#so now she is kneeling on the y-axis

[celestiachan]

just found out that you can separate ro from her child in the level where ro gets separated from her child and it is extremely funny to me

[wlntrsldler]

would've, could've, should've | luke castellan

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series description: zeus!reader x luke castellan; the series of events that happened between you and luke before and after his betrayal. doesn't follow canon.

i. if you never touched me, i would’ve gone with the righteous. 

you could pinpoint the exact moment when your world was thrown off its axis. you were fourteen. it all happened so fast. the four of you were running, trying to reach the safety of camp half-blood, the commands of your younger sister sounded like nails on a chalkboard. you hated when she yelled at you; she always sounded like she knew better than you did, as if you didn’t go through the same things as she did, as if you weren’t older than her. whenever thalia talked to you, it felt like her words were daggers digging themselves deeper and deeper into your chest. there was never a time when you didn’t feel incompetent when you were with her. 

“she’s more like our mom,” you heard her say to luke once. you were sitting with annabeth a few feet away, roasting a marshmallow on the fire you made. you’d stolen a bag from the walmart you stopped at a few miles back. the young girl was talking about something beside you, but your attention was on the conversation your sister was having with luke. 

“that’s not a bad thing,” he replied. “the less we’re like that parent, the better.”

you never thought that you’d miss the feeling of incompetence. you never thought you’d want to hear your sister’s criticizing voice just one more time. one minute, you were looking over your shoulder, ready to stand up for yourself for the first time, ready to yell at thalia to run faster, to catch up, while dragging annabeth’s small hand in yours, hoping that her short legs won’t give out; the next, luke was picking up the young girl and placing a hand on your back, shoving you with all his might, but thalia was nowhere to be found. the sound of your name died on thalia’s lips. 

you don’t remember much after that. you could feel the specks of dirt on the side of your face and the drops of water slowly soaking the clothes you were wearing. you can hear someone crying– beth, you realized– and the whispers of someone else muttering, you’re okay. i’m here. you’re okay. we’re safe. you thought you twisted your head to look at your two companions, but the more you tried to move, the more frustrated you got. you couldn’t move. why couldn’t you fucking move? 

“shit,” the same voice. luke. you heard his footsteps coming closer, beth’s tiny steps echoing after him. “fuck, beth, go call for help.” 

the rain was stronger now. you hated the feeling of clothes sticking to your skin. the water was making the ground muddy and you could hear the sounds of it squelching under your ear. you felt dirty. you wanted to scrub your skin until it was raw. 

“hey, hey,” luke was kneeling beside you. his voice was shaky, “y/n, can you hear me?” 

you wanted to nod, but you couldn’t. 

“shit,” he repeated. he stood up, cupping his hands around his mouth, “help! someone please help!” 

you woke up days later, in the middle of the night, gasping for air, drenched in sweat. luke and annabeth were passed out somewhere on one of the beds lining the cabin. they’d woken up days earlier than you did, but their bodies were too weak. chiron instructed them to stay in the infirmary until they could walk again without any assistance. 

it hurt to sit up. the groans that left your lips made annabeth stir in her bed, but she didn’t wake up. you envied her ability to sleep through the noise but she was just a kid, she deserved to sleep. you recalled the nights the four of you spent in the caves you considered shelter, taking guard shifts while annabeth slept through the night. the agreement to not let her take guard, she was too young, she was just a child, was one of the few times you felt thalia valued your opinion. 

luke, who woke at the smallest sounds, jolted awake at your noise. even before he ran away, he trained himself to wake up at the smallest things. his mom was unpredictable. a slight breeze of air could mean that she woke up in the middle of the night to walk on their roof, mumbling incoherent words, and the faint smell of smoke could mean that his mom was trying to bake again and luke would have to put the fire out before it burned their house down; luke learned early on that he needed to be alert at all times. 

you were staring blankly at the wall. the smell of wet wood made your head spin. it hasn’t stopped raining since that night. you froze at the sound of thunder. there was something familiar in the way it hit your ears. it sounded like thalia’s voice, agony and pain, gripping your heart tightly. 

“hey, you okay?” luke’s voice sounded older somehow, deeper, heavier. he was standing at the foot of your bed, blocking your view of the peeling wallpaper on the wall across from you. 

his curly hair was matted on his head. his left arm was in a sling, a strap slung across his chest. his lips were red and raw, as if he’d been gnawing at them. he probably was. it was disorienting for a moment because his voice didn’t match his appearance. in the dark, he looked like a kid, searching for comfort after a bad dream. sometimes you forget that he was only fourteen, that you were only a few months younger than him. sometimes you forget that you were just kids. 

luke was staring at you, a part of him waiting for you to speak, the other part of him taking you in for the first time since that night. he was relieved to see you awake. he didn’t know if he could’ve handled losing you too. the minute luke met you, he knew you were different. you were more human than any of them, like you weren’t supposed to be born into this life somehow, like the gods made a mistake making you into a demi-god. 

you viewed the world differently from him and thalia, but it wasn’t in a way that was naive. him and thalia accepted this world, this life, but luke knew you didn’t, not fully. there was a part of you that still held onto the humanity of it all. luke loved you for it.

“my sister.” your voice was hoarse after not using it for days. it was scratchy and you wanted to claw at your neck until it was back to normal.

luke looked away for a second, clearing his throat. he walked closer to you, sitting on your bed. he let his feet rest on the creaky floorboards. “how much do you remember?” 

“i don’t think thalia liked me very much.” your reply didn’t answer his question, and if luke was annoyed by it, he didn’t let it show. he was looking down at his lap, knees bumping into each other as he tried to steady himself. he’d been practicing for days how he was going to break the news to you in case you didn’t remember, but it seemed like you did. he replayed this scenario a million times in his head, but this conversation, your words, caught him off guard. 

“she loved you,” he said. “you’re her sister.” 

“yeah, but she didn’t like me, not really,” you reached for the cup of water beside your bed. you didn’t know how long it’s been out there, but you didn’t care. it burned your throat as you drank. “i should’ve been the one protecting her, not the other way around. i’m her big sister.” 

a small smile crept on his face, “when has thalia ever accepted help?” 

you always appreciated luke. ever since you met him, he always tried his best to make you smile, even when there wasn’t much to smile about. he was the oldest of the bunch and he took the role seriously, sometimes too seriously. he had the same fighting spirit as thalia, untamed and wild. they didn’t seem to ever butt heads– not the way you and thalia did, at least. they had a mutual respect for each other, like soldiers recognizing soldiers. 

“she loved you,” he said again, trying to somehow convince you. luke didn’t know what it was like to lose a sibling, and he hoped he’d never find out, so he didn’t know if his words were making the situation better or worse. 

he knew it was true, though. thalia did love you, even if she had a different way of showing it. there was a night before the three of you found annabeth, where he woke up to switch lookout shifts with thalia. thalia was sitting beside you, a small knife in her hand, ready to strike in case anyone got near you. 

“hey,” luke whispered, hoping that his voice wouldn’t wake you. “take a break. i got it from here.” 

he’d only met the two of you the day before and he could tell thalia didn’t fully trust him yet. he didn’t fault her, he understood why. 

thalia’s eyes flickered to your sleeping body, her defenses faltering for a second, before she shook her head in defiance. she stared at luke, “no, i’m good.” 

“thalia, you haven’t slept all night,” he reasoned, “you won’t do any of us any good if you’re not resting.” 

“don’t tell me if i’m good enough,” she sneered, eyes narrowing. she didn’t break her gaze. “me and my sister survived just fine before you.” 

luke’s face softened at her words, “i didn’t say you weren’t good enough.” 

the two of them went back and forth for a while until it was decided that luke was going to stay up, too, even if thalia didn’t want to sleep. they sat in silence, thalia sneaking glances at luke every once in a while. she fought to stay awake until she couldn’t anymore, succumbing to her fatigue. luke didn’t say anything when she fell asleep at your feet a few hours later. 

luke was patient for his age. he wasn’t hot-headed anymore, the way thalia was, but he remembered a time when he used to be; like when he was eight and his mom bought him a piece of chocolate at the store the day after she wandered out of the house in the middle of the night, doing gods know what, and he walked for hours, exhausted and sleepy, before he found her in front of an abandoned hospital a town away. she was sobbing in front of the caduceus painted on the wall. he could barely make it out under the graffiti on top of it, but his mom was screaming, it’s your dad. your father is here, luke. look at him. 

luke was livid when he woke up the next day to her keys jingling, a bright smile on her face, as she held out the small piece of chocolate she bought for him. she was acting like everything was normal, like everything was fine, as if luke’s feet didn’t form blisters from walking so far, like the tiredness in his eyes weren’t proof of his lack of sleep. 

luke screamed at her then. he screamed at her until his voice was gone and his mom stood there, taking his words, not making an effort to argue. when he was having a particularly bad day, he’d think about the piece of chocolate, imagining what it would’ve tasted like if he had just taken his mom’s peace offering, if he had just been patient with her. 

thunder struck again, but this time it was stronger. it shook the cabin. you placed the cup of water on the table. you nudged luke with your foot, “what did we get ourselves into, luke?” 

there was a beat. luke looked up from his lap then, catching a sight of your face under the strike of lightning that illuminated the otherwise dark room. he reached over to place his hand on top of yours, giving it a light squeeze, “i don’t know, but as long as we’re together, it’ll be okay.” 

neither of you could remember the last time you slept as well as you did that night. when you woke up the next day, the sun was shining brightly through the widow.

[herzzgeist]

29) To Steal A Pirate's Treasure

Pairing: Law x fem!reader | Word count: 4.3k | Warnings: Cussing, violence, light angst

Dividers by cafekitsune

The night falls slowly upon the jungles of Zou, blue cold light of the crescent moon lighting up the deepest and darkest places of the forest's thicket. In midst, the Heart pirates and the Straw Hats gathered, to witness a fight that could turn out to be rather striking to observe.

It's Bepo and you against your Captain, who's head is worth 500 million Berry. Compared to him, your 100 million seem like a joke, a quite sinister farce, as you're about to attack the supernova, who never lets his focus waver a single second from you and the polar bear mink.

With a reverbing growl, the Vice Commander storms at his superior, seemingly getting the hang of his 'inner beast', not screaming like a silly martial arts icon this time. Even Law didn't expect him to be that fierce, however it won't faze him so easily, already calculating his first move. But where are you?

Just in a fraction of a second, he lost you out of sight already. "Shit.", he curses under his breath as he fends off Bepo's claws, aiming for his face. His blade deflects his Commander's attempt to rip him apart and manages to cast his 'Room' over the area.

Before Kikoku's edge can reach the white furred opponent with a full swing, two daggers block the powerful counter. Surprise widen the surgeon's eyes, as he sees you withstanding him with apparent ease. Bepo's giant paw holds out for Law's head. He is trapped, realising there's no other way than to withdraw himself by swapping places with a random leaf.

You and the mink now stand there, aware your Captain bailed the clinch he was left to deal with. He must be determining his next move, hiding somewhere up in the trees. Luffy cheers in excitement: "Go (Y/n) and bear! Kick Tora-o's ass!"

With a quickend breath, you turn to Bepo and instruct him to lead the surgeon of death to a certain spot beneath an enormous nutmeg tree. In acceptance, the polar bear nods subtly and keeps his guard up, scanning his surroundings with care.

Thus you jump up that tree you agreed to lure the Captain to and take a stand on a colossal branch, far up from the ground. Through squinting eyes, you hold out for a white hat, hovering through the lush green. Nothing.

Way down, you see your Vice Commander keeping a lookout. He sure is taking his sweet time. Then finally, you feel a gust of wind coming your way and a visible light blue slash shoots directly at you from across the clearing. Recognising the ability as 'Sterben', where his nodachi comes flying, rotating on it's own axis in dreadful speed, it aims alarmingly precise at your face. Preparing to catch this aerial attack, you redirect it's cut to the branch beneath your feet, threateningly close to be chopped down completely. Just like you wanted it to be.

Suddenly, another branch comes darting at you from the same direction, making you dodge that unexpected assault. Loosing your balance you fall down and manage to soothen the impact by a tuck and roll. Bepo yelps out in concern and kneels down next to you, asking for your well being. To calm the riled up mink down, you wave off that slip and reassure him with a soft smile, however determination is sparking in your e/c orbs: "He's targeting me. Be ready to divert his attention." - "Aye!"

Back on your feet, you stand out in the open, with the goal to attract the overly attentive supernova. Separated, you take a distance from your sparing partner and relax your muscles, ready to dodge the next awaiting move. Are you truly the Captain's goal? The crowd around you grows silent, hearing nothing except the wind rustling through the giants leafs above their heads. Zoro mutters lowly in uncertainty: "They're open like a book. He's going to tear them apart." - "(Y/n) seems to be a clever girl, perhaps she has an idea?"

Robin watches you closely, as your fingers glide along small containers attached to your belt. Sea water smoke bombs? What an interesting way to 'repel' devil fruit users, the jet black haired woman chuckles inwardly. Franky, out of impulsion, blasts a hyped up: "Ow! I can't stand the pressure you guys!"

Everybody turns their heads to the sudden noise from the metal tank man, posing in a ridiculously pompous pose. It takes you off guard and you catch yourself doing it to your misfortune, cursing through your gritted teeth: "Fuck". At this point, it's already too late. That instant your concentration faltered, the tall man stands behind you, notching his stretched out thumb into your sides, electrifying you to knock you out. Unfortunately, the hit lands perfectly and you land on all fours, energy completely drained from the volts numbing you to a certain extent.

Bepo comes storming at Law, intending to defend you, yet in vain. From below, earth in form of a pillar snares the rampaging bear's legs, stopping him in his tracks. Again, the surgeon faces you and holds your special smoke bomb in hand, victoriously smirking at you: "I'll be taking that."

The crew gasps in awe, seeing their Captain keeping up appearances, doing his thing as an impudent show off. Whoever was rooting for you, they don't even dare boo him, unless they want to be walking around headless that is.

An uncanny feeling spreads within you. Where is all that sudden power coming from? As if blown away, the incapacity no longer bothers you and you huff musedly: "Oh no you don't." Your eyes bore holes into the man scoffing to your assumed loss, however realisation hits him. Everything around you grows dark, all sounds swallowed into nothingness as your tunnel vision won't waver from Law, not once.

To his dismay, he is now the one, not able to move a single inch. Weakend, the Captain snickers, a smug lip curl appearing in his face. "There comes the wannabe empress again.", he mumbles amused, as you pull yourself together and snatch the bomb from his hand with a cutely hummed 'Thank you'.

And the crowd goes wild! This time, you managed to overwhelm a single person with your conqueror's haki. Astouned, the people around you cheer and fire you up. There is this trademark smirk again, to which you suspect only one thing. In a low voice he declares cheekily: "Sorry to disappoint, but I won't hold back, even for a pretty face like yours."

You really thought this was over? No chance. It takes more than that, to take down a powerhouse like him. Once more, the bomb slips out of your hand, swapped with a feeble leaf. In the open field, a boulder rises from the ground, hovering over the small devil fruit user's doom bomb to your fret. 'Takt' seals the deal and tons of stone bury the 'ability blocker' underneath the rock's weight.

Visibly annoyed, you let your shoulders sink and groan deeply: "Oh come on, Trafalgar! Must you always exaggerate? I worked on this for hours!" To his pleasure, Law rumbles delighted and apologises sarcastically, flashing you his most unbelievable 'regrettful' smile. That conceited little bastard.

There's no rest for the wicked, for the doctor has you in his sights again, a wave of assaults crashing upon you, as Kikoku's edge is close in cutting off your limbs in swift slashes. Your power to overwhelm an opponent is still too weak, or your Captain is just too strong? By all means, it is a given, that you'll have to work on your unique skill, with all you have.

Daggers are difficult to handle when it comes to defending yourself. Precision and a keen sense for prediction are the key to success. With a loud clash of metal, your weapons collide with the surgeon's blade. The strength in your arms slowly dwindling by every inch Law presses further against you: "I was expecting a pro conqueror's haki user. How dissapointing."

His taunts rob you your last excisting nerves. This man is asking for it. In focus, you stare deeply into his steel eyes, finding solace in the active rest, metal against metal gnashing at eachother to choose the ultimate winner in this sparing session. Obviously, there is no chance you'll be able to beat this overpowered monster of a man, yet you hold your pride dear, not wanting to give in so easily. Thus, a strange tingle crawls up your spine, feeling a rush of adrenaline curse through your veins.

It is beginning to familiarise, the power to bring your opponent to your knees, though it might be faint, you dare say it's enough to make the Captain stagger. The effect once more knocks the air out of Law's lungs, however he withstands the deluge, only loosing control for a few seconds, which will suffice with no question. You take the opportunity to tackle him, the surgeon topples to the ground, and you free yourself from close combat. "Don't get cocky, my dear Captain.", is what you coo at him in pure satisfaction to see him wrinkle his nose at you in a sour manner.

The people go crazy around you, everybody is either cheering or jubliantly yelling in amazement, watching you actually keeping the surgeon of death at bay. They know it's not for certain that you'll overcome his powers, but it is yet a glorious deed to incapacitate him, which is close to impossible to fullfill.

Before the disgruntled white hat can give you a piece of his mind, Bepo's furious roar interrupts his train of thought and gets grabbed by his collar: "Sorry Captain, but I can't let you attack (Y/n) again!" About to carry him over to the designated tree, Law has enough of being shoved around, using his trump card, nobody likes to refer to for it's eerie after taste.

The single word 'Shambles' escapes his lips and he lets his nodachi pierce through the air, animating his ability to do his bidding. Your heart fails for a moment and everything around you grows dizzy. Looking down, you see the doctor scruffed up in your white furred hand. Hold on. White fur? There is no way he had the audacity to exchange your heart with Bepo's.

In the background you hear your voice screaming in fret. Oh dear. It's as you feared. An orange overall covers your giant bear body and every step you take feels like a two hundred pound dumbell has been attached to your feet. Groaning in annoyance you let the black beady eyes squint at the visibly entertained supernova in your paw: "Was that really necessary?" - "Necessity isn't a factor here. This is only sheer enjoyment."

No matter how much you love this man, besides that caring behind all that cool demeanor, he is and remains a subtle brat. You haven't noticed how an animalistic growl leaves you in frustration, hearing that sassy comment from your Captain, to which he replies with an impudent sneer, still hanging in there in your claws.

"Bepo! My dagger!", you order your shivering to the core minken friend, who's stuck in your body, to throw your weapon at you. Without question, your Vice Commander is completely immobilised, yet to your luck, though to a close call, he managed to execute your urgent request. You on the other hand, have a goal, determined to follow your plan, you hold out for your trusty sparing partner. This is where the surgeon realised, you aren't bewildered at all by the sudden change of your new attained physique. Raising his brows in astonishment, he observes how you catch the tiny dagger in your clutches and let the blade aim at the Captain.

Barely breaking free from your stronghold, Law vanishes into thin air, leaving behind a dried up stick in your paw. Projectiles of pebbles shoot your way to compromise your vision, making it hard for you to detect where your opponent takes a stand and identify his next move. Beneath your feet appears a fast enlargening shadow, engulfing your whole bear frame in mere seconds. As you come to realise what is going on, a giant boulder falls in full speed right down at you, threatening to crush you to dust.

Not able to move, with the lack of agility in this body, you take the strength you can muster and let your fist crack the monsterous stone open, before it hits you. With a loud blow, the smashed pieces and earthen debris disperse and spread all over the ground. Seeing Law perfectly placed underneath the nutmeg tree, where you've set up a trap, you take off your dagger's heft with a short draw and let the chains flow out of the hollow shaft. Your weapon turns out to be a hidden Kyoketsu-shoge, the usage now becoming highly beneficial, giving you the opportunity to attack the Captain from a wide range.

