had nearly claimed his life.

In the infirmary, Linda-058 perched on the edge of a cold, metal chair, her sniper-trained eyes fixed unblinkingly on John's unconscious figure. Her hands, normally steady and sure, fidgeted at her side—a sniper’s calm shattered by personal storm.

Raya Muse hesitated at the threshold, her heart hammering against her ribs. The sight of the Chief, so vulnerable, clashed violently with the invulnerable hero she had fought beside. Swallowing hard, she approached Linda. "Petty Officer, can I...?" Her voice cracked, thick with emotion.

Linda's eyes, icy blue and usually so guarded, softened as she met Raya's gaze. She saw in Raya not just a fellow soldier but a kindred spirit, someone who understood the weight of what John carried on his broad shoulders. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice low. "He'd want that... He’d want us here."

Thanking her with a nod, Raya moved closer to the bedside, her movements careful and reverent. She reached out and touched John's gauntlet, the cold metal stark beneath her fingertips. Drawing a shuddering breath, she leaned in, her embrace gentle as to not jostle his injuries.

Her whisper was a soft, desperate plea, a contrast to the clinical beeps and whispers of machines keeping him alive. "Come back to us, Boss. We're holding the line... just need you to hold on."

Silence enveloped the room, filled only with the soft beeps and the low, mournful hum of medical equipment. Outside the immediate circle of John's team, the medics moved quietly, respecting the solemn vigil.

Vannak-134 stood back, his usual stoic demeanor fractured by the scene before him. Kai and Riz exchanged glances, their faces shadowed by the same worry etching deep lines into their youthful features.

Linda finally broke her vigilance over John to acknowledge Raya’s gesture, her hand reaching out to squeeze Raya’s shoulder. Raya finally pulled back, her eyes moist as she searched John’s face for any flicker of awareness, any sign that her words had reached him. But his features remained impassive, the life support machines dictating the rhythm of his breath.

"Should have been there," Raya muttered, more to herself than to the others.

"Should've watched his back..."

[larcenywrites]

Desperate for Love (or Only to be Loved)

Warnings: sexual references, broken hearts 💔, infidelity, no pronouns used for reader, Tony is kind of a douchebag but 😔

Word Count: 2.1K

A/N: This was a request from private messages a while ago. Sorry it took so long! I deviated from the path a little (a lot?) because I got carried away with the idea my loud brain gave me :P, but I think it still holds up okay! I don't typically write for an avenger!Reader btw! But I was interested in certain aspects of it and this prompt so idk it may be trash but I try y’all 🤧

People have always said that Tony Stark is an asshole. That he's cunning and manipulative. And you defended that. He doesn't harm on purpose-- he's just trying to survive, but you're not sure if it makes the situation better or worse. You'd spent the remainder of the year with him. In his arms, in his room, telling him all the things you learned made him feel better, and hearing all about petty drama and built-up trauma that only someone like you could understand. That only someone like you could even hear about. Which is why you couldn't understand why he went back to the one who'd broken his heart. Did she know you put it back together again? Just in time for her to take it back in one piece? He'd told you all about their spats. She's like an obstacle, he said. A hurdle. She was so much harder on him, but maybe that's what he needed. Maybe he knew that, but he could've at least told you. It would've made it easier when you accidentally saw them kissing, and right before you were about to leave him for a mission too. You'd seen that same smile, too, but maybe he was good at faking it by now. Did she know that you'd saved her spot on the bed? That Tony had used you for post-mission stress relief instead? Not even just that-- you fell asleep next to him because he wanted someone to talk to and woke up with him. And when he couldn't sleep? You stayed with him. Because, once again, you understood. Better than her. 

And yet, you'd never even told him how you felt. Probably a mistake on your part, especially if he could ever feel the same. Tony was fleeting and fragile, and you were worried that saying such a big word would scare him away, especially after being booted from such a long relationship. You decided you didn't need it anyway, not when he brushed at stray wisps of your hair and had you giggling into his neck. 

How long had they been back together? The thought frightened you. Nothing had changed, and if you had to guess, nothing was supposed to change. If only you hadn't stumbled upon them earlier and spoiled his fun. Well, you hadn't spoiled it yet. He was probably only going to bring it up when you did, but you were far too gone to do that. The whole ride he tried to talk to you, tried to make you laugh. You could hear the defeat in his voice, and feel the awkwardness in the air. You know, he used to be quite the playboy, you'd heard. Maybe old habits die hard. You only said what you had to, and kept your distance under the guise of splitting up to cover more ground, and skulked away to the hotel room before he could even catch up. 

You stayed huddled under the covers of the bed furthest away from the door, unmoving even when it opened. Like a predator and prey, you played dead. It worked for a little while. You listened to him shuffling around the room, clothes ruffling and water running. But he picked up your vital signs when you sniffled, body shuddering under the covers in a silent sob. You were startled by the hand in your hair, and the weight that barely dipped the mattress to alert you before he was practically on top of you. He came over to you so quick, like he was worried, and brushed at the teary trails on your cheeks like he cared. 

"Hey, what happened?" His voice was soft with concern, something that used to calm you within seconds, but this time it had your hands trambling against your chest. But he didn't give up, playing so innocent like he always did, and you'd call it cute before-

"You haven't been yourself today." You didn't have the courage to look at him. You sighed out the breath you were holding in when lips found your shoulder, so familiar and once so comforting. You could pretend they still were, those kisses drifting into your neck and a hand tentatively touching yours. You knew where it was going, even if that somewhere wasn't sex, and if you let it go on, then you were no better than he was. 

"Aren't you back with Pepper," you spat. It wasn't a question. You knew, and now he knew you knew. His silence was aching. He was probably searching for a way out. A lie, a distraction, something to get you on his side again. Just for the moment, at least. He'd once told you how much he hated feeling bad, guilty, attacked. You were suddenly so careful to keep his fragile ego in check when he told you. Suddenly you'd hated for him to feel that way, too. Wasted conversations just to agree with him and take his side, wasted nights kissing his pain away, and wasted thoughts hoping your smile alone could eventually be enough to chase it away, that it was safe for him. You were a chaser, alright. And you'd enjoyed every second of it. It was only wasted time because, after all of that tip-toeing, you just had to call him out. It was his own damn fault if he felt shitty right now, but you had to fight every instilled instinct to pretend this never happened and coddle him anyway. 

It wasn't his voice that shattered the stillness of the air. The hand overs yours slowly lifted away, as did he off of you. You missed the weight pressing against you already, and... you didn't want that to be the last time you felt it. There was a soft squeak from the bed behind you, shuffling sheets as he settled into his own bed. You were pretty sure you could feel his eyes on the back of your neck, but you didn't turn to look. You wished he'd say something. Even if that something was that he never loved you back. Surely he knew by now. Tony is smart, manipulative. Why else would he have kept you around for so long? Your love served to make him feel better, to make him feel strong, but even now that he had Pepper's love again, he was still seeking out your embrace. Why? You were sure that even he wasn't that kind of person. Maybe he did want to love you, but you didn't take too kindly to being second place. 

He still hadn't said anything. Coward. 

"I thought," you started, voice shaking with the effort, but was it the effort to keep from crying, or hold in your anger? You stopped. What did you think? That suddenly his new stress ball would mean more to him just because you did exactly what he needed from you? Well, yeah, actually. People don't usually take their stress balls on dates and hold them close in bed, but Tony wasn't a usual person. You sighed, a sad smile pulled at the corner of your lips that he didn't even see. 

"I was just starting to like you," you joked instead, downplaying the elephant in the room, and trying to quell that horrible awkward silence. 

"Maybe you should've told me earlier," he nearly whispered. It was passive-aggressive, and shifting the blame onto you because nothing could ever be his fault. This time, you weren't going to take it. 

You didn't tell him verbally, but your love was so clealry in everything you did for him. "I did." This time you didn't stutter to stand your ground, but it wasn't beneath you to play his game. "And I thought you did too." 

