#soon after they would realize their respective best friends have similar energy and both left them at some point

[dyleeart]

blorbo meme (late to the party edition)

[robininthelabyrinth]

This one's gonna take two asks, I'm incapable of making it more succinct. In Accurate description NHS said "I’m taking you back with me to the Nie sect when all this is over. If your parents want you back, they can come ask nicely.” Could we get that AU? And the Jiangs HAVE to ask nicely, because with the war on the horizon they can't risk alienating the Nies, but they are so bad at it? NHS's half assed plan to poach JC gets more and more solid the longer he has to watch this train wreck.(1/2)

How hard can it be to love your own flesh and blood? Even NMJ has stopped admonishing him for wanting to poach another sect's heir. What a political nightmare that would be. But JC is so relaxed with NHS's birds? And keeping up longer and longer when training with da-ge? And smiling more? And JYL said, she's never seen him so loose in the shoulders? NHS can make this work. JFM and YZY never valued JC anyway 

Part 2 of Accurate Description (necessary to read that first)

-

“Absolutely not,” was the first thing Nie Huaisang’s brother said when Nie Huaisang first raised the idea of kidnapping Jiang Cheng for his own good. “Absolutely fucking not.”

“Nie sect principle three,” Nie Huaisang said.

“Well, shit,” his brother said.

This was because Nie Huaisang’s brother is the best.

“I’ve gotten other people involved in this,” Nie Huaisang added helpfully.

“You’d better have,” his brother said. “I am not dealing with the fallout from this on my own.”

Nie Huaisang nodded happily. That was about what he’d expected.

A few moments later, his brother asked, “Why are we kidnapping him, anyway?”

-

“This is temporary,” Nie Mingjue said gruffly.

“Very temporary,” Jiang Cheng agreed, sounding stiff and awkward. “I don’t even know why I’m here.”

“You know exactly why you’re here,” Nie Huaisang objected. “I told you why!”

Jiang Cheng gave him a dirty look.

“Also I have no idea how da-ge got you here, but you’re staying,” Nie Huaisang said firmly. “For as long as it takes for your parents to show that they deserve you returning to them. You’re not getting a choice.”

Jiang Cheng’s face was turning red.

“That’s not the deal, Huaisang,” Nie Mingjue interjected. “Jiang Wanyin can return home at any time he wishes.”

Nie Huaisang glared, but his brother ignored him.

“He can also stay as long as he wishes,” he said, and this time it was Jiang Cheng’s turn to stare. “If you want others to respect him, you must first pay him the respect he deserves yourself. Now, I have to go, but Jiang Wanyin – know that our home is always open to you.”

He put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it, then ruffled Nie Huaisang’s hair, and left.

Jiang Cheng looked dazed.

Nie Huaisang smirked.

“…you said something about him giving out hugs?”

“Oh yeah,” Nie Huaisang said. “Great hugs.”

-

“I can’t believe you would betray me like this,” Nie Huaisang whined. “And after all I’ve done for you!”

“A little training’s not going to kill you,” Jiang Cheng said. “Come on already.”

“My brother put you up to this, didn’t he? You sold me out for a hug.”

“I sold you out for the opportunity to go on a proper night-hunt,” Jiang Cheng said. “Also, he said he was proud of the progress I’ve been making on my cultivation and sword training since I got here. And gave me a hug.”

Nie Huaisang grumbled but conceded that his brother was especially difficult to resist when he was in full big brother mode. If he wasn’t, Nie Huaisang wouldn’t have been nearly so willing to give up the neat new sword he’d found in the Xuanwu’s cave and store it down in their saber halls until his brother and Baxia could figure out how to suppress it - he hadn’t even realized it was full of resentful energy at first, and he still thought it was especially aesthetic.

“Besides, if you don’t practice something soon, he’ll come after you himself,” Jiang Cheng said. “Wouldn’t you rather train with me?”

“No. You’re just as crazy as he is.”

Jiang Cheng looked disturbingly complimented.

“I’ll come look at your birds later,” he offered.

“You’d do that anyway,” Nie Huaisang said. “You love my birds.”

Jiang Cheng did, too. Nearly as much as he loved all the feral cats that roamed the walls of the Unclean Realm, every single one of which seemed to have immediately pegged him as a soft touch and come nosing around for treats – Nie Huaisang had never seen Jiang Cheng look so calm and peaceful as when he had a cat under his palm.

It really put into perspective how stressed he looked the rest of the time.

“Oh, all right,” he groaned, and Jiang Cheng beamed. “Just know that I hate you.”

“Same to you, Nie-gongzi,” Jiang Cheng said, completely insincere. “Same to you.”

-

“You know, I’m surprised my parents haven’t shown up to demand me back yet,” Jiang Cheng said over lunch one day. “It’s not – it’s not a problem. It’s only – I thought – Mother at least –”

“Oh, they’re demanding all right,” Nie Huaisang sniggered.

“…Nie Huaisang, what have you done,” Jiang Cheng said.

“Conspired, that’s what,” Nie Mingjue said. “I don’t know if I should thank you for discovering my brother’s sole talent, namely for scheming and conspiracies, or to blame you for it, Wanyin – but you do have very loyal friends.”

Jiang Cheng blinked.

“Well, first your parents went to Lanling,” Nie Huaisang explained. “On account of Jin Zixuan and Mianmian very obviously sneaking food around and buying all sorts of things that you would like before smuggling them – very poorly and obviously, mind you – into Jinlin Tower, and of course they were also overheard talking about something that sounded an awful lot like ‘Wanyin’; everyone assumed they were hiding you. Turns out they weren’t, of course; it was just a stray dog they’d named something with similar tones. Not their fault everyone got the wrong idea!”

Jiang Cheng’s eye twitched.

“And then, of course, they went to Gusu, on account of Lan Wangji telling everyone you were his sworn brother –”

“His what?!”

“Well, close enough. On account of how you saved his life.”

“I did not!”

“I thought I heard something about how you carried him on your back as you fled from the Xuanwu’s cave and the Wen sect’s ambushes, when he was exhausted and could not walk,” Nie Mingjue said mildly, and Jiang Cheng spluttered. “Had I heard wrongly?”

“…well, no…but...”

“Of course, you weren’t at Gusu,” Nie Huaisang continued, ignoring them both. “Though there were some heavy implications for a little while that you’d gone off with Lan-gongzi –”

“Isn’t he missing?”

Nie Mingjue coughed and looked down at his plate.

“And none of you said anything?” Jiang Cheng asked, looking between them. “At any point? Did you just, what, not talk to them?”

“I have spoken with your parents several times since they have started looking for you,” Nie Mingjue said, and his voice was suddenly hot with roiling anger. “I have concluded that Huaisang had a point regarding the necessity of their learning how to ask for your return.”

Jiang Cheng blinked.

“Your parents are jerks,” Nie Huaisang volunteered. “And you deserve better.”

“Yes, thank you,” Jiang Cheng said, a little strangled. “I think I – got that.”

“Good.”

-

“It’s just, my jiejie –”

“Supports you being here. She sent you a care package. It’s in your room.”

“…Wei Wuxian –”

“Sent a note along with the package. Says to keep up the good work.”

“How did you even get something like that?!”

“I have my ways.”

-

Nie Huaisang was staring blankly at the wall when Jiang Cheng walked in and did a double take.

“Okay,” he said to Nie Mingjue, sitting patiently nearby with a letter in his hands. “You broke him. How?”

“He just discovered that he inadvertently saved a great deal of lives,” Nie Mingjue said. “As did you, by agreeing to come here.”

“I only agreed to come here because you lied and told me it was necessary to help defend my sect,” Jiang Cheng grumbled, clearly not meaning it.

Nie Huaisang let out a high-pitched and somewhat hysterical giggle.

“It was,” Nie MIngjue said solemnly, offering him the letter. “It appears that Wen Chao was given permission to attack and crush the Jiang sect, but has been delaying in anticipation of your return on account of wanting to deal with all of you at once. The delay allowed our spies time to discover his plans, and to carry warnings to your parents. They were thus able to fortify the Lotus Pier’s defenses against invasion, and to hold it off until aid could arrive – which they wouldn’t have managed if he’d attacked at once, as he would have if you’d been there.”

Jiang Cheng stared.

“Would you like to sit down and stare at the wall?” Nie Mingjue offered kindly.

“…yes please.”

-

“How’d you convince him to let me come here, anyway?” Jiang Cheng asked Nie Huaisang as he packed up his things. He was finally heading back to the Lotus Pier, albeit only long enough to collect soldiers and come back to join what they’d started calling the Sunshot Campaign – his parents had finally figured out where he was and sent word that had, in the view of the Nie, just barely qualified as sufficient to get some leeway.

Lan Wangji was waiting in the hallway to escort him there, and he’d sworn to Nie Huaisang that he would not allow either of Jiang Cheng’s parents to say anything untoward while they were there. He’d looked very serious while he said it, too, which pleased Nie Huaisang to no end and made Jiang Cheng look more than a bit nervous.

“You’re only asking that now?” Nie Huaisang asked, amused.

Jiang Cheng shrugged. “You going to tell me or not?”

“It was easy,” he said. “I just invoked Nie sect principle three.”

“…what’s that?”

“‘A fire burns all the same’,” Nie Huaisang said. “Variously interpreted as: ‘Treat your neighbor’s harm as your own’, ‘Do not stand idly by as your neighbor bleeds’, or ‘Indifference to evil is equivalent to evil’.”

Jiang Cheng stared.

“How about ‘if you see someone who needs you, you have an obligation to act’?”

Jiang Cheng blinked. “Okay,” he said. “And?”

“And what?”

“And what else did you say? You convinced him to literally kidnap the heir of another Great Sect; I can’t believe that you accomplished that simply by saying ‘hey principle three applies here, let’s do this’.”

“Maybe I did,” Nie Huaisang sniffed.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. “Fine, keep your secrets. I’ll get them out of you one day.”

“Maybe you will,” Nie Huaisang said.

-

“Da-ge,” Nie Huaisang said. “If I wanted to keep Jiang Cheng permanently, what principle would I have to invoke for that?”

“Nineteen.”

“Nineteen?” Nie Huaisang frowned. “But, da-ge, principle nineteen is the one about marriage – oooooooh.”

[jinkicake]

Ushijima, Tendou With a Clingy S/O

Ushijima and Tendou with a s/o who likes to cling onto them.

Ushijima x Reader

Tendou x Reader

For @ryreeee who requested this, I hope you like it, I really liked the prompt so thank you for requesting it! Muah. Omg, I saw someone on twitter call Tendou ‘bootleg Hisoka’ and I have not been the same since. (-д-；)

