#sigh… my strange son who is also a really bad DID stereotype….

[endrimer]

my strange messed up son…

[echoghost1]

Repair All Of The Damage

Word Count: 3306

For: @burning-clutch

Summary: After the tragic loss of her son, Maddie vows to bring him back.

No matter what.

TW: Death of a child

You can read on AO3 or down below the cut.

Danny had always loved the sky. The night sky was his favorite, but he’d stare up at a blue sky with just the same amount of wonder and adoration.

She figured the sky must have loved him back given his bright blue eyes and hair as dark as night.

When he had first told her that he wanted to be an astronaut, Maddie couldn’t be prouder. As a scientist herself, she was eager to push him into loving his curious nature. Always happy to answer his questions and never once being annoyed by them.

She didn’t understand the stereotype of the annoying child with their endless why’s. Of course the child is going to be curious; they don’t know anything, and of course they are going to ask the people around them, who for the most part, are the parents. Maddie figured if you’re not prepared to answer an endless line of simple questions then maybe you shouldn’t be a parent.

What she’d give to hear him ask why something was again.

He was always such a curious child. He always loved the sky.

It wasn’t surprising to find him up the closest tree the second the snow melted in the spring and all throughout the summertime.

It wasn’t strange to see him balancing on the curbs of sidewalks like a little tightrope walker. He wasn’t always successful, but that’s what band-aids and kisses from mom were for.

They didn’t go through quite so many band-aids now.

==============================================

She had been there when it happened. She had been there, but she hadn’t been quick enough. She hadn’t been close enough.

She didn’t hear it when the bigger boys were picking on him over the din of the other children on the playground that day.

She didn’t see him lose his new model rocket, nor did she see when it had been tossed up into the nearby tree.

She had been chatting with Angela when Tucker ran up to tell them what had happened. Tucker had run to get help from the moms while Danny took it upon himself to rescue his rocket. It was just stuck up in a tree. He knew how to climb trees.

He must not have thought anything of it when he started his ascent.

He didn’t know that the branch he was using for support wasn’t going to be strong enough to hold him.

He didn’t know that falling from that height would be so bad.

She hopes he didn’t feel anything.

==============================================

For a long time, she thought that would be enough.

She thought that the time she had would have been enough.

It wasn’t.

He was much too young.

It wasn’t fair.

She would find a way to bring him back if it was the last thing she did.

It took so long. Much longer than she would have liked, but she finally did it. All the pieces were in place.

She only needed to act.

It was hard not to smile when everything finally fell into place.

==============================================

Maddie was on the edge of her seat as she waited. She had done everything she needed to do and all there was left to do was wait.

She knew it had to work.

It had too.

She’d given up so much for it.

His eyes opened slowly. They blinked and then squeezed shut again.

Figuring that the light must be too bright for him, she came closer and gently turned his face towards hers as she blocked the offending light with her body.

“Hello, darling,” she greeted as her thumb traced the soft curve of his cheek.

He opened his eyes again and smiled when he saw her.

Every worry and doubt that she had instantly melted away. She scooped him up and cradled him in her arms.

He hugged her back and it was like the sun had finally risen again. All the pain and loneliness she had endured was finally over.

She kissed his forehead and just looked at him for a moment, taking in every detail of him. Those beautiful deep blue eyes that sparkled with curiosity like the stars he loved so much. His jet black hair still just as soft as it ever was. The only difference was that his skin was paler than before, it made his freckles a little harder to spot, but she knew where each and everyone was.

“You hungry? You’ve been asleep for so long, you must be.”

His expression shifted suddenly. His brows knit together in worry as a sense of panic started to overwhelm him.

“Honey?” she asked cautiously, “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

He just looked at her with a pleading look. It was as if he was trying to get her to understand him through telepathy.

His mouth never opened. Why wouldn’t he just tell her what was wrong?

Unless he couldn’t.

“Can you not speak?”

He shook his head and his bright eyes started to well with tears.

“It’s okay, sweetie. It’s okay.” she should have known this would happen. In fact, she did know. She had read about it during her research but she was hoping that was just a false warning to sway those who didn’t truly deserve to go through with the tasks needed to get this.

“Let’s go upstairs and I’ll get you something to write with, okay?” she consoled as she made her way out of the basement and rubbed soothing circles on his back.

He nuzzled into her shoulder silently and she tried her best to ignore the spots of cold tears pooling on her sleeve.

She sat him down at the kitchen table and pulled out a pad of paper. It was narrow and usually reserved for making grocery lists, but this was far more important.

He was more important.

He picked up the pen in his little hand and wrote, “What happened? I don’t ‘member falling asleep. Why can’t I talk?”

She sighed and pulled out a chair for herself. She had been curious as to how much he would remember. She had prepared herself for every possibility. She thought of things to say if he remembered everything and needed to be calmed down. And she had thought of what to tell him if he didn’t remember at all.

“You had an accident sweetheart. Do you remember that?”

He thought for a moment, his eyes scanning back and forth as he tried to recall. He wrote down his answer, “no.”

She nodded. Good.

“That’s okay, sweetie. All that matters is that you feel better now. You do feel better, right?”

He nodded and then looked down to the pen in his hand. “Wasn’t I right-handed before?”

She blinked and realized, yeah he had. “It must be another side effect. The same as why you can’t talk.”

He just gave her a confused look but didn’t write anything else down to question it further.

“So hungry?” she asked again, “I got the fix-ins for hamburgers.”

He smiled and nodded eagerly, quickly forgetting his previous confusion and doubts.

She got up and ruffled his hair, “One cheese slice or two?”

He held up two fingers.

“Alright. Two slices it is! Now go wash up so you can help, okay?”

He nodded eagerly and ran off to the bathroom just down the hall.

She pulled the raw ground meat from its place in the refrigerator and couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. Her baby was back.

Sure she wasn’t happy that he was permanently silenced. As if she needed a reminder of what had happened.

She shook the dark thought from her mind. It didn’t matter what the past held. She could still talk to him. She could finally hold him again. She could finally see that wonderful smile, after all that time with only faded pictures and faulty memories to keep her going.

Her baby was back and she was going to make the most of it.

==============================================

They were finished eating and watching his favorite movie when he wrote his newest question, “Where’s Daddy and Jazz?”

She really had foolishly hoped he wouldn’t notice their absence. She grabbed the remote and paused the movie. She couldn’t have the colorful cartoon distract her from this conversation.

“They don’t live here anymore. It’s just going to be you and me from now on.”

He tiled his head to the side, clearly confused.

“After your accident, daddy and I had a disagreement. It was about something important and we just couldn’t agree on what was right.” she ran her hands against her lap towards her knees, “When we realized all we were doing was fighting, we decided it was better if we didn’t live together anymore. Jazz agreed with Daddy and they left.”

His brows furrowed together and his mouth turned down into a frown as he slowly wrote out, “is it my fault?”

Her heart nearly shattered as she read those words. “Oh no sweetheart!” she pulled him into a hug, “You did nothing wrong. Sometimes adults just get into fights and find it’s better to not be around each other anymore.”

He pulled back and gave her a kiss on her forehead this time.

“What was that for?” she asked absolutely enamored with just how sweet he was.

He simply wrote, “it always makes me feel better when you give me kisses.”

What had she done to deserve such a perfect little boy?

==============================================

Once Danny was tucked in for the night she decided to call Jack. Now that Danny was back, maybe he would actually listen to her. Maybe if he saw him, he would see she had been right all along.

She was sure Danny would love it if they were all one big happy family again.

Of course, Jack didn’t answer her call. That didn’t stop her from leaving a voicemail though. She only hoped he didn’t block her.

She’d give him a few days to respond and then she’d just have to figure out where he moved to so she could mail him a letter. Or maybe just drive over there?

No, that was much too invasive.

She could wait a few days. She had Danny, so she was content to wait as long as she needed.

==============================================

She had just placed the final ingredient into the crockpot when the doorbell rang. She set the dial and placed the lid before answering the door.

Jack stood on the front stoop looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. She did her best to ignore that. She figured she could also overlook that it took him almost a week to answer.

“Why hello, Jack.”

“Did you really do it?” he asked with no preamble.

She sighed, “why don’t you come in and we can discuss it.”

He looked up and down the street as if he needed to make sure no one saw him entering his own home. Or at least it used to be his home anyway.

She stepped aside and let him in. “it’s nice to know you didn’t block my calls.”

“Maddie,” he implored but didn’t continue.

“Well with the way you stormed out what was I supposed to think?” she snapped back before she could stop herself.

She didn’t invite him over to fight. She just needed him to see. Once he saw then everything would be okay again. Just like it used to be.

“He’s upstairs if you want to see him.” she offered with a gesture towards his bedroom.

He followed her motion with his eyes before giving a quick nod.

“I just put him down for a nap but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if I woke him up to see you. He misses you.” she paused on the stairwell, “Jazz too.”

“Just show me.”

They walked the rest of the way in silence.

She gently opened the door making sure not to let it creak as she poked her head in.

Her sweet little boy was fast asleep, his arms wrapped tightly around a plush alien toy. She turned back to Jack and pushed the door open all the way, “there he is.” she whispered.

Jack’s face quickly went from resolute determination to utter shock. “Who is that?”

“Danny. Our son?”

“But Danny is-”

“Asleep.” she cut him off before he could even dare to utter the word. “I can wake him up if you want,” she said as she started to make her way into the bedroom.

Jack grabbed her arm and pulled her back out. He closed the door quickly and carefully and then pulled her along back downstairs.

She didn’t exactly like being dragged around like this but she figured seeing him must have just shocked him. Not everyone is good at handling surprises.

“What the hell is that?” he said once they had made it to the furthest point in the house from the stairs without going outside.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“How did you? What did you?” he stammered out trying to wrap his mind around his current situation.

She rolled her eyes. He was being a little too dramatic for her tastes right now. “I just followed the instructions. It wasn’t hard.”

“Instructions?” he muttered to himself as he tried to remember what she was alluding to. Once he figured it out the color drained from his face. He slowly turned to face her again, eyes wide, “You didn’t.”

“Why not?”

“Why not?! Why not! Maddie one of the steps was to-”

“I know exactly what the steps were. I did them.” she huffed and walked a few paces into the kitchen to get herself a mug to make herself some tea. “If you didn’t want me to do it, why did you give me the book?”

“I thought if you saw what was,” he ran a hand through his graying hair and stared at the kitchen floor as he tried to rack his brain for the right words, “I thought it would make you stop if you saw what was needed. If you knew the things that had to be done. If you knew the consequences.”

Maddie couldn’t help the quick burst of a laugh, “Seriously? Do you not know me at all? You probably would have had a better time keeping the information away from me if that was your goal. Not that it would have worked. I would have found it eventually.” she set the kettle on the stove and clicked the burner on.

“But Maddie.”

“But what, Jack?” she turned to face him daring him to say what he was thinking. Just waiting to see if he was man enough to speak of the things they both knew she had done.

“Who?” was all he asked.

He really didn’t need to say more.

“Do you really want to know?”

He sat in the closet chair and the wood creaked in protest to his weight. “I guess not.”

“Fine by me,” she said simply as she busied herself with gathering her mug.

“Does he know? Does he remember it?”

“No.” she turned to face him and waited until he looked at her before she continued, “and I intend to keep it that way.”

“Then how do you know it’s him?”

“I just know, Jack.” she set her mug down and pulled the chair opposite him for herself, “besides, who else would it be?”

He frowned not at all seeing the humor in her statement, “I don’t know Maddie, I’m not the one that was playing with fire.”

The kettle whistled and she got up to pour the boiling water into her mug. She set the mug aside as it steeped before she spoke again, “I was really hoping that once you saw him you’d realize that it was all worth it.”

“How can you be this cavalier about this? Why do you think it’s okay to play god?”

“There is no God!” she snapped and she had to resist throwing her mug to the ground in her rage.

How could there be? What kind of god would take such a wonderful person out of the world? What kind of god would snuff out a life that full of promise? The only answer was that there wasn’t one.

It was all chaos and if there were no rules, she could do no wrong. It was all just a balancing game.

The book made that perfectly clear.

All she did was switch a couple of weights on the scale.

She was about to say just that, when movement in the doorway caught her attention.

Half hidden by the doorway was Danny, his hair was still messed up from his nap and it looked like he was trying to eavesdrop.

“Oh sweetie, did we wake you?” She asked as she set her mug down and crossed the room.

Jack shot out of his chair so fast that it fell to the ground with a clatter. “Jesus!” He clutched his chest in surprise, “I didn’t even hear him.”

Danny shrunk in on himself and gave an apologetic look. He made a fist and rubbed a small circle on his chest, the sign for ‘sorry’.

He had really picked up those ASL lessons fast.

Jack looked from Danny to her, waiting for a translation.

“He says he’s sorry for startling you.” she explained before kneeling down in front of her son, “And you didn’t answer my question mister. Did Daddy and I wake you?”

He gave a shy nod then looked to Jack.

Maddie followed his gaze, “Are you going to say ‘hello’ to your son or not?”

Jack slowly approached, as if Danny was somehow a dangerous cobra and not just a small child. “Hey there buddy,” he said trying and failing to mask his nerves. “Sorry about waking you up.”

Danny signed that it was ok and Maddie didn’t need to translate that.

Then Danny held his arms up, an obvious show that he wanted his dad to pick him up. To hold him.

Maddie waited in silence and hoped that maybe this is what would show Jack that this was their son. She hoped that maybe holding him again would open his eyes.

Jack knelt down cautiously and gently picked up the boy.

Danny had no inhibitions or fear so he immediately hugged his father tight.

The look on Jack’s face was all the confirmation she needed.

“Oh god it really is you, isn’t it?” he hugged Danny tighter as his eyes watered.

Danny peaked out over Jack’s shoulder and locked eyes with Maddie. He clearly had no idea why his father was suddenly so emotional.

“Jack, you’re confusing him.”

He pulled back and looked to see that Danny was, in fact, very confused. “Sorry, buddy. I just,” he hesitated for a moment, “I really missed your hugs.”

Danny tiled his head to the side, still confused but he smiled all the same. Then he fingerspelled “home”.

It took Maddie a second to figure out what he was saying from just one word, but she took her best guess, “Are you asking if Daddy is going to stay?”

Danny turned to her and nodded eagerly.

Jack hesitated again.

“Why don’t you come back for dinner tonight? I just put the meatloaf in the crockpot when you got here. It won’t be ready for a few hours, ” Maddie offered.

“What am I going to tell Jazz?” he asked.

“Just say he’s back.”

“She’s going to have a lot of questions.”

“And we can answer them, together.”

Jack looked back down at Danny, the boy just smiled up at him. He was probably just happy to be held.

“It’s just dinner. We can see how it goes and take it from there.”

“Okay. Dinner. Meatloaf sounds good.”

Danny clapped and hugged Jack again.

Maddie smiled and it finally felt like everything was right in the world again.

[bellamygateoldblog]

The 100 7x01: Discussion

My general takeaway from the episode can be summarised like this: Echo is spectacular. (I might’ve said “oh my god look at her!!!!!” and “ugh she is just The Best” too many times to count).

This is long-ish because I really just wanted to consolidate my thoughts in one place. Bitch it’s me i got a lot to say!!!!!

The Good Parts

— The farmhouse setting. While it’s existence is strange and “a sore thumb” and worked to further push Sanctum being the abomination born of clumsily mixing genres and time periods in terms of construction/costuming, making everything appear disconnected and obnoxious, it was still a nice change. It made me feel warmer and more comfortable as a ‘modern’ viewer. It’s a breath of fresh air from the constant dark element: dilapidated post-apoc buildings falling from their foundation, endless woods, and equally cold-feeling labs and skeleton dungeons.

— Echo. This was a damn good episode for Echo and every second reminded me of why she’s my favourite. She’s a badass. I always love to see her falling naturally into leadership of her little ragtag groups who accept it wholeheartedly. From the “testing a theory” moment where she went ‘when Gabriel doesn’t speak >>>’, to right at the end when she killed the solider about to “eliminate” Hope (hesitation is death...oh no he can’t hear us he’s got airpods in oh my god). It was Echo that got them through the whole sequence with the anomaly, Echo who figured shit out, Echo who quickly judged the situations and formed plans to overcome the obstacles. In other words: she did THAT.

Favourite scene: Echo coming face-to-face with the projection of her own insecurities in the form of Roan and Echo 1.0, and physically overcoming them (shooting them down), along with the trauma and pain that they both represent. The perserverence and getting the job done despite the emotional torture felt like a callback to the Psychosis episode of 6x02 when she was clever enough to sedate herself to silence the voices in her head. I also think the dialogue chosen was also foreshadowing that she would become a leader by the finale (commander?) and i love to see it!

— Clarke and Madi’s conversation. Oh Clarke, you just keep reinforcing and validating my perceptions of who you are as a person over and over again lol. In all her self-importance failing to remember that Madi, in fact, had and was raised by her biological parents for half of her life (and the new knowledge that she spent six years telling her little mind tales from the book of her life whilst apparently never taking the time to learn about Madi’s or acknowledge/honour her birth parents in any way) is “yeah that’s about right” to me. Sure you could say she was still reeling from the events of six and her death-almost death-almost death again. But I’ve always had this Thing about the relationship between Clarke and Madi. And i’ve seen some of the lighthearted humourous reception that scene got from fandom, “#where do you think the child CAME from?!” which only served to remind me of my own impression that Clarke views Madi as wholely ‘hers’, as if Madi’s existence was tied to Clarke, but i might elaborate in a seperate post.

This scene was a lovely display of self-awareness I’ve rarely seen on Clarke (never even got it when she electrocuted said child two seasons ago- however that absense of apology and acknowledgement of the sheer wrongness of that action also fits very nicely with my view of her lmao, still though, a weird choice for your ‘heroine’).

— Clarke’s “feels like a different world.” Felt romantically-coded. I think Gaia/Clarke might be the most convinient relationship to transform into romance at this point. However I’m sincerely hoping this road they could go down won’t reduce Gaia to a crutch/accessory for Clarke, and that she doesn’t become merely a love interest. I’ve seen talk already of Gaia being “Clarke’s happiness” etc.. which is already confirming my worst fears. Sigh.

This moment very much felt like found closure and the turning of a page. But i will say it was a very sharp turn from the three seasons of shoehorned-in mentions of Lexa, and last season’s emphasis on Clarke’s very-much intact emotional response to her memory- “it’s why you cry when you think about Lexa”- to her looking at an image of Lexa’s memory of her, reminicing but having no emotional response to it, and brushing it off while sharing a soft look with Gaia (and this is a few days since s6? I don’t know how this timeline is working but Tbh it’s not like these writers ever concerned themselves with ‘realistic time frames’ anyway lol). Yep, Jason’s seasons are individual “movies,” alright.

Other *nodding approvingly* moments

— Raven’s subtle “elevator eyes” on Clarke when she started giving her orders again. I see you, Miss Reyes, and I appreciate you.

— Raven + the foot in her mouth and the cute way she catches herself both times. I just love watching characters fail at existing LOL. She was feeling more human than stereotype or plot device this episode.

— "Mommy and Auntie O” and the implication that Hope is a child inside an aged-up body.

— This quote: “I know what it’s like to lose your family 100 years ago and yesterday at the same time.” It’s so literal but I like it a lot.

— Clarke being ‘leader’ again is, as usual, solely a matter of convinient (and familial/love) circumstances and it felt very true.

The Rest

— The Eligius Situation. So Clarke and her inner circle conquer and live in a nice home, and we’re specifically told Clarke takes the master suite (and the dog), and I was like ‘fair enough’ but then she orders prison labour. She tells them to build her a compound that they won’t actually get to be apart of, and to live in tents while they do so. They aren’t getting anything out of this (before they resist and set their own terms). This is slavery. Also, those aren’t her people to boss around, look down on, and use accordingly for her own gain (in fact they barely know her or why she’s gone from being that one unloyal woman who executed their men and got herself captured like an idiot, then couldn’t make up her mind about which side she wanted to kill- to one in the uppermost position of authority...like...they woke up yesterday) But, then again, that never stopped her.

— Too much and not enough at the same time. The pacing of the episode in general was awful. Too much happening in quick succession, no breathing room, too many factions (no, actually Raven, where is ALIE when you need her? smh). I blink, I miss an entire scene and a character is now beating someone else up. Amazingly, i was still bored 90% of the time.

— The Children of Gabriel calling themselves “The Children of Gabriel.” It was always goofy, even more so when a grown man is saying it.

— Murphy + his self loathing over Abby’s death. Did I miss the part where she was ever good to him? One of their final moments together was of her telling him he deserved to die over Clarke after she spent the entire series treating him like he was inferior and disposable. uhhhhhhhhhh.

— The picnic scene. Jackson’s sudden violent outburst was unearned (it wasn’t even set up???), and also disrespectful. Wrong place, wrong time, bro. He’s grieving? Okay. But when Abby’s daughter is sitting right in front of you, making this about you, ruining a perfectly good toast in her honour with your uncomfortable accusations loses you points you never even had to begin with. And this is a ‘me’ thing but I can’t be bothered to be sympathetic when this is about Abby Griffin.

Also, I have to say it. Eliza’s acting took me out of the scene every time I looked at Clarke. I couldn’t for the life of me work out what those expressions were supposed to be.