"When did I do that," he scoffed at you. He'd never taken such an attitude with you. He was never so defensive around you, always so unguarded and comfortable. It didn't help his case. Not when he had done so much to reward you, and had slowly treated you as gently as you treated him. It became less and less about sex. 

"Maybe when you stayed in bed with me all day instead of getting your work done," you responded fondly. So many mornings turned into afternoons where the only thing either of you had done was stay in bed with silly smiles and sad secrets. He played with your hand while you played with his hair, still nude from the night before. The eyes that looked up at you had been as soft and dark as the curls between your fingers. 

"Or rented out entire rooftop bars just for us," you continued. Some nights he whisked you away for fancy dinners or took a detour to someplace prettier than the bleakness after a mission gone wrong. Where hopeful eyes gave you hope for so many things, and even though he never seemed to kiss you outside of a sexual setting, you could always swear that smile wanted to when he looked over at you. The only thing that broke you out of your thoughts was more shuffling behind you. You rolled over, almost offended to see he'd rolled the other way. A surge of angered adrenaline surged through you, giving you the confidence (or the energy) to finally get up. You climbed onto the bed next to you, and threw a leg over his blanketed body to straddle him beneath you. He side-eyed you, curious but furious. You couldn't deny how hot it was. Or maybe it was just because you were used to wiping it away when you saw it during a heated argument. 

"How about all those nights you fucked me so slowly." Your change in tune caught his attention, so quick to roll onto his back for a better view. You carefully cupped his face with one hand, brushing your thumb over his lips. Just like you have before. Only, the face looking back at you wasn't so upset on the nights you were referring to. He... made love(?) to you (for lack of a better phrase) far too many times for it to be a coincidence or a one-off incident. He'd been so gentle and, afterward, so clingy, burying himself in your chest and tightly holding you so close. Whatever your relationship was, even he couldn't deny its intimacy. How could you not have thought...

I thought, you'd said earlier. But no, what had he thought? That he could just keep himself satiated? Was it always been his plan to drop you as soon as he was accepted back? Did he really think he could get away with seeking out his selfish comforts from both of you? You clenched your jaw, talking as calmly as you could with gritted teeth. You're not even sure if you're mad anymore. "Or did you just need someone to take her place until she came back?" The light behind his eyes dimmed, and the plush lips beneath your thumb tightly pursed. Maybe he just couldn't go a day without being loved, nor a day without loving. But neither could you. It wasn't even the first time you'd seen tears pricking at those long lashes, and gave you your answers when they finally broke away with your next words. "But you can't love us both, Tony."

The tears in your eyes were gone, replaced with the passion of a scorned lover. Admittedly, it wasn't a look he was unfamiliar with. He met your gaze head-on, but the eyes that looked up at you were more of self-pity than apology. He didn't like the tight feeling in his chest. Instinctively, he sought after you to get rid of it, and pulled you down for a kiss as disgusting as he felt with himself. Emotions were too hard when he could instead feel you wrapped around him again, just like always. And, as always, he's caught himself between a rock and a hard place, and between you and the mattress. 

For the first time, you nearly dreaded waking up next to him in the morning, but you didn't want to think about what might happen afterward because someone would still get hurt, and you were pretty sure Tony would hurt either way. You were too busy thinking about the hands drifting so lightly over your waist, anyway. Neither of you had to hurt right now, and one more night couldn't hurt any more than it already did. 

[voidposter86]

BAD END : WILITNG ROSES

[SO! Hello, I wrote a little fic for Ib and I'm not 100% sure how I feel about it. Do let me know what you think!]

She knew if she waited, she'd be able to see. Ib waited for the blur to leave her eyes.

What was that called again?



Ib shook the thought out of her head as the childish drawings that adorned the floor came into few. The only thing Ib was scared of right now were the other creations of the gallery and the idea that she may be alone.





I don't have my Red Rose...





And Garry's not here, either.





She slowly stood up and looked around, and Ib could feel her heart sink. The box was filled with drawings scribbled everywhere, as well as what made her stiffen- the headless statues, dolls, mannequin heads. They didn't seem to be moving right now, but she felt the absence of the rose in her hand. There was no sign of petals around her, so Garry was her first priority.

Taking her first steps, she walked slowly, watching the ornaments littered about the room- as if they were just dropped in, like her. Off a short distance, she caught sight of a familiar coat on the ground. She ran over to her friend as if her feet suddenly hit coals.



"Garry...!" Ib called out in a poorly hushed voice. After a light shake, he finally stirred.



"Oof.....Ow, I hit my head...." he mumbled as he got to his feet. When his eyes finally fixed on Ib, his face seemed to grow more concerned by the second, but he tried to match Ib's tiny bit of relief. "Ib....!! Are you alright?"



"I'm fine."



"....You look pale. Are you really alright?"





"I can't find my rose..."

"What?! You lost your rose!! That's not good, it's gotta be around here somewhere!"





Almost frantic, Garry stayed by Ib as they started to sweep the Toy Box for her rose. Garry understood the gravity of what was at stake if they couldn't find it and fast. He wasn't sure Ib did, at least entirely.





"Oh, the key..!" Ib knelt and grabbed the yellow key they had found the box for when they heard a voice behind them.





"Ooh, What's this? A present for me?"





Both turning, Garry felt panic settle in as he saw one of those horrid dolls hand over Ib's rose to Mary.





"Yaaay~! It's so pretty, can I have it? Oh, thank you!"





"No...that can't be..." Garry led Ib over by the wrist in disbelief; they were too late. "Mary....!!"





"Oh, Ib and Garry! Did you find what you were looking for?" Mary's almost sarcastic surprise cut him off. Garry was struck silent for a moment; Ib's life hung in the balance, and how he handled this was important. "Anyway, lookit! Isn't what I got so pretty?"





She showed off the rose with a single petal like a new toy.





"Mary...please, that rose...."





"Ahh, I knew I'd seen it somewhere before!"





"Please, give that back to Ib..." Garry tried his best to control the desperation in his voice; he couldn't risk any rash actions.





Ib silently watched the exchange unfold. She knew the roses were important, and it was really painful if a petal came off, but what happened after all of them were gone? She wasn't entirely sure. Garry was trying his best to save her; she knew that much, and it seemed tense.





"Ib, What would you do if only two of us could leave?"





Ib snapped back to the two when Mary addressed her specifically, "Ib, do you want this back?" Mary slightly gestured with her hand, clutching her rose.





Ib thought about it for just a moment. Mary and Garry, would they leave together? Garry had dismissed the idea of Mary having a motive not too long ago while talking in the artificial light. Had her parents been trapped here, too?





I could stay with them. I could stay here instead. It will be alright, won't it-





"Ib-" Garry didn't know what was happening in her head, but he couldn't let Ib entertain any ideas. Before he could say anything else, Ib gave her answer.





"I don't mind."





"Ib, what are you saying? That rose is your life here!" it sounded more angry than Garry had meant it to.





In her sweetest voice, Mary offered, "Okay, then how about this. I'll trade her red for your blue rose!" she looked Garry in the eyes, "I like red, but I like blue even more."





Garry had to stifle everything he felt: Angry, Scared, Worried. He couldn't refuse; that wasn't an option. He slowly stepped towards Mary, careful and ready to make the trade, when Ib grabbed his coat.





"Garry, don't, I said it was okay...!" Ib had to do something to stop them. Garry didn't deserve to go back to how she had found him, and she hadn't done as much for him as he had done for her. She locked eyes with Mary, "Leave!"





Garry looked exasperated while Mary suddenly filled with sorrow. Mary kept Ib's eye contact. "Is being with me that bad....?"





Ib shook her head furiously, "I can't choose....!"





Garry could feel his heart clutch as he heard her shaken voice, but it quickly bubbled up as anger- and through gritted teeth, "Mary....!"





Before he could take another step, Mary started to leave the Toy Box with heavy steps. "Fine, but I didn't want to go with him! If you don't want to go..!" The bite in her voice frightened Ib more than anything else Mary had done before.





Ib's hands began to shake as Garry tightly held her wrist as he tried to follow Mary, "WAIT!"





