#she wouldn't be caught dead with either of them i'll say that

[wandixx]

DPxDC WEEK 2024

Day 2: "There is only so much you can do for the dead"

Trigger warning: mention of character death (who would have thought xD)

Something was off. Not enough to call it wrong, but eno8gh to be an obvious break in routine. M’gann could feel it in her bones.

Not only was Phantom still with them, in the Mountain, even though everything mission related was over, he was nervous too. The one sure thing about Phantom was that he didn't get nervous, no matter if he faced Batman, Light or almost god-like ghosts, he took them on with an easy smile and he always went back to Amity Park as fast as he could after mandatory Young Justice activities.

Rest of the Team caught onto it too, but they put on a good show of looking relaxed and unbothered. Wally went off to storm the kitchen, Robin and Artemis dropped on the couch, only feet and told of the ponytail visible over the backrest. Kaldur and Conner took armchairs, either reading (or rather holding the book opened on the random page) or nodding off (sitting with his eyes closed). Normally M’gann would either drift to the kitchen or get whoever occupied the couch to make some space for her, but as it was, she kept standing so Phantom would feel less awkward from his place by the door. He looked like he considered bolting and ever coming back. M'gann smiled at him.

She liked Phantom. He was kind and funny, always beyond helpful. He wasn't the best at combat, be it aerial or on the ground, but he was willing to listen and learn. He was a good listener. He understood her struggle with Mars better than she expected anyone on Earth. He had a pretty smile.

There was no sign of it now.

“So…” Phantom started and everyone whipped around to look at him. Even Wally “coincidentally“ got back from the kitchen right at that moment (M’gann called him, like he asked) “I know it's not something we do, but uhm… do you maybe have a spare room I could borrow on Monday? Soundproof if you have it?”

Robin dropped back down, but turned on his wrist computer and jumped between some pages. M’gann didn't see a point in that, since they obviously had spare soundproof rooms, but she kept quiet. Robin usually knew what he was doing.

“No problem, why though?”

Phantom winced, rubbing the back of his neck. M'gann's nose wrinkled when she sensed a tangled mess of his feelings but she (barely) stopped herself from looking deeper. He wouldn't like it in the slightest.

Small red dot blinked from Robin's computer. He was recording it. Smart move.

“It's… it's a bit… ugh, I don't know how to even start”

“Take your time”

“I've been taking my time for two weeks, it's time I actually say it” he groaned, rubbed his face so hard it got a little bit greener and started again “Apparently, ghosts have this thing called Death Day and mine is coming. During this time, I'll re-live… re-die… re-experience my death and then just lie unresponsive for a few hours. It's supposed to lessen with time, but it's my first so… you know”

Everyone froze for a moment. It's not that they didn't know that Phantom was a ghost and ergo that he died, but… it was easy to forget when he had so many powers that for M’gann saw as normal, it was easy to forget with the way he bled, it was easy to forget with how he talked about his live still in present tense, it was easy to forget with how painfully normal he tried to be all the time.

But then he'd say something and make them remember. No matter how many times it happened, it was never easier to remember.

“That's… rough,” Wally muttered awkwardly.

“Yeah. I'm kinda scared actually.”

“No shit, it sounds terrifying even as a concept. Though, why soundproof?” Artemis asked, more curious than demanding. Phantom curled in on himself, looking and feeling like he needed only a slightest trigger to fully disappear.

“I will be screaming. Of course, I don't remember the time I actually died, but I was told I screamed, really loud. I don't want you to hear it. No need for you to feel guilty over something that already happened”

This felt… weird and M’gann wanted to elaborate but then Phantom’s phone buzzed and in five seconds flat he was out with a last yell of:

“Something came up in Amity, gotta go!”

***

Pshshshksh

“Hey Phantom, we've got an idea about your D Day”

“Never call it that again, I swear to God Kod Flash”

“Alright, alright. But do you want to hear our idea?”

“Shoot”

“We thought we could get you something for your grave. Aqualad reached out to some contacts to learn more about ghost stuff and apparently it should help”

“Huh, that's nice. There is only one problem”

“Yes?”

“I don't have a grave”

***

They were supposed to have a free afternoon, they already got all adults to back off, even Robin went to convince Batman to cancel all of the training and missions planned. They didn't explain why. Phantom hadn't said a word about adults, it felt like a betrayal to mention it outside of their circle.

They were supposed to have a free afternoon, so they could keep Phantom safe and be close in case he needed anything even if he said he'd rather have them as far as he could. They weren’t going to listen in of course, but there was no way they'd stay away.

They were supposed to have a free afternoon, but then, right after Phantom showed up, alarms started blaring, because it had to be the day when there was an emergency in Happy Harbour and they were the only ones on the watch. Because of course there was.

And of course Phantom went with them despite the protests, waving them off by saying his Death Day shouldn't start for a bit longer.

It wasn't reassuring.

Especially not with how he stumbled halfway through the hangar and was loopy in a way M’gann could sense without even a psychic glance in his direction.

“When exactly is your Death Day? Like, do we have hours or minutes?” Conner asked, clearly worried about his friend.

Phantom leaned awkwardly on the rough wall, trying and failing to look relaxed and casual instead of barely keeping himself upright.

“I'm not quite sure honestly–”

“WHY THE HELL YOU WENT ON THE MISSION THEN!!!”

Robin, maybe a bit frantically, waved at the ghost to make him follow.

“Chill Artemis, please. My senses are already going haywire, I would really appreciate it if everyone stuck to their indoor voice. Death Day mess starts only when I'm feeling safe, so don't worry, it wouldn't hinder the rescue”

“That's literally not the point but you seem out of it right now, we will talk when you're lucid again,” Artemis sighed, and nodded at M’gann who raised Phantom off the floor after he stumbled on the even ground for the third time.

They were following Robin, who was posturing confidence while he led the way to the room he picked, but without the usual bounce to his step. Wally was on Phantom’s other side with a plate of cookies he somehow got in the meantime, as if it gave him any purpose to follow other than worry, while everyone else trailed behind, not bothering with even a thin veil to cover their concern.

Even Phantom caught onto that, despite being almost loopy enough to start some deep philosophical debate with the next “incredibly intelligent looking” shadow, but kept it to himself. As far as M’gann could tell without going in deeper, he seemed happy if moved by all of their attention.

“How else can we help you?“ Kaldur asked, growing more and more angry with silence and inability to do anything of use.

“N'thin’” ghost slurred “Lithewally. ‘m suwe you want t’ help buh… buh… ‘m already dead, you c’n't do ‘nythin’. You c'n't save muh. No ned f’r you t’ see it. F'rget ‘bout it”

Nobody said anything to that, because what could they say?

Robin opened the door solemnly and M’gann carried Phantom over to the bed while everyone else came in, dragged in by both concern and morbid curiosity. Phantom refused to settle in though, desperately looking at each of them.

“Please, promise you'll forget about that” he begged again, in the surprising moment of lucidity.

“We will” Someone lied.

“Thanks. Now go,” Phantom said with a choked up smile before going limp like a puppet without strings. For a long moment nobody moved, just staring as Phantom’s body laid unmoving, as if they were watching a car accident that they just couldn't drag their eyes away from.

“Rigor mortiss is settling in” Artemis posted out with horrible emptiness in her voice. Robin suddenly looked ill. Wally put down the cookie plate on the nightstand with a loud clatter, before booking it out of there and dragging Artemis and Kaldur out with him. M’gann caught Conner and Robin, both still to stunned to move on their own, and lead them out at much slower but still quite hasty pace.

First gut wrenching scream rang out before the door fully closed.

There was no way they'd ever forget that.

part 2

[dyns33]

Family's fever

I have so many, sooo many, Alfie and his wife stories waiting to be posted.

It was only pain.

For a moment, Alfie wondered if he had died and gone to hell, where his body burned and caused him a martyrdom such as he had never known.

The first time was during the war. Between the trenches, the bombs, the fighting, it had completely destroyed his back, and it had never healed. As if he had stayed there. Maybe it would have been better.

A panting breath was heard on his right, but fatigue was stronger than his survival instinct. So Alfie remained motionless, waiting for the intruder to strike.

It was impossible to tell how much time passed, until a light made him wince, immediately soothed by a cold, damp cloth placed on his forehead and eyes.

"My poor darling, you are even hotter than yesterday."

The soft voice and the hand caressing his cheek almost made him forget the torture he had been living for several hours, at least enough for him to find the strength to move his eyelids enough to see what was around him.

First, he discovered that the danger blowing was a dog, which barked happily at seeing him awake, resting its big head on his hand.

The animal seemed familiar, like the room, but Alfie's foggy mind forgot his questions when he laid his eyes on the woman who was now sponging his sweaty neck.

"… I'm dead."

"Not yet, Alfie. But if this continues I'll call the doctor, no matter what you say."

"Doctors are quacks."

"Like you've been telling me since you caught that cold. And yet you did send one to my house when I was sick."

"I couldn't leave such a beautiful angel to die."

"Ah, maybe you're feeling a little better, you're talking nonsense again." she joked, massaging his shoulder.

However, Alfie wasn't joking, and he didn't understand why his angelic vision didn't take him seriously. He was very serious.

Never in his entire life had he seen such a beautiful woman. If he could have gotten up without crying out in pain, he would have taken her hand to kiss it reverently, before apologizing for having the impudence to touch her without permission.

Maybe she wasn't entirely wrong about his fever, because he laughed, repeating that he really was saying ridiculous things.

Obviously he was mumbling his thoughts without even realizing it. Or maybe it was madness. Alfie had always been a bit crazy, and being stuck with his brigade in the middle of the bombs hadn't helped matters.

His mind was still lucid enough to see the wedding ring on his angel's hand, though, and to know what it meant. Of course, such a woman was married. All the men had to grovel at her feet, begging her to be their wife, and one of them had been given the privilege of being chosen.

"Lucky bastard."

"If I make some soup, will you try to eat it ?"

"Anything for you, видение рая."

"Good. Thanks for finally being reasonable."

"I'll need strength to question your husband." he sighed, patting the dog on the head as it came closer to lick his face.

"…Excuse me ?"

"I wouldn't kill him, I wouldn't want to hurt your tender heart, but I have to check that he deserves you. And if he's not worthy, I should train him until he is."

"… Okay, I'll call the doctor. Cyril, stay here."

Obeying his mistress, the dog guarded the sick man despite his protests and pleas. Alfie would have liked her to stay by his side a little longer. There was no hope that he would see her again.

He frowned when a small man in his lab coat entered the room, putting his briefcase on a table and asking him a lot of questions. Damn doctor.

The man only got his attention when he turned to the angel and called her "Mrs. Solomons.", which made him frown even more.

Hmm.

Alfie knew only three "Mrs Solomons", his grandmother, may she rest in peace, who had always hated being called that, his poor mother who was no longer of this world either, and his sister who had long since taken the name of her stupid husband.

Even if he was not well, he could still recognize these three people, he was certain of it.

"He talked about having a discussion with my husband."

"Mr Solomons often speaks about himself in the third person… As he often speaks to himself."

"I agree, but could the fever be playing on his memory ?"

"You are me wife ?"

The sad smile she gave him as she came back to sit next to him seemed like a sufficient answer, but Alfie couldn't believe it.

Him, married to this perfect being ? Impossible, there had to be a mistake. Someone was playing a joke on him, there was no other explanation, or the devil had decided to punish him for all his sins by torturing him with a twisted scenario, mixing pain, sweetness and vain hope.

But Alfie didn't really believe in this bullshit, and he didn't see anyone suicidal enough to play such a trick on him.

"But why are you married to me, love ? Did I threaten you ? Did your father have debts ? Would I have become rich ? No, an angel like you doesn't marry an old fool like me even if he is rich."

"Maybe I fell in love." she sneered, capturing his attention enough for him to let the doctor take his pulse on his other arm.

"Ah ! I tricked you, my poor treacle ! I blinded you and made you sink into madness to have you. Damn me ! I mean, I am honored that you love me, even if using such subterfuge to have you is terrible."

"I knew exactly where I was going, don't worry. Doctor ?"

"He is simply exhausted by the fever and his back, which makes him delirious. But he will be better soon, I will write you a prescription."

Still not convinced that he could have married the one who was called Y/N, Alfie stared at her with wide eyes in silence, captivated by her every move and accepting everything she asked of him, wisely eating his soup, taking his medicine and letting her change his soaked shirt.

He thought he was going to have a heart attack when she entered the room in her nightgown, lying against him, her head on his shoulder.

"Try to sleep, okay ?"

"But if I sleep, you might disappear." he whispered like a child.

"My sweet idiot. I promise to be here tomorrow morning, sleep now."

As promised, Y/N was still there when he woke up, noticing that his fever had gone down and his memories had returned.

She gently mocked the event when he had fully recovered, and even though he claimed not to see what she was talking about, unable to not make the pout that always betrayed him whenever he tried to hide something from his wife.

Alfie was not ashamed of having been sick. He was still human. He wasn't ashamed of saying strange things either, because it wasn't a change from his usual behavior, nor of falling madly in love with Y/N ​​again, which was perfectly normal.

What he didn't like was the expression on her face when she realized he wasn't joking when he said he didn't know who she was.

"I was worried, you know."

"I know, love. Sorry."

"You really need to stop covering up all over London when it rains."

"Tell your brothers to stop making trouble all over London and I can stay in my office."

"At least this time you were a decent patient. All the other times, you were impossible to hold, refusing to stay in bed and not scare the doctor away. Do you have to take me for someone else's wife to listen to me ?"

"Of course not." he mumbled, pulling her closer. "Other times, I was only able to handle myself, you didn't need to waste your time on me."

"I never waste my time on you, Alfie."

Ah, Y/N. His sweet love. Of course he had taken her for an angel fallen from the sky. That was kind of what she was, even if it wasn't God but Thomas fucking Shelby who had put her on his path.

No doubt her brother was still as shocked as he was that she could have fallen for the idiot he was.

Even in good health, Alfie sometimes wondered how he had done it, how fate had been able to give him such a gift.

"Stop mumbling nonsense, Ollie is waiting for us outside."

"Yes, мой ангел."

Y/N rolled her eyes with a smile, guessing what he had said and taking his hand to urge him to leave their house, because she knew very well that if she gave him time, he would have pulled her even further onto the couch, and they would have been very late.

[lyrefromthesea]

hi! just read your post about accidentally deleting your inbox jsjsjs so sorry that happened to you. i must've been a hassle to you. uhm just in case mine got deleted as well, i'll send it again if it's alright with you haha if i remember correctly, i think it was a muzan request + male hashiras where their s/o (or someone who has feelings for them) intervened with their respective fights and their actions were the deciding factors of the fight's outcome that led them to victory (you could have their s/o either perish or survive) thank you again and wish you a good day/evening! 🙆🏻‍♀️💙

Male Hashira + Muzan x Reader - Make it Count

author's note: i finally managed to finish this post. truthfully, only Rengoku's part was missing, but my motivation was completely gone after i broke my hand. i hope you enjoy my thoughts on this and sorry for keeping you waiting.

pairing: Tengen x reader, Obanai x reader, Rengoku x reader, Sanemi x reader, Giyuu x reader, Gyomei x reader, Muzan x reader

content warning: descriptions of blood, death (Obanai, Gyomei)

Tengen:

• in this life, he didn't lose a hand fighting Gyutaro and Daki. instead of Obanai, you were the person called for help. luckily, you arrived earlier, but it changed the outcome of the whole fight

• Tengen nearly threw up when instead of his hand being chopped off, you received a deep cut from Gyutaro, making blood spill over your uniform.

• the only thing keeping him going was that you immediately held onto the demon, forcing him to stay dangerously still. while the demon trashed, he couldn't free himself against your grip.

• luck was on your side when Tengen dashed forward beheaded the green-haired demon. and if it hadn't been for the younger slayer beheading Daki, it could've turned out much worse.

• relaxation fell short, Tengen caught your body and started sprinting towards help, losing consciousness a moment later. he would've never forgiven himself without you by his side.

• happiest time in years when he woke up in a hospital bed, finding you asleep in the bed on his right. you looked better than before. healthier.

Obanai:

• he's blaming himself, somehow this all was his fault. he didn't know what demon the two of you would encounter, nor did he know you'd join this mission with him, but it was his fault.

• trauma caught up with him when a giant snake demon appeared in front of him. his body got tense, blood running cold through his veins. she looked exactly like the demon he had seen ears ago, but she was dead. right?

• you had screamed at him, told him to attack or run - do something. anything. realizing there was no other way, you leap at the demon, pushing Obanai to the side and start to attack.