— Russell, his manpain, and a fury over the consiquences of his own actions  that could rival the grounders (”my brother died in your ring of fire [while he was trying to murder you all]” hmm sounds like a you problem). But the worst part is, I simply couldn’t tell where he stood or what he was feeling. He’s so one-dimensional. He’s an evil man (so much for ”grey morality”).

— Clarke + Jordan. A small point to make but all Clarke has done since Marper made her ‘Godmother’ of their son has blame him for everything bad happening lol. Marper loses a lot of my respect as time goes on for that choice. As much as I dislike Jordan’s presence in the show, still not a great pattern to have noticed.

— Raven seeking approval from Clarke (specifically) for the Prime idea was...weird and very bad. When has Raven ever cared for Clarke’s validation, especially in the last few seasons?

Was also taken aback by how Indra and Miller are both suddenly so protective of Clarke, like i can make sense of the Indra part even though it relies on me making things up that aren’t supported by what’s on screen, but Miller?

— (Bonus moment that was bad for me, but not for the same reason it was for the rest of you: the scene of Hope finding the message in her arm. When she was removing the blood-soaked bandage I freaked out because I thought she was peeling her skin off. You’re welcome for that visual.)

The Mixed/No Feelings

— Clarke’s full-dark-no-stars. How many times have they told me now she’s “the head”? LMAO. 

I have no actual formed opinion on it. Only disjointed thoughts. Like i might’ve just gone “good for her” if Clarke wasn’t the person she is, with the history she has.

I appreciate the idea, to have her spend the whole episode declaring she is, in fact, completely fine, to end it having her explode with the repressed pain.

I mean...i realise the cognition behind it, but it’s eye-roll inducing at this point. This- kicking Russell to death (giving him exactly what he wanted and set out to provoke), and burning down a palace she promised to keep intact, once again going against the group to do her own Thing that they all ultimately have the suffer the consiquences of and help clean up- is just a repeat of past patterns, and Monty’s “do better” mantra that she desperately clung to like she owned it last season is nowhere in sight.

(Also, I can’t be the only one who spotted her physically smacking that Sanctum girl as she walked onto the balcony? Not cool. Wasn’t cool when Murphy acted like a dick to one of them either this episode.)

The rushed switch did a number on me, too, like Jackson’s did. Literally five minutes before she was preaching about a peaceful life for Madi that doesn’t take revenge (I think I know what they were going for with that but it just left me feeling confused and frustrated).

Furthermore, I’ve seen talk that this was her “burning down of a symbol of oppression”, something she experienced first hand (not so unlike Blodreina and the bunker she desperately wanted to escape and deliver her people from), but there was no noble, calculated intention there. She burned the palace accidentally in her rage because she was in pain and disorientated. The moral stuff was just an after effect.

The speech was also very ‘Clarke’. Feeling entitled to and making decisions on who lives and dies right after declaring this wasn’t their kill to make. She wasn’t the only person hurt by the Primes (but we’ve also been given no reason to care about any of the other victims- the manipulated, enslaved population have been turned into a joke and a punching bag for the main characters which...isn’t great either). And the castle could’ve been used to shelter some of the “too many people” we had problems with through the episode (or used to harvest resources from). It really comes down to if i think the situation justifies the reaction and if i hold her wholely responsible...and this is the part where i reiterate that i have no intact opinion and don’t actually care to have one either ha.

[buffyversefanfiction]

The Haunting of Buffy Summers

PART ONE HERE

Warning: I do not own the rights to the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its spin-off series Angel, its dark horse comics continuation series, or any of the characters created by Joss Whedon and others in the Buffyverse. 15 years +, Mild to Strong Violence, Sexual References. F/F, F/M, M/M, Other +

PART TWO

Buffy Summers could not believe her eyes, sure she had a hunch her recent haunting may have had something to do with her recently deceased son but for him to actually be standing in front of her in the astral plane as she stood next to a sleeping version of her was super strange even for a vampire slayer. “I knew it was you!” Buffy said proudly, only to be met by Tristan rolling his eyes in frustration “Yeah good on you mum can we get to the whole shadow demon business now?” Tristan replied, attempting to make his mother see the urgency of their situation but all she could hear was him calling her mum once more. “You just called me mum…twice!” Buffy responded with a giddy smile, beyond happy to see her son once again. “You’re here and you’re calling me mum.” “Damn it!” Tristan snapped, as he looked over at the bed to see that Buffy’s sleeping body had suddenly disappeared as if it was never there. “It’s taken you!” “Wait, what?” Buffy asked as she turned to the side to see her sleeping self was no longer on her bed. “Okay…I’m guessing that is not a good sign.” “Nope,” Tristan sighed. “For this plane the shadow demon is basically a god it’s like the astral plane is his kingdom and he’s just taken your body which means if we do not find it really soon your going to be as stuck here as me!” “Okay I get it big bad spells big trouble…can we just get back to you calling me mum for a second and then I’ll turn on slayer mode?” Buffy responded, not ignoring the danger she faced but just so happy to see her son to fully care.

Tristan Summers had been in the astral plane for what felt like forever to him forced to see the world go on without him and unable to interact with others, well at least that is how it began for him until one day he found himself reunited with a vampire he’d never thought he’d see again, his ex-love Dante. Tristan could not believe it when he was reunited with the love of his life in this twisted afterlife called the astral plane and before long he began to realize they were not alone, there were many lost souls within the astral plane mostly used as food for the shadow demon but a few who managed to stay alive in this limbo like world. As time passed he learned that the astral plane was neither heaven or hell but some kind of in between with no possibility of going to either, forced to live in the shadow demon’s domain, one that had been his domain for eons, a home which would soon be no more now that the shadow demon was free to roam the living realm. The astral plane was a miserable existence for most spirits but not for Tristan as he watched life go on without him he did not become bitter like the others, instead he learned how beautiful life was now that he was no longer living it and how much people he never fully opened up to loved him despite his many twisted actions. Tristan did need Buffy over here to help him but not hoping to escape this realm he had come to oddly love but to help him, help her as the shadow demon grew stronger and stronger preparing for his war against the slayers. “So, are you two like back together now or what? Because I am not sure how I feel about my son dating a vampire.” Buffy wondered as she, Dante and Tristan walked the empty streets of San Francisco. “He is not a vampire anymore nor am I, not sure what we are here.” Tristan explained as the three of them continued walking. “Also, you dated two vampires.” “Yeah but they both have souls and…” Buffy began to reply to her son before turning her attention to Dante. “Are you still evil if you are not a vampire?” “I still remember vampire me; I sometimes still feel like vampire me but no I am not vampire me…anymore! I think I’m human or at least a human spirit.” Dante answered his boyfriend’s mother. “Although I’m nowhere near as powerful a ghost as your son!” “Is this about the haunting again? It’s Halloween any ghost could have pulled something like that.” Tristan told Dante, playing down his boyfriend’s claims. “I’m not just talking about that I am talking about how you’re the only spirit the shadow demon leaves alone in this realm not to mention how much safer I’ve been since you got here.” Dante argued. “And yet it still remains here despite no longer being trapped.” “That is because It needs to power up before taking on well…you!” Tristan revealed to Buffy as the three of them continued to walk. “The demon cannot be touched like the first, but it can touch it is like it has control over when it is just a shadow and when it is something more.” “If I cannot touch the thing yet it can strike me why the hell has it not just took me out? Why does it need to get stronger?” Buffy wondered. “Clearly it needs to level up for some reason.” Dante answered the blonde-haired slayer. “Which is why I needed you here to help me stop it before it gets whatever it wants,” Tristan told his mother, “Of course I had hoped Willow would come with you and do some kind of spell like the one the shadow men did on it originally to trap it once before.” “But now we have to waste what little time remains of your visit to the astral plane to find your body because as always the shadow demon is one step ahead.” Dante continued to reveal to Buffy. “So, I guess this means we find my body and then I await the next apocalypse.” Buffy stated, saddened to know her time with her son was not only limited but was going to be spent ensuring that she would once again leave him. “Hold on a minute,” Tristan said before stopping walking, the other two stopping too, eager to hear his next words. “Do not ask me how but I think I know where to go…” Tristan had no idea why he suddenly knew where to go or how he suddenly knew where to go but he knew for certainty he was not wrong which somehow managed to alarm him more than if he still remained unknowing.

“I do not get it why would I be here?” Buffy asked in shock as she and Tristan stood in front of Tristan’s grave within the astral plane version of a San Francisco cemetery, the two of them looking at an unconscious version of Buffy lying on top of the closed grave. “It is clearly playing games with us, reckons a reminder of what awaits you when you wake up will stop you wanting to wake up it’s rather impressive to be honest it is exactly what I would do if I was fucking with someone.” Tristan answered his mother. “I guess that is how I knew somehow…clearly a part of me rubbed on off it just as much as it changed me!” “I do not want to leave you; I should stay and help you stop whatever it is that the shadow demon is planning.” Buffy told him. “I cannot just leave you here alone to fight the same demon that killed you!” “Firstly I was killed by a goddess not a demon which is a good way to go like being taken out by the best, secondly I am not alone or did you forget the fact I am here with Tristan.” Tristan argued with her, determined to make his mother return to the land of the living. “And you really should not feel bad because I freaking love it here, I get to see the world through a veil, I get to be with the man I love and mostly I get to let go of all the darkness that plagued me my entire life…it is weird to say it but this is kind of my heaven.” “I wish I did better by you, I wish I could have been a better mother.” Buffy admitted to her son, as tears began forming in her eyes. “I should have raised you, protected you from it all and maybe then you would not be happy with being dead.” “I do not blame you for anything, I did for a long time, I despised you and Angel so much despite the many times you guys keep trying to reach me it somehow just managed to make me hate use even more but that part of me is well and truly dead.” Tristan said, comforting his mother with his words. “I can never make up for what I’ve done, nor do I deserve to be at peace or my version of it but I am and I am going to be okay here! You do not need to worry about me anymore.” “I am always going to worry about you.” Buffy cried. “You are my son!” “You know your needed there.” Tristan replied, as he gave his mother a hug. “You are a true hero through and through and I would never forgive myself if I was the reason you stopped being who you are by staying here.” “I should not have to keep choosing the slayer side of me over everything.” Buffy complained as she hugged her son tighter. “But you are right my destiny is far from over…neither is yours!” “I know I have just moved to a different realm instead of a different country.” Tristan joked as the mother and son broke off their hug, preparing to say goodbye to each other. “And hey if you start missing me too much, I’ll rank up the volume on your tv from time to time, who knows I may even try some other stereotypical hauntings.” “You enjoy being a ghost far too much!” Buffy laughed with her son. “Just make sure you give that demon hell…for me.” Tristan told his mother who quickly nodded in agreement with her son. Buffy closed her eyes briefly before reopening them to find herself waking up in her bed back in her apartment to the sound of her door being knocked on before she sat up as Willow opened the door and walked into Buffy’s bedroom. “Well did you get some closure, or did it make everything even worse?” Willow asked, fully fearing the answer. “Actually, it made everything better, minus the fact the shadow demon is planning something pretty big, but we will deal with that when we have to.” Buffy replied as she climbed off her bed and stood up to face Willow. “For now I am just happy my son is happy even if that means he is in some weird after life it is still better than him being miserable and trying to kill us all…I think.” “Well yay to that…I think.” Willow responded. “Just no joining him anytime soon because I need you for the long-haul Buffy and this world will always need you!” “Do not worry Willow I am not going anywhere.” Buffy reassured her best friend. “Well except to go and see my niece hopefully dressed as a vampire and not a pumpkin.” “Ironically, they settled on ghost because no ghost costume has ever backfired!” Willow said with sarcasm, remembering her own ordeal as a ghost. “Are you sure you do not want to stay in as planned?” “No, I think it’s time we celebrate for a change at least until the next tragedy anyway.” Buffy joked with Willow, ready to celebrate Halloween with her nearest and dearest.

Tristan Summers was beyond happy on the astral plane and if it was not for a meddling shadow demon he would consider it his heaven, however he was about to learn that the happy ending he deserved was actually no ending at all but a new beginning. “What are we doing here?” Tristan asked Dante before the two walked into an abandoned warehouse within San Francisco City on the astral plane, as Tristan was left shell shocked to see an unconscious version of his body laid on a wooden table. “Dante, what is going on?” “I was confused too when this woman that claimed to be associated with the powers that be took me here to show me your body,” Dante revealed to his lover. “Then she told me why it was there, what she had done and why she had done it.” “I do not understand…I was staked…my body turned to dust.” Tristan replied, still stunned at the sight of his own body laying on the table. “This should not be possible.” “She said only you could defeat the shadow demon, I do not know if she said that because she seemed to have the hots for Angel or because it really is true but if I have to put a bet on I’d always bet on you!” Dante admitted to him, before revealing some more truths. “You have been here for a while, the shadow demon never took it so I do not think he can…I wanted to tell you straight away but I knew the moment I did I’d lose you!” “You do not have to lose me,” Tristan reassured him. “Just because some higher being wants to give me another shot at life does not mean I want it…I am happy with you! And I am sure Buffy can handle whatever comes her way she always does.” “You are only happy here because you have given up on life, life is hard I get that, but it is so much better than this…” Dante argued with the love of his life. “You are far from done but I am where I belong!” “I do not want to lose you again Dante, I love you, I love you more than I have ever loved anyone!” Tristan declared, his words only making Dante feel more guilty. “I cannot be selfish with my love for you not again…Drusilla told me of you long before we ever met, I believed we belonged together and a part of me still does but I was a monster then.” Dante revealed reluctantly. “Tristan…Drusilla never killed your parents I did!” “No,” Tristan cried, completely in denial. “You are just saying that so I will leave you here!” “I am sorry I really am, all I knew back then was that I needed to have you so I did…I killed your parents to bring you to me and then when Mandi seemed like she would eventually take you from me it was me who got Drusilla to get her hooked on the dark magics.” Dante continued to reveal. “I was so obsessed with the idea of us I’d have stopped at nothing for the two of us but that was never love…not then! But I do love you now, now that I’m not a soulless vampire I really do love you and it is because of that love I have to be honest with you and I need to let you go.” “Oh god, you are not lying!” Tristan realized as tears began falling from his eyes, down his cheeks, as he struggled to come to terms with his lover’s betrayal. “I cannot believe I was such a fool.” “I can never make it up to you for what I have done but I cannot keep you here just to make me happy.” Dante told him as tears formed in his own eyes, as he struggled to look at the man, he loved who now only looked back at him with disgust and heartbreak in his eyes. “Just close your eyes and go back home…”

[chitose-art]

A entitled mother wants to force me to marry her son and disrespects me. She ends up scared.

Good morning to all.

I'll explain my first direct encounter with a entitled mother. I'd seen entitled people before, but I'd never faced a person until this case. The story takes place more or less a week before confinement in Spain (March 9); a few weeks before I turning 21. It's transcribed from a WhatsApp audio that I sent to an acquaintance who knows about my relationship.

I don't consider myself a very pretty girl, in fact quite normal, but yes striking for my style. It's like a combination between goth and when Edward Scissorhands was put on a shirt and pants with suspenders. Only with long hair (around 70 cm, measuring 1'69), green eyes with dark circles, a murderous glance and a Slavic face, although not a model.

That day I went out with my partner to have a drink in some bar. We don't usually do it because of the age difference and because it would look bad in his work (he's a high school and -in my case when I was a student- baccalaureate teacher. He's a good teacher and many students love him, while he has coworkers who hate him and would take advantage of any excuse).

We sat for half an hour on the terrace of an almost empty cafe drinking coffee, and at some point a man came towards us. I'd seen him walk past next us with a woman (his mother), and sit on the same terrace, right in front of me with several separation tables. He stood in front of us, looking at us.

I looked at my partner, thinking that maybe he was a graduate student of his. I couldn't say if he would be older than me; he was tall and big, he even had a short beard, but I've met guys like him who seem to be 25 but 16 years old.

P - Partner.

MS - Man, son of EM.

EM - Entitled Mother.

P: Is something wrong, boy?

MS, after waking up from a kind of trance: Oh, hi. I would like to take advantage of the opportunity and ask your daughter to go out -he looks at me and I put my "if you come closer you will be left without an arm" gaze-. I would like to exchange numbers... and that, maybe meet someday.

I was a little surprised, but I was funny about "asking your daughter out." I looked at my partner and he gave me a look that I should answer and, besides, he was also laughing and needed to see how it went on.

Me: Ehm... No.

MS: What? Why?

Me, trying not to frown: Because not, I don't need an explanation.

MS: But -then he looked at my partner and muttered before going back to his table-... Okay.

I don't like that they enter me, but if they're kind it's bearable. And I could still say the couple of balls you must have to ask a girl who goes with her "father" for that, the problem is when they start to insist or sound desperate.

The man returned to his table and my partner was joking a little about what had just happened, but soon we returned to the topic of conversation. Occasionally I noticed something strange at the other table and when I took a look, it seemed to me that the mother was looking towards us, but I thought it was my imagination. About fifteen minutes later, my partner came in to pay (I like to pay mine, but he always insists) and I took the opportunity to quickly see my mobile's notifications. Then, I heard a kind of sigh-growl.

Next to the chair he occupied, was that short woman, possibly over the age of 40 and (incredibly similar to the "Karen" stereotype) with short blond hair, pulled back into a small ponytail.

EM: Why have you rejected my son? -A bit confused, I looked around looking for that boy, but he was nowhere-.

Me: Sorry, what did you say?

EM in a tone of theatrical superiority, with its separations between words: Why have you rejected my son? He has come very politely to ask you if you would be his girlfriend and you have rejected him.

Me: Not really, he asked me to go out and I said no. I don't even know who you are.

EM: Did you not understand? He has bothered going here to ask if you would be his girlfriend. You could have a little respect for him.

Me: Well, I didn't hit him, I just rejected him.

EM: Right, sure. I have seen how you have been laughing at him. Surely it was your father who said to reject him.

(Actually, I don't know what conclusion they draw that my partner is my father. We aren't physically alike.)

Me: No one can decide who I date. Also, I already have a partner, he's... -I looked inside the cafe, but he was not there, so I assumed he went to the bathroom-.

EM: I have been looking at you, you would be a good wife, my son is a good man. Surely that boyfriend of yours doesn't exist, you just made it up.

Me, getting up to start leaving: Ma'am, I don't know you. Stop bothering me. If your son is looking for a girlfriend, download Tinder or some of that shit.

EM: How dare you disrespect (I don't know if she refers to herself or her son)!? So from those pervert pages you get all your boyfriends?

I don't know what my face should be like at the time, I was about to laugh all over his face. Besides, surely many people were watching us as they passed: Ma'am, leave it now.

M: Not until you accept my son. He will educate you to be a good wife. I want grandchildren...

Well, that's when I saw my partner come out of the cafe and walk over to me while taking out a cigarette.

P: New friend?

Me: No...

EM: Sir! I know you told this one to reject my son.

P: What?

EM: But I won't allow disrespect for my son or me. Besides being ill-educated, she's a cheeky one; she has confessed that she is dating several men at once from those pervert pages.

P: Yes? -He eyed me suggestively as he tried to hold back his laughter-. Don't tell me.

EM: Yes, I have reason to believe that she have been bringing men into your home and charging for it.

I was freaking out at that point, my partner opened his eyes wide in surprise as the mother crossed her arms looking at me with a superior smile. He looked at me and hugged me around the waist.

P: Wow, don't tell me it's just the price of coffee? Or do I have a discount?

I slapped him on the chest as I put an arm around his shoulders and giggled: It also discounts the times I spend at your house, the movies, the books and the perfume you wear.

We kiss quickly, but not as much as that mother changing skin tone and expression. Her skin paled almost like mine, and her face was between awe and dread so great that she could barely scream before turning and leaving quickly.

We also left. Not that we will attract more attention.

[justanoutlawfic]

I Belong With You (You Belong With Me): Family Secrets

Summary: Belle learns exactly what she's inheriting from George's dynasty.

Also on AO3

The Enchanted Forest (One Week & 10 Days Before the Wedding)

 Belle turned around the corner, a heavy book clutched between her fingertips. She had discovered it within her possessions and couldn’t wait to share it with James. It had contained some of her favorite poems and she was hoping they could incorporate them in their wedding programs. She wasn’t sure how much he wanted to be involved with the planning of the wedding, but she also knew he loved literature just as much as she did. Outside their dress fittings, Abigail didn’t seem to care at all about the weddings. A part of Belle couldn’t blame her. They didn’t choose either of these fiancés. At the same time, Abigail spent most of her time holed up in her room. She only got dressed when her father finally demanded so. Would she ever get used to the idea of marrying David? For both of their sakes, Belle sure hoped so.

 As Belle turned the corner for James’ library, she heard a thud. She carefully approached the door, peering inside. James was backed up against the door with his father before him. His eyes were wide and there was something written on his face that Belle had never seen before. Fear. James raised his hands in defense. George’s back was to the door, his shiny forehead glowing under the chandelier. James didn’t notice her either, his eyes trained on his father.

 “Father, I’m sorry.” His voice was shaking. “It was just a joke.”