WC- 1,498

~~~

Tendou Satori

Omg Tendou would L O V E this

He is already such a clingy person who loves contact so you’d be like his own personal heaven

He always feels so good when you hold onto him

Whenever you’re walking anywhere, like to class or back to the dorms, one of your arms would be looped through his

The two of you are always, somehow, touching one another

Tendou just radiates safe energy, he would be so refreshing to be with

Imagine just holding his hand, holding onto his arm, holding onto his jacket pocket, holding any part of THE Tendou Satori

You’re like a personal heater the way you’re always pressed up against him

Tendou, and I cannot stress this enough, would LOVE this

Even after a game, whether they win or l̶o̶s̶e̶ win, you capture him in a tight hug

One where you simply hold him and tell him how awesome and cool he looked or how proud you are of him and the team, before teasing him and telling him he needs to take a shower since he is drenched in post-game sweat

While the two of you have your own respective friend groups you still hang out a ton, to the point that people think ‘how are they not at each other’s throats?’

The two of you just get along so well, both supportive of the other, and completely utterly in love with each other

It’s early in the morning, birds are beginning to chirp and the sun is just starting to light up the outside. Yet, you’re still awake, you never went to sleep. Neither did your boyfriend. The two of you just started a new anime and are determined to get halfway done with it before the next day. Thankfully it is the weekend and Tendou has no practice. Your arms are wrapped around his waist and your head is buried in his chest, occasionally squeezing him every now and then.

“That guy reminds me of you.” You glance up at Tendou before looking back at the TV, watching as the character takes out a bunch of people with his cards.

“Huh?! The little boy?” Tendou teases pointing at the dark-haired protagonist, you pinch his hip in response and ignore the yelp that leaves his throat. His red eyes widen when the magician comes back on screen. “Oh, the clown? Why him?”

“Because you’re both hot.” You tell him honestly, though it really is the hair. The two have a similar hairstyle.

“Oh, you think I’m hot?” A finger pokes your cheek and you can practically see the smirk on your boyfriend’s face.

“Obviously.” You sit up and reposition yourself so that your face is resting in the crook of his neck rather than on his chest, it’s easier to kiss his cheek from this position.

“(Y/N), you think Hisoka is hot?!” Tendou shakes his head disappointedly and you gape up at him.

“What you don’t think he is?!” You retort, equally as shocked. The two of you stare at each other in silence before bursting into a fit of laughter that drowns out the show playing in the background. Tendou eventually moves to cup your face in his large hands and stare down at you. His face lowers to brush his nose against yours and he smiles softly at the giggle that leaves your lips.

“I love you.” You shyly look up at him, your face heating up at the confession, even though you tell him this twice every day.

“I love you too (Y/N), with my whole entire being.” Tendou confesses back, his lips now kissing along your neck.

“Do you want to go get ice cream from 7/11?” You manage to ask, your eyes closed at the sensation of his lips working on your sensitive skin. Tendou halts for a second and a noise of confusion leaves his lips.

“I’m feeling you up right now and that’s what you’re thinking about?” Tendou nips at your ear and you nearly squeal at the feeling of his teeth.

“I-Is that a no?!” You ask, your breath hitching in your throat as he begins to suck under your jaw.

“Of course not, let’s go!” Tendou is off of you in an instant and you almost regret the offer you made. A frown makes its way onto your face at the lack of heat you’re facing after Tendou left.

“Come here baby,” Tendou coos and you turn excitedly towards him, only to meet a face full of a sweatshirt he threw at you. “Oh, headshot!”

“Tendou!” You whine and throw the warm material on, quickly moving to put on your shoes as you wait for him at the door. The two of you look like quite the pair, decked out in your pajamas and matching hoodies. As soon as you make it out into the hallway and Tendou locks the door, you instantly wrap your arms around one of his. You glance up at him cheekily and pout as he pretends not to notice you. That only lasts a couple of seconds though, because not before long you feel his lips pressed against the top of your head. He removes his arm from your tight hold to wrap it around your waist, pulling you into his chest so he can pepper soft kisses all over your face. Leaving the last kiss right on your lips.

Tendou Satori is, oh so, incredibly soft for you.

Ushijima Wakatoshi 

Ushijima loves when you touch him

He might not understand it, he seems like such a, not a touchy guy but he adores it when you touch him

He appreciates the little ways you show your affection

He also likes how small you look next to him

Ushijima is very busy, with school and volleyball but, he lets you tag along so you don’t feel left out

You study together and try to help each other understand the material, the whole time your leg is pressed against one of his

You watch volleyball practice when it is just him in the gym, silently you wait on your phone until the moment when he is finished and yours for the rest of the night

Ushijima doesn’t understand why you like being around him so much until you go on a trip for a few days

Very quickly he realizes how much he adores being around you, he loves every second he gets to be with you and misses you every second you’re not together

When you get back from your trip, Ushijima shows his true colors

You had never seen him act so clingy before, the hug he holds you in is long enough to the point you feel you might have to push him off

He only says he missed you once but holds your hand the entire way back to your dorm

Ushijima might not be the best at expressing his emotions, but that's okay because he has his own love language and you’re fluent in it

“I can’t believe it’s raining.” You stare up at the cloudy night sky, glancing at your boyfriend and feeling slightly guilty that you dragged him out here this late at night before checking the weather. “I saw that the Moon was supposed to be super big and bright tonight,” Ushijima only continues to stare up at the sky and you sink further into your jacket. Mentally you curse at yourself, with a new relationship like this one, only being together for a few months and you go ahead ruin it with some weird ‘spontaneous’ date. “I just wanted to spend time with you.”

“I’m happy you asked me out tonight,” Ushijima confesses and you look up at him with hopeful eyes.

“Even if we can’t see the moon?” You ask, your timid tone showing through.

“Even if we cannot see the moon, I am still having fun.” At this, you grab his hand in yours and squeeze it. Ushijima can only watch with a new fascination as you bring his hand up to your lips and press a kiss against his knuckles. His face heats up with a light blush dusting his cheeks and you hold his hand to your chest even as you continue to watch the rainfall.

“Do you want to go eat, I’m sure a cafe must still be open.” You offer and Ushijima continues to stare at you, you feel warm under such an intense gaze.

“Where ever you want to go.” He answers and you nod your head before standing on the tips of your toes to reach his hood and pull it over his head.

“Don’t get too wet.” You wink and when you start to let go of his hand Ushijima only grips your hand in his own, a silent plea not to let go. He can see the wide smile you’re trying to hide off your face. 

Ushijima can’t help but smile back, feeling that same affection swirling in his heart.

[demetriandelibinaryboyfriends]

So I was thinking about the parallels between Cobra Kai and Fight Club--mainly that macho dudebros who idolize Tyler Durden and/or the entirety of the “Hawk” persona are entirely missing the point and the general commentary that toxic masculinity is like...bad--and before I knew it, my mind wandered to an Elimetri Fight Club AU and I realized it’d be like...beyond perfect??? I’m shitting myself with excitement so y’all get to hear about it, buckle up!

BIG BOI SPOILERS FOR FIGHT CLUB BELOW, DON’T KEEP READING IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET AND YOU WANT TO

Anyways just imagine Eli as the protagonist, “Hawk” as Tyler Durden, and Demetri as Marla (genderbent, obviously lol). Like maybe Eli stays in Cobra Kai under Kreese’s influence and as a result, his mental health just COMPLETELY tanks to the point where his grip on reality itself starts slipping (which isn’t really THAT far-fetched, considering that not a single goddamn person has tried SENDING THIS POOR KID TO THERAPY and every adult in his life is FUCKIN USELESS) and he’s in a bad enough place a few years down the line to actually start seeing Hawk as a completely separate person. Of course, before this happens, he eventually feels like he has to “grow up” and give up the “Hawk” persona--he stops taking karate, he goes to college, he gets a “normal,” well-paying, respectable job. But even escaping from Kreese, even assimilating into what seems to be a peaceful and stable life, it doesn’t make him happy--he figures all his bridges are too far burned to mend, and his old friends who he alienated now probably hate him too much to ever want anything to do with him again, after all the shit he pulled while in Cobra Kai. Never having the best social skills, Eli is certainly no natural at making new friends either---he’s decently friendly with some of his coworkers, but that’s about all he has in the way of a social life. He’s lonely, he’s frustrated with his repetitive, empty life, he’s bored with his job, and perhaps worst of all--the remnants of his Hawk personality never really left. That aggressive streak, that thirst for violence, that burn for a fight--it’s still there, no matter how deep he’s pushed it. Then one day, on the way back from another dull business trip, he meets a guy about his age who wears his hair just like Eli wore it back in high school. He even goes by the same old nickname Johnny Lawrence once gave to Eli--how about that? Hawk encourages Eli to get back into karate to get out some of that pent-up aggression, but isn’t interested in doing it with all the “suffocating constraints” of a normal adult martial arts class. Before Eli knows it, he and Hawk have started an underground “Karate Club” where basically, anything goes.

Demetri, meanwhile, has gone off the deep end arguably just as much as Eli--his grief at losing his friendship with Eli sent him spiraling into a deep depression, and he ended up feeling so numb and unmotivated that he dropped out of school, turning to drugs and alcohol to cope and to just be able to feel something again. His new self-destructive tendencies and crushing depression have completely exhausted and driven most of his old friends away--Miguel, Sam, Chris, Nate. Now, scraping by working at a dingy convenience store, Demetri is nearly as alone as Eli. He starts going to random support groups just to have someone to talk to--imagine his surprise when he runs into his old friend Eli Moskowitz, infiltrating support groups for exactly the same reason. He’s ecstatic when Eli reaches out, wanting to reconnect and try being friends again after all these years. However, with as much as both their minds have already spiraled, it’s hardly going to be rainbows and butterflies for Demetri just because Eli is back in his life. And the same Hawk who once snapped his arm in half is not nearly as gone as Demetri thinks...

As relieved as Eli is to have Demetri back, his new friend Hawk...complicates things. Hawk treats Demetri with open scorn and contempt, chastising him for being a “weak pussy” whose relative maturity and logical senses (which, Eli can’t help but notice, have seemed to increased back to what he remembers from high school since Demetri started spending time with Eli--almost like the self-destructive habits and drug and alcohol abuse stopped as soon as Demetri had something to live for) are “suppressing” the violent, primal urges Hawk so much revels in. And yet, somewhat unexpectedly, Hawk lusts for Demetri like Eli never expected. Before Eli knows it, Hawk and Demetri are regularly fucking like the world is on fire and they’ll never get the chance again. And Eli doesn’t know what to think--he can’t imagine why Demetri would want to sleep with someone who treats him like utter filth the rest of the time. And Eli doesn’t much like the way Hawk treats Demetri, either--to the point where he questions if he really wants to be around his cool new friend as much as he thinks. And of course, there’s the fucking awful icing on the cake to top everything off--Eli is falling in love with Demetri, and he knows it’ll end terribly.

Demetri is...concerned, to say the least. It’s starting to baffle him, how Eli is flipping back and forth seemingly at random between the timid, meek best friend he had for years and the hyper-masculine asshole with spiked hair who made his life hell in high school. But he vows he’s going to get Eli through...whatever this is, and he’s not going to let Eli lose his mind. Demetri refuses to lose him again, no matter what it takes. But that might be harder than Demetri thinks, given the fact that the karate club Eli’s started with “Hawk” is already getting WAY out of hand...

But Demetri can’t say anything about that, can he? After all, the first rule of Karate Club is you don’t TALK about Karate Club. Well...unless you’re talking to yourself about it where you think Demetri can’t hear, anyways. Things are just getting more insane by the day.

~~~

Legit SO HYPED about this, like I can’t stop thinking about how similar the Eli/Hawk and Narrator/Tyler dichotomies are??? Like we’ve got this meek, timid, rule-following guy who just does what other people want him to for the most part and tries not to stand out, and then we have the side of him that has all this explosive, repressed anger at the world and the society he’s forced to live in (even if it’s just the “society” of high school lol) and this destructive hypermasculine energy and it’s lowkey FASCINATING to me??? And Tyler even has flashy, flamboyant clothing the same way Hawk has flashy, flamboyant hair!!! And of course Demetri tries to be the “Marla” in that he’s the Voice of Reason who’s the only one who really tries to help this guy battling his own head. And some of Marla’s dialogue to the narrator/Tyler sounds EXACTLY like the kind of thing Demetri would say when Eli is flipping back and forth between “Hawk” and “Eli,” it’s PERFECT. Like I am SO DOWN for this AU, if someone writes this I will sell you every limb on my body. It’d be dark as shit and probably can’t really work without both Eli and Demetri being a LITTLE insane, but ohhhh baby, that’s what I love about it <3 THE ANGST! THE DRAMA! THE PAIN! I live for it!!!</p>

Anyways Fight Club AU with the Binary Boyfriends 2021 please and thank you

[kishimoto-did-us-dirty]

Naruto Arts School AU

Reposting bc I love this post and bc I can lol

Character

- major

description

Naruto

-Drums

okie nobody can deny that our main boy over here is a loud soul, however, he can also carry a damn good beat that compliments his band mates’ music really well. Tbh, he sucked at music to begin with and had trouble matching rhythms and listening to his band mates when they played, however he eventually became a really good rhythm maker.

Sasuke

-Guitar (lead)

He’d be assigned to the same band as Naruto, and that’s how they met. This boy is a damn good guitarist y’all, but has attitude problems™, and used to not be able to deal with Naruto’s haphazard beat making, thus perpetuating a rivalry between the two. He constantly feels overshadowed by his elder brother Itachi, a piano major.

Sakura

- Dance

Ya girl fucking demolishes every single dance routine. Initially starting out with a focus on ballet (pre-shippuden in canon), our pink headed queen soon realized that she wasn’t getting the full experience of what it meant to dance. Her point shoes were her loves, however they hurt and nipped in places not just physical. She realized that she didn’t want to be pigeonholed into a genre of which she would be inhibited by standard, and rather to dance so as to forget technical perfection. Thus, what would partner with post-shippuden Sakura in canon, Art School AU Sakura got into hip-hop. And bitch, she goes hard. A lot of the other girls who she used to dance ballet with admire her for her absolutely BODYING her dance routines, but also for never sacrificing her femininity to dance and not taking BS for being a girl who goes so hard in a male-dominated genre. (Some people believe that hip-hop is heavy hitting and a little metaphorically “dark” so to speak, which Sakura is not. So obviously I expect a little disagreement regarding this, however if you look at people like Delaney Glazer or Kaycee Rice, that is how Sakura would dance).

Hinata

- Creative Writing

Shy and bookworm-like, Hinata can write the best poetry, romance and adventure pieces out of all the creative-writing majors. She’s especially good at writing character relationships and development, and has such a subtle sense of intelligent wit in her writing, that if you blinked you would miss it. However should you catch it, you’re sure to chuckle. Her only struggle is that she tends to drag on in important scenes, stretching them against the regular flow of the rest of her writing. Needs validation for her writing through an IV drip.

Kiba

- Drums OR Photography

Drums for obvious reasons (loud and obnoxious), although ruff boi looks good with a camera, too. Great at landscapes and street photography.

Shino

- Creative Writing OR Photography

I could definitely see Shino having fucking beautiful handwriting, and being a beast at writing anything within the sci-fi realm. I could also see him doing some journalism, and writing for the school paper. He’s very good at the logic of his sci-fi books and coming up with logical but enrapturing stories, that intermingle knowledge and mystery. He’s a very specific type of read, however, and may not appeal to all, however if you enjoy anything similar to Star Wars or Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, then Shino is your author. If this doesn’t float your boat, though, try photography-major Shino. He can get the best angles of bugs he sees, and has an extensive portfolio with entomology-related snapshots.

Ino

- Dance

Like Sakura, she, too, began with a focus on ballet, however began to branch out into contemporary ballet a little later than Sakura. This is another reason why Sakura switched her focuses, as she and Ino had always had a fierce rivalry for dieting (ballet dancers are pressured to be as thin as possible) as well as battling for technical perfection when they were ballet focused. As the two grew, Ino focused more so on contemporary, but can certainly do some hip-hop with Sakura every now and then, just as Sakura occasionally takes a contemporary class with her. The two still have a rivalry, however, just not to the previous extent as when they were actively competing against each other. They’re more like sisters.

Shikamaru

- Guitar (bass) OR Creative Writing OR Architecture

Smart boy’s a tricky one. He would either be a bassist, a mystery and historical fiction writer, or, of his school offers it, be great at architecture. Idrk.

Choji

- ermmmmm….. maybe graphic design? Tech theatre (props)? Vocal???

Choji is hARD dwnccnpc (that’s what she said). I could see him behind a computer screen, animating and designing games/covers/posters or whatever. He could also do something in theatre, but I don’t think he would do anything up on stage. Something like props would suit him. He might do something in music, tho???? Can he sing???? Help???

UPDATE: Choji is a band kid. He plays tuba or some shit. Big boy got big lungs.

Tenten

- Dance

Always has been, and always will be a hip-hop dancer. She wanted to be like Tsunade, a legendary dancer and followed in her footsteps, taking up hip-hop. (that’s why Sakura focused on hip-hop, too, because Tsunade mentored her and taught a few of her classes, too). Tenten is fast and can keep up with any beat. Not only is she a great dancer, but she’s also athletic, and does track and field (cross country), football, and softball at another school too, since the arts schools doesn’t offer it. Overall great dancer with styl. She’s really looked up to by some of her underclassmen for her cheery, but badass style and skill.

Lee

- DANCE (hip-hop, too)

It’s sweat. It’s burn. It’s energy. It’s Lee.

Neji

- Violin

First chair violinist in his freshman year for the school’s philharmonic orchestra. He be extra like that.

Gaara

- Guitar (bass)

He had a lonely childhood with neglectful/abusive parents, and rock music really helped him with that. Emo music is emo and often made fun of, but the songs have messages and Gaara related, so self-taught himself the bass guitar to help cope, and bring him closer to the music that salvaged him.

Kankuro

-Art

Specifically sculpting. For obvious reasons.

Temari

- Acting

Girl can make you cry with some of her monologues. Total lead. Has a seriousness in her acting that makes her believable, however can falter on the less-serious roles. She may also double-major in whatever Shikamaru does. And she’s better at it than him.

Itachi

-Piano

Boy could play any etude at age 7. Performed at Carnegie Hall when he was 10. And no, he didn’t pay to play there. The hall invited him. Began composing at 9. Has perfect pitch. Owns international awards. If he’s not at school it’s because he’s traveling to play for crowds. He excels at classical and baroque, however has an ear for romantic, and enjoys playing/composing pieces either written or inspired by romantic pieces. Enjoys Schumann, Debussy, and Tchaikovsky. Hates modern classical music, though. Can only take cinematic pieces composed by people like Williams, however can’t stand Prokofiev at all. He does like modern music, though, so long as it’s outside of the orchestral/classical music realm. He likes R&B. He would have liked to do film with Shisui, particularly producing, however his parents pressure him with piano, so he helps Shisui with student films and projects outside of school (will probably pursue film after graduating, tho).