This is your chance. In a swift throw, the blade flies through the lush greens, reaches the battered branch and hooks deeply into the thick tree bark. With hopes that this will actually work, you give it a firm tug and you hear the wooden splinters burst and snap, the weight of the tree's growth creaking as the surgeon's alerted gaze follows the recognisable sound above.

Perplexion reflects in the doctor's eyes. To be ground into mash, isn't exactly what he searches for in his endeavors, thus he splits the incoming tons of wood in half with a single slash with his 'Amputate' ability. Just before you can pull back your weapon, the white hatted man cuts down the chain, not granting you any further possibilites to fight except in close combat. It was then, where you admit your defeat to yourself grudgedly.

Sprinting to you in a flash, Kikoku aims horizontally at you, for Law initiated 'Injection Shot' to end this dragging training session. On your knees, you yell: "I give up!" Fortunately right on time, you see the nodachi's tip, dangerously close to pierce through your eye. The blade slides back into it's sheathe and gets swung over the Captain's shoulder. Out of breath, Law only stares down at you, which you pinpoint as a mixture of surprise and shock reaction.

Suddenly, you hear your voice screaming in agony. Bepo! The Captain and you run towards your feeble frame, lying on the ground, holding your head in seemingly pain: "Make it stop!" The way your body shivers and aches gives your current mink form goosebumps all over. "Captain! Change us back!" - "If I do that, it might end up in multiple hazards and-", his know-it-all blathering pisses you off and you practically implode at your superior, growling with an animalistic undertone.

The observants tread to the happening, trying to offer their help. Even the Straw Hats stepped closer, asking about the bear's, or technically your well being. "I don't want him to suffer! Do it! Now!", you roar at the surgeon to your full awareness, what is going. Bepo opens your eyes. The deep e/c orbs faded into complete white, an omnious glow emmiting towards your lashes like smoke wafting from it's source. "Law!", you bark, earning an annoyed grunt from the man, who is struggling to decide wether or not to follow your urgence or his own contemplation.

The world around you shifts once more and your heart sets out for a quick moment, as a familiar burn within your soul torments you from inside out. You are back to your true form. Whispers of your nightmare return in your mind, fogging up your senses. The will is a sin to gods' creations. It reverbs around you, fear strikes you deep and you supress the need to scream in horrification. Kneeling next to you, Law recalls this display of you spasming and squirming about.

Worried, his head shoots to his Vice Commander: "Are you alright, Bepo?" - "I- I think I am." The bear holds his head in confusion and Shachi and Penguin tend to him with utmost care, basically interrogating the poor mink.

The surgeon's hand glides over your cheek and rests on your forehead. "She's burning up.", he mumbles softly, only for him to hear. Flinching to an unintelligible set of words coming from you, echoing in his ears, he turns to you to aknowledge it clearer: "The will must be eradicated." The abnormality in your voice sends pins and needles over his skin. It's as if you are possessed by an evil spirit. Everybody encircling the area stays silent, reacting to the uncanny scene infront of them with blood freezing in their veins.

In utter disturbance, the Captain calls out to you, while gently shaking your shoulders: "(Y/n)-ya! Wake up!" The flickering in your suffering doe eyes tells him you are still with him. He hears your voice screaming his name, like the time you were turned into that bestial wolf form. The uncertainty scares the surgeon of death beyond belief.

A certain rubber boy squeezes himself through the crowd, in order to get closer to you. Luffy isn't sure himself, but something tells him, he is able to help: "Tora-o, let me do it." - "How are you going to be of any-" Ignoring his ally's presumptions, the Straw Hat places his gentle palm on your head. You feel - at ease. The anguish diffuses, the pain falters and it leaves you in exhaustion, yet the fever remains. Law is visibly relieved and disgruntled at the same time, by the fact that the naive boy holds an intimate moment with you. Nevertheless, it seemed to work.

Thoughts race in your head, as the knowledgable tone recoils: "Sister of the sun. Find solace in your brother's light." Brother's light? Luffy's kind windows to the soul watch you carefully, a concentrated frown spreading over his usually cheerful face. Narrowing down at you, his smile returns upon realisation you are back to your senses and he chuckles: "Don't scare us like that. I think Tora-o still needs you, Okami!" - "C-Cut it out, Straw Hat-ya!"

Tristan rushes up to the gathering, pressing herself through to see the ruckus' source. "What happend? Oh dear, (Y/n)!", fear crawls up the poor squirrel mink's spine, as her gaze lands on you. Law asks her to get Chopper, he will need back up, if things turn more grave. All pride aside, there is nothing in this world holding him back from keeping you safe and sound.

Your eyelids grow heavy, as you see the last picture before you, poor Bepo, the Straw Hats and Law observing you in worry, holding on to you. The heat in your body knocking your strength out completely, giving in to the fatigue. Last thing you hear is your love's concerned voice, muttering: "We need paracetamol as soon as possible, her fever is far from sinking."

Not taking notice in the happenings around you, chaos breaking loose in panic for your health, your weary gaze focuses on your Captain.

With difficulty, you mumble on and about, not even comprehending yourself in delirium what escapes your lips. One thing keeps you going, and that is the man's mellow steel eyes, his stern face, that only you know can turn as soft as a gentle breeze. You swear you can hear him talk to you, his deep and soothing voice calming you down, as you stare into the grey storm. Nobody seems to really mind what you said, the doctor's face however flushed up in all shades of red after hearing your ramblings. The hat being his only 'escape' option.

Then, the lights go out. The exhaustion got the better of you.

"Look at this poor angel's face! She looks so peaceful asleep!" - "Back off, shitty cook! We're not supposed to be here anyway.", you hear the echoes reverberate in your mind. Slowly, your sore lids crack open, letting you see what idles before you. A tall blonde and a sturdy green hair discuss and blabber about something you decide to not overhear. It is simply too much for your aching head to handle. The only comfort brought to you is the flickering flames of the campfire near you, it's cracking sound almost tempting you back to sleep.

Out of nowhere, a noisy little reindeer comes flailing it's tiny hooves at the two grown men, shooing them away like a flock of unwanted doves on city streets. Sighing in disbelief, Chopper faces you, noticing your waking: "Oh (Y/n), you're awake! How are you feeling?" - "Actually, I feel like shit. My head is killing me."

Hopping over to you with small tip taps of his hooves, he huddles up next to you and takes your temperature. Relief loosens his furrowed eyebrows, for your fever has gone down fortunately. "I recommend you to go back to sleep, it's been a long day. Oh, but before you do!", considerately handing over a glas of water, you gratefully accept it and let the cool liquid clench your thirst, the dryness in your throat fading.

Again, you find peace in the surrounding ambience of the crickets' chirps and the fire's snaps and your breath begins to even, falling into deep slumber. The little doctor simpers in delight, reassured you are alright.

The air grew colder around you and the blanket you've been tucked into, slid off your now shivering body. Still too weak you try to grab the fabric's hem to pull up your shield of warmth, sighing in discomfort to your failing. Where you come to a point of just accepting your 'cool' fate, a sudden rustling of the cloth being slipped back over you, makes you jolt. A pleasant warmth cups your cheek in reassurance, signalising you not to fret. You can't detect anything in the darkness, only touch, smell and hearing being your only reliable senses, telling you exactly who engulfs you with his tender embrace.

Humming satisfied, you lean against his palm: "My heart." You hear a lightly amused huff, coming from beside you. The slender fingers glide along your jaw, the thumb lazily circling your lower lip. "I heard your fever went down.", the doctor states with an assured tone in a calm whisper, seemingly at ease. Replying with a simple nod, you already yearn for more of his sensual touches in your sleep drunkness.

The Captain inches closer to your bedroll, but scans your vitals with his ability beforehand, confirming your steady recovery. No anomalies whatsoever, just the increased temperature, not too high of a concern in regards to that. He watches your chest heave in a ragged manner, preceiving your energy as still remaining completely spent. The words that left you, as you layed there, collapsed on the ground, let his neck hair stand on end. You mentioned the will. Eradication.

Are the guardians designed to kill - people carrying the D in their name? It dawns on him. This turns out to be even more difficult than Law thought it would be in the first place. If his provisional theory is correct, the chances are you'll attempt to take his life in your uncontrolled beast state. However, only if you wear that cursed moonstone around your neck. What is more opposing, is the fact you reacted under mythical influence, though without bearing the pendant. He saw your struggle and it nearly tore him apart, the suffering was clearly unbearable for you to take. If it weren't for Luffy, death might have stood around the corner.

His brows furrow in discontent. Whatever kind of deity controls your soul like this, is not a benevolent spirit, that, Law is certain of. More research is bound to fill up his schedule in the coming future. Nothing will withhold his decision of keeping you as his. There is yet so much he has to tell you, so much he wants to experience with you. Sailing the seas as pirates, exploring the unknown lands as pioneers and conquer what you deem fit to claim. The world is nothing but a broken society, in need of expulsion of those, who dare to murder the peace, the freedom.

Together with the Straw Hats, Law just knows there is a fleeting possibility to change the world, make it a better place. And he wants you by his side along the process. The love he cherishes for you, resembles to a feeling he held dear towards a long lost man he adored. Corazon. He was a friend, who saved his life from inner conflicts, before manifesting into Doflamingo's possible vessel. He was a father, who gave him the first taste of unconditional love, the freedom to live and thrive.

It was only recently, for Law understood that love doesn't need a reason, after an unadmittedly heartfelt discussion with his grandfather Sengoku at Dressrosa. The 'D' poses a general threat, not only to others, nonetheless to himself as well. A sealed book with only it's cover for everybody to read 'the will', no plot to be deciphered. The mystery gnaws on the Captain's mind for days on end. Though he thought, that his secret name was the reason for Corazon's sacrifice, it turned out to be quite the contrary, proven through the clumsy blonde's kind words and actions.

Again, Law finds himself in a twist with his name and a person he admires. There you lie next to him, your breath loud and even, deep in slumber. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear to see your innocent face, he can't help but lean down and plant a gentle kiss on your temple, whispering lowly: "My heart."

If a god or higher being decides to stand in his way, he swears by his name, that hellfire shall rain, until the last opponent's drop of blood has been spent. As long as he lives, no one will harm his loved ones. No one will dare to touch his treasure.

[bbgem329]

If Only You Were Mine… Chapter Thirteen

Pairings—Bucky Barnes x F!Reader

Summary

You’ve been in love with Bucky Barnes since the moment you laid eyes on him. That was five years ago, when your older sister brought him home for a Sunday lunch and introduced him as her boyfriend.

Warnings

MINORS DNI! 18++. Nudity, light smut?? Not really. Language. Angst. Protective!Bucky. Christmas. Mentions of depression. Mentions of pregnancy. FLUFF.

Series Masterlist

—————

“Y/M/N isn’t your mother.”

“What?” You croaked out, voice barely above a whisper.

Had you heard him right? Did he say what you thought he said?

“Y/M/N,” Aiden grimaced, as if repeating those words, breaking the truth to you, physically pained him. “She isn’t your mother.”

That couldn’t possibly be. No. You must’ve heard him wrong.

“I don’t,” You stole a glance at Bucky, eyes wide and mouth opening and closing as you formulated a response. Willing yourself to say something—anything. “I’m sorry. I don’t—I don’t understand what you just said.”

“Pretty girl.” Bucky interjected, arms tightening around your trembling frame. He leaned up, running his nose along your cheek, holding you so tightly against his chest as if he were trying to shield you away from this pending heartbreak. “I’m here, okay? It’s okay. Just listen to him.”

“No.” You mumbled, pushing yourself out of his embrace and rising to your feet. “What does…what does that mean, Aiden?” Your limbs felt shaky, knees wobbling beneath your frame. You wrapped your arms around your swollen bump, curling protectively into yourself. “What do you mean she isn’t my mother? That makes,” You inhaled sharply, willing your racing heart to slow, “That makes no sense.”

You would never forget the look on your brother's face, the pity and remorse in his dark eyes as he gazed up at you from beneath his lashes, “Dad had an affair, Y/N/N. You were the outcome of it.”

It was as if your entire world had been flipped upside down, tilting on its axis.

What hurt the worst was it all made sense now.

Your mother’s unexplainable hatred and resentment, how it had been targeted towards you specifically for your entire life. Why you felt you never fit in or belonged with any of the women in your family.

“Woah.” A pair of strong arms wrapped around your waist just as your knees buckled, “Careful, sweets. Let’s sit you down.”

Bucky’s voice sounded far away, almost as if he were speaking underwater. He guided you back, pressing gently into your shoulder until you were leaning back in the chair. You knew you were pale, felt the color drain from your face and your head had grown fuzzy and full.

“Baby.”

You shook your head, eyes turned down as a pair of big, warm hands cupped your cheeks, tilting your chin up. “Look at me.” He encouraged softly, “Deep breaths, okay? You’re alright. Gotta stay calm for the baby, honey. Don’t work yourself up.”

You hesitantly lifted your eyes to meet warm, adoring steel blue ones.

“There she is.” He whispered, a slight cork at the corner of his full pink lips.

Bucky leaned forward to press a kiss to your cheek and the only warning you had before the tears started rolling steadily down your cheeks was the little wobble in your lip when you tried to muster a smile.

“Who is my mother then?” You croaked out, reddened eyes remaining locked with the man kneeled before you as he swiped his thumb over your cheeks.

Aiden hesitated for a moment, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, “Her name is Grace. I found her file in our father’s office a few days ago.”

Your heart fluttered in your chest, something akin to hope blossoming in your belly, warming you from inside out.

Your real mother was out there somewhere. And maybe, just maybe she could be a good one.

The mother you always dreamed of and hoped for.

The kind that would console you when your heart ached and give you boy advice. Teach you how to cook and sew. To spoil your unborn child, and any others you may have, rotten, just as grandmother should.

To protect you, support you, love you, and cherish you for who you are and what you do.

Like one of those moms shown in the movies and TV shows or read about in books.

Although you’d take just about anyone over the imposter of a mother you had now. You were almost positive that literally anyone, everyone was better than her.

“Do you have it?” You asked softly, knees bouncing anxiously on either side of Bucky’s broad torso. “The file, I mean. Does she live close?” You paused, eyebrows furrowed as you rolled your bottom lip between your teeth. “Does she even know about me?” You laughed, shaking your head. “Dumb question. She carried me for nine months-”

“Y/N/N.” Aiden spoke up, head hanging solemnly as he scrubbed a hand down his face, exhaling a deep sigh. He slumped back in his seat, pinching the bridge of his nose, eyes flicking around the room, unable, unwilling to meet your eager gaze. “She’s dead.”

She’s dead.

Those words were playing on a loop in your head for the past week. Or maybe it was longer, you couldn’t tell after spending most of your days held up in this bed, staring blankly at the snow falling steadily out the big window.

To be given even a slice of hope–the mere idea of something better than you had, only for it to be ripped away within the blink of an eye, left you feeling lost, numb, hopeless. But then to find out that the same woman who raised you, lied to you, treated you like you were nothing more than the scum beneath her shoe, took away the chance of a better, happier life.

There was a new hole the shape of a woman you’ve never met, and won't ever, know residing in your heart now.

Y/M/N had murdered your birth mother in a jealous rage.

From what Aiden had conveyed, Y/F/N had truly loved Grace and was considering leaving his rotten wife to start over and build a new family. He had stepped up through Grace’s pregnancy, attending every appointment, purchasing and moving your pregnant mother into a beautiful estate in upstate New York. The pregnancy and birth had gone smoothly, the divorce papers were drawn up by your father’s lawyers and waiting to be signed.

They were happy, excited.

And then Y/M/N found out.

One night, when you were just three weeks old, Y/F/N broke the news to his wife. He fell in love with another woman, there was a newborn, and he was leaving her. Y/M/N had taken the news a little too well but Y/F/N thought nothing of it, far too eager to return to his new family waiting for him at his new home.

For two weeks you parents lived in complete bliss—caring for you, loving openly with the excitement of a promising future.

On the sixteenth day, your father was called away, some mix up at the office. He wasn’t gone for long but when he returned, he found his own personal hell.

From what Aiden had found in the file, Y/M/N was sitting in a high back chair in the newly renovated living room with Grace’s beheaded body at her feet. Y/M/N had you nestled in the crook of her arm, a bloodied knife resting in her free hand. You were screaming and wailing, in need of your mother at just five weeks old.

Y/M/N had almost taken you that day too, if not for your father’s begging and pleading. In exchange for your life, he would go home with her and all evidence of his affair, the divorce, and Grace would be brushed under the rug and forgotten. They would raise you as their own.

Aiden, bless his heart, had given you the file. You had yet to look through it, you hadn’t managed to find the courage to do so just yet but Bucky had read through it when you asked and had reluctantly given you the tamer version of what went down that night and what led to it.

Though there were pictures.

Hundreds of pictures of Grace and a happier, younger Y/F/N.

She was absolutely gorgeous, the epitome of beauty, youth, and love.

And you looked just like her.

A part of you wonders if that is why your father struggled to look you in the eye—Why he is so bitter and cold most days.

Because you hold the same big, adoring eyes as the woman he loved most in the world—ones that belonged to someone he lost so brutally and unexpectedly. And that smile that lit up an entire room just as hers once had—all perfectly, white teeth, rosy cheeks, and dimples.

You wondered if you shared other things with her too. Like her laugh, her voice, her humor, her kindness, or intelligence, or heart.

You would never know though.

Y/M/N made sure of that.

“Y/N.”

You didn’t even blink as Bucky sunk down on the edge of the bed, brushing your greasy hair from your forehead. You kept your gaze locked on the winter wonderland outside, cheek pressing further into your pregnancy pillow.

“Hey, there.” His voice was so soft, fingertips so light against your cheek. “How are you feeling? Do you need anything?”

He was so, so good. It almost made you want to cry.

You couldn’t even count how many times he’d slept in that damn chair, his hand interlocked with your own each night. He brought you food—three big meals a day with lots of snacks and tea in between. He read to you, spoke to your swelling bump, combed out your hair, made you brush your teeth and wash your face each morning and night.

The depression had sunk its claws deep into you but Bucky Barnes managed to take your own personal demons head on and ease the ache.

“I’m fine.” Your mouth was as dry as the Sahara desert causing your voice to sound croaky and meek. “Just tired.”

Bucky sighed softly, leaning forward to press a kiss to your oily forehead.

Despite how terrible you looked (and felt), he still gazed at you as if you were the most gorgeous thing he’d ever seen and he made sure to remind you as often as you allowed him to.

You wondered how long it would take for him to lose his patients with you. Laying around like this, couldn’t be good in your state. You were eating and resting, maybe more than you should, but at nearly fifteen weeks pregnant, you should definitely be up and moving more.

You needed to do better, if not for yourself, than for the man sitting before you and the baby growing in your belly.

“It’s Christmas Eve today.” Bucky mumbled quietly, “Maybe we could do something. Watch those Christmas movies you like and make some hot chocolate or something.”

You perked up, tired eyes finally lifting to meet his own. Because maybe you weren’t ready to talk but you could definitely use a distraction.

His small smile grew tenfold and sparks burst within your naval, something akin to pride rushing through you.

How could it not when he was looking at you like that? You knew he was all too pleased with himself for managing to draw your attention away from the window for the first time in days.

“I know we can’t do much or go anywhere but we do have the house to ourselves and I figured we could make our own little celebration.” He shrugged, tongue darting out to lick along his bottom lip. “It's our last Christmas without a baby. Gotta make it count because from here on out we will be going all out holiday cheer with lots of presents and the whole Santa deal.”