“A joke?” George let out a bitter laugh. “You think this entire thing is a fucking joke?” He slammed his fist against the wall right by James’ head, which made the younger man wince. Belle’s body tensed. “This merger is going to save our kingdom. You’re not going to mess it up by “joking” with Midas.”

“I don’t think he took it…”

“You think you’re so hilarious, but no one thinks you’re funny. In fact, if you disappeared, no one would miss you at all.”

 Belle’s grip on the book intensified. How could a father talk this way to their child? James was kind, intelligent and charming. Sure, he had a bit of dark humor but that only added to what made him, him. A parent was supposed to love their child for who they were. George seemed cold and standoffish, but she didn’t imagine he was this cruel. A tingling sensation rose through her body that she didn’t quite understand. Anger? Hostility? Could she go as far as to say protectiveness?

 James’ eyes narrowed at his father’s comment, his chin jutting outward. “I think you would. I mean, without me, how else would you get all the gold you need?”

George scoffed. “I should’ve let you be raised by those farmers. You would’ve been dead by your first birthday.” He went to grab hold of James’ collar and that’s when Belle decided she’d had enough.

“Lay a hand on him and I’ll let this book dent your skull,” she threatened loud enough for him to hear.

 George spun around; his eyes aghast. James looked shocked, yet a small grin was creeping up on his lips. His father quickly composed himself. He stood up straight and cleared his throat. Belle kept her glare on him with her book held up in the air. She ignored the ache in her wrist, not about to leave James unprotected.

 “I’ll beg you to remember your place, Belle,” George said.

Belle shrugged. “And I’ll remind you of who you need for this merger.”

George licked his lips, shaking his head. “A match made in Heaven indeed,” he muttered under his breath. His eyes darted back to his son. “We’ll finish this discussion later.”

“Touch him again and I’ll make sure you don’t get an ounce of my father’s gold.”

 George shook his head, walking out of the room. Belle dropped the book onto a side table and ran over to James. She put one hand on top of his and another on his cheek.

 “Are you alright?” She asked.

James nodded, letting out a deep breath. “You saved me from the worst he could’ve done.”

“I just…” She shook her head. “I’m so sorry. No father should talk that way to their child.”

“You clearly have never met George.”

“Well, no, but he was wrong. About all of it…” She trailed off, some of his words finally registered with her. “What did he mean? That you should’ve been raised with farmers?”

James sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re going to be my wife. I suppose you know our great family secret.”

********************

The private garden off the library was in full bloom. The azaleas showed off their pink as they danced in the wind. The cherry tree had lost its petals and instead had the sweet-smelling fruit instead. Multi-color rosebushes created a mini-maze. It had been lovely to look at in between reading Shakespeare and sips of honey tea. It was even nice for Belle to walk around with James.

 “My mother always did what she could to shield David and I from George’s cruelty. She wanted us to be kind. Not the stereotypical princes you hear of. She read us stories; told us we didn’t have to be vicious knights if we didn’t have to.”

Belle ran her fingers over an azalea. “She sounds great.”

“She truly was.” He bit his lip. “But then she got sick. It spread quickly and she was gone before we really knew it. George put us into knight training almost immediately.”

“But you were only 5, right?”

James nodded and Belle frowned. “He didn’t care. He wanted us to be the perfect dragon slayers as soon as possible. David tried his best. He just wanted to please George so badly. I was scared, so I took off. I didn’t know where I was going but I managed to steal some money, pack a bag and went to Pleasure Island.”

 Belle tried to picture James running away, but she was having trouble picture him as a 5-year-old. He just seemed totally broody and forever an adult.

 “It was supposed to be a never-ending carnival but it was a nightmare. They turned kids into animals and once they got word I was a prince, they were after me. I didn’t last very long before a strange man appeared,” James continued. “He explained that I was his son.”

Belle’s brows furrowed. “What?”

James outstretched his arms. “Exactly what I said. He didn’t explain, but said if I went with him, we could go back to a farm. I could live a regular life with him and my “real mom” as he called her.”

“That had to be confusing.”

“It was. But at the time, it sounded nice. Animals, having a mom again…so I said yes.”

Guilt washed over his face. Belle touched his arm. “That doesn’t make you a bad son.”

“I know,” he whispered. “But I was so willing to give up the mom that raised me…”

“If she saw what George wanted to turn you into, she’d understand.”

James shrugged. He gently pulled away from her. “When we were getting off the island, George showed up. He tried to offer the man money but he refused. He introduced himself as my father. The two argued. It came out that the man, Robert, and his wife, Ruth, had me and David. They were too poor to raise us. They could barely keep their farm. So, Rumpelstiltskin showed up and made them a deal.”

“And they took it?” Belle tilted her head. She had heard some awful stories about the wizard.

“Robert says we were dying. He had gambled away money for our medicine. George couldn’t produce an heir so Rumpelstiltskin promised to find him one. In exchange for saving their farm, they would give up one child.”

“But both of you are with George.”

James sighed. “George revealed that Robert got greedy. He wanted extra money. So, he said they’d give both of us. Ruth didn’t want to, but he made the deal behind her back.”

Belle gasped. It seemed David and James had been screwed over in the fatherhood department on both ends. “Lords.”

“Robert said he felt guilty. He was sober and he wanted to make things right, he wanted Ruth to forgive him and he thought the only way to do that was to bring back one of the kids he sold. So, he wanted me.”

 James braced the edge of the bush. A delicate flower crushed under his grip, causing him to wince.

 “George ordered his execution. It was as if he were ordering a new rug for the main hall.” His glassy blue eyes stared off at the castle. “The guards carried him off and he was gone.” James swallowed, shaking his head. “If I hadn’t agreed to go with him, if I hadn’t run off…”

“James,” Belle returned her hand to his face, forcing him to look at her. “This isn’t your fault. None of it is your fault. Robert chose to go there that night. He knew he was kidnapping a royal child. Regardless, George didn’t have to do what he did, especially in front of a 5-year-old.”

James’ lip trembled. “I never told anyone about that. Not even David.”

Belle tilted her head. “Really?”

“On the ride home, George ordered me to secrecy. He told me that no one was ever to know, especially not my brother. If I ever breathed a word, I’d have a grave next to my biological father.”

“What a burden for him to place on your shoulders,” she whispered. “I am so sorry.”

James shrugged, wiping at his eye. “There’s so much damn pollen in this garden.”

 Belle took a step back, not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable. So much made sense now. The rumors about a vicious prince, a lady killer. It was all to appease his father. The dark humor was from years of abuse and protecting a family secret. So much was weighing down on James and yet he kept that devilish grin on his face most of the time.

 “Do you ever think of reaching out to your biological mother?” She asked.

James shook his head. “No. Even if George would allow me, it’d be out of the question. She had to pick one of us and she chose her favorite originally.”

“James, I’m sure that’s not how it worked…”

“I had a mother, Belle. She read me to bed every night, she snuck me treats in my lessons and she kissed my wounds when I was hurt.” James straightened up. “We may not share the same DNA, but she was all the mother I needed. I don’t need to find the woman who gave me life.”

 Belle stared at him for a minute. A part of her wanted to push, while the other understood. She wasn’t adopted but she had a mother that she loved more than anything in the world and not because they shared the same blood. If she found out tomorrow that Maurice and Collette hadn’t actually brought her into this world, it wouldn’t change how she felt about them. James’ mother was Serafina. She was all he needed.

 “I think you’re right, you’re happy with your choice,” she finally said.

James nodded. “Thank you.”

“But David didn’t get to make his. He’s had to live in the dark for years, not knowing any of this. I’m not saying he should know anything, but doesn’t he deserve the truth?”

“What? That our biological father sold him for booze money? No, I think that’d hurt him even more.”

“And what about the mother that wanted him and didn’t get a say? I know you’ve tried to protect him all these years James. Maybe I don’t know everything about this, but I do know that he deserves to have all the facts like you do.”

James sighed, running his fingers through his blonde curls. He looked down at Belle. Their eyes interlocked and she got that warm, relaxing feeling in her stomach yet again. “I hate when you’re right.”

“You might as well get used to it,” she said cheekily, plucking an azalea off the bush and handing it to him. “Happens more than you might think.”

 James rolled his eyes. Yet, that smile started to return. Why did he have to look at her like that?

 Why did he have to make her fall for him?

[hymn2000]

Where The Darkness Ends - MCU AU fanfic - C5

Story summary: The concept of having a baby has been more of an idea for a long time now. Ideal candidates for a three-person baby, Loki and Tony have finally, after many Peter-based setbacks and challenges, got to the point of being tested. Now, they just have to wait for the results before they can move on to the next stage.

Previous Chapter(s): 1 2 3 4

Part of my Frostiron and Spiderson series.

Warnings/themes: family stuff, mental health stuff, hurt/comfort, hospital/medical stuff, fertility stuff, IVF, potentially some medical inaccuracies

You can also find me on AO3

Chapter 5 - If It Helps

-

In a misguided attempt to carry on as normal, Loki went to work the next day. He ignored Tony’s cries and protests and very firmly said that he was going regardless. Tony was too worn down to fight him too much, and too hurt to try to beg him to stay any more than he had done already.

-

It felt strange going to the hospital, as though he hadn’t been there for weeks. Still, he felt like he needed to keep busy, and in his mind, this was the best way to do it. He knew that everyone on his ward knew he’d had some bad news, but Jo Jo was the only one who knew exactly what that bad news was. So hopefully he could avoid the pitying glances.

Jo Jo knew better than most just how horribly the results of the fertility test were going to affect Loki, and he also knew that calling attention to it wouldn’t be wise. 

Jo Jo popped up as soon as Loki reached the hospital.

“Hi!” he said brightly. “Say, have you got any of those cherry energy drinks that I could steal? I had a late night and I’m definitely starting to slow down already”

Loki watched him for a moment, touched that he was trying to act normal, and grateful of the immediate distraction. Maybe this wouldn’t be as hard as he was expecting.

-

Loki didn’t last long. He knew he was foolish to think he could just carry on as normal. Everything on the ward suddenly had much more gravity to it. He was surrounded by expectant parents and babies and everything that went with it. He tried to distance himself a bit, doing light duties like blood work. But he couldn’t escape from the conversation of medical notes, and the excited families talking about their latest buys and possible baby names. 

Loki generally got to know his patients pretty well, and a lot of them wanted to speak to him, and tell him how they were getting on - and show him their latest ultrasound scans and nursery plans. 

Loki fought to stay strong for as long as he could, but it was hard work, and his mind couldn’t help being heavily distracted by what had happened at the clinic, and what he’d lost before he’d even had the chance to have it. 

There was one patient who Loki had gotten to know a little bit, who was having her first scan and check up after a successful round of IVF. Loki tried to distance himself, but the more she spoke, and the more he found his mind wandering to the realms of what could have been, the worse he felt. His heart was thudding, and he was starting to feel sick. He took a deep breath and grabbed a passing colleague.

“Mary, could you take over here for me, please?”

“Yeah, ok..”

Mary took over, giving Loki a concerned look as he rushed off. She knew something was wrong - all the staff had been told that much - but she knew it must be something even bigger than she’d first expected. She’d never seen Loki like this before.

-

Loki shut himself in the locker room and sat down heavily on one of the benches, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. This was so much harder than he’d thought it was going to be. But he was an idiot to think that he could work on a ward surrounded by babies and pregnancy and not feel horribly struck down by it all. 

There was a knock on the door. Loki didn’t look up, but he heard the door open and close, and he felt someone sit down beside him.

“Hi, Loki” the person said. “Jo Jo told me what happened. He said you wouldn’t mind if it was just me”

Loki sat up straight and looked at Mr Lesley. He was a consultant Loki knew from handovers and the occasional after-work drink. He didn’t know him too well, but he knew a few things about him. Like the fact they were in the same boat.

“We didn’t even think about the possibility of this result. We just thought it was a formality”

“I know. No one wants to think about that possibility, and men aren’t usually prepared for it. You were just taking another step closer to getting your baby. You had no reason to consider you’d get those results”

“Exactly” Loki said. He swallowed hard. “...I can’t have children. I’m not going to have a baby and I don’t know what to do”

“There’s nothing you can do, not in the way you think. You can’t change those results, or ‘fix’ them. I know it’s hard. But the only thing you can really do is try to come to terms with it and move on”

“How can I move on? I’ve been waiting for so long to be able to have this baby, and now it’s just been torn away from me. In fact, I’ve torn it away from myself. Tony’s results were fine, good. I was the one with the knackered results. I’m the one who can’t have kids. They don’t even know why yet. It’s probably something I did in space. I don’t know. Maybe it’s always been this way. All I know is there’s nothing I can do and no one I can blame but myself”

“You can’t play the blame game, Loki” Mr Lesley said. “It’s not a case of blaming or finding fault. I know you want to, but these results? Well, it’s just the way it is. There’s no changing it, and there’s often not even a way to find out why. You’re allowed to be angry, just don’t let it consume you”

“How did you do it?” Loki said, trying to stop crying. “There must have been something that helped”

“It was hard” Mr Lesley said. “My wife and I, we were quite bad; we judged our assumptions on stereotypes. We both expected it to be her who was unable to conceive. I was totally unprepared to find that it was me firing blanks”

Loki winced.

“You’ve gotta do the doctory-nursey thing of using comedy to cope sometimes, Loki. Welcome to the jaffa club, I say”

Loki looked at him. “Jaffa?”

“That’s a seedless orange”

“Ah” Loki sighed and shook his head slightly. “I don’t think I want a badge”

“You might find making light of it useful at some point in the future”

“Is that how you coped?”

“Not at first” Mr Lesley said. “It was hard. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. I got so depressed, I took extended sick leave, almost went on a sabbatical. My wife was sympathetic for a while, but... Well, I think she found it tricky to deal with me. I don’t think she thought it hurt as much as it did. She started pushing for the other options far sooner than I was ready to hear them”

“You’ve got children, though, haven’t you?”

“Yes, one. Sperm donation” Mr Lesley said. “It was a pretty long time after I found out about my infertility, but my wife and I so wanted a child, and eventually we made the decision to do it that way”

“How old are they?”

“She’s nine now. I love her so much. You’ve got an adopted son. I’m sure it’s a similar kind of thing, in that you forget you’re not biologically related, because it doesn’t really matter. I’m not sure it’s that important. It’s love and time, and all the rest of it that makes family”

“...I love Peter so much. He’s still my little boy” Loki said. “But having a baby was just something me and Tony wanted so, so much. All of that planning. Everything we planned, it just took one tiny appointment to complete tear it down. It was all for nothing. And I don’t know how I’m supposed to accept that”

“You’ll find a way” Mr Lesley said. “You can cry and scream and shout and swear about it. But make sure you talk. How’s Tony doing?”

“Not great” Loki sighed. “He’s about as devastated as I am. But I think his pain is only skin deep. Not that it doesn’t matter, but... I think my pain goes deeper. He can be upset about it, and we can mourn it, but I can’t shake the thought that this is my fault. If my body worked properly, things would be different”

“I know how you feel, believe me. Loki, listen. I know you’re heartbroken. But you know there’s other options if you decide to go for them. But even if you don’t, you’re lucky, because you’ve already got a child. Some people find that helps”

Loki took his phone out of his pocket, looking at the photo on his lock screen. Mr Lesley peered at the picture.

“He’s a cute little kid. I know you love him. How does he feel about all of this?”

“...He was so ready to be a big brother. He wanted it too. He’s upset too. So much of our home life has been riding on this three-person IVF for months now. He liked staying involved in our plans... I don’t know if he really knows what’s what right now...” Loki swallowed. “He’s not at home right now. He’s staying with my brother. Tony thought it was best. Just until we’re a bit stronger. But I don’t know how long that’s going to be. What if we never get stronger?”

“You will. It’s horrible, but if you look in the right places, there’s places you can go and people you can speak to. It’s harder for us, I think” Mr Lesley said. “There’s not really any help at all out there for men going through infertility. Countless resources for women, which is good, I suppose, but still... I hope it’s different for you - I’m sure it will be, seeing as you’re not with a woman - but when I first told people, I was told to ‘just get a sperm donor’. Or to adopt. Some people even scoffed. It’s dreadful, but I think things are different now, even just after these few years. Hopefully you can fight off the press if this story gets out. I can only imagine what that kind of gossip can feel like. Loki, you’re headstrong and stubborn and I know we don’t know each other hugely well, but allow me to offer some advice”

Loki wiped the tears from his eyes and made himself look at him.

“Ignore everyone who doesn’t know you. Talk to your husband, and your family, and your friends. Talk, and write your feelings out. And go home, Loki” Mr Lesley took Loki’s hand. “Go home. No one is expecting you to work through this. You’ll only make yourself worse, especially on this ward. Go. You need to look after yourself first”

-

Loki wouldn’t speak to Tony when he got home. He hugged him, but quickly excused himself and went to his room, closing the door firmly behind him. He needed some time to himself.

-

Tony felt dreadful, and all he wanted to do was crawl into a hole and hide from the world. But he’d promised himself he’d visit Peter every night, and he wasn’t going to break that promise. Once again, Loki didn’t accompany him, but he had Happy knocking about the house again, so Tony felt ok to leave him for a little bit. At least he wouldn’t be alone.

-

Peter was cuddled down on the sofa when Tony got to Thor’s.

“How has he been?” he asked quietly.

“He’s been ok” Thor said. “He’s been eating, anyway. He’s been pretty quiet though”

Tony nodded, and sat down at Peter’s feet. “Hey, kiddo”

Peter looked at him, but didn’t say anything.

“How are you doing?”

Peter sat up slowly, keeping quiet. Tony sighed. He didn’t know what else to say to him. He was tired, and he felt weak. He hadn’t looked after himself at all that day. He’d felt so lonely, considering Loki had gone out and then shut himself in his room upon his return. He wanted nothing more than to be with his family, but it seemed like none of them wanted to be with him.

“I know you’re upset” Tony said eventually. “I am too. But you know why you’re here. It’s for your own good, chick. Hey, don’t look at me like that. It’s not so bad, is it? You get on well with uncle Thor. He’s always so nice to you. You know he loves you almost as much as I do”

“You look ill” Peter said.

Tony was surprised. “Um... Well, I guess I feel a bit ill. It’s been a rough couple of days”

“How’s daddy?”

“He’s resting” Tony nodded. “It was a rough day for him as well”

He pressed his lips together, looking straight ahead. Peter watched him for a moment, and then crawled onto his lap. Tony’s arms moved automatically and he hugged the boy close, resting his chin on his head. He sighed.

“You’re a good little boy” he mumbled. “Such a good boy...”

“I’d be ok at home, you know”

Tony sighed. “I don’t think so. I’m sorry, kiddo, but you’ve gotta stay here. Just until daddy and I have figured everything out”

Peter rested his head against Tony’s chest. “...Dad?”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“Can you... Can you hold me a bit tighter?”

Tony paused, and then wound his arms further round him. “Like this?”

“Just... just a bit tighter”

Tony did so, and Peter sighed and nodded slightly.

“Yeah, like this”

“You know daddy and I love you, right?”

“I know. But it doesn’t feel like daddy loves me right now”

“He does” Tony said. “You’re still our little boy, no matter what”

“You’re sad” Peter said. “Daddy’s sad. I’m sad. Pepper’s sad. We’re not having a baby”

Tony closed his eyes, trying to fight back the tears. “I know”

“You’re gonna keep visiting, though, right? And daddy’s gonna visit when he feels a bit better? Right?”

“Right” Tony said, sounding choked. “Just because you’re staying with uncle Thor, doesn’t mean we have to be distant”

“I was looking online today, seeing if there were memorials for infertility. That didn’t show up any results. I think there should be something, don’t you? Because it does feel like a loss. And it’s really sad, isn’t it?”

“Yeah” Tony said. “Yeah, it’s really sad...”

“They started to feel real, didn’t they?”

“Who?”

“Princess May and Oliver Anthony. It was like we were just waiting to meet them. Like they already existed”

“Yeah...” Tony swallowed, and then started crying. 

He held tight to Peter, rocking him gently as he cried. Peter started crying too, scared. Thor left them at first, but Tony’s cries started getting distressing, so he stepped in and carefully took Peter from him.

“Why don’t you go to your room?” Thor said gently.

“But-”

“Shh, go on. Go to your room”

Peter took a last desperate look at Tony, and then did as he was told. Thor sat down on the sofa and put his arms round Tony, who very soon turned and hugged him. 

“I can’t do this-!”

“Yes you can. You’ll get through it eventually, you and my brother” Thor said, holding him tight. “You’ll get there”

“I’ve never felt like this before. I’ve just felt so sick and hollow ever since we found out. I don’t know how to get my head around this”

“You’ll work it out. You need to talk to Loki” Thor rested his head against Tony’s. “Go home, Tony. I think you need to be with Loki. Don’t worry about Peter; I’ll look after him. You need to look after yourself. Put yourself first for once”

-

Loki was on the balcony, drinking and smoking, as expected, when Tony got home. He barely glanced at his husband. Tony swallowed and went over to him, climbing into his lap and resting his head on his shoulder. Loki wound his arms round him and rested his mouth against Tony’s forehead. A few moments passed, and Loki dropped his cigarette and held Tony tighter. He didn’t want to let go. He felt horrible for avoiding him. Now he wanted nothing more than to stay with him, indefinitely. 