Oh, I've made a huge mistake.





Ib was finding it hard to breathe as fear took an even greater hold, and her knees gave in. Garry could feel her body sinking against his as she tried to stay up.





"Hey, hey! Ib? Take deep breaths. Stay with me now!" His voice softened as he talked to her, but there was no time. "Here, I'll carry you on my back. I have to catch up with her, okay?" He could fathom leaving her in this scribbled room by herself, and as soon as he felt her arms around his shoulders - trying not to think about how weak of a grip she was managing - he lifted her and briskly followed in Mary's footsteps before he felt a chill down his spine. It felt like the temperature dropped and the light dimmed.





"Not good, not good...!" He felt this feeling somewhere before, and he knew the danger was about to escalate. He couldn't die here. Taking a deep breath, "Come on, you can do this...."





The assorted creations started to move aggressively about the room, and he had to dodge them all. Trying his best to run, he heard Ib's shaking yelps as he made a beeline for the hallway ahead of them.





Praising Lady Luck or whoever was responsible, they made it into the dark hallway without getting attacked. A sigh of relief escaped Garry when he suddenly felt Ib's grip tighten.





"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...." she managed to choke out.





Hearing Ib's defeated voice made Garry's heart hurt in a way it never had before. "Hey now, it's alright, we'll just get your rose back from Mary. Okay...?" He tried his best to flash a smile back at her, but he felt her bury her face in his back. For a split moment, his eyes got hot, knowing she couldn't see his face right now.





Why, why is this happening?! Why can't I keep her safe...!





Garry continued down the hallway, trying to turn that inner chastising into whatever fight he had left. He took a deep breath and saw the turn of the hallway ahead. "We have to be close, right...?" quietly adding, "Ib, are you with me...?"

"I'm here..." she responded weakly.





"ᵂʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ᴵ ᵈᵒ, ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵈᵒ ᴵ...ˀ"





Garry heard Mary's voice around the corner. "Hey Ib, do you think you can walk now....?" His voice strained. He didn't want to ask, but he couldn't do anything with both hands occupied.

"Can I lean on you...?"

Garry couldn't help but chuckle. She was smart and picked up fast. "Yes, but I'll need you to use the wall if we run into Mary, okay? Either that or sit by where we enter. I'll keep close, I promise."





He slowly bent down and let her shuffle off. He didn't like this idea, but any amount of apologizing wouldn't change the fact that he couldn't carry her much longer. Ib leaned against his left arm as they both continued around the corner. It was a staircase, and Garry made sure to keep an eye on her. She was pale but seemed to still be able to move around well enough. He guided her to his right and whispered, "Wait a few steps down here, okay..?"





As swiftly as she could, Ib moved against the wall and slid down as quietly as she could. The relief that ran across her face once she was down was heart-wrenching to Garry. He squatted to her level, "I'll get your rose back, okay?" He found he couldn't look her in the eye when he said that, instinctively closing his. The smile he managed to make was awkward, but he quickly shot back up and quietly peeked into the open room where Mary was standing.

"I don't want to go with him...I wonder if he got caught in the box...?" Mary curiously looked at the severely wilted rose before stepping towards the stairs.

Garry's breath caught in his throat. What would he do here? He can't confront Mary; that puts Ib's life at risk unless he puts forward his own again. His gaze drifting toward Ib. Both of them should be able to leave; a painting shouldn't take precedence. No matter how life-like she was, he found himself not caring anymore.

He looked up instead and listened for steps. It sounded like Mary had started pacing a bit. If she comes down the stairs, he would have to pray he can grab the rose before she can process what's happening, which is also extremely risky.

Mary's voice made him freeze, "Well if she doesn't want to go with me, she can be with him." Her sigh was full of disappointment; she hovered her fingers over the last petal.



Sheer panic caused Garry to turn the corner- no more time, his only option was to rush her- "WAIT, DON'T-" His voice escaped far louder than he intended.

"Aah......!" Mary's surprise caused her to flinch. Her fingers jerked, and it was all the force it took. A strange look came across Mary's face; it didn't look like regret or shock, mostly an imitation of the two at once. She took an apprehensive step toward the door behind her as her eyes shifted from the stem to Garry. His arm was out, frozen for a moment, before it limply dropped to his side. Garry said something, but she couldn't hear it. Absently, he walked towards Mary with uneven speed, and startled, she dropped everything stumbling backwards toward the door when she realized he wasn't even registering she was there. His eyes flicked back and forth between the stem and petal, before suddenly rushing toward the stairs and out of Mary's view.

"Ib, you dummy....it didn't have to turn out like this." She turned on her heel and made her way towards the exit of this fabricated world she hated so much, "I'll be fine on my own."

Garry nearly fell down the stairs to Ib; hearing Mary's steps fade was of no concern to him. Looking at Ib's state, though, almost made him break completely.

One arm draped on the stair above, towards where he was standing before. The other clutched both her shirt and bow, probably only having seconds to realize her heart had stopped. Almost afraid to look, he knelt down so he could see her face. Her eyes were still half open, and her jaw was slack. Without thinking, he closed her eyes.

She's really....

"...dead." Saying it out loud didn't seem real. He had to be having a nightmare, or this gallery was playing a trick on him again. It wasn't possible that in just one movement, this 9-year-old girl in front of him would never move again or experience the life she should have. His body dropped entirely to the floor.

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

"I'm here...This is the one!" In awe of the painting in front of her, Mary could barely contain herself. Not heading the warnings that followed her every move, she smiled as the frame vanished. "I can get out from here....I can finally go outside! I'll eat lots of candy, go all sorts of places, and make lots of friends!"

She jumped into the painting with no hesitation.

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

He couldn't do it. He couldn't leave Ib's body here.

Garry moved over to her and turned around, gently leaning her forward as he adjusted to carry her on his back again.

Just slightly heavier.

Listening only to the echoes of his steps, he made his way past the stem, not even daring to look at it or the crumpled petal next to it. The dark staircase ahead wasn't even an issue, nor was the paint he didn't even bother to read; the reception desk made him stop.

"Were we...really so close...?"

It was finally hitting him. Ib was dead, limp on his back, and they were just a staircase away from the way out. He felt the burn on his left cheek return, feeling undeserving of this girl's desperation to snap him back to reality. He unknowingly left a 9-year-old girl choosing who got to live. He knew he couldn't have done much differently, yet he couldn't forgive himself for it at the same time. Anger he had no real outlet for besides himself boiled up, and out of frustration, he continued up two sets of stairs to a painting in its own room. He was sure Ib was talking about this one when she explained her situation to him when they met.

The frame to it was already missing, giving it depth. Before Garry could take a step, he heard the familiar sound of paint writing a message. Looking to the ground, he read what it said, and it almost made him wish he could smash something, anything.



You can forget if you leave, Garry.

He made his way over to the painting, making sure to step on the message he was sure was mocking him now.

Forget? I might as well be spitting on Ib.

Looking at it, he sighed, trying to release some of his tension. He wasn't exactly sure what he was doing anymore. Maybe he wanted to try and send Ib back so she wouldn't have to be here. Any thoughts he might've had stopped when he noticed black paint started to ooze from the top.

"Ah, so we're stuck here. I thought...that if maybe..."

Garry didn't fight the tears that started to fall down his face. He just walked over to the wall on the right and carefully set Ib's body against it. He couldn't bear to look at her, keeping his eyes on the ceiling as he moved next to her. After feeling for it in the coat pocket, he pulled out his rose, bringing it to his felid's view. Healthy, a vibrant blue.

It disgusted him.

Garry brought his eye level back down towards his lap before tearing a petal without any pause. How many things had be promised her towards the end? Apologized for?



First, was that he'd get her rose back.

Second, he let Mary get away with her life.

Third, he said they would get out together

Forth, that he'd treat her to macrons.

Fifth, he apologized for worrying her in that awful room- letting himself fall victim in the first place.

Sixth, letting his nerves get the better of him.

"Hey, Ib? At the very least, you won't be alone..."