Shisui

- FILM / VIDEO PRODUCTION

Fight me on this!!! THIS BOY IS SO GOOD AT CINEMATOGRAPHY MY FILMMAKING ASS CAN’T EVEN. AS SOMEONE WHO IS IN LOVE WITH FILMOGRAPHY, TRUST ME, SHISUI HAS IT™. THE IT™. HE’S GOOD AT EVERYTHING. CINEMATOGRAPHY. DIRECTING. SCREENWRITING. GRIP-WORK. EDITING. PRODUCING. HE’S SUCH A FILM NERD TOO, AND WATCHES OLD FILMS ALL THE TIME. HE’S JUST TOO GOOD AT IT. DOES STREET PHOTOGRAPHY TOO. HE’S OVERALL A GENIUS WITH CAMERAS. Does film with Itachi outside of school and teaches him, and the two are overall geniuses at filmography. They want to start their own studio together (they do, and it becomes huge). He becomes a leading director, while Itachi becomes a producer and directs sometimes too.

Sasori, Deidara, and Sai

Guess.

Kakashi

- Saxophone

It’s the only thing that suits him and it suits him so well. Has suave.

Obito (omfg his arms y'all)

- Not to say drums or anything, but…. drums.

Narutard 2.0. But he also dabbles in other areas of music. Like, he can also play guitar and sing. He’s also pretty good at music production. Makes R&B sometimes. He wasn’t always the best musician but proved to be a late bloomer, and really harnessed his potential. Tries to be as suave as Kakashi and his saxophone. He isn’t.

Hashirama

- Vocal

OkaYYYYYY. VOCAL GOD. CAN DO RIFFS AND RUNS AND HAS PERFECT PITCH. ALSO THE SWEETEST GUY??? WAS A CHAMBER SINGER AS A FRESHMAN. EVERYONE LOVES HIM, GOOD BOY ENERGY.

Likes to belt.

Madara

- Piano

Total prodigy, but hates classical music. Once was accompanist to Hashirama for a solo vocal performance and hasn’t been left alone since.

Tobirama

- Viola or Cello

Some sort of string instrument and takes it very seriously. Probably plays cello because violas are violas and that’s lame (if you know, you know). Has almost as many awards as Itachi and Madara, but hates his usual piano accompanist, Izuna.

Izuna

- Piano

Also a piano god. The uchihas breed them. Hates being accompanist for Tobirama. They’re secretly best friends though, don’t tell anyone.

Karin

- Tech Theatre.

Idk why. Probably started out with props and made her way up to TD (technical director) in senior year.

Suigetsu

- Tech Theatre

Fucking hates theatre kids. Assistant TD. Karin hates him.

Jugo

- Visual Art

Paints landscapes and nature. Really good with oils and gouache respectively.

Yamato

- lmao Trumpet.

Met Kakashi since they both play brass, but boy he ain’t got that suave. That’s why he plays trumpet. Lmao he plays the fucking trumpet anjdwcnojdnn.

Rin

- Vocal

Sweetest voice and could also play the acoustic guitar when she sang. Died in a car accident junior year. Kakashi was at the wheel when they got hit by a drunk driver. Obito saw the whole thing.

Kurenai

- Visual Art

Can create dream like paintings that almost seem like illusions.

Asuma

- Cello / guitar

Used to play cello because of his parents, but loves to play guitar. Can sing but his voice is raspy from smoking.

Gai

Who the fuck do you think teaches dance?

Jiraiya

- Guitar (lead)

Used to major in lead guitar. Sucked at first. Probably has a couple, casual Grammy Awards (they’re actually not that hard to be awarded with, The Recording Academy award many people outside of mainstream media. My school has a few). Now teachers as head of the Band department at this school.

Tsunade

-Dance

Legendary dancer. Probably toured with a few famous people. Now teaches. Mentored Sakura, and mentored Ino but for a shorter time.

Orochimaru

- Idk, didgeridoo, or some shit

Definitely a wood wind. Flute maybe??? Teaches now but no one knows what he does. Pedophile. Has a thing for Sasuke.

[rip-a-dip-dip-you-potato-chip]

what have I created?

idk if yall like this, but they just exist not i guess :/

ok the the first one is Royalty AU

first things first, when I say Royalty AU, I don't mean the classic shit we've all become accustomed to. Im talking about the good old Chinese royalty! And I want to emphasize that these guys will/should be dressed in century appropriate attire. As someone thats read a handful of 'marinette, princess of china' fics from the ML Fandom, I've noticed a common trend. Marinette wouldn't be in the culturally appropriate clothes, always ballgowns. Not that there's something wrong with it, its just most of if not all these fic are set in China, so I'd expect Chinese royalty to dress as THERE dress code calls for. And since this AU takes place far in the past like, it won't make sense for any of the characters to be in royal clothing that wasn't from there region. I'm not trying to white knight/gatekeeping. Im Guyanese not Chinese. But since JTTW and Monkie Kid take place in China, it's only right. In my opinion that it. You don't have to outright agree with me.

With out of the way, it's time for that good old AU crack

- Wukong is the king of the Flower Fruit kingdom(or a different one if you'd like, again I'm only familiar with what western culture has taught me, but I'll try my hardest) 

- he’s single but rumor has it he used to/still is dating the Vigilante/thief The Six Eared Macaque

- *chants ShadowPeach violently* 

- no one know whether it true or not

- On of his wanders around the kingdom he finds an abandoned baby in a basket. 

- and no shit sherlock it's fucking baby Xiaotian 

- I think we all know where this is going because i'm a simp for Monkey Dad & Monkie Son shenanigans

- Xiaotian becomes prince

Shit, ill be referring to Xiaotian as Mk from now on, I mentioned this before in a fic I wrote for lmk that Mk's a nickname for Xiaotian for some reason- wait i don't have to explain my self to you people!

- Sun loves his son

- MK is treated differently by staff and others because he's not blood related to the king

- no one mistreats MK per say, because there King loved his adopted son, but words are said behind his back

- Sometimes MK hears what’s said, and he feels as if he won't live up to his dad’s legacy.

- He meets Mei during a festival

- Mei is from a noble family, that wouldn't mind if they got a connection into the royal family.

- but it becomes hella clear to Mei’s family very fast that the two are just friends, and will always will be. but hey there daughter is bffs with the prince so that's a plus.       

_

- the Demon Bull Family is rules a kingdom as well, I dont/am not creative enough to think of a name I leave that to you.

- It's a common misconception that DBK is a tyrant, when he’s not. 

- most of the time...

- they have been at war with the Monkey King for some time now and settled for a peace agreement.

- that agreement being there sons to marry

- oooo original i know

- MK and Red Son are roughly the same age, Mk being 20 and RS 22

- RS is revolted/disgusted at the idea of being wed to the Monkey Kings child, even more so when he realizes MK is adopted,

- but, that all changes the second he meets MK while he meets him by accident when he gets kinda lost in the palace when he and his parents go to discuss the arrangements.

- the second he looks at MK, he's instantly in love. MK less so, he's nervous and honestly kinda bummed he's not marrying someone he loves but it's for the good of his ppl, and he'll do anything for them.

- RS isn't even aware that MK is Suns adopted son until MK walks him back to the meeting room.

"Oh There you are MK! I was about to have a servant go fetch you!" Sun Wukong says, gesturing for his boy to come sit with him.

"S-sorry for keeping you waiting I got caught up in my lessons with Mr. Tang" MK responds, sitting next to his father. Red Son looked gobsmacked. The beautiful young man he had bumped into, was the prince of this land? Damn, life truly blessed him. Or cursed him depending on how you looked at it.

- the two are left alone in a separate room for a while.

- And MK straight up tells RS why he's agreeing to this union.

"Look Red Son. I've dreamed about meeting my one true love for a while. And I would give almost anything for that dram to be real. But I wouldn't ever dare give up my people, for as there price they mean more to me. I'm doing this for them, no other reason" MK says, his back straight and hands folded neatly in his lap. The look in his eyes was a mix of sadness, but that was drowned out by loyalty and determination. It just made Red Son fall for him even harder. Clearing his throat Red spoke.

"I understand, for im doing this for the betterment of my people to. But I propose a wager"

"A wager?"

"Yes, if i can make you fall in love with me by years end, before our marriage, we can live together like in the fairy tales from far away. But if I fail, in a years time afterwards you will be permitted to find your own path in life" Red Son stated. MK took a moment to process what was happening.

"So, if you succeed in making me fall in love with you, before our marriage we can live happily ever after?" Red Son nodded in response, letting the younger continue.

"And if I shouldn't fall for you, in a years time after our union, im free to leave?" Red Son nodded once more.

"So, what do you say?"

...

"Deal"

In the end, your free to choose their fate, should Red Son win the hart of Mk? Will he fail? Or will he let him go, and let him travel the country, after all Mk's a free spirit and keeping him trapped in a big house is like keeping a cannery trapped in a cage only for its song, only for it to dul. Or will the unthinkable happen and will both boys find their freedom? together or appart? I don't know, because that's all up to you 😉

personally, I’m partial to where MK and Red Son both find freedom together. Like they straight up run away together to somewhere far away and just live out there lives together. 

this could also be genderbent thing as well. MK or Red as their respective counterparts. Again it doesn't have to be, but it’s whatever bro. im just spitting out the idea. 

Also, there is a main side plot that they fight the WBS throughout the year as well, along with other shenanigans you wanna throw in.

____

The second is a My Hero Academia/BNH/MHA AU

truth be told i'm not a big fan of MHA i think it to over hyped(this is also coming from the same person that’s a Fairy Tail fan lol), and the fandom i don't even know how to describe that mess, but I will admit not the whole of its toxic since every fandom has some toxic members, some even more so. 

I just sometimes find myself enjoying MHA AUs like the Fullmetal Alchemist, Danny Phantom, Evil!Deuk AU and several others. 

to make it clear I don't see this AU taking place the same time as the main plot of the actual Anime/Manga. This could be either like 6-10 years before or after the plot idk bro. But i’ll do this after the main story plot of MHA, so keep that in mind ya? another thing, the gang is still in China, the top hero school in the world just so happens to be in Japan, and it’s only ever mentioned by Sun wukong and other pro heros. So MK never attended AU. in short it’s only ever mention/ reference.  

_

- Mk was considered Quirkless as a kid. 

- he was just a late blumer, i swear  

- Mai’s Quirk is called Dragon. 

- it pretty much works the same way as it does in the show(duh)

- Tang’s got a knowledge Quirk, 

- my man can retain information and he’s basically an archive of information drawback being his personality lol 

- Piggsy is a Animal that gained a Quirk

- in cannon to my current knowledge, there are two other characters that can confirm animals can become sentient. the characters being Fumikage Tokoyami, & Nezu the principal at the school UA.  

- Sandy is just Conner Kent, aka he like superman but can't fly, or shoot lasers from his eyes. And blue.  

I have two scenarios for Macaque and Wukong  

*- The first one is that, Sun Wukong & Macaque are brothers. twins to be exact. 

- they where legit people, but have mutation quirks that made them too like monkeys. 

- the added powers were just a boues. 

- Sun and Mac are close growing up, like there brothers but also best friends.

- the draw back to there quirks could honestly be whatever you want bro idk, same with the others tbh. Personally I like to think Sun just has lack of motivation, and Macaque needs to draw on other people's energy.

- Sun is a hero, Monkey KIng and Mac is a villain Six Eared.

- Sun was always treated has the golden child in the family, Mac always resented that, but there shitty up bring didn’t stop the two from being good brothers to one another.

- soon tho the resentment became hatred when Sun was able to attend UA in Japan, while Mac didn't.

- Mac be angy 

- so he became a villain, and joined the Chinese branch of the LOV(league of villains)

- Sun doesn't know this till he finds out during the all out war during the main story. and by that time he’s a full on hero with is own agency(The Flower Fruit agency)    

- when the hero's ultimately win and Mac is arrested 

- This ultimately hurts Sun a lot, his brother was in jail now, arrested for his involvement and wrong doings, he knew nothing about this! this brother, his blood. A bad guy? why? he hadn't seen his brother since he left for UA, he hadn’t seen him when he came home, and started his agency. 

- this just puts Sun into a funk so he’s not as active as he used to be, and he starts thinking he might need a successor 

*- The second one is that they were two separate people that had similar quirks and both attended UA but Sun ended up in the hero corse. so 1A.

- Both Macaque and Sun have similar quirks, Sun’s is obviously more light based while Macaque’s is more shadow based(this applies to the first one as well)    

- Macaque was placed in class 1B, U.A.’s High's Heroics Department, I believe, you can correct me. 

- In cannon Class 1A and 1B both went to the training camp. I can see the teachers pinning Sun and Macaque against each other to hone their skills. 

- And because of that they become great friends    

- In fact when they graduate they both co-found there hero agency together in China and are a duo.

- But due to Monkey King’s popularity and Six Eared's association with shadows(people sometimes saying he has more of a villains quirk than a heros) the public see’s Macaque as Sun’s sidekick when thats far from the truth. 

- now it’s up to you whether you think that Wukong and Macaque would be in a relationship together, but knowing how cooked we all are, ShadowPeach is a thing here more than likely. 

- If you do or don’t support/ like the ShadowPeach aspect, the two would be living together regardless since its more cost efficient. 

- They my be heroes but living costs are expensive!   

- I would imagine there would have been a huge fight/argument between the two in privet of course, at there home.(or in there shared office if you want the extra angst of the other people they work with hearing them fight)   

- If the two are dating, then this would either lead to an out right breakup, or Macaque just up and leaving with Wukong thinking he’ll come back once he’s cooled off. But after a week, with no sign of his partner, or him answering texts or calls, not even coming into work. Wukong gets worried that something might have happened to him. so there wouldn't be a confirmation if they were still a thing or not. 

- But Wukong remains hopeful, despite the nagging at the back of his head, and gut telling him to go find Macaque, or atleast make a public statement, or even just tell another pro hero about it.   

- on the not so shippy side, Macaque and Wukong still have there argument, and much like the ShadowPeach esc side, Macaque up and leaves, and isn't seen for weeks. the only difference here is that when Wukong comes home one night to there flat, most if not all of Macaques stuff is gone. 

- where as if this was the ShadowPeach side, Macaque leaves all of his possession in the flat he and wukong share. for the simple reason being, he still loves him and wants to go back, but Macaque being Macaque can’t bring himself to do it, especially after seeing just how hurt Wukong looked when he yelled at him just before he left.  

- in other words, ANGST DIALED UP TO A 10 BABY  

- in either case, its a news report that confirms Wukong's suspicions that he desperately didn’t want to believe, and that is Macaque turning into a villain.

- much like if the two were brothers, Wukong just can’t take it and is no longer as active as he once was, and is thinking about, either A) Retirement  B) Saying, “Fuck Society, Be Gay Do Crime” and join Macaque as a villain himself, or C) find a successor, and a way to bring Macaque back to there side, but most importantly, back to him.    

- also extra points if you're after people's hearts and want to make them suffer;  - If there dating, Wukong curle’s up in the bed he and Macaque shared, holding/wearing something of great value to Macaque and just crying himself to sleep, where as Macaque is getting wasted on alcohol, as he stumbles out of the bar he’s in, he either see’s something that reminds him of Wukong or while he’s trying to put his wallet back into his pocket, a photo of them on their first date fall’s out. and Macaque just cries in a nearby alley way. And it’s there where he gets indoctrinated into the League.