• he gets thrown to the ground, watching you jump high, sword aimed at the beast calling herself a demon. luck isn't on your side when she opens her mouth, jaw dislocating uncannily.

• her fangs sink deep into your torso a moment later, body feeling an immense pain running through it. Obanai reacts when he sees your shocked eyes.

• if it hadn't been for the weird angle of his attacks, he wouldn't have been able to behead her. if only he had reacted fast enough, your body falling several feet until he catches you in his arms, demon vanishing with a low hiss.

• "Oba- nai.." he couldn't believe it, wouldn't believe it, but the purple tint crawling it's way over your skin spoke to him. you had been poisoned. severely.

• the skin around the bite marks was already fully purple, the color already consuming half your neck. "i don't.. want to die.."

• he wanted to say it wouldn't happen, he wanted to assure you, but instead he only held you in his arms, pressing you close to him.

• 1 minute and 26 seconds. your heart stopped beating right after. yet he only moved hours after you were long gone, the exact time having gone lost in a sea of misery.

Rengoku:

• he was so tired, not wanting to fight anymore, but having to push through. the demon was strong, stronger than any demon he had ever encountered. he can't remember when the fight started, but the sun would rise soon and while the demon kept fighting, his exhaustion was increasing.

• his eyes snapped towards you when he saw you dart towards the demon. he hadn't seen you until then, meaning you had probably come from behind the demon.

• the following part had been his fault, shouting your name in the heat of the moment. it didn't only alarm you, but the demon as well, making it turn around and slash at you.

• you blacked out right after, only hearing the sound of Rengoku's sharp sword gliding through the air.

• when you awoke, you were in an unknown room. your environment was completely white - no, not everything. the warm and bright colors next to you were the most recognizable thing you've ever seen.

• with a bit of pain, you combed your fingers through Rengoku's hair, making the man relax into your touch.

• "i'm sorry." his words were quiet, he didn't have the energy to sound happy this time around. instead he looked at you with soft eyes and a hope of receiving forgiveness.

Sanemi:

• he wouldn't let you die, he wouldn't even think of it. however, it was only normal for demon slayers to get hurt, right? he had multiple scars of his own, he knew he couldn't protect you from everything.

• he just thought he could at least protect you from major wounds. that's why he couldn't believe his eyes when he not only saw the demon slash you, but nearly cut you in half.

• you were lucky enough to safe yourself from a fatal wound on your stomach, but the excruciating pain you felt in your left arm was nearly worse.

• waking up, you didn't remember ever seeing the surroundings you now saw. before you could panic and search for help, you heard a shoji slide open.

• "you.. you're awake." you nodded, watching the man walk towards you. he sat down next your futon, a small plate in hand.

• "eat. you need energy." the gravel tone in his voice made you hesitate, but you still listened to your friend and mentor. however, when you reached towards the plate with your left hand, your eyes widened.

• you watched your yukata slide down your arm, revealing the missing limb. bandages and ointment had been applied, at least that's what the scent told you.

• yet you couldn't stop the tears from forming. what kind of demon slayer would fight with only one hand. you were on the verge of hyperventilating when Sanemi grabbed your arm.

• his touch was never this soft, almost as if he feared causing even more damage. the coldness in his gaze told you the same story. what happened has not only altered you, but also him.

• he didn't talk, the room being shrouded in a deafening silence. when he finally moved again, he only let his hand sink, still holding onto you.

• the pain his eyes displayed were unmistakable. you knew a talk about your last mission would follow, but the change in his demeanour scared you more than the lack of your hand.

Giyuu:

• your eyes snapped open in seconds, body tensing. you had wanted to jump into a defensive position when you felt a painful ache throughout your whole body.

• you hissed in pain, arching your back away from the soft mattress under you. where was the demon? you had been facing him moments prior!

• your heart leaped when you felt a strong hand grabbing onto your arm, gently yet forcefully pushing you back down into a resting position.

• "i couldn't protect you." his voice was quiet, almost shaky. he didn't dare meet your gaze, instead letting his eyes rest on your hand.

• "what..?" you couldn't grasp the situation at first, looking around the room, which you soon identified as part of the butterfly mansion.

• then you looked down at yourself, seeing numerous bandages hide different parts of your body. the aching pain in your back suddenly made sense, remembering the demon you fought.

• your eyes widened in realization, forcing yourself to sit up. Giyuu reminded you to stay in bed, but his resolve slipped when he felt your arms wrap around him.

• "you saved me." the words made him tense. yes, the demon had been strong with a weapon that dealt multiple hits at once, but you were hurt-

• "i think i would've died." you stated, your voice having dropped in volume. he recognized the tone, you always sounded that way when something negatve played in your mind.

• "i'm glad you're alive." he answered, his voice even more quiet than yours. not wanting you to feel down amymore, he carefully put his arms around you.

• he was sure he failed, but if it would make you feel better, he could play your savior for now.

Gyomei:

• he had never cursed his blindness. it had been his way of living, a small obstacle he needed to face every day.

• he didn't know it would become his greatest fear after years of peace. he had already gone to numerous missions with you, nothing had every stopped you from winning. sure, an open wound or broken bone but nothing too bad.

• so why could he not spot you with any of his senses. he had known your exact location a moment prior, but now it wasn't there anymore. the demon was dead, how could this be?

• a bad feeling bubbled deep in his gut when he felt warmth radiating near him. it was barely there, but he had felt it. he kneeled down, his large hand reaching towards the source.

• he immediately recognized the uniform you were wearing, even when it was soaked in blood and ripped apart. yet his focus was barely there.

• he was searching for something, anything. your breathing had stilled, your warmth had drastically decreased. not a single sound was coming from your body.

• the tears that fell onto your body right after spoke of utter despair. he knew you were scared of death, he wasn't there when you bled out on the ground.

• he carefully wiped the long fallen tears away from your cheeks, closing your eyes in the most tender way he could muster. "i'm sorry."

• he picked your body up, making sure to cradle you in his arms. it was time to go home.

Muzan:

• he knew keeping a human by his side was a miserable idea. he had wanted to turn you into a demon right from the start, but you just had to deny.

• and those reasons you had, so humane, he almost threw up. family. friends. aging. feeling. didn't you understand the superiority of his perfect being?

• nevermind, he could keep you around for a while longer, until you learned how much better demons were.

• how come you would die before you even got the chance to experience such superiority? hit. by a simple demon slayer.

• those pesky animals had annoyed him right from the start. the moment he saw your body fall, he had already gotten rid of the slayer. the incompetence to mistake another human for a demon was disgusting to him.

• his mind was immediately back on you, watching you slump against a nearby tree and sob in agony. he didn't hesitate, the needle forming on the flesh appendage protruding his back shooting towards you.

• those damn emotions would keep you from becoming a demon, wanting to die human. he didn't care, in this matter your opinion was irrelevant.

• the loud cry you let out wasn't anything he would've liked to hear, but it was necessary to keep you alive. just a bit more of his blood and you would never face these problems again.

• he walked to your unconscious body, the sound of a biwa filling the back of his mind. you would learn to like your new existence. he wouldn't give you another choice, you were too important.

[kazu-naito]

deep diving into the angel hierarchy of heaven's secret:

disclaimers: a) most of what i'm writing here are my own thoughts and theories; b) i'm not yet caught up with the abh january update, so if there is anything missing from there i'll add it later on

in the original duology we never got much information about how the angels hierarchy work in this universe and only knew a few names, however we did get the full picture in hsr and the order goes: seraphims > cherubs > thrones > supremacy > authority > beginning > archangels > angels

so far into the hs we've only met representatives of 3 of these 'classes' (aside from regular angels ofc) and i put one for each here:

(moreover, keep in mind these rankings are not exclusively set by birth, as we've seen rebecca climbing from the very bottom to the very top)

now it differs a bit from most of the christianity angel rankings, in which supremacy and beginning don't exist, no alternate names that i found had these names but i don't think it matters. in this context they would be replaced by dominions and principalities, respectively. still going by these, there's an omission of virtues but they do what they gotta do (or maybe they belong to that empty spot in the middle)

going back to heaven's secret, the only visible difference between angels of different spheres is that those of the first sphere have yellow/golden wings, whereas everyone else has common white/fair wings. a good example is fencio, who lost his throne status and therefore - the colour of his wings as well

i also don't think they would've shown us the full ranking if it wasn't gonna be explored more, after all we went years without it with no issues. and it was only the angel's that was revealed, not the demons' as well

from the new characters we only know of mikael's ranking so far - archangel. which tbf makes it a bit hard to guess everyone else but here are some theories:

raphael: although he is not mikael's blood brother he could still also be an archangel. throughout the book we see he has a special connection to heaven and formidable power - he could be a regular angel with unusual abilities. i don't think he is higher ranking than mikael since he is his 'subordinate'

somnus/furius: higher ranking than mikael. i haven't seen the wings to put them amongst the actual big shots but if i had to guess i'd put them in the second sphere - they have enough power to be an archangel's superior but if they had actual power they'd be busy ruling heaven and not supervising earthly matters

anhea: regular angel. she has said it herself she fought the war against the mother of life on the outskirts while the big names were in the frontlines

edit feb/25: anhea confirmed she is a lower ranking angel

cain: everything about him is a mystery ngl. if we are to believe pileon's words about him going against his own family, the type of power he possesses, the easy superiority in fights/energy/strength against other immortals - i would say he is in the very least an archangel. the recent confirmation that his family is indeed dead (and he was very very likely responsible) made me think he either got a lenient punishment (which wouldn't happen if he wasn't 'important') or he got a punishment similar to fencio's and lost his original ranking. or maybe he's just old idk

[istayniche]

Red Dead But It's...

Vampires: Kingdom of the Night

Tags: ArthurxOFC, vampire!Arthur, horror, slow burn

Synopsis: Dutch is gone. Arthur’s body is changing. The hunger won’t stop. And everyday, more people are going missing.

Something bad is happening in Saint Denis.

MASTERPOST

Chapter 1

Words: 1370

Hollow eyes watched the campfire wither and fade. Arthur prodded the embers with a stick. The camp behind him felt like a body with its heart cut out: still moving, still breathing, but missing something vital. Miss Grimshaw tried to maintain order, but her voice had lost its edge. Pearson's stews grew thinner. Uncle drank more. And Abigail...

Arthur looked to where she sat with Jack, pointing at words in a dog-eared book. Six months since John had up and vanished. No goodbye, no explanation. Just gone one day like morning mist. The boy still asked when his Pa was coming back.

Been nearly two months since Dutch had ridden out with Bill, Javier, and Micah for what should have been a simple job in Saint Denis. Two months of no news, utter silence from the lot of them. Each passing day carved another notch of doubt into his certainty they'd return.

"Arthur." Hosea pulled him from his thoughts as he eased down beside him, wincing at the effort. "We need to talk about moving on."

"We've been through this." Arthur didn't look up from the flames.

"And we'll keep going through it until you listen to reason." He caught the worry threading through the old man's words. "Dutch ain't coming back. Neither is John. Or Bill. Or Javier. They're either dead or in chains by now."

"You don't know that." The words felt empty even to his own ears.

"I know we can't keep sitting here waiting for ghosts." Hosea gestured toward the others. "These people, they need hope, Arthur. They need a future."

Arthur took a deep pull from his cigarette, feeling the smoke burn in his lungs. Maybe it would burn away the creeping doubts. "And where exactly is this future? Blackwater's still hot. Ain't shit in the South."

"West. Through the mountains. There's passes—"

"Crawling with Pinkertons and bounty hunters." Arthur flicked his cigarette into the fire, watching it blacken and curl. "Dutch is still out there, Hosea. I can feel it. And I'm gonna find him."

"How many times have you gone out lookin' for him, now? Five, six times? Every expedition, you come back empty handed with more questions than answers. When are we gonna admit when enough is enough?"

Arthur stood, brushed the dirt from his pants, and avoided the old man's eye.

Hosea's disappointment hung on him like a coat too heavy for the season. Arthur had never been good at saying no to the old man, but this time was different. No matter the cost, Arthur was gonna find answers.

Charles approached, moving with that impossible quiet that still surprised Arthur after all these years. "I'll ride with you, Arthur. We can track them, at least figure out what happened."

Arthur shook his head. "No. I need you here." He looked up at Charles, then to Hosea. "Someone's got to protect them if... when I'm gone."

"And if you don't come back?"

"Then you do what you should've done weeks ago. Get these people somewhere safe."

Charles crossed his arms. "You're not thinking straight, going alone."

"I'm thinking plenty straight." Arthur stood, back rigid. "Dutch wouldn't leave us without reason. Something happened. And I aim to find out what."

The truth was, Arthur couldn't bear the alternative, that Dutch had simply abandoned them. Twenty years riding together meant something. It had to.

"One week," Arthur said. "I'll head to Saint Denis first. That's where they were headed. If I find nothing there, I'll come back. We'll head west like you want."

Hosea looked at him with tired eyes. "Just be careful, son. Whatever happened to Dutch and the others... it could happen to you too."

Arthur nodded, "I know. But I got to try."

Jack Marston clutched his wooden horse, running his small fingers over the smooth-carved mane. Mama had told him they were leaving soon, but nobody would say where. Uncle Arthur's arms were full of supplies as he packed his saddlebags. Jack watched him through the space between tent flaps, trying to understand why everyone looked so sad.

"Come on, Jack. Don't hide in there," Mama called, sounding tired like she always did these days.

Jack tucked the wooden horse into his pocket and slipped outside. The morning air felt cold, and Mama's hand was warm when she took his. They walked together toward Uncle Arthur's horse.

"You got enough food?" Mama reached to adjust a loose strap on Arthur's saddle. "The nights get cold out there."

Uncle Arthur nodded, not looking up from his work. "I'll be fine, Abigail."

Jack tugged at his mama's skirt. "Is Uncle Arthur going to find Papa?"

Mama's face did that thing where she tried to smile but couldn't quite make it work. "Maybe, Jack. Maybe."

"When you find that fool John," Mama said, hard edged, which Jack knew meant she was angry but trying not to show it, "you give him a few good smacks on the head from me and Jack. Tell him what he's missing."

Uncle Arthur finally looked up. "I'll do that."

Jack pulled the wooden horse from his pocket. "Can you give this to Papa? So he remembers us?"

Uncle Arthur knelt down, his big hand gentle as he took the toy. For a moment, Jack thought he might give it back, but then he tucked it carefully into his satchel.

"I'll make sure he gets it, Jack."

Mister Charles walked over, his face serious like always. Jack liked Mister Charles. He never talked to him like he was stupid just because he was little.

"Arthur." Charles spoke low, words meant for grown-up ears, but Jack heard anyway. "You follow Dutch, you won't come back."

Uncle Arthur didn't answer, just checked his gun belt and adjusted his hat.

Uncle Hosea joined them, looking older than Jack had ever seen him. His hand rested on Arthur's shoulder.

"You don't have to do this, son," he said quietly. "Dutch made his choice."

"And I'm making mine. I ain't leaving him to die alone. If he's out there, I'll find him."

Jack didn't understand why everyone looked so worried. Uncle Arthur always came back. He always fixed things.

"Can I say goodbye to your horse?" Jack asked, wanting to be part of the conversation.

Arthur smiled. "Course you can, Jack."

Mama lifted him up so he could pat the horse's neck. The animal's coat felt warm under his fingers.

"Be a good boy for your mama," he ruffled Jack's hair. "And keep reading them books. You're getting real good at it."

Jack nodded solemnly. "I will. I finished the one about knights yesterday."

"Did you now?" Arthur seemed pleased. "What was your favorite part?"

"The part where the knight fights the dragon. But I didn't like that the dragon had to die. Dragons just want to be left alone, I think."

"Hm, maybe you're right about that."

"When you come back, will you bring me another book?" Jack tugged his sleeve. "One where the dragon doesn't die?"

Uncle Arthur was quiet for a long moment. "I'll try, Jack."

"Promise?"

"Promise." Uncle Arthur touched the brim of his hat. He still looked sad in his eyes.

Jack didn't understand. "If… If it gets too dark at night, you can use the stars to show the way home. That's what you taught me."

"That's right," he said, but his voice strange.

Uncle Hosea cleared his throat. "We should let Arthur get on his way if he's determined to go."

Mama set Jack down and stepped forward to give Uncle Arthur a quick hug. "Be careful out there."

Jack watched as Uncle Arthur mounted his horse, looking tall and strong against the morning sky. But something felt wrong, like in his storybooks when the hero rode away and the pages started running out. Jack wanted to run after him, to grab his boot and ask him not to go, but Mama's hand on his shoulder kept him still. The morning birds were singing, but their songs sounded somber in Jack's ears. He remembered how Uncle Arthur had taught him to whistle back at them last summer, before everything got scary and grown-ups started whispering when they thought he couldn't hear.