His body hurt, and he felt weak. Taking one last look at the girl he failed- he hadn't noticed slumped against his arm- he focused back on his "rose." Feeling nothing but the wetness on his cheeks, he muttered, "I'm so...so sorry. I couldn't...."



Seventh, he couldn't be who he needed to.

It was the last petal.







[wangsejabin]

Chapter 65

All along the way, Aunt Qing had been a bit hesitant to speak. Just now, Xiang Pu and the others were waiting outside the palace, but she was the only one who followed her into the palace to wait on her. It was not until she returned to the courtyard that Pan'er said to Aunt Qing, "All right, just listen to my words."

Yes, the prerequisite was that Pan'er would give birth to a healthy young imperial grandson for the Crown Prince.

Empress Fu was also desperate for help and had lost her composure. Pan'er sighed vaguely.

"Don't spread these news, or I'm afraid Jidetang's side won't think well of it. We just have to know in our own hearts, how it was before and how it will be later." Aunt Qing nodded, she understood this principle. As for Pan'er, she had seen a lot in her previous life and was naturally at ease. Her years at court had taught her that one should not have too much of a sense of gain and loss, and that what one gains is one's fortune and what one loses is one's fate.

In the evening the Prince came and looked at Pan'er several times after he arrived. Pan'er was confused by the look and touched her face several times. What was wrong? Had she gained weight, or had she lost weight again? The two of them were looking back and forth at each other over the table, and the servants were all scared, afraid that something might go wrong.

After finishing their meal, they went to sit on the bed. "What is Your Highness looking at me for?"

"Aren't you always looking at me, and I'm the one looking at you?" Seeing that she seemed to be getting annoyed, the Prince cleared his throat and changed the subject, "By the way, I heard that the Empress Mother has summoned you to speak today?" Pan'er blinked, could it be that the Crown Prince had come to see her today because of this? "The Empress Mother summoned me for no other reason, she just wanted to see me."

Obviously this statement could not be hidden from the Crown Prince, he gave Pan'er a look, fiddling with the Buddhist beads coiled on his wrist.

"Well, in fact, the Empress also said something to this concubine." The prince raised an eyebrow. Pan'er glanced at Fulu, who was busy making a gesture to wave everyone away. She moved in front of the Crown Prince and whispered, "The Empress told me that if I could give His Highness a healthy little grandson, she would make me a Liangdi."

Tsk. The prince couldn't help but tsk, because of Empress Fu's words, and because Pan'er was so careful. She was like a child who wanted to share her playmate's secrets, but had to find a secret place and whisper it. She was a real drama queen.

Of course, this was not meant to be derogatory, but the Prince was quite helpless, both because she was so shameless, but instead of finding her petty, he felt good about it, and because Empress Fu was so desperate for help.

In fact, the prince knew in his heart before he came that his mother would certainly not have summoned someone there for no reason. Since she had called her, she must have had a reason. Her public backing, it was clear, was a warning to the Hall of Virtue, and the promise of the Liangdi title was another.

His mother must have been worried that he would be reluctant to harm the Jidetang's face, and that she would not be able to open up about certain things, and that the Crown Princess would do something unforgivable if she was not set to rights. As for the sickness, it has to do with the recent situation of the middle palace.

"All right, you should not be too stressed, the mother is talking and you listen, do not think too much, give birth to the child, when the time comes, lone will give you what you certainly should be given."

This is a promise from the mother and a promise from the son? Pan'er's heart was so happy, she was not even this happy when Empress Fu told her so.

"You're really hopeless." Seeing how happy she was, the prince could not help but say. Pan'er glared at him. After she had done so, she raised her voice and called for Xiang Pu to prepare water for her to bathe.

Although it was already August, it was still hot and muggy, especially since she was heavily pregnant, and she would be sweating at the slightest movement. "Your Highness, sit for a while while I go and take a bath." When the water was ready, Pan'er let someone assist her. Nowadays, Pan'er could only undress herself at best, and it was difficult to bend and stretch her arms. At least three or four people had to attend to her every time she bathed, and now she didn't use a tub, but a bath.

The tub is two metres square, with a low rim and a reduced and shorter chair in the middle, in which Pan is seated and the water is poured over her body.It was a quick wash and it was summer anyway, so there was no need to get in and out of the tub to save your feet from slipping and having an accident.

Qing Dai was making tea when she came in, so she switched to Bai Jue. Xiang Pu and Bai Jie undid Pan Er's clothes, revealing her somewhat swollen body as each piece of clothing was removed. Her arms and legs were not much different from before, only her waist and belly had swollen up, but in fact, her breasts were much bigger as if they had been inflated. Aunt Qing squatted and looked at the bottom of her belly, then reached out and touched it, saying, "You still need to rub it every day. If you feel any itchiness on your belly, you must remember to tell the servant girls and rub more cream on it, so that it doesn't leave lines later."

Pan'er nodded and offered her hand to Bai Jue, wanting her to help her into the bath, but Bai Jue didn't move. It wasn't until she turned her head that Bai Jue responded."What's wrong?" "No, slave servant got a little lost in thought." Bai Jue said, but her eyes were on Pan Er's neck. There, she wore the piece of jade jade that Yao Jinzhi had given Pan'er. It was a very inconspicuous piece, and given Pan'er's status nowadays, it was a bit surprising that she was wearing such a piece.

Afterwards,

When Pan'er was seated, Bai Jue poured water on her with a ladle while saying, "I don't think I've seen you wearing this before."

Pan'er picked up the jade piece and said carelessly, "My mother gave it to me on my trip back to Yangzhou, saying that I used to wear it when I was a child.

She said carelessly, but her eyes looked at Bai Jue deliberately.

Bai Jue was stunned and said, "I wondered why I haven't seen my master wearing it before."

After the bath, Pan'er went to lie down on the bed and let Aunt Qing help apply the moistening cream. "Aunt, when you go down later, ask Xiang Pu to keep an extra eye on Bai Jue to see who she has been seeing lately." Aunt Qing immediately said with a straight face, "Do you think there is something wrong with Bai Jue?"

"Not really, Auntie, you know where this came from," Pan'er held up the jade pendant around her neck, she had told Auntie Qing about it when she was in Yangzhou, "You should know Bai Jue's character after all this time, she's never curious about anything superfluous, yet she suddenly asked about the jade pendant around my neck. Don't you think it's strange?"

"I didn't think so until you said so - you mean she's seen this jade pendant?"

"I don't think so, but since she's taken an interest in it, there must be a reason. She had always had a suspicion in her previous life, but before she could confirm it, Bai Jue had left the palace and had not seen her since then, so the matter was a mystery. "Slave servant knows, slave servant has asked Qing Dai and Xiang Pu both to watch some."

"Watching what?" The Prince walked in from outside. He walked without a sound, and only uttered a word when the person came in, startling Pan'er. She hurriedly pulled the quilt next to her and covered herself up.

"Your Highness, why did you come in and not say anything?" She yelled. "What? What else do you have to see?" "My concubine's body is swollen like this now, how can I show you." She said, a little embarrassed. The prince could not hold back and laughed twice.

Just then Aunt Qing also saw the situation and withdrew. He came to the bed and sat down, tugging at the plate that wrapped itself into a cocoon. "Come on, what part of you have I not seen before, get up, don't press your stomach."

Pan'er dawdled and sat up, her face flushed, "Then go out first, you can come back in when I'm dressed." With that, she instructed the prince to go to the bathing room to get her the bedclothes that Xiang Pu and the others had prepared. The prince went behind the screen with ease and came out with the clothes and handed them to Pan'er.

Pan'er still pushed him, "Then go outside the curtain and come back in when I am dressed."The Prince could only go outside the bedcurtains, quite helplessly.

A short while later, a voice came from inside saying that she was dressed, and the prince lifted the curtain and went in.

There was nothing else, Pan'er was not dressed appropriately.

Since she had her pregnancy, Pan'er's bedclothes had all been changed, they used to pinch her waist, but now they were all relaxed around her waist and stomach.