       - If there just friends, macaque heads to the nearest forest and just levels it, where as Wukong just gets engrossed into his work, trying not to think about it. you could add you own spin on this, again i'm just spitballing.             

- NOW BACK TO MK! :D     

- Obviously MK is a huge Monkey King fan     

- at Twenty MK has come to terms he's quirkless (HE’S NOT)

-for ANGST reasons MKs fokes kicked him out at this realization at 13.

- he works at Piggsy's Noodle shop, and has been since he was 14.

- don't need a quirk to drive or cook!

- the boy lives a content life with his new family, till DBK happens :D

- DBK runs a Mafia(in conjunction with TLOV) and has been in jail for like 5 years thanks to Monkey King, PIF and RS brake him out one night when MK's out making a late night delivery since Piggsy had the bright idea to go 24/7 service!

- one thing leads to another and Mk somehow manifest what looks like the Monkey King's staff, but its not, it’s MKs powers, it just so happens to be the same power the Monkey King has. And it practically goes down the same way in the pilot. 

- but unlike the pilot Mk and Mei go straight to the FF Agency, after making a panicked call to Pigsy and Tang.

- one way or another Mk are lead into Wukongs office. Mei being forced to stay in the lobby.

- they have there convo, butterfly monkey squishing included.

- "And so, I want you do be my success-" BOOM 💥

- from there they rush downstairs and see that the lobby has been infiltrated by the DB fam, and you know fight.

- once the DB family seems like there down, PIF wisks them away. Much to Monkey King’s displeasure.

From there stuff kind plays out like cannon, the calabash ep is just a conjoint quirk the Demon bros have. As for EP9, ill have to script that one out myself lol. I'll get onto it as soon as my will to commit stabs me in the face. Till then have a dancing Kermit the frog.

Now if you'll excuse me, am about to Kermit a felony :D

(For legal reasons thats a joke)

Psst @writingamongther0ses its done

[goddesofimortality]

Sheltered Hearts: Chapter 1

The New Student

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Felix took a deep breath and knocked on the door to his new classroom.

To say he was excited would be the biggest lie he had ever told. He doubted that the six months since his last visit had been enough to make his cousin and his friends forget what he had done, and he was eager to get all of the glares and mocking whispers over and done with as soon as possible. With a heavy sigh, he reached for the door knob in annoyance, but was surprised when the knob began to turn. He grimaced in anticipated annoyance, already expecting to be greeted with the bored eyes of a teacher who’s lesson he had interrupted. However, when the door opened to reveal a familiar dark-haired girl with bluebell eyes, he was more than surprised to be greeted with a bright smile.

“Oh! Hey Felix! Madame Beaulieu is out on a quick bathroom break.” Marinette did her best to put her best attitude forward. She could tell that he was wary, with his tense shoulders and both of his hands clutching his bag strap, so she held back on trying to shake his hand. “She should be back soon and you’re more than welcome to take a seat at her desk until then. Or,” she began as she smiled up at him. “As the class representative, I’d be more than happy to introduce you, if you’d like?”

Felix was at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected Marinette to be the one to greet him, much less to do it as kindly as she had. Especially when she had seemed so upset with him last time. After all, wasn’t she the one he had hurt the most? Felix frowned as he pulled himself out of his thoughts and nodded in acceptance to her offer.

Marinette smiled even wider as she stepped aside to let him through the door and guided him to the front of the classroom. “Attention everyone, we have a new student!”

Marinette’s excited voice was something he wasn’t prepared for either, causing Felix to focus on her as she addressed the class. Did she actually remember him and everything he had done? Because she was way too relaxed and happy if she did. He ignored the way Chloe made a snarky comment and how Adrien’s friends groaned in annoyance and instead, focused on the way Marinette turned to him with bright eyes as she introduced him. Her voice was soft, yet it held enough strength to it to be heard above the murmurs of the class.

He was surprised to find it quite comforting.

“Hey Felix!”

With a reluctant sigh, he turned away from Marinette and faced the rest of the class to find Adrien waving to him.

“Hey,” He greeted monotonously. Unlike his cousin, the spotlight was the last thing he ever wanted.

“Oh my gosh!” Felix winced in annoyance of the high pitched voice and looked up to see the brunette it belonged to. One look at her was all it took for him to know that she was trouble. Her voice was too sweet and there was something about her eyes that he didn’t like. It was as if she had seen him as a stepping stone to her imaginary throne as she ranted about how similar he and Adrien were. He tightened his hold on the strap of his leather bag as a chill ran down his spine.

“Wait!” Felix recognized the girl with glasses from his last visit. “Are you related to the Graham Production Company?” Recognition settled into her face as she connected the dots.

“That’s my mom’s company.” Felix watched the class grow in excitement and immediately regretted his promise to his mother. Did he really have to spend one year in this place? Sure, he’d get to transfer back to his old school for his last year of school, but one year here already felt like it was an eternity away.

“Oh Felix!” The teacher walked in with a smile on her face as she thanked Marinette for taking over. “Sorry I missed your introduction. I know everyone is probably dying to get to know more about you, but unfortunately we have to get back on topic since we have an exam tomorrow.” She nodded in acknowledgement as she took in her students groans while searching the classroom for an empty seat. “I know, I know, I’d much rather get to know our new student as well but we have other things to do. Felix, you’re more than welcome to take a seat next to Marinette while we review.”

“Thank you.” Felix turned to follow Marinette and was surprised to find her subtly glaring at the brunette from before. He realized then that the brunette was hanging off of Adrien any chance she could and he was reminded of Marinette’s confession towards his cousin. The confession he had deleted. ‘Guess six months really wasn’t enough time to change some things.’ When she noticed him staring, she threw him an apologetic smile and that was when he noticed it.

Marinette had soft, gentle features, bright blue eyes, and with a smile like hers, it was easy to mistake it for genuine. But in that moment, which had only lasted a fraction of a second, he noticed that her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Instead, they hid a certain exhaustion and pain that despite him not knowing her that well, he could tell that they didn’t suit her at all. 

“That’s your seat,” Marinette began as she pointed at the other seat in the middle row, effectively pulling him out of his train of thought as she stepped back to leave him enough room to squeeze by. He slid across the wooden bench and set his things down just as the teacher began to review, but he was far more intrigued by the girl beside him who began to focus on the lesson as if he weren’t there. She wasn’t being rude, in fact, he felt she was being quite polite in trying to respect his space. He was grateful for that, he didn’t need to add to the curious glances he was still getting, but he wondered just how much of her kindness was an act. 

At lunch, Marinette smiled brightly up at him as she invited him to sit with her, probably out of courtesy, but Felix wasted no time in accepting the offer. When they sat down at a table by the window, he found himself realizing just how bright, energetic, and friendly Marinette could be. There was no doubt in his mind that there was something bothering Marinette, and if you removed that something, she was genuinely happy and full of life. He let her do most of the talking as he ate his food in silence, offering input here and there, but he mostly listened to her. Everything felt relatively warm and peaceful, until the brunette showed up.

Marinette fell quiet, her voice getting caught in her throat as she set down her fork, she had lost her appetite. She wanted to tell Lila to go away, but she had lost the energy to do that long ago, and instead focused on looking away, taking in the view of the window to her left. Just a few more months. That’s all she had left to endure before she could finally get some peace.

Felix immediately took notice of how quiet Marinette had gone, when moments before she had been talking about the most trivial of things with such excitement. ‘So this was the something.’ Lila introduced herself to him with an obviously fake smile that didn’t light up her eyes the way Marinette’s did, and he found himself genuinely annoyed by her company. Her voice felt flat to his ears, lacking any warmth and life, sounding more like a rehearsed script than an actual conversation. One by one, her lies began to spill from her lips and he mentally thanked Adrien and his friends for showing up and cutting their conversation short before he could say anything that would start unnecessary drama. He finally understood Marinette’s attitude towards Lila, and when he turned to look back at his desk partner, he was surprised to find her looking at Adrien as if he had said something that upset her before excusing herself from the table with her belongings.

Felix noticed the way Marinette’s eyes had lost their vibrancy, becoming cold, hurt, and uninterested. With a wipe of his napkin, Felix wordlessly stood up and grabbed his things as he made his way to her side, leaving everyone shocked and a certain brunette seething.

When he caught up to her, he found Marinette muttering to herself as she looked through her purse and cleared his throat to alert her of his presence. She seemed scared for a moment, quickly closing her bag and turning to face him in embarrassment.

“Oh hey! Sorry about leaving like that, I suddenly remembered I had some work to catch up on.” Marinette was flustered and didn’t know what to do. She had just barely managed to hide Tikki and had sputtered the first excuse she could think off. With a deep breath, she calmed herself down enough to form a coherent thought. “Actually, I’m not very good with being surrounded by a lot of people right now, and since there is still an hour left to lunch, I was going to go work at a nearby café.” Marinette tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she adjusted her textbook. She didn’t actually know what to do with her spare time but she was too riled up to be surrounded by the others right now.

“Then we better hurry so we have enough time to enjoy our coffee.” Felix was surprised by his own words but he simply adjusted his leather book bag as he draped his coat carefully over his arm. “So, where to?”

Marinette was dumbfounded by his quick invitation to join her so she laughed as she smiled in silent gratitude, she never did like being alone. “Right this way,” she turned on her heels as they made their way to the café just across the street.

Tags:

@supertomboyprincess @maribat-is-lifeblood @dreaming-being @moonlightstar64 @ceres-zephyr

Thank you for reading!!

[isbus]

The City

Summary

Adam begins his adventure at the main spot for Greedy demons.

Chapter 2: All Bets Are Off

“What else do they have here?” I ask before regretting my decision as I knew, they have everything... don’t they? I groaned as he started listing off things such as clubs, restaurants, museums, casinos, wait, casinos? That sounds fun! Let’s go to the casino! I hope I’ll see King Dice or someone like that! “Let’s go to the casino!” 

“Which one? The Bettigan Casino is the most popular but if you want the least popular then...” he trailed off as I fake-snored. “Soo... you want the Bettigan Casino?”-I nod-“Alright, basic bitch casino it is.” He took my hand and dragged me out of the club to the packed streets, looking for bright lights and loud sounds as if he was a zombie. “This way, sidekick.”

Sam walked over to the right and over through an alley filled with moans, and groans, and lascivious noises just to be in front of a very bright building that was covered in multiple different lights. We entered through the velvet doors and saw multiple crazy sights- beautiful people playing outrageous games, many creatures with instruments playing on a stage, and people watching the music being played. 

“Wow... this place is huge!” I shake Sam with excitement and energy. I could hear Rock It For Me by Caravan Palace being played by the band but it quickly ended and soon Trouble by Cage the Elephant started. A girl with blonde hair and a red dress with a card skirt began to sing. “What should we do?” I was out-of-my-mind excited. 

“Haven’t you been in a casino before?” he asked, sounding curious as if the sights were new to him as well. 

“No, I died at 19.” I say matter-of-factly. He groans in response. 

“Shit, I died at 21 and didn’t get a chance to go to a casino so... I guess we’re both fucked on the thought of doing something here...” he looked down at his shoes before hearing the clicks from the shoes of someone who stood over him. He looked up when seeing his shadow overlapped by another man’s shadow. 

“Hello there, I’m Spade Clubs, but please, call me one or the other.” He smiled with pearly white teeth and pale rose lips. He had a brown quiff, a blue vest, dark blue slacks, a green club tie, a club mark next to his mouth, a green and blue top hat, and dark forest green dress shoes. His smile, which was directed towards Sam, suddenly became a grin when seeing me stare. “Are you curious, Adam?” 

“How do you know my name?” I ask. He chuckles back at me and pushes my fringe aside to look at me in both of my eyes. 

“I can see your horns, Adam.” I stare into his club and spade pupils as his face gets close to mine. He immediately backs up and laughs. “I’m kidding! I know it because I have my own Dead Encyclopedia!” I look awfully scared as he asks what’s up. 

“Oh, you got me, that’s all.” I felt the top of my head for safe measures. He laughs some more at my reaction, making me sound a little irritated at his annoying laugh. I bet some girl in the audience thinks it’s sexy. I laughed along with him before continuing to talk. “So, What should we do here?” I ask. 

“What do you feel like doing? Playing games? Listening to music? Having fun?” He whispered the last question just to wink. 

“None of that, we’re not fags!” Sam tried to defend before saying another word. “You’re not gay, right?” I shake my head. 

“I didn’t say you had to have me, you could have Diamond if you wanted to. But that’s not the point... you can do anything you want down here including eating broccoli soup with belladonna leaves! So, do what you wanna do, eat what you wanna eat, play what you wanna play, and so on and so forth.” His hands done weird gestures as he spoke about what happens down here. He laughed after he was done explaining. “So, I’ll help you out with what you can do down in Mr. Bettigan’s Casino of Fun and- well- fun!” 

I smile as he begins to push us towards a table by a window. We sat down and watched as the star of the show sing the final parts of the song. She vocalized at the end before exiting the stage. I noticed Spade walk over to the backstage but I couldn’t tell what was happening from there. Suddenly I saw them both walk out from backstage and walk towards our table. Women were vocalizing and once I looked on the stage, I saw a bowl of clam chowder sat on a stool behind the microphone. 

“How do you do? I see you met my faithful waiting-man.” She sung to the beat. I noticed that the clam chowder, as anyone would expect, wasn’t singing. She smiled. “Alright I’m done with the jokes. I’m Diamond Hearts. What’s your name? Isn’t it Adam Vil?”

I nearly shouted in rage from how pretty much everyone I met knew my name. “Yes, how’d you know?” I asked, sounding a tad annoyed.. 

“Oh, this is simple, it goes a little like Spade-told-me-everything.” She laughed. “Now, what would you like to do? Eat, drink, play, or all of the above?” I was hungry so I told her that I wanted to do all of the above starting with food. Spade moved over to the a door which I presumed lead to the kitchen and came out with menus in the crook of his arm. Diamond took one from Spade and then passed it over to me. Spade gave the other one to Sam while looking over at Diamond with a sincere smile. 

“Touch the button in the middle whenever you’re ready to order and I’ll be rushing to your table in a matter of time.” He directed his smile to us before strutting over to the entrance where he began to wait for the next people to enter. I pulled up the menu that was handed to me and searched the menu for something that suited my fancy. 

Sam on the other hand, looked over the menu then put it down with the speed of Usain Bolt. He looked over at me as I gave him a questioning stare. “What? All I want is a bottle of whiskey and some chicken tenders.” He nearly shouted. Spade heard that and rushed over to our table. 

“Didn’t I tell you that you have to press the button? But never mind your mistake, I presume you’re ready to order?” He asked sounding kind to cover up his anger. “You,”-he pointed to Sam-“ordered whiskey and chicken tenders; couldn’t forget that for the world. So, Adam, what would you like?” He looked over at me— was his spade pupil always on the left side? 