Chapter 2

[charmfamily]

CORVUS CROSSING: A CHARM FAMILY STORY. CHAPTER I "BOY, YOU'LL BE A MAN REAL SOON." PART XVII. Transcript Beneath the Cut.

TOMAX: So are you down to stay for a little bit longer and hang out or is the social battery dead and you wanna call it a night? I know it's not far or anything, but I could walk you back.

DAMIEN: [He smiles a little bit awkwardly and nervously.] As long as I don't have to go back over there and act like nothing happened and everything's cool, I could stay for a little bit.

TOMAX: Speaking just for myself, I wouldn't be caught dead over there. I mean Mitchell's really cool and gets along with pretty much everybody and Marcus is a good guy, but having to play nice with Cuntington, Sergio the Crypto Bro and Perpetual Senior Lothario that should have graduated and got a job three years ago but keeps postponing his exit exams so he can mooch off his frat brothers instead… Yeah, don't have the mental stamina for that right now. Or… ever. [He grins.] I'll leave that to my friend Grace, she's a lot more diplomatically tactful.

DAMIEN: Is that uh, a subtly critical way of saying she puts up with way too much bullshit or a really nice way of saying you and I are assholes?

TOMAX: [He laughs.] It's not asshole behavior to avoid hanging out with people you don't like… How'd you get roped into that scene anyway? Did you think it was gonna be a lot different or —?

DAMIEN: Heard a very compelling argument that getting in good with the VP of Pi Rho would help me out with Blazeball, that's pretty much the only reason I'm there. That and … [He shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck.] Ethan and I never really do anything alone so, he wanted to check it out and I said okay. Truth be told, I don't think he's having the best time either.

TOMAX: Mmhmm. Then why's he still hanging out with them and you're over here?

DAMIEN: I'm on Friend Time-Out right now [he sighs.] — he's gonna be stewing for a while that I walked off before he could smooth it all over and won't talk to me at all until he's ready to go home. I didn't do it to be a dick or anything, I just… needed to get away from there before it got really bad and something ended up on fire. It hasn't even been a full day here and the last thing I need is my mom getting letters from the Sages already about destruction of university property and some douchebag being confined to a burn unit in the infirmary. [He smirks.]

TOMAX: Ah, Bambi's an Untamed elemental caster… The temper makes sense.

DAMIEN: Quit. [He laughs.]

TOMAX: [grins] I'll quit when you stop reacting like that.

DAMIEN: Like what?

TOMAX: I'm not telling you. If I do, you'll definitely stop.

[hath-e]

UGH finally have enough time to write something again, going from a crazy busy weekend to needing to study for what might as well have been finals week in Uni was tough, but I have a day with nothing going on:

But seeing as I'm way not caught up on my Gqux write ups I'll just leave it till next week for the next episode, today I'll just bring my new theory regarding the show:

(Source, Gqux card game? I cropped the full image but the site I got it from labelled it as card art)

And as always spoilers below cut:

So let me being by saying that I was wrong about bbygirl being the Red Gundam, it was Lalah instead.

But what does it change for all my other theories?

Quite a lot, since now we know that this is a split timeline more than likely trying to correct itself. But let me address something else first:

Shuji Ito, and the fact he might have never even been real, Shuji is (or was) so utterly disconnected from actually living and so unable to be disconnected from the Red Gundam that my leading theory is that he and Kira-Kira are both the timeline trying to correct itself so violently as to spawn a whole person and a phenomenon via the Zeknova. I don't have a lot of evidence for this other than:

Shuji's obsession with following the Gundams (mainline UC Lalah's) words.

The fact that Annqi did not get anything on Shuji while spying for the Red Gundam, more than likely she didn't investigate herself and only put up spying devices, and if we assume that Shuji is a Psycho apparition it wouldn't be too surprising that he wouldn't show on camera.

Kira-Kira disappeared together with him in the Zeknova, Deux was violently lashing out when she lost it and even Machu seemed to draw from her anger instead of Kira-Kira in that fight.

The reappearing of Char, cuz that blonde guy with blue eyes covering the top of his face with hair is obviously bbygirl. Assuming that the first Zeknova took Char from the timeline and brought out Shuji and Kira-Kira it can't be a coincidence that we only see him now.

The hug scene from episode 1, if Shuji exists as an artificial construct with his only goal being correcting the timeline via any means necessary, then it wouldn't be a surprise that his Newtype connections would also be just that. Artificial and being made for a higher purpose, while the hug scene between Machu and Nyaan would be them really making a connection. (Yuri cope)

This theory is more like "I wouldn't be surprised if it's true" more than anything but it's probably the best I've got about Shujis deal.

Either Amuro or MLH (mainline LalaH) is texting Machu, so we are still missing a key player to this trio, Amuro, and while it would make sense for his Gqux timeline version to be either dead or completely irrelevant, he isn't to Lalah. So what if the event that brought MLH also took Amuro there and while MLH got knocked out into perpetual sleep by the existence of her Gqux version, if we assume Amuro died in the Gqux timeline his Mainline version could be running about also trying to restore the timeline.

This one is very much a "eh maybe" cuz there's not enough proof other than, no Amuro, so I'm not treating as anything more than wishful thinking.

But now onto the main event, and the most obvious thing ever (although I said that about Char being the Red Gundam)

The Gqux timeline exists only in an attempt to restore the UC proper:

So Char dies and Lalah lives, but that's not right, and as such the universe sends the Elmeth and MLH back in time and her trying to avoid Chars death manipulates the weave of things so that it's Char who gets the Gundam, but that didn't work at all, and now MLH is knocked out due to this and the existence of her Gqux version.

Now the objective is simple, do something to force the timeline to reset again so that all could be right and so MLH can sacrifice herself for Mainline Char, the problem is that only two people are even vaguely aware of this goal, Char who just came back into this time and Gqux Lalah.

Char gets the Red Gundam and over the course of the coming episodes he fights to get to the Rose which is currently in Ghirens custody.

Machu and Nyaan now both on opposing sides, one out to get Ghiren and the other to get Kycilla. And that's the setup for episode 11.

During the episode, the two make up. Take out the Zabis and the episode ends with Char getting to MLH and resetting the timeline as Machu and Nyaan are united once again.

And episode 12 opens with the line:

"A half-century has passed since mankind began moving its burgeoning population into space."

And the first episode of Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 plays.

I'm probably wrong again about a lot of this, but it's been fun speculating, feel free to give me any feedback and most importantly thanks for reading, see you sometime soon hopefully.

[passthe5sos]

F O U R ; P L A N

"Well, now that you've got your gun, It's much harder now the police have come, and I'll shoot him if it's what you ask, but if you just take off your mask you'd find out everything's gone wrong, now everybody's dead."

Rory

Every bone in my body feels brittle. Being wanted only for sex is a weird feeling. Never before had a guy ever come to me explicitly for sex. It's always been 'did you take the math notes?' and 'what'd you get on number eight, i just guessed'. I had never ever felt like I've been wanted in a sexual manner. I hadn't ever seen myself as a sexual being. Someone who can find joy in the simple pleasures in life. I always just thought that sex was necessary for procreation, but remembering the feeling of Niall's hand in mine. Even though Giselle says he took advantage of my weakened state, cause I was so caught up in the moment, I didn't think of the implications. I was never raised to read between the lines. My mama always wanted me to see the good in people, and wanted me to help them see the good in themselves too.

Don't even get me started on the way Harry was talking about it, like he believed we were committing the worlds biggest sin. I don't understand why me going upstairs was so problematic. I mean, I get Niall's intentions were a little askew, but I wouldn't have let him get far at all. I probably would have freaked before he even got to kiss me, if he kissed me. Giselle says that she hardly ever kisses her one night stands, that it's so much more emotional than sex. I don't get that, but maybe one day I will.

Giselle sleeps peacefully beside me. We talked about what happened to me on the stairs. I talked about Louis, how he basically fell asleep on me, and gave me his weed stick, which I found out is called a blunt! So I look 1% less stupid. She looked a little distraught over me bringing up Louis, but she wouldn't explain why. She also said that she hadn't mentioned them to me before (the boys who aren't American) because she didn't know I was into that kind of thing, and since I so totally am, we imagined booking a trip to Europe. Meeting hot Italian boys, French kissing the french, her drinking in Ireland. Honestly, it was the perfect way to fall asleep if my brain hadn't been running all night long. It's like my brain drank coffee. I was exhausted, and all I wanted was to sleep, but it was escaping me. I guess it's a good thing then, cause I didn't dream of those gorgeous sea green eyes. Why do boys get all the good things? The hair that does what you want it to, why can they just roll out of bed in yesterdays clothing with no makeup? Why don't we bully them for not shaving under their arms? Your armpits don't need to look like jungles boys. Makes me wonder what boys looked like in the cavemen era, women and men were probably covered head to toe in hair, and they didn't complain then? I feel like men have devolved. 

I finally fall asleep, and I probably looked like shit so Giselle didn't wake me in the morning. We really didn't speak much on the weekend. I think she kinda felt bad about forcing me to go to the party, and all that happened when I clearly didn't want to go. As upset as I think I am about everything, I couldn't ever be mad at her for making me go. I really could have let her go on her own, but that idea made me feel sick knowing she was having a bad time too in the end. 

I say I'm not as upset as I think I am (or probably should be) because I learned something valuable. What sex means to the average man. To me, it's everything, just as kisses are. Both are super personal to me, considering I haven't done either. It would take a lot of trust in me to do that with someone else. But to guys like Niall, a proclaimed 'ladies man', sex means nothing. I need to protect myself a little better around these kinds of people. These guys aren't high schoolers, they are full grown adults who still have the mental capacity of a 12 year old boy, meaning they are way worse. I just hope Niall isn't going to talk about me, call me a prude or something nasty. Technically, I wasn't the one who ruined it, it was Harry. Thank God for Harry. God and Harry being in the same sentence sounds just as strange as the devil and God being in the same sentence. Like I feel like Harry isn't menacing, but he kinda intimidates me a lot. More than I think I'd ever admit out loud to myself, or to anyone for that matter.

Everything about him feels like his was created to be just that, magnetic, devilish. He's like the first ever sin created, fresh, new, and pure in a way that's totally warped and evil. It makes me sick to my stomach. His voice too, killer. It's deep and monotone. I wonder if he's ever been happy before. Probably not. It was deep and God forgive, but attractive like all British voices are. But I've heard British voices, and there's nothing so liquid gold like his. Music to my ears. He's barely spoken ten words to me and I already find him interesting. I just wish Niall hadn't been... Well, so boyish. I think I could have genuinely liked Niall. He's not too much like Harry, not sure how true that statement is or not, but their vibes are a little different. Niall is more like a camouflage snake I suppose. You don't realize it's true intentions until it's venom is coursing through you while it drags you back to it's place for a midnight snack. 

But they were just too cute to forget about. Maybe that's their motive. Look like cute little bunny rabbits (minus Harry, he's more like a scary bat, no vampire pun intended), and lead girls into your bedrooms.

The ceiling looks rather interesting this time of day. The popcorn ceiling is painted a fun white color, cause how fun can white paint actually be. I run my finger against the plump part of my lower lip. To kiss someone. To have sex with someone. I wish I hadn't been so afraid, I would have slept with Niall, I'm sure of it, if I hadn't been so afraid of it. Even with all that being said, Harry stopped us from doing anything, not even me. It's like he knew it was going to happen, and he was waiting there to save me. Harry, saving someone. Funny, vampires don't save people, they kill them. Unless I'm like some sort of prey.

You know, in the way that predators play with their food for a while until they devour it. I suck in a quick breath. Can that even be possible? They're both toying with me on purpose, making me think one thing so I ignore the other red flags. I should really as Giselle's mother for a lesson on reading people, it would help me so much in cases like this. I feel like a fly stuck in a spider web. They have me right where they want me, but they're not going to pounce yet, they want to watch me squirm. And boy, do I squirm. 

The door pushes open and I lurch upward to sit making Giselle shriek. "You scared me!" we both shouted at the same time. She groaned and shut the door behind her, sitting down on her bed. "You okay, you don't look okay?" I asked, taking in her appearance. Her lips were downturned in a frown. Giselle never frowns. "My mom called."

Dread. All I feel is the cold washing of dread. "What about it?"

"They found another body in the park last night, around 8 this morning." I let out a deep breath. "Who is it this time?" she looks to the side, eyebrows deep in worry. "Do you remember Eleanor from the bakery? Her daughter came to visit this week, she's been away at college..." Giselle trails off and I sigh. Wow. I went to school with Eleanor's daughter, Ruby. Ruby was two years older than me, so we never spoke, but she always brought treats from the bakery her mom worked in and gave them to the kids who didn't have lunch. Usually just bread, she brought cookies once for the teachers and staff, and she brings cupcakes for kids on their birthdays. "I don't understand what's happening. The people in Georgetown are so sweet." I stand up, running my hands through my messy hair. Giselle nods solemnly. "Yeah, Ruby was a friend of mine actually." I stop pacing and sit down on her bed. "I'm really sorry Giselle." she stutters out a breath, her tears bubbling up in her eyes. "We need to do something about this. I'm putting in an application at the station, and I think you should too. The station needs all the help it can get." Giselle rants. "We need to put a stop to this." my eyes widen and I cup her hands in mine and nod. "Yeah, I can help. I'm not much good when it comes to field work, but I can do something behind the scenes." I nodded, promising away my assistance, and probably every waking minute I have until the case closes. I unclasp a hand from our little bundle on her lap and wipe away at her tears.

"Too many people have died, and I worry every day who's going to be the next one. What if it's my mom, your mom, you!"

"Hey, shh, you said it yourself, the people who were killed were probably affiliated with the gangs. So, we can start with Ruby and her family, see what they know." Giselle's eyes hardens as she shakes her head. "No way would Ruby ever be into something like that, I mean, she gives out cupcakes to people for God's sake, not run ins with drugs and murder!" I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight while she cries. "I know this is a difficult thing to process, but you and I both know, that Ruby getting to go to UCLA is a bit weird, even for this town."

Ruby is one of the first girls since Georgetown Community College, and Greensboro University was crated, to be able to go to a different, more impressive school. Most of the people that lived in Greensboro did that all the time, but then the college was made, and it was slightly more affordable than any other university, so most kids chose to go there instead if they could swing it. My first guess is that Ruby got involved cause she needed the money to go to school, but I'm no investigator, what do I know?

"No! Absolutely not, I am trashing these right now!" 

Officer Westbrook, Giselle's mother wasn't all that impressed with our idea, as you could call it. "But mom, please! We have to do something!" Giselle argued, walking around the precinct like she owns the place. "Giselle Tahlia West, I will not! I mean not, have you or your friends apply for jobs here. That is putting a direct target on your backs." Giselle's mother shot back quickly.

The idea of working for the station hadn't been totally uncalled for for me, I wouldn't mind helping save people. But Officer Westbrook thinks that Giselle and I working for the station will cause some discourse. We could lose friends over it. I mean, wouldn't that be a good thing? If people distance themselves for us, there's probably a reason, no? That would be super suspicious to me. But in her world, that puts a direct 'kill me before I catch you' sign on our backs. Of course it made me worry, but at the same time, this was an important job. I can understand why Officer Westbrook wouldn't want her own daughter to work there, but her not wanting me to work there warmed my heart. I felt like a part of the family. 

Officer Westbrook tears up our printed resume and job applications, tossing them into a shredder. That's a bit deep. "Giselle, maybe we should go." I suggested, tugging on her flannel jacket sleeve, but she rips her arm away. "No, not until I'm working the case."

Officer Westbrook shuts her eyes, pressing her fingers against her temples. I glance around, a couple people that worked here were staring at us like we're crazy. "In my office, now." Giselle's mom snapped and the both of us walked into the office directly behind the front desk. Giselle's mother, Sharon Westbrook, shuts the door, shutting the blinds as well. This feels just as bad as coach yelling at me. Giselle and I take a seat each opposite the desk. "I'm going to have a nice calm discussion about this with the both of you, and when you leave, you will smile, and forget today ever happened." Sharon sits down on her chair. She folds her hands up, fingertips pressing against each other. She takes a gulp of air. "I haven't been completely honest with you baby." She stares at the empty space in between Giselle and I, like she can't bare to look at either of our faces. "So far, we've accumulated a head count of 250 bodies. Some, more mangled than others, most, without identification." Sharon begins, twisting the silver band on her ring finger in a nervous habit. "Ruby was just... 251. Before she was killed, we hired six men and three women to try and infiltrate their ranks, find out who they are, but nobody budged. Nobody in Greensboro or Georgetown knew anything about gangs, rivalries, most barely even knew anything about the murders." Sharon's tongue darts out to swipe across her bottom lip. "Ruby was one of the women we hired, and she came down this week to look into the case." Giselle slams her hands down on either arm rest, shooting up. "Oh my fucking God mom!" Giselle shouts, turning around and grabbing onto her hair. 