The bedclothes were probably newly made, and the Prince hadn't seen Pan'er wear them before anyway. It was a smoky purple tulle that was not see-through, somewhat imitating the style of the ancient Tang Dynasty.

It had loose sleeves and a bustier-style skirt that was loose from the chest down, but wrapped extremely well around the breasts, revealing a not-so-shallow cleavage, and covered with a layer of lavender gauze.

The prince coughed lightly twice: "When did you make this dress?" "Does it look good? It was already made in Hangzhou, but I didn't wear it." Such a garment naturally had a special use, how would it be taken out at ordinary times.

"Quite, ahem, quite nice. By the way, I remembered that there is still some business in the study ......" Before the words were out of her mouth, she made a face like she was crying, "Your Highness is not staying tonight? But Yuan Yuan can't let you go."

The crown prince paused, helplessly returned to the bed, grabbed her hand in his and rubbed it: "You are really an abrasive person, I am not ...... yet, I am going to bathe first." When the prince came out of his bath, Pan'er was already lying properly, waiting for him. Her stomach was now too big for her to lie flat, she could only lie on her side. The dress hid her belly so well that if one didn't look closely, one would think she was a stunning beauty waiting to be picked up. Even if the prince was eager, he would not be a beast, so they lay down and talked.

Pan'er didn't hide it from the Prince, telling him about Bai Jue asking her about the jade piece, only skipping over the previous life, just feeling a little curious as to how Bai Jue could ask such a thing."Or maybe I'm overthinking it, maybe it was just a casual comment, but there's nothing to do anyway, Bai Jue rarely goes out, so it wouldn't take much to have Xiang Pu and the girls watch."

"You're not stupid." The Prince had planned to sift through Pan'er's surroundings when he returned, but there were only a few people, and when he saw that she hadn't moved since her return, he was thinking of what to say to her, but instead of being busy sifting through the people around her, he thought that she would take to a curious question from the palace maid.

But if Bai Jue was really of the character she said she was, it was rather suspicious. "Since you've instructed Aunt Qing, just let her do it." Pan'er hmmed, a little distracted. In a moment, the prince pressed down on the quilt and his breathing became unsteady.

"I knew you wouldn't be honest!"

She smiled sideways at him, her face flushed and her voice small, "I'm worried that it's not good for your health if you hold it in for too long.

[soupsspoons]

10. Eavesdropping

"We're supposed to be out here," Enid said as the three leaned against a fallen tree. "We're supposed to feel like this."

Enid sat on the far right of the tree, with Carl between Hannah and her. It felt weird to be this close to him, Hannah thought. It was weird how she could feel him shift and move, she could feel him breathe. Could he feel her just the same? The thought made Hannah's breath stop.

"I don't want to forget," Enid continued, "And running makes me feel better." Hannah knew only some of what the girl had been through before coming to Alexandria, but she herself knew what it was like on the outside. She could feel Carl tense slightly as the memories of his own past came over him. He was an enigma, really, to Hannah. She could never understand what he was thinking, nor could she understand why she wanted to know.

"I can't forget. I dream about it. Being in the forest with them." Carl replied. The images of that field once again came over Hannah. That feeling of instability and fear, the feelings of loss and shame. Hannah knew just how horrible it was to dream about your past. She understood how it felt to have your mind create cruel and untrue versions of your own memories.

"I do too," was all Hannah could say. Enid kept her eyes low, but Carl turned his head to her. He seemed to be inspecting her, for what Hannah couldn't understand. But she could feel his soft eyes on her and the way his breathing slowed as they watched each other.

"Ron's a nice guy," Carl said randomly when he looked away, and Hannah didn't know how to respond. What did Ron have to do with anything?

"He is." Enid jumped in when the silence grew.

"Does he know you guys come out here?" Carl said to both girls.

"No, he-- he wouldn't understand," Enid said simply. Carl then looked directly at Hannah once again, as if to ask for her answer.

"Oh, well, I don't come out here often," Hannah started, "I just-- I wanted to see what it was like. To be outside again."

"Do you like it?" He asked.

Hannah thought for a moment. Did she? She had only decided to finally come out here to prove to herself she could. To prove it to him. But it was the running she truly enjoyed. Enid was right, running makes you feel better. It makes you feel strong.

"Yes."

Enid smiled at her from behind Carl.

"Why do I scare you?" Carl chuckled to Enid, referring to what she had said when the girls found him.

"I don't know," she smiled, "you just do." Carl laughed again, now looking to Hannah. He didn't speak for a moment, just looking at her like he did before. She wondered if she should answer as well. Of course, Carl had scared her at first, but now, did he still? Both of them opened their mouths, readying to start before the other when the group heard the eerie sound of roamers nearing them. Hannah gasped slightly as they all stood to find where the noise had come from. It was the same group of roamers as before, only now Hannah had no way of distracting them.

"We need to go," Enid said and began towards a large tree. She and Carl ran inside, hiding behind its walls. Hannah looked frantically for a spot she could go, knowing she couldn't fit into the tree with the others. Quickly, she ducked beneath a ledge of dirt, curling herself so she wouldn't be seen. Hannah could hear the roamers moving above her, their soft moans were all she could hear. Hannah shut her eyes tight, desperately trying to keep the memories out, the memories that haunt her at night. She feels her fists ball unconsciously, the sting of her uncut nails digging into the flesh of her palm. She would not think of her father. The moaning sounds grew louder, filling the crevices in her mind. She would not think of her mother. As her hunched position grew unstable, and the noise unbearable, a much kinder voice made its way through the fog.

"Hey," Carl said, as softly as he could. Hannah looked up at the boy in the tree. He had taken his hat off to fit inside, and Enid had her head raised to create as much space as possible. But Carl kept his eyes on Hannah. She unclenched her body, searching his face for something she could anchor herself to. The roamers started to make their way between the tree and the ditch, blocking Hannah's view of Carl. But for a moment, she saw the boy raise his finger to his lips, motioning to be quiet while they passed. Hannah allowed herself to breathe again, only keeping her eyes on Carl. Once the group finally passed between them, Carl smiled at the girl, and she swore she could see him mouth the words, 'It's okay,' with a soft smile.

---

Hannah couldn't help but think back over the past few days. In such a short amount of time, this new group had proven themselves to be much more than she thought they could be. In the beginning, Hannah had been apprehensive towards Carl, scared even, though she would never admit it. But after spending the day with him and Enid, Hannah realized that he was just like her. He was a child. A child who had been through a likely incomparable past, just as some of the other kids she knew, herself included. He was a boy who just wanted to continue on as normal, or in whatever normalcy could look like now.

Hannah thought back to a conversation she had with Deanna earlier that day. She had been coming by to give her condolences for Aiden, though she had been conflicted about it. Deanna knew that Aiden and Hannah were friends, but Hannah was sure Aiden never told her more than that. After hearing the news about her son, Deanna was obviously upset. But her sadness went further than just that of a mother, she seemed confused, heartbroken. Hannah wanted to at least ask if she needed anything.

When Hannah went to knock on Deanna's door, she didn't hear anything from inside. Deanna's house was only a little bit bigger than her own, with the same gray paint that covered all of Alexandria's homes. Hannah quickly moved to the window to check if the lights were on. Maybe she was out? Hannah looked through the glass into the orange-tinted home to see Deanna and Gabriel watching one another. It was a sort of stand-off between the two. Hannah tried to look away, not wanting to intrude on an obviously private conversation, until she heard Gabriel begin to speak.

"Satan. He disguises himself as the angel of light. I'm afraid that false light is here, inside these walls. Your community, you say it is not paradise, but it is. I'm grateful to be here. I am. But you made a mistake letting the others in." She could hear him say, muffled only slightly by the glass.

"How so?" Deanna asked him.

There was some shuffling from a spot Hannah couldn't see before Gabriel responded, "Rick, his group... they're not good people. They've done things, they've done unspeakable things." Of course, they had, Hannah had thought. In order to survive this long, it was all they could do.

"To make it out there, as long as they did, they must have done things. Rick said as much. They survived. That's what makes them assets." Deanna told Gabriel, agreeing with Hannah's thoughts.