“Loki?”

“Mm?”

“I think we need to talk to someone about this”

Loki was quiet for a moment. He took a deep breath. “Who?”

“I don’t know” Tony swallowed hard, three or four times, trying not to cry. “...I think we should call Li Allen”

“I think we need to talk to each other properly” Loki said, his voice trembling. “We haven’t talked properly; we’ve just cried. I can’t stop crying... I don’t know what to do”

He started crying properly again, and Tony did too. Neither of them could speak, but they held each other and cried, both knowing what the other was feeling. They felt so tired and sore and hollow and alone - but they had each other. At least, if nothing else, they were going through this together. That was all they needed right now. Just to be together. Indefinitely. 

-

Tony just about managed to force himself to go to Thor’s the next evening. He sat with Peter and tried to watch telly for a bit, but he couldn’t concentrate. He held Peter tight and stroked his hair, his thoughts always straying back to Loki and the baby situation. He couldn’t seem to focus on the little boy in his arms. 

-

Tony left just over an hour after arriving. Peter started crying as soon as Tony announced his departure, and Tony felt horrible. He gave Peter a cuddle and chucked him under the chin and told him to be brave. 

“I’ll take you out for dinner next time. Somewhere nice, somewhere we don’t go often” he said. “You’d like that, right?”

Peter nodded, holding his arms out for another hug, which Tony supplied. He kissed him hard on the cheek. 

“You be good. I’ll see you soon. Love you lots”

“I love you too”

Tony kissed him again, hard, and forced himself to let go. He wanted to be with his husband.

-

Loki never took care of himself properly when he wasn’t feeling great, so things weren’t going well. He couldn’t be bothered to eat, or take his supplements, or drink anything non-alcoholic. His stock of cigarettes that had long gone untouched was steadily starting to deplete. The liquor cabinet, which recently had been seldom used, was now open, with no sign of it being closed any time soon. The radio and stereo that usually played throughout the house all day was switched off, leaving a heavy silence in the air. Even FRIDAY had been muted. 

Tony flopped down beside Loki when he got home. 

“How is he?”

“He’s eating and stuff” Tony said. “He’ll be fine. Your brother takes good care of him” 

Loki nodded, lighting another cigarette and passing it to Tony. Tony paused, and then took it. Usually he only smoked on holiday. It felt weird smoking in such sad times. But it felt apt. Odd, but apt. Appropriate. The right thing to do. 

“What are you drinking?”

Loki answered by handing the glass to him. Tony took a good mouthful. Rum and coke. Or more, rum with a splash of coke. Enough rum to make his face twitch. He handed the glass back. Loki took it, and then reached for one of the bottles on the floor. He held the Grey Goose out to him. Tony took it, looking at the picture of the bottle for a moment before unscrewing the cap. He took a deep breath and raised it to his lips. He took a small sip, and then tipped the bottle, gulping down the clear liquid almost greedily. He could feel Loki watching him, and slowly lowered the bottle. He saw that Loki had been holding a glass and mixer can for him too. He took a deep breath.

“We’ll start doing things properly tomorrow”

*

[cinaminho]

Preview..

~Hotel Cinderella~

No one see's you for who you really are.. Except for him. A Privileged, free sprited, young man.

.........

No one understands him and what he wants.. Except for Her.

A hard working, bold, young lady.

"Though we walk different paths, I still feel like I Deserve you."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

•Kim Taehyung x POC Reader•

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Inspired by Maid in Manhattan 💓

(Spelling errors included)

Y/E/C = Your Eye Color 💞

Y/H/L = Your Hair Length 💕

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Quiet, peace and quiet. Not a sound dared to utter it's self out as you slept quietly in your apartment. Or at least that was up until your Alarm clock decided to knock you back into reality as it rung loudly indicating that it was time for you to get up and get ready. You growled into your pillow as you extended your arm to meet your bedside table and knocking off your alarm clock like you did almost every morning. It looked cloudy and groggy outside but that was nothing new to you because

New York was always that way, at least to you. You never seemed to care about the outside world anymore as it didn't seem to care about you either but oh well you had bigger problems.

You were 18 years old and living alone in a 2 bedroom apartment as you had gotten a job as a Maid at Hotel Delgado, a huge and fancy hotel not far from where you lived. It was walking distance and sure it was definitely tiring but it was your only source of support and income as you had dropped out of school due to your mother not being able to afford your tuition and supplies, although you thought that your mother would be a little relieved that she no longer had to pay for your schooling as she barely could anyway.. She was the complete opposite though you partly understood because as a parent you want to see your child make it across the stage especially if they didn't themselves. Although she barely made it to pay your tuition she felt the money she did pay was wasted because once again.. You dropped out. Nonetheless you were not only making money for you to keep food in your stomach, close on your back, and a roof over your head but also, to pay her back.

No you weren't doing it just so she'd stop buggin you. It was more of way to say 'I'm sorry', you loved your mother dearly and you knew she felt the same for you but once you told her you left school for good you guys had a big blow up and she kicked you out saying that you would only be welcome to visit. You lived with your close friend you knew from your old school and his parents after that for a while but once you got your maid job, you saved up and soon moved out and into the heart of NYC. To many your story seemed tragic but you were completely okay, you and your mother made amends and were back to normal besides the strict

'No living with me anymore' agreement, your mother was your best friend and a main reason you worked so hard.. So she could at least be proud of you for something for which she hadn't been in so long in your opinion. Another reason you worked hard was because despite all the work your job was you had friends in almost every part of the staff there so, you looked foward to work every single day.. How many people can say that. Weird right? The final reason you worked so hard was so that you could prove that you could live beyond the stereotypes of a young African American drop out that seemed to either always be pregnant, drugged out or dead and that's why they dropped out but you were none of those. You just simply couldn't afford it.