Yeah you could do this—life and whatever it throws at you, as long as you had him.

“Okay.” You whispered, the tiniest of smiles, the first one in what felt like forever, tugging at the corner of your chapped lips and it only seemed to grow with the way Bucky’s entire being lit up.

“Great.” He clapped his hands together, hopping up from the mattress with a whole new pep in his step. “Don’t laugh at me but I ordered some matching Christmas PJs and slippers.” He shot you playful glare in retaliation for the little giggle you let slip, “Hey! I think it could be a fun tradition. Get a new set each year and take cute pictures in front of the tree on Christmas Eve or something.”

“I’m not laughing at you,” You grinned, chest feeling a little lighter as you heaved yourself to sit on the edge of the bed, bare feet frigid against the cold floor. “It’s actually a really sweet idea, Buck. I like it a lot.”

He bowed his head, cheeks dusted with pink. “Thanks.”

“Before all that.” You hummed, waving your hands in the air, “Can I shower?”

“Of course, sweets.” He chuckled, scrunching his nose as he sniffed at the air, “You honestly need it.” His tone was playful, a devilish twinkle in his cerulean hues. “You stink.”

“You little- ”You fixed him with a cold glare, lunging in his direction, “Take it back.”

“Never.” He caught you in his arms with ease, mindful of your little bump. His loud laugh echoed throughout the room as you dug your fingertips in his side. “Ah… You can’t make me. I refuse.”

A couple more jabs to the ribs and he relented, “Fine, fine.” He gasped out a pained laugh, chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. “You don’t stink. You smell like mango and coconut. As you always do.”

You stuck your tongue at him as he guided you into the bathroom, earning one last playful eye roll.

He didn’t waste any time, leaning into the shower to smack the faucet on, stepping back to give it time to warm up. “Alright, I’ll throw your towels and pjs in the dryer so they’re nice and warm for you when you are finished.” He snatched your towel from the rack, heading in the direction of the door, “Just holler when you’re ready.”

“Wait.” You called out, causing him to come to an abrupt halt in the doorway. You felt your cheeks heat up as he spun around to face you, a curious cork in his brow. “Will you-” You smiled shyly, eyes averted to the floor, “Will you take one with me?”

Bucky’s eyes widened tenfold, a deep red spreading across his own cheeks.

“I just feel a little shaky, ya know? Haven’t been up much lately and I’m getting a little hungry.”

“Yeah.” He croaked out, head nodding quickly. He swallowed thickly, clearing his throat, “Of course. If… if you’re comfortable and it’s really something you want…”

“It is.” You interjected, assertively. “I would really like it if you would join me.”

“Alright. Yeah.” He nodded again, head bobbing furiously, the blush across his cheeks growing tenfold, and creeping up to the tips of his ears. “You hop in. I’m gonna go put our stuff in the dryer and then I’ll join you.” He gestured towards the door, steps slow as he retreated from the room.

You breathed out a soft sigh as soon as he was out of sight, slowly pulling Bucky’s t-shirt over your head and tugging your sleep shorts down your legs.

You stole a glance in the mirror, eyes trailing down your bare form.

Your body was different from the last time Bucky had seen you naked but for some reason it didn’t bother you. You liked the way your body looked right now—a cute swell in your abdomen, fuller breast, and wider hips.

Pregnancy looked great on you and you felt physically great too—No crazy stretch marks with how religiously you were applying oils and lotions to your belly and you weren’t alarmingly swelling in places you shouldn’t. Your skin was practically glowing, complexion smooth and clear.

Maybe it would change as your pregnancy progressed and you grew bigger but you were more than happy with your appearance now, confident too.

You flung your hand under the water, checking the temperature before stepping in. It was perfect as you had perfected and you slipped under the spray, closing the glass door behind you.

As soon as you tilted your head back to wet your hair, allowing yourself to relax under the invitingly warm water, the door opened, signaling Bucky’s return

There was a bit of shuffling and you peeked over just in time to see him pull his t-shirt over his head, providing you the perfect view of his chiseled chest and abdomen.

You felt your entire body heat up—thighs clenching together to ease an ache that had only seemed to grow tenfold over the past few weeks.

You caught his eye, a wicked grin splitting across his pink lips at the sight of you openly ogling him. You didn’t bother to hide your desire, licking your lips as he finally drew down the tight gray boxer briefs, providing a glorious view of his hardened cock.

“No funny business, sweets.” He scolded as he yanked open the glass door and stepped in behind you. “I’m trying to be a gentleman.”

Although his tone was assertive and final, you didn’t miss the way his hands twitched at his sides, yearning to reach out and touch you or the way his steel blue eyes darkened as they trailed the length of your body.

You simply hummed in reply, turning around to face him, your eyes shamelessly wandering the expanse of his chest and abdomen.

“God, you’re gorgeous.” He groaned, large hands settling lightly on your waist before hesitantly brushing over the slight protrude in your abdomen. “Swear to God, you’re trying to kill me. Who gave you permission to look this good while carrying my baby?”

You giggled, stepping up on the tips of your toes to press yourself completely against his chest and wrap your arms around his neck. “You did, Barnes.” Your voice was barely above a whisper, fingers tangling and tugging at the thick locks at the nape of his neck, nose dragging teasingly along his jaw. “When you knocked me up.”

The groan he let slip sent shivers dancing up your spine and your head growing fuzzy. His grip on your waist tightened, pulling your wet body tighter against his own. “Don’t say that shit, baby. I’m trying really hard to take things slow—do it right, and you’re making it nearly impossible.”

“Maybe I don’t want you to be a gentleman.” You whined out, growing bolder when you felt his cock twitch against your belly. “Maybe I just want you to make love to me.” You dragged your lips up along his jaw before biting softly at the lobe of his ear. “To fuck me so hard, make me scream your name.”

You were beyond turned out, slick dripping down the insides of your thighs, cunt pulsing and aching with the need for friction.

Evidently, Bucky was too. It was obvious from the way his cock twitched and jumped between your slicked bodies, the heaving breaths and pants spilling from his bitten lips, and the falter in his steady grip on your hips.

You were wearing him down—weakening his resolve and pushing his control. His body was at war with his mind between giving in and enjoying the pleasure, something he’d no doubt been yearning and waiting ever so patiently for, or slow this down, wait and do it right.

“Bucky.” You called out, voice soft and low, “Please.” He whined in response, eyes fluttering closed, head dipping down to brush his nose tenderly against your own, “Kiss me, James. Please.”

Bucky didn’t need to be told twice, closing the distance and pressing his lips to yours.

It felt as if fireworks exploded within you when your lips finally met his. And for the first time in forever, everything made sense.

His lips were soft and pliant against your own, and way less persistent and rushed than you remember from that morning all those months ago. As if he were trying to take his time—savor the taste of you.

You pressed yourself impossibly tight against his slick chest, almost as if you were attempting to mold your body with his. You tightened your grip around his neck as you parted your lips, allowing him to slip his tongue inside your mouth and taste you fully.

If you had any doubts before they had vanished completely.

Because kissing Bucky felt like coming home.

No one else would ever get your heart racing just like this.

No one’s hands would feel this good cradling you close, running softly along the curves and crevices of your body.

No one else’s body would fit so perfectly against your own, nor would their taste make your head spin.

No one else would ever compare.

This was it for you—Bucky was it for you.

Bucky groaned into your open mouth, large hands pinching your hips as he slowly, reluctantly pulled away. “As much as I want this—which I do, so badly, I want to do it right.” Placing one more soft, chaste kiss to your lips before resting his forehead against your own as you both struggled to catch your breath. “You deserve more than just quick, slippery shower sex for our first time since…” He took a deep breath, stealing one last quick peck, “I wanna take my time with you. Take you out, treat you right. You mean so much to me.”

“Okay.” You whispered, a giddy grin tugging at the corner of your lips, “You mean so much to me too, Buck.”

You wanted to say more, tell him just how much he made you feel, how much you appreciated everything he was doing for you—taking care of you, making it up to you, and proving just how much he truly did love you, but he was spinning you around in his embrace, pulling you in until your back was resting snuggly against his chest, before you had the chance.

Bucky took his time to clean you up—washing your hair twice (just as he knew you preferred), sudsing up your body while the conditioner sat on the ends of your locks. All while dropping sweet kisses on your neck, back, and shoulders, rubbing tenderly over your bump, and softly reminding you just how much he loved you and how beautiful he found you to be.

After quickly washing himself and sharing one more kiss, he slipped out of the shower, leaving you beneath the warm spray to retrieve your pjs and towel from the dryer.

Once he returned, he wrapped you up in the warm, fluffy towel, and helped you from the shower. You didn’t protest when he pulled your favorite shea butter lotion from beneath the sink, never one to deny being pampered, especially from him.

There was no rush as he lathered you in the cream from head to toe, changed you into the fluffy, Buffalo plaid PJ set, placed the white fuzzy slippers on your frigid feet, and combed through your dripping hair.

“Alright, baby. You’re ready.” Bucky beamed, leaning down to press a quick kiss to your lips. “You go get in bed and start the movie up, I’ll go grab some food and drinks.”

“Okay.”

You felt like you were floating, a billion times lighter than you had just this morning, as you made up the bed, stuffing loads of pillows against the headboard and extra blankets across the bed. You lit a vanilla scented candle and closed the blinds before crawling back into bed, beneath the warm covers.

Just as you turned on The Nightmare Before Christmas, Bucky waltzed through the door, arms ladened with to-go bags, the smell of burgers and fries wafting in the air soon after.

“Is that Lula’s?” You asked, eyes wide and mouth parted as you wiggled out from the cocoon you’d built, adjusting to sit with your back on the pillows against the headboard.

“It is.” He smirked, placing the bags on the nightstand on his side of the bed. “You mentioned you were craving it a few days ago.”

You’d completely forgotten but now that you were smelling it and it was actually here, the yearning had returned tenfold.

Nothing else was said as he settled in beside you, allowing you to burrow under the crook of his arm as he spread the boxes over your laps before hitting play.

“Merry Christmas eve, sweets.” He cheered, pressing a kiss to your head.

“Merry Christmas eve, Buck.” You replied, mouth already filled with an unseemly amount of cheeseburger.

It might not have been what you were used to or what you had expected for Christmas this year but at least you had Bucky and something to look forward to next year.

And even though life could be a bitch, as long as you had him by your side and the baby growing in your belly, everything would be okay.

Your past wasn’t your future, you understood that now.

—————

Tag list

@scxrletrecsmarvel @cjand10 @sarahrstephan @ladifreakingda @vicmc624 @hazeljean2 @capmanranger @gitasor @intothesoul @silentkiller2374 @justsebstan @eclecticpatrolroadlawyer @mini-kunoichi @jessyballet @coffeebooksandfandom @sergntbarnes @glitterydeputyshepherdwagon @stumbleonmywords @whore-for-bucky

@one-shot-plus-size @hawsx3 @justifymyfeelings @fanfictionjunkie1112 @im-here-sometimes @meisspookycrayon @littlebunbun876 @themorningsunshine @arcanebabe @winterwhore @austynparksandpizza @babebr @white-wolf1940 @queenofkings1212 @boisewaffles

[hey-there-juliet]

llora por una rosa, dijo el ruiseñor

➤ Written for Day One of Jukebox Appreciation Week: Canonverse @jukebox-week

Summary: Dr Turner said that there was no such thing as a schedule for grief and that everyone dealt with it in their own way, so it was okay if some days were worse than others. Although it helped to have a cute ghost to cuddle with. (Read it on AO3)

Notes: Thank you so much @sunsetcurbed and @felicitysmoaksx for betaing this for me! You guys are amazing, and any remaining mistakes are my own. 

Title: El ruiseñor y la rosa, by Oscar Wilde. | Song: A La Nanita Nana, from The Cheetah Girls 2.

Enjoy ♡

llora por una rosa, dijo el ruiseñor

Sometimes, Julie would wake up feeling like her world had turned on its axis as the pain of losing her mother hit her all over again. Dr Turner said it was normal, that there was no such thing as a schedule for grief and that everyone dealt with it in their own way, so it was okay if some days were worse than others. 

The problem was that every 'worse' day seemed to get worse.

Reality came crashing down on her on a Thursday morning with absolutely no warning. She still hadn't figured out what triggered the bad days, but she was pretty sure they were intrinsically connected to the good ones. 

Ever since the ghosts of three teenagers from the '90s fell into her life, Julie had been having (mostly) good days. Sometimes it all felt like a too vivid daydream, a fantasy she'd come up with to escape her painful reality. Ghosts, the band, music back in her life, stronger than ever, curses and playing the Orpheum; it was crazy. So crazy that it might as well be true. 

Five days after the Orpheum, after being able to touch the guys, Julie woke up with the realization that her mom would never meet them. She would never be there for Julie to tell her about how much Reggie enjoyed spending time with her dad. Or how cute Alex looked with his pink-tinted cheeks as he spoke about Willie and museums. Her mom would never be there for Julie to tell her about Luke's passion for music, about his endless energy and encouragement, about his perfect smile and ever-changing eyes and how it felt to finally, finally be able to wrap her arms around him. Her mom would've loved Luke. She would've loved all of them.

Only minutes after Julie turned off her last alarm, her dad knocked on her door, brows furrowed in concern when he peered into the room only to find her still in bed, eyes puffy and red, nose stuffed up and burrowed in her covers. 

"Oh, mija," he sighed, making his way into the room. He sat down next to her, and Julie dragged herself into her father's arms, unable to hold back the sobs that were begging to be let out.

"I miss her," she gasped between cries, burying the words into her dad's shoulder. 

"Me too, cariño. Me too." He wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Your mom would be so proud of you, Julie. Wherever she is, I know she’ll be watching over you and Carlos and cheering you on like she always did.”

Julie nodded, thinking about the three boys who had literally dropped into her life. Her dad had no idea how right he was.

“Why don’t we take the day off? I’ll call the school and empty my schedule.”

“No, no,” she protested, leaning away and wiping her eyes with the sleeves of her sleep t-shirt. “Don’t miss out on work because of me, I’ll be alright. I think I’d just like to be alone today.”

He didn’t seem really convinced, raising an eyebrow in her direction and lowering his head to meet her eyes directly. “You sure?”

“I’m sure, Papi.” Julie sent him the most reassuring smile she could manage, which must have been good enough because he soon relented and pushed himself up.

“I’ll bring you something today after work, how about that?”

She frowned, unable to stop the lighthearted smile from forming on her lips. “Like what?”

Her dad shrugged, stepping backwards toward the door. “I don’t know, something cool. A surprise.”

Julie chuckled, but agreed, “Okay.”

“Don’t stay in bed all day. And eat something.”

“I won’t, and I will. Thanks, Papi.” She threw him a soft smile.

“Te quiero, mija.”

“I love you, too.” With a last worried glance in her direction, her dad stepped out and closed her bedroom door, taking all of Julie’s lightheartedness with him.

Like a dark cloud descended over her, Julie’s mood crashed again. Left alone with her thoughts, she couldn’t keep herself from imagining if anything would’ve been different had her mom still been there. Would Julie even have told her about the boys? After all, she still hadn’t told her dad, and now with her being able to touch the guys, it could be just a matter of time before they became visible to her family. 

One thing she knew for sure it’s that she definitely would have never stopped playing, and maybe she wouldn’t have immediately kicked Luke, Reggie and Alex out. And maybe, without needing to earn back her spot in the music program, she never would’ve played with Sunset Curve in the first place. That was a terrifying thought, but she’d like to think that they would’ve found their way to Julie and the Phantoms eventually anyway, and her mom would be cheering for them every step of the way.

Julie sighed, dropping back down into her pillows and burying herself into her covers again. With one hand, she reached over her nightstand for a picture of her mom and her. It wasn’t her favorite one — that one was in her dresser, — but it was definitely a close second. Rose was sitting on the couch with a five-year-old Julie on her lap, fresh out of the shower and rolled up in her towels like a burrito. They’d been watching something on TV when her dad captured the moment. Years later, Julie had no idea what they were watching, but what she did know was that there were several pictures of that day because that was when her parents found out they were having Carlos and so her dad wanted to have the whole day on record.

With a soft laugh at the memory of her mom and dad telling her that story, Julie traced her mother’s smiling face in the photograph, lightly humming her favorite lullaby that Rose used to sing to her.

Julie was startled out of her thoughts by a sudden knock. She dropped the picture down on the bed, body tensing up since her dad and Carlos had left minutes ago, until she remembered they weren’t actually the only residents at the Molina household anymore. She rolled her eyes before calling the knocker in.

Luke’s beanie covered head phased through the door. He had a bright grin on his lips and a bounce on his step as he made his way inside, stopping by the foot of her bed.

“Skipping school? Damn, Jules, I didn’t know you had it in you,” he said, apparently before getting a good look at her and immediately frowning in concern. “What is it, what’s wrong?” Luke came closer, kneeling by the side of her bed and resting his chin at the corner of her mattress.

Julie took a moment to take him in; the way his bottom lip stuck out just a little in a pout, and how his hands fiddled with her sheets, his eyes focused and intense, filled with worry and never leaving hers. She had to look away. “Nothing, I’m just- I’m just missing my mom today, that's all.”

“Oh.” His voice was low, barely a whisper, and it drew Julie’s eyes back to him. This time, he was the one staring down at her bed. He crossed his arms over the mattress and rested his chin on them, only sticking a hand out to tap lightly on the picture that rested between them. “Is this her?”

She looked down at the picture again, tracing the frame with her fingers. “Yeah, that’s mom.” 

“You look like her.”

Raising her eyes to meet his again, Julie couldn’t help the soft smile at the sincerity she found in his face. “Yeah? Thanks.”

They were silent for a moment, both lost in thought. Julie was sure that Luke’s mind had gone to his own mom. She knew he still visited his parents, and sometimes she honestly couldn’t say what would be worse: to never be able to see or speak with her parents again, or to see them and talk to them, only to receive no response and have them look right through you.

“Scooch over.” Luke’s voice brought her out of her thoughts abruptly, and Julie could only blink at him in confusion as he got up and started toeing his shoes off.

“What?”

“Move over,” he shooed her with his hands, and Julie was a little too shocked to protest when he grabbed a corner of her blankets and crawled into bed next to her. 

For a whole minute, Luke fumbled around, fixing the pillows behind him however he wanted and covering himself with her blankets except for the one leg sticking out of the side. Finally, he opened one arm in invitation and threw her an expectant look.

Julie could do nothing but look at him in bewilderment, on the edge of freaking out about having a boy (a boy she had a big, fat crush on, no less) on her bed. Before she could let herself spiral into nervous laughter, Julie shook her head with a chuckle, and moved closer, fitting herself into his side with the picture of her mom in her lap. She was unable to contain the sigh of relief at actually being able to feel him there — the boys’ solid-state was still new, and she was always afraid that it would suddenly go away. 

Luke shuffled around a little more, getting both of them comfortable before tapping the picture in her lap again. “Tell me about her.”

With her brain still struggling to catch up, all she could manage was a “Huh?”

“Well, you got to meet my mom, but since I can’t meet yours, I figured the next best thing is that you tell me about her.”

Julie looked at him then, soft eyes meeting hers, and she felt her breath catch, the familiar butterflies fluttered their wings in her stomach. She couldn’t quite put a name to what she was feeling, she just knew that she had never felt something like it before.

She gave him a smile, and turned forward again, leaning her head on his shoulder to look down at the picture in her lap. There were a million things she could tell Luke about her mother, but the decision was made for her once she caught sight of the dahlias on the cushions next to her mom in the picture.