"Shh!"

"I'm sorry, what does this mean then?" I asked, leaning forward. Sharon scratches the top of her head. "It means, there are six men missing and two other women who haven't checked in. The gang knows the police are trying to find a way in. Those six men's bodies will be found somewhere, and those two women will be found somewhere else. It's astonishing how well these people work." Sharon's gaze dropped down to the wooden desk. "We sent them in on a suicide mission. All they wanted to do was help!" Sharon chokes, tears pooling in her eyes. 

She takes a couple calming breaths and Giselle finally sits back down after pacing. "We want to help too," Giselle pleads. "We need to help, I need to get justice for Ruby, for everyone."

Sharon just shakes her head. "I can't hire either of you for this. The officers in the precinct aren't allowed to hire any family members. And even if I could, I don't want to put either of you in danger." Sharon stands and I know that is the end of this conversation.

Leaving feels like a blur, and Giselle and I don't speak the entire walk home. She seems... Different. I mean, I would be too if my mother hired a friend of mine to infiltrate a gang and ended up being murdered in the process. I guess I was wrong then, about Ruby being involved with the gang. She died doing what she loved, helping people. I haven't seen the body, and even when Giselle begged before we left, the records were all sealed and impossible to break into now, the entire file on the gangs have been encrypted. So, nothing can be edited, or even looked out without the proper information.

Giselle and I walk to the house together. Her mom said something about giving the both of us a car to share so we're not stuck walking around everywhere. It's very sweet of her, but I never learned how to drive and Giselle and I don't have the same class hours every day, so I'd end up having to walk home or to class anyway. "You okay Giselle?" I asked, stopping her on the driveway. She nods, not meeting my gaze. I know she's thinking of something, she doesn't rest until she gets what she wants, but her mother kinda scared me. I want to live my life honestly, I have a lot more thing's I want to do. Like go to Italy with Giselle, and French kiss the French. I rest a hand on her shoulder making her look at me. "Giselle-" I warned but she shook her head. "I know what my mom said, but we need to do something. 250 people have died! Died!" I hush her but she shakes her head. "I could really use your help. There are six guys who's bodies haven't been found yet, and there are two other women who haven't been found yet. I know you swore you'd keep yourself safe while away at college, but Ruby... Ruby would've gotten involved, she would have wanted people to save the others and stop the gang. I need your Aurora."

My heart clenches at her words. I have no other choice I guess. My hands are shaking as I nod. "Okay. What's the plan?"

R I V A L R Y

[ravennaortiz]

Two Worlds

Summary: How does Manny handle finding Juice in his sisters house. Sons/Mayans AU. 18+ Flashbacks/Time Jumps.

This was requested by @hatersaremymotivators using the prompts number 2. I'm not the right man for you and number 7. Stay away from my sister.

Neither man spoke for a moment as they stared at each other. "Go ahead and finish putting your shirt on." drawled Manny his face giving Juice no hint as to what he was thinking. Juice yanked his black tshirt down quickly and stepped to the table where the Mayan was sitting. "You must be Manny. Lupe has told me a lot about you" stated Juice as he extended his hand out to shake. "Odd she's not said a word about you" replied Manny as he leaned back in the chair letting his words fall between them like grenades.

Juice nodded as he withdrew his hand and rubbed the back of his neck. Angel and the others had warned him about Manny. That he wouldn't approve of Lupe dating a Son. "Listen man. I think we've gotten off on the wrong foot here. Finding a random guy in your" started Juice trying to make light of the awarknedness. "I'mma cut you off. Facts are I never wanna see you in my sisters house, around my sister, say her name ever again after this moment" stated Manny as he leaned forward on his elbows his eyes never leaving Juices.

"Are you asking me to break up with your sister?" questioned Juice taken aback. "No I'm telling you. You two should never have been together in the first place. I get my sister being a bit naïve on the danger but you? Your a grown man who knows the darker side of the leather we wear. Sons and Mayans might have an alliance now but what about when that gets broken? Mayans and SONs will both want her dead." snapped Manny his voice tight and low with anger. Juice was shocked at the venom in Mannys voice and couldn't speak for a moment. "I would never let anyone hurt Lupe. Your sister" started to reassure Juice before Manny sighed and stood up. " Look, I've been told your a good dude and that you are treating Lupe like she deserves. I appreciate that but I want you to stay away from my sister. This will be our only talk on the matter." stated Manny as he made his way out of the kitchen. "I don't repeat myself either by the way" called Manny over his shoulder.

Four Months Prior

"The regal Guadalupe is gracing us mere peasants with her presence tonight boys" greeted Angel as he kicked EZ out of the chair for her. "Eres un niño"(you such a child) stated Lupe as she rolled her eyes at Angel. "I love when you call me names mami" purred Angel as he leaned in to her space. "¿No recuerdas qué pasó con el último hombre que entró en mi espacio personal? (Do you not remember what happened to the last man who got in my personal space?). replied Lupe as she patted his cheek as she smiled at him. "Sí. Lo enterré. (Yes. I buried him) answered Angel with a chuckle.

"You two are so weird" muttered Coco as he took a drag off his cigarette as Gilly nodded in agreement. "Says the man who pretended to be his daughters brother for most of her life and now wonders why she wont listen to him" snipped Lupe making Gilly and Angel laugh. "You know you could be nicer" replied Coco as he rolled his eyes. "I'm letting your kid live with me. How much nicer do you want me to be" replied Lupe with a raised brow. "I have a list" replied Coco with a smirk as he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. "On that note I'm going to get another beer" replied Angel as he stood up while Coco and Lupe bickered away.

A couple hours later a guy with a mohawk and tribal tattoos on his head caught Lupes attention as he spoke to Bishop and a man named Chibs who was the President of the Sons. Lupe sipped her beer as she studied the well muscled man with a gorgeous smile. "I'll catch you guys later" stated Lupe as she stood up and made her way over to the bar where the men were now standing.

Juice had been casually scanning the crowd still not feeling quite at home in the Mayans clubhouse when a leggy brunette with curves he would love to travel stepped into his view. Juice felt his soul leave his body when there eyes met. He was so entranced in her aura that he didn't register she was speaking to him until he felt Chibs nudge him in the back.

"I'm sorry I didn't hear you" half fibbed Juice as he felt himself start to sweat as she cocked her head to the side. "I said, hi I'm Guadalupe but you can call me Lupe. " repeated the gorgeous woman in front of him as she let her eyes drift over him. He's even hotter up close Lupe thought to herself. "Juice" replied Juice as he stook out his hand to shake. The feel of her soft skin against his roughened made sparks fly as she laughed. "Something tells me your momma didn't carry you for months on end and endure birth to just name you Juice" joked Lupe as she smiled at him. Juice chuckled as he nodded. "Real name is Juan Carlos" he explained as he took a sip of his beer to calm his nerves. "Juan Carlos. I like the sound of that" purred Lupe as she put her hand on his forearm. "I like how you say it" replied Juice as he shot her a wink.

Next Morning Lupe's House

Lupe had just stepped into her kitchen, where Letty sat drinking coffee and eating breakfast ,when she heard her front door open and Angel call out. "To what do I owe this early morning visit?" inquired Lupe as she walked into the living room yawning. "Did you bed a Son last night after you ditched your friends?" inquired Angel with arms folded as he shot her s sly look. "Hmm, I dont' think I understand your question" replied Lupe as she put on her best poker face.

"I'd say you gave him that good shit cause he was up before me and made us both food before that old man with scars picked him up just so you know. So like keep that up cause he cooks better than you" inserted Letty as she joined Angel and Lupe in the living room. "Letty" grumbled Lupe as her face warmed and Angel dropped to the floor laughing. "What? You deserve to have your back" started Letty making Angel howl louder with laughter as Lupe cut her off. "Enough! Room now please" snapped Lupe as she closed her eyes. "That kid is great" stated Angel as he wiped tears from his eyes after a couple minutes. "If you must know. Yes and we are going out to dinner next weekend" sighed Lupe as she made her way back to the kitchen with Angel hot on her heels.

Present Day

The clubhouse door slamming open and an angry tirade of Spanish mixed in with English had every Mayan in silence. Lupes eyes were ablaze and her mascara streaked cheeks were a sight as she scanned the room for her brother . Manny sighed as he slid out of a chair and made his way to her. "I'm a grown ass woman!" snapped Lupe as she jabbed her finger into her brothers chest. "Hell yeah she is. Look at that grown woman body" shouted Angel as he tried to diffuse the situation. "How dare you tell Juice to break up with me. Have him telling me " I'm not the right man for you?" continued Lupe each jab getting harder as her temper flared. "He's not Lupe. Being in two worlds is " started Manny as he stepped back slightly as his chest ached. "Screw you" interrupted Lupe as she stepped back into his personal space.

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[horriblengrossstories]

I was wondering, out of the other main TPOF and BYD character, who do you think Derek would “click” with the least and the most.

I have my own ideas, but I’m curious to see what you think! :3 love all you do for us Derek freaks friend! -🦮

If derek could get his head out of his ass i could see him and celia getting along if he wasn't such a misogynist ,they have more in common then they like to admit ,celia is just more self inflicted, while dereks situation has been forced upon him by his father.

Hed hate her husband as well ,hed probs deals with thoose types of guys are thoose board meetings his dad makes him go to,who try to one up him in thoose passive aggressive ways and would want to hit him with a chair cause he is below him on the social ladder and may remind him of his father a bit.

Mason...yeah hell no, Mason would cut his neck to shut him up he is way to loud and would not make a good hunt, derek would get caught right away from being to loud and Mason enjoys his isolation.

Hed get along well with strade,talking in a bar like two kindred spirts...until strade has him tied up in the basement and well...then its not so fun anymore.

The desert crew, oh boy that's a bag of worm, cause Derek is the person in the friend group that no one really wants around. And is only there cause his dad had the connections and the money, Jack kinda feels like the leader of the group and Derek im sure would love to get one up on him and wants to be respected by him but it isn't gonna happen. The lizards are already a tight knit duo and wouldn't have Derek join them in a trio. They have there own thing going and would not include derek machete wants him dead so...yeah. shame derek thinks he's cool.

Our cry baby who was killed for first blood, I could see her being kept as a his "pet" in the he took you home ending if things went differently, he dose like the crybabies after all ,but if memelord mode is anything to go off of...well she would...hahah well you know.

Jacqueline would kill him,(good for her) and she would not care for him at all thinking he's a spoiled rich kid with an anger issue.

Tom wouldn't do to well either, just...no do not let derek near this poor lad, hed like that he is a cry baby but would say his music sucks and to get back to the real world (self projection much Derek...)

Richard would die...cause no one likes Richard (but also that self projection cause Richard throw people under the bus a lot to save his own skin. I feel like derek would love to torture thoose types of people since they remind him of Matt, but Richard is a coward and Derek would get annoyed with him so easily, cause he can't even take a punch.)Derek has taken a lor of abuse from his dad so seeing someone so sniveling and crying from what he believes isn't even a fraction of what he went through would piss him off.

Lawrence would avoid Derek at all cost as well, to loud brash and annoying.

Ren. Derek would love to have him as a pet, a people pleasing clingy fox who he can make fun of for his nerdy interest, sign him up.(run ren-)

As for fox, derek would admire him in a way but I dont see Fox liking Derek to much, maybe the support he would like, it would very much be a business partner type of relationship.

Demon Strade would have a nice vessel with derek :3

And derek would piss himself if he ever saw the lich ,I dont think derek would ever go into the forest where he resides though.

I dont really get into electricpuke chachters, since well..we all know how i feel about how they were written. But I am really writting vincent and how im writting vincent. Vincent wouldn't hesitate to punch that rich boy on his ass and show him where running his mouth will end up him.(with dereks head in a dive bar toilet 😬) Derek wishes he could be like him, rebellious and edgy. So there would be a lot of jealousy and derek would feel demasculated and try to one up him and well...the ladder would happen.

Once i get more into rewriting eps other lads I'll probs think about it more but this is what i go on my noggin.

Also hi other weridos!!!!

I think I got everyone...hopefully....

[ficzhub]

Well Then…

Chapter 1

X

"Is there any particular reason that you can't stand spending any time with me?" I ask finally after an excruciatingly awkward and silent dinner over Zoom. Wondering why my father just couldn't be bothered to see me. Not when I got into Nevermore, not when I got my first award for my art, not when Tyler and his shithead friends assaulted me and I was in the hospital with internal bleeding after they vandalized my mural, not when I and everyone else at school almost died last month because a psychopathic herbology teacher decided to reanimate her bigot pilgrim great-grand daddy.

"Please Xavier, can I be spared the dramatics? I've been very busy, you know this." He says, not even bothering to look up at the camera.

"Clearly, for the last ten years or so." I don't know what I did wrong. My older sisters got time with him.

"Enough with the snide commentary. If all you wanted to do on this call was chide me, this could've been done over text. At the very least that wouldn't have pushed back rehearsals." He whines

"What do you even need rehearsals for, oh Great and Talented Vincent Thorpe?"

"Talent isn't perfection. I hope you take that to heart, winning a handful of trinkets passed off as awards isn't enough to prove any kind of prowess at anything."

I can't help but roll my eyes at that. He wouldn't know what awards I have or haven't gotten, he's never seen them.

"Speaking of lack of prowess, your grandfather will be taking you back to school after the break is done in a few days." His voice coated in derision.

"What?"

"Your mother's father, not mine."

Well no shit, he's dead. "How come?"

"If this is another tirade about how it's traumatizing that I'm not holding your hand at all times-".

"Jesus dad, I just mean how come he's coming around? He hasn't been around much since Mom...you know." He cringed at the sentence, my mother is one of his father's least favorite subjects.

"Oh, I'm not sure. I didn't ask."

"Okay, thanks for letting me know."

"You're welcome. Now, I can't push back production anymore. Your report card was fine, you've been keeping your nose clean at school as far as I know and you ended up being some kind of hero last semester. Good on you for that, son. Anything else I should know about?" He asks uninterestedly

"Nope, you're pretty much caught up."

"Alright. I'll be putting some money in your account for school supplies and whatnot. Don't over do it, like last year..." he says still remembering how much I spent on Bianca "Make sure to call your grandfather and iron out your plans with him. Have a good night." He says and hangs up.

"Good night dad..." I say to a blank screen. I close my laptop and sigh. What did I expect?

I take my plate to the kitchen and clean it off to put in the dish washer. Staying alone at the manor always feels lonely. My father got us a maid but it feels so uncomfortable to have a strange woman washing my underwear and replacing my bedsheets or anything else for me. I'd rather just do it myself. She can busy herself sweeping and mopping or something, it's not like she pays me any mind.

I'll call Grandpa Ron tomorrow, I don't feel like talking to anyone. Well, there's one person, I haven't talked to her since my last day at school.

I can't even begin to wrap my head around what I should feel about Wednesday. Obviously she's not an easy person to deal with, she's selfish, manipulative and abrasive, but she's never pretended she's not. It's not like I didn't know to expect that. She's also brave, loyal and apparently fiercely protective. I don't wanna push my luck with her and make her feel suffocated, I wonder if the phone was too much. I send her a single text the day I got back home. Just a simple "See you when term starts." It hadn't marked at delivered, so either she never turned on the phone or she let it die. I wish I could go to therapy about all this but Wednesday's ex boyfriend killed her so, I'm shit outta luck with that. I haven't found another one near enough to school or home. I can't imagine I'd have an easy time building trust with them if I did anyway. New one might just die on me like the last.

That was crass.

Obviously Kinbott's murder wasn't about me, and her dying was senseless. Like that dick just wanted another body under his belt or Thornhill just felt like killing someone that day. Who knows, but I couldn't ignore that her death while tragic, really sucked for me.

I should just get my supplies and toke up. It's not like my dad would ever know and the help doesn't care one way or the other cause I don't leave a mess. I ran up to the studio and took my stuff out. The stash was still fresh from when I bought some with Ajax from some townie.

Keeping the puff in my lungs for as long as I can, I starts prepping my canvas...

This was a good idea. It had been a while since I'd let myself take a break from my own thoughts.