Your motivation was high and so were your spirits and not even the sadity and stuck up people you served daily could take that from you because you were strong. As you walked into work everyday that's what you remembered and today would be no different as you finally walked through the spinning doors of the hotel you worked at.. You hoped to be a guest instead of a servant here one day but enough of that. It was time to clock in and begin what you did best... Clean.

~~~~~~~~

Already on the other side of the revolving door coming in there he was standing Tall, with dark brown hair the color of fresh dirt , friendly closed mouth smile on his precious lips as he walked towards the group of Men in Suits and ties, meanwhile he was dressed in an untucked silk button up that could be non other than Gucci ,with pants that everyone else would categorize as jogging suit pants but he named them

'comfortable slacks' , and on his feet he had open toed strap sandals because why not? He approached the men clearing his throat to make his presence known as they all turned to him and looking him up and down but not saying a word as they had grown used to his.. Casual attire "Gentleman" his deep voice said gently as he bowed to the older men out of respect and they did the same "Mr. Kim" they all said "Son" he heard as his dad appeared in the sea of men in suits "you're early" he spoke with a smirk as he went to Taehyung's side "walk with me" he whispered to his son. So they both bowed respectfully and excused themselves away from the men infront of them and turning away.

"This... Attire you're wearing, what is this?" Taehyung's father stopped as did he once they were out of ear shot and infront of an elevator. Taehyung looked confused but then at himself "oh my clothes? Well this is Gucci, these are some comfortable slacks, and some sandals" he said proudly "yes I'm aware no need to state the obvious but what are you doing wearing it here? Son you're going to take over my company soon so I can start on the new one so I'm going to need you to dress appropriately-" his father started to ramble but Taehyung already knew what he was going to say "Dad I think the only thing that matters is how well I can get the materials we need to build and sell luxurious hotels not the way I dress" Taehyung sighed, his father only wanted to see him succeed and he understood but he had his own methods to do so.

He was a very cheerful young man who grasped life by it's reigns and took it on, he made sure everything he did he'd have a bit of fun with it because without it he'd probably crumble under pressure of all the seriousness ,Now let's not get it twisted Taehyung knew when to be about his business but he'd always crack jokes in between his practice meetings because 'charm' could do

a lot , sell a lot and, build a lot of hotels in locations no one thought of and it took a lot of persuasion and charm especially to those who weren't willing to give up land so that they could build. Everyone knew your father as a man who wasn't all that bad but just wanted to succeed in life as well as see his next generation do the same and didn't we all? The thing was Taehyung's father didn't think anyone would take his son seriously because of his carefree and playful attitude but that was where he was wrong because people actually loved Taehyung for that. He'd be just fine on his on if he could just do things his way and he just wanted his dad to see that.

"True son but my partners may think you look rediculous" he argued making Taehyung scoff "And? Once you hand the company over to me I'm firing half those old bags anyways" he mumbled making his father sigh and shake his head "whatever look right now how about you go upstairs ,get cleaned up and change, INTO A SUIT, and meet me back down in an hour and q half because we have a meeting with this hotel and I want to introduce them to you. Here's your suit key it's room 310B" his father said. "Yeah in an half an hour I got you and room 310B" Taehyung responded nonchalantly while grabbing the room key from his father swiftly "Kim Taehyung this is a big deal and if you-"

"I got it big guy now go go" Taehyung said pushing his father towards his business team "sheesh" he mumbled.

"A half an hour!" His father yelled "got it!" He said as he turned to the elevator and pressing the button before patiently waiting for it to open and inhaling a deep breath before letting it go.

Soon a ding was heard indicating the elevator was opening and Taehyung looked up and walked in almost hitting someone

"sorry"

"my bad" they both said at the same time as the person left and Taehyung got onto the elevator, he looked at the figure to see it was a young woman who looked as if she worked here as a maid.. 'Well of course she works here why would she have the uniform on if she didn't slow poke?' He said to himself in his head as the elevator door closed and took him to the penthouse floor.

That was your first encounter with each other and yet you both didn't know it... Yet atleast.

.

.

.

~ Taehyung's POV ~

As I entered the elevator I almost bumped into a young woman as I was just too focused on trying to get away from my father. He was always worrying and sooner or later that was going to affect his health, stress can do a number on you and I know what you all may think

'you're the main cause of his stress' but I'm not as a matter of fact, I try my best not to be. I know how to take care of business on my own and I've proved that to my father countless times yet and still.. He feels I'm not ready and to be honest I just think he isn't ready to give up his precious company which is where all his success started and I understand that handing it over to me means a lot. In disaster when you venture off into the unknown you need to be able to have somewhere to go back to in case things go wrong ..sort of like a base and this company is my fathers base. Speaking of venturing off into the unknown I think I'll do that now. Once I got to my floor and the Elevator door opened for me to exit I was heading to my room.. WAS. Until, I heard some strange sounds well not strange but more like someone was having fun on what seemed to be a pretty quiet floor and of course I had to go explore. I'm like that one dumb person from horror movies that has to go see where a noise is coming from and the source of it. My room was down the hall from the elevator and the noise seemed to be coming from another hallway on the opposite side of where my room was. There were two hallways that seperated me before I got to the actual hallway my room was in so, in stead of just walking straight across the hall to my room I made a sharp left towards the noise... I was walking slowly and trying my very best not to make any noise as I eyed each room on both sides of hall trying to locate the noise. My eyes and ears came in contact with the sound being more ear shot and my eye vision met with an open door, the only open door at that end of the hall to be exact. I smirked and walked to the far end on the right side of the hallway as I leaned against the wall and walked quietly and closer to the door I could easily tell it was girls giggling and laughing, little shreaks, bumps, basically my kind of party..

I made it to the door and breathed in and then out deeply and softly once before finally peaking near the door hinges....... Oh it was just some of the maids messing around. I smiled to myself as they were scattered about in the room; making the bed, more like throwing pillows at each other, dusting the dressers or should I say hitting each other with the dusters. I held in my laughter that nearly bursted out as the scene was quit entertaining .... "Sir what're you doing?" I heard from behind me as it sounded like a woman... Oh shit.

I quickly turned around with my eyes widened as my mouth tried to form all types of words but the young woman just looked at me as if she was trying to understand me "uh--uh I was just seeing what the noise was... It was sort of loud" I lied quickly ,I watched the girl's expression change from confusion to shock and worry "oh my Lord" you sighed and slapped her hand against her forehead lightly "I'm terribly sorry for my Co- Workers behavior! Please don't report this I'll make sure they won't disturb you again!" She pleaded in a whispered voice. I wasn't going to report them at all I liked the way they 'cleaned' I knew they did their jobs eventually "Excuse me for a second Sir.. Jenessa, Reina, Lyric! Stop fooling around and do your job we're getting noise complaints!!" She seethed to the girls in the room making them look to her and then me before quickly tidying the room up in a unbelievable manner, she nodded in approval before looking back at me.. Her sinister glare turned back to a gentle smile within seconds.

"I won't report you--uh thank you for getting them to.. Quiet down" I said embarrassed knowing my true intentions of being at that end of the hall instead of my room. "Hey.. You look like I seen you before, recently actually I could've sworn-- oh my gosh yes!! I almost bumped into you a few minutes ago In the elevator!" ..so that's her!? She's stunning. Deep Y/E/C, Beautiful

Y/H/L hair and Chocolate chip colored skin that looked so smooth and soft- 'wait what the hell... You're staring?!?? Speaking is the regular way to communicate Tae!!' I was so lost in my observation on her I nearly forgot what she was saying but I finally spoke.. Hopefully it wasn't too late and she didn't notice me stari- observing her. "That was you?" As she just nodded "Yes , my bad again Sir" she said and if her smile wasn't great before it was even better now

"No need for the formalities I'm Taehyung Kim" I was so Confident in this small conversation until her smile faltered... Why?

"You're Jaehyun Kim's ,son?" She mumbled and I could visibly see her expression change fron friendly to frightened "Yes do you know my father" I asked her weary of her now state but, she seemed to be stuck "Ms?" I asked before looking at her name tag "Uhm-- Ms. Y/n" I snapped my fingers twice in her face, her spaced out look that caused her not to blink for a whole minute disappeared as I got her to come back to her senes. She Shook her head quickly before blinking "what the..." She mumbled "Ms. Y/n" I called to her grabbing her attention once more "huh? Oh it's you.. Oh nooo no no I gotta go" she said as she spead around me

"eh, wait! Why?" I said turning to grab her shoulder but she quickly smacked my hand away "please don't touch me" she said uneasy as her expression was visibly panick "I am sorry.. But why are you suddenly leaving?" I asked "I do have to work" she said as If it was the most obvious thing the world-- which it was but I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to why she was in such a hurry to leave. "Look Sir you're nice but I gotta make money and us talking ain't doin that" she scoffed before turning and walking once more. "Oh of course!But--Why can't you talk to me at least?" "Money to be made. I was specifically told not to talk to you unless absolutely needed" and with that response she didn't even turn around she just held up a peace sign and turned the corner I had once been around.

Why couldn't she talk to me? Who told her not to and why? Sure the whole staff wasn't told to ignore me right? I sighed and just walked to my room as I gazed at the red and green dotted patterens on the black , thin carpeted floors and turned in the direction of my room. Once I made it to the end of the hall where my room was I took my key card and entered it into the door slot and waited for the red light on the door to turn green, once it did I entered the giant room that smelt like fresh fruit with air flowing through the room. I sighed and put my room key on the glass desk behind the door and stepped down into the living room aread and threw myself on the white leather couch. I looked at the reflective sealing with one of my arms rested under my head and the other on my stomach as I thought about...

Ms Y/n, she's a nice cleaning lady wasn't she? I wonder is it exhausting being a maid.. From the looks of what I witnessed today it looks as if she's one of the hardest working ones who takes her job seriously. Maybe I'll ask some staff if their Jobs are hard... That is if they talk to me anyway and I really wonder why Ms. Y/n was told not to talk to me I mean, was it just her, all the maids or the entire hotel staff? However, I suppose It doesn't matter because after all I'm here for business anyway so, the less talking the less distraction and I still have basically an hour to get ready so for now I'll just relax for now..believe or not being nosy is exhausting.

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Alright so this is an extremely rough draft of a new Taehyung short story I'm writing that'll only have like 4 parts... I have so many unfinished projects but the BTS Preference PT:2 for the Hyung line will be up TODAY and the last part of Hobi's story should be up by Monday I'm busy with school but I'll try to keep up💓 If you think I should keep this story going please reblog ♡.

[potter-scamander-black-imgines]

Light in the Dark (Scorpius Malfoy X Reader)

Scorpius Malfoy X Reader

Request: No

Warnings: Torture. Favoring siblings 

(AN: Okay my copy of The Cursed Child was stolen so I do not really remembered how the whole last Act went but I am trying my best fam. Also I hope you enjoy! This is probably both my favorite thing I have ever written and the most fun I have had while writing)

(Warnings: Abuse, Neglect, LONNNNGGG, painfully pining,

Scorpius turned away biting his lip to stop the tears not wanting to cry in front of his father. Still as the girl thrashed and strained in his bed he couldn't help but feel soft.

She's Al's sister after all he thought to himself. I should be feeling bad if not worse. This is all my fault. I should've done something it should have been me not her.

"She will be alright son." His father promised. "She's just letting the dark out. Now come dab this cloth on her head. "

The mark was seering: A strange burning sound being released from the mark that concerned him. He was worried with the ministry would do once they found out and he knew that his father wondered the same thing, but would most likely brush it off. We are only in our fourth year, Scorpius thought to himself, what will she do when she actually goes to school. Will she even live through this?

"If I can do this, she can Scourp. She's a Potter." Draco smirked darkly, "I honestly can't believe I just said that." This should've earned a laugh, but when it didn't, Draco looked away from his son, but first placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Much to his pleasure, his boy spoke up.

"When will she stop?" He spoke, barely above a whisper, "What will the ministry do? Is she in pain? Why haven't Harry or Albus came to visit? How-"

Draco didn't know how to respond, only hugged his boy who finally allowed himself to sob in his fathers arms.

"Hush now Scorpius. She'll be okay." He kissed the top of the boys head, "Now tell me son, what happened?"

The boys ran ahead of me as I ran through the woods trying to catch up, completely exhausted.

“Slow down!” I hollered out, “You know I am not as fast as you!”

I stopped, leaning against a tree attempting to quiet my exhausted breaths as I relaxed, closing my eyes in attempts to find him. “C’mon Al.. Where are you?”

He never believed me when I had told him about the stereotypical rumored “twin connection” but it was so much more than that... I could feel things... Emotions. People I cared about or were around.. I could feel their emotional ora. I could feel if they were happy or hurting or mad. Sure, it drove me mad half the time but it was so helpful others... That is all that really matters to me.

That’s when I felt it.

It was like someone pulling on my robe, forcing me to their location, though I could feel the bark against my back. It hurt as I placed my hands over my mouth to muffle a scream and that’s when I heard the voice.

“Where the hell is she Albus?”A voice called and I heard my brother mumble, “Where. Is. She?”

Biting down on my lip as I heard my brother mumble, “I don’t know. I don't know who you are talking about...”

“You’re bitch of a sister!” She exclaimed... who was this? I recognize the voice... Merlin what do I do, “You told her didn't you, you little toad?!”

“Delp we don’t-”

“PROVE IT!” She yelled, as I tried to fixate my eyes to put a face with the name, the pain ceasing, “Crucio!”

Without hesitation I screamed and suddenly I was apparated away, being thrown to the ground besides the two, Al looking into my eyes concerned, Scorpius still whining in pain as Albus wiped tears from my eyes, “How cute. A bond. Not just from your twin... But also this boy.” Delphi smirked sadistically, pulling me away from my brother and pointed her wand to my neck, “And a Ravenclaw? Oh honey, you will be very useful. Alive or dead. But preferably alive.”

“Let me go.” I struggled, attempting to give Scorpius enough time to recover so he and Albus could make a plan, “Let me go and I’ll share my gift with you.”

Delphi Diggory laughed coldly, kissing my cheek and pushing me into her chest with her other arm going around my waist, “And what else is your gift, little one?”

I gulped, shaking, looking into her eyes, “I... I can read their minds... See their dreams. See their futures. Much more than feel their pain. Yet I have no control... And need to learn, for it is only these two, my loves that I see.” I teared up, Delphi looking at me confused, “For it is true... Ravenclaw’s are easy to turn dark, more so than snakes. I just want control please help me it hurts.”

“Oh little bird... Sweet innocent bird..” She let me go, turning me to face her, wiping tears I didn't know were there out of my eyes, keeping her hands on my cheek, my only thoughts remaining on Scorpius and Al as she comforted me, her façade suddenly changing. “Ask and you shall receive.”

And with a flick of her hand, I was out, the last thing I heard was Scorpius and Albus screams before all I could see was darkness.

Christmas turned to Spring break then to the end of Summer, Scorpius about to board the train and see Albus after three months of not leaving his sisters bed side and trying to rush her to consciousness.

Can you hear me Y/N? Scorpius sighed, Albus always said you thought you could hear our thoughts... And after what you said to Delphi... It isn’t true is it?

“Scorpius?” His father called, “Ready to head to Kings Cross?” Scorpius looked back to his father, than back down at the girl whose hand he clutched, not replying, his father taking the boys empty hand and moving so his son could see his face and not the cold, unmoving one of the Potter girl, “I have gotten time off of work Scorp... I will take care of her. I promise you. She will be okay... But we must go.”

He nodded, obeying though he looked at his dad disappointed. “Why haven't they come father? I do not understand. It has been three months... No letters... Nothing... Do they not care?”

Draco sighed, not sure how to explain the issue to Scorpius without offending specifically any more than he already had, “It’s a long story... One I am sure Albus can explain on the train so we won’t be late.”

“Wait dad!” Scorpius stopped him, “One last thing.”

“Of course son.”

“Do they really love her?”

Draco sighed, “Of course.”

“Then why-”

Because they are scared of her.

“Because... it be dangerous for them.”

Dangerous how, he wanted to ask, though he bit his tongue going another direction, “You will take her to Hogwarts if-when she wakes again?”

“As soon as she is stable.“ Draco spoke too quickly yet still smiled, “Let’s get you to school.”

I ran down the halls looking around for Albus whole holding tightly to my wand as it emitted the light for me. Normally, I would have feared getting caught, but tonight, I knew I had to find Albus right away so that I could help Scorp. 

Hearing foot steps, I stopped in my track closing my mind and eyes as I waited, trusting my senses as the figure again approached.

“Y/N?” The voice rang as I felt a hand grab mine. “Y/N What are you doing out of you room? Are you sleepwalking again?”

I opened my eyes and squeezed his hand, “Take me back to your dorm. I know you were looking for me. Scorpius... We must help him. Hurry.”

“How did you-”  

“Hurry.” I sighed and without another question he lead me to the dorms and I ran to the room, Albus trailing behind me tired and confused though muffling it.

No surprises, but still seeing Scorpius all curled up and thrashing about, on the floor but yet still not awake. Not hesitating, I kneeled down beside him, stroking his arm as I wrapped my arms around him to pull him so his head laid on my lap.

Scourp I know you can hear me, I thought, looking down as I saw his form, now still, It’s going to be okay. I just need you to wake up. Can you please do that? You are scaring us... Scourp.

Just as Albus entered, Scorpius sat up, panting, turning to me with confusion while Albus nodded and laid on his bed, seeing everything okay once more, Scorpius returning to me, “Wh-What are you doing here Y/N? Y-You’ll get in trouble.”

“No. Don’t worry about me.” I smiled, giving him my hand, which he took and I squeezed, “What happened? In your dream?” The boy, stiffened, looking away, “Scourp-”

He stood, not dropping my hand as he stood and got into his bed, “Go back to your dorm Y/N. You’ll get into so much-”

“I don’t care.” I moved closer, my other hand touching his face, “Lay it all on me. Let me help you. Please.” In turn he sighed, scooting over and lifting up the covers, gesturing for me to climb under, which I complied to, dropping his hand to wrap them around his waist as I laid my head against his chest. “What happened in your dream?”

“It started out with my mother.” He sighed leaning his head on top of mine, “Then it got you. And Al. My father.. Everyone but me, like it wanted me to be alone. The last human being on this planet. Alone to suffer.”

“It?” I asked, moving my eyes to look at him.

He stiffed, a sudden hand wrapping around me and the other going to my hair, “Just this darkness. Nothing but, seeking to tear out the ones I love from my life.” Silence as I hugged him, “Sorry it is so stupid.”

“No. Not stupid. Sorry I am so tired.” I sighed, exhaustion filling me as his sent overwhelmed me, “I’m not going anywhere. I am not ever going to leave you. And I am starting with tonight.” I smiled, leaning into his chin that was placed protectively over my head. A small kiss on my head being the last thing I felt before I drifted into slumber.

“How is she?” Albus spoke to the boy once the train started and they were alone. “Scourp please.”

Why do you care now? The other boy thought, looking at his friend once before looking out the window.

“We are all so worried. About you of course as well but her....” Albus trailed off, his thoughts growing dark so he stopped them, “Is it truly that bad?” Silence. “Scorpius..” His friend sighed, grabbing his hand, “Talk to me.”

“We can’t keep pretending.”

Scorpius looked at his friend who gaped, “What do you mean?”

“We can’t keep pretending that it never happened.” The boy scowled slightly at the other before correcting his gaze and tearing away his hand, “Because it did and she got hurt. Really bad. And it is all our fault.”

I woke up during the sunset, my head screaming and blood trickling down from various spot of my body.

Where am I?

“Are you alright miss?” A voice called, causing me to jump, and a hand was offered to me, “It’s alright. Your friend went to go get help but in the mean time, what can I do? Where is your family?”

I tensed looking at the man, examining the clothing. Shit. We are in Godric Hollow. The night Grandparents were killed.

“Miss?”

I looked at the figure, a male, and took his hand carefully, examining the face, “I am okay. Thank you.” And then I ran.

Yep that was Remus Lupin. Merlin. I have to get out of here. I have to find Albus and Scorpius. I can feel them.

“Not so fast sweetheart.” Delphi’s voice came and caught me on the shoulder, pulling me into her, mumbling a spell under her breath that caused my body to numb and fall into hers, “You wanted to learn and learn you will. But you must not run away little bird. Unless you’d rather your brother or your little lover boy learn in your place?”

“No.” I begged, “Please.”

Delphi only chuckled darkly, setting my numbed body against the wall, “A lesson needs to be taught here. A painful one. I am being merciful on only doing it to one.” She smiled, down at me kneeling at my level, “But you are special. You won’t be leaving my side. That is if you survive this mentally.” At this I chuckled too, “You laugh now little bird, but you will see. And you will wished I would have numbed you. “

And then the burning started. It was like a hot iron being pressed to my skin, pushed under, melting it while needles also pushed into the flesh. Delphi’s laughing the only other noise I could hear over the sound of my screams. 

HELP ME SOMEONE PLEASE!

“Don’t tell me you couldn't feel it.” Scorpius whimpered to his friend, now several day since there train conversation, the two the only ones awake in the dorms, hardly have spoken a word to each other since. “The pain... She... She’s-”

“Special.” Albus took off, “I know. And I could... I still feel it. And I know this is crazy... but Sometimes, right before I fall asleep I swear I can hear her calling to me but as soon as I 

Scorpius sighed, knowing the feeling, he also feeling the pain when he was still at the manor but brushed it off to his anxiety for the girl, “She was right... And if we believed her and she was trained properly she would have been okay. We would have been able to save her.” Scorpius stopped, looking away, embarrassed that he felt himself begin to tear up, remembering how often she talked about it, and they didn't believe her “I couldn't do anything but watch her rive around in pain. I... I-”

“You love her.” Albus cut him off, seeing his friend tense and turn, revealing the tears that slid down his face and his friend smiled, “I think everyone could tell. And I think that you need to give yourself grace.” He sat by his friend and wrapped him in a hug, “I do not blame you. My parents don’t blame you. Y/N doesn’t blame you. No one does. You are our family. And whatever happens, that will not matter.”

“Al-”

“You and me are going to go for Christmas break and not coming back until she returns with us.” Albus smiled the two boys chuckling, “Even if it means getting expelled.”

Scorpius chuckled slightly, wiping his tears, “She’d kill us.”

“Yes. She would but-”

Scorpius...

The boy jumped, cutting his friend out of his rant, “What is it Scorp?“

“Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

Scorpius

“There she is again!”

Albus gaped, “Is she talking to you?“ Scorpius nodded, pain and panic filling him, “Talk to her back?”

Scropius..

Y/N? Can you hear me?

Help me..

“What is she saying?”

“Quiet!”

Y/N? What’s going on? What do you-

Help. Please. Quickly.

Tell me.

I love you. 

Y/N I-

Goodbye.

“No! Y/N come back! Godamit!” Scorpius clutched his head, standing, pushing pass his friend. “I need to contact my father, now.”

Albus ran behind him, “You need to tell me what is going on. She is my sis-”

“Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy.” The Headmistress’ voice rang through the corridors, “Come to my office immediately.” 

“You need to put the book down and focus Y/N.” Rose spoke across from me, Albus chuckling slightly, “What happens today will shape the rest of our lives!”

I looked across me, raising my eyes from the book for a moment to look at my cousin, then my brother who shrugged and I rolled my eyes looking down at my textbook, “My future will come from my studying. Aren’t you supposed to be a Granger?”

“Wonder what house you are going to be in.” Rose stated as again I rolled my eyes, “Besides I mean look at our parents. All sat together on the Hogwarts Express and were best friends by months end. I mean what are the odds of th-”

She stopped, in my head I spoke silent thanks to the heavens but when I felt a leg kicked mine I looked up to nag her only to see a boy with blond hair shyly standing in the doorway, “I am sorry but may I-”

“You may not. Have a lovely day.”

Rose....

“Everywhere else is full...”

“Well that’s-”

I stood, cutting Rose off and took the boy’s bag and sticking it on the rack above the seats, smiling at him, “Of course you can sit here.”

He smiled shyly, taking the seat next to me as Rose scowled and left, “Sorry I uh...” He sighed, looking from Albus to me. “You must be Rose?”

“Y/N. And that dofus over there is my twin brother Albus.” I smiled, grabbing the blonde haired boys hand as Albus waved, “Rose is our cousin.”