“My mom loved flowers. All kinds, and plants, and she would make the most beautiful flower crowns you’ve ever seen. Anytime we went to the park, she’d find these pretty, wildflowers and make crowns for me and my friends. Carrie and I used to say we were fairy princesses,” Julie chuckled, losing herself in vague memories of two little girls chasing each other around the swings while her mom sat on the ground nearby, weaving flowers together. Luke laughed softly with her at the image she painted. “Her favorite were dahlias, though. Mom absolutely loved them, they’re everywhere in the house.”

“Dahlias,” he said, and Julie glanced at him over her shoulder to find him lost in his own thoughts. “My mom likes those too.” He sent her a sad smile before motioning for her to go ahead.

“Uh… She loved sparkly things. Every time an outfit wasn’t quite what she wanted, she’d just… bedazzle the hell out of it.” Julie laughed, happy tears forming in her eyes. She sniffed. In the back of her mind, she remembered the latest bedazzled creation of her mom’s she’d found — the Sunset Curve shirt, and made a mental note to ask the guys about it later.

“She, uh, she didn’t like sugar on her tea, but she had the biggest sweet tooth. She loved breakfast for dinner, especially pancakes. She was a great dancer, she’s the one who taught me how to salsa, 'cause dad’s a little useless in that department.” Using the sleeve of her shirt, Julie wiped away the few stray tears that had fallen down her cheeks. If Luke was bothered by her crying, he didn’t say anything.

“She used to leave notes all over the house. Sometimes reminders about Carlos’ games, or where dad had put his keys, but other times just little encouraging messages like 'you got this' and ‘I love you’...” Julie’s voice trailed off, remembering the last note her mom ever left for her at the end of Wake Up; You can do it, Julie. Love, mom.

The few tears multiplied. She sniffed again.

“She sounds amazing,” Luke said softly, brushing his cheek over her hair and using the arm he had around her to reach for her hand. 

“She was,” Julie agreed, distracting herself by playing with the rings on his fingers. He was such a rockstar. She chuckled, tilting her head to the side just a little but not looking away from his hand as she traced the calluses on his fingertips. “When she was younger, she was actually in a band. A couple of bands, even.”

Julie felt Luke tense up in excitement, and she imagined he was having a hard time actually staying still.

“Really?” he asked, and she heard the awe in his voice just like the first time he said her mother was a really talented writer.

“Oh, yeah. They never made it big, but… they sounded pretty good. And mom was an amazing singer and writer, and the way she shredded on the piano?” Julie shook her head, no words would ever be able to describe the admiration she had for her mom and her talent.

“Kinda like you, then?” His tone was teasing, but Julie could hear the sincerity in it plain as day, and couldn’t help but tilt her head up to throw him a thankful look. 

“She taught me everything. The first song I learned on the piano was the lullaby she used to sing to me. Every night, she sang Carlos and I to sleep, and my dad too, if he happened to be sitting down,” she told him, and they laughed at the image of her dad being lulled to sleep.

As their chuckles faded out, they lapsed into silence. Using Luke’s knuckles as keyboards, Julie practiced the lullaby she hadn’t heard in years. She kind of wished she could go back in time and tell twelve-year-old Julie that she would never be too old to be lulled asleep by her mom’s voice. 

A few moments later, Luke’s voice broke the silence. “Will you sing for me?”

“What?” she wasn’t sure she’d heard him right.

“The first song you learned, the lullaby. Will you sing it for me?” he asked again, voice just barely above a whisper, drawing her eyes back toward him, like a siren luring a fisherman into the sea. 

For a second or two, Julie got lost in his ocean eyes — the late morning sun that was shining through her open curtains making them look bright blue. Then she cleared her throat, taking the moment to remember some of the lyrics. Julie’s Spanish was never as good as her parents’, but the words for this song she knew by heart.

“A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella,” her voice started out low and slowly built up to the song’s rhythm. Julie didn’t look at him, but she could feel Luke’s warm gaze fixed on her. “Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea.” She repeated the first two lines, letting her volume rise just a little. The song felt like an overdue embrace from her mom, and Julie let herself get lost in the memories it brought.

She felt Luke’s fingers tapping against her own hand, and could imagine almost perfectly how the melody would sound coming from his guitar. A part of her wondered why it felt so natural to share this with him, but she also knew that if it wasn’t for Luke, Stand Tall would probably still be sitting unfinished inside her Dreambox. Music flowed through him the same way it did through her, and the same way it had flowed through her mom. It felt right to share this with him too.

Ascending to a major key, Julie started the next verse effortlessly. “Fuentecita que corre, clara y sonora. Ruiseñor que en la selva, cantando y llora. Calla mientras la cuna, se balancea. A la nanita nana, nanita ella...”

Julie sat up a little, leaning her shoulder against Luke’s and finally turning to meet his eyes. The look on his face… she couldn’t describe it, but her heart understood it anyway. Without looking away from him, she continued. “A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella. Mi niña tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea.” Before Julie could start the last verse, Luke started to hum, following the song’s rhythm as if he’d heard it several times before. His fingers were still tapping against her wrist, and she couldn’t help sending him a small smile before continuing.

“Fuentecita que corre clara y sonora. Ruiseñor que en la selva, cantando y llora. Calla mientras la cuna, se balancea. A la nanita nana...” she sang, then drew a deep breath and closed her eyes, remembering her mom’s kind and smiling face. Dragging out the last couple of notes, Julie finished the song, a single tear making its way down her cheek. “... nanita ella.”

The silence that followed wasn’t heavy or even charged. It was peaceful and comfortable, and Julie could have basked in it for a long time, but she couldn’t say she was surprised when Luke ended the peace quite soon.

She felt his hand leaving hers and wiping away the tear from her cheek just as her eyes fluttered open, meeting his awed eyes and impossibly soft smile.

“That was beautiful, Jules.”

She smiled, accepting the compliment with a nod before settling back down against him. Julie burrowed her face against his neck, the lullaby from her childhood had left her feeling light and sleepy.

Luke seemed to have gotten the message because he shuffled around a little more before settling down too. Julie didn’t know if the boys could sleep now; they couldn’t before, but after everything that had happened post-Orpheum, to ask whether they could sleep or not wasn’t exactly high on her priority list. 

She felt his fingers lightly run down her braided hair, soothing her further into sleep. Just before she could doze off completely, Luke spoke again.

“You know, you never told me her name.”

Julie yawned, wrapping an arm around his middle and pulling herself closer into his side as she answered. “Rose. Her name was Rose.”

She didn’t see Luke’s frown, or notice the way he looked down at the picture that had fallen from her lap and into his with a dawning sense of realization. All Julie knew was that she felt safe, and loved, and that wherever she was, her mom was still watching over her.

After all, she'd sent her Luke. 

[lluvguts]

Cool Blue ; Chapter Five

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sneak us through the rivers

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☽ warnings: sexual tension, heat cycle talk, touching

☽ fic masterlist

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Luca slept through Lorenzo's gentle wake-up of kneeling beside the cave bed and prodding one caring hand against his shoulder. Ever since he was a child the action became normalized, with Luca curling around his father's touch along with a quiet yawn and a sleepy lopsided grin at his level eyes. But now, with the blues of his bedroom brightening as the sun hung above their home, he wouldn't budge. Lorenzo cleared his throat and removed his hand from Luca's shoulder for a moment, seeing how his son looked like a stone at the bottom of a river.

"Hey, Luca," Lorenzo rubbed his back. "You slept through the morning chores. I think the goatfish are missing you."

He stirred in the stifling water making his scales feel congested and stiffened when his eyes opened to his father wading next to him. Now that he was awake, the uncomfortable heat radiating off his skin made Lorenzo pull away with a frown.

"Luca, are you okay?"

"Giuseppe?" Luca slurred, disoriented. He rolled onto his other side to face Lorenzo, who was now floating back to the far wall of his room, gingerly tracing the ripples of warm water that chased his movements.

"Daniela!" Lorenzo cast a fearful look to his son then darted from the room. Though Luca's room was separated there was still the mouth of the cave entrance that had no means of a door and allowed Luca's grandmother (or, alternately, anyone) to peek her head inside at Lorenzo's little shout. Daniela soon followed.

"Y-You said he still had a few months!" Lorenzo returned clutching the hand of Daniela, while grandma Paguro trailed behind wordlessly, smirking to herself.

"All I said was that seventeen was the normal time for this, Lorenzo," Daniela said in a frustrated whisper, her dark tail making rivulets in the water.

Luca blinked at the three of them, now in his private space, then growled. He couldn't really stop himself from doing so, he had been sleeping peacefully enough until they all decided to ruin the dream he was having.

Oh, cod. The dreams he'd been having...

Daniela bent down to look Luca in the eyes, taking hold of his shoulder. Luca winced and placed his hand on top of his mother's. She clicked her tongue in response.

"Yep. Scales are hot...He's sensitive to touch...Been sleeping away most of the day already," She murmured more to herself than to her concerned husband.

"Will be be alright?" Lorenzo piped up, leaning toward Luca.

"Oh please, Lorenzo. You went through your heat too, remember?" Daniela sighed and looked back to him with a scowl. Lorenzo flushed and averted his gaze away.

Luca found his voice. "My...what?"

"Your heat cycle," His grandmother added in, being the third and final family member to join Luca at his bedside. She snorted. "It means you're going to be ready to find a mate soon."

"Mother! I said we should ease him into it! Does that sound like easing to you?"

Mate? A mate? Or...mating? He squirmed at the thought.

Three very different pairs of eyes, all holding separate emotions, glimmered back at him. Luca felt their gazes burning into his scales and crawled away from the ledge of the bed to the point where his dorsal fin brushed the rock wall. The stone cave was smooth and cool to the touch. So silky against his tender scales and spines it made that odd pain burst through his abdomen again until it blossomed into an even more peculiar sort of pleasure. It soothed his feverish scales and reminded him of the practiced hands that had been all over him in his dreams, and as his parents argued only inches from his trembling body he bit down on his tongue to keep quiet.

"Are you in pain, Bubble? Where does it hurt?"

"Oh, poor thing, look at him shaking. Great job, Daniela," Luca's grandmother chided with a light chuckle.

Not for what you may think, Luca thought with an internal groan of discomfort.

"What did I do wrong?" Daniela turned to growl at her mother.

"He's your son."

Daniela's tail flicked angrily. "Well what did you do when it was my time, mother?"

The older woman examined her scales, and, without missing a beat, "Sent you out to the breeding grounds. Don't point the claw at me, missy. You and Lorenzo had a fairly nice time."

"Breeding grounds?" Luca shrieked. His back was fully pressed to the cave wall now, to his parents it only confirmed their assumptions on his fear but really Luca was doing it because it felt better than the boiling water around him.

Even the word sounded primitive. Luca had seen--not by choice--a few of the goatfish going through a particular season of...breeding, and if what he'd been forced to watch while sheperding was anything remotely close to how it was for sea folk, he didn't want in on it. Well, he knew how it was for sea folk, of course. Daniela had been hell-bent on initiating that conversation much earlier than Luca would have preferred.

"Can we talk about this later?" Luca begged, sliding back down onto his kelp bed with his claws raked through the fins on his head. "Please? I just want to go back to sleep."

"Go back to sleep?" Lorenzo chuckled. "Son, you've been sleeping this whole time--"

"Oh, nonsense," Daniela put her hand on Lorenzo's snout, quieting him. "He'll need all the rest he can get if he really is in heat. Besides, it'll keep him away from the neighbor's. I think they have a young girl around Luca's age, and that's the last thing we need."

"Uh, I'm right here?" Luca said angrily. His whole body felt like it was spinning on a wheel of emotions with no axis, just one blending into the other.

Lorenzo gave Luca a sympathetic smile before he was pulled away by grandma Paguro into the cave channel outside his room.

"Don't worry Lu," Daniela took hold of both Luca's hands, squeezing them. "This'll all be over in a few weeks."

"But," Luca looked to her algae dress swaying with the water, feeling his face warm up. "You're saying that...all of these things I'm feeling are just because of the heat?"

"Yes, baby." She tapped the back of his hand reassuringly. "I know it's confusing, but I promise after you get just a little bit more rest, we can explain it later. Okay, Bubble?"

Luca had a million things to say, and he wanted to say them now. He wanted to tell his mother that he thought he was going crazy because he'd had the best and most vivid dreams of his entire life. Well, maybe not say exactly that, but it was definitely up there. Or the fact that every time he moved, a starburst of pain cramped in his stomach, low and threatening, but all that came with it were thoughts dirtier than the time uncle Ugo decided to make whale for dinner. He wasn't supposed to think things that vile!

And, most of all, the beautiful land monster boy he'd met at the cove. With his tanned skin that reminded Luca of the tender underside of the brown conch shells he used to collect. And the sun kisses on his skin! Each one like a splash of color gifted from the fish in the sky! His eyes, bright expectant shards of sea glass Luca wished he could touch. Alberto, marvelous and witty, painting the rocks that lined the pool at the cove. Luca, marveled and wincing with feeling. Just thinking about him made his stomach ache. It made him ache all over. But it wasn't a sorrowful, sore pain.

It was an ache of need. Of want. Once his train of though passed through thinking innocently of Alberto's kind eyes and lopsided grin, it focused more heavily on the way Alberto bit his lip and the lean muscles that made up his body until he had to catch his breath because his mother couldn't catch him like this.

So all Luca did was nod at his Daniela's words, all worked up again, and wave weakly as she swam out of his room.

He fell back onto the bed, chest heaving.

This was impossible. And she had said it was going to last weeks?

"Oh, sharks. I'm so dead," Luca groaned, digging the flat part of his hand to his belly. He traced one of his gills with his eyes closed, savoring the feeling and the memories of the night before. Luckily for him, the entrance to his bedroom was facing out into the hallway, where there was only silence.

A considerable amount of silence.

Then an idea broke through his hazy thoughts of Alberto. Luca flipped himself over and swam to the mouth of the cave, glancing at either side of the hallway. No one was in the rooms beside him, and from the eerie quiet they all must have left the house so he could sleep.

Guilty bile rose in his throat, but Luca didn't care. There was no feasible way he was falling asleep. He checked the hallway one more time before taking an old blanket made of sea moss and throwing it on top of his bed, along with stuffing a few lumpy pieces of coral he'd stashed away underneath that until it formed a lumpy version of himself under the covers.

He didn't believe that what was burning in his chest for Alberto was just because of some stupid sea monster thing.

/ / /

"Alberto! How are you already here?" Luca popped his head out from under the still water to stare at his friend. "I didn't think you'd be wandering around."

When Luca had snuck back to the wide rock opening to the cove underwater, he could already smell Alberto from above. His salty scent, mixed with other delicious things too overpowering for his sensitive nose, but he could find it anywhere. There was a sweetness lingering in Alberto's scent, it was honey and flower petals.

Alberto smiled apologetically with his hands on the straps of his bag. "I wasn't wandering around. I came to see you." He undid the latch on his bag, the very one where all of the fun paint colors came out of if Luca was correct, and produced a towel. Luca's brows were pulled low as he watched from the edge as Alberto crouched down to him and dunked it into the water.

"What're you doing?" Luca pointed at the towel, once light and radiating weird land monster smells but was now dull and soaking in sea water.

Alberto's face went pink, a color Luca loved looking at, and shrugged. "I, uh, thought that this might help with the sun." He knelt down on his bare knees and draped the dripping towel across Luca's shoulders. "You can come out of the water now. Now it shouldn't hurt as much."

Alberto helped Luca up until they were both sitting, cross-legged, staring at each other. The towel was heavy with the weight of the water around him, but was nice against his scales. He pinched the corners of the towel and nestled deeper inside of it.

"Thank you," Luca whispered with dark cheeks. When he looked at Alberto now the words mate and heat and breeding grounds appeared in his head unannounced and his skin crawled with the indecision of everything spinning around him.

"You good, Luca?" Alberto leaned closer toward him, growing concerned. Luca wanted to smack him, with his face inches from his nose the stench, albeit a lovely one, rippling off his tan skin was too much. They were things Luca did not know the names for in the human world, but all the same he smelled intoxicating.

Luca took in a deep breath, his gills still clogged with sea water, and nodded uneasily. "Is it okay if I try something?" He rushed to ask in his preheat, head-pounding state.

"Uh, okay?" Alberto sat back normally. "Are you gonna take me to Atlantis or something? Hate to break it to you, Luca. I might be an expert at swimming but I don't think I can breathe underwater like you."

The arrogance rolled off Alberto in waves, and Luca fought to keep his head steady.

"No! That's not what I meant! It's not even called Atlantis, you know. And if I wanted to take you, the water pressure is too deep for your ears. You'd probably die or something."

"Then what did you mean?"

Luca scooted closer, claws still gripping the towel like a cape. "Sorry, it's just that...you're the only land monster I've seen. Ever. So, like, there's a lot of weird things about you that I need to know about."

Alberto snorted. He placed his arms behind his back and looked to Luca with a glint of a challenge in his eyes. "Like what?"

"Like your stubby claws, for one." Without hesitation Luca grabbed for one of Alberto's hands, crawling to sit beside him and examined his fingers and nails chewed down to tiny stubs. "They're so weird. You can't do anything with these."

Alberto only watched with a smug look to conceal his awe.

"I'm gonna skip the whole no-tail thing," Luca continued, scanning Alberto's body. He drank in his skin and the shiny stuff that looked like water beading along his temple and around his tank top. It seemed cool, and he wanted to touch it but he kept his hand back.

"Alright, have you had your fun already? I know I'm not as amazing as you are," Alberto asked while Luca crawled closer to pat his fluffed up curls. "Not everyone can be a sea monster."

"Okay, now this is weird," Luca commented on Alberto's messy hair. His hands moved slowly to his forehead, checking to see Alberto's flat expression when his claws grazed the sides of his face.

"...What?" Alberto asked, leaning closer. "So, you're touching my face?"

Luca blushed and let his hands rest on each side of his jaw, holding him in place. "You don't, uh, feel anything?" If he could only slip his fingers beneath Alberto's ears...that was the most delicate part. That was where he'd scent him.

His breath hitched, and all he'd done was touch his cheeks. Scent him? He couldn't, he wasn't a sea monster. But...something in him wanted to. It really, really did.

"Am I supposed to feel something else? All I feel are your slimy paws on my face."

Luca hissed playfully. "Slimy? It's a natural coating. I'd dry up out here if I didn't have it...And they aren't paws, Alberto. They're hands just like yours."

"My fingers aren't webbed." Alberto held up one hand to make his point.

"Whatever."

"Why are you asking anyway?"

"Because," Luca let his gaze drift over Alberto's face, shiny with sweat and dotted in freckles. "Because it's supposed to, uh--"

"Does it...feel differently for you?" Alberto stared with new knowledge at Luca's face. "Is that why?"

Luca couldn't breathe. He only nodded. Alberto registered the breath Luca was holding, his yellow eyes wide and pupils blown.

"Ah, okay," Alberto whispered. He sat up straighter and lifted one hand off the grass, placing it directly on Luca's cheeks, his thumbs just grazing the base of his audial fins. His thumb and index fingers gently took hold of them, feeling their slippery texture almost in the way Alberto might relish in the softness of velvet. His touch was soft, tentative and curious but most of all wholly him.

All of the sea water that was dripping down Luca's face had dried up, and in its place was the shock that Alberto was touching him, not just touching his hand or his shoulder, but his hands were--

He couldn't even finish his line of thought. When he was touching him, the pain that had pooled in his stomach lightened. But it didn't stop the tingling that spread all through his legs and up his spine.

Alberto hummed his interest, gauging Luca's pinched face for any sort of reaction, before letting his wonder get the best of him as he slipped his fingers behind his fins, just above his gills.