I painted Bianca. Her bright eyes and dark skin popping from each other. I still had so many unanswered questions about her. Seems minor compared to all the other things that have happened, but it's not nothing. I can't remember much right after meeting her. Getting coffee at the Weathervane before that asshole had gotten a job there and she was there too. We'd gotten the same coffee order and I accidentally grabbed hers. We'd cracked a few jokes with each other and exchanged numbers. Then suddenly I'm in a total fog and she's admitted into Nevermore. I'm paying for all her school supplies, and I don't remember offering, or her asking. Then I'm back to normal, we're chatting, she's joining clubs, making friends, we're bonding over our shared experience in neglectful or abusive parents, then I'm in a fog again and she's Ms.Popularity and we're Nevermore's Power Couple. When Divina told me what had happened after her and Bianca got into an argument, things cleared up. I didn't enjoy breaking up with her, I did care about her. I didn't wanna get her in trouble or kicked out of school either, it's not like she didn't deserve to be there. But I couldn't stand that I'd been manipulated for months. Am I really that bad of a judge of character? I mean, I had Tyler pegged right, but that one was hard to miss considering I'd tasted his shoe and one of his friends almost made my testicles reascend. I never really told Wednesday the whole truth, maybe if I had she'd have gotten it sooner. Violence isn't an issue to her, but bigotry never seemed her style. I partly blame myself for not being entirely honest with her all because I didn't wanna seem like a pussy. Maybe I deserved what happened. The beating, Wednesday ignoring me, the imprisonment, all of it. I could've prevented so much of it.

I'm spiraling. Maybe I should go to bed but painting was supposed to get this off my chest. This? What do I mean this? I wanna talk about a million things, there is no this. Shit maybe I can just text Wednesday's phone number. Kinbott's got disconnected so I get back that error message. Or worse, it could be reassigned to someone new, then I'm just traumadumping on some poor stranger who's probably got their own shit going on. What if they get confused and think they did something to me? What if they actually end up being someone I know that coincidentally got assigned the old number? They could trace back the texts to me if they already have my number. I'd never live it down. I know Wednesday clearly isn't using the phone, so no harm no foul.

W

"I'm so glad to hear that Wednesday!" My mother said emphatically, gently clapping her hands together.

"We knew you'd love it at Nevermore, Tormentita." Gomez brags "The flesh never falls far from the bone." as he continues his chess match with Thing.

"Yes well, it's not as if any other school in the country would admit me or be able to instruct me of anything new or useful to me. Why waste anyone's time." Not relishing in proving my parents right, I start walking up towards my bedroom.

"Darling, I suppose now would be as good a time as any to inform you of some new developments if you're set in returning." Mother says with my back to her.
Turning around I see her looking at my father.
"Mon cher, this is more your news than it is mine. You should tell Wednesday."

My father checkmates Thing and smirks "You almost had me old man. Next time."
Thing shrugs and hops off to reach his magazine.
Facing me he rubs his hands together "Do you remember your Aunt Dolores?" He asks

"Vaguely. She's not much older than me, but she was always busy with school."

"That's right, she's 25." My mother adds "She got her master's degree in phytology. Of course that was basically a formality, she's always known everything she'd ever need about plants."

"I still don't understand how she came to be. Mama Esmeralda and Papa Pancho must've been in their 50s when they had her, at the earliest." I ponder out loud.

"Oh both sides of your family have had abnormally long periods of fertility, Wednesday. Your Great-Grandmama Margaret, had my aunt Celia at 56 years old. Completely baffled the local doctor." Mother adds gleefully.

"Anyway, I bring this up because we've been notified that your Aunt Dolores will be joining you at Nevermore."

"How did that happen?"

"Well, as you know she had that big spat with my parents and ran off when she turned 15. She never really got to experience much time at that school, and despite everything she did love it so there. It was truly a pity I couldn't convince her to keep going there and not disappear on us. Fester tried to nab her and get her to see why they did what they did but to no avail."

"Understandable."

"We thought you'd feel that way." Mother smirks

"I meant more so how did she manage to get hired. They haven't even said they've gotten a new Headmaster or Mistress."

"The board would have to be riddled with complete fools if they pass up on Dolores, even despite her...muddled record." Mother says. She's always had an inexplicable soft spot for her little sister-in-law.

"What was their disagreement about anyway? I've never gotten a whole answer about that." I ask

"It would probably be best for you to ask her directly. We wouldn't want to speak for her." Father explains, shakily.

"Right then, what position will she be taking?" Noting how my father looked away and down when he said that

"The new herbology teacher. Oh, and your new house mother."

"Makes sense, the last one was an incompetent murderer. At least this time the teacher will be adequate. Thank you for letting me know. Will Pugsley be joining me as well?" Would be nice to practice my aim while still at school. He'd have a new selection of road signs to steal from.

"His grades aren't quite up to par, unfortunately." Mother grims "Rather like his Uncle Fester, brilliant but not booksmart."

"Pity. Will I be sent to school with Lurch, or will you two be dropping me off again?" I ask, waiting to turn around to finally get to the solitude of my bedroom.

"Actually Wednesday, you'll be carpooling with your aunt. She's bringing her own car so to not rely on buses and whatnot. She'll actually be fetching you a day or two earlier as she'll need to get situated."

"I thought she had an aversion to driving." I said, remembering how my father had tried to teach her to drive but my grandparents had already embittered her to the idea.

"She eventually got over it, not without struggle." My father winces "She got herself an old, red beetle and she's been using that little thing since she was 18. My parents were furious when they heard, of course I didn't let her know I'd told them. She wanted to be taken as dead to them."

"Can't wait to hear why from the source. When will she be coming?"

"Could you call Dolores about that, Darling? I have to see something about your brother and your father has a meeting to go to."

"A meeting? About what?" My father doesn't work really, not necessary for us.

"Some charity nonsense, I'm not entirely sure if I'm being honest. All I usually have to do is sign a check." My father explains, poorly.

"Fine, could I get her phone number?"

My mother scribbles down on a sheet her ten digits and sends me off. I'll finally have a use for Xavier's gift.

I shut my bedroom door and start looking for my cell phone, Thing has been using it to make a "TikTok" and "IG". I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes every time Enid would send him some asinine little video. I'm sure it's dead now as neither of us remembers to charge it. I find it in the dresser next to my bed, on 5% battery and 27 new text messages from Xavier.

******

I can hear her before I've even seen her. She came in her red Volkswagen Beetle, blaring music from its speakers. I'd hope she doesn't plan on maintaining that obnoxious volume, I can feel the migraine coming on already as she gets out to say hello.


"Wednesday, looking as malcontent and gorgeous as always." with her ever present smirk on her lips.
"Should I come in and say hey to the folks?"

"I'm sure they'd appreciate that, Mother hasn't stopped fawning about you since she knew you'd be my new teacher."

"Ugh, I've missed Tishy. I guess you'll wanna wait out here?"

"I'd prefer it."

"Here then," she hands me the keys, takes off her circular sunglasses and puts them on the neckline of her shirt "roll down the windows and do whatcha want. I'll be out in a few."

"Thank you, I'll be waiting. Thing will also be coming, just so you know."

"Aw, sweet. He owes me the story about the safe," She says, walking inside "besides I'll need me a few minutes to talk to Gomey and Morts about your new therapist situation."

My blood pressure rises immensely as a hear her last little blip.

"What are you referring to?"

She turns around to face me and looks more bemused by my expression than I'd like for her to be.


"What? Did you think that just because you saved the outcast population of New England from a bigoted zombie, his inept however many 'greats' granddaughter and your ex-boyfriend that everyone would forget you almost killed that normie kid from your last school? Law still applies to ya, dollface. Even heroes need therapy." She says, with her hands on her hips.

"This is waste of time. It's not like therapy did much the first time around, besides get the therapist killed by one of her patients." I feel my grip around the keys start pinching into my fingers

"And shockingly that patient wasn't you." She quips, smirk still on her face before it relaxes slightly "Jesus kid, you're acting like therapy is an actual punishment. Your talking out your thoughts with someone for an hour, get over it." As she turns around to walk inside and Lurch comes out to put my bags in her car.

She waltzes out just as chipper 20 minutes later

"C'mon, we're going from Princeton to Killington, Vermont, with any luck we'll make good time and get there by this afternoon."

"Five hours isn't so bad."

"I'm not generally fond of being extended company."

"Oh please, this little ride along could end up being a nice time for you." She says, getting in the car and starting it "Did you already say bye to everyone?"

"Yes, and I doubt it."

"Dude are you always this much of a downer? Get in."

I get settled inside "This whole happy-go-lucky thing you're doing isn't making you any happier."

"Is that so?" We take off into the path by my home leading to the main road into town.

"Yes. Happiness, or at least satisfaction in my experience is an equation: reality - high expectations. If you expect people to disappoint you, experiences to be subpar and life in general to not excite you very much, then you're never really disappointed." I finish matter of factly.

"Is that really happiness then? Or even satisfaction, as you say?"

"Sure. Can't miss what I never thought I had."

"Spidey, a lot of life is what you make it. If you go to a party, or say, a long car ride, with the expectation or intention to have a bad time then you'll just go, be moody and have in fact, a bad time." She counters, putting her glasses back on to shield herself from the sun coming off the rear view mirror.

"So I'm either right or pleasantly surprised? Sounds good to me."

"It's bad vibes." She says flatly

"It's realistic vibes."

"Expecting everything to be bad all the time also isn't realistic, Wen. There are so many reasons to be optimistic."

"Are you serious?" I ask, knowing some of her past.

"Yes! Life can be a wonderful thing, especially when you're the one in control of how you're living it."

"I can't agree, the natural state of things is chaos. Violence, war, rape, murder, abuse. Eventually we all end up ashes or worm food, the sooner we contend with that fact the better it helps me linger in the good times." I say, diddling the charm on my bracelet with Nero's stinger.

"Wens how often do you think about death?"

"All the time."

"Your family's? Your friends?"

"Sometimes, and it upsets me."

"Christ."

"Oh deliberately his. You can't deny that most things just don't work out."

"The magic of pessimism." She says sarcastically

"Almost everyone is mediocre at almost everything they do. All relationships we have will end, in death or in life. The only way to feel satiated and move on is to lower your expectations and not let it get to you. Optimism is stupid."

"But the stupid, optimistic conviction that things can and will get better by making it so is what makes positive change possible in the first place. If everyone walked around being almost certain that everything's going to shit then what's the point of trying?"

"Trying to what?"

"Trying. Period. Just trying at anything. Trying to be cleaner, trying to be smarter, trying to be faster. There would be no clear point and everyone would just settle and progress would stall."

I can't deny this.

"Spidey, I get that pessimism can feel safer."

"It's not my personal well-being I'm concerned about."

"Isn't it? When was the last time you had real hope about anything? Not deterministic persistence, not stubbornness, not pettiness and not settling because hey this is as good as it's gonna get let's hope it doesn't get worse. Real, deep hope about something. Or, someone."

"I don't like how often you're turning your head to give me sideways glance."

"Wednesday."

"Isn't hope just blind faith in a nicer tone?" I ask

"Yes. Can you answer the question?"

"...I suppose I'd hoped that Eugene would recover despite the odds of surviving an explosion not being great."

"Eugene is the little beekeeper friend you made last term, right?"

"The entomopathist, yes."

"Okay, I guess that's a good example."

"I'm not hopeless, I'm just selective in where I put my energy or hope."

"So with the Hyde thing. We're you betting that Xavier Thorpe was the Hyde or we're you hoping he was so you could say you're a good judge of character."

"I didn't really think it had much to do with anyone's character at all. When I was under the impression that Xavier was the monster, I thought he was doing it without knowing it. Or that he was doing it unwillingly."

"Guess it was an ugly surprise when you found out Galpin relished in it."

It bothers me how well she can gage me despite not having spent much time with me recently.

Most of the information she has must be second hand and yet she's reaching accurate conclusions.
We're obviously related, we look enough alike where it's clear by just looking.
Not exactly of course but she's small, only two inches taller than me and wears big shoes to compensate for it. Her hair also helps. A big, curly inch of her skull. But still, black hair, black eyes, and her skin is the color mine would be if my vitamin D deficiency didn't leave me with the grey cast palor I like now. A warm tan brown like Father.

"It was unsettling. Albeit certainly made my first kiss memorable."

"I'm sure. Mine was a shit show."

"What? Did the guy have braces and they got caught in yours?" I ask sarcastically, knowing her attempt as sympathizing won't measure up.

"No. His teeth were perfectly straight and white. He'd long past the age where braces would look acceptable."

"Couldn't have been that bad." I shrug off

"He forced it on me."

"...and I'm assuming you broke his teeth in retribution." I add

"Not even close. In the position I was in at the time it would've completely fucked my life up, I showed some disgust and that was enough for me to get a stern 'talking to' from my parents."

"This has something to do with why you ran off."

"Yeah. Well, this and a ton of other shit I don't wanna get into, no use dwelling on what's done." She mutters that last part.

"I'm never having kids."

"Pfft, me neither kid. Pregnancy and childbirth alone sound like a Lovecraftian nightmare."

"Hm...well when you phrase it like that..."

We spent most of the ride in relative silence, her music making so that it's not completely quiet but clearly neither of us felt like speaking. She let me control the music for a few hours and surprisingly, she introduced me to new music I actually enjoyed. Genres I'd written off and artists I'd misjudged. I found that I can enjoy some pop, like Shakira's older sound. My aunt is also obviously angrier than she'd like to seem, given how taken away she got by She Wants Revenge. We stopped once for a bathroom break and coffee at a small coffee shop in New Paltz ironically called The Bakery. As eye-roll inducing as the name is the coffee was good and the bathrooms were clean, so we couldn't complain much. She was nice enough to pay. "I'm your aunt and the adult" and other such nonsense being the excuse. Around half way through the ride I pick up my cell phone and text two people to let them know I'm coming. Enid, as we're still rooming together and I wanted to
make sure she kept her My Little Pony adjacent decor on her side, and Xavier. Might give him a chance to get his explanation clear about these messages. Altogether the ride went by much quicker than I expected. We'd headed out at 5:04 am that morning and got to the school at 9:50 am. Of course she drives like a mad woman constantly surpassing the speed limit, only pausing for a second at stop signs and hardly getting any red lights helps. Impressive that her car hasn't been totaled.

"So when are the rest of us meeting your aunt?" Enid asks over FaceTime while I unpack, I hadn't realized she wouldn't be at the school for another two days.

"The day you get here, I suppose. Unless you've other plans. I'd introduce you to her now on this call but she's in her room working on the lesson plan, I believe."

"Than to hang out with my bestie and her super cool aunt? Never. Well, except maybe spend some quality time with Ajax."

"Good to know he's still doing well with you."

"Total gentleman, no complaints here. He's been a little worried about Xavier though. I know he's a little moody, tortured artist persona and all. But during the break he barely communicated with Jax, or anyone else as far as I know."

As far as you know is a good way to phrase it, Enid. She doesn't need to know about his messages to me, I'm not even sure how to take them myself. The only thing he responded to me after my text was "Oh, cool."

"I let him know I was on my way here this morning, I didn't get a very enthusiastic responce from. Figured that was just his nature over text." Not even close

"Really? That's surprising. I thought if anyone could get more outta him it'd be you."

"Why's that?"

"No one believes you're that oblivious, Wednesday. His not-so-subtle crush on you? Maybe that's why?"

"Maybe the events last year sobered him up and he got over it."

"Or he's just depressed."

"Also possible. Not necessarily our business though, is it?"

"I mean, it kinda is. We're his friends and all, and most of us know what it's like to not have a whole hell of a lot of support at home. He needs to get it from somewhere." She clarifies

"Wasn't his father with him during this break?"

"Ha, yeah. I'm sure he was a whole lotta help." She says sarcastically

"Wasn't he? Xavier could've died last term." I point out

"Hm, I'm not sure that's all that important to the all too busy Vincent Thorpe."

"Well, that's mildly upsetting."

"Yeah, you could say that. I know he and I aren't close but I know what it's like to feel like the family you were born into isn't the one you're supposed to be in. At least sometimes." I can empathize with that. My parents are the epitome of present, supportive parents. Almost to a fault, that's what makes it strange. In my eyes, they border on intrusive sometimes, and lacking physical boundaries most times.

"I understand. Do you know if he's an only child?"

"Good question. I'll ask Ajax, I'm not sure. I know his mom wasn't his first wife so it's a possibility he's not. Well, I have my flight at 1:00 am tonight so I gotta get going. See ya in the morning, Bestie."