The boy nodded, taking out a bag of candy from his pocket, offering it to both of us dejected slightly when rejected, sitting next to Albus, while I grabbed my book, “Well I guess it is time for me to come clean then.”

“I’m sorry... What do you mean?” I said, looking up at him confused and dazed, setting the book back down.

The blond sighed, toying with his fingers, his eyes glued to the ground, “I-uh... I am Scorpius Malfoy... The supposed son of Voldemort. And you are the Potter’s.”

Al and I looked to each other, his face static and concerned causing Scorpius to sigh disappointedly, yet I turned away from my brother, keeping a straight face as I turned and asked, “Well then, are you?”

“No obviously not. I-”

“Perfect.” I smiled at him, nodding before I grabbed my book, shooting him a wink as I looked down, “Then I think we are going to be fast friends Mr. Malfoy.”

“She’s more active.” His father told Scorpius, “Her father came, before he could even see her face she seized. She hasn’t opened her eyes they are just all rolled into the back of her head, the whites laid out. She’s shaking.” Draco tisked, “I have never seen this before in my life.”

Scorpius gulped, “So this isn’t normal?”

“No. Not at all.” Draco chuckled bitterly, “She wants you.”

“She-”

“Keeps calling out your name. Harry is a little bit hesitant of course. Trying to work his way first before he tries anything else. Things don’t normally work like that when it comes to true love.”

Scorpius stopped his panic breaths, a whole new feeling hitting him as he turned to his father, “True love? You think she-?”

“I know it and I am sure all the nurses do as well.” Draco turned to his boy proudly as his son blushed fiercely, “She talked about your nightmares.”

“wh-wh-What nightmares?”

“Or nightmare rather.” Draco took his sons hand, “She’s got a gift. Another thing that I haven’t ever seen. She can communicate with her mind. Read others. Who knows what else. But that isn’t the point.” Draco bit his lip, not knowing how to talk to him about this without himself falling to grief, “The point is...” He stopped, sniffing, grabbing his boys hand, looking him in the eyes as he grabbed his cheek, “Scorpius no one has gotten hurt or will get hurt because of you. You are good. You save lives not destroy them. Never, ever forget that my son. You saved Albus. You saved me. Now.. Now you are going to save her. Just you did in Godtics Hollow, you can and you will do it again.” He stroked his boys face wiping his boys tear away while trying to conceal his own, “You are so much more than anyone I know... And... I know that you will come out victorious and that you will amend anything you feel necessary. Even if nothing needs amending.” 

Scorpius smiled tearfully, dropping his father’s hand before rushing into his arms, sobbing against his father’s chest. “I am so frightened.” He looked up at his dad trying to pull away, “I have never been this scared.”

“Son there is nothing to fear.” Draco sighed, hugging the boy like he never had, suddenly fearing what would happen when he let go, “I swear to you that absolutely nothing is going to happen. That dream you had is not real and I swear on everything I know it never will be. We will ensure it my boy.”

The son sobbed looking to his father and squeezing him but let go as Harry Potter and Albus exited the room looking at Scorpius and walking his way, Harry with a strange look on his face. “Your turn boy. Just take care of her is all I ask.” 

“I will sir. I swear it.” Scorpius stood, nodding, giving a look to Albus as he moved off with his father, Leaving him to enter alone. 

“Ah if it isn’t little Mrs. Know- It - All.” A voice called, one I knew too well and in turn I began to walk away, or attempt to when I was shoved harshly against the wall, “Don’t try and run away. Even if it runs in the family, but I suppose so does Gryffindor. Maye you and your brother are adopted. Squibs, in different houses. It all makes sense.” He smirked grabbing my face, pinching my cheeks, “Surprise the play thing to The Dark Lord’s son has no bruises.”

I spat in his face at this, attempting to pull free from the goonies arms, “Scorpius has nothing to do with this. Leave him out of-”

The boy chuckled cutting me off, “Hold her down boys.”

At first, I struggled, letting out a cry when something was stuffed in my mouth and I gave in, the first punch landing in my eye causing me to whine but stick my ground, opening them to stare him down in the face. Little was I expecting, though, the knee in my gut that sent me to my knees, causing my vision to go blurry. 

Please just let the next one just knock me out. I can’t deal with this pain anymore. I thought, though still I could not stop the blows as they kept coming and coming over and over again, a tear suddenly ripping my robe causing more laughter as I was pushed harshly against the wall harder, perhaps with the intent of knocking me out, though it did not work well. All it did was knock me to the ground causing me to look down and spit blood out onto the pavement before someone grabbed my hair, yanking me back up as I closed my eyes in attempt to block out the next blow when suddenly-

“Mr. Johnson!” A voice called, causing me to let out a sigh of relief, leaning against the wall only to open my eyes up once someone touched my face, tensing when I saw it is Scorpius, the headmistress also kneeling besides me, “Professor Longbottom please take these boys to my office and write to Mr. Potter.”

The boys were shuffled off but not until one yanked me up, “This isn’t over Potter.” Then shoved me into Scorpius’ arms, “Go cry to lover boy.”

“Mr. Johnson!”

“Your wand.” I looked at Scorpius once, who held my shaking form, one hand touching my face, as if sheltering my eyes from the sight, then looked down to see my now splintered wand, most of it sticking into my thigh, “Oh Y/N...”

“You shouldn't be here Scorpius.” I muffled weakly, attempting to stand but not getting far before I fell into exhaustion, “You need to leave.”

Scorpius sighed, pulling me tighter into his lap as he whined again examining the torn flesh and my robe, “How long Y/N”

“Since the start of first year.” I replied weakly, “It got worse when you and I and Al-That was during second year and this year-”

“Merlins beard.” He scoffed, obviously displeased with my response, “You should have told me and Al.”

I shook my head, tearing up as I tried to form my word, only looking into his gorgeous eyes and finding a strange closure in them as I instantly calmed myself, “I couldn't. I couldn't possibly do that to you. You have to deal with this more than I.”

“No Y/N. Not at all. Nothing like this.” He glared, grabbing my torn robe, “Did they threaten you? Wouldn't let you speak or else?” Silence, “Merlin Y/N.”

“I’m sorry.” I wept, leaning against him, “I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry.” I sobbed into his chest, exhaustion falling over me, hearing him hush me as the darkness took over, “I am sorry.”

“It’s okay Y/N... You are going to be okay. We are going to okay.”

Scorpius had lost his sense of time since entering the room, nothing seemed important except the girl who sat in front of him, her eyes glazed over and he body unmoving.  It did not matter if it had been minutes, hours, days, or weeks, all that mattered to him was the girl’s pulse. People could come and go, as they did, but all that mattered to him was the steady beating he felt from her wrists. 

He didn’t eat or sleep, or at least he tried not too, only falling asleep when he had to, often waking back up with a blanket around him. Still, he shook and he wasn’t sure why. Was it his fear? No... For he was not all that afraid. He had an astonishing amount of hope. It was both chilling and inspirational.

But evermore so creepy. 

It seemed that everything ran on clockwork, Scorpius witnessing it all while forcing all his energy into attempting to get the girl to peel her eyes out of their glazed over state, his fathers words echoing in her head. Hope was all he could spread around in attempt to get the others to believe as well, yet he still searched for what to say or if he could even say anything. If he was supposed to at all. 

Everything I’ve done after all this time and yet, nothing has happened. It  was frustrating, but he couldn't focus on that. He needed to wake her up. It was what he had to do. He knew this, yet he pleaded someone else would help him, or at least something in the world to shoe him his efforts wouldn't be in vain. 

Yet all he could do was think on the past, regretting everything he did and didn't do and now, it couldn't do anything but hope and spread hope, and cling to her hand as if he was the only thing pulling her to the ground. 

Then there was Albus, who held him to the ground speaking to him throughout the day just to keep him consiusly elsewhere, else Scorpius feared he’d go mad. 

It shocked everyone around him. And yes, there were many. 

Between the students, faculty and the Potter-Weaslyy-Granger family, everyone watched as Scorpius, unmoving stared at the girl.

Please wake up Y/N.. It’s been days and it’s really starting to scare everyone. The mark and your eyes... I miss your eyes... But look that’s not the point. The point is that we need you. So plea-

“This boy needs to stop.” The voice of Harry drew him from his thoughts, the hand that belonged to Albus tensing on Scorpius’ shoulder. “He is literally draining all of his energy and yet his father has nothing to say.”

“At least he is doing something.” Albus spoke harshly, removing his hand from the shoulder of his friend, “She told you about this. She told us all about this and we did nothing. Scorpius believed her!”

“He is a child none the less. You are a child. She is a child.”

Albus stood, moving to his father on the other side, “A child who outsmarted Hermoine Granger. Who clearly is stronger than all of combined and now is marked by your arch enemy.”

“What are you saying Al?” Harry scoffed, “Your sister is not going dark.”

“Then what is this? Her eyes? Some kind of new power?” Albus yelled, “You tell me then dad. What is going on with my sister?”

Silence. Silence that remained until Scorpius broke it with a groan, the other two jumping at the sound of his unused voice, “ You two could stop bickering. It’s breaking my focus.”

“Sorry Scorp.” Albus sighed, glaring at his father before walking to his friend, grabbing the water glass he brought with breakfast to the boy who took it chugging it down, “Has she said anything yet?”

The boy shook his head, avoiding Harry’s already angered gaze as he ran his finger’s over the girls hand before trailing down to the now shockingly cold mark, shuddering, he grabbed the hand again, shocked at how cold it was, perhaps he hadn’t noticed when his focus was on her mind, “Nothing. She’s blank.”

“Then why have you spent a week digging for nothing?” Harry spoke, perhaps his anger getting the best of him but it still caused Scorpius to tense. 

“Father!”

“It is fine.” Scorpius spoke out, his exhaustion taking over both physically and mentally with the Potter’s fighting, though normally he would have been much more timid, but he was changed, “I understand your concerns Mr. Potter, I truly do but this will help her. I have reason to believe she is trapped in her own mind and needs another to pull her out. She needs me, and I am sorry that it may be hard for you believe but I will not falter nor leave your daughter’s side.”

“Scourp-”

“No. Albus your father has the right to know.” Scorpius stared at his friend who nodded eventually, caving in, “Your daughter has been bullied for years. Worse than Albus and I. And she’s been suppressing her magic. And there is no doubt in my mind that this is what is going on here.” 

Harry gaped slightly, scoffing, “Why didn't you tell me Albus?”

“Why do you think?” Al spat back at his father, “Because she didn't want the great Harry Potter to come save the day and I can respect that.”

His father scoffed angrily, “I thought we were done with this.”

Albus chuckled darkly once more, a dark sadistic laugh, “We will never be done with this. Not until that mark is gone from her arm and she wakes up.” 

“Oh could you both stop.” Scorpius spat, again, shocking both of the Potter’s, “We have more important things going on than your little family feud.”

Harry sighed, looking from Albus to Scorpius, “Alright so what would you have us do Mr. Malfoy?”

Scorpius looked at Albus whose confused expression differed from his father’s determined one, “We go back.”

AND THAT IS THE END OF ACT ONE! HOLY COW! OKAY! This was lovely to write, Scorpius might just be my favorite character of all time.  

Gahh I cannot wait for you guys to read the next part and what else I have in store for December! Have a lovely day! <3

[somekind0fmagic]

Chapter 6. Happy New Year

I do not own Harry Potter or the characters created by Rowling

So, I know in the first chapter I said that Anneliese has black hair, I actually meant to change that before I posted it, but I can be really forgetful. She actually had her hair dyed a reddish brown and by the beginning of Christmas break her hair was down to her shoulders and flipped out, kinda like Tracy’s hair from Hairspray (the 2007 version), and the hair dye had faded out into her natural light brown hair.

Plus, I wanted there to be a little bit of stuff from others POV, I was mostly doing a 3rd person with Albus, but I’m throwing some other people in there. It will be important for later dates

( Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14 )

Chapter 6. Happy New Year

Albus sat on the couch in the living room. It was the 31st and he was waiting for Scorpius and Anneliese to arrive. He sighed as he flipped through the pages of the comic his aunt had gotten him. She tried to talk to him about Rose when she gave it to him, but he got out of the talk by claiming he was needed somewhere else. 

He heard the roar of the fireplace and he looked up, he saw the dirty blonde hair of his friend appear. Albus sat the book down and stood up, “Hey Scorp!”

Scorpius smiled and stepped out of the fire, “Hey Al, how’re you doing?”

“Good, you?”

“Same, so are we just waiting for A?”

“No, no you are not.”

“Oh my god.” Albus gaped at Anneliese. “Your hair!”

Her hand instinctively raised up to her hair. “Oh, yeah, asked my aunt to cut and dye it. You don’t like it do you?” The smile on her face fell slowly.

“No, I like it, it’s cute. It’s...you!” She smiled again, “Honestly, not many people can rock half shaved hair, but you look good with it.”

Scorpius nodded, “He’s right, it suits you.”

“Good because I like it.” She looked around, “What room are we in?”

“Our living room, c’mon, let me show you my room.” They followed Albus out of the room and up the stairs. He stopped when he reached the door. “So, my sister, Lily, will be home in, maybe an hour or two. That’s her room, she said that you can stay in there if you feel more comfortable, mum also said you guys can stay in the extra rooms as well.” He opened the door and let them in, “It’s not much, but it’s comfortable.”

“I like it, but it’s just so….” Scorpius started, but he couldn’t seem to find the right word.

“Gryffindor.” Anneliese stated easily, “So not you.”

Albus shrugged, “It’s been like this my whole life, I never really noticed or cared. Maybe I'll ask mum and dad if I can repaint it over the summer”

“It's up to you, and I'm not surprised that you never noticed, you never notice anything.” She walked over to his desk and picked up the radio, “I have one of these.” She turned back to Albus, “My mum always has been interested in Muggle things, anything that can play music she has fallen in love with. I have one in my room.”

Albus nodded, “There’s more muggle technology downstairs if you’d like to see.” They walked out of his room and back down the stairs. \

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

“I don’t understand muggle sports.”

“I don’t understand sports in general so I beat you. Well, that is unless you count dancing, gymnastics, ice skating, or ice skating a sport, then I understand it.”

Albus shook his head at his two friends, “Of course that’s all you understand L.”

She shrugged, “They’re less dangerous and make more sense then Quidditch, Futball, Soccer, Tennis, and other sports.”

Everyone jumped when they heard the front door slam. “Lily?! Is it you?!”

Soon later Lily came into the room, her face was red from running in the cold, tear marks stained her face. She ran over to Albus and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her. “I hate her.”

“Who Lils?”

“Maria.”

“What happened?”

She sniffed, “She made fun of the fact that you and James go to Hogwarts, but since she believes it’s just a fancy private school, she said that it’s probably a centre for troubled youth and called you strange and then called me weird!”

“Oh Lily,” He murmured.

“Then she told me I look horrible and then said things about daddy’s scar and I wanted to tell her why he had it but she wouldn’t stop talking and making fun of me!”

“Lily, I’m so sorry that she did that to you...well, if it’ll make you feel any better, you can hang out with me and my friends. I’m sure they’ll be okay with it,” He looked over at his two friends, “Won’t you?”

Scorpius just nodded and Anneliese spoke, “Of course! Now I won’t feel alone as being a female!” Making everyone laugh, she walked over to Lily, “Us girls gotta stick together,” She held her hand out to Lily, “I’m Anneliese.”

Lily smiled, “I’m Lily!”

“What a pretty name.”

“I was named after my grandmother! Hey, do you know the muggle movie Barbie: Princess and the Pauper?”

“Of course! I babysit some of the little kids in the town near where I live and I’ve seen it about a dozen times! Wanna hear something cool?” Lily nodded, “My middle name is Erika. The movie came out the year before I was born and my mom has joked about saying that was why she named me that when in actuality she named me after her grandmother, my great-grandmother, and her brother, my uncle, his name was Erik.”

“Wow! That’s so cool!”

She nodded softly, Scorpius walked over to Lily, “I’m Scorpius.”

Lily shyly smiled, the blush that came to her face was only noticed by Anneliese. “Hi.”

Anneliese smirked and held back a small laugh. Little Lily had a crush and it was painfully obvious to the elder girl.

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

Everyone was getting their pajamas on before they were walking downstairs to watch the countdown for the next year. Albus and Scorpius were sharing Albus’s room while Lily and Anneliese were sharing Lily’s room (mostly because Lily begged for Anneliese to be with her). Anneliese was slipping a shirt on while Lily was reading a magazine. “Anneliese?” The other girl looked at her, “How...how is Albus doing?”

“What do you mean?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know, I just overheard my family talking on Christmas Eve night. Uncle Ron was saying things about Al being in Slytherin. I don’t get why he hates them so much, what did they do wrong?”

The black haired girl sat across from the small redhead. “How much do you know about the Wizarding Wars?”

“I know that many died and that it was a terrible event, why is that important?”

“Just wait, do you know what Voldemort’s followers were called?”

She nodded and Anneliese motioned for her to say, “Death Eaters.”

“Good, well, the majority of them were from Slytherin house. It’s a stereotype that all Slytherins are evil. I bet he’s upset because Al befriended a Malfoy, the Malfoy’s were big Voldemort supporters. Lucius Malfoy went to jail because of it. Draco Malfoy was tasked to kill Dumbledore, but he didn’t. But, Narcissa Malfoy, she saved your dads’ life. She lied to Voldemort and said he was dead, just because he told her that her son, Draco, was alive and okay.”

“But just because they were like that then doesn’t mean they still are.”

“I know, but some people can’t see past that.”

She sighed, “I’m happy that Al met you two, he seems happier than he was before he left.” 

Anneliese smiled softly, “I know, even on the train, he seemed miserable.” Then she sighed, “Has he always had a bad relationship with James?”

She nodded, “Yeah, they always fought. Never did it physical like it does now though. When mum and dad were talking about it when they started to happen-”

“Wait, physically? I just knew of their verbal fights, never did I know they got physical.”

Lily nodded, “Yeah, a few weeks ago James broke Albus’s nose even, apparently, according to James, that was because Albus ‘attacked’ Rose. I know she attacked him first, he was only defending himself.”

Anneliese let out a breath, “Huh, I never knew, Al just said that he ran into a wall in the dungeons, which isn’t surprising because well, it’s Al.”

Lily laughed, “Omg, we have a treehouse in the backyard and when we were little he fell out of it while trying to climb out and broke his arm. He also broke his leg from falling down the stairs.”

Anneliese began to laugh, “Why can I see that happening?”

Lily just shrugged her shoulders and died her laughing down. “What time is it?”

Looking at her watch she immediately bolted up, “11:58!”

Lily’s eyes widened and they both ran out of her room. They ran down the stairs, almost tripping on the way down. Making it into the room just as the 30 second countdown started. “You guys almost missed it.”

They rolled their eyes and Anneliese swatted at Albus’ arm. The 10 second countdown started and they all counted down. 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1, Harry and Ginny shared a kissed, along with Victoire and Teddy, who decided to come over a few hours back. “A year closer to going to Hogwarts.” Anneliese heard Lily say softly while she heard Albus and Scorpius mutter, “A year closer to graduating.” She just rolled her eyes and the boys and gave Lily a side hug.

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

It was the next morning. Albus was laying in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. Reflecting on his last year. Getting accepted into Hogwarts, meeting the two best people, being put in Slytherin, his family hating him just because of his house. Sure, not all of it was fun, but the majority of it was.

There was a knock at his door and then it opened, “Albus? Are you and Scorpius up?” He sat up when Ginny asked the question, “Okay, well, if Scorpius isn’t up, then maybe wake him up in about 30 minutes. I’m making breakfast. Lily and Anneliese are downstairs playing Wizards Chess and James left about an hour ago.”

“What time is it?”

“It’s 10 am sweetheart.” Albus nodded and she left the room. He crawled over his bed and shook Scorpius’ shoulder.

“Dude, wake up, moms making breakfast.”

Scorpius shot up, “Food?”

Albus laughed at his friend. His dirty blonde hair was sticking out everywhere. “Yes, food. It’s 10 am. Apparently James left and the girls are downstairs.”

Scorpius scratched the back of his head, “We probably should get down there then, should we?”

Albus shrugged, “It’s up to you man.”

He got up and off the blow-up mattress, “Then let’s go.”

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

It had been two hours since his friends left. He and Lily were playing a muggle game called Go Fish. That was until James’ voice appeared, “Are you done investing the house with snakes?”

Albus rolled his eyes, “Are you done being a dumbass?”

“Y’know, mum and dad are fighting with our family because of you. Did you know that? I overheard mum and Aunt Hermione complaining about dad and Uncle Ron fighting over your house.”

“Well at least I don’t pick fights with people who don’t do anything. 3s?”

“Go fish. 7s?”

“Are you just going to ignore me?”

“Actually, I’m being factual, something you don’t understand. Here.”

Before James could continue Ginny walked in, “Is everything alright?” She looked at Lily, “Lily?”

“Oh, James was just saying some stuff to Albus, but yeah, everything's fine.” Ginny nodded and left the room. “Y’know James, would it hurt you to be nice for once in your life?”

“Would it hurt you to take my side for once?”

“I take the side of those who are right and don’t deserve to get shit said to them.” Instead of continuing to argue, he stormed out of the room. “Baby.” Lily looked up at Albus, “You okay?”

He nodded, scared to use his words. Scared that if he did, he would cry.

[thelastspeecher]

Stan-at-Home - Chapter 5: Responsibility; Recovery

Chapter 1   Chapter 2   Chapter 3   Chapter 4   Chapter 5   Chapter 6 Chapter 7   AO3

It’s finally here!  The next chapter of “Stan-at-Home”, my fic that takes place in an AU where Stan is a stay-at-home dad.  And as I was writing this chapter, I decided that, even with these super-long chapters, I can’t tell the story I want to tell in just six of them.  So as of right now, this fic will have seven chapters.  We’ll see if I write too much and I increase it to eight.  Anyways, in this chapter, Ford gets high, there are multiple surprise visits, and brain surgery has side effects.  Enjoy.

               “Ugh.”  Ford groaned without realizing what he was groaning about.  He was in a room, somewhere.  His surroundings were blurry, so he didn’t have his glasses on.  

               And…I’m not wearing underwear. Ford groaned again.  What happened?  Where am I?  There was rustling to his left.  He winced as someone carefully slid something onto his face.  The room became clear.  My glasses.  Okay then.  

               “Howdy there, sleepin’ beauty,” a voice said quietly.  Ford turned his head carefully.  He frowned at the woman sitting by his bed.  She looked familiar, but he couldn’t quite place her.  “Stan actually just left to go pick up the kids.” She cocked her head.  “Everything all right, Stanford?  Doc said the surgery went well.”

               “Angie!” Ford burst out suddenly.  Angie jumped, startled.  

               “What?” she asked.

               “Nothing, I just- I remembered who you were,” Ford mumbled.  Angie raised an eyebrow in amusement.

               “Ya forgot me, huh?  At least ya figured it out.”  She leaned forward and adjusted one of Ford’s pillows.  The paperback novel that was sitting on her lap slid off.  “Oh, shoot,” she said in a good-natured tone, picking the book up again.  Ford looked at it with interest.

               “Is that a Star Trek novel?”

               “Hmm?  Oh, yes,” Angie replied.  

               “I didn’t take you for a Trekkie,” Ford remarked.  Angie chuckled.

               “Don’t think ya can call me that.  I only ever seen a few episodes of the show.  Mostly just read the books.”

               “Why?”

               “My older brother, Harper, he works in movie special effects.  I like them sci-fi things, mostly ‘cause of the biological implications of ‘em.  But I can’t watch a good old-fashioned space shootout without hearin’ Harper’s voice in the back of my mind, blabbin’ on and on ‘bout how they did it.”

               “He works in Hollywood?” Ford asked, surprised.  

               “Yep.”

               “Did he help with anything I might have seen?”

               “Oh, definitely,” Angie said, grinning.  “Ya ever heard of Indiana Jones?”

               “No.  There’s no possible way that your older brother worked on Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Ford said immediately.

               “He did.  His name’s in the credits.  Harper pointed it out to me.”

               “But that’s- your brother worked on a Spielberg film?”

               “Yep.  Got headhunted to work on the next one, too.”

               “Holy-”  Ford shook his head.  “That’s incredible.  Why did Fiddleford never tell me?”  The lighthearted smile on Angie’s face slipped away.  “…I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

               “No, it’s- it’s fine, Stanford,” Angie said in a falsely cheery voice. She bit her lip and looked down at her lap, carefully smoothing the fabric of her purple skirt.  Ford rubbed his eyes.  The room was fuzzy again, but this time not in sight.  Rather, it was fuzzy in feeling.  He could have sworn his body was lighter than usual, and a question he’d wanted to ask for two weeks suddenly didn’t seem inappropriate.

               “I’ve been wondering,” Ford said.  “Back when we met with Dr. Carmichael the first time, Stan said something.”  Angie frowned.

               “He was fairly quiet, though.”

               “True.  But when she asked him if he had any sons, he said ‘Not right now’.”  Ford looked at Angie.  “Are you going to have any sons?”

               “Is this yer way of askin’ me if I’m pregnant?” Angie asked.  “‘Cause I ain’t.  Not that it’s really yer business, anyways.”

               “No, I wasn’t talking about right now.  I mean, in the future, will you?”