"Hmm," Eyes shining, dark pools leaving Luca helpless as to what Alberto was doing. "These gills are interesting. They don't feel like the normal ones you see on a fish or a shark. You know, my Papa taught me all about marine biology, but maybe it's a bit different in your case. Though this seems to be the same..."

To refer his point Alberto ran his index finger in a slow, agonizing circle there on his skin.

A pathetic little purr rose in Luca's throat, and he hurried to correct his mistake by slapping his hand over his mouth.

He spoke around his own hand covering his lips. "Mngh! I'm sorry! I just! You're--"

Alberto shushed him and peeled Luca's hand away. "S'okay. Sensitive, huh? I guess I didn't think of that."

Luca bit his lip and nodded, clamping his tongue between his teeth. "Very."

His gaze lightened a bit, flicking over to Luca's cheeks tinged a deep, flushed blue. He let his eyes roam down to his throat, where he could see his frantic pulse beating away, trying to keep himself under control. And, finally, to the dappled line of brighter, more opalescent scales that trailed down Luca's waist until they disappeared into the hem of his mossy shorts.

Luca knew those what those markings on his skin were, such a light blue it teetered on the edge of pink.

They were signs of a sea monster in heat.

Luca swallowed hard, his throat much too dry, while Alberto's green eyes soaked him up. Alberto's next words were chosen carefully, softly spoken, barely a puff of electric air around his warm scales. When did they get so close?

"Is it...a bad sensitive?" Alberto pressed, genuinely interested, and lifted the pressure of his hands off of Luca's gills. "Or a good one?"

Luca snapped his jaws tight, he could feel the blood drumming in his throat at that. Somehow he found himself drifting to Alberto for the curve of his chest, both arms on him created a little curve for Luca to hide in. His heady scent drove him further, enough to rest his temple on Alberto's collarbones, lungs burning to keep his breathing normal. Alberto stiffened around Luca's touch, but only for a moment. He sighed and his fingers resumed their teasing touches along his neck.

"A g-good one," Luca breathed out. That painful burn pooled in his stomach, making those pink scales itch and Luca couldn't help but put his hand there on his belly to suppress the cramping. But that wasn't all that was bothering him. He realized, as the pads of Alberto's fingers pressed on his gills, on his scent glands, a warm pleasure bubbled up like molten honey hidden in his shorts, and he knew he had to scoot away before it was too late.

What would he think of him then?

That he was just some gross, horny little fish seeking comfort from everything that didn't make sense and find the answers in the arms of a boy?

But Alberto wasn't just some boy, Luca chided himself. As much as he wanted to side with the rational portion of his brain the other, more primal parts of him knew that there was someone here, there was a boy here, in his space.

A strong, tall boy who had his arms wrapped around him and could probably smell the heat on him.

But that boy also was so tantalizingly close, the dull ache in Luca's stomach erupted when he buried his face into the crook of Alberto's neck. Alberto's scent changed in an instant. A deeper, muskier smell that had a spike of fear that dissipated in an instant. He growled, and nudged his nose up to the base of Alberto's jaw, tasting his richness in the air.

Luca's tail whipped out from behind him and latched onto Alberto's bare ankle, tugging lightly and flaring up his fins to display. He would make such a good mate, Luca thought deliriously, letting his mouth part. He would leave such lovely marks on his skin to show for it.

"Luca, are you alright?" Alberto tensed, and his grip on Luca loosened.

Luca wriggled uncomfortably with the heat that trembled and throbbed between his legs, opening his mouth poised on Alberto's neck, only thinking of the blood rushing through him and the need to be full. His teeth kissed the sweat on Alberto's neck, and Luca let out a whimper in surprise.

"So pretty...you smell so good, Alberto." Luca mused. The heat wasn't allowing him to think clearly anymore, his head was muddled with Alberto's scent and the overarching desire to claim him. He rose off his knees, while Alberto held his breath in confusion, and Luca pressed his full weight onto Alberto in one sloppy motion. His hips stuttered as they met Alberto's waist, relieved to have some friction, and Luca already knew the other boy could feel what had been dripping there. "P-Please, I need you."

Alberto gasped and shoved him off, harshly. Luca fell back into the hot grass, the towel around his shoulders stank of mildew and heat. He blinked back at Alberto, who was scrambling up on his feet, chest rising in uneven bursts of air. As he stood he blocked the sun and his entire front half was bathed in shadow. But the absence of the sun did not hide the blush that blistered along Alberto's nose, not a delicate rose in bloom but like an aggressive blaze that colored its path. So much that it reached the tips of his ears.

Neither spoke for minutes. Both breathing heavy, one in shock and the other in embarrassment, sweat dripping from their skin. Alberto felt the spot Luca had left on his neck, then shuddered when he saw the unhinged glint in Luca's yellow eyes.

"I'm sorry...I can't control it," Luca whispered. His breath caught on the wind, raw with shame and a tumult of conflicting emotions, and he wouldn't be surprised if Alberto didn't hear him.

Alberto took another step back when Luca crawled out of the towel and went to the edge of the pool. "What do you mean you can't control it? What the hell were you even going on about?"

Luca, eyes streaming, slipped into the water without a sound. The cool waves lapped at his hot scales and they soothed him, but only on the outside. There was something twisting around inside of him that wouldn't go away, even if he wanted it to.

He couldn't control the way he felt.

He glanced over his shoulder before murmuring. "I'm in heat."

[gotmadison]

“secret rooms”

𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐲

soft hands pressed against your back as you sniffled, trying to perk up as he asks in a soft way, “y/n? what happened?” his eyes began to dilate, kneeling down to become eye level with you. your ran your hands against your hair, combing through to make sure you didn’t look like a total train-wreck. “nothing.. i’m fine it’s.. it’s just the girls in my room..” you squeak, his hand still resting upon your shoulder as you glance up at him. he looks puzzled, “what did they do?” he began to remove his hand, cracking his knuckles as he thinks over all of the possibilities of what the blasted girls could have done to you. “pansy.. she just.. she doesn’t know when to stop..” you manage to sniffle out, “she’s.. well.. she’s been a cunt to me since i arrived.. and draco, you know i wouldn’t hurt a fly.. but she fuels a different type of anger in me!” he nods, understanding the anger behind your soft spoken words. he places his hand out, gesturing for you to grab ahold of it. “come on, let’s go for a walk.” he suggests, making a quick glance over your figure. “it will be good for both of us.” he interjects, grabbing onto your smaller palm and lifting you up. “draco.. i don’t see how a walk will make me feel better.” you sigh deeply, intertwining your fingers with his. it was already becoming past curfew, if you both had been caught, especially while intertwined together - the world would have stopped on its axis. “not with that attitude it wont.” he smirks, guiding you towards a room, which, is hidden behind a giant portrait. he speaks a soft murmur towards said picture, allowing entrance into the room. “keep a look out really quick, babe.” you nod, turning your back towards him to make sure no supervision was around. while doing so, draco manages to open said door, latching a finger between your belt and pulling you in. “malfoy!” you squeak, almost getting caught in the act. “what? i wasn’t going to let you fall.” he chuckles, resting his hands upon your hips. “let’s sit, nobody will find us here and by the time they notice we aren’t in bed - it wont matter.” he smiles, a soft twinkle in his eyes emerges. ‘i wonder what he’s up to... what did he do now that he has to be so sweet to me.’ you thought, following him towards a black velvet cough. “so.. do you come here often?” you ask, looking upwards at the painted romantic ceilings. “my father told me about this place. he said he used to take mother here to sneak off.” he plays with his thumbs, “do you want to see something?” he questions, letting his lips fall ajar. you nod happily, beginning to feel the happiness flow back towards your body. “watch this.” he says, pulling out his wand and pointing it towards the fireplace. in doing so, he lights the fire and allows a soft warm glow

to seep through the dark room. with the more light taking over the darkness you are now able to capture more of the room in its glory. beautiful tall ceilings enclose you, a mirror in the middle of the room with a million photos spreading through the walls. large, bay windows on the side of the west wall. “draco.. this.. this place is beautiful.” your eyes scanning across the room. “you think?” he asks, walking towards the fire place, “wanna see another?”. with happiness in your eyes, you nod, “umm.. yes!” you giggle, him turning his back to you, emerging with a tray. “what’s that?” you question, tilting your head in confusion. he brings said tray over, placing it on the coffee table beside the couch. “tea. you look faint. drink.” he says, pouring a black porcelain cup of a faint brown liquid. “so, pansy.. eh?” he asks, allowing you to respond after you take a sip of the tea. “thank you.. and.. yeah..” you sigh, taking another sip. “this.. is really good.. thank you draco.” a smile falls across your lips as your nose began to warm with a bright flush. “i’ll take care of it.” he assures you, sitting down beside you. his awkward movements allow you to make a move, placing your cup down to scoot closer. “can we just.. sit here.. and be in each-others company more often?” you ask, resting your head onto his shoulder. he nods, a crimson blush spreading across his cheeks. “yeah.. um.. tomorrow, after class.. meet me here.” you nod, resting your head now onto his lap, sprawling out across him. “you know.. you’re the only person i can truly be myself with.” his eyes widen, “i.. i feel the same way..” he approves, running his fingers through your hair. “if only the boys could see you now.. they don’t know the real you.. do they?” you ask, creating eye contact with draco. “they don’t need to know me. only you do.” the heat from the fire surrounds the room, luring you into a soft slumber across his lap. in the morning, a soft light illuminates the chambers, you stretch your arms out in a soft fit, glancing around your shared room. “where.. where’s draco?” you question, seeing as you are back in your regular bed. you reminisce about last night, remembering the warmth from the fire as well as his fingers against your skin. suddenly, goosebumps arise all over your arms, “hey.. get up, we have class soon!” your friend yells, mid brushing their teeth and giggling at the fact that your hair is sticking every which way. you nod, hurrying towards the bathrooms to freshen up before class. pulling on your skirt as you walk out towards the great hall, finding your way past the secret door where you and draco once hung. you smile, remembering the night before as you find your seat in the back of your first class. you allow yourself to daydream as pansy walks into the classroom, sitting right across from you. “you weren’t in beds last night during role call.. where were you?” she snaps, pounding her first on the desk. “none.. none of your business, pansy. leave me be.” draco walks into the classroom with crabbe and goyle behind him, shooing them off as he walks behind pansy without her noticing. “move before i make you.” he snaps, brooding over her. “what? oh-... you two were together? oh that is rich.. i’ll be sure to let professor know his two students are sleeping together.” draco balls his hands into a fist and places them onto the table. “leave her alone and get out of here, speak nothing of this, or i will personally see to it that your time here is nothing but shit.” he spits, stepping closer to push her away. she groans, “you both deserve each-other... you know?” she soon grabs her things, moving towards the opposite ends of the room. he motions towards you, placing his hand under your chin, “are you okay, my love?” he says, forgetting where he is, letting out a cough so nobody notices or hears his concern. you giggle, “i’m alright. now.. go sit down.. and .... lets meet after class, yeah?” you ask, motioning him away as he smirks, winking at you before walking towards his seat.

[cottoncandyjester]

Dream daddy au-welcome to the neighborhood pt1

This is kinda the prologue before you do any dad dating, congratulations you have a daughter

Also I’ll work on the choice parts during work so worry not it will be up soon.

You pulled your car into the driveway gazing at the new house that sat there staring back at you. A house was honestly something you weren’t expecting to do but you figured it would be time to plant your roots. Your divorce had been finalized finally and you found a cute little two bedroom home in a cul-de-sac that you seemed like the perfect spot to raise your daughter.

“I gotta potty!” Your six year old daughter Charlotte screamed out from the back seat making you snort with laughter before you got out the car and helped her out now holding her while walking inside the house. “

“Well let’s get ya inside before you explode, yknow that happens when you don’t pee you blow up into pieces of confetti”

You snickered at the small gasp followed by her bouncing in your arms urging you to go faster before she dies. She could walk, but she that would require you putting her down and she wasn’t letting go quite yet.

Once Charlotte was done you watched her run out now full of energy, your plan was to do some packing, take a nap, and maybe dream about setting up a garden in your backyard knowing that you were never going to manage it but it seems Charlotte wanted to leave even though you two just got there.

“Daddddd! Let’s explore!” She huffs out and you kneeled down to her level. “Char, you don’t have any desire to stay inside and cuddle up to me while watching princess movies?” You asked lightly hope shimmering in your eyes but your six year old quickly squashed that

“No, that sounds boring right now” now you had to change out of your grass stained sweatpants and interact with others, the things you do for love. You watched as Charlotte sat on top of a plastic container now flooring on the lid of it though you were a little unclear where the crayons came from but you decided to ignore that for the sake of your sanity. Before you could change out of your clothes you heard a knock on your door, once opening it there stood a man with glasses holding what looked to be chocolate cake in a container

“Hello there, my name is Theodore I live next door and I just wanted to show my welcome” you were not expecting such a nice welcome, oh yeah and theodore’s words were sweet too. Feeling a little awkward you grabbed the cake only to feel it tugged out your hands by an eager six year old who darted away into the kitchen.

“Your baby hands won’t be able to open that Charlotte!” You called out before turning your attention back to Theodore who was a little shocked but gave a smile. “You have a daughter? How sweet. Though what about your spouse?” He asked out and you rubbed the back of you neck. “I just got my divorce finalized after a few years they didn’t want to be a part of Charlotte’s life and fled to an exotic country” neither one of you said a thing and it seems Theodore was regretting ever saying anything his eyes glancing away as he nervously fiddles his thumbs.

“I-oh I’m sorry, I should have been more respectful forgive me!” He said with a short bow before trying to change the subject cause things were getting tense. “Well I’m the owner of a daughter as well-wait that sounded a bit funny like they were a car or something” Theodore fumbled with his words making it even more awkward before he let out a shaky huff.

“I’m sorry, we don’t get new people here a lot so I’m a little nervous, what I mean is that I have two daughters and one son” sir what!? You couldn’t think about handling another Charlotte let alone two charlottes and a chad.

“Oh, I’m sorry...so sorry” you mumbled out slowly before silence crept up once more and Theo gulped before letting out a big sigh. “Okay, so me and the other neighbors are all having a party tomorrow at my home please come. I swear it won’t be this awkward” the male cheered out with a charming smile. After you agreed and closed the door you walked to the kitchen only to see Charlotte covered in cake

“You were supposed to save me some you little troll” you huffed and rolled up your sleeves, preparing for what comes next. Like that one guy in that dinosaur movie you crept near her slowly your voice hushed. “Charlotte, it’s time for a bat-“ before you can finish she took off running giving you the chance of a lifetime.

“Baths are evil!” She screamed out as you ran after her best you could. “Charlotte you have to take a bath you have chocolate in your ears!” You huffed out and after an hour of running the both of you took baths and got dressed.

Thankfully all that running plus warm water tuckered Charlotte out so she was in your arms dozing off, this meant no random exploring with you so this was a win. After tucking her into bed and kissing her head you walked out her room now closing the door.

You checked the time with a small hum, it was around seven which was her bedtime so this was perfect. You did get dressed though and your child is sound asleep for the night...would it be bad to go out?

You figured a stroll around wouldn’t be too bad just as long as you don’t stay out too late. You took a late night stroll making your way to the park somehow before a faint sniffling could be heard. This was either a vampire with a cold or a zombie those were your choices. As you gazed around you saw someone sitting on the bench crying, the closer you got the more awkward this became for you.

“Erm...hey?” You called out seeing the male gaze up his eyes were like pearls or something they looked real cool. “Whose there?” He called out and you sat next to him. “Names y/n, a-are you okay?” You asked out only to hear him sniffle once more tears running down his face faster.

“I-I-I-my son said he hated me tonight, th-that he couldn’t stand me. I don’t know what to do I-I mean what can I do? I-I just, I’m sorry I’m piling this all on you..I’m axis” he mumbled out and gave you a shaky laugh.

“Can I vent to you? Everyone else i talk to just calls me sensitive and says I talk too much, I just really...really need a shoulder to cry on” he mumbled out and you checked the time. It was 7:15pm this guy looked like he had hours and hours of baggage

Let him vent

Decline and go home

[kyber-kisses]

Too Soon (part.10)

Dean Winchester x Reader

Warnings: ye old supernatural gore, spoilers for 15x03, more angst.

Summary: With the reader back on earth, she does what she can to help while Dean becomes over protective.

A/n: 15x03 fucked me up in more ways than I care to admit- it also helped fuel my creativity for this series. The angst is only rising my friends...

The moment your eyes opened, your body was lurching forward, fingers pulling on the handle of the backseat to open the door with a familiar click. You weren’t sure if it was the concussion or something else, but it had you feeling even more dizzy than normal, yet this time it was accompanied by a wave of nausea that had you dropping to the pavement as you fell out of the car. The ground digging in to your already scratched up hands as you gagged. If your stomach had food in it, it all would have come up at this point, but there wasn’t, which lead to you doubling over into a massive fit of coughing.

The world around you tilted on its axis, your head feeling like a bowling ball with too much weight on one side. Even your hearing was out of wack, everything sounded warped and muffled as you attempted to suck in air. Your lungs felt like they were being crushed under an immense weight.

As the rest of your body began to slump towards the pavement you could hear the muffled yells of your name, the blurry figure of Dean running into view. You could tell it was him by the set of bow legs quickly advancing on you.

At least it was him and not some insane spirit.

His hands were on your shoulders before you could even register how close he was. “Y/N!” His voice urgent as he helped you to lean back against one of the impalas tires.

You tried to inhale yet again, finding it difficult to get air into your lungs. Trying desperately to refocus your vision, your wide eyes found his own. You heartbeat was erratic, the force of it making you believe the organ might jump out of your chest.

Deans mind was a flurry of thoughts as he tried to think of a way to help you. “Y/N, I need you to try and calm down, can you do that for me sweetheart? Let’s try taking a deep breath.” He finished, inhaling slowly and signaling for you to follow along.

Doing as he said, you slowly sucked in oxygen, all the while your fingers gripping tightly to the sleeves of his flannel. Slowly, but surely the world came back into focus and stopped spinning, revealing a very worried and scared Dean Winchester.

“Are you okay? What the hell happened?” He questioned, eyes inspecting your face once he knew it was safe to ask.

“I don’t- I don’t know.” You shook your head, feeling your eyes burn with tears. “ I woke up and- and this feeling just washed over me. I couldn’t breathe. My vision went. . .” Wiping a hand across your face, you looked back up at the hunter. “Dean, what’s wrong with me?”

The way Dean was looking at you said that he wished he had an answer, but he didn’t. The two of you silently agreeing that something wasn’t right.

Your thoughts were both shifted as a ambulance whirred pass, lights flashing. Your eyes followed the vehicle as it took off down the street, Deans head snapping around as well.

“What happened?” Shifting forward from your position to watch the ambulance turn the corner. Dean fell back next to you, running a hand through his hair. “Is everyone okay?”

“Yeah, yeah I just shot Ketch.” He stated matter of factly, and somewhat tired.

Your eyes widened as you turned to him. “WHy?”

Taken back by the tone in your voice, Dean leaned back, “woah, hey calm down. He was possessed. I had to do something.” He countered.

“Oh.” falling back again, you let your eyes wander down the road, seeing the rest of the group work their way back towards you. “So I guess you guys had an eventful time while I was asleep.”

A huff could be heard next to you indicating that Dean found your comment somewhat amusing. “Yeah, you could say that again.”

Both of your heads tilted to look up at the mass that was Sam Winchester as he neared the two of you, his head slightly cocked in confusion.

“You alright? Something happen?”

Waving him off, you pushed yourself up from the ground, Dean following suit, “I’m fine now. Everything’s fine.”