“I want vodka and Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes.” I simply stated while Sam glared. 

“Oh! How exciting and different that is! I’ll get my cooks to make it the best just for you as you ARE the prince of Hell.” He giggled like a girl then ambled over to the kitchen. I stared at Sam as he glanced back at me from time to time.

He sounded irritated as he asked me the most boring question. “What?”  

“Nothing but one question; why whiskey and chicken tenders?” I didn’t know what to ask so I just asked a question that was in the back of my head and should have not been asked. It was awkward cause I knew what his response was, “Why should I tell you”, or “It’s because my family liked it”. But I never would guess anything like what he said. 

“I ate that when I died,” I assumed that his food was poisoned or something until I was fully aware of why their was a noose around his neck and a shirt that said ‘Beer Pong Champ’ in black sharpie on the blank canvas of a shirt. “Before I killed myself, I was drinking and eating that same meal. But then I got so drunk, I must’ve hung myself.”

My heart was tugged at as he spoken about his death. “That’s depressing...” I mumbled. I thought about my death and realized that we had similarities. "Wait," 

"What?" He quickly responded. 

I thought about it some more before continuing the conversation. "I had a friend when I was alive who committed suicide while intoxicated. Could that have been you?" I looked at him in the eyes. 

"I- Maybe... But my Adam didn't know his dad- Wait. That explains everything! No wonder we get along so well!" He reached over the table with his arms out for a hug. I rejoiced in my head and done the same as him. Our arms wrapped around each other as we smiled.

When we were in the middle of said hug, we heard someone clear their throat. "Hot food and cold drinks are here!" We stopped hugging, sat back down, and looked to see Spade with a tray of food. "Thank you." He smirked with a singy-song voice. Spade sat the food down in our respective areas along with the drinks towards the tops of our knives. 

"Thanks, Spade!" We both conveyed to him. 

He laughed since we were synchronized when speaking. "It's nothing as long as you pay the bill." Spade howled with laughter. "Now let me leave you two lovebirds alone." He began to walk away before we could start protesting against his words. Sam shook his head. 

"Never really liked the king, or the queen, or any of the card demons. They're all just bad people." Sam mumbled under his breath. 

I was very confused. "Who and what are you talking about?" I asked him like if I didn't know I was gonna die... again. 

Sam glared at Spade as he sashayed away. "Don't you know? He's the king of black cards, Diamond is the queen of red cards, there's two more but they don't go with the suits. They're just jack and joker. The people who run this place are card demons. They suffer from the sin of greed. Like Spade's death; he used to bet his life for a abundance of money." 

"Wow... I didn't think of that..." Then I started to think of the other sins. 

If they suffer from the sin of greed then there must be at least six other sins to deal with in my venture through The City... 

"Uh, hello? Ya there?" Sam snapped me back into reality with his rough voice that makes me- wait. I nearly said something I might regret... oOpS 

"Oh! Uh.. yeah just thinking." I responded awkwardly. 

"Don't think to much; those demons of Lovers Land really like a man who can think without his dick." He laughed. I didn't laugh until I came to realize that maybe the demons there might be strippers. I bet they work at a club like 'Satan is my Daddy'. 

"Haha, yeah." He was really funny for a guy with such a tragic backstory. Although, that makes sense since that one comedian said something about funny people being depressed and stuff. I can't remember the exact quote. But instead of dwelling on his sadness, I decided to eat. 

Once he remembered that he had food, after seeing me dig in, he took a few bites. "It seems they put a little bit of hearts hormones on my chicken tenders..." he told himself. 

"Of course we did!" Spade loomed over Sam and smiled with closed eyes. Suddenly opening them to see his pupils switched from what we were used to. "What better way to knock out the prince of Hell's friend?" That sincere smiled changed to a sinister grin. 

"Good thing that chef of yours put in only one shot." Out of fucking nowhere, the glass shattered leaving us with, surprisingly, no cuts? Once our eyes opened from the shock, we looked over to our right to see (insert LoZ Chest Opening Music here) a man with messy blonde hair, a decorative mask, and a Vega-like* costume. 

"Prince Adam," He began, his words muffled by the mask since it had no mouth holes. "It's time to meet your fate... AGAIN!" He shouted while drawing his sword, a blood stained katana. 

"Who in (censored)'s name are you?!" His eyes, which you could barely tell, widened. 

"How dare you speak the un-lord's name in vain?! No wonder the king sent me here to kill you... again." You could barely tell but he began glaring at me. "I wonder how many cuts it'll take for the Devil's son to officially die..." 

Sam throws a bottle down to get the guy's attention. "I bet you won't be able to cut him at all!" 

The man, about to cut me, stopped at the word 'bet'. "What are you going to give me in return?" 

"This!" He holds up a hand grenade which was covered in rust and had an upside down cross. 

It was clear that he wanted it, by the way he stared in awe. "The 'Unholy Hand Grenade'?! How did you get your hands on that?!" 

"Does it matter? It's yours if you manage to slice him at least once." Sam winks at me. 

"Did you just wink at him?" 

"Of course not. Why?" 

"I swore you did..." 

"If you keep it up I won't give you it." 

"Ugh!" The man rushes towards me with his katana. "Give me everything you got, Adam!" He begins by jabbing at me, which I avoided by backing up. I tripped over a table, but I immediately got behind it. Once I thought I was safe, he stabbed through the round table. If I was any closer, it would be through my head. 

I thought he would pull it out and try stabbing in a different area of the table, but he actually lifted the table with his sword. What is his sword made of?! 

I tried running away but, before I could, he grabbed my shirt. Then I remembered Sam's wink. I thought quickly about what it meant, then I saw him about to slice my neck. My first instinct was to put my arm in front of my neck. 

I looked at my arm, and there was a deep, bloody, cut. I was about to scream in fear and pain, but I realized something very weird. There was no pain. I didn't feel the cut or anything. I might be imagining things, but, it looked like it was beginning to close up. 

"I did it!" He shouted. "Now, give me that Unholy Hand Grenade and I will end this!" 

Sam slightly grins. "Alright," he starts taking the pin out. "I will." The masked man's mask falls off and shows his terror. 

"NO! PLEASE, NO!" He yells in a plea. Once the pin was nearly out, a man with blonde hair, a yellow shirt and sneakers, and a jacket with pants (both black), snatched the hand grenade out of Sam's hand- pin and all. 

"Yoinked!" He grins. "Buh-Bye!" He throws his hand down as if he thrown a smoke bomb, then yellow smoke filled the room, and he was gone. 

Everyone who was still here, coughed and gagged on the smoke. People opened the windows to air out the yellow fog, and saw something that kids shouldn't see. Where the man was standing when he 'Yoinked' the Unholy Hand Grenade, was a mini slot machine which had a dancing stick figure*. 

"Damn. My most expensive item." He looked down. 

I quickly changed the subject. "Sam, where are we going next, anyway?"

- NOTES -

*1: Vega is a character from the Street Fighter franchise who I inspired the Masked man Jack O. Trades off of. 

*2 The Dancing Stick figure is a reference to Henry Stickman (GET DISTRACTED)

[sh-rare-pair-exchange]

All’s Fair in Love and War, Except for You

For @bytheangell 

Read it on ao3: HERE

The first thing Jace notices when he wakes up is the perfect stillness of the world, the early dawn shines in through the soft cotton fabrics of the tent, adding warmth to the calming air. A pair of strong tan arms surrounded his waist and he felt a slight stubble tickle the back of his ear. Morning’s were always better with Mel, they provided a safe reminder that the nightmares weren’t real, that he didn’t have to be a brave soldier for the kingdom, he could just be himself. `

It made Jace appreciate these small moments even more, his dark hair had gotten even more untamed during his sleep, his brows lost their usual squint, opening up his face and relaxing his eyes. His long lashes now rested softly on his face, pointing Jace to his slightly parted lips. Brushing a navy strand away, Jace leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his love’s face. He was pleasantly surprised to hear a soft sigh escape his Mel’s lips, as he slowly started to return the kiss.

“Someone’s up early, especially since they don’t have any duties until noon,” Meliorn drawled.

Jace gave a small shrug,”I thought I would enjoy the view,”

Meliorn gave him a small smile, “Well the view might have problems with being watched so early,” he replied.

‘Or he might be flattered?,’

He let out a small chuckle, “It’s a possibility.’

Jace smiled fondly back at him, it was nice to have this again. They only ever met when Meliorn’s queen came to visit every few months for meetings with King Robert, and even then they both had duties to attend to. Jace let out a small groan and buried his face into Meliorn’s neck, causing the other to laugh as he wrapped his arms around his middle. Meliorn placed small kisses on his head. Part of him just wanted to just stay in bed all day, even if it was impossible for several reasons. Jace slowly felt Meliorn’s body tense as he remembered the lives they had outside the tent. “You should get going soon,” he stated, “It will be more difficult to sneak back as more people are awake.”

Jace pouted, a small groan of annoyance leaving his mouth before begrudgingly letting go. Jace sat up first, walking over to a small chest that contained his clothes, a simple black tunic with an armored breastplate and pauldron. Meliron watched with a sad smile before putting on his own uniform. A black shirt with a crimson jacket and pants, a gold leaf on his shoulder helped depict his rank as captain of her queen’s guard. As the two dressed they started to build up their walls, their faces becoming less open and their posture shifted into a soldier's stance.

The two had agreed that it was best to remain as professional as possible, the Seelie Queen wasn’t known for her kindness and members of her court were forbidden from engaging with people from other kingdoms, especially high ranking members of Idris, a kingdom with rocky relations with her majesty. Still, Jace moved so that he was standing in front of Meliorn, softly connecting their lips in a soft kiss before breaking away. A small smile spread across Meliron’s face as he took in the sight of his lover, his perpetually messy hair glowed in the sunlight, making his face even brighter than before. He rejoined their lips in another sweet kiss, his arms falling around Jace's waist to bring him the slightest bit closer, deepening the kiss. Meliron soon broke this kiss, looking up at his love’s mismatched eyes and soft stubble from where he had neglected to shave.

“If you don’t stop now you’ll never leave this tent,”

He chuckled “If that’s your way of telling me to leave, you might want to try a different strategy.”

“You leaving is never my intention, your safety on the other hand is, ‘ His hand joined Jace’s as he continued, ‘You know my queen’s laws are absolute, and I do not wish for you to fall into harm's way because of my queen, or yours.”

Jace nods in understanding, he slowly lets his hands fall to his side and backs away. He slowly walks towards the back entrance of the tent, telling himself this isn’t goodbye he walks out without a glance back, starting the long trek to the castle of Alicante.  

It's a quiet walk back, the kind of dull quiet that created a calming but boring atmosphere that Jace never truly liked, as the absence of noise left him alone with his thoughts. He hated being alone ever since his father died, he had been his only world until he died while on a job, then he had no one to hold and nowhere to go. That was, until the royal family took him in a few months later, Robert felt guilty over his father’s death and offered him a place at the palace as an apology. Mayrse had given him his own room next to her children, who accepted him as a friend and brother, and allowed him to live and train with them for years. Now he worked everyday to repay them for that.  

Then why are you betraying them by loving someone you might go to war with

Jace froze, No, he thought, that won’t happen, they’re signing the peace treaty in a few days, sure their relationship with the other kingdoms had been stressed but that was going too far. It would never come to that.

Are you positive?

Shaking away his doubt he continued onward until he reached the barrier that surrounded the castle, he took a deep breath, and slowly stepped inside, back to home he grew up in. He was greeted by the glass tall towers  ascending into the heavens. The smooth pale stones flashing him a welcoming smile, the cedar trees giving him a small wave of their branches in the breeze.

Jace allowed himself to relax a bit as he made his way across the lawn, he was safe here, no one was going to hurt him and nothing bad was going to happen here, he was safe.

Well mostly, he smirked as a flash of red caught his eye, Clary always tried to catch him by surprise after his ‘morning walks’, as he called them. Clary seemed to be repeating an old favorite this time, jumping out of a tree and tackling him when he least expected it, only it had failed to work so far and would continue to do so for the foreseeable future. He slowly counted down in his head before a familiar battle cry broke out form above.

“AAAHHHHHH”

He merely stepped aside just before she made contact with him, causing her to crash harshly into the ground with a load oof. Cracking a smile, he extended an arm to help the small thing up, Clary was a sweet knight, new to the ranking but had quickly proven herself a quick thinker and a fierce fighter, earning her quite the respect from her fellow knights.

“You got lucky that time”

“Oh yes, because your battle cry didn’t give you away at all, or are you still scared of falling”

She rolled her eyes affectionaley, “One day I’ll push you off a building and see if your still high and mighty about heights, until then we need to get going,”

Clary’s respect came with the position of personal guard to Princesses Isabelle, similar to how Jace was incharge of watching over Alec at home and during battle. While Izzy respected her parents' wishes, she wasn’t completely on board with the idea of another teammate, this disappeared as soon as she was introduced to Clary, with the two bonding quite quickly. Soon Clary became a fixture at Izzy’s side, it wasn’t uncommon for the two to sit next to each other during meals or hold hands while walking in the garden. Jace was fairly certain they were much closer than others realized but decided to keep it to himself, they’ll tell him when they're ready.

Several minutes of banter and a few hundred stairs later, Jace stood outside Alec’s door. He put his ear next to the door, listening to Alec’s snoring. Jace knocks a rhythm on Alec’s door, he waits for a bit. Hearing nothing he decides it’s time to move on to phase two. He knows that he doesn’t have the energy for this, but Alec will know something’s wrong if he doesn’t, and talking about his problems has never been his style. Grin and bear it it is then. Taking a deep breath he grabs the door knob and bursts open the door with a bang.

“Rise and shine sleeping archer, your knight in shining armor is here!”

Alec let out a pained groan, throwing a pillow at Jace’s head, which he easily dodged.

“Now, where’s the enthusiasm your crankiness? Up late last night reading some dumb poem?”

Alec’s icey eyes give him a pointed glare.

“It’s too early for this, send breakfast up, I'll eat later,” he moans, burying himself under the dark comforter.

Jace rolls his eyes, if he can’t sleep in neither can Alec, phase three it is then.

Jace jumps on the bed with a battle cry, elbowing Alec in the side. Alec yelped in pain, trying to push Jace off of him to no avail. “Get off!”

“On you? Not a chance.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Alec accented with a slap.

Jace let out a small laugh, causing Alec to become even more annoyed,

With an exhausted sigh, he conceded, “All right, If you move I’ll get up!

“That’s all I ask,” Jace replies, untanageling himself from Alec and begins walking out the door, “I’ll be outside while you get dressed, we’re meeting Izzy for breakfast in the pavilion in ten.”

Twenty minutes later the two made their way across the grounds two the grand white pavilion, usually Robert, Mayrse, and Max would join them for lunch while Jace and Clary would eat with the other knights. However, Max was away at boarding school and Robert and Mayrse were busy with preparations for the ceremony coming up, at least that was the story. In reality Mayrse and Robert had a strained relationship for a while, rarely spending time together outside of meetings and events.