               “Whether or not I have a son is a bit out of my control,” Angie said.  “I know Stan would like one.  He’s got grand ideas ‘bout baseball and other stereotypical father-son things.  Which is, frankly, ridiculous.  There’s a 50% chance that if we did have a son, he’d be more McGucket than Pines, and wouldn’t be a fan of baseball and grillin’ and whatever dads do with sons in movies.”

               “You’re dancing around the topic,” Ford said.  “I can tell because I do the same thing.”

               “Fine, I suppose I’ll tell ya what Stan ‘n I have planned, even though ya don’t need to know,” Angie said shortly.

               She didn’t need to be rude about it.

               “We’re plannin’ on at least one more kid.  Not fer a couple years, though.  We want the girls to be in kindergarten before they get a lil sibling.  And if that goes well, havin’ a fourth, when the third one is ‘bout two or three.”  Angie idly picked at her nails.  “It’s a couple more kids ‘n I planned on, but Stan loves bein’ a dad so much. And I love havin’ a big fam’ly.” She rolled her eyes.  “And even though the girls were a bit rough on me fer the nine months they lived in me, it wasn’t as bad as I was worried it’d be.”

               “Yes, so, what is it like to be pregnant?” Ford asked.  Angie eyed him.

               “Them drugs are somethin’ else, huh.”

               “I do feel a bit strange,” Ford conceded.  “You didn’t answer my question, though.”  He paused.  “But maybe you did.  If you’re willing to go through it two more times, it can’t be that bad.”

               “Oh, darlin’,” Angie said, shaking her head.  “Spoken like someone who won’t ever have to worry ‘bout bein’ pregnant.  It ain’t no walk in the park.  I mean, I couldn’t exactly take walks in the park when my feet swelled up.”

               “Really.  What else did the pregnancy do to your body?” Ford asked.  Angie looked at him, perplexed.  

               “Stanford, yer my brother-in-law, yes.  But that don’t really give ya authority to know my medical history.”

               “We’re family,” Ford cajoled, the words slurring together.  Angie adjusted his pillows again.  “You can tell me.”

               “I can, but I won’t.  Anyways, seems like yer ‘bout to pass out.  Get yer rest, Stanford.  If yer still curious ‘bout pregnancy when ya wake up, I’ll fetch the books Stan was given by my older brother.”  She stroked his head.  “Sleep well.”

----- 

               “Annnnd…done,” Stan said as he wrapped a hair tie around a clump of dark brown curls.  “You’re all ready to go, kiddo.”  Daisy, who had sat patiently on the floor while Stan braided her hair, jumped up eagerly. She kissed him on the cheek.

               “Thank you, Daddy!”

               “You got it, sweetie,” Stan replied, poking her nose.  Daisy giggled and ran off to play building blocks with Danny and Tate.  Stan leaned back on the couch with a sigh.  “Ford, those pain meds kickin’ in yet?” he asked idly.  There was no response.  “Stanford?”  Stan looked over.  Ford was sitting at the kitchen table, staring intently at a blue sippy cup in front of him.  He reached out a hand to touch the cup, seemingly engrossed by the cartoon characters decorating the sides.  Stan raised an eyebrow.  “Uh, Ford, that’s Danny’s drink, y’know.  If ya want juice, you need to get your own cup.”

               “Mm,” Ford mumbled, not looking away from the cup, which was half-full of apple juice from breakfast.  When Ford didn’t say anything, Stan prompted him.

               “Do you want juice, Ford?”  After a moment, Ford shook his head slowly.  “All right.  If ya do, lemme know.”  The phone rang.  Stan stood up, groaning quietly.  He walked over and picked up the phone.  “This is Stan speakin’.”

               “Stanley, did Stanford ever get ahold of you?” Ma Pines asked abruptly. Stan blinked, startled.

               “Uh, yeah, Mom.  He’s actually gonna be stayin’ with me for a bit.”

               “Okay, good.  He called me to get your number, but never followed up.  And you never called to tell me anything about him, either.  I got worried!”

               “Sorry ‘bout that,” Stan mumbled.  He cleared his throat.  “Actually, uh, I was about to call ya.”

               “Don’t lie to your mother.”

               “No, I really was!” Stan protested.  Danny looked up from her blocks to stare at him.  Stan winced, suddenly realizing how juvenile he had just sounded.

               And in front of my kids and nephew…oops.

               “What would make you suddenly wanna pick up a phone to call me?” Ma Pines demanded.  Stan rubbed the back of his neck and turned away from his daughter’s judgmental gaze.

               “My, um, my wife said I should,” Stan muttered.  

               “Your what?”

               “My wife.  Her- her name’s Angie.”

               “You got married?!  When did that happen?”

               “1978,” Stan replied quietly.  There was a pause.  “Uh, Mom?”

               “You got married four years ago and didn’t tell your mother?!”

               “…Yes, ma’am.”

               “You didn’t invite me!”

               “I didn’t want Pops to see the invitation and come,” Stan said quickly. “So I told Angie that you, uh, you weren’t around.”

               “‘Weren’t around’?  Stanley Pines, did you kill me off?” Ma Pines asked, in a low tone that suggested she was barely keeping her anger under control.

               “…Yeah,” Stan said reluctantly.  “And, uh, also my- my last name isn’t Pines anymore.  I took Angie’s last name,” he added quickly.

               “Huh.”  That last tidbit of information seemed to take Ma Pines by surprise, calming her anger for the moment.  “Well, that’s certainly something.”

               “The reason behind it is…complicated.  But Angie had no clue you were around, or she woulda called you by now.  She- she wanted me to say that.  She even wrote it down so I wouldn’t forget.”

               “Hmm.”

               “I think you’d like her.  Angie’s, uh, her family calls her a firecracker.”

               “She’d have to be, to be able to handle you.”

               “Yeah…”  Stan looked down at his feet.  “There’s one other thing I need to tell ya.”

               “And what would that be?” Ma Pines said cautiously.  Stan winced, well aware of how poorly his mother would take the news.

               “You’ve got two granddaughters,” Stan said.  He fought the urge to go hide in a bomb shelter somewhere.

               “What?!” Ma Pines yelped.

               “Twin girls.  Danica Viola and Daisy Leigh.  They’re about three years old now.  Funny story, actually, Angie was still goin’ to college when she got pregnant, so her kids went to her graduation.  Well, they’re her kids but they’re also mine.  I helped make ‘em,” Stan said.

               Stop, Stan.  You’re rambling.  

               “Danica and Daisy.”

               “Yes.”

               “You waited until my granddaughters were three to tell me about them?!”

               “I-”

               “Your address hasn’t changed since we last spoke, has it?”

               “No, I-”  Stan felt someone tug at his shirt.  He looked down.  “What is it, princess?” he asked Danny.  Danny pointed at the front door, which was wide open.

               “Uncle Ford’s gone,” she said quietly.  Stan’s heart stopped.

               Ford’s gone.  He’s a grown man that had brain surgery two weeks ago and is on a serious pain med high.  Shit shit shit.

               “Uh, Mom, I’m gonna have to call you back,” he said into the mouthpiece, his voice shaking slightly.  “Gotta situation over here.”

               “With twins, there’s always a situation,” Ma Pines said idly.  She hung up the phone.  Stan blindly slammed the phone in the general direction of the hook for a few times before he got it right.  

               “Good eye, Danny,” Stan said.  He fought back his panic and scooped Danny up in his arms.  “Daisy, Tate, come on, we gotta get shoes on!  We’re gonna go on a Ford hunt!”

----- 

               Angie opened the door to the room they set aside for children separated from their parents at the zoo.  Jim, one of the people who worked admissions, walked over to her quickly.

               “I got a page sayin’ I needed to pick someone up?” Angie asked.  Jim nodded.

               “Yeah, uh, this guy’s your brother-in-law, right?” Jim said, pointing to a man sitting on a bench.  Angie sighed.

               “Yes.  That’s him.”

               “So do you wanna take him home or…?”

               “I’ll call my husband in a minute.  Thanks, Jim,” Angie said.  Jim nodded.  Angie walked over to Ford and took a seat next to him.  “Stanford?”  Ford looked at her, a wide grin stretched across his face.

               “Hello, Dr. McGucket!” he said in a very loud voice.  Angie stifled a groan.

               “Did ya take yer meds today?” she asked.  Ford nodded.  “And after ya took yer meds-”

               “I left!” Ford said cheerfully.  He scoffed.  “I don’t need to be nannied by my twin brother.  Especially given that he’s the younger one.”  Feeling something tugging her pants leg, Angie looked down.  She blinked at the goat chewing on her slacks.

               “Stanford, do ya know this goat?” she asked slowly.

               “Yep!  Rented him.”

               “Why?”

               “Well, Apple is clearly not a dog,” Ford started.  “For one thing, he knows about my connections with Bill.  This is excruciatingly obvious.”

               “How do ya know, did Apple tell ya or somethin’?” Angie asked idly.  Ford frowned.

               “No.  I didn’t ask. I should ask.”

               “No, ya should go home.”  Ford shook his head.  “Stanford, ya can’t stay at the zoo all day.  Why did ya come here in the first place?”

               “So that the goat I rented could meet the other goats!” Ford chirped. Angie frowned.

               “What?” she asked.  Ford looked around carefully and then leaned closer to her.

               “I’m here to free the other animals,” he said in an exaggerated whisper. Angie stared at him, perplexed.

               “With…the goat?”

               “The goat is my accomplice.”

               “Uh-huh.  I’m goin’ to call Stan.  He’ll come pick ya up.”  Angie stood up.  Ford tugged at her shirt desperately.

               “Don’t leave me alone with them!” he said.  Angie looked at the people he was pointing toward.  She sighed.

               “They’re ‘bout six years old.  I highly doubt they’ll mug ya and steal the goat, darlin’.”

               “You don’t know!” Ford protested.  Angie groaned.

               “Just stay put while I call Stan!  Then I’ll come and protect ya from the children.”

               “And the goat.”

               “Yes, I will protect you and the goat.”

----- 

               “How did your dog even reach the shelves?” Ford asked.  Now officially a month post-operation, Ford’s pain medication had decreased to a more manageable dosage.  He was relieved to have his mind clear again, even if that meant he had to pick up some responsibilities.  For example, he was keeping an eye on the three children while Stan cleaned up the bathroom.

               “It’s a weird dog,” Stan said with a sigh.

               “Not only did it dig through the bathroom trash, but it somehow knocked over all the shampoo bottles.”

               “Don’t need a play-by-play, Sixer.”

               “I’m just impressed by your dog’s appetite for destruction.”  The doorbell rang.  

               “Ford, get it, would ya?” Stan asked.  

               “On it.”  Ford got up from the couch and opened the door.  He was face-to-face with two men, both of whom had very large noses.  The shorter one squinted at Ford with gray eyes.

               “Yer not Stan,” the stranger said.

               “Uh, no.  May I ask who you are?” Ford asked.  The man opened his mouth, but before he could speak, he was interrupted by a shout.

               “Unclute!” Daisy shrieked happily, running past Ford to grab onto the man’s leg.  The man chuckled.

               “Hey there, munchkin,” he said, crouching down, picking her up, and standing again.  He poked her belly.  “Gosh, yer bigger ‘n bigger each time I see ya.”  Daisy tugged on the man’s dark hair.  

               “We gotta new uncle!” she said exuberantly.  She pointed at Ford.  “He’s our Uncle Ford!”  The man smiled at Ford.

               “Howdy, the name’s Lute, the feller standin’ by me is my older brother, Harper.”

               “So this is the mysterious ‘Ford’,” Harper said.  He pushed his rectangular glasses further up the bridge of his nose.  “Howdy.”

               “Uh, hello.”

               “Who is it?” Stan called.

               “Two men named Lute and Harper!” Ford replied.

               “They’re Angie’s older brothers, let ‘em in,” Stan said.  Ford stood to the side.  The brothers filed in.  Harper made a beeline for Danny, who was building a very complex vehicle with her Legos.

               “Howdy, kidlet,” Harper said gently.  Danny beamed at him and, like her sister, embraced her uncle’s leg. Harper laughed.  “Yer just as clingy as yer ma used to be.”  Danny squeezed her uncle’s leg tighter.  Ford could see the family resemblance between Angie and her brothers.  Not only did all three have the same nose, but they had similar cheekbones, and Harper’s hair was the same color as Angie’s.  

               “So, Ford, I heard ‘bout who ya are,” Lute said.  Ford turned.  Lute had put Daisy down and was now staring at him, his arms crossed.  “Yer relation to Tate, fer one thing.”  At the sound of his name, Tate looked up from his picture book.

               “Uncle Lute?”

               “Oh, hey kidlet.  Didn’t see ya there,” Lute said.  Tate shrugged.  “Don’t worry, you ain’t in trouble.  Yer dad is, though.”

               “Okay,” Tate said, turning his attention back to his book.

               “In my defense-” Ford started.

               “Don’t care,” Lute said abruptly.  “Ya didn’t contact yer college roommate fer so long.  That’s yer own dang fault.  So is not tellin’ his fam’ly what happened to him.”

               “Look, I-”

               “Don’t bother arguin’ with Lute,” Stan said.  He walked out of the bathroom and closed the door behind him. “Lute’s too dang stubborn to change his mind ‘bout anything.”  Stan smiled at his brothers-in-law.  “Hey, Lute, Harper.  Good to see ya again.”  Lute frowned at Stan.

               “I ain’t happy with ya either, Stan.”

               “Neither of us are,” Harper said.  “Ya lied to our baby sister.”  Stan rubbed the back of his neck uncertainly.

               “Yeah, I know I did a pretty shi- cruddy thing,” Stan said.  “But at least she knows now.”

               “The only reason she knows is ‘cause yer twin brother showed up out of the blue,” Lute pointed out.  “Ya weren’t even plannin’ on tellin’ her!  Is the Pines fam’ly just full of- of dishonorable men?”  

               “…‘Dishonorable men’?” Stan asked.  “Now I’m too amused to be scared of ya, McGucket.”  Lute crossed his arms.

               “What else am I s’posed to call the two of ya?” Lute asked.

               “To be fair, our older brother Shermie is, by all accounts, a decent guy,” Ford put in.  Lute raised an eyebrow.

               “So he must’ve taken up all the decentness when he was born then, huh?” Lute said.  Stan rolled his eyes.

               “Look, I get that you guys are upset,” Stan said.  “But we’re brothers now, right?”

               “Right,” Harper said after a beat.

               “Maybe cut me a bit of slack?  And I guess Ford, too.  He didn’t know about Tate.”

               “He should’ve,” Lute said immediately.

               “I’m not disagreein’ with ya,” Stan said.  

               “Thanks, Stan,” Ford muttered.  There was a clatter from the kitchen.

               “No, Gompers!” Danny said, detaching herself from Harper’s leg.  She padded over to the goat, who was digging through the trash it had just knocked over.  “Bad goat,” she said, patting him on the back.  Lute and Harper stared.

               “The goat’s new,” Lute said idly.

               “Yeah,” Stan said, walking over to the latest mess to pick it up.  He shoved the goat’s head away from him. “Ford rented it when he was on a pain med bender.  Somethin’ about proving Apple’s a chupacabra.  Of course, since Apple’s a dog, not a Mexican demon, nothin’ happened.”  Stan glared at Ford.  “Then Apple and the goat had to go and become friends, so the kids freaked out when Angie and I tried to return it.”

               “Uncle Ford got upset, too,” Daisy said helpfully.  

               “Oh yeah.  We had to buy the darn thing so that the literal children and my adult twin brother wouldn’t cry,” Stan finished.  Ford flushed.

               “Stanley, please.”

               “Hey, Daisy’s the one who brought it up.  You got a problem, talk to her,” Stan said, setting the trashcan upright again.

               “Uh, pain med bender?” Lute said slowly.  

               “Uncle Ford’s brain was broked,” Danny supplied, now hugging Gompers. “Doctors fixed it, but he was a bit funny after.”

               “Stanford, you had brain surgery?” Harper asked.  Ford nodded.

               “Yes.  Nothing too concerning, although it was decreasing my quality of life immensely,” Ford said.  Stan scoffed.

               “‘Nothing too concerning,’ he says,” Stan muttered under his breath.

               “If you’d told us, we would’ve been easier on ya,” Lute said.

               “…Oh,” Ford said, unsure of how to respond.

               “When Uncle Ford ran away, he got ice cream without us!” Daisy said.

               “Well, that’s just rude,” Lute said to his young niece.  

               “Yeah, Ford escaped when I turned my back for two minutes,” Stan explained.  “He bought an ice cream cone, rented a goat, and went to the zoo.”

               “Why would ya bring a goat to the zoo?  Zoo’s already got those,” Harper said, taking a seat on the couch.  Lute joined him.

               “The goat was my accomplice in freeing the animals from the petting zoo,” Ford said.  He let out a small chuckle, remembering the blissful ignorance of his scrambled mind.  “It all made perfect sense at the moment.”

               “It always does,” Harper said sagely.  

               “So how long are you two gonna stay?” Stan asked as he finally finished picking up the scattered pieces of trash.  “Ya have to stay for dinner.  Angie’d be upset if she missed ya.  But if you wanna stay overnight, you’ll have to camp in the living room.  Ford’s got the guestroom.”

               “Oh, no, we were just plannin’ on comin’ down fer a friendly scoldin’ and yellin’ session,” Lute said breezily.  “Don’t want to impose.”

               Apparently the McGuckets have a different definition of “friendly” than I do, if scolding and yelling qualifies. As though he could read Ford’s mind, Lute turned to Ford.

               “Now, this is a friendly session, trust me. If it weren’t, you’d prob’ly be in tears.”

               “After the things I’ve seen, not much can bring me to tears,” Ford remarked.

               “Aside from separating a goat and a dog,” Harper said, raising an eyebrow.

               “In my defense, they had befriended each other.  What sort of monster would break apart such a lovely relationship?” Ford replied.  Lute and Harper both chuckled.  Stan caught Ford’s eye and winked.  Ford knew what Stan would say later.

               “See?  Ya freaked out over Tate and the McGuckets.  But ya didn’t need to.  They’re good people, and even you can be a charmer when ya try to.”  

-----

               Ford handed Tate his backpack.

               “I’ve packed some pictures I took in the field, as a treat,” Ford told his son.  “Not- not the edible kind of treat.  Please don’t eat the pictures.”

               “It’s okay, Dad, I know,” Tate said calmly.  He cocked his head.  “What are they of?”

               “Our, ahem, mutual friend,” Ford said with a wink.  Tate’s eyes widened.

               “Bigfoot?”

               “The one and only.  Well, actually, there is more than one bigfoot.  There are whole societies of them, and Gravity Falls has one in the nearby mountain range.”

               “Wow.  Will you take me there?  Please?” Tate begged.  The doorbell rang.  Ford smiled.

               “If your mother gives me permission to take you next summer, or even sooner, absolutely,” he replied.  Tate beamed.  The doorbell rang again.  “I should get that.  It’s your mother, no doubt.”  Ford walked over and opened the front door.  Jenny McGucket smiled politely.

               “Stanford.  You look well.”

               “I feel better than I did last time we spoke.”

               “Clearly,” Jenny said.  She peered past Ford.  “Tater Tot! You ready to go?”

               “I need to say goodbye to folks first,” Tate said, running out of the living room.  He zipped into the girls’ bedroom, where Stan was helping Danny and Daisy get dressed.

               “Did Tate have a good time?” Jenny asked Ford.  

               “I believe so.  He’s quite the smart boy.”

               “Yes, he is.  I’m awful proud of him,” Jenny said.  “The two of you got along all right?”

               “Yes, we did.  And actually,” Ford said, deciding to be upfront, “I’d like to talk custody with you sometime.”

               “Custody?”

               “When Fiddleford returns, I assume the two of you will maintain primary custody.  But I’d like to have Tate during the summer, at least,” Ford said.  “The lion’s share of my research is done then, and Tate has shown a vested interest in my work.”  Jenny bit her lip.  “What? I thought you’d be happy that I’m trying to be an involved father.”

               “Oh, I am.  It’s just that…I’m not sure if you’re ready for it quite yet.”

               “What do you mean?”

               “You watched him for about a month and a half.  And you had help, from Stan and Angie, who both have more experience in childcare than you do.  On your own, in a different state, for three whole months?  I’m sorry, Stanford, I just don’t think you can handle it right now.”

               “Tate is-”

               “Very well-behaved, particularly for a child of his age.  But he’s still a child.”  Jenny smiled apologetically.  “Maybe we can begin the custody conversation after Fidds comes back.  It’s just- Stanford, were you ever left alone, in charge of the kids, during this entire time? Even for ten minutes?”

               “…No,” Ford conceded.  

               “I’m sorry to hit you with this right now,” Jenny said quietly.  “So soon after your surgery.”

               “It’s been seven weeks; I’m not an invalid anymore,” Ford said, bristling.

               “All right,” Jenny said after a moment, in a decidedly neutral tone.  “Tater Tot, we have to get going!”

               “Coming, Mom!” Tate called, running back to the front door.  “Dad, I need to say goodbye to you, too.”

               “Oh.  Of course.” Ford crouched down for a hug.  He squeezed his son tightly.

               Don’t think about how long it might be before you see him again.  Don’t do it.

               “Goodbye, Tate,” Ford said quietly.

               “Bye, Dad.”  Tate broke off the hug and beamed at him.  “Next summer, we’re gonna go find bigfoot, right?”

               “We’ll see,” Ford said with a weak smile.  

               “Bye, Stan, thank Angie for me, will ya?” Jenny called.

               “Yep!” Stan shouted back.  Jenny and Tate left the house, Tate making a small wave at Ford as he walked away.  Ford closed the door and leaned against it.

               “Damn,” Ford whispered.

               I can’t believe I’ve grown so attached to Tate, given the short amount of time that I’ve known him.  Maybe Fiddleford will be able to convince Jenny about the custody arrangement.  …No, that won’t happen.  Not after what I did.  Ford’s musings were cut short by his nieces rocketing down the hallway, shrieking at the tops of their lungs.

               “Breakfast, breakfast, breakfast!” Danny and Daisy yelled, racing through the living room and into the kitchen like twin tornadoes.  Despite himself, Ford cracked a half-smile at their innocent enthusiasm.  Stan followed his daughters at a more languid pace.  

               “Okay, gremlins,” Stan said, picking up his daughters and putting them in their chairs.  “Breakfast, it is.  Today is Leftover Wednesday.  On the menu, we have leftover hashbrowns, leftover pancakes, fruit, and toast.  What’ll it be?”

               “Corn stuff,” Daisy said promptly.

               “Did I say corn stuff was on the menu?” Stan asked.

               “…No.”

               “It’s Leftover Wednesday,” Stan reminded her.

               “Leftover corn stuff,” Danny suggested.  

               “There’s never any leftover corn stuff.  You monsters eat it like a plague of locusts,” Stan said, exasperated.  

               “What’s that?” Daisy asked.  Stan pinched the bridge of his nose.

               “It’s when a bunch of grasshoppers eat all the crops and don’t leave anything behind,” Stan explained.  

               “I’m not a grasshopper!” Daisy protested.  

               “No, you’re pickier than one.  If you two don’t make up your minds soon, I’ll choose for you,” Stan said.

               “Fruit!” Danny yelled.

               “Cakepans!” Daisy shouted.  Stan winced slightly at his daughters’ loud voices, but carried on.

               “Hot or cold?” Stan asked.

               “Cold,” Daisy said.

               “Got it.  An order of fruit and an order of pancakes comin’ up,” Stan said.  Ford, who had been watching the exchange idly, frowned.

               Hmm.  That’s certainly an idea.  

               “Uh, Stan?” Ford said, after Stan had given his daughters their breakfasts.  Stan walked over.

               “Yeah?”

               “Could I- could I babysit the girls sometime?  So that I have more experience in taking care of children.”

               “This is a joke, right?” Stan said.  “Sixer, leave the comedy to the pros.”

               “It’s not a joke.”

               “You really wanna babysit my demon spawn?” Stan asked.  “You’ve been around, you know that the two of ‘em are hel- heck on wheels.”

               “Yes.  I’ve seen the chaos they seem to court, but I’ve also seen the methods you use to calm them down,” Ford said.  “Anyways, isn’t it my responsibility as an uncle to help supervise?”  Stan eyed him.

               “I’ll talk to Angie about it,” Stan said after a moment.  “Right now, go do your physical therapy.”

               “Very well,” Ford said.  

               It’s not much, but given how protective Stan is of his children, it’s a start.  Ford walked into the kitchen and took a seat next to Danny, who beamed at him.  Stan placed a sheet of paper and a comically large pencil in front of Ford.

               “What’s the task for today?” Ford asked, carefully picking up the pencil. He frowned at the tremors in his hand, which were not brought on from caffeine.  Rather, decreased mobility and usage of his dominant hand was one of the surgery’s side effects, along with slurred speech.  At his six week follow-up appointment, Ford had mentioned to Dr. Carmichael that, despite no longer using the pain medication, it seemed like he still was experiencing the medicine’s sedative abilities.  

               “You’ve had this since the operation?” Dr. Carmichael asked.

               “Yes, from the pain medication,” Ford replied. Dr. Carmichael shook her head.

               “No.  These symptoms are from the surgery.”  She took out a piece of paper and began to scribble on it.  “I’ll recommend you to a physical therapist and speech therapist, who will likely give you exercises you can do at home.”  Dr. Carmichael handed the paper to Ford.  “These are temporary, but only if you go through the therapy.”

               “Understood.”

               “You’re doing a drawing today,” Stan replied.

               “What am I drawing?”

               “As many plants as possible,” Stan said.  

               “Daddy!  Gotta go!” Daisy shrieked suddenly, rocking back and forth in her chair.  Stan’s eyes widened.

               “All right, kid, let’s do this,” Stan said, picking Daisy up.  He ran to the bathroom.  

               A few minutes later, Stan returned, holding Daisy again.  Ford looked up from his shakily-drawn lilies.

               “How’d it go?” Ford asked.  Stan beamed.

               “Daisy’s gettin’ closer to losin’ those nasty diapers.  Aren’t ya?” he cooed at his daughter.  Daisy giggled, clearly proud of herself.  “Can’t wait until I’m done with ‘em.”

               “You’ll be dealing with them again, though,” Ford pointed out.  Stan frowned.

               “What?”