You didn’t see it but Dean glanced over at you again, worry clearly etched on his features. You may be back and alive, but something was wrong. He could sense it.

“Dean, could you please stop worrying? I can practically feel it radiating off of you in waves.” You sighed, looking up at him.

“Oh I’m sorry. It’s just that your back from the dead and I have a duty of care. Forgive me.” He stated sarcastically. Your eyes lingered on him for a moment longer before tearing way.

Clapping your hands together you turned to address the rest of the group. “ Okay so what’s the plan? Where are we off to now?”

Shoving his hands into his jacket, Sam walked around the front of the car, popping open the passenger door. “ Rowena thinks she might have a way to shut the opening into hell. We need to head back to the cemetery.”

Seeing as there was six of you, you slid into the front seat, successfully sandwiching yourself between Sam and Dean as Rowena, Cas, and the demon you honestly didn’t give a single fuck about settled into the back seat.

The soft rumble of Baby’s engine put a smile on your face as Dean started up the car, taking off quickly down the road towards the cemetery you had found yourself in when you first woke up back on earth. A part of you felt uneasy about the whole thing. These things never ended well, so here was to hoping this time might be different.

*. *. *. *.

The cemetery looked so different in the day light- apart from the corpses that still littered the ground. But this time sunlight filtered through green leaves and birds chattered somewhere in the distance. It wasn't silent like last time. . Yet somehow,in your brief time there, you had completely missed the gaping hole in the earth.

Tucking your hands into the jacket Dean had given you, you trailed behind the boys, footsteps falling into sync with the red haired witch. Your eyes continued to glance up at Deans back. You were just as worried about him as he was about you- there was no denying that.

“Are you alright Dearie?” Rowena's Scottish accent making its way into your ear. A small smile pulled at the corners of your mouth as you looked over at her.

“No. I'm worried about them.” Nodding your head towards the figures in front of you. They looked tired, and not just physically. Growing up with them, you had seen them shift and grow- but this? It worried you to no end. Even the way they carried themselves was different, it was heavier.

“Your death took quite the toll on them. Especially that Dean Winchester.” She shook her head with a small frown. “And now with Jack- and Chuck. . . They are lucky to have you back. They needed a win.”

“It’s not permanent.”

The words just slipped out, you hadn’t meant to say them aloud, but they just came tumbling out, making your steps falter. Rowena quickly stopped as well, eyes widening with surprise. “I’m sorry, what?”

A deep exhale left your body as you closed your eyes in shame. Shit. It was bound to come up at some point, you just didn’t expect it to be so soon.

Opening your eyes, you made sure the boys were out of earshot before turning to the witch.

“When Billie- when Death brought me back, she said that once everything was set right, my soul would be heaven bound immediately.” Sighing, you looked down at your feet. “I’m only here to help them. Once that’s done I’m a dead woman once again.”

“And you haven’t told them yet? You haven’t told Dean?” She questioned, slightly taken back by the information.

You threw your hands in the air, a sudden burst of anger coursing through your body. “ How?! How do I tell them that I have to leave them again? That this whole miracle has a rotten side to it?” You exclaimed, eyes burning with un-shed tears. “Tell me Rowena, how am I supposed to tell the love of my life that he has to go on without me?” Breathless, you took a step back, shaking your head. “ If you know Dean Winchester at all, you know he will fall into that grief and not come back. He will blame himself again.”

The silence from the witch told you that she understood. A comfortable quiet settling between you.

“You're right. But they deserve to know the truth. Dean most of all.” She stated, resuming her walk towards the crypt once again. “ I can tell that boy loves you a great deal. Hell- anyone can see that.” She scoffed, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

She was right. They deserved the truth, and you promised yourself that you would tell them. . . When the time was right.

*. *. *. *.

There was a heavy silence in the crypt as Rowena prepared for the spell. Sam was helping where he could, Cas was starring daggers into Belphegor, and Dean? Dean was sitting quietly in a corner packing shotgun shells full of rock salt into a shotgun sling, all the while a stern expression set on his face. He wasn't doing well. That was easy to see. It took only a few strides for you to cross the room, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Dean.” He looked up at you, giving a very small and weak smile to assure you he was fine.

Damn this man and his stubbornness.

Kneeling down, you quickly grabbed his hands, successfully halting him from his current task. “Dean.” You said again, this time more sternly.

“You alright?” He questioned for the hundredth time, his mind immediately telling him that something was wrong as he looked up.

“Would you stop asking me that? Anyways, I should be asking you that question. I can tell something’s up. I’ve only been your best friend since forever.” You quipped, sending a smirk in his direction.

The green eyed hunter let out a light laugh, rolling his eyes. “ I’m fine Y/N. . . And best friends? Is that really all we are now?” He teased playfully.

Feeling a blush creep up your face, you shoved his hands away, standing up once more. “ Do shut up.”

“Never.” Dean chuckled, returning to his task and jamming another shell into the sling.

*. *. *. *.

You knew the plan was going to be some sort of insanity, but actually hearing it? Well, it just confirmed that your lives were literally insane.

“I need someone to go down to hell with me.” Belphegor stated clearly, shoving his hands into Jacks coat.

A handful of surprised looks ricocheted across the group. Hell really wasn’t a place any of you wanted to venture to.It wasn't what you would call a must see travel destination.

“Cas will go.” Dean spoke up, glaring over at the Angel, who in return gave him a look that could only say: Are you fucking serious right now?

There it was again. The tension and anger hanging in the air like a thick cloud. It was easy to tell when Dean was angry, and this was one of those times. His face remaining stoic as he bore into the Angel.

Cas finally agreed, not having much choice and You watched as he and the demon slipped out of the crypt before turning to shoot Dean a look.

“What the fuck Dean? Now is really not the time to be an asshole.” You snapped, slapping him on the arm. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you need to grow up.”

You could see his mind trying to come up with an excuse to give you, but you didn’t allow it, holding up a hand to silence him you took a step towards the door.

“Let’s just go do our job. You can tell me what happened later.” Picking up your own shotgun, you cocked it, waltzing towards the door.

Deans eyes widened, as he watched you retreat. “Where the hell do you think your going? It’s not safe.” He fired back, taking quick strides to reach you. “I’m not losing you again. You're staying here.”

You let out a light chuckle, leaning back in disbelief. “Oh I am, am I? Rowena said this part was a two man job. And I’m easily worth two men.” You stated, pushing you back against the door to open it. “You're welcome to tag along if you want.”

With that, you turned on your heel and made your way through the cemetery, leaving a stunned Dean in your wake.

He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to be annoyed, scared, or slightly turned on, but either way he followed behind you, ready to face any danger that lay ahead because, no matter what, Dean Winchester would always follow you. Hell, he would follow you to the ends of the earth if you asked. You were one side of a magnet, pulling him towards something he still didn't fully understand.

Taglist: @my-proof-is-you @awesome-badass-cafeteria-sauce @a-crowd-of-newsies @iluvyewman-blog​ @a-dorky-book-keeper​ @heyyy-hey-babyyy​ @orphiceseum​ @greenarrowhead​ @thevelvetseries​ @silver-winter-wolf​ @carryon-doctor-lock​ @jxackles​ @ryansgirl5509​

[aj-writes-here]

Second chapter of Ineffable is done! The ideas for this fic keep flowing and I’m quite happy, still, I'm a bit insecure because I have no idea if you like how it is turning😂 So if you have any feedback that would be cool. Have a good night! 💕

Serie's Summary: Tomioka Giyu found you on a mountain, no memories at all. After training for years, you managed to become a pillar, a Hashira, but still... You wanted answers, is there someone looking for you? Is someone waiting for you at home? Deciding to find the answers, you start a journey to seek the truth... But that didn't happen. The ship crashed and you ended on land where giant creatures roamed the earth, Titans. That's how they're called. Maybe Captain Levi Ackerman can help you survive, maybe you are going to hate each other, or maybe you can found love in each other. 

Ineffable [Chapter Two: A Stranger in a Strange Land]

''I have fought against demons, I know how to use my sword and I'm strong'' She said, looking at the giant things at the distance ''But... None of them had been this tall.'' Glupping hard, her plan suddenly made her doubt ''And why the hell I'm talking with myself.''

Crazy. That's how she felt. Those things could step on her and make her part of the ground, or they could eat her. But a sure thing was that dialogue was not an option since they didn't seem smart, or rational. Maybe if I move slow, she thought. Did it matter? Her life? No one would miss her, and no one would ever know she died.

But to achieve things, sacrifices have to be made.

Tightening her fist on her sword, she started moving. Slowly, quietly and keeping as far as possible from those creatures. What if they see her? She would have to fight, that's the only way. But it was going to be hard, figuring out a weak spot, their methods, was she even going to have time to think? Damn it. Inhaling for long seconds to calm down, she moved quietly and behind a tree, there was no time to ideal something, to think about a plan b. If they attack her, she would have to go for their heads. It never fails. At least with demons, it worked that way.

She was strong, fast, agile, and most important her sword was made to cut almost everything, it shouldn't be hard.

y/n had been walking until she forgot how much time it had been, the shiny sun was more orange by the time, and it felt way much heavier on her back, it must have been hours off walking dehydrated, injured, and lost. There was a moment when there were no giants to be seen, but that didn't make her lose her attention, they could pop out of nowhere, and as she had no idea what those things were it was better to stay alert all the time. Her mouth was dry, the pair of broken ribs didn't make it easier, even breathing was becoming a complicated task. The blood that had run down her forehead was dry and uncomfortable as hell, but she kept walking. At some point, she had to find someone, right? 

And she did.

Her facial expression went from tired to shock, gripping her sword in a natural reflex when she saw two of those things running to her direction. One of them must have been somewhere around six meters, or so she calculated. The other one? Smaller, three, maybe two meters.

Think fast, goddammit, you said to yourself.

Their head was the goal, cut the head and they will be gone. At least that was the logical thought. What if the lower creature was used as a ladder get to the taller one and in that way, she could jump down to the back of the smallest. Yes, that was it.

When the distance from the massive object and courage were together she did it. She ran towards the beast, and when the taller one tried to grab her she used his arm to run tall the way up, avoiding the other arm that was trying to catch her.

y/n flinched in pain, her ribs were only hurting her more and more. Once on the shoulder, she made sure she stayed away from his side and recklessly she used a big lock of its hair to hold on and use it as if it were a vine to reach the back of his ahead, if she moved fast enough and out of the giant sight she could have a chance.

''Second form, water wheel''

She whispered to herself, and right after she jumped away from the body and spun on her axis cutting the nape of the creature, and even more. It was a big cut, opened perfectly. Everything was happening so fast, but even in that speeded motion, she could notice the creature ceased its attacks. It had worked.

When the body was falling she jumped to the back of the smaller one, the hair was shorter so she couldn't use it, that's why she had jumped right on his shoulders. Second form, she thought again and repeated her movements. And it worked again.

But not everything could be happiness. y/n landed hard on her feet, and she could tell something was sprained. She wiped the blood that fell on her face while trying to recover her breath. What the hell did she just do? She had killed them, but if she had to take another one, she was not going to be able to do so. A knee fell to the ground when the pain on her rib cage was almost unbearable, and she stood there for a couple of seconds, processing everything. She had to keep going. Even though it hurt.

Using the katana as support, y/n kept walking. Blood running down her forehead, her vision getting cloudier and cloudier, and the steps were taking much more time than the one previous the fight. Clenching her teeth as if it helped to forget the pain, she looked back. The giant bodies still on her sight range, was she really moved that little? It felt like hours, but she was tired. And sleeping was a good idea. Great, now visions had started. There, on the horizon, she could see horses galloping her way, and y/n could swear she heard voices shouting. She scoffed at her own idea, falling on her knees, her torso following right after.

_____________________

''Captain! Two on the front!'' Sasha shouted. He was about saying something else when they all stood in shock.

Contrasting with the orange sky, it was easy to notice the silhouettes on the horizon, and then it happened. At the distance, the soldiers that were on the first line could see it. Someone using the hair of the titan as a vine, and after, the titan collapsing to the floor. Dead.

They just rushed their horses, it was a person, and it could be in danger. But before they could reach the spot where the dead titans were, someone found something. The Captain ordered almost half of the cadets to look the perimeter as Hanji got closer to the body and a curious Armin trying to see what was happening.

''Yo, Levi. Come check this'' Hanji said, getting down her horse.

''What the fuck is this'' He looked almost in disgust at the unconscious body.

''Who'' The scientist corrected him. ''How did she get here?'' 

''No idea, but she's not from inside the walls. Look at her clothes'' kneeling to look closer, Hanji analyzed the dirty haori.

''Oi, Hanji. She could be pretending, watch out'' 

''She's barely breathing'' she was sure at the moment she had laid her hand on her back. ''I've never seen anything like this. Do you understand the meaning of this, Levi?

''Tch, don't create scenarios, shitty glasses. Maybe she did that herself'' Levi maintained his distance from the body while looking at her particular clothing, then looking at the titans.

''Did she... Did she do that?'' Hanji said as standing up, her eyes looking the same as Levi. It was hard to believe and comprehend.

''Apparently'' He walked towards the katana and took a piece of cloth out of his pocket so he could grab the sword by the handle, looking at the blood. ''Oi, bring a cart'' The black haired man shouted. ''You better prepare a good explanation to eyebrows.'' 

''He'd be as curious as I am, she is going to go through the biggest interrogatory of her life.''

''If she survives.''

Some soldiers placed the body on the cart, but the katana stood with Levi, he didn't know who the hell you were, and of course he was not going to trust someone in a deplorable state.

The cadets looked at the stranger, some stares were concerned, others were curious and others were afraid. The appearance of a body in the middle of nowhere with weird clothing meant only one thing for some. There was more outside the walls. At least, it was only Levi's new squad the one that went to that expedition, and if she was not from there, it was something they would have to keep as a secret among the squad members and Erwin. If someone knew she came from outside the walls... There will be chaos.

_______________________________

Her head and body felt like steel, but her back felt somehow comfortable. Opening her eyes slowly, y/n find herself in a dark place, only a couple of candles were creating light. She sat on the bed, looking at her body. Her entire torso was bandaged, and some stains of blood glittered among the white. Still, she felt covered in dirt and dried blood, she use a hand to touch her face, it felt dry as the dessert. Fuck, could she ask someone for a shower? Looking around she could see it was a cage, pretty much like a prison. It took a while before her eyes could adjust to the sight, she laid a hand on her head trying to remember. And she did, the giant creatures, the horses on the horizon, the sunset. Before you could even say something, a voice finished waking you up.

''Ah, welcome to the Survey Corps head quartes! I'm Squad Leader Hanji Zoe'' you tried to move back but it was it, the wall was right there. The four eyed woman's face was almost in between the bars of the cell. ''Care to tell us who you are and where you're from?'' She asked enthusiastically, but it was also possible to sense a bit of threat.

''I'm... y/n'' that's all that came from her mouth, Hanji was about to say something but she was stopped.

''Let her breath, I bet she can't remember shit. Oi, brat.'' He said, his back leaned against the wall in front of your cell ''You are not leaving this beautiful place until you speak, so you better think fast''

Those were his words before leaving, calling Hanji as well. Another man was standing in front of her cell, a guard, she thought.

So the image she saw was real... They saved her life but she was also trapped there. She looked to the side and grabbed the glass of water, taking a short sip.

Levi and Hanji headed to Erwin's office, he had to be aware of it, so a meeting was arranged to explain the situation and to decide what to do next. Something had to be done about it, but the question that was in her head was... How much did she have to say?

[the-wlw-cafe]

Looking Out For Her

I know it’s not b!d!day yet but I started writing this at work and since I won’t be here anymore next Saturday I’m just yeeting this out for you today!

Request:  A oneshot where b!d defends kara and gets shot with a kryptonite bullet?

Fandom: Supergirl

Warnings: gun violence, blood

Word Count: 826 words

You knew what you were supposed to do in situations like these. Your sisters had gone over the action plan with you countless times again, making sure you never, ever forgot what to do when the worst comes to pass.

What to do when Kara solar flares, and you’re the only one around to help her.

Step 1: Contact Alex. (You’d told her through distressed sobs that Kara had fallen out of the sky in the middle of a fight, that she was bleeding, only just so remembering to swallow all the panic rising like bile in your throat and stick to the important details like location, who or what attacked her, how bad your sister’s injuries were…)

Step 2: Assess your surroundings for danger. (You can still see the occasional glint when the sunlight hits the sharpshooters’ scopes in just the right way. They’re on the move, probably looking for the right angle to finish Supergirl off from.)

Step 3: If the area is unsafe, leave immediately. You weren’t trained for this. You have no superpowers. Don’t get yourself into danger for nothing. Just leave, or find a safe spot to hide.

But you can see Kara lying out in the open, the few people that had gathered around the small crater where she had smashed onto the asphalt quickly scrambling as her weak voice tells them to run and hide. You can barely make out the words she says. She’s trying to get herself to safety, dragging herself across the hard pavement as the telltale green of kryptonite snakes its way through her veins, and you know she’s not going to be quick enough.

You can’t just leave her there.

She’s your goddamn sister.

And in this moment, you can’t think about what Alex taught you, about how bad your chances of survival are, about how help is already on the way.

All you can see is your sister in danger.

So you run towards her.

You’re not the strongest person out there, not even when you don’t take superpowers into account, but you don’t even feel the strain of your muscles as you heave Kara of the ground, muttering “lean on me, just lean on me”. You knees almost buckle when Kara does actually lean almost all of her weight on you, but with a grunt of effort and through sheer will alone, you keep your balance and force your legs to move forward, towards a subway station, where you’d be safe from enemy fire.

“(Y/N)?”

Kara’s voice is slurred and unfocused.

“Yeah, it’s me, sis. Don’t worry, Alex is on the way, I’m getting you to safety”. You have to force the words out between your teeth that are clenched with effort.

“No…no, (Y/N), you need to get away, you need to-“

“Shhh, Kara, it’s gonna be okay, look, we’ve almost made it, it’s gonna be f-“

Pain erupts through your side, pain like you’ve never known it, hot, white, scalding. Someone screams. You don’t know whether it’s you or your sister. The pain is overwhelming, your world is blurring, spinning on its axis – but you need to get her to safety, you need to keep your sister safe. She’s protected you more times than you can count, she’s been there for you from the first day she arrived at your family home, back when the loss of her planet was still recent and even through her grief, she was there for you – this one time you’ll be the one to protect her.

Your legs move. Through some herculean effort, you get your legs to move the last few steps and carry her with you. Faintly, you register a stray bullet impact the asphalt beside you. You’ve moved past fear, all that’s left is fierce, foolhardy determination. You stumble down the steps into the subway entrance, and there’s people there, there’s shouts and hands supporting you, and then the weight of her on your shoulders is gone. You think you hear her calling your name, you think there’s someone calling for a doctor. You look down at your side. The entire left half of your torso is doused in red, and you’re not sure whether it’s your blood, or Kara’s, or both, but there’s also a sickly green glow emanating from the wound directly. Pressure. Yes, that’s what Alex always taught you. You press down on the wound with all the strength you can muster, clenching your teeth through the flare of pain as your palm makes contact with open flesh, and you close your eyes.

Alex is on the way.

You’re surrounded by people now; someone is kneeling down next to you.

You have no idea where Kara is, you can’t even hear her anymore.

You call out to her, but when you do, you can’t even hear your own voice.

Alex is on the way.

As the world around you begins to fade, you hope she won’t be to late.