"You're wrong. They can't be trusted. They're dangerous. You may believe that they did what they had to do, that they were afraid and so they--" Gabriel paused and Hannah moved closer to the window, hoping to hear what he would say next, "The day will come when they'll put their own lives in front of yours and everyone else's. And they will destroy what you have built here, everything you have worked so hard for."

"Satan, he disguises himself as the angel of light. His servants are false apostles of righteousness. They don't deserve this. They don't deserve paradise." Gabriel finished his speech, letting out a light breath as he did.

"Thank you, Gabriel," Was all Hannah could hear Deanna say.

"I-- I only wish I had come to you sooner. I'm very sorry about your son." Gabriel ended. Hannah jumped back from the window, hiding behind a bush just off the porch. Through the leaves, she saw Gabriel leave Deanna's house, his head hung slightly, shaking it as he went. Once he passed Hannah let her breath go and moved to find her way back home. This wasn't a good idea, she had thought. It wasn't right to listen to someone else's conversations, especially Deanna's. But how could Gabriel say those things? How could he go against his own people, the very people who were kind enough to help him? And for what? How did any of that benefit him?

"Hannah you can come out now" A hidden voice called out from the porch. Hannah's now normal breathing stopped as she looked up to see Deanna watching her.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to listen. I wanted to talk to you, you know, about your son-- I mean I just, I wanted to give my condolences, you know. But then I saw you talking to Gabriel and-- I don't know," Hannah had rambled. Deanna only looked at her as she took a seat on the single folding chair that was sitting on her porch. Her face held no malice or anger, if anything she looked calmer than she had looked all day.

"Is it true? What Gabriel said," Hannah forced herself to break the silence. She needed to know.

Deanna only sighed, sinking herself deeper into the chair.

"To be honest, I'm not sure. I don't want it to be." Deanna said.

"I don't think it is. It can't be" Hannah remembered the fear she had for the new group, the hesitance she had towards them. But now, even after such little time spent with them, she knew, just like Carl, the new group was the same as them. All they wanted to do was survive, the same as them. It wouldn't be fair to judge them for the things they had done before getting here, especially considering Hannah's own past.

"I hope you're right." Deanna had said.

After her day out with Carl, Hannah really did hope she was.

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ

Hiii Loveliesssss!! Okay I actually really like this chapter!! I changed up some of the episode timelines because I really wanted to add this scene with Gabriel (solely because I hate him) but I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

Please give me all your Gabriel slander ( or maybe reasons you like him???)!

Thanks for Reading!!

[crownshattered-arch]

“I don’t know what to do anymore. The girl’s hardly said anything to me. Hell, I don’t even know what her name is!” The knight ran his hand through his hair in exasperation, sighing as he took a drink from his wine glass. He knew he should be quieter. She was still here, after all—held up in the guest room without saying a word, no doubt. But if he was too loud, she would surely hear him. And he didn’t want her to think he was complaining about her.

“There are orphanages you can drop her off at,” his companion said as he took a drink as well. “They’ll look after her just fine. You don’t have to do it yourself.”

But they both knew why Varka took on this task. He had just lost his wife and daughter, and the latter of which had been around the same age as the girl he picked up off of the street. It was because of that tragedy that he felt like he had to take care of this girl. But he wasn’t getting anywhere. Nothing was changing. She was a shell of a human being—she could barely even talk.

Varka pinched the bridge of his nose. “You know I can’t do that… You should’ve seen her. The girl was trembling when I found her. Think she thought I was gonna hurt her or something… And her back’s covered in marks. She’s broken, and an orphanage isn’t gonna help her get better. She needs someone to look after her…” His gaze then darkened. “…And I need to know who did this to her.”

His friend shrugged. “You’re doing this to yourself. It’s noble of you, sure, but you don’t have to do it.” He took another drink as the two sat in silence for a moment. “Some of the other knights are going out for drinks tonight. Even some of the captains might be there… They told me to invite you, and I thought it’d be a good chance for you to get your name out there. Let the higher-ups see how capable you are.”

Varka shook his head. “No, I… I can’t. I don’t want to leave her alone just yet.” It’s been weeks, but he was still worried about her. Varka knew that this could be his chance to make some changes, get seen, but this girl needed him more. “Thanks, but maybe next time. She’s just…so scared. I want her to know that I care about her, and that I’m there for her.”

His friend chuckled. “You’ve lost your mind… Fine, do what you need to do.”

From behind the ajar door, turquoise hues peeked through the crack and listened to the whole exchange. She knew she could get reprimanded for this—or, at least, she would have been at her previous “home”—but she was still curious. She listened to the two men talk… And she understood what they meant. Though she seemed like a blank slate to anyone who saw her, she had thoughts and words she was afraid of speaking. She feared this man wanted to harm her in some way…but he turned down an opportunity for his work just to spend time with her. Just to help her.

She may be young, but she was smart. She understood what he was giving up just to help her… She stepped away from the door and silently walked down the hallway back to the guest room she was staying in.

——————————————————————————————————

That night, the two silently sat together as they ate dinner. Varka thought the company would help her open up, but it never did. Even when he tried to get her to talk, the most she would ever give were one-word responses. Varka was tired and his grief still weighed heavy on his shoulders. What was he doing.?? Was any of this even worth it.?? Or was he desperately clinging to the idea of raising a daughter, which he lost when his own child died?? He couldn’t just replace Cecilia was some girl he found on the street!!

The blond man froze and looked up from his dinner, thinking he heard something. He hasn’t been paying attention, too lost in his own thoughts, so maybe he was imagining it. “Did…you say something?”

To his surprise, the small girl nodded her head. “…My name is Kira." She tried to give him a smile. "Thank you…for taking care of me…”

The knight’s green hues widened. She spoke!! She told him her name!! He didn’t ask for it or anything, yet she still told him!! This was the biggest leap the girl had ever taken. It was the most she has ever said at one time. And suddenly, he felt his chest grow tight as he looked at that weak smile. This was the first step... And he wanted to help her. He wanted to see that smile get stronger. And he knew that no matter how hard it was, he would take care of her.

Varka smiled back at her, reaching out and gently holding the girl’s small hand. “Kira… That’s a beautiful name." He gave her hand a soft squeeze. "And you’re very welcome, Kira.”

[cupidbedsy]

𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲 ; 𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 ୨୧

➪ summary: y/n is on the verge of not going to a game because she's scared of the hate she's going to get so she keeps it to herself. but when they're all in their apartment, he brothers can't help but ask what's wrong

➪ warnings: hate comments, crying, hughes brothers crying session (literally)

➪ word count: 2.3k

➪ file type: fic - repupload

➪ sunny's notes: hughes bros!! i'm gonna be so honest, i do not know what the ending of this fic is but i remember getting asks from anons saying they liked it the first time around so i figured what the hell I'll post it. and now we're here

© sunflower-lilac42 ; do not copy, repost, or translate my work and designs on any other website or here

© cupidbedsy (sunflower-lilac42) ; do not copy, repost, or translate my work and designs on any other website or here

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Y/n sat in her bed, covers pulled up to her chin as she stared out the window. She had a teddy bear tucked into her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around it. Her TV played a video with a fireplace on it, creating a warm atmosphere in her room. 

She felt sad, a new wave of depression rolling in. She had spent today on socials, getting caught up with the latest and interacting with her friends. She occasionally got hate, most of it from her brothers' fans who just desperately wanted to have her life. It bothered her to a certain extent, she knew she had no control over who her brothers were and what they had become, what they did for a living. 

Today the hate was worse and she didn’t know why. She hadn’t done anything differently than in the past, simply just living her life as usual. She didn’t know if the comments themselves were worse and there were more of them or if it was her mind playing tricks on her and making them a big focal point. 

She didn’t want to get up, her bed and blankets brought her enough comfort which is all she needed right now. She could hear Luke and Jack arguing from the kitchen and she rolled her eyes, there was never a time when their home was silent. She snuggled herself deeper into the bed, not even sure if it was physically possible. 