               “Don’t you and Angie have plans for more children?”

               “Well, yeah, but not for a while, Sixer, geez.  Don’t scare me like that.  I thought you found a positive test in the trash or somethin’.”

               “Unlike your dog and goat, I don’t dig through the garbage,” Ford retorted, returning to his drawing.  

               “Yeah, and whose fault is it that I have a goat?” Stan said.  The doorbell rang.  “Saved by the bell, Poindexter.”

               “Sure,” Ford mumbled.  As Stan went to get the door, Ford focused on his exercise, carefully etching out a lopsided daisy.  

               “Pretty,” Danny said quietly.  Ford smiled at his niece.  

               “Thank you, Danny.”

               “My goodness, Stanley, why is your hair so long?” a familiar voice said. Ford’s heart leapt into his mouth. He turned.  Standing at the front door was someone he knew very well.  Stan seemed shell-shocked; he took a solid two minutes to croak out his startled response.

               “M-Mom?”

[hariwritessuff]

And That Was Enough

“Come on Sunshine, you don’t honestly expect me to not call you Sunshine?” “Of course I do! Sunshine is so you. Why do I have to be the one called Sunshine?” Nico scowled at the son of Apollo in despair. Honestly, the boy was insane, why the ball of energy decided that it was a great idea to keep hanging around with the son of Hades was beyond everyone’s comprehension. But hang around Nico he did, refusing to leave him alone, even when Nico felt like all that he needed was some personal space. Space to grieve and let out some of the emotion he fought so hard to keep contained. But no, Will Solace wouldn’t leave him alone for long enough to grieve, and that meant that Nico was forced to do it at night, losing hours of sleep, and just generally becoming grumpier and tireder as the lack of sleep and the strain of keeping up the facade continued.

It wasn't that Nico hated Will, far from it, Will was one of the closest friends he had, but nothing could stop him. Nico had managed to organise it so that he had the same activities at the same time as the boy and his cabin. But it was never enough. No, Nico had to sit with Will at meals, had to spend any downtime he had with Will or someone else. He wasn't allowed to be alone.

It wouldn't be long, Nico knew, until he snapped. And that would not be good, the last time that had happened a new clearing was formed in the North Carolina forests. So yes, snapping needed to be avoided if possible. "Nico. Nico!" The boy looked round suddenly. "You didn't listen to a word I just said did you." Will looked down at him grinning, knowing he was right. "Nope, you bore me too much." "That's mean Sunshine, you know you love me really." "So what if I do. It doesn't mean that you don't bore me." Will gasped. "Sunshine, did you just admit that you love me?" "So what if I did?" Said Nico blushing. "And stop calling me Sunshine!" Will simply laughed at him as the two continued walking towards the dining pavilion. That was the other thing. Will was Nico's boyfriend, although it had taken a while for him to be confident enough in himself and his sexuality to acknowledge those feelings. Growing up in the 1930s really didn't help with his self-acceptance. But Will had helped, and ever since the three days of bed rest in the infirmary that were forced on him after the war had been enough start the crush. The rest had just developed, and after about a fortnight, the two had had a heart to heart, and been a couple ever since. They never did anything big, Nico was nowhere near ready for that yet, and Will was more than happy to take things slowly. Gentle kisses and hand holding pretty much summed up their relationship. And that was all that it had to be, and to the two of them, it was what felt right. "Anyway, whilst you were so rudely zoned out, I was asking you if you wanted to come and help me out in the infirmary after lunch." Nico simply nodded, and that was enough to tell Will that he would be joining him. It was strange really, the son of Hades wanting to help heal people, but it was what he enjoyed. He found it quite therapeutic, cutting up bandages and things like that. It broke the stereotype that he was burdened with, and that made him feel lighter almost. Less likely to explode. A constructive way to get rid of his feelings, whilst also helping others. And it only had a small amount to do withe boy walking beside him. The couple went into the dining pavilion, grabbed their plates and went to sacrifice some of their lunch to the gods, both to their respective fathers and to Lady Hestia, whose hard work often went unnoticed. They ate as quickly as they could, Will consuming far more than the Italian. It was an issue that they were trying to work through, but Nico's diet had not been the same since being trapped in that jar during the war. They both had problems, and just hoped that they could work through them as much as possible together. Will didn't know about Nico's bottled up feelings though. They were something that he kept to himself.

When the two arrived at the infirmary, Nico sighed resignedly. Since he had last worked here, the infirmary had gotten busier, although it made sense if you considered the fact that last night there had been a game of capture the flag. It was just a normal game fortunately, no hunters present, otherwise the injuries would have been far worse. But as it was, Nico would have to work alone as all the children of Apollo were trying to heal people, or nagging at people to stay in bed and rest. And it's not that he hated that, but it had gotten to the stage where he was growing to actually enjoy the company of some people. The two parted ways with a "see you later Nico" from Will. Knowing what to do, Nico walked over to the supply cupboard and began to take inventory. It was nice and mind numbing, exactly what he needed. Once he had noted down everything that was needed, and everything that there was a plentiful supply of, he began to organise everything. Because yes, the Apollo cabin were some of the best healers around, and yes, Nico's life was a mess, but hell if he could let physical objects be messy. No way. Every time Nico was in there, it all had to be tidied up. It was as if he was the only one who cared about organisation. When he had double checked that he had done everything that he could, he left the store cupboard, instead going to the medicine cabinet and ordering that. Even if it was mainly just supplies of ambrosia and nectar, he was at least able to do it by expiry date and by the amount left in each container. It was only after he had done that that Nico went to try and find Will. It wasn't as if he was hard to find, mused Nico as he wandered in Will's direction. No with the large argument going on that he was having with Clarisse. "You idiot, why can't you leave me alone?" "Because you have a cut going all the way down your arm that is leaking too much blood to be safe, and needs to be tended to. Honestly why do we even bother with you Ares kids." "Because you nee us. And anyway, it's not that bad." Nico chose that moment to butt in, hoping that it wouldn't end up with one of the two killing him. "Now then Clarisse, it actually is kind of bad, and if you argue with him, he'll just keep you here for longer. And Will, I'm going off to my cabin for a bit. I need some time alone." "Are you sure?" Replied Will, concern immediately written across his face and his fight with Clarisse forgotten. "Because for you want me to come with you, I can." "Honestly Will, I'll be fine on my own for a little bit. I can clear my head a bit." Nico answered at the same time that Clarisse was winding Will up about wanting to spend time with his boyfriend. "Okay then, if you're absolutely certain." "Will, I'll be fine." He leant in to kiss Will on the cheek. "I'll see you at dinner alright." "Bye Sunshine." With a final wave, he left the infirmary, too happy to be alone for a while to even get annoyed at Will for the nickname. This time could be crucial. He could let out his emotions now, and actually attempt to get a decent amount of sleep that night. So Nico returned to his cabin, closed the curtains, locked the doors and windows, before kneeling down in front of his father's shrine. He began to pray, hoping that all of those who were deserving would get into Elysium. He mourned those who had died to early, those killed for no good reason. He prayed for those who had died as a hero in a war, especially his fallen comrades. There had been too many deaths. Too many casualties. All that the demigods really wanted was some peace and quiet. Was that to much to ask? Did the fates truly hate them so much that they would keep sending them war after war, simply because of who their parents are. Tears started to fill his eyes as he stayed kneeling before his father’s shrine as he remembered Bianca. His sister. She had left him, and no matter how much Nico tried to deny it, to Percy, to Jason, even to Will and himself, he was still not over the fact that she was gone. And so the weeping hero began to break. Slowly but surely began to fall apart until he was nothing but shattered fragments of his former self. It had been a long time coming, but Nico hadn’t known quite how damaged he had become. Hadn’t been able to imagine that it would hurt this much, even  when he was no longer himself. He didn’t know how long he spent kneeling and mindlessly praying, and couldn’t really bring himself to care. He just kept going, ignoring the mess that he had become. That was how Will found him, just kneeling there with a blank gaze, muttering to himself a mess of English, Greek, Latin and Italian. And instinctively, Will knew, as he stared into those broken eyes, that Nico would never be the same again.

                   —————————-Time skip——————————

It had been four years since Nico had broken, thought Will to himself, as he strolled down towards the volleyball courts. Four years since everything had changed. Not that that was a bad thing though, not now. Not when he could see his boyfriend smiling with a brightness that he had never before possessed. It had been a long few years, to be sure, but they were absolutely worth it.

For months after Nico had broken, it had seemed as if there was no hope. He would often not speak, and if he did, it would be in monotonous, one word answers. He would barely eat, would not  shower or change his clothes for days on end. Everyone in camp was worried for him, even those who had previously hated the boy. It broke their hearts to see one so young go through so much, even if Nico was technically older than everyone in the camp except Mr D and Chiron. But after about five months or so, things started to change. Nico would start greeting Will in the morning. Very morning, Nico would say hello and then for the rest of the day, would go back to his silence. And then he started to come out of his cabin in a clean pair of clothes at a regular rate, and showered every day. Just small things that showed part of a far deeper internal struggle. Of course the others, Will, the Seven, and others such as Reyna had all tried to help him, but he just wouldn’t let them in. When it got to the point that Nico was about to start attacking them when they were talking to him, they usually left it alone, glad that they were evoking some kind of emotion in him, but not sure that they would be able to hold him back from seriously injuring one of them. Eventually, after all the small changes kept on happening, Will was in his cabin, alone, when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it to find Nico standing there nervously, fiddling with the bottom of his jumper. “Can I come in?” he had asked. Will had simply nodded and stood back allowing the other to come in. The broken soldier came in went over to Will’s bunk, lay down on it and had simply asked to be held. So Will had quite accepted, too scared to say anything, knowing that the smallest of mistakes could drive Nico away. And just as the other changes had been, this slowly became a regular thing, as Nico slowly but surely returned to himself. Will liked to think that each passing day he had been able to see a slight change in Nico’s eyes when he had hugged him, one tiny shard returning to the destroyed glass orb that was Nico. It had still taken a while, but one point, about a year after the breakdown, Nico had begun to talk. Just to Will, and just about simple things, but that was all that anyone needed. Will began to speak to him in return, mindless chatter about their days. And for the first time in a year, Nico had smiled. It had been small, but it had been true. The road had been long, and he was nowhere near his destination yet, but the journey had begun. And that was all that Nico needed.

Small steps. That’s all it takes. Life is made up of tiny small steps. The decision to go to the vegetable section in the supermarket before the bread section. The decision to have this or that to eat. To do this or that in the day. It’s complicated and messy and could go in any random direction, but all of it is decided in small steps. And if things go wrong, or even if they go right, all of it has been determined by those tiny small steps. To change your life all you need to do is make one decision, and then keep making it. Choose to smile to that one person. Choose to say hello. No matter how hard it is, it can just be that one decision to set off a chain reaction, and that can send you off down a path that you may not even be able to imagine. Nico looked up from his diary and smiled. Sometimes I wonder what life would have been like if I didn’t make that one decision to say hello to Will that morning. I don’t even know if I would still be alive. But I am. And that’s enough for now. With that Nico closed over his notebook and stood up, grinning at Will, the boy who had saved his life. Nico wasn’t the same as before. He never would be. But it was impossible to go through something like that and come out unscathed. And he didn’t think he would ever be properly alright. There would always be a part of him that remained shattered, no matter how hard he tried to repair it. But that was alright. He didn’t need to be perfect. He just had to be himself. And that was enough.

Hi everyone, this is my first proper fic, don’t really know how good it is, but I wanted to write it, so here it is.

[distant-rose-archive-blog]

Five Asks Meme

Got tagged by the light of my life @welllpthisishappening​ to do this meme and I did it mainly because it helped distract me from a rather dull conservation with my father who I’m pretty sure didn’t even realize I wasn’t even paying attention. Anyway, thanks love.

FIVE THINGS YOU’D FIND IN MY BAG

At least three different notebooks with vary degrees of bullshit in them. Like I have no concept of organization when it comes to my notebooks so some of these probably hold lists on fan fiction and original work, notes on political theory, law school shit and other ridiculous bullshit.

Portable chargers, I have at least two of them because my phone battery is shit and I’m constantly on it so it doesn’t help at all. So yeah, a constant array of portable chargers. I’m pretty the security at work would have a fit if they saw how much wires I have in my bag. I don’t go through security because I have a wonderful thing called employee clearance. Thank you Jesus.

A shit ton of pens. I have at least one ball point pen because I love them, but I also have really shitty drugstore pens that barely work. I need to get rid of them,

A pocket blanket. One of those impossible picnic blankets that can fit in your pocket if you fold it correctly. I generally use it when I’m in St. Jame’s Park and need to just relax and get away from everything.

Oddly enough, I have a voucher for small tattoo for fifty quid or a piercing for £25. I think I picked it up on weekend when I was in Camden and I strongly debated it.

FIVE THINGS IN MY BEDROOM

Multiple fan pillows from Telahmarie on Etsy. I have a Thor, Ninth Doctor and Nightwing one, but I’m about to get a Killian Jones, Darth Vader, Jaime Lannister and Gambit ones when I get back home because I sent them to my parents’ house since I really didn’t feel like paying a huge customs fee. Fuck you United Kingdom and your desire to bleed me of money.

Fairy lights. I’m one of those stereotypical white girl and I have fairy lights hanging above my bed. Plain white, in case you were asking.

I guarantee you that if I looked, I could find at least two portable chargers hiding within the pillows because I’m too lazy to actually plug my phone into the wall.

The most expensive super soft jersey sheets to ever grace the planet because I am super snob when it comes to my sheets, blankets and comforters. Everything needs to be soft. It drives Dan nuts.

Because I’m a fucking nerd, I have Funko Pops of Nine, Jack Harkness, Rose Tyler and the Tardis. My best friend just bought me a Killian one, so he will soon by joining them on my window sill. I also have Nine’s sonic screwer and a mini plastic Yankees cap.

FIVE THINGS I WANT TO DO IN LIFE

Oh man, I want to travel to every single continent. Including Antartica even though I would hate myself because I fucking hate the cold with an intense passion. So far, I’ve only been to North America, Europe and Africa,

Finish law school. That’s more short term, but alas. I want to survive and have a stable to career and to do that I need to start and finish law school.

Get back in high school shape. I used to be able to actually run and wear bathing suits, but I’ve become so fat. Ugh. I really need to work on that. I miss being somewhat thin.

Get back to living in Zone 1 or Zone 2 of London because Zone 3 sucks so bad and I really hate where I live right now. Poor Laura has listened to be bitch for the past week.

Actually publish the huge ass fantasy series that I started to write in college. Rhyanna and Caedon, my original characters, fucking deserve to have their stories finished and published for the amount of shit I put them through.

FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

Going for walks around the Thames. It’s full of tourists during the day but quiet and soothing at night. I miss doing that. *sigh*

Facetiming Dan because he’s in Germany and I’m in the UK and I miss his face and he makes me smile and sometimes texting isn’t enough. And no matter what, he always takes my call even if I do call him at like 6 in the morning because I didn’t sleep the night before.

Medium hazelnut iced coffee with skim milk and caramel drizzle on the top. That’s my order whether it be Star Bucks, Costa, Dunkin Donuts or whatever.

The Yankees. I fucking love baseball so much that it sometimes hurts. God, I’m such a sports nerd. For real. Nothing makes me happier than watching the New York Yankees play.

When people leave me feedback for my work. Legit nothing makes me happier than reading shit in the tags. For real, your comments make my day.

FIVE THINGS I’M CURRENTLY INTO

Aaron Judge. I love him and he’s going to do great with the Yanks. I hope he stays with the Yanks his whole career as unlikely as that is. He’s just great. He’s 2-3 years older than me and I call him my son. I’m strange.

Halloumi pitas. I cannot get enough of it. It makes me sad that I no longer have a Real Greek restaurant near me. I love that shit. I know this really weird but it’s such a huge craving I’ve had lately.

Not sleeping. Granted I like almost never sleep on a regular basis but recently my schedule has been more fucked than normal. Like I’ve pulled more all nighters this year than I did in college.

American Gods. I’ve been watching it on a loop. It’s so fascinating and bizarre and every time I watch it again, I pick out new things that I’ve never noticed before.

Aesthetics. I’ve been making them like crazy. They’re kinda relaxing for me to make and of course I keep spamming people with them because I’m that kind of person.

FIVE THINGS ON MY TO-DO LIST

Actually pack my suitcase for the States. Because I’m an asshole and I’ve packed yet.

Clean out my fridge because I’m gonna be gone awhile and I would rather not have rotting food when I come back.

Actually get some fucking writing done in regards to the two requests and two one-shot ideas I have rolling around in my head. And you know, actually start that Labyrinth fic that I’ve been meaning to work on for the last two months but haven’t.

Buy Laura spicy chai tea from the local shops so she can have epic tea when we finally meet *gasp*

Get more than two hours of sleep. Legit.

Tagging: @fictional-redheads, @alisuuuuuuu and @peglegsjones because why not. If you feel compelled to do, feel free to do it. It’s a lot of fucking words though.

[yuna-dan]

Blame the kids

I hit 150 followers today!! I was super thrilled so I manage to finish this chapter today even if I was slowly dying…

So anyways, this is super short and I really dont like it, but my lovely sister told me it was fine so yeah…

Also… Are you up from Drama or DRAMALETSCRYALOTDRAMA? 

Cause while working in this me and my sister ( @snkosm​ ) got carried away with the ideas, so yeah need to ask.

As always, I’m not a native english speaker so translate told me the place where you see the movie it’s called cinema room, but im not sure tbh..

Thanks for reading!

Summary: Logan was a dedicated teacher. Marion was a social worker with two kids. The kids were jerks.

Warning: Super cheesy.

Based on: Single! Dad with two kids and Teacher! Logic by @prinxietys (if me tagging you makes u uncomfortable make me know plssss)

The thing about being a father who hadn’t dated someone for like two years, is that you are more awkward than normal. 

So when Logan didn’t reply in the first three minutes Marion just knew he screwed things up.  

Ten minutes. 

Twenty. 

One hour.

He sighed slightly annoyed, but shrugged it off. 

“Dad,” Roman voice interrupted into his bedroom, “Can you help me with this assignment?”

He smiled, and let the phone in the bed, “Sure, I’m going.”

Alexander sat in his chair confused. He frowned and scratched his forehead softly, the homework was weird. 

Once again, he erased all the page. 

“Look,” Logan gently put his hand over his shoulder, “You’re doing this wrong.” He kneeled next to the chair, and started explaining why and how he should make the assignment properly.  

“I don’t need help.” He mumbled but corrected it anyways. Logic hummed at that, knowing that there was not a correct answer to that. 

Logan was nervous as heck, he was an awkward person and even more if he was going to really ask him out. 

Morality was mad. He knew he shouldn’t be, but he was mad as fuck. So when he arrived to pick his sons up he just honked the car, not wanting to see Logan.  

From: Logic

To: You

Stop it! We’ve heard you, they’re going. 

He huffed even more angry but waited anyways. When he saw his kids, he smiled unconsciously but then frowned a little when he noticed they were holding Logan’s hand, or at least Roman was and Logic was carrying the backpacks of the kids. 

“Hey," here’s go nothing, "I want to know if you wanted to go to a romantic outing with me.” Morality blushed brightly and Román gasped.  

“Oh my god, Alex I told you.” He almost shouted and the adults grew redder. 

“You could’ve just answered the text, you know?”

“It was weird.”

“Weirder than this?" 

"It seemed better in my mind." 

"Ugh, Dad just said yes.” Alex snapped annoyed. Román rolled his eyes and hit him in the ribs.

“Look I’d loved to,” and everyone smiled, even Alex, “But someone has to take care of them, I can’t leave them alone.” he signaled them with his head and the young ones were about to said something about being responsible enough when Logan interrupted…

“Oh no, they were invited to.” He smiled. The family opened their eyes shocked, “I was wondering if you wanted to see Beauty and The Beast or Lego Batman.”

“Oh my god, can we?” Roman shouted and even Alex looked a little happy. Mr. Sanders was a good person and his Dad deserved a good person. 

“You sneaky little–” both grownups smiled. “Yeah. Send me where and when.” He winked. 

“Now you Kiddos, up in the car." 

"So… a little birdie told me you’ve got a date with someone.” That was the first thing his youngest brother told him when he picked up the phone the next morning. 

“Seriously? Is he the same bird that sing “A dream is a wish” in the sower?” He asked amused by the quickness in his son. 

“Nope, the other one who is probably is still asleep while washing his hair.” Thomas answered and Marion could literally hear the smirk in his voice. 

“Yeah well, it’s not precisely a date, but yeah.” He found himself blushing and he felt stupid. 

“Good. You deserve it, brother.”

“Thanks Thomas." 

They hang up, and Marion continue doing his job. 

The Friday night, that happened to be one day before the date, Roman wake up because he was thirsty. He quickly glanced at his phone. 

11:57 pm. 

It was strange, he rarely woke up in the middle of the night. He moved the blankets off and stood up and makes his way to the kitchen. 

He was on his way when he heard the voice of his dad coming out of the room of his bro– um, Anx. 

He pressed silently his ear against the wall, not risking to doing in the door afraid that maybe it was open. 

"I’m sorry.” He could distinguish the voice of Anxiety, “I’m sorry.”

“Shush, you’ve got nothing to be sorry for." 

"I’m a mess. I never let you sleep and I’m always doing bad things.”

“Oh no, honey you’re a kid. It’s okay.”

Even Roman knew that some things were personal, so he just left, feeling something weird in his chest. 

Next day Logan was outside the door of the family early, really early. 

“I think I told you I would picked you at 11:30 am.” He said when Marion opened the door, still looking half-asleep. 

“I think I told you I would probably be sleeping.” He added sheepishly. Morality moved a little to the right, letting the teacher entered the house. 

Logan entered awkwardly the house. Once inside Morality closed the door and went to the kitchen, where there was a table full of dishes. “The kids are changing their clothes, we’ve just finished eating… Want something?”

“Oh no. Thanks don’t worry.”

Marion smiled softly and he continued cleaning the table, that was full of dishes. “Let me just finished this and we’ll talk.”

“Want some help?” Logan offered. 

“Nah, don’t worry. I’m used to this.”

Logan hummed in response and sat on a chair near the table while the older one washed the dishes. 

“So, I was looking at the movies. I believe it would be better if we watched Lego Batman–”

“Oh, they want to see Beauty and the Beast. Is that okay with you?” He turned his face slightly and looked at him for a few seconds. 

“Uhm… I mean yeah, but the rating it’s for…”

“They’re with adults. It’s going to be okay.”

“You sure? I’ve hear viole–”

“Nah, it’s fine. We’ve seen worse. Besides, they like princesses and also they’re beasts in their own way, so that won’t be a problem.” He laughed. 

What did Logan get into?

While Roman was more excited about spending the entire Saturday with his teacher, Alex was slightly shy, never leaving the side of Morality. 

“Your kids liked Disney’s princess?” He whispered to Marion once he got the tickets. 

“Oh yeah. Roman is obsessed with Ariel and Mary Poppins for some reason." 

Logan shrugged. "It’s good you don’t stereotyped them. You let them like whatever they like.”

“Yeah, I do that with all my kids, but since they’re my sons I let them be more free.” He smiled as he watched Alex standing in his tippy-toes asking for popcorn. 

“All your kids?” Logic was slightly surprised and raised an eyebrow looking at the other male. 

“Yep. I’m a social worker. You forget?”

“You never told me.”

“Well, I am.” He snickered. 

Then they entered the cinema room, with the kids running in front of them excited. 

“Would it be rude of my part if I hold your hand?”

“I don’t think so…” Marion answered, blushing slightly. 

And while the kids run to the room, they hold hands. Even if it seems like a kindergarten type of date, it was nice. 

They returned to the house approximately at 11:00 pm. Marion was carrying a sleeping Roman while Logan was holding Alex’s hand, who was half-asleep.  

“Thanks. This was nice.” He turned himself looking at the teacher, smiling softly. 

“I’m glad you like it.” Logan added nervously. 

“Maybe we can…”

“Yeah. That would be neat." 

"Goodnight Logic.”

“Goodnight Morality.”

They smiled to each other a few second more, before Marion entered the house. 

Alex was extremely happy to see Dad like that. So happy that he slept without nightmares that night. 

I suck at writing dates! I’ve never been in a date and honestly looking that thing in google is something i dont want to do again. 

Thank you so much for reading and the feedback!