"Goodbye Enid, have a safe flight.”

<a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/50759830"><strong>Well Then</strong></a> (69569 words) by <a href="https://archiveofourown.org/users/AliTerren"><strong>AliTerren</strong></a><br />Chapters: 13/20<br />Fandom: <a href="https://archiveofourown.org/tags/Wednesday%20(TV%202022)">Wednesday (TV 2022)</a><br />Rating: Explicit<br />Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings<br />Relationships: Wednesday Addams & Xavier Thorpe, Wednesday Addams/Xavier Thorpe, Xavier Thorpe & Wednesday Addams, Xavier Thorpe/Wednesday Addams, Xavier Thorpe/Original Female Character(s), Xavier Thorpe and Original Female Character(s), Wednesday Addams/Original Female Character(s), Tyler Galpin/Original Female Character(s), Wednesday Addams & Enid Sinclair, Ajax Petropolus/Enid Sinclair, Ajax Petropolus & Xavier Thorpe, Wednesday Addams & Original Female Character<br />Characters: Xavier Thorpe, Wednesday Addams, Enid Sinclair, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Original Non-Human Character(s), Ajax Petropolus, Eugene Ottinger, Morticia Addams, Gomez Addams, Tyler Galpin, Donovan Galpin, Garrett Gates, Marilyn Thornhill | Laurel Gates, Vincent Thorpe<br />Additional Tags: Mildly Dubious Consent, Slow Burn, Slow Build, Friends to Lovers, Sexual Tension, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Unresolved Romantic Tension, Unresolved Emotional Tension, Wednesday is soft for Xavier, Xavier Thorpe is Whipped, POV Xavier Thorpe, POV Wednesday Addams, Possessive Behavior, Obsessive Behavior, Xavier Thorpe Needs a Hug, Xavier Thorpe switch, Jealous Wednesday Addams, Pining, Yearning, Lonely Xavier Thorpe, Smut, Eventual Smut, Fluff and Smut, Masturbation, Fantasizing, Prophetic Visions, Sharing a Bed, Sharing Clothes, Xavier Thorpe Has Daddy Issues, Xavier Thorpe has Mommy Issues, Xavier Thorpe has a praise kink, Discussion of sexual assault, Discussion of rape kits, succubi, Demonic Possession, Demonic Sacrifice, soul eating, Bisexual Wednesday Addams, Creepy Tyler Galpin, wet dreams, Our season 2, Subby Xavier Thorpe, Sub Xavier Thorpe<br />Summary: <p>New term has started, with it comes new people, new feelings and new duties. Let’s hope the unresolved doesn’t get in the way.</p><p>(This might be a part one, might make sequels. Also, take this as season 2 if you also miss having Xavier in the show.)</p>

[noblest-roman-of-them-all]

Childhood Trauma

It's been seventeen years since Thomas last saw his uncle. Seventeen years since he fled home in the dead of night, carrying only what he could fit into a couple of bags and ran away. Seventeen years since he was fifteen and cowering under his uncle's hand. And yet. And yet it's been like no time at all when he sees him sitting at that table in the restaurant.

This comes from my Safe Haven AU in which Nico's family runs a bed and breakfast that his father built to help runaways get back on their feet.

Nico jumped out of the way as Thomas rushed passed him, wide eyed and shaking. "Are you okay?" He asked, worried and followed behind him.

"I'm fine," he replied curtly.

"Hey-"

He jerked away when Nico caught his hand. "I said, I'm fine! Just leave me alone!"

Nico raised his hands and took a step back, shocked by his husband's outburst. "Okay. Okay, I'm sorry-"

But Thomas was already walking away.

Nico sighed and continued making his way to the front on the restaurant. He stopped by where Janus was greeting incoming guests at the podium.

"Hey, have you seen Thomas?"

"Not in the last few minutes, he was on the floor. Do you want me to tell him your looking for him?"

"No, I just ran into him. He was pretty upset, but wouldn't say why. I was wondering if you saw something."

Janus shook his head. "No, I don't-" he stopped suddenly and pulled out his map of the tables and pointed at one. "I seated a couple here a few minutes ago. The guy looked a little similar to Thomas, maybe..." he shrugged, not wanting to finish the thought.

Nico nodded. "Maybe it's someone he knows. Thanks, Jan. I'll go check it out." He slipped into the back for a moment to pick up at least a notebook and pen, if only to feel like he was vaguely armed in some way. Truth be told, he didn't want to be doing this.

He could easily recall the day Thomas had shown up to the bed'n breakfast, bruised, hungry, and terrified. It was the first time he'd seen for himself why his dad had built this place. He'd known from a young age that it was a place for people running from bad situations, but he hadn't actually seen how bad things could be for himself until that day.

It had scared him.

He'd known that abusive people existed, he wasn't that sheltered. He knew they existed and he knew his grandfather had been one of them, it was the whole reason his dad had run away, it was the reason Safe Haven existed. But he hadn't really seen it until Thomas had shown up ready to collapse from exhaustion and sporting fresh bruises from his uncle's latest rampage against him.

The idea that the man who had abused his fiancée was in the restaurant was nothing short of terrifying to Nico and he couldn't begin to imagine how it made Thomas feel.

His heart pounded as he neared the table, he couldn't stall forever with checking in for show at the tables of regulars.

"Hi, I'm Nico, one of the managers. How's going ovdr here?" Janus had been right about the man holding some resemblance to Thomas.

"Everything is wonderful," the woman answered with a smile. "I'm glad we noticed this place as we were passing through."

"Oh, you're traveling?"

She nodded. "We're headed upstate to see some family."

"Well, I hope you have a lovely time. Is there anything else I can bring you folks?"

"I don't think so," the man answered, "but I was wondering if you guys had a Tom on staff here?"

Nico's heart stopped. "Uh, no, I don't believe so," he lied, shocked at how calm his voice sounded.

"Huh. One of the waiter's looked almost exactly like my nephew."

"What a coincidence!" Nico laughed nervously.

"It certainly would be considering he ran away when he was a kid," he answered, something hard and cold in his voice made Nico wonderful if he'd been convincing enough in his lie. "We actually tracked his phone here when it first happened, but the owners said they didn't have any guests by his name then either."

"Oh. I- I'm sorry to hear that," Nico offered, unsure what else he could say.

The man waved him off. "We all make our own choices. I really thought that was him though. Wishful thinking, I suppose. Aaanyway, I think we're ready for the check and to head up to the room for the evening."

Nico gripped his notebook, trying to keep his hands from shaking. "Of course," he nodded. "I'll let your waiter know and then we can get you settled."

Nico walked back to Janus, pale and shaking.

"Oh no."

Nico glanced up and nodded. "They want their check and then they're going to check into their room," he explained. Nico rubbed his forehead and pushed his hands though his hair. "Of all the times for my parents to be on vacation..."

"We'll figure it out," Janus encouraged. "I'll take care of the table, you grab Logan and Elliot and find Thomas."

---

"Anything?" Logan asked as he met up with Nico in the corridor.

"No. He left his phone in our room too," Nico replied. "I don't think he'd take off completely without it, but... I don't know."

"What's going on?" Remus asked as he strode up to the pair with Elliot.

"Thomas's uncle is here," Nico told him, "the one he ran away from. We can't find him anywhere and it's starting to worry me."

"We'll find him," Remus assured. "Have you checked for missing keys? Maybe he ducked into one of the empty rooms."

"You're a genius," Nico declared as he rushed off.

---

Thomas jumped at the light tapping on the door, he stared wide-eyed and heart pounding, as if waiting for it to burst in of it's own accord.

"Room service," Nico's voice called softly from the other side as he had done so many years ago.

He pushed himself off the floor and marched stiffly to the door. "How did you find me?" he questioned.

"I checked the registry for booked rooms, then cut out reseverved rooms, and looked for the missing keys."

Thomas nodded and stepped aside, allowing Nico to push in the cart.

"Are you-"

"I saw my uncle. He was in the restaurant."

"I know-"

"He saw me too."

"I know. We told him you weren't here. He asked about you, we told him you weren't here. That there was no one here by that name. Just like we would for anyone else."

Thomas nodded and took a step back when Nico reached for him. Nico mirrored his action.

"You're always allowed to say 'no' to me," Nico reminded him. "Do you want me stay here with you tonight or do you need some space?"

Thomas swallowed and shook his head. "I just need some space," he mumbled.

Nico nodded. "Okay. That's okay. We're all here for you," he reminded gently. "Your aunt and uncle booked for the night, they're in 14 downstairs."

Thomas nodded, looking like he was about to burst into tears and it took everything Nico had not to pull him into his arms.

"I'll let you know when they leave, okay?"

Thomas just nodded this time.

"Are you okay?"

"I just...want to go to bed. I'll- I'll talk to you in the morning."

Nico nodded. "Okay. I love you."

"Love you too," Thomas replied stiffly.

Nico's chest ached as he walked from the room, leaving his fiancée behind. He wanted nothing more than to hold his love close, hidden away, till he felt safe again. Wanted to wrap him up in a blanket and sit in their room, locked and secure, and hold him till the threat passed.

He felt sick knowing that how ever scared he felt, Thomas was even more afraid. Felt guilty at leaving him behind, alone in that room, with no comfort. It may have been what Thomas said he wanted, but it still didn't sit right in Nico's heart to leave him like that.

But it was what he had asked for and Nico would respect that.

Thomas bolted the door behind Nico and almost immediately hit the ground, trying to stifle the sob buidling in his chest. In that moment, it felt like years of therapy and coping mechanisms fell away. Nothing would help, nothing would keep him safe expect to stay hidden from his uncle and to avoid Nico as much as possible.

It would be bad enough if his uncle found him, it would be far worse if he saw the two of them together.

It was only for the night. In the morning, he would be safe.

---

Thomas sneaked downstairs with practiced ease, taking great care to avoid the spots he knew would creak loudly under his feet and sticking close to the walls as possible.

He had to see for himself if they were gone. He could have just called to ask, but it wouldn't be enough. He needed to see the documentation that they were gone, needed to see the empty room, needed to make sure they were not hidden in the restaurant or any other common area of the inn.

He made it as far as the base of the stairs before he realized his mistake.

He was frozen, suddenly only fifteen again as his uncle stormed up to him, demanding to know what the hell was the matter with him, who he thought he was for abandoning his family.

"I'm sorry," he gasped around the tears that ran down his face.

"Oh, you're 'sorry'," he sneered, stepping forward.

Thomas stepped back. "I-" The words died in his throat, cut off by a strangled whimper that escaped him when a hand struck him across the face.

"You're a coward is what you are. Not even enough of man to look me in the eye and apologize properly. You always were an ungrateful brat, I guess something's never change, do they? Shame you ran away before I sent you off. I should'a dragged your ass out of here the first time I found you. Maybe then you'd be a real man."

Nico glanced up at the sudden commotion from across the common room. He cursed under his breath when he saw one of the guests had Thomas all but pinned to a wall.

He rushed forward and found Remus at his side.

"I'll take care of the clown, you get Thomas out of here," he spoke quietly to Nico. Before Nico could respond Remus grabbed the man by the shoulder and, in one fluid motion, spun him around and pinned him to the wall.

"Hi," he said with a faux cheeriness that boardered on scary, "I'm the manager on shift. Do you have a fucking problem with my staff?"

"That's my nephew-"

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Tell you what, why don't you go pack your bags and get the hell out."

"Excuse me?"

"Well, the only other thing I can offer is for you to leave without your shit and we can donate it a local charity for you."

"Get your hands off me and let me talk to my nephew!" He fumed.

Remus nodded, understandingly. "Out the door it is then." He dragged the man by the shoulder to the door and pushed him outside. "Have the rest of your day," he said politely and shut the door, quickly locking it as well.

He turned to find Remy standing there with Thomas's aunt.

"Do you feel safe going home with that man?" Remus asked, his tone now serious. "Do you need us to call anyone for you?"

She gaped at him. "Young man, what exactly are you trying to imply?"

"I'm not implying anything," Remus answered. "I know exactly what he did and why Thomas ran away when he was younger. So I'm asking you again, do you feel safe with him?"

"That is my husband! Of course he's safe and I don't appreciate the implication otherwise!"

Remus nodded. "Alright, then you can get the fuck out too."

"I beg your pardon?"

Remy turned to the woman and shoved the suitecases into her arms. "Welp! You heard my manager, out the door you go!"

Remus opened the door and ushered the woman out, his eerie cheerful smile coming back to his face. "Thanks for staying with us, don't ever come back again."

Remy waved from behind him. "G.T.F.O, Tata for good."

Remus locked the door once more then slumped forward against it with a heavy sigh.

"You good?"

Remus nodded, taking a slow breath. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm good."

"Cool. That was actually hot as hell. But, uh, you look like you're gonna pass out, so let's get you sitting down, okay?"

Remus blinked then broke into laughter that quickly devolved into near hyperventilating. "Ohhh holy fuck what did I just do?"

Remy quickly took his arm, trying to support him enough to get him to a chair. "You threw out a couple of whackjobs like a total badass. Trust me, Josue is not gonna care. You were protecting Thomas. You did the right thing, Remus."

---

"I'm fine, I'm fine-" Thomas writhed away from Nico as the door closed behind them. "I said, I'm fine!"

"Alright." Nico raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, I'm sorry." He stepped back and watched Thomas sink down one of the walls, burying his face in his hands. Nico sat beside him without actually touching him. "You're safe," he offered, but Thomas shook his head.

"He knows where I am."

"And he can't do anything about that," Nico reminded. "You're not sixteen anymore, babe. He can't make you go anywhere you don't want to."

Thomas laughed bitterly and pushed his hair back. "Yeah, try telling that to my anxiety."

Nico offered his hand, but Thomas shook his head, shrinking in on himself slightly, and he pulled away.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"I don't think so," Thomas answered. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Nico soothed. "I want to help if I can, but...I understand if that's not possible."

"I just need time."

"I understand."

[liketwoswansinbalance]

Round III of Excerpts from The One True School Master of Vault 41

Agatha turned to the Rafal. "Interesting,” she nodded. "I'm sure you don't remember the names of all the masses you've murdered, but tell me, whose face do you see in your nightmares?" she prompted expectantly.

“Rh—h-hACK,” said he, the Evil sorcerer.

“What? Come again?” Agatha prodded all too knowingly as she got to her feet.

Rafal seized up and started to convulse silently. Something was obstructing his airways.

Sophie hopped up from her seat. “Aggie! He’s choking, Aggie!” she squawked.

“Oh! Well, do something then! He’s yours to look after!” Agatha crossed her arms and stared Rafal dead in the eye as he suffocated, daring him to try anything.

“B-but, I don’t know how to—" Sophie’s voice died in her throat as she fluttered her hands in distress. She looked at Agatha in askance. "Would you revive or resuscitate..."

Agatha shook her head stubbornly. She was Sophie's savior and no one else's. On occasion, she would save Tedros, but he usually wouldn't let her save him. "If he dies now, there'll be no one to blame and it'll be of natural causes. And, I'll be doing Tedros a favor by sparing him a heart attack. He's been through so much already, I'm not sure his heart could take another shock, like the one in front of us."

Sophie exhaled, ready to blow up, flustered and red. She could barely get words out, and froze in place. Her ribcage throbbed with panic, like she’d swallowed her heart whole.

She turned to Kiko, next, to seek help, but found that Kiko was gone! Sophie hadn’t noticed that the Evergirl, the only one she could expect a scrap of human decency from had fled from the table!

Turning bluer by the second, Rafal stopped clutching his throat.

He stood up abruptly, chair scraping the glass floor as it skidded back with a screech. He motioned with his hands to signal to the girls that they didn’t have to intervene, dismissing them.

Gripping the table, he leaned on it, bent over its edge, and thrust his fists against his diaphragm hard, dislodging what had caught in his throat.

A saliva-coated coin of cucumber shot out of his windpipe and hit Agatha squarely in the eye.

Sophie sagged in relief.

The slice of cucumber slid down Agatha’s cheek leaving a trail of spittle. “Well, that’s settled,” she griped sullenly. She flumped down on her seat cushion again, long, rangy limbs askew. “Too bad you’re alive.”

“Too bad indeed. For you,” Rafal smirked, stretching his tensed jaw so it clicked.

Agatha winced. “After yet another run-in with death, you’re still here. Guess my luck’s run dry for good. Will Lady Fortune ever be on my side?”

“Not if you don’t cease with the complaining,” he taunted, “If only I could stretch you beneath her wheel, but alas… I’m beholden to your dear friend.”

“Enough,” Sophie boomed as she slammed her hands on the glass table. The table shuddered, and the filigree bone china jittered as several serving dishes clinked together.