She knew she should go tonight, she hadn’t seen Quinn in a long time, not having gone to the previous ‘hughesbowl’ as they called it. She wasn’t a big hockey person, despite her family’s name. She never understood the appeal of it, you watch a bunch of men or women, race back and forth on ice chasing a tiny round piece of rubber while hitting others. 

That being said, she didn’t know why her brothers playing each other was so special. Matthew and Brady had played each other plenty of times, so they just added a third brother and it was the biggest thing on the planet. She got the appeal of it but not so much as the big deal, she was proud of them sure and it would make for a good game but past that?

She heard footsteps coming towards her room and she quickly ducked her head under her comforter to be ignored by whoever was coming to the door, “Y/n/n?”

She was silent, steadying her breath, “I know you’re awake.”

Still nothing and at this point, Luke was just about ready to give up until Jack charged in, “Get up!”

She wasn’t in the mood to see everyone rave about her brothers, she didn’t need to go out into the world and see more hate spread about her. What would it be this time? Oh, she’s not supporting Quinn, that’s kind of a bitch move. Oh, she favors Jack and Luke too much. She’s wearing Quinn’s jersey, that must be her favorite brother. Do you think she’s using them to get with any of their teammates? She couldn’t do anything right anymore. 

“Y/n if you’re not up in the next five seconds I’m bringing a pot in.”

“Do you even own a pot?”

“No… but you’re talking now.” Jack cocked an eyebrow, an all too familiar smug look making its way onto the boy’s face.

Y/n turned around to face her bedroom door and muttered, ‘Congratu-fucking-lations.”

“Someone’s got an attitude.” Jack whistled, eyebrows raising again.

“Bro, come on.” Luke hit his older brother on the chest before walking over to the girl, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s a load of bullshit.”

“It’s nothing, Luke.” She raised her left arm to wipe the growing tears in her eyes. Luke eyed them carefully, placing a hand on her arm, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Good luck tonight.”

At this, Jack furrowed his eyebrows, “Why are you saying that like you’re not going to go?”

“Because I’m not.”

“What do you mean you’re not? You were excited to see Quinn.”

“I dunno.” Her eyes looked everywhere her brothers weren’t.

“Are you not feeling well?”

She merely shrugged before turning over again, the boys exchanging looks, “All right well if you change your mind, let me know and I’ll come back and get you.”

“Okay.” The brothers left, heading to the Rock leaving their sister alone with her thoughts.

It was twenty minutes later that she felt she wanted to go, she should support her brothers no matter what. She got ready, throwing a Canucks shirt on and her Devil's beanie covering her hair to hide the uncleanliness of it.

She texted Jack and asked for him to come back for her, to which he responded instantly with a yes. She sat on her bed, swinging her legs back and forth as she waited for her brother to come and get her. 

ﾟ+*:୨୧:*﹤

To y/n the game was uneventful, just another one of the hockey games she could add to her total. The six of them had decided they would go out for dinner and being away from Quinn for such a long time she decided to ride with him to the restaurant and back.

When they got back to Jack, Luke, and y/n’s home, the girl immediately returned to her room, not so much as saying a word to anyone. The five remaining Hughes’ exchanged confused glances, “Has she been like this for a while?”

No one responded to Quinn’s question at first until Jack thought back to earlier, “She was acting a little weird before the game but I just thought she was tired.”

They all seemed as if that was a good enough assumption and sat in the living room watching a movie. Meanwhile Luke had been oddly silent, he knew there was something wrong with her from the moment he walked into the room this afternoon.

He excused himself from the family, walked down the hall to her room, and knocked on the door, “Go away!”

Luke entered the room and just as before, knelt in front of her so their eyes were meeting, “I know there’s something up with you.”

“No there’s not.”

“Come on, spill it.”

It was silent before y/n looked at her brother with glistening eyes, “Why are people so mean, Lukey?”

That was all it took for her to start crying, Luke wasting no time jumping onto the bed, wrapping his little sister up in a hug. The sudden affection caused her to let the tears flow over and bury her head into his chest. All Luke could do was hug her tightly, staring at the wall as his heart shattered. There was nothing but the sound of her sobs he could listen to, it was like the world had gone dead silent to amplify her cries. 

He closed his eyes, trying not to let the tears form or fall from them. He heard her sniffle, signaling that she was calming down a bit. There was a knock on the door and she quickly whipped her head up, “I don’t want to see anyone. Please.”

The boy looked conflicted before coming up with an idea, “If it’s Mom and Dad how about I tell them to go away but if it’s Jack and Quinn you have to let them in okay?”

She nodded, knowing that she wasn’t going to get very far with this. Luke called out, waiting for the person on the other side of her door to respond. When the voice called back and they both instantly recognized it was Quinn’s she sighed before squeaking out a ‘come in.’ Quinn entered the bedroom, his younger brother following behind him with his hands crossed across his chest. Quinn took notice of the girl’s face, followed by Jack as they sat at the end of the bed, "What's going on?”

Y/n sat up pulling her knees into her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She looked hesitantly between her brothers, not wanting to say what it was that was happening to her. She was old enough that she didn’t need to be treated like a baby who could break at any moment. 

Quinn’s older brother persona was comforting out of all three of them. If she had to rank them, let’s just say Jack would be at the bottom of her list while Luke was tied, or maybe just slightly under Quinn. She only looked at him before looking back down. Luke placed a comforting hand on the girl’s shoulder, “We want to help you, y/n/n.”

Words were hard for the youngest Hughes, not knowing how to explain how she felt or what was happening. They never came easily to her, they never pieced together to form a complete sentence sometimes, and they never made sense when she was upset. She reached out for her phone that sat on the nightstand and Luke leaned over to grab it for her, placing it in her hands.

She pulled up screenshots of the comments so took, a constant reminder of why she wasn’t good enough for the Hughes’. She held the phone out, ready for any one of them to take it. Quinn was the first to take the phone, eyes scanning over the screen and swiping through the pictures. His facial expressions were very noticeable, his eyes widening at the language used, his mouth frowning at the comments, the tears in his eyes as he thought about his little sister going through this. 

He passed it to Jack when he was done, rubbing his eyes rid of the tears. They all waited in silence as Jack and Luke read the messages, tension filling the air. The three brothers exchanged looks, silently conversing without y/n noticing. In the silence, y/n started to grow anxious. What if they started to realize that what they were saying was true? What if they started to believe them?

Luke turned off the phone and placed it back on her nightstand, looking at his older brothers in a way that asked who was going to say the first words. They could all see the gears turning inside their sister’s head, nervous about what she was thinking. Quinn reached an arm out and placed it around her, pulling her into his side, “You know none of that is true, none of it.”

She just shook her head, not believing a word he said. Jack tried next, attempting to break through to her, “It’s going to be hard to hear at first, y/n/n, but nothing they say is true. They just-” Jack sighed, not really knowing where to go from there.

“They just hate me, it’s simple. They hate me which makes me hate myself.” She put her head down so it was resting on her arms. 

The brothers hadn’t felt this sad about something in a while, they gazed at her with tears in their eyes. They never would have thought that she of all people would be getting hate, she’s not even a public figure. They felt horrible about themselves even though it wasn’t their fault, she was experiencing this just because they were related to her. 

Quinn removed his arm from around her shoulders moving to sit in front of her. He moved her arms so she had to lift her head to look at him, “What?”

“Don’t say that. You have no reason to hate yourself, y/n.”

“Don’t cry.” She could hear the tears in his voice despite the fact that she wasn’t directly looking at him.

“Can’t help it. Our little sister is sitting in front of us, crying because she thinks she’s not good enough.” Luke spoke for the first time in a while. His voice cracked at some point throughout the sentence, bringing him to tears.

She reached out to hold his hand as a form of comfort which he gladly accepted. She looked at the three, noticing Jack’s oddly quiet persona. She tilted her head in confusion and looked him in the eye. When he made eye contact with her, he broke down himself. His tears left his siblings in shock, not expecting him to do that.

“What’s wrong, Jack?”

“I don’t want her to go through what I went through.”