[auberginesdonthavelimbs]

Phanniemay Day 19: Favourite Episode

Word count: 1573

CW for mentions of suicidal thoughts and a suicide attempt

“I suppose out of respect for our past, I should let you live. But that’s not how I work.” Dan throws Valerie across the street, into a brick wall. The impact shatters her spine and cracks her skull, but doesn’t kill her. Dan walks over to inspect the damage. He rolls her over with his foot and smiles when she cries out in pain. 

Danny is writing the CAT. He takes his time with each question. Sam and Tucker look over at him a few times, brows creased. Mr. Lancer watches the entire class but pays special attention to Danny. Danny keeps his eyes down. 

Skulker unplugs the wires from his suit. He systematically bends every joint and then summons a ball of energy to his hand. He gives a thumbs up. Technus grins from the screen on his chest and yells, “Skulk-Tech 1.0 is fully operational!” 

There are five funerals - Danny’s parents share theirs. Danny attends all five and speaks at four of them. 

Valerie beams and pulls her father into a tight hug. “Oh thank you, Daddy, thank you! I promise I won’t let you down.” She pulls out of the hug and looks down at the screen, which is displaying a map with several circled areas, each with some writing next to it. Locations and details of recent attacks. “So,” she says with a more sober tone. “Where to?” 

Klaxons mix with screams in one of Amity’s underground shelters. Dan shoots randomly into the crowded halls. Then he grabs a few humans and flies out with them. He takes his time. The residents of the shelters can often hear the sounds of torture happening just above their heads, but they pretend not to. Dan comes back down for new victims every few weeks. 

Vlad is watching Danny. He is supposed to be doing math homework, but his eyes keep unfocusing, and his pencil keeps slipping from the page. Vlad frowns. “Daniel, you aren’t well,” he says. Danny doesn’t look up. “ Please talk to me. I want to help you, but I don’t know how.” 

Kitty paces back and forth in front of the door to her and Johnny’s lair. Her makeup is streaked and her hands are clenched, nails biting into the flesh of her palms. She turns abruptly when a sound comes from outside. She throws the door open and looks down. She starts to smile but then her face freezes. Her eyes flick across her lover’s shattered legs. She screams. 

Danny is silent while Mr. Lancer delivers his monologue. He looks everywhere except for the faces of his teacher and parents. Around the corner of the building, Sam, Tucker, and Jazz strain to hear while remaining unseen. Inside, the glass cover over a temperature gauge cracks.

Damon indicates several symbols on the diagram in front of him. “These are the backup generators. They kick in automatically if we lose power for any reason. As you can see, each one is isolated and well protected - there’s no way for any ghost to get to it while the ghost shield is active. But these generators are small, and won’t last more than a year. If we lose our main power source, that’s how long we’ll have to fix it or come up with something else.” 

Danny nods, and Dr. Morrison checks a box. “Do you feel worthless?” He nods again, and she checks another box. “Have you attempted to kill yourself?” He shakes his head. “Do you think you will get suicidal ideas in the future?”

Vlad lowers the knife toward the body on the table, whose eyes follow it with interest. The knife easily cuts through the skin. The body gasps, and then quickly goes silent as Vlad’s duplicate phases back out. A small wound on his abdomen oozes ectoplasm. “I think it works,” both Vlads say at once.

Dan takes a breath and opens his mouth. Waves of ecto-energy spread out in a cone, accompanied by an impossibly loud ululation. The stones in front of him vibrate then shatter, and the broken pieces are flung into the distance. The animals in the area try to flee, though a few are caught by the blast or by the debris. After a few seconds, Dan stops and catches his breath. He looks around, smiling. 

“I just want the pain to stop, that’s all.” Danny sighs heavily. “I just don’t want to feel like this anymore.” 

Dr. Ruud steps into the hall, and Valerie rises from the floor. She looks at him, her eyes wet. “He’ll live,” Dr. Ruud says, and Valerie smiles. “But we couldn’t save his arm. We had to amputate above the elbow. I’m sorry.” Valerie nods, her smile all but faded. She sits back down.

The Box Ghost puffs up his chest and yells toward the approaching figure, “Halt! You have entered the territory of the Box Ghost! I suggest you leave immediately, or I will be forced to … wait, aren’t you that half-ghost kid? What happened to your skin? And hair?” Dan doesn’t respond, he just reaches forward and grabs the Box Ghost’s hand. “Wait, what are you- aaaarrrgghh! No, no please, don’t- aaaarrrrggghh!!!”

Danny is pushing vegetables around his plate. Vlad’s plate is empty, but he doesn’t move from the table. Without looking up, Danny says, “Hey, Vlad? I was thinking … Do full ghosts still have human emotions? Like, do they feel love and sadness and stuff the way we do?”

Valerie watches the screen with dismay. Damon alternates between watching the screen and watching his daughter, and he looks equally concerned by both. “There has to be something more we can do,” she says suddenly, through gritted teeth. “We have all these weapons. We should be fighting instead of hiding.” 

Ember opens her mouth and then closes it. She sighs. She opens her mouth again, takes a breath, and then winces. Then she closes her eyes and her entire body tenses, but nothing happens. She visibly relaxes and takes a few deep breaths. She tries again, her face contorting, her hands balling into fists. Tears begin to roll down her cheeks. Finally, a quiet, pinched sound comes from her throat. She gasps and opens her eyes. She forces the sound out again, and again, until she can sustain it for several seconds.

Vlad taps his pen against the desk, staring at the page in front of him. “It’s good, but … no. It would seem like I’d named it after Daniel.” He crosses out the words Phantom Fist. The words Ghost Glove are written above, also crossed out. After a moment he writes Ghost Grip. Then he shakes his head and crosses that out, too. “Ghost … something. I’m sure there’s something there.” 

Danny is looking down at the bandages on his arms, though his eyes are unfocused. Vlad is watching from the chair in the corner of the room. “I just thought …” Danny says, his voice hoarse. He shrugs, raising his arms, then winces when the movement tugs on the IV. “I don’t want to be a human anymore. Being a ghost seems so much easier. And I figured, if I died …” Vlad’s expression doesn’t change. His eyebrows are knit together, his lips pursed. His eyes don’t seem to be focused on Danny, either.  

The Fright Knight is kneeling in front of Dan, who has a hand on his chin. “Well that’s a very pretty speech, but I’m going to need some proof of your loyalty, you understand.” The Fright Knight flinches and looks up. Dan holds out a hand to silence him. “Yes yes, I’m sure your word is your bond. If you prefer, think of it as a test of your abilities, to see whether or not you’re worthy of serving me.” The Fright Knight hesitates, then nods. “Excellent. Let’s see, now. What shall I have you do?”

Boxlunch is in her parents’ lair, sitting on the floor next to a pile of box- and food-related objects. She is sorting them into a rough grid, where the y-axis goes from less to more food-like and the x-axis goes from less to more box-like. She telekinetically lifts a salami and, after a few moments of deliberation, places it to the left of a wheel of gouda. 

Sam and Tucker mutter to each other as Danny slowly peels off the sticker holding the envelope closed. He glances at them as he pulls the packet out, and they say nothing. He reads the first page. “That’s it, then,” he says with a shaky voice. “No going back now.” 

Vlad places the mask over Danny’s face. “Deep breaths. You should feel it working in a few seconds.” Danny’s eyes start to droop. “That’s good, just relax.” When the monitor tells him that Danny is unconscious, Vlad leans down and whispers, “I’m sorry.” Then he steps back and carefully puts on the ghost gauntlets. 

“Clockwork, there is a matter of grave importance that requires your attention.” The Observant pauses expectantly, but Clockwork does not respond, nor even turn to face her. She looks at her partner, who shrugs. “The future is in peril, Clockwork.” Still no response. “There is a boy called Danny Phantom - do you know of him?”

Clockwork lets out an exasperated sigh. He rolls his eyes, the action going unseen by the Observants, and then finally turns around. 

“Of course I do,” he says. “I know everything.”

[megalony]

Roger’s girl- Lily-May!

Another Roger fic that goes along with the theme of some of my other fics with oc daughter Lily but doesn’t correlate fully.

Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Rog?" Her voice came out much more feeble and weaker than she had intended as she felt the room they were in spinning on its axis around her and distorting her vision. Her body slumping against the bed for leverage to try and keep herself upright, scared at what was coming over her. Her head had felt like it was stuffed with cotton the moment she managed to wake herself up but as soon as her feet hit the floor and her body stood upright everything seemed to turn. Her stomach churned in the wrong way, lurching up as a wave of sickness overtook her weakening form.

"Hmm?" Roger's rather loud questioning sound didn't reach her ears, becoming muffled as it got to her causing it to blur as background noise she couldn't work out. His eyebrows knitting together when he didn't gain a response, his heart doing a summersault when a sudden thumping sound shook the floor beneath his feet.

His head snapped around almost giving him whiplash as he couldn't see (Y/n) who had been sitting on the other side of the bed just a second previous meaning she had fallen or collapsed. Utter panic flooded onto his face as he jumped upright, yanking the jeans up to his waist with a snap in one movement before launching himself across the bed instead of walking around it. Eyes latching onto Isabelle's motionless form sprawled out on the carpeted floor next to their bed.

"Fuck!" His voice bounced off the walls and echoed back to him as he slumped down on his knees beside her, hands resting on her neck to try and check her pulse and wake her up. "Baby, baby can you hear me? Come on open your eyes for me." His voice was stern but wavering with fear as he pleaded for her to work with him and open her eyes to show it was a simple lightheaded spell. They had been awake for about half an hour already, sitting and talking for a bit before deciding it was time to get up or they would be late for work. She had seemed a little drowsy but Roger put that down to just waking up and not getting that much sleep the night before. She had fainted before but that was when she hadn't eaten enough and had low sugar, properly fainting was dangerous because Roger couldn't tell if it was down to her diabetes or not.

Placing the palm of his hand to her forehead he bit his lip feeling that she was burning, sweat starting to dampen her forehead and hair plastering the strands to the sides of her face.

"Daddy?" The quizzical yet curious tone of the voice pulled Roger's eyes from his wife to the toddler standing just a few feet into the room, having stopped at seeing the scene in front of her. Her head leaning to the side slightly as she wondered what he was doing and why her mother appeared to be sleeping on the floor.

"It's alright princess go to your room. I won't be long, just go and wait for me." His eyes showed fear, not wanting her to witness this because she wouldn't understand and he didn't know if there was actually something wrong with (Y/n) or if she had simply fainted from low blood sugar. His eyes darted back to (Y/n) as he spoke, thumb brushing over her cheek just below her eye trying to bring her around as he thought Lily would follow his order and go back to her room. His eyes moving frantically between the two when the toddler decided to ignore his words and stand to watch him instead. "Lily I'm serious, room now please." His tone was firmer as he raised his eyebrows, expression telling her to go before he looked back to Isabelle when her head moved against his hand.

Her breathing seemed to differ as he noticed the subtle trembling in her hands that was creeping up her arms. His jaw locked as he continued to try and bring (Y/n) around, fear coursing through his veins at how she was burning against his skin. And the fact he hadn't heard Lily's footsteps tottering away and back to her room down the hall yet.

"Why mama asleep on the floor?" A frown set onto the three-year-old's features as she leaned to try and look at her mother, worry in her own system when Roger leaned along with her so he was blocking (Y/n) from view as best he could. His face told her he was not best pleased and that his patience was wearing very thin indeed.

"Room." The word passed through gritted teeth as he was beginning to shake, knowing Isabelle should have been more responsive by now.

"But-"

"Lily-May get to your bloody room now!" Roger hardly ever snapped at Lily, he was always as sweet as honey when he was around his little double who followed him like a shadow. His eyes widened at his words that he didn't really process before he spoke them, his breathing coming to a sudden halt when the toddler took a sharp breath. Seemingly jumping on the spot as she squeaked before she flopped down to the floor landing on her bum as she blinked like she too was going to faint. The shock of the outburst sending the blood rushing anywhere but her head as she wobbled sending electric currents to Roger's heart.

Glancing his eyes to (Y/n) for a split second he noticed her eyes desperately trying to open. Holding his breath he carefully moved her so she was laying on her side just in case she was going to be sick before he half stumbled half crawled over to Lily. Seeing tears welling in her eyes making his heart break as she took deep breaths trying to figure out what happened.

"Oh no. I'm sorry princess, come here it's alright." Reaching out he wrapped his arms around her and got to his feet, hurrying over to her room as she sniffed, head resting against his shoulder before he set her down on her bed. "Wait here I will be five minutes, your mama isn't feeling well." He pressed his lips to her hairline on her head before heading out of the room, knowing he would need to comfort her after making sure Isabelle was alright.

"R-Rog..." (Y/n) moved her arm, scanning around for him before he kneeled at her side and slipped his arms around her frame, cradling her to his chest before moving and setting her back down on the bed propped up against the beadboard.

"Hang on baby, need to grab your insulin." He pressed his lips to her own, mind silently sending thanks that Isabelle was awake and responsive. Knowing if her levels were too low she wouldn't have woken up, most likely slipping into a coma if that was the case. He tried to calm his heart and steady his breaths as he made his way into the kitchen, grabbing a small black bag that contained (Y/n)'s insulin kit for emergencies like this.

His body slowly burning off the adrenaline as he perched himself on the side of the bed next to (Y/n), her small but beautiful smile making his stomach flip as she silently held her arm out. Never having the nerve to do it herself especially now when her hands were still shaking. Roger knew the required amount of insulin by heart, having done this many times before, his left hand clasping around her wrist trying to be gentle but at the same time keep her shaking to a minimum. Watching the liquid disappear into her vein before he pressed his lips to the pinprick mark appearing on her arm.

"Thank you." She rasped, throat slightly dry but the sentiment could still be heard clearly in her voice. Lips moving and pressing to his own as he cupped the side of her face in his hand.

"Feeling okay? Do we need to take a trip to the doctors?" Roger couldn't care about the fact he was now definitely late for rehearsals. If Freddie could rock up when he wanted without reason Roger could do the same, and he had a valid reason. His forehead resting against her own as he finally felt calmer and not like he was going to suffer a heart attack at any moment.

"I think I'm alright, everything just went... funny. I'll be fine in a minute."

"I'm just gonna go check Lily. She came in and she wouldn't leave when I told her to and I snapped, poor girl flopped on her backside I thought she was gonna faint too." He felt like laughing but he couldn't bring himself to do so, he had unintentionally scared her and given her an unnecessary shock but at the same time he was panicking and she should have listened to him. Nodding in response (Y/n) kissed him once again before watching him get up and walk out of the room.

Walking into the lilac room Roger sat down on the fluffy pink comforter draped over the covers, silently reaching to his right and picking Lily up placing her down on his lap. His arms winding around her delicate frame and holding her to his chest as he rested his chin on top of her head, silently swaying them side to side. His heart shattering at hearing her sniff obviously having cried a little whilst he was out of the room, something he absolutely hated especially if he had caused it.

"I'm sorry I shouted at you darlin'. I was worried about your mama, she's not feeling too well today. I promise I won't shout at you again but you need to promise you'll listen to me when I tell you to do something. Hmm?" His voice was quieter and smoother than it had been before, a small sign telling her that everything was alright now and that she wasn't in any sort of trouble.

"Promise." Turning around she moved so she was sitting on his knees facing him instead, tears staining her cheek but thankfully having stopped falling now. Reaching out Roger placed his hands either side of her face, thumbs brushing the stray tears away before she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips making him smile. "Love you, daddy." Leaning forward he pressed another kiss to her lips causing her to giggle before he wrapped his arms around her again and stood up, holding her to his chest as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I love you too princess, now let's go and make breakfast 'cause I'm starving."

[incredibeale-archive]

Beca falls and hits her head so hard that she passes out briefly. She doesn't tell anyone about it. Later that day she has a seizure...

[Hey, hey. This has been in my drafts for ages. I’ve finally finished it, but I don’t think I care for the ending. I hope you like anyway.]

Beca hates using the communal showers, mostly for the awkward feeling of seeing someone else naked (or in a towel, whatever, semantics), and the fact that it’s also sort of – gross. But that’s what wearing flip-flops are for. 

So mostly, it’s that high chance of seeing someone else there, and them seeing her naked. It’s why she chooses to shower late at night or (begrudgingly) early in the morning. Like this morning for instance. 

She’s got rehearsals at 8 AM sharp, so nothing like an early morning shower to wake her up and prepare her for the upcoming argument that’s sure to start between her and Aubrey.

Beca removes her robe and towel and hangs them on the hook outside the stall before she steps in with her shower caddy. The brunette does her normal routine until she accidentally drops her shampoo bottle, spilling it everywhere. Cursing she moves to pick it up, only to drop her loofah in the process, and when she goes to pick that up, she ends up slipping on the spilled shampoo and before she knows it, she’s falling backwards with a yelp. 

There’s an instant pain that radiates her skull before everything goes black. 

By the time she comes to, the shower is cold and her head is pounding. She’s confused at first as she glances around, shivering before she slowly begins to realize that when she fell, her head hit the wall pretty hard. She’s a little grossed out (read a lot), that any part of her person has touched the shower floor, so she tries to scramble to her feet, hands using the wall for support. 

She has to lean for a moment as black dots swim into her vision and everything sort of spins for a second, but then things seem to settle back into place. So, Beca hurries to finish her shower and head back to her dorm. 

After she’s dressed, she checks her phone for the time. It was around 6:30 when she went into the shower and it’s about 7:00 now, meaning she had to have been passed out for quite a bit. But other than the throbbing pain at the back of her head, she seems okay… 

Of course, when Beca tries to brush her hair, she nearly cries in pain and instead opts to just gingerly put it in a loose bun. By the time she’s finished getting ready, it’s time to go. 

Beca arrives five minutes late, but that’s mostly due to the fact that she has to stop a few times to lean against the nearest building or tree to make the world stop spinning off it’s axis.

As the door opens, all eyes land on her. “You’re late, Mitchell.” Aubrey snaps, annoyance written clearly across her face.

“S-Sorry.” Beca stammers, taking a moment to lean against the bleachers.

“You know the penalty for that.” Aubrey says, moving toward the dry erase board.

“Bree, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Chloe whispers, but Beca can hear her, still.

Aubrey turns to glare at her co-captain. “Five extra laps, no excuses, Chloe. You know that.”

Before Beca can say anything, she feels a hand on her back. “B, you okay?” It’s Stacie standing beside her. When did she even get up from her chair?

“I’m fine. Just a headache.” Beca replies, moving toward the folding chairs in the center of the room. She feels Stacie behind her, feels her eyes boring into the back of her head. And as she sits down, Stacie is beside her, cupping her chin. “Dude, what the fuck, Stacie?”

Stacie’s sharp sea green eyes study Beca. “Your pupils are unequal.”

Beca can feel everyone watching them, so she sluggishly bats away her friend’s hand. “I’m.Fine.” She grumbles, bringing her gaze back to Aubrey.

Except she isn’t fine. Not even a little bit.

And it all becomes evident the moment she stands up to join the others in running laps. Everything spins and she can feel herself breaking out into a cold sweat. Just before everything goes black, she hears a flurry of movement and muffled, panicked voices.

–

“Beca? Beca, can you hear me?”

“Did someone call an ambulance?”

“Keep her on her side, Aubrey!”

Beca is confused. One minute she’s standing and the next she’s-- where is she again? It takes her a moment to open her eyes. Her body feels weak and her head is throbbing. Someone is brushing the hair out of her face and there’s a hand on her arm and side. Her head is in someone’s lap, she thinks.

“She’s coming out of it--” She hears Aubrey say softly. “Beca? Beca, you had a seizure, Stacie is on the phone with the paramedics, okay?”

Beca tries to roll onto her back, but another body behind her stops her. “No, sweetie, you need to stay on your side.” She hears Chloe says softly.

“Hit my head.” Beca slurs.