“Took you long enough, Alec giving you trouble this morning?” Izzy inquired.

She was dressed in a blue grey gown fell gracefully around her, with small gems adorning the tips of her long sleeves and the lining of her gown. A tiara rested peacefully on her head. Clary in contrast, Clary was covered, with her face and hair being the only things on display, the rest of her body was covered in an intricate suit of armor, runes carved into the wristbands and chest to help increase her strength, agility, and speed.

“When is he not”, Jace responded.

Alec gave him a roll of his eyes before sitting down on Izzy’s left, taking some scones from the centerpiece and digging in.

Jace took the seat to his left, with Clary now sitting on Jace’s left, completing the circle.

The group continued to eat, making small talk here and there while also debating who was coming from what Kingdom,

“Simon is representing the Night Kingdom this year, since he can walk out in daylight,” said Clary

“No way,” said Alec, “He’s too inexperienced to be making these kinds of decisions, plus we’ve managed just fine with Rapheal.”

“Well at least Lorenzo’s not showing up this year, although I think Underhill might be a bit disappointed about that”

“Are they still a thing? What do they even do together, talk about Opera?” asked Jace sarcastically.

“Leave them alone,” said Izzy, “It's cute that they’ve made their relationship work long distance, besides Underhill seems really happy.”

Jace and Alec exchanged a look, a silent understanding that Izzy was just being a sap. Jace reached for his drink and took a sip.

“I heard that the Queen will becoming to the meeting instead of Meliorn,”

Jace struggled to keep himself from choking.

“What?” He asked, glancing at Clary.

“The Sealie Queen, I checked the guest list and saw her name instead of Meliron, the ambassador.”

That can’t be right, Meliorn is at the Sealie campsite not far from the castle grounds. Why would he be here if he wasn’t  going to show up to the meeting, come to think of it, didn’t Meliron mention that other fae were here too. Why is everyone showing up? What’s going on?

Jace tuned out the rest of the conversation, turning his focus to his own thoughts.

“Hey, are you okay?” Alec asked, putting a hand on Jace’s shoulder.

Jace looked up to see that everyone was looking at him with varying degrees of concern.

Shit, I spaced out too long.

“Uh, yeah I’m just thinking about the peace ceremony coming up.”

“You sure?”

He nodded, “Positive, don’t worry about it okay.”

Alec raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything outside of that,there was an awkward silence for a few moments, no one quite knowing how to fill the conversation.

“How about we go on a quick walk in the garden or maybe we can train?” suggested Izzy

Alec  gave a small shrug, “I was actually thinking of taking the horses out for a bit, we could do that?”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll get the kitchen staff to clean this up and I’ll meet you at the stables”  

“You sure you don’t want to go with us? We can just ask someone at the stables to tell the kitchen staff -”

“I’ll be fine,” Jace interjected,” Besides, I’d rather not leave the food out for too long you know?”

Before they could say anything else he pushed his chair back and all but ran towards the castle. As soon as he was out of sight he sent Meliorn a small message to meet him at the halfway point between the castle and the sealie camp. He knew he was overreacting but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

[its-always-the-witching-hour]

Chapter 1 of Apocalyptic AU - Sanders Sides

This is way longer than I intended it to be, and it’s only chapter one. I don’t have a name for it yet, but I’ll come up with one soon.

Word count - 1643

Pairings - None (yet)

Warnings - (Spoilers) Zombies, blood, guts, the undead, being left alone, death, disease, summoning rituals - Tag anything I missed

Characters - Virgil Sanders, Deceit (Devan) Sanders, Remus Sanders

Next chapter

---

Everyone had called his parents crazy, and conspiracy theorists, but now they probably wished they had listened to them. It was month 4 of the apocalypse, and Virgil was probably the only survivor. The outbreak had started with what seemed like a new disease, one that was extremely contagious but harmless, and put the infected person into a sleepwalker like stupor that lasted for days. At first, things just continued like normal, with people still going to work and school, and traveling around the globe, but Virgil’s parents hadn’t bought it. They had locked him from the outside and inside in a bomb-proof bunker, stocked with enough food to last a person a year. They refused to join him, though, and instead attempted to figure out where the disease had originated from. The days down in the bunker were long, but not that boring, due to the fact that there were at least three charging points for electronic devices on each wall, and a tv to keep connected to the outside world, not to mention the bookshelf with all of Virgil’s favorite books in it. He thought that the whole thing was an over-reaction at first, but still got some pleasure out of it, mainly because he now had a valid excuse not to turn up to school, as he was locked in his crazy parent’s basement. Then the disease went into its second stage.

Everyone who had been infected once, or was still suffering from it just collapsed onto the ground. Scans of the bodies showed that their brains had just stopped functioning, and nothing that was done could bring them back. There were too many funerals that week. A week after every dead body was buried, stage three started. People walking past or paying their respects to the dead reported scratching sounds from the graveyards. The government and police dismissed it as a Halloween prank – as it was October at the time – and stated publicly that there was no point looking into it further. Then, the voices started. At first, it just sounded like the wind ripping through the leaves of trees, until people realized that there was no wind, and hadn’t been for weeks. The unexplained chattering noises became the root of many dares that week, and police had to stop many people, young and old, from doing stupid things like digging up the bodies, or chanting so-called ‘summoning rituals’ and trying to connect to the ghosts of the dead. And then, about a month after the disease was first discovered, all hell broke loose, literally.

A report to the police had told them that a man was walking strangely along the pavement outside their house, and they suspected that they were illegally drunk in public. However, when the police arrived, they found a man covered in dirt, mud and grass. Both of his hands had sizeable splinters sticking out of them, and a few fingers dangled as though they were broken, but there was no blood. He walked with a shambling gait, looking like he had broken at least one of his legs. One policeman approached him, to see if they needed to call an ambulance, and the rest, well the rest was recorded by a camera crew doing one of those police documentaries for TV. The horrifying video, which was aired on every station in the world, started off with the policeman approaching the man and asking him ‘Are you okay’. When the man didn’t respond, the policeman tried again, each time moving closer to the man, until he put his hand on the man’s shoulder. With a creepy, unhinged look, the man turned slowly towards the policeman, who seemed happy to get a response out of him at last. The man flew at the policeman, shoving him to the ground and sinking his teeth into his arm. The policeman screamed in agony, then his head flopped back against the pavement.

After that video, Virgil’s parents re-enforced the door with twice as many locks, and for once he was glad that his parents always thought the worst was going to happen. Even days after the video came out, Virgil was still having trouble sleeping, so at 3am, when it happened, he heard everything. It started off with a banging on the front door, but nobody took any notice of that, because their house was pretty old, and weird noises appeared almost every night. As soon as the groaning and mumbling bubbled up, Virgil knew his parents were going to die. He huddled under the weighted blankets of his bed, silent tears running down his face as he listened to his parent’s screams. A couple of times, the zombies banged on the door to his bunker, trying to find a way to get in, but it was built too well. They left around 5am, leaving Virgil alone in a now broken home.

That happened 2 months ago, and Virgil hasn’t heard a thing since. The TV in his room doesn’t work, because there is nobody left to air anything, and the electronic generator has been slowly running out of energy. Every book on the shelf has been read for at least three times, and food and water levels were running low. He knew that his slow and painful death from starvation or dehydration was about to begin. All he could do was just try and ration the remaining supplies he had left, and sleep. When he heard the noises, it was no wonder he thought the zombies had returned. Then, he heard their voices.

“Try this one.”

“I can’t it’s locked.”

“Oh. Well this one is empty. Looks like someone beat us to it.”

A pause, then, closer to the door of the bunker,

“Hey, look at this. What do ya reckon it is?”

“Pictures of… paranormal activity?”

“Woah. This one’s really cool. Look at all the organs on the floor.”

“I think I know who lived here…”

“Yeah? Who?”

“Those weird scientists that were convinced that the world was going to end soon.”

“Well, looks like they were right after all.”

A small bout of harsh laughter with no humor behind it caused Virgil to retreat further back into the safety of his bed, his heart pounding.

“Hey, didn’t they have a kid?”

“Yes, a son, I’m pretty sure. He went to our school, I think, but we’ve never seen him around because when anything remotely strange happened, his parents locked him up for days. Wait Remus don’t –”

A loud crash echoed through the house as ‘Remus’ knocked over something.

“I’m fine, stop fussing Dee. Was there a door here before?”

“A what?”

“Look, it’s like a safe door! But with a thousand more locks!”

“Interesting. Perhaps there’s more food inside.”

“Or bodies!”

“Why am I friends with you?”

“Because I’m the only one left alive apart from you.”

“I hate it when you’re right.”

“Aw, you know you looooove me.”

“Quit being weird and help me open this door.”

Virgil could hear them unlatching locks, and then, alarmingly, the door to his bunker began to shake. He let out an audible gasp, thankful that he kept the inside of the door locked in fear that the zombies would figure out how to open the outside locks.

“Huh, I think it’s locked on the inside as well.”

“But how, unless…”

There was a moment of terrified silence for Virgil, then the voices started speaking again, not to each other this time, but to Virgil.

“Hey, if there’s anyone in there, we won’t hurt you.”

“Yeah, we’re nice people, really, and also… we might be the only other people left.”

“Please open the door, if you need it, we can help you.”

Taking a deep breath, Virgil realized that they were his best chance at surviving, even if it meant leaving his safe haven, he would have to go with them. Steeling himself for what would lay behind it, he opened the door.

Standing in front of him were two boys of a similar age to him. One was wearing an interesting black cloak around his shoulders, fastened with a golden chain. The shirt he wore under it was plain grey, and he had jeans on. Half of his face was covered in dirty bandages, and he had a slightly surprised look, as if he hadn’t expected the door to actually open. The other boy had a dark green parker jacket on, and shorts, which made an interesting combo. His hair was extremely messy, with twigs and clumps of dried mud in it. He had a wide-eyed smile, that almost made him look crazy. Virgil regretted opening the door immediately.

“Hey…” the one in the cloak stepped forwards slowly, wincing as Virgil backed up nervously at the movement. “Don’t worry; we’re not going to hurt you. I’m Devan, but you can call me Dee, and that idiot over there is Remus.” Remus gave an energetic wave as he peered past Virgil into the bunker.

“I-I’m Virgil,” Virgil whispered, “and don’t bother looking in there for food; it’s nearly run out. I do have some medical kits if you need it.” He directed the last one at Dee, who touched the bandage on his face self-consciously.

“That… would help.” He admitted, sending an exasperated look at Remus as the energetic one glanced over at Devan, worry clear on his face, “I’m fine, Remus. It just… hurts sometimes.”

“Okay, but you need to let me know if it opens up again. I can help you, ya know.”

Unsure of what to do at this moment, Virgil retreated back into his bunker, then came out moments later carrying a bundle of blankets.

“Here,” He mumbled, offering the bundle to the other two, “This will hopefully have enough stuff to keep us going.”

“Us?” Devan asked.

“Yes, I’m coming with you.”

[coeurdastronaute]

Atlantis 5

Previously on Atlantis

Three days. That was all she would get of Atlantis. It was more than most other people would ever imagine, more than anyone else had ever had and more than likely would ever be granted. The marvels of the deep sea, of the timeless, effervescent city, with its magic and ancient sciences was to remain a mystery for the entire world for as long as anyone could dare to count. 

But Clarke knew, now. 

She saw the hanging gardens and tasted the food, she felt the healing powers of the knotted hands of time itself rubbing ointments with imprecise smells etching into her skin. She’d seen the daughter of the king, she’d dined with the queen, she’d heard the language and she stood at a window the size of a blimp, and looked out at the expanse of the sea-floor with her own eyes, and that was a lot of knowledge, and a lot of magic, if she was bold enough to say such a thing despite the science of her mind telling her such notions were ridiculous.

She hadn’t thought that three days could change the entire world, but it did. Her mentors were dead, her life was in flux, and she was now esteemed with the knowledge of Atlantis, in all of its perfection and wonder. 

Three days ago, Clarke was studying a drug-resistant strain of a very bad disease on a medical research ship in the middle of the ocean. Three days ago, she woke up in Atlantis, but more importantly, three days ago, she woke up to Lexa. That might be the most defining part of the entire time she spent underwater-- Lexa. All six feet of her. All broad shoulders and long legs and crisp jawline and freckles splattered across her nose and cheeks, all green eyes and plump lips and strong hands and that cut in her arm at her bicep and the--

From her spot on the bed, Clarke shook her head and rubbed her eyes, willing those images to disappear as she rubbed her eyes. None of it mattered. She would be back to real life soon enough, though as she thought about everything, she realized how far away it seemed. 

Clarke sat on her bed and braced herself. What should have taken a few weeks to heal was completely back to normal, her body moving normally again. She placed her palm over her previously bruised ribs and held it, as if she could feel the process. But all that was there was a breath and then another. 

The smell still lingered there, the mint and the camomile and something indescribably wonderful. It always close to her, the way the air was different. Clarke did her best to not think about Lexa, and the sandalwood musk of her when she moved. 

The clothes she came with were torn and bloody, but Clarke slipped on the ones Lexa left for her to wear, putting aside the soft linen of the Atlantean fabric. 

“Good morning, Clarke.” 

She balked slightly at the door to discover a princess waiting, hand raised as if prepared to knock. Unruffled, Lexa slowly lowered her fist and tucked it behind her back with her other hand, proper and stoic as all. 

“Come to collect me and return me to the real world?” 

Lexa furrowed and cocked her head slightly as she thought over the words. 

“This is still the real world.” 

“This is a dream,” Clarke corrected with a sigh. “A dream I have to wake up from eventually.” 

“Is it really so bad to return to your home?” 

It took genuine thought to figure out how bad it was going to be to return. Clarke thought of her family and how worried they’d be and the secret she’d have to keep. And she thought about returning to school and work without the people she’d come to love and trust and respect-- her mentor gone, her work gone, her life irrevocably altered and weirdly enough, this palace with this Atlantean, it felt the most normal. 

“No,” she smiled weakly. “It’ll be nice.” 

Lexa didn’t believe the answer, but she closed her mouth after thinking it better not to press when she saw the sadness in Clarke’s shoulders and the weight on her brow. Instead she offered a knowing smile, quick and fleeting in return, dreading this day as much for different reasons. 

Instead, Lexa held out her elbow, as she was known to do to help Clarke move when she was injured and they walked through the palace and gardens over the past week, and even though the patient was healed, she took it graciously, her smile more genuine. 

“I have news after speaking with my mother and father.” 

“You’ve decided to keep me prisoner?” 

“That would be an interesting turn of events,” she chuckled. “One that I’m sure a few people here would be okay with.” 

“I bet.” 

“I’ve been allowed to visit land.”

“Really?” Clarke perked, suddenly aware that she was actually interested in things like Lexa’s plans and whereabouts and accessibility. “I mean. That’s great. That’s what you wanted, right?” 