Agatha and Rafal swiveled to look at her.

“That’s it,” Sophie fumed, “I’ll put up with none of this infantile bickering while I’m present. You two must learn to cooperate. I know you don’t trust him, Agatha, darling, and admittedly, I don’t either, but I think he’s trying, at the very least, to be helpful, so be civil. The same goes for you as well, Rafal. At least try to look contrite. And remember: my say is final.”

All three fell silent for a moment.

"If you actually were wondering,” Rafal told Agatha, "The answer is Rhian. His face has haunted my dreams every night since he died.”

⸻

[Note: A lot comes to pass between these two scenes, so don’t expect them to be perfectly chronological. I just thought the shift could be fun to see.

And, this second section takes place earlier on in the plot by the way. We're nowhere near the climax with these two excerpts.

Also, watch what you think, Agatha. Some dreadful irony will come back to bite you, and everyone to be fair.

Oh, and did anyone catch the Shakespeare reference?]

Good's glass walls beamed back the moonlight like searchlights spilling from the columns. The walls were truly a spectacular sight, the mazes of halls all illuminated in silver.

Yet beauty and brilliant lighting do not the optimum conditions for breaking and entering make.

Every polished facet contained Agatha’s reflection, exposing her in her black robes. And, she was well-aware of this disadvantage, but she would never be able to slip away during the day, so night it was.

She rounded the bend and her spine prickled with the familiar sensation of being watched.

After her run-in with Professor Anemone, she now roamed the halls with much less fear. This time, she encountered a different petrified faculty member. Pollux.

She reached up and knocked lightly at the space between his eyes. Nearly soundlessly, it echoed, muffled by his thick-skulled, furred brow.

Just what she’d thought, he had nothing but a load of fluff in there. Agatha laughed to herself.

The labyrinthine glass breezeways, went winding and overlapping every which way, breathtaking in their complexity, but Agatha had discovered that no matter which corridor she turned into, the swathes of friezes lining the walls would direct her, pointing her in the same direction, hopefully the right direction.

The pearlescent friezes were inlaid with nacre, and they cast ribboned, iridescent rainbows when it was day. Though now, they gleamed a dim silver.

There they were, the figures frozen in motion, a goose girl’s tresses, a farm lad’s cap blown in the wind, trees doubled over, all bowing to the same current.

Certainly, they had been revised, but by whom?

All in one, singular direction they went, one after another in a sundry procession: fairy godmothers’ crystalline wands, soldiers’ spears, kings’ scepters, shamans’ pipes and tapering beards, Seers’ gazes, wizards’ staffs, fair maidens’ dismembered, white fingers, birds’ beaks, mermens’ tridents, agrarians’ pitchforks, crowds’ pennants, jousters’ lances, heraldic banners fluttering aloft, sylphs’ wispy tails, cupids’ arrows, and quixotic princes’ swords.

Agatha could not make heads or tails of these strange alterations to the scenes acting as her guides. They were most probably leading her to her final destination, as if they were conspiring to help her. But her theft would be a far cry from a Good Deed. It breached the Rules.

It was as if the School itself were supporting her theft from it. Or, could it be?

She stopped short.

And a prideful voice projected from somewhere sounded, reverberating through the glass-enclosed tunnel. “Move,” it told her with marked disdain and thinly veiled impatience.

It was coming from the walls, she concluded. Agatha looked about uneasily, thoroughly unsettled, and spun on her heels to face them. The carvings.

She stared intently at the wall closest to her.

A lean, cloaked prince was posed in the midst of slaying a serpentine creature that curled in on itself, swallowing its own tail. It was circular, made of a writhing mass of things.

Agatha shuddered involuntarily as she studied it. The beast’s scales resembled Japeth’s Scims a great deal. All snakes reminded her of Japeth these days. A wyrm, was it? No, it was an ouroboros.

And the prince’s banner, it was a gloomier, storm-cloud grey, silver like the Wish Fish. And it had a swan gracing it, an odd, obsidian piece of glass set into the frieze, looking darker than the rest of the banners. Still, it held gleams of iridescence. It was just duller and darker in finish than the other coats of arms. Almost, just almost, Evil’s banner.

The prince turned to her from his carved position, pointed his sword ahead and glared right at her. His swan crest blinked and seemed to glare down at her as well.

“Move, you imbecile,” said a cold, villainous, not particularly princely voice from the carved figure. “We don't have all night.”

Agatha stared dumbfounded.

"Yes, it's me,” Rafal’s voice seethed. “And I can't hold them frozen forever. So, go.”

Agatha stepped away from the wall, and proceeded down the last few lengths of the hall.

No, impossible. Rafal helping her was impossible, she thought breathlessly. Laughable. She was tempted to scoff, but held herself back since she didn’t want to take this one-time occurrence for granted.

Rafal. Of course. Always had to represent his own side, she supposed. The depraved madcap. Couldn’t masquerade as Good for a day, could he? If he had to be Good, he’d croak. She was sure of it. There wasn’t a single thing in these green Woods he could do to repent, help or no help. Not a thing.

He always had to be so maddeningly obvious about his darker, murderous instincts. His cold voice had been a dead giveaway. Even Sophie was subtler. And Sophie, subtle? No chance of it! He was just worse by comparison, that was all.

All the doom and gloom and the no-nonsense demeanor, it got tiring after a while. Christ, had she been like that before?

Agatha had masqueraded as a witch her whole life and look where it had gotten her. Just once, she wished she could see him beaten down and forced to act a harder role. Imagine, him, dealt a harder role to play. Like hers.

Had he ever been oppressed in his life? He was an oppressor! Well, Evil had been oppressed, but that was his own doing. He’d brought the curse upon himself by slaughtering his own brother!

You could do anything while Evil. But Good came with restrictions. The Nevers were freer, truly. They didn’t chastise bad manners and loud chewing. Well, Rafal seemed to, for Sophie’s sake. But Agatha knew most Nevers wouldn’t care a jot about tea party etiquette.

So long Rafal and thanks for all the help. I hope you wind up dead.

She had the urge to look back, but nevertheless, she turned away from the carved prince as he took up his sword and animatedly resumed fighting his battle with the ouroboros, blade clashing against scales, as if he were fighting his own violent rebirth.

Agatha was certain that this robbery wasn’t exactly the sort of cooperation Sophie had in mind, but it would have to do. It was the most they could muster up. And what did it matter now?

She gripped the crystal knob to Professor Dovey's office and turned it. Locked. Drat!

Then, she heard a clink and something pin-like skidded across the floor. The carved prince’s tiny sword.

She inserted it into the lock, and silently thanked Rafal. Maybe, he wasn’t so corrupt after all.

She tucked the sword into her pocket, and tentatively entered Professor Dovey’s office. She didn’t look back at the frieze, now converted into an ivory scene of bloodshed instead of victory. Nor did she catch sight of the tiny prince being disemboweled by the ouroboros, gutted through the gaps of the plating in his armor, leaking entrails, and succumbing to a theatrical “death” without his tiny sword.

The miniature black swan banner finally tipped and sank with a metallic clank, fluttering up like a flag of surrender before it settled on the ground.

After he was “killed,” Rafal exited the wall. A decent practice session in dying, he thought. Though it wasn't quite right. And being eviscerated wasn't a pleasant way to go, he found. He mentally crossed that method off his list.

The frieze reverted back to a prince frozen in the motion of slaying the ouroboros once again, banner branded with a white swan, as if Rafal had never been there at all.

[terresdebrume]

Got the idea for this snippet in the limo driver!Joe verse, and I *could,* have left it in the wip folder for later but I thought eh, it's gonna be super short, might as well share it! Turns out it's not that short after but oh well. I'll live xD

Takes place in the same universe & year as Blessings of the Children [Tumblr version]

"I think I'm going to go refill my drink," David announces in the middle of a lull in the conversation. "Anyone wants a top off?"

Janice Roberts, the Hummels and Alan Parrish puts their orders in—two punches, one soda water, one coke—and Joe's elbow is unceremoniously seized and pulled aside.

"You're helping me carry all that."

In normal circumstances, Joe would tell him exactly where he can shove the idea. He'd probably end up going anyway but you know. He'd at least put in a protest out of principle. But then he normal circumstances he wouldn't be caught dead talking to a woman who not only birthed Ruthie's one time bully but also managed to make a pointed remark about the size of his nose and make a pass at him in the same conversation.

So, exceptionally, Joe lets himself be dragged away.

"I'm never covering another fucking dance," he tells David in German as they circle around the crowd of dancing teenagers to reach the buffet. "I don't care if Ruth begs me on her knees, I'm fucking done."

David throws him a skeptical glance over his shoulder, and it would be a hell of a lot less irritating if they didn't both know Joe is being full of shit. Oh, sure, he put up a fight when Ruth asked him to chaperone at her winter formal, but it was mostly for show. Not that Ruth needs to know that, of course. David doesn't need to know that either, for that matter, but he's always had a nasty habit of getting Joe, even when he was a kid, so... There they are.

"I swear to God," Joe continues anyway, lowering his voice when they step up to the table and he spots Ruthie's German teacher in the queue, "if fucking Janice leans on me one more fucking time, I'm gonna murder her."

"She is handsy, isn't she?" David hums as he maneuvers the three solo cups he's carrying onto the table and begins to look for Janice's soda water. "I like Denise though."

He's sticking to German too, quiet enough that Joe almost doesn't hear him. His words make Joe shrug. Sure, Denise Hummel seems fine. Not best friend material, probably, but not someone Joe is actively repelled by at least.

"I ain't talking about Denise," Joe hisses, gathering the coke and soda water cups while David fills the remaining ones with punch, "I'm talking—"

"Talking about Janice, yes, I heard," David says, eyes still on the cups.

He starts shuffling his way back around the room, and Joe plants himself firmly in his trail to avoid the bulk of the jostling.

"Don't act like you like her," he hisses at David's back. "I know your fucking face."

"I prefer to remain polite in social situations," David says, going for prim and landing on snotty.

Joe snorts. German or English, David tends to go formal when he's trying not to let on what he thinks. It doesn't really work, but it's funny to watch. Also, Joe's heard enough stories from David's days of mandatory upper crust socializing to know that line about staying polite is a big fat lie. He's probably just saying that to get a rise out of Joe for trouncing him at Mario Kart again. They run into Ruthie on their way back. She's guffawing about something with her friends Marisol and Isaac, and gives Joe a big smile before scowling at David in the most unsubtle way possible. Joe can't help a scowl of his own at the sight, but David just smiles harder and nods at Ruth and doesn't stop to talk to her.

When they rejoin the group that absorbed them earlier, the conversation has moved from the latest cinematic success to the merits of yoga vs pilates. Joe couldn't give a shit about either of those, but he tries to make some noise. It's mostly for Ruthie's sake. If it was just him, Joe would follow David's lead and keep his fucking mouth shut until he can escape the group.

The conversation goes from sports to self care, and Janice is in the middle of talking about her new haircut when David cuts her off to ask:

"How much did you pay for it?"

He doesn't look annoyed anymore, the stony look gone from his face. Instead, his eyes have widened in this faux-innocent sort of expression he does when he's about to give someone a piece of his mind, and Joe hurries to bury his nose in his cup of punch.

"Oh, not a lot," Janice says with a smug smile. "Only twenty-five dollars, why?"

"Mhm. You got ripped off."

There is absolutely no fucking way anyone mistakes Joe's loud snort for a cough. Not even when he starts choking on his drink and David reaches out to pat his back without a concern in the world. Joe's too busy not dying to look, but he knows exactly the kind of face he'll find there. It's the same face he pulled as a kid when he'd tell adults they were annoying or asking stupid questions. It's the same face he gave his driving instructor when he was eighteen, right before he told him the only reason he agreed to be in a car with him was to get his permit. The same face he'd made, last summer, when his mother asked him if he'd rather spend time with the driver than his own family and David blinked, and stared at her, and said 'yes of course' as cool as a fucking cucumber.

You wouldn't get torture that shit out of Joe, but he loves this face.

"Well," David says just as Joe gets his coughing and laughter somewhat under control, "now that everyone's uncomfortable."

And he must nod, the fucking asshole, right before he grips Joe's shoulder and drags him away from the group and next to the door. Joe follows him with his hands in his pockets, clinging to his poker face for dear fucking life as they come to a stop. Then, because he simply can't resist, he whistles and says:

"Don't hold back Web. Tell them what you really think!"

David rolls his eyes.

"This is me holding back," he mumbles, and Joe can't help huffing a heartfelt:

"Jesus. Now I'm curious to see what it looks like when you don't hold back."

David's expression turns outright smug, and Joe has to hide his answering smirk behind the rim of his solo cup.

[sadcupcake]

Winchester in Mystic Falls Part 3

After eliminating two of the monsters that have taken over my hometown I take an hour to gather myself. Sitting in on my bed I think about this town, as much as I want to make my brothers proud the urge to let this town and everyone in it burn is strong. After everything that happened to me in town the longer I'm in it the more those memories comeback to me. 

The two vamps I killed at the Grill today didn't look like they fit in around here, most likely newcomers. Something or someone must be drawing more vampires here. Finding what or who that is will be crucial to me stopping the plague of vamps.

I use to day dream about being the monsters I hunt, some of them have life so easy. Super strength, super speed, never aging, they seemingly had it all. The bloodlust I feel constantly needed an outlet that wouldn't turn me into a serial killer and when I first met my brothers they helped me realise that hunting could be that outlet. They helped me push all that hatred and anger down and use it for something productive, saving  people. These people on the other hand don't deserve saving. The entire town turned a blind eye to what happened to me here, never once stopping to question my parents about my constant wounds.

My sister was a jealous kid growing up, my parent so much as said good morning to me she would lash out, hurting me. Eventually my parents just stopped talking to me. It was the only way to keep my sister from hurting me, and soon it turned into the whole town. I got so use to never speaking to anyone my voice was lost for so long. My brothers eventually got me to talk to them but it took them months, why they even bothered to have me around so long I'll never know.

Preparing myself to eventually come face to face with my sister I leave my hotel to look around town. Walking through to park everything seems so normal. Kids playing and people talking like nothing is wrong. I spend the entire day asking people if they have seen anything weird around town, anything at all. No one has noticed much of anything except for one guy. Apparently people have been going missing for years now, and get this. My darling sister seems to be at the center of it all. turns out I was wrong. She has gotten herself caught up in quite a lot of supernatural drama.

The next step will be talking to my sister. Only problem is I can't exactly show up on her door step and say 'hey long time no see, what's up with you and the vampires in this town'. Or I could do exactly that I suppose. It's not like I'm trying to keep my relationship with her intact. Either way that's a choice for tomorrow.

After getting a good nights sleep for the first time in forever I decide it's time to just bite the bullet and knock on my sisters door. Finally getting to my childhood home I knock on the door quickly before I could change my mind. After waiting what seems like an eternity my sister finally opens the door.

" Hi, can I help you" She says, still with that innocent good girl voice that always drove me insane because of how much of a lie it is, I wonder if her friends know the real her yet.

" you really don't know who I 'am Elena"  I say not believing she really doesn't know me. I mean who doesn't recognise their dead sister showing up on their front door.

"Y/N, is that really you" she says finally knowing who I am.

"Yeah it's me, do you think I can come in" I really don't want to have this conversation on the front porch.

"Yeah, sure. Of course" She says not saying the words come in on purpose. I guess she does know something about the vampires in this town. 

This should be an interesting conversation after all.

[roseofithaca]

Caught In The Act (Part 2)

Set in @idiotwithanipad 's Era Swap AU. Humphrey's father interrogates Silver.

-

"You're certain you haven't seen her?" Amy asks the older woman, who's currently clutching at her trowel.

Mary shakes her head; "Not hide nor hair of her, little'en. But I has been workin' these parts of the fields all day, she may have ventured to the path down eastwards."

"Why would she go there?"

"T'is the direction of our old village, Lady Amy. Where me and my husband did raise her from a babe in arms." The woman explains, a glint of nostalgia in her eyes; "Sometimes my darling girl doth venture back there to visit her beloved da. His grave, I do mean."

Rogh hovers at Amy's side as they both listen to Silver's mother theorise where she may have gone. The caveman was the only one aware that there was another reason, a secret reason, which Silver had for going to visit her old home. To gain advice from her own Wise Elder who had taught her the ways of Moonah magic.

But whether she had gone there to visit the dead priestess or her father's grave, wouldn't she have mentioned either to Rogh before they'd parted? It didn't make sense.

"Still...she usually only makes the journey on her days off." Mary sighs, tapping her fingers nervously on the handle; "T'is most unlike my Silver to shirk her duties."