“No, Becs, Aubrey caught you.” Chloe says gently, hand running soothingly up and down Beca’s arm. 

Beca visibly swallows, her tongue feeling too thick to make words. “N-no.”

“Beca, just try to relax.” Aubrey says, voice strained, but somehow soft.

“No, wait. I don’t think she means just now.” Beca finally opens her eyes to see Stacie kneeling in front of her. “Beca, did you hit your head before you came here?”

“Y-yeah. Slipped-- slipped in the shower. Blacked out.”

“Damn it, Beca, why didn’t you say anything?” Aubrey scolds gently.

“She’s probably got a concussion and that’s why she seized.” Stacie explains, gently.

--

Beca awakens in a hospital room, groggy and confused. The first thing she sees is Aubrey sitting in the chair next to her bed, with Chloe in another and leaning against the blonde, asleep.

“Aubrey?” Beca winces at the raspy quality of her voice.

The blonde sits up, eyes tearing away from her phone and effectively jostling Chloe awake. “Beca, hey--” She glances over at Chloe and then back at the brunette. “How are you feeling?” Beca watches as Chloe stands and moves toward a table with a pink pitcher on it. She pours water into a cup and opens up a straw to put in it.

“Like shit.” Beca replies, holding out shaking hands as Chloe hands her the water.

“You scared the shit out of us, Beca.” Aubrey says on a frown that looks more like a pout.

Chloe nods and sighs. “You should have told us.” She settles back in her seat next to Aubrey. “The doctor says you definitely have a concussion and it’s the reason you had a seizure. You’ll be here for a few days so they can monitor you, but he thinks you’ll be fine within a day or two.”

Beca nods, looking down at her cup of water. Everyone is quiet for a moment, until Beca looks back up. “So, like-- what happened? I don’t-- I don’t remember much.”

Aubrey’s face goes ashen as Chloe reaches for her hand. “You just-- you dropped. You fell forward, but Aubrey caught you and then you just started convulsing.” Chloe explains quietly.

“I-- I saw your face go pale and then your eyes rolled to the back of your head, so I knew--” Aubrey trails off, voice shaking as she looks away. “I’m so sorry that I was going to make you run laps.”

“Bree--” Chloe starts gently.

“Dude, no.” Beca cuts her off and both women look up. There are tears in Aubrey’s green eyes and it makes Beca’s heart clench painfully in her chest. “No, you didn’t know. I was stupid. I should have said something or called someone when it happened. You didn’t know.”

“You really scared the hell out of us.” Chloe reiterates, her own voice shaking.

Beca smiles ruefully. “I know. I’m really sorry. C’mere, Beale. I know you’re itching to give me a hug.”

Chloe doesn’t need to be told twice, she stands and sits on the side of the bed, so that she can wrap her arms around Beca properly. It doesn’t surprise Beca, but what does is when she feels another set of arms wrap around her. She extends her own arms to include Aubrey in the hug, something seeming to bloom inside her chest at the feeling of the both of them so worried about her that they need to feel her physically. “We’re really glad you’re okay, Beca.” Aubrey whispers as she pulls back.

They both pull back and Beca notes something different in both of their gazes, not so much with Chloe, but more so with Aubrey. She isn’t really sure what it is, but it makes her stomach swoop. “Yeah, yeah-- me too.”

[nations-imagined]

How would the axis react to s/o telling them she wants to get pregnant

🇩🇪Germany: It was a regular morning. Ludwig was all fancy in his suit and tie. You leaned against the counter in your own work clothes. He took a sip of coffee as you sighed. "Ludwig." Your husband grunted. "I want to start a family with you."Ludwig froze and the mug fell to the ground in slow motion it seemed. It burst and coffee flew everywhere. "You want to have a baby?" His words sounded mechanical. You nodded. "Is there a handbook when it comes to that?" he choked out. 🇯🇵Japan: You watched the children play with each other out your window of your house. The laundry you were folding with your husband, Kiku, was nearly gone. "Hey, Kiku. Let's have a baby." He stopped folding for a second. His eyes were cold, calculating. Finally, he talked. "Okay." A light smile conquered his face. "Let's have a baby." 🇮🇹North Italy: You had been dating Feliciano for three years. All you wanted was to start a family with him, married or not. As he sat across from you at the fancy restaurant, he smiled dreamily. "What are you thinking about?" you asked. "How much I love you." He reached across the table and held your hand. His adoring eyes calmed you if anything. "Then this'll be easy." You grabbed his hand in return. "Feliciano, I want to get pregnant." Your boyfriend went a little frigid. His smile faltered before picking back up. One could only expect a negative answer. "Okay. Let's start trying to have a child!" 🇩🇪Prussia: The wind whipped your hair around as you stood on the roof of your apartment building. It was you me thinking place. "Hey, (y/n), what are you doing?" your boyfriend called from the hatch. "Just thinking, Gilbert." Within seconds, you could feel his presence beside you. "Gilbert. Do you want to start a family with me?" You looked up just in time to see his bright smile grow. "Yes! I've been wanting to ask the same question for ages now!" He kissed your lips and pranced a bit.🇮🇹South Italy: Without Lovino's knowledge, you had been trying to get pregnant for weeks. You had poked holes in the condoms you guys used and even went off the pill, but nothing worked. It would've been easier if you could've just told Lovino what you wanted. Yet that was too complicated. So there you sat, crying on the bathroom floor because the latest test was negative. You heard the front door slam and hurried to hide the evidence, but he had heard you. "What's wrong?" He dropped his case to the floor and kneeled. Lovino then spotted the test and tried to wrestle it out of your hands. "(Y/n), its negative. Why are you crying?" His brows knitted. "Because I want to have a goddamned baby with you Lovi!" His face went a little steely and dropped his gaze. "And I thought it'd be easier to 'accidentally' get pregnant." "Is that really what you want?" he asked while standing up and chucking the test into the reach. You nodded up at him. "Okay. Let's make a baby." Lovino helped you up and led you to the bathroom with promises of a baby by the end of it.

[mingot-studios]

Invader Zim: GA83 ^3

PROF. MEMBRANE: (CALLING) Kids! Get ready. Prof. Neon and Dr. Cler will be here any minute!

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – FOYER – CONTINUOUS

A panicky Gabe looks for a hiding place. 

GA83: (PANICKED YELP) Oh no. Better ride this one out in the closet.

He OPENS the coat closet. Dib and Gaz are already huddled inside.

GAZ: Sorry, Gabe. This is our spot.

GA83: Oh yeah? Well, It’s my house too, so it’s also my spot.

DIB: Nu-uh because we called it.

GA83: (DEFIANT) Did not.

GAZ: Well, we’re calling it now.

GA83: (ALARMED) You are?

DIB: I’m afraid so.

GA83: (MOANS) They got me with their legal mumbo-jumbo.

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – A SECOND LATER

Gabe looks around desperately. He lifts up the rug but FOODIO 3000 and CLEMBRANE are there. They GROWL at him as he cautiously lowers the rug.

SFX: DOORBELL. 

PROF. MEMBRANE: (V.O.) Just a second!

GA83: (PANICKED SOUND)

Gabe sees a tall bookcase, pushes it out from the wall, and ducks behind it.

GA83:  Huh. I never looked behind this whatchamacallit case before.

Gabe CHUCKLES and leans cockily against the wall. Strangely, his elbow passes through the solid wall.

GA83: Huh? 

(Gabe stares in disbelief as he slides his arm in and out of the wall. The wall shimmers slightly and there are occasional blue sparks around his arm.)

GA83: It's like something out of that show where Mr. Membrane does weird experiments on stuff.

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – FOYER – CONTINUOUS

Prof. Membrane opens the door and DR. CLER and PROF. NEON barge in.

DR. CLER: How are you doing, Prof. Membrane, sir?

(Prof. Neon starts to take off his heavy overcoat. It’s raining outside.)

PROF. NEON: Ugh. I’m melting like a metamorphic geode under this wet wool.

He OPENS the closet door, revealing Dib and Gaz. They attempt to look casual. 

DIB: (COVERING) Uhh….May I take your coat, Prof. Neon?

GAZ: (STILTED) I...would..also like to take your coat.

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – A FEW SECONDS LATER

The morose-looking kids enter, followed by Prof. Membrane, Dr. Cler and Prof. Neon. Dr. Cler carries a large RATTLING sack.

PROF. NEON: Have we got a fun, sciencey activity for you!

DR. CLER: A pillowcase containing seashells from our expedition to Sulfur Bay.

PROF. NEON: You can help us clean, organize and label them.

DR. CLER: And remove all of the deceased crustaceans from within them. Go get a screwdriver.

Prof. Neon heads toward the bookcase where Gabe is hiding.

BEHIND THE MACHINE

Gabe's eyes widen in horror as Prof. Neon heads right toward him.

GA83: (STIFLED YELP) I’ll take my chances in the mystery wall.

Gabe steps through the wall and into… 

THE THIRD DIMENSION

We see a shimmering wall (a la Stargate). Gabe gradually emerges from it – first his groping hands, then his stomach, his face, and finally his entire body – all rendered in stunning 3-D COMPUTER GRAPHICS. Gabe steps toward the camera and looks around in awed disbelief at a wondrous landscape we can’t yet see.

GA83: (AWED) Holy macaroni! What is this place?

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – SAME TIME

Newspapers are spread out on the floor and the rest of the family sits glumly prying hermit crabs, etc., out of the shells.

DR. CLER: (SLURPING SOUND, FOLLOWED BY SPITTING SOUND) Hey! You can just suck ‘em out!

GA83: (ECHOEY) Hello? Can anybody hear me?

Everyone looks around in confusion. (Note: All of Gabe's voice-overs have an unearthly quality.)

DIB: Gabe? Gabe, Where are you?

GA83: (V.O.) I’m somewhere where I don’t know where I am. 

GAZ: Do you see beakers? If you see beakers, you’re probably in the chemical closet again.

GA83: (V.O.) Just a second…No, no, it’s a place I’ve never been before.

PROF. NEON: Ah, the shower! (LAUGHS)

GA83: (V.O.) Hey!

IN THE THIRD DIMENSION

Gabe stands on an endless grid of glowing green lines. In a sweeping 360-degree tracking shot around Gabe, we see a sparse landscape of standard 3-D shapes, columns and the like, in various colors and textures. [ANIMATORS NOTE: The following equations appear on background objects: 1 + 1 = 2, e(fi) = -1, P = NP, 1782(12) + 1841(12) = 1922(12), m0 > 3H0(2)/8piG, 46 72 69 6E 6B 20 72 75 6C 65 73 21] Gabe gropes around looking for the entrance he came through.

GA83: (NOT ECHOEY) I don't wanna freak you guys out, but I think I might be trapped in here.

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – SIMULTANEOUS

PROF. MEMBRANE: Son, you better call Ruby. She has a ladder.

IN THE THIRD DIMENSION

Gabe marvels at his three-dimensional body, running his hands over his bulging armor and his puffy limbs. 

GA83: What’s going on here? I’m so bulgy. My armor sticks way out in front and my…

He turns to see his rear end.

GA83: (SMALL SCREAM)

SCENE 8

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – A FEW MINUTES LATER

Ruby stands atop her stepladder in the middle of the living room looking all-around at the top of the room.

RUBY: Well, as the tree said to the lumberjack – I’m stumped.

PROF. CLER: Hmm. It's like he disintegrated into CARBON dioxide. (LAUGHS)

GA83: Hey! Quit it!

IN THE THIRD DIMENSION

Gabe begins exploring this strange new world. He strolls curiously past the marble temple from the game “MYST”, then kneels at a reflecting pool. As New Age MUSIC plays, a school of hauntingly beautiful golden fish swims by and leaps into the air. Gabe continues on, passing a three-way street sign marking the intersection of X, Y, and Z streets. The chrome sign gleams with the standard 3-D shimmer effect.

GA83: Man, this is a once in a lifetime thing. I feel like I'm wasting it just standing here. (STARTS HUMMING) Better make the most of it. (BEAT, THEN) (YAWN)

A cone comes rolling across the ground like a tumbleweed. It bounces and jabs Gabe in the butt.

GA83: (RUBBING BUTT) Ow! Watch it, coney!

Gabe hurls the cone, sending it spinning towards the camera. It flies through the air, falls, and TEARS a small “black hole” in the grid (where the lines bend down into darkness). We hear a faint WHOOSHING SUCTION sound.

GA83: Oops...

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – LATER

SARG. SLAB WRANKLE, MYSTERIOUS MYSTERIES HOST, COUNTESS. VON VERMINSTRASSER, and ZIM have arrived to help.

MYSTERIOUS MYSTERIES HOST: (CALLING OUT) Do you see a light, Gabe?

GA83: (V.O.) Yes. 

MYSTERIOUS MYSTERIES HOST: Move into the light.

GA83: (SIZZLING SOUND) Ow!

COUNT. VON VERMINSTRASSER: Gabe, this is Countess von Verminstrasser. Can you tell us what it’s like in there?

IN THE THIRD DIMENSION

Gabe looks around at the glittering landscape. The black hole has gotten slightly larger.

GA83: Um, it’s like, ahm… did anyone see last night’s "Mysterious Mysteries"?

IN THE LIVING ROOM

COUNT. VON VERMINSTRASSER: No.

GAZ: No.

SARG. SLAB RANKLE: No.

PROF. MEMBRANE: No.

DIB: No. 

DR. CLER: No.

SARG. SLAB RANKLE: No.

RUBY: No.

PROF. NEON: No.

ZIM: No.

MYSTERIOUS MYSTERIES HOST: No.

SARG. SLAB RANKLE: Yes. I mean no. No.

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – A LITTLE LATER

The machine has been moved aside. Zim has drawn a chalk circle around the dimensional door in the wall. 

PROF. MEMBRANE: Well, where’s my son’s metal friend? 

ZIM: Well, it should be obvious to even the most dimwitted human worm baby– who holds an advanced degree in hyperbolic topology – that Genocide Automata Unit 83 has stumbled into… (DRAMATICALLY) the Third Dimension. (LIGHTS GO OUT)

DIB: (TURNS LIGHTS BACK ON) Sorry.

PROF. MEMBRANE: So THAT’S where that went! I was wondering where that portal had gotten to.

ZIM: SILENCE WORM BABY! Zim shall explain.

Zim draws a square on a blackboard.

ZIM: Here is an ordinary square…

SARG. WRANKLE: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down, Shorty!

ZIM: But suppose we extend the square beyond the two dimensions of our universe, along the hypothetical Z-axis there.

Zim extends his chalk square into a cube. The onlookers GASP in astonishment. 

ZIM: This forms a three-dimensional object known as a “cube” or a “Zimahedron”, in honor of its discoverer. (CHUCKLES)

GA83: (SCARED) Help me! Are you helping me, or are you going on and on!?

ZIM: (AFTERTHOUGHT) Oh, right, and of course, within we find the doomed automata.

He draws a crude picture of Gabe trapped within the cube. Gabe's expression is one of unmitigated horror.

SARG. SLAB RANKLE: Enough of your yappin’, Haffpint! A bot’s life is at stake! We need action!

Rankle draws his gun and FIRES six shots into the portal.

SARG. SLAB RANKLE: Take that, you lousy dimension!

IN THE THIRD DIMENSION SCENE 9

Gabe cowers as the bullets zoom at him. At the last second, however, the bullets are pulled off course by the black hole, which is growing larger by the second. The bullets orbit around a few times, then spiral down into oblivion. Gabe peers into the black hole, scared. 

GA83: Oh, there’s so much I don’t know about astrophysics. I wish I'd stayed awake for Mr. Membrane’s 9-hour lecture on it.

Suddenly, Gabe's face starts to stretch and twist down the hole, becoming many meters long.

GA83: (DISTORTED SHRIEK)

He quickly yanks his face back. He backs away from the hole as it continues to widen. The WHOOSHING suction increases, pulling in objects, including the MYST Temple and the golden fish. OMINOUS MUSIC BUILDS.

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS

The spectators mill about in consternation. Aikirita enters, wearing an old-fashioned deep-sea diving suit.

AKIRITA: I’ll save Gabe-san. All I need is four stout men to work the bellows.

Dib wheels out an old-timey hand-cranked generator, which is hooked up to Aikirita. Aikirita closes the porthole on her helmet and heads toward the wall. Membrane stops her.

PROF. MEMBRANE: No, Akirita, it’s too risky. For all we know, there could be cubes in there the size of gorillas and other large…

GA83: (V.O.) Help! I don’t have much time!

GAZ: That does it. I’m going in!

Gaz has tied a rope around her waist. She rushes toward the wall.

DIB: Gaz, no!

Before he can stop her, she vanishes into the wall.

IN THE THIRD DIMENSION

We see Gaz becoming three-dimensional as she steps through the portal. She looks around in wonder.

GAZ: Cool.

GAZ’S POV

The ROAR OF THE WIND is deafening as the black hole sucks in most of the remaining objects. Gaz sees a terrified Gabe on the far side of the vortex.

OVERHEAD SHOT

The black hole now takes up almost the entire universe. Gabe stands on a narrow ledge, trying not to fall in.

GA83:(CRAZED) IMGONNABESUCKEDINTOTHEBLACKHOLEIMGONNABESUCKEDINTOOBLIVIONIMGONNABENOTHINGANDWHATSWAITINGFORMEONWHENICOMEOUTTHEOTHERSIDE I DON’T KNOOOOW!

GAZ: I’ll save you, Gabe!

The sign for X, Y and Z streets is bent over the black hole like a palm tree in a hurricane. Gaz shimmies out to the end and extends her arm toward Gabe.

GAZ: Oh, I can’t get any closer! You’ll have to jump! 

GA83: (CONFIDENT) Piece of cake, Gaz!

Gabe attempts to fly over to Gaz but his turbines give out and he falls straight down the wall of the vortex and disappears breaking up into his component spheres, cubes, etc. On the way.)

GA83: (AS HE DISAPPEARS) CRUDCRUDCRUDCRUDCRUDCRUDCRUDCRUD!

The CREAKING street sign reaches its breaking point. It SNAPS off and falls into the black hole.

GAZ: (SCREAM)

Gaz tumbles into the darkness but is suddenly yanked out of frame by the rope as the entire grid COLLAPSES in on itself.

INT. MEMBRANE HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS

Wrankle, Verminstrasser, etc., jerk on the rope, pulling Gaz back in through the portal with an electric SPARK. There’s a beat of silence as Gaz shakily stands up and turns to Prof. Membrane.

PROF. MEMBRANE: Gazlene, what happened?!

GAZ: Well, we hit a little snag when the universe sorta collapsed on itself…. but Gabe seemed cautiously optimistic.

GA83: (DISTANT) CRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!

DIB: Oh, Gabe… 

MYSTERIOUS MYSTERIES HOST: Be strong, Dib. I’m sure he’s gone to a better place.

EXT. All – LIVE ACTION

There is an electrical CRACKLE, and a live-action CGI Gabe falls from the sky and lands in a dumpster.

GA83: (FALLING NOISE, PUNCTUATED BY ANNOYED GRUNT)

He dusts himself off, climbs out of the dumpster, and looks around.

GA83: Aw! This place is even worse!

He cautiously begins making his way down the sidewalk. PEDESTRIANS (including our regular voice cast members) pass by gawking and pointing at Gabe.

GA83: Omigosh… (TERRIFIED WHISPERS)

Under the closing credits, a frightened Gabe lumbers down the street past more wary pedestrians – a stranger in a strange land. As the credits close, Gabe looks in a store window.

GA83: (HAPPILY) Ooh, 50% off on comics!

Gabe perks up and confidently strides into the store.

FADE OUT:

THE END