“It is. I know I’ll be called to be someone who helps, and I know I have these gifts. I want to see who I am outside of the comforts of my home.” 

“You’re going to be great.” 

“Oh? How are you so sure?” Lexa teased, the tips of her ears burning red with the declaration. 

Before Clarke could answer, a group of guards ran toward her, hurrying and urgent. Clarke gripped her bicep tightly and waited. 

“There has been an attack on the Eastern front. The machines have been destroyed.”

“Did they cross the armistice line?” 

“No. It looks like they were doing more than just research though.”

“Drilling?” 

The guard nodded and Lexa grit her teeth, contemplating many thoughts. 

Thought she wasn’t sure what they were saying, Clarke could recognize the urgency, and she felt Lexa’s energy, picking up on some of her tells, though she wasn’t sure she ever saw that kind of anger on her face as the guard kept speaking. Jaw clenched and eyes on fire, her body tensed. 

Her arm dropped and Lexa took the tablet looking item and watched a video or pictures or surveillance of some kind before pushing it back at the guard, disgust apparent beneath the wrath. 

But she remembered herself after a moment and looked to Clarke, softening only slightly in the eyes. 

“You have to go,” Clarke realized. 

“They are going to take you to my mother and the rest of the party going to the Spindrift. I was supposed--” she cleared her throat and waited until her guards took the hint to step back and turn around. “I was going to join, but it seems my father and I have something to take care of.” 

“I understand.” 

“I would-- I thought i’d have more--” Lexa anxiously scratched the back of her neck and swallowed, her cheeks burning as well, her body losing that fierceness suddenly as she stammered. “I didn’t think we’d have to say goodbye like this.” 

“Hoping for something a little more romantic?” 

“Hoping to not have to do it at all, honestly.” 

Both shared a smile at the thought, comforted by it for just an instant. 

“You have work to do, Princess.” 

“I do.” 

“Find me. I think I promised to show you around.” 

“I will. You’ll be close?” 

“I will.” 

Lexa sighed and smiled, her body aching to reach out and do something, but failing entirely with it and the urge, so she wrung her hands behind her back and nodded curtly. 

“This might take me a while.” 

“I’m a patient person,” Clarke promised. 

With another nod, Lexa looked at Clarke, meeting her eyes and holding it for as long as she could stand before turning away. 

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Passed from person to person, unaware of what was happening, Clarke found herself sitting on a vessel of some sort, waiting and left to the quiet. For what felt like the first time since Lexa disappeared, she took a breath. There was no one around her, and there was no where to go but back, something she’d actively avoided thinking about for days. 

But before she could give it much thought, the vessel filled with bodies, and the Queen took her seat after the crew began the process of taking off. About to travel through miles of deep sea that no human had ever seen before, Clarke gulped, oddly claustrophobic. 

“It’ll be a quick trip, Clarke,” the Queen assured her as she took her seat. “Maybe an hour and you’ll be back home.”

“Thank you.” 

“I’m sure your mother and father will be happy to see you.” 

“I can’t imagine what they’ve been going through.” 

The guilt hit her then and she pushed aside her selfish thoughts about the ease of staying and elected to take up the burden of returning. 

“I have an idea.” 

“It must be hard to have your husband and daughter out there sometimes.” 

“You never get used to that,” she confessed with a sad smile. “But we are women and we have our role to play. Unlike some, we don’t ignore our duty to have feelings.” 

“It’d be nice though, wouldn’t it?” 

She thought about it for a moment and nodded before patting Clarke’s knee and taking a deep breath. 

XXXXXXXXXX

The Spindrift was a magnificent achievement, perched on the edge of the sea, removed from closest city by miles, a beautiful building that seemed to raise out of the ocean itself. It was large, giant windows, the skeleton bending and wavy, it caught the light of the sun and shone magnificently, and with what Clarke knew of Atlantis, she understood how much of it was similar to their home. The embassy was the closest thing to a connection they would have, and the long bridge of a road that connected it tenuously seemed apt. 

Inside was even more beautiful if that was possible. The care and time spent creating it was obvious to everyone who stepped inside and gawked at it. This was the political event of the decade, hell, even the century. 

“This is Agent Barnes,” the Queen brought Clarke back from her reverie. “She is a friend of my husbands, and one of only a few that I trust to handle such a sensitive case as yours.” 

The agent was short, but severe, decked out in a government issue suit and the only other non-Atlantean. She didn’t say anything, but rather sized up the shipwrecked girl, appraising her quickly enough. 

“Thank you, for everything,” Clarke offered as an awkward quiet fell between them. “I have no intention of betraying your generosity.” 

“Of course not,” Meera nodded curtly, and Clarke saw her daughter instantly. “You are a smart girl, Clarke. I know you will make wise decisions.” 

With a final nod, Clarke bowed as she’d seen the guards do, hopeful that it woul translate to some kind of honor and gratitude. The queen held out her hand as Clarke righted herself, an offering to leave with a handshake. 

“I’m sure our paths will cross again,” the queen offered. 

“I’d be honored.” 

With a friendly smile, the leader of the country turned and left with no fanfare at all, while the agent still didn’t say another word, but rather led Clarke toward her car and away from the waves. 

XXXXXXXXXX

The helmet crashed against the wall with a clamor that echoed through the empty wing of the palace. The silence after was just as violent, but not for too long. Books and papers thudded and scattered as they were shoved off of a desk in the rage that swelled. 

“You forgot this,” a voice accompanied hands that held out a helmet, followed by a shield. 

Lexa grit her teeth and threw them anyway, even though her father was mocking her, amused by her display, able to live through her anger instead of unleashing his own. Someone had to remain stoic, and this time it wasn’t going to be her. Doubled over and bracing herself on the desk, the princess tried to catch her breath, unsure of herself and unsure of what was going to come next; angry at everything, bitter about fate and life and time and all of it happening at the worst time. 

“How do you do it?” 

“Do what?” Aquaman asked absently as he walked toward the window in the study in search of something to drink that would have a bite. He searched the decanters for something suitable while his daughter seethed. 

“Forgive, forget, punish, convict, stick to it?” 

“It’s not easy.” 

“Everytime I think I’ve got something figured out, like I’m making progress, like I can somewhat fathom what my future might hold, it gets completely turned around.” 

It was honest and earned a chuckle from the wide shoulders that now poured two drinks before turning back to her. He was amused by her failure, one that she took very personally, as she was known to do. No one was more serious than his daughter. There might have been too much of Meera in her, though his wife would disagree and attribute the stubbornness and penchant for self-flagellation as his own. 

“You can’t control the actions of others, as nice as that might be,” Arthor sighed and handed his daughter a glass. “Your cousin has strong convictions.”

“That you’ve spent a lifetime trying to eliminate through peace and alliances with the Land.” 

“I can’t say that I wouldn’t feel the same as Roan if I weren’t from there,” he acknowledged. “I think about it often. What would I care about the land at all if I’d grown up with my mother? I wouldn’t have any ties. But I try not to think about it too hard because that’s not our reality.” 

Lexa hissed after downing her glass and slumping onto the plush sofa. The sea outside glowed slightly and fell into darkness and unknown, a smother, homey feeling to her. 

Tall, broad, a mountain of a man, her father joined her, bringing the bottle and setting it between them after refilling her glass. She had his uncontrollable hair and pointy chin. She had his eyes and his brute force. She had his power-- the power of their blood, shared and royal and mythic. She had his heart, big and open and buried beneath a fortress. 

“But I am the King of Atlantis, and not the Land. My duty-- our duty-- is to our people before all else. I believe in a peace with them to preserve our way of life. I won’t have a war because of pollution and poaching.” 

“Why doesn’t he understand that it’s for the best? We can’t exterminate them or anyone who uses the water.” 

“Because Roan is… he lacks vision. He loves a fight. He believes power comes from force, but it comes from--”

“Those who give it.” 

“And a mythical, ancient bloodline and trident,” he smiled, eyes crinkling at the side, oddly at ease to be back at home despite a long battle above the coastline. 

Lexa rolled her eyes and sighed again as she held the glass up to her lips and paused before closing her eyes and downing another. For an instant she thought about Clarke, now leagues away and lost to time, time she wouldn’t get back, time she wasn’t sure she’d be granted on land in light of the days events and the attack her cousin led against those ships. 

“I should have paid attention. I was distracted. I should have known, or locked him up, or been--”

“You couldn’t have known he’d step out of line when he’d always toed it before. He may be a lot of things, but Roan was never one for complete treason.” 

“Isn’t toeing that line the same thing?” 

“That’s the most democratic thing we can allow to happen.” 

“I should have known,” she whispered again, shaking her head. 

“How could you? You were distracted rescuing damsels from wrecks.” 

Knowingly, he grinned and looked at his daughter as she furrowed, blushed, and found the empty glass in her hand more interesting than meeting his eye as he teased. 

“A moment of weakness.” 

“Holding human life as precious is not weak. The ability to take it without understanding the weight of it, that is weakness. That’s a deficiency of the-- of the--”

“Heart.” 

Aquaman smiled as his wife entered and found the right word, as she was always known to do for him. He watched her peruse the damage his daughter caused, the mess she’d made, the sag in her shoulder. Their language was innate, communicating it all without a word. 

“I heard about what Roan did. He’s still at large?” 

“Anya and the fleet are scouring the sea floor as we speak,” Lexa offered. “How was the Embassy?”

“We are ready for the commencement, now that the Justice League have finished saving the planet again and can be there as an act of good faith.” 

“Most of them,” Arthur muttered, earning a glare. 

“We’ll find Roan,” Meera promised, sitting beside her daughter. “But regardless, you must prepare for your time on land.” 

“I’m still… but there’s-- I should--”

“I think we can handle running the country in your absence, your liege,” her father teased. “If your grace so desires.” 

“I should deal with him.” 

“I will enact his punishment. You will spend time with your grandfather, learning everything you can, preparing for your place as member of the League.” 

“I have to prepare to lead our people.” 

“The crown is two-fold now, Lexa,” Arthur shook his head. “Protecting our people means protecting our planet which means working with that dick in a bat suit.” 

“The timing--”

“Is perfect. Your father is home now, and the leader of the opposition is on the run. It should be quiet and productive here again.” 

“And I hear the best damsels are on land,” her father teased again, earning a scowl from his daughter and a warning look from his wife. “Barnes told me she was a real-- Ouch!”

The pillow flew across the coffee table and made him laugh as his wife shook her head. 

“Clarke was an act of good will between nations. I would expect the same treatment of any one of my injured people if they washed ashore.” 

“I hear you showed her the gardens.” 

“It was that, or keep her locked up for a week, which hardly seemed fair,” Lexa defended herself. 

“You’re going to see her, aren’t you?” he asked. 

“Yes.” 

“We’re certainly not going to let Roan get in the way of your growth and training and potential damsel.” 

Another pillow pelted him in the face, followed quickly by another, then another, then another before he pushed back against the assault, lifting the women of his life so they couldn’t attack him anymore. He was home and they were all safe, and he needed it.

next

[clean-bands-dirty-stories]

The Best Things ~ J.V. (part 4)

A.n: Lol so things are about to get very Adult Themed up in here. Children do not read thank you. My consious demands it.

Warnings: Light smut, dark themes, mention of rape

Word Count: 4200+

MASTERLIST

Playlist

They shouldn't have been caught as soon as they were... and yet.

The second Jerome and Y/n had gotten outside the fun house, they'd been overrun by cops. The two had made it pretty far, but then someone had tackled Y/n from behind. The boy had been surprised when, from his spot on the ground, he heard Jerome's voice of all people scream his name. The redhead had paused, allowing another cop to take him down as well. Now they were being transported. Jerome, to Arkham, and Y/n just to regular jail. They hadn't determined him criminally insane yet, though it seemed to be going that direction as Y/n and Jerome spent the entire ride flirting with each other and cracking up at each other's jokes. They'd only quieted when each of the cops in the back with them held two guns to Y/n and Jerome respectively, threatening them. Jerome hadn't been that quiet or still for a while.

Y/n was the first to be escorted out of the back of the truck, arms handcuffed behind him. He was taken into GCPD offices, a smile on his face. One that promptly was wiped clean off when he was pushed inside and Jim Gordon stood waiting for him, Bruce and Alfred on either side of him.

Bruce moved first. He jogged to Y/n, a mixed expression on his face. The last time he'd seen Bruce, they'd been much different people. Y/n had left him behind to train with Penguin- no doubt Gordon had told him about the event, and surely he'd seen Y/n right at Oswald's side ever since. Until tonight, where Y/n had been found with Jerome- considered the worst of all the Gotham psychos.

Despite everything, Bruce seemed to be worried and relieved for the most part. The two boys stopped as they stood in front of each other. Bruce frowned, reaching up to touch his fingers to a wound on Y/n's forehead. It must have been from the tackle. Y/n hadn't noticed until now. "You're hurt." It wasn't a question so Y/n didn't respond back. Jim approached, motioning the officer that had Y/n to follow him. Y/n was pulled away and Bruce was left behind. Y/n ended up in an interrogation room, handcuffed and facing Bullock and Gordon. Y/n knew that Bruce was on the other side of the one sided glass, though, which meant that Alfred was too.

"Y/n," Gordon began. He seemed to pause, as if unsure how to continue.

So Y/n took his cue. "Why am I here? You have Jerome, so you can't be looking for information about him. If you want to determine my psyche and where I should end up, I mean I know I'm amazing but Jim Gordon and Commissioner Bullock? Here for little ol' me? I'm flattered, honestly." Both men looked at each other. It seems they didn't realize just how far lost Y/n was.

This tactic was new to Y/n, too. Oswald had taught him to be silent and unbreakable. Pleasant but unshakable. Like his dad used to be. Nice to talk to, leaving no option to backstab. It had been very different from how Y/n acted when he was just himself.

The cockiness and ease that Y/n exhibited now was a little mix of all the personas he'd most taken to or been taught over the years. There was the complete inhuman unaffectedness that had been taught to him by Angela, mixed with the ease that Oswald had taught him, the charisma he'd absorbed from Jerome in the short time they'd spent together, and his own energy he'd always been able to call on and struggled to hide. He felt like a new person again. A person he loved being.

"We're here because Bruce trusts us," Bullock said as the silence began to stretch. "You're in a safe place now, Y/n. You can talk to us. Tell us anything. Jerome is far away and can't hurt you. You can tell us what happened."

Oh. Y/n snorted. "You guys think Jerome kidnapped me and held me against my will or something?" Bullock cleared his throat. Y/n had always been told that he looked a lot like Bruce. He had differences, obviously, but as children people would try to get his attention thinking he was Bruce. Sometimes his mom would call him by his younger brother's name. Y/n realized it must be a little startling to see the actions he was displaying on a face so similar to his brother's, when Bruce was ever the staple good boy. Bruce would become a cop, if he didn't go into dad's business after all. Y/n would become... something else. It was becoming clearer as he grew older.

"What happened to you?" Jim asked. He was shaken, obviously upset and not quite able to grip the drastic difference in the Y/n he knew versus the boy in front of him.