"Yeah, she goody two-shosey." Rogh grunts, even though the women can't hear him.

Maybe he should go wait at the east border for her return? It doesn't feel possible to relax until he knows where she is.

Amy was quiet, more so then usual, her expression stern. Difficult for Rogh to read. Was she angry at Petite Lune for leaving without a word? For not being around to play?

Mary seems to sense the rising tension.

"I-I is certain my girl will return with haste, little'en. I shall go ask around with the other servants if they've seen her, and ifs not I shall head t'ord our old village myself....if I has permission."

"No. Don't worry yourself." Amy said, straight faced; "Like you say, I'm sure there's a good reason and she'll be back soon. I'll send one of drivers out that way if they see her and can give her a lift home."

She forced a smile. Nothing like the ones she used to always have when she was a cub. Always for Rogh, back when she could see him.

Mary didn't seem too comforted but nodded all the same.

"Is shall still ask around. Cannots help but worry now. T'is a mother's curse, young Amy." She says before bustling off towards one of the gardeners.

He stayed beside Amy as he tried to think of where their mutual friend could be. His primal senses tingled all up his arms, telling him something was wrong, he just wasn't sure what.

Amy let out a sigh and closed her eyes.

"Silver said that you're still there, watching over me. That I didn't just imagine you. If that's true then, by God if He exists, you better find her and make sure she's safe. For me."

Rogh's mouth opens. He's never heard Stompy pray to anyone before, except for when told to at meal times or services. Never by herself.

Him. She's praying...no, talking to him.

He nods.

"Me will, Stompy. Me promise."

-

Silver had never considered herself sheltered. Lucky, of course, having grown up with two parents who adored her, who kept her fed and clothed, who didn't beat her or resent her for being a girl. But she still grew up poor, still had to learn how to help out as soon as she was old enough to hold a broom or a trowel. She's been skinning her knees on the dirt and burning her hands on the stove since she was four years old. One doesn't grow up in that kind of childhood without gaining a thick skin.

But her parents had also been there to kiss her wounds. Her da always ready to distract her with games or jokes. Mummy there to give her lots of hugs and wipe her tears. In that way, she realises she was sheltered. Never prepared for the day when neither of them would be here when the real pain began.

Lord Bone presses the poker against her calf. Her skin sizzles.

She screams into the handkerchief bound to her mouth.

How long has he been doing this now? Someone must have noticed she's not turned up for work. Has Betrice reported her absence, or is she simply muttering insults about her to the scullery maids?

She's passed out once already, the pain after the fifth scalding far worse than she'd anticipated. When she woke, she'd been dragged from the table and her shackles attacked to a hook on the wall above her head. A large hand had slapped her awake.

"Sleep is not a good sign, girl. The devil sedates his bride's to try to spare them from the torture." He sneers.

Either he's pulling that out of his backside or the devil sounds rather caring to his followers.

He tugs the handkerchief from her lips.

"HELP! MUMMY!" She tries to scream. Because damn it. She can't endure much more.

Lord Bone grabs her jaw.

"Fancy losing your tongue? Fancy being bound and tossed into the river to see if you float?" He threatens; "Want me to accuse your mother of being the real Witch?"

A chill runs down her spine. She shuts up.

"Good girl. Now. Let's try again." He sneers, raising the orange poker to her cheek; "Did my granddaughter tell you to curse me?"

She shook her head. Beads of sweat tumble down from the heat radiating off the metal.

"No, sir."

He shakes his head; "All these little marks you've gained so far, they can be easily covered up. But your face? The French bitch won't want a deformed servant out in plain sight. If you'll lucky, they'll make you work down in the scullery for good...if not toss you out onto the street."

As much as she wants to believe that Amy's family would never do that, she doesn't feel too confident.

"Hmm...Maybe we'll leave that a little later...Would be such a shame to scar such a pretty face." He smiles, placing the poker on the table. He caresses his knuckles against her cheek instead.

Silver wishes he'd burned her instead.

"It's been an awful long time since I lost Humphrey's mother. It would be nice to be married while I'm still...capable. Perhaps finally produce a more suitable heir." He smirks, "Your status could be elevated, girl. The wife of the Lord of a great house."

She struggles not to laugh. Old git like him, three times her age. He knows he would never truly consider marrying a peasant, but is conceited enough to think that might persuade her to betray her Lady.

A smirk forms before she can stop it.

"Something funny, girl?"

"Was it the smell of manure that attracted thee, milord?" She dares to ask, "Perhaps ye felt a kinship to the swine?"

He slaps her.

Touched a nerve.

He's about to strike her again when his stomach suddenly rumbles. He squirms, stepping back.

Silver smiles; "Trouble, milord?"

He scowls at her, then shoves her gag back in her mouth, before turning to head outside, to the outside privy.

Leaving her in chains. She whimpers, pain thrumming from various spots on her limbs and stomach from where he's 'pricked' her.

Shaking her hands, she tries to remove the cuffs from the hook. If she was skilled in contortion, she might be able to lift herself up and remove them with her feet. But attempting such a thing right now is impossible when her skin feels like it's ready to peel off by itself.

"Ey, what you doin' here? You skive off kitchen duty?" Rogh walks through the door.

Her eyes shine with hope as she spots him.

Help me. Help me!

The caveman glances up at her chains, then to her mouth.

"This new game me no understand? Or like when ladies lay in big buckets full of bubbles?"

Silver shakes her head. She nods down to the welts on her arms and legs. The cuts in her dress.

His expression hardens; "Where you get those? Petite Lune, what happening?"

It doesn't matter! Just get help, get...

Damn. He cannot help. Can't alert anyone. Can't remove her chains. Can't punch out Amy's grandfather.

Speak of the devil.

"Right!" That booming voice returns as Lord Bone opens the door, still adjusting his belt; "Where were we?"

Rogh's eyes widened; "Eh...what you doing here? You supposed to leave!"

Of course the Lord pays no attention to the spirit of the ancient man. He strides past him and crouches before Silver. She tenses as he lifts her dress, admiring his earlier work.

Silver whimpers, cringing, suddenly wishing that Rogh hadn't found her.

He watches. He growls.

"Ey! EY, HANDS OFF!" He takes a swing at Lord Bone, only to hit nothing and gag.

The older man clicks his tongue; "Oh...I think I may have spotted a possible Witch's mark after all. Just...here."

His rough finger pokes her right thigh. She twitches.

A birthmark. It's been there since she was born. The shape of a heart, Mummy always said, though she could never see it herself.

Rogh is fuming. Nearly frothing at the mouth as he glares at the man.

"I kill you. I KILL YOU. I eat your face and feed rest of you to wolves!!" He threatens, though it brings Silver little relief.

"If I were to bring you to a real trial, no doubt that would be enough to convince them that the devil had branded you. They would show no mercy." Lord Bone says, factually.

Then just do it, she thinks. Tell the church. The witchfinder generals, whoever is about. Get it over with.

"Or...you confess right here, right now, and name any who may have influenced you to act in such a sinful manner....and you may be spared the noose. And the ducking stall." He offers, removing her gag.

She takes in a breath, then closes her eyes.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It doth not envy, it doth not boast, it is not proud. It doth not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keepeth no record of wrongs-." The words tumble from her mouth, reverently.

"What poetic tripe are you blabbing, wench?"

She glares at him; "T'is no tripe, milord. T'is scripture. First Corinthians. No one in league with Satan can recite the Lord's word, is that not true? Perhaps thou is the one who should be tested..."

He slaps her again. Rogh grizzles, teeth bared, looking for all the world like a chained rottweiler.

"Perhaps it be best I cut out thy tongue for it offends me? Then we cans see how you may prove yourself with your little words."

That makes Silver's eyes widen in terror. Her pupils dart to meet Rogh's, just for a second. She could stand the branding, the beatings, maybe even losing her fingernails to protect her mistress. But her tongue? Please, God...

Rogh steps closer.

"Me get help. Promise. This end now."

Her heart lurches as the ancient man turns and disappears through the wall, fearful at being truly alone with this monster once again.

He places a pair of shears on the grate above the fire.

"While we're waiting for those to be ready, let's give you one last chance to speak the truth." Lord Bone smirks, brandishing his horses whip.

-

"Well, that was a pleasant little outing, don't you think, Sophie dear? And she's gone." Humphrey mutters, seeing his wife having already dismounted her horse and heading inside the manor.

He sits atop his thoroughbred, Monty, having thought it would be a nice change for him and Sophie to ride into town other than take the carriage. Sophie always seemed to delight in this suggestion as it meant she could ride a good few feet ahead of him.

The simple festival itself had been rather enjoyable, and he'd brought back some treats for Amy. Market sweets and trinkets. There also may have been a small honey cake for Silver that he would give to the sweet young maid in secret, not wanting to make it obvious he played favorites with his staff. It were more a thank you for her friendship with his daughter, bringing Amy out of her shell more than anyone has accomplished in years.

His stomach drops when he sees that his father's carriage is still on the drive. Hadn't the miserable bastard left this morning? What did he still have to bother them about? Suddenly, he regrets not trying harder to convince Sophie to let Amy come with them to the festival instead of attending her studies. Amy's moods always seem even darker after spending quality time with her grandfather.

"Hey! Hey!" Rogh rushes towards Humphrey's horse, waving his arms around. Of course, the knighted Tudor doesn't see him.

The horse, however, gives a soft whinny.

"Oh! You know Petite Lune too? Little black hair, come help groom horsies in stable, feed Monty extra oats?" Rogh speaks. "Blink once for yes, twice for no!"

One blink, followed by a fond huff. Of course they know her.

"She in danger! You must go to lake! Bring little Lordy man! Quick!"

A louder whinny this time, Monty roaring his head back and tapping his front hooves.

Humphrey had just been about to detach his foot from the stirrup.

"Patience, boy, the stable lad will come take you over for a drink and some dinner soon- OH!"

He gripped the reigns tight as Monty suddenly bolted forward, launching straight into a gallop towards the lake. Humphrey struggled not to slip over the side as he held on, completely startled, confused as to what had possibly gotten into his usually mild mannered steed.

Rogh ran ahead of the horse as best as he could, guiding him, waving him on to follow. For over a decade, he'd failed to protect Stompy from this demon of a man. And now he'd gone after another innocent girl, barely more than a cub herself. No more.

If only the weather wasn't so clear, then his anger could call down Sky Fire. Then he'd make the bastard burn from the inside out.

Humphrey had just finally been managing to reign in old Monty as they reached the old fisherman's hut. Except it had been empty for nearly two years now. So why were there shadows of someone moving in the window?

Monty was still clearly distressed as he dismounted.

"Stay! Easy now." He soothed, patting the horse's mane.

There were noises coming from inside. Tiny. High pitched. A sick puppy? What was that slapping?

He's not prepared for the sight that awaits him when he opens the door. Or the acrid smell of burnt flesh.

His daughter's maid, chained up with her wrists above her head, turned to face the wall, great red and black welts decorating her arms and legs. His father, lashing her across the back with his whip, red lines staining her dress. At the intrusion, the older man turns to face his son.

Lord Bone grins.

"Ah! Humphrey! Enjoy your little trip out with the old ball and chain?" He doesn't seem the least bit perturbed by the interruption.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON?" Humphrey demands.

"Oh, I was simply dealing with some of your household issues for you in your absence, you can thank me later." Lord Bone reaches to yank a handful of Silver's hair, making her sob through the gag in her mouth; "I discovered this one placing what I believe to be a witch's curse in my carriage. The onion, on the desk there, if you don't believe-."

"Let her go!"

Lord Bone frowns; "I beg your pardon?"

"I said let go of my daughter's maid, right now!" Humphrey grit his teeth as his feet thundered across the small hut. "I don't give a toss what you believe her to have done, you have no right to punish MY servants!"

His father rolled his eyes and released Silver's hair.

Humphrey moved closer and cradled her face. Damp with sweat and tears. Barely conscious.

"Oh, my dear girl. I am so, so sorry this has happened." He whispers, tenderly.

Lord Bone scoffs; "For God's sake, boy, is your heart so soft and pathetic that you're going to weep over a stinking farm girl turned kitchen wench who dances with Satan himself?"

"Did she confess to doing any such thing?!"

"Not yet. But I suspect I was on the cusp of-."

"Then as far as I'm concerned she's innocent, understand? Now give me the key to get these chains off of her! Bloody Hell, Father, she's just a kid, how could you?!"

"I was trying to protect YOUR home, OUR bloodline! When you're the one who invited weakness and corruption! If this is the thanks I-."

He was silenced by Humphrey punching him square in the jaw.

Silver, through her blackened haze, barely heard Rogh cheer somewhere close.

Something metal clattered to the floor. Humphrey quickly picked up the key and unlocked her cuffs and chains. Silver's body crumpled like paper. He scooped her up into his arms.

"I've got you. I've got you. It's gonna be okay." Humphrey assures her, kindly, her head lolling against his shoulder.

But every accidental press on her many wounds causes her to cry out in fresh, raw pain.

"Sorry! Sorry."

Rogh steps closer.

"Stompy dad got you now, Petite Lune. You safe." He assures her, as her eyelids grow heavier.

Is she dreaming? Did she pass out before he could take her tongue?

Lord Bone staggers to his feet, massaging his reddened cheek.

"Mark my words, boy, you are making a grave mistake if you plan on-." He began to warn.

But Humphrey turned, clutching Silver close, reaching one hand underneath to point at his father.

"The next time you set hands on ANYONE in MY house, will be the last time you have hands. Do you understanding me...old man?!"

Lord Bone was struck silent by his son's sudden ability to grow a spine after all these years.

Amy had been trying, in vain, to get her mother to listen to her plight.

"If you won't allow me to ride out, Mother, then can I at least send one of the drivers-?" She began to plead as they stood in the drawing room.

"Ça suffit, Aimée!" Sophie cringes, raising her palm; "Honnêtement, tout ce bruit à propos d'une femme de chambre?! Ton père m'a déjà donné mal à la tête!"

"Elle n'est pas qu'une servante, Maman! C'est mon amie!"

Sophie's eyes widened in surprise. It was hard to say what shocked her more, that her daughter considered one of the help as her friend...or the fact she had a friend at all. As she examined her child's pale face, she acknowledged the rare show of true, heartfelt emotion in those usually cold, empty eyes.

Before either woman can speak another word, the front door opens sharply, Humphrey stumbling through with an unconscious Silver in his arms.

"Mon dieu! Humphrey, what on Earth?!" Sophie exclaims at the disturbing sight.

"Silver?!" Amy rushes forward; "Papa, what happened?! Where did you find her? Silver, it's Amy, can you hear me?"

"Just give her some space, Poppet, please." Humphrey tells her, struggling to keep it together after having just punched and warned off his own father.

He summons the other members of the staff. He orders his valet to send for a doctor, explaining Silver's injuries. He then tells two of the maids to prepare one of the guest rooms upstairs.

"Humphrey?" Sophie asks, skeptical.

"The doctor might want her to go to a hospital, or he might say she can be treated here. But until she's all better, her serving duties are suspended. She's our guest. Same goes for her mother....oh Christ, Mary." Humphrey responds, more afraid of how the woman will react to the news about her child being hurt, "Derek, will you go find Mary please and tell her what happened, that her daughter is safe inside now and I'll see that she's cared for."

"What did happen?!" Asks Sophie, her hands on Amy's shoulders as she stares at her friend.

Humphrey clenches his jaw.

"Father happened."

Amy lets out a tiny gasp, her eyes counting all the welts darkening on Silver's skin. Burns. Whips. Cuts. She remembers. Remembers one of those God forsaken trips. Witch prickings...

Silver stirs, briefly, her eyelids fluttering open.

"Mi...Milady...?" She mumbles.

Amy reaches out to take her hand, linking their fingers.

"I'm here, Silver. I'm right here." She assures her.

The girl gives a weak smile; "Forgive me, Miss...I may not be able to play for a while, hehe..."

Tears prick the corner of Amy's eyes.

"Do not worry yourself about that. Just rest. We'll be back to playing again soon, I promise." She says, softly.

Silver's hand goes limp in hers. Her head lolls over Humphrey's hand.

One of the maids shout down to tell the Lord that a bed is ready. Sophie releases Amy's shoulder, allowing her to follow her father up and be close to her friend.

Hairs rise on the back of her neck as they reach the second floor. She pauses, just for a second. She knows she's not alone.

"Merci." She whispers to the ancient spirit, certain he's close to her again. "Merci."

Rogh's cheeks turned pink as he stood behind her; "De rein, Stompy."