Quinn moved from his spot to wrap his younger brother in a hug, “She won’t and you know why?”

He shook his head, burying his head into his shoulder, “Because she has us. Because she has you.”

The four Hughes siblings were left a crying mess after that night. Each of them fully broke down at one point or another, some more than others. Quinn had broken down in silence when all four went to bed in the same room at the thought of his younger siblings being this sad, being attacked by people who were nobodies. Jack’s breakdown affected everyone, he had known what his sister was going through. After his rookie season, he thought it would never let up.

Luke broke down mostly because everyone else was, he didn’t like seeing everyone sad. He started laughing halfway through crying because he didn’t actually know why he was crying. This was near the end of the night, everyone had practically run out of tears by then and laughed with him as soon as he started to. 

Y/n only broke down at one other point during the night, it was right before they went to bed. She had gone on her phone and the first thing she saw was a comment from someone on her latest post. She had begged her brothers to make it stop even though she knew they couldn’t do anything about it. However, she was determined not to let it bother her anymore so she made her brothers promise her they would help her with it.

And they did, they would protect her from anything even if it was their so-called fans. 

𝗛𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧 ୨୧

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© cupidbedsy (sunflower-lilac42) ; do not copy, repost, or translate my work and designs on any other website or here

[sea-of-monster-s]

Sea Of Monster: The Crews Beguining

Chapter 3: You're Different… Too Different

We're now going to meet another creature, that is on the Envluck island, deep inside the forest. His name is Whisper, he's a crow griffin that got adopted by a small family of normal griffins. They found Whisper's egg in an abandoned nest, and decided to raise him as their own. When he grew up, he noticed that their nest was really near a human village. The curiosity got the best of him so he hung out near the village, soon he started to mimic them, teaching himself to walk on two legs and mimic human speech. Then he started stealing at night stuff from the streets and the trashcans to help his family a little bit. He then found an old worned out cloak that he used to hide himself and walk in the village when it was a day.

 This day wasn't as great as he imagined, his mother was sick. Yesterday she mistakenly got caught in a bear trap. Whisper got her unstick but the wond from it was starting to get infected. Whisper had no other choice but look for the medicine in the village

-mother- he said -i'm going to look for something, to ease your suffering-

-...- she didn't respond, she was too tired to do anything, even feed herself, Whisper didn't knew however that his mother is long gone, but he went in to the village anyway

 Making his way through the town looking at every building, wanting to find any information on how to treat his mother. Suddenly he overheard a tale of two villagers.

-im telling you- one of them mumbeted angrily -ive seen a griffin THIS big just outside of hire-

-but what are we going to do about it?-

-so we go to the mayor, we tell him and we burn them down-

-your right, evil must be dealt with fire-

 Whisper was unsure what they meant, but he felt uneasy by it. 

-MOMMY ,MOMMY!- a sudden yell from a little girl's mouth was heard from behind, the child started pulling on Whisper's cloak, wanting to get attention. Whisper was scared only a few tugs and his identity would be revealed, but then the two villagers started to talk loudly to the crowd.

-People of the village. We need to tell you about the evil that we found, a cursed being of eagle and lion is living right next our village-

The crowd started to listen closely, giving Whisper a chance to escape. He immediately went back to his nest.

-mother!- he yelled -we need to get out of here! humans found us!-

-...-

-mother?-

He moved his mother, and finally understood that she's long since gone, he was now all alone, his brothers left the nest and his father was slaughtered, now his mother died. Whisper heard the villagers approaching, when he turned around he noticed that they were carrying torches. In an act of desperation he exited the nest and stood right at the entrance, wanting to scare the villagers away. 

-LOOK ITS ONE OF THEM-

a villiger scream out, Whisper started screeching and doing weird hand movements but suddenly he felt something cold and heavy wrapped around him, it was a chain that the villagers also bringed along, they managed to make Whisper imobile and chained him for good, Whisper tried to break free, but he was too weak, they took him away, he looked back and saw that the tree was already ablaze. The villagers took him to the village, he was booed and got stuff thrown at him, then the villagers spoke

-we've captured the cursed monster that was roaming inside the forest-

The crowd cheered 

-but what can we do to get rid of it for good?-

-BURN IT- one of them said

-HANG IT- the second one said

-No- the one who captured it said- we need to lock it somewhere far away, somewhere where it will never witness true light again, and i just know a place-

 The villagers took Whisper height into the mountains, far away from his now burned down home, they then led him into a cave that originally belonged to a now long gone dragon. They tighten the chains on the old chain holders, and they just leave. 

 Whispers struggled, trying to break free, but that bringed nothing. He finally gave up after two days and layed, tired on the cold floor, lucky for him the bug population inside the cave kept him sustained to live another day

[strcngergirls]

continued from here @theolderhenderson

elie was still trying to get use to the name change. after calling eleven el and switching it to jane was difficult. espeically when everyone still called her el. it felt wrong though to give a nickname of the number that was tattooed to her skin by an abusive man. elie still had no idea what had happened behind the walls of the lab. not for sure because jane never really spoke about it but she can only imagine what has gone down.

“listen, after the shit i’ve seen, you could tell me you changed colors and i would believe it.” after monsters, the death, the upside down, billy’s possession. who knows what else could happen if that was just the surface of everything. she listens as the other speaks. “more traumatizing.” she counters with a soft sigh. “he really didn’t help at all, huh? man was just evil and freaky.”

“they tried but she’s safe. being taken care of by someone i trust with my life. actually two adults that i trust. who’ve been there from the beginning of us finding all this shit. i’m not sure if they know. they’ve gone through every way they can to keep her hidden so i hope so.”

"Freaky is one way to put it." Francine can't help but laugh. For the first time in what feels like forever she feels seen, feels heard and understood. Something she never felt with anyone besides Ricky. But if Elie was telling the truth, if Eleven was safe and far from Brenner's clutches, she might be able to move on with her life. Ever since she left, a piece of her has been lingering in those hallways. A part of her mind that can't let go, can't forget about the other kids still in there. She always told herself she'd go back when she regained her strength, when she was sure she could take down the patriarchy once and for all. But when would that happen? Would all those kids die before she found the proper courage to do something about it?

She hadn't even realized she'd been holding her breath until a gust of air escapes her lungs, taking a heavy weight with it on the way out. She was safe. Francine didn't know how the girl managed to get away, but she wanted to think it was because of her and Ricky. Brenner had been caught off guard with the trios escape, his men were sent to look for them. Brenner only allowed a select few people to know what was going on inside the lab, so it wasn't as though he could just print a 'HELP WANTED' advertisement in the Hawkins Post to find replacement guards and orderlies. No, it meant his ranks were thinned and it might've helped Eleven get out. And maybe Henry had left, too. She desperately hoped that was the case.

"Thank you." The redhead has never said anything so sincerely in her life, or so it seemed. The Francine that existed before Hawkins Lab was dead, and this new hybrid of Fran and Six was all that was left. The guilt about her parents didn't exist anymore, instead replaced with a desperation to avenge the other kids in Brenner's care. Although she didn't do it herself, she was eternally grateful to whoever helped Eleven get out and stay out.

"I saw the way she looked in there. The way he watched her and controlled her like a pet. She deserves better than that." Francine wrapped her arms around herself, remembering the handful of times she'd seen the blonde little girl from behind the glass like a caged animal, not even knowing what kind of world existed outside those walls. Brenner had been so proud of his little experiment. He'd beamed when he told Francine how she looked at him like a father, and she remembered how it made her stomach flip-flop at the though of it. Her own father was evil, so she knew what it looked like. But even Roy Murphy wasn't as subtly maniacal as Martin Brenner. Her father was a fire, burning hot and destroying everything in it's path. Brenner, on the other hand, was like a venom. He slowly took hold until it was too late, until you were at the mercy of his bloodied hands.

"Is she..." Tramatized? Scared? Homesick? There were so many possibilities, and not all of them positive. Francine knew that Eleven wasn't under normal circumstances, but Eleven herself didn't know that. The Lab was all she'd ever known. "Is she happy?"