Y/n rolled his head back, sighing. "A lot." He began bouncing a knee. "Do you want the whole life story?"

Jim crossed his arms. "I've got time."

Y/n chuckled softly. "I mean I have nothing to hide." He pushed his head forward, letting his eyes roam around the otherwise empty, bland room. He counted the cracks in the walls and memorized the paths they took as he spoke, keeping himself calm. This was a tactic he'd learned from therapy. "I mean I had a happy childhood. Parents have their favorites. Gotham had their favorite. Bruce was Mr. Perfect. But people liked me and I had parents who were supportive and loving or whatever, so there's that." He sighed again, closing his eyes. "Then they died. I got to take control of a company I wanted nothing to do with. And you know why?" Y/n opened his eyes, looking Jim directly in the eyes. "Because I was easy to manipulate. I was young and nieve and soft. Easy to bend and break and shape. It was easy to do whatever she wanted when it came from my mouth, because I was a Wayne."

"She?" Jim asked.

Y/n‘s jaw worked. "Angela. Angela Dyer." He swallowed, tasting bitterness in his mouth. "She was new to the business. Had worked there barely four years, which made her a newbie compared to the others who'd been working 20, 50, however some odd years. She was twenty years old. Not even old enough to drink. And she was pretty. Men aren't nice when they want something from a young, pretty girl. Especially in Gotham."

Jim shifted, obviously uncomfortable. "What does she have to do with you?"

"We were fast friends when I started being there. Close in age. Both new. The higher ups just wanted a Wayne present, but with her help I actually made a place for myself. Well-" he snorted. "A place for her. She moved up fast with my help. And all those men who used to walk all over her..." He shrugged. "I didn't ask questions about it."

Bullock's eyes widened."She killed them?"

"I think she just scared the shit out of them. Lots of threats, with me to back her up and hit the yes button when she needed. Manipulation. I think women are better at it than men, on average, but she was the best." His jaw locked and he took a few seconds to loosen it. "Pretty soon we were really close. Really close." He was looking at Bullock now. Training his gaze on the older man's. Drilling a message he didn't want to say. Bullock had gone inhumanly still. "She told me it was our little secret. That she just wanted to reward me after all our hard work."

"You were fourteen," He snapped, his hands curled into fists.

Y/n smiled. He actually smiled. "I didn't know what else to do. Boys don't have those problems. Or so I thought. She climbed the latter and taught me to keep my emotions bottled up. But I wasn't good at it. One day I yelled at her when she tried to... reward me that day." He swallowed. "I freaked out and asked her not to. She kissed me. Told me that she loved me and I loved her and it was okay because obviously I was enjoying it. Told me I couldn't be gay because-"

The room was heavy. "You're..."

"Yeah," Y/n croaked. "Only my parents knew. I haven't even told Alfred or Bruce, but I told her because I didn't want her to do it the first time. Or any other time. Tried to explain that I was gay and I didn't like it. She told me I couldn't be because my body was reacting to it, so obviously I was enjoying it." Y/n swallowed again. His mouth was getting dryer by the second. "One day I told her if she didn't stop I was going to tell someone. She told me that she loved me, like she always did. Except this time, she insisted that she needed me. That she couldn't handle just being friends with me. Told me she would kill herself if I broke up with her. As if we were dating-" His voice broke off, his eyes drilling holes into the wall.

Jim stepped forward. "She didn't-"

"She did." Y/n shook his head. "I thought it was my fault too for a long time, until finally Oswald convinced me otherwise." He shook his head. "I needed to get out of my childhood house. Away from Alfred and Bruce, who I couldn't even begin to explain to. Away from insanity and memories and near death experiences. So I went with Penguin, that night. He made me feel more powerful. More in control of my life. Helped me grow up and discover myself a little." Y/n grew quiet. "Did you know that the body has automatic responses to sexual actions that have nothing to do with pleasure? Me getting off had absolutely nothing to do with whether or not I wanted her to-" He cut off. "Edward Nygma told me that one." His voice was weak and broken. He shrugged. "So there's your sob story, Gordon. That's what happened to me. Now if you'll either send me to jail or let me return to Oswald, that would be appreciated. You see that mayor of yours is kind of my best friend and he's going through a hard time- why are you looking at me like that?"

Gordon and Bullock seemed to be sick to their stomachs. "Y/n..."

"What?" Y/n demanded.

"Oswald has been missing since yesterday. No one's seen him since the interview he ran out on." Y/n went pale. "We'll get on it, I promise, but he's missing." Jim went to step forward to bring some comfort to the handcuffed boy who had obviously been through a lot for it to have all happened in just one day, but Y/n jerked away.

"What are you going to do with me?" Y/n barked. "Jail or release? I need to get out there and do your guys' job for you, and if I have to break out it might take some time."

Jim's eyes widened. "Y/n-"

"Jail or release, Gordon? Tell me. NOW!"

It was quiet for a second. "We're sending you to Arkham." Y/n's jaw went slack. "You've spent all night with Jerome, and you're a close associate with Penguin, who's a known murderer."

"You don't have any proof that I-"

Bullock was suddenly very close to Y/n's face. "Look me in the face and tell me you have never killed a man. That killing wasn't part of your little escape from jail plan? That if we release you you won't turn around and go after whatever the cause of Penguin's disappearance and kill them too? Tell me that you don't agree with the way Jerome thinks and does things. I'll let you go."

Y/n felt rage. Rage like nothing else. Like he hadn't felt in a long time. Oswald has taught him how to control and hone that red feeling that had once seized him. Usually he could cultivate it into a weapon. Now... now it was freely causing havoc inside him again and he wanted to scream. "You wanna play friend but then keep me from helping the people I care about." Y/n spit in his face, causing the older man to jerk away, wiping it off. "Fuck you, Bullock."

Bullock looked at Gordon. "He didn't say it."

Jim nodded his head. "I can't believe you tried to escape and attack Commissioner Gordon right in front of me, Y/n."

"What-?" And then Jim punched him in the face and everything went black.

When Y/n woke up, he was in a different room. Similar but obviously not the same. He sat up and looked down to see that he was in a prison jumpsuit, but it was black and white striped instead of orange. Fittingly, the room he was in was grey cement and bare, with a bed that he now lay on, another across from him, a small window slightly above him, and steel, black bars instead of a door. Was this Arkham? It wasn't as bad as Y/n had thought- at least as far as living conditions went. There didn't seem to be rats or bugs or leaking. He could get used to this.

The door opened. "Ah and how lucky for you to be awake just in time for lunch." It was an officer that Y/n didn't recognize. The man was much older and seemed to be annoyed even as he smiled. "You've been out for a whole day. Didn't think you were gonna make it." Y/n got the sense the guard was disappointed he had.

Standing silently, Y/n followed as the guard motioned him. He was unsure of how this place worked, so he moved tentatively. Calm but ready. Standing to his full height, eyes moving carefully as he stayed aware of his surroundings. His face was a sort of collected calm and he moved slowly at first, only speeding it up when the guard shoved something in his back. Probably a baton.

The two men ended up in a large room at the end of the hallway which was filled with tables that had benches attached to them. "This is the Big Room," the guard told Y/n lazily. "You eat here mostly, but you can go here for free time too, unless you want to stay in your cell." There was a door that lead into the Big Room. It opened loudly, causing every eye to be drawn to the two new people entering. "Good luck," the officer purred. "You seem like a calm one. They eat calm ones up in here." Then the officer stepped back and the door closed and Y/n was alone.

He looked around the room for an open seat, suddenly feeling like he was in high school again. He didn't have a clique. He didn't have somewhere to sit. He didn't know how this system of people worked. What if he sat with the wrong person and literally got murdered? Was there a chance the guards cared about the inmates enough to save their life? Y/n doubted it, if the guard from earlier was any indication.

Thoughts were cut off as an excited, "Y/N!" sounded. The called boy looked over to see red hair and a ginormous grin. Instantly Y/n switched gears, a smile of his own rising to his face. Jerome threw his arm over Y/n's shoulders. The Wayne boy tried not to get too giddy about the gesture as the redhead moved back to the table he must have been sitting at before Y/n came in. "You know I didn't think you'd end up in here too. Does that make you crazy after all?" He snorted, obviously amused by the idea of either of them being unsound of mind. Or maybe that was just another Jerome thing. Perhaps he just found insanity and instability funny.

"In the eyes of the people," Y/n answered.

Jerome tittered excitedly. "We're gonna have so much fun! They're so quiet and dull, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come."

"You're a clever man, J." Y/n's voice was solid, even as his eyes were trained to Jerome and his smile was so wide it already hurt. "I'm sure you would have thought of something."

Someone scoffed. "Are you flirting with him?"

The man was big- both wide and tall- and bald. He looked scary, and also like an idiot. He had that simple minded vibe. Like he could hit, and that's all he could do. Not that it invalidated just how good he could hit though...

"What if I am?" Y/n met the man's eyes directly. He felt a surge of confidence with Jerome next to him.

Jerome hooked Y/n's chin as the men stared each other down. "Eyes on me now, doll." He winked and Y/n relaxed, smiling. "What are we gonna do first?"

Y/n rose an eyebrow, smirking in amusement. "What is there to do in a prison for the criminally insane?"

Jerome laughed. It suddenly cut off and the redhead was invading Y/n's space significantly. "Your imagination is the limit, really."

Y/n suddenly had a very active imagination. He cleared his throat but didn't move his gaze from Jerome, even though he wanted to. He could feel his face on fire and he wanted to shift away. Give himself space to breathe. It was very hot and it was becoming burdensome and annoying. Y/n had never once been this attracted to a single person. He'd had crushes- which is how he knew he was gay- but nothing serious. Nothing commanding and controlling. Why now, when he was most sure he never wanted to feel this way? Why here, when he was locked up and his best friend was missing after being betrayed by his love? Why now when Y/n should have been most against romance and most focused on finding Oswald and making sure his friend was okay, was he so smitten by this psychotic redhead?

Fuck it. Y/n wasn't getting out anytime soon- what was even the point of anything other than just giving in?

"I could think of a few things." Someone groaned, but Jerome's grin was enough to chase Y/n's shame away completely.

"Maybe I could pull off something special for you," Jerome mused. "Just once."

Looking away finally, Y/n sat down. "I heard it was lunchtime. Maybe we could start there." Jerome plopped down, eagerness unperturbed. If Y/n was being honest, his own enthusiasm was also unfazed. He didn't know what Jerome was thinking, but he was down for whatever. As long as it involved any single one of the things he was currently thinking about.

Y/n didn't expect Jerome to get it planned and done so soon.

It was dark and Y/n lay in his bed, looking at the ceiling. The guard had told him he'd be getting a roommate eventually when they were sure of how stable he was and how capable he would be and with who and blah blah blah blah blah-

For all their talk about safety, Y/n was only minority surprised to see the door open only to reveal Jerome Valeska strolling inside, the door closing behind him. "Miss me?"

Y/n grinned, chuckling softly as he rolled his eyes. "You're my cellmate?"

"The one and only." Jerome moved closer then seemed to hesitate and moved away instead. He went to the other bed, plopping down and crossing his legs before laying back, his hands behind his head and his smirk wide and charming. "You're quite interesting, Y/n. Are you aware?"

Y/n shrugged. "Not really."

Jerome narrowed his eyes, not smirking anymore. He obviously didn't like to be contradicted. "Why not?"

"People usually prefer my brother," Y/n explained casually, settling back down in his bed as Jerome had. When Jerome didn't speak up again, Y/n continued. "I guess he's more responsible and put together. He's gonna make it in the world, and it's nice to see such motivation in such a young lad." The last sentence he said each word with dripping sarcasm. "He's a genius and he's driven and I'm... Y/n Wayne. My parents were cool, don't get me wrong, but everyone's made it perfectly clear that Bruce has always been and always will be the preferred brother." Y/n looked over to Jerome smiling, only for it to drop upon seeing Jerome's expression. "What?"

Jerome stood. He moved with that same fluidity, except now it was very intimidating. Less like a showman and more like a predator stalking its prey, getting far too close for comfort. "I know what you mean. Younger brothers are the worst." His tone was dark now, and low. He lips turned up but it seemed in a sneer rather than enjoyment.

"You have a younger brother?" Y/n asked, sitting up in surprise.

Jerome's jaw worked. He looked at Y/n, moving close as he usually did. Invading Y/n's space as always. "Are you and Bruce twins?"

"I'm two years older," Y/n answered immediately. "Why?"

"Jeremiah and I are twins." He shook his head. "Now I'm bored. Entertain me, Y/n."

Y/n was suddenly breathless as Jerome lay down, spread out on Y/n's bed. Y/n swallowed, moving to hover over him. He usually topped, but this was Jerome Valeska. Y/n had thought... this would have gone differently, at least. "Undo the jumper," Jerome commanded evenly. Y/n obeyed, dragging the zipper down. Jerome kicked off the cheap shoes he was wearing as Y/n tugged the jumper down. Jerome lay in a muscle shirt and boxers. "Have you ever pleased someone else before?" Y/n nodded. "Men?" Y/n nodded again. While with Penguin, Y/n had had the pick of the litter. Anyone he wanted. He'd had a few, though they still didn't measure up to Jerome. "Consensual?"

Y/n swallowed. "I've had consensual sex with men before, yes."

Jerome rose an eyebrow, obviously sensing the bit of information Y/n was holding back. Thankfully he didn't push. Probably because he didn't want to damper the mood again. "Show me what you know, Sweetheart." So Y/n did.

Throughout the whole ordeal, every time Y/n did something Jerome didn't like, the older boy immediately corrected him. Y/n knew that what he was doing was good enough - he'd gotten people off plenty of times before - but Jerome seemed to be pushing Y/n's buttons. Being specific and picky and demanding. Seeing where Y/n's line was. How obedient he could be. There wasn't anything Y/n had refused to do thus far. Finally Jerome pressed his head back into the bed, his eyes closed and his lips parted. His fingers curled into Y/n's short hair and he spoke quietly, trying to not alert anyone outside who would stop them while trying to keep Y/n under control and finish at the same time.

Men were much easier than woman. It didn't take much to finish Jerome once he was there. He groaned very quietly, his breath hitching and his lower body pressing into Y/n's mouth more, where it had ended up. Y/n let him ride it out then swallowed, leaning back with a grin on his face.

"How was that?"

Jerome sat up, wiping something off the corner of Y/n's lip. He pressed his finger into Y/n's mouth, his smile widening when Y/n sucked it clean. "You're good. I expected you to be less experienced."

"I doubt I'm experienced as much as I'm a fast learner and really good at following directions." Jerome hummed before stretching then moving to redress. Y/n deflated. Jerome giggled when he saw Y/n's shoulder sag. "You want something too, hm?" Y/n swallowed, nodding. "Well, since you were a good boy..." Jerome motioned Y/n closer and the younger boy immediately stood. Y/n went to kiss him but Jerome jerked away. "None of that." His fingers found purchase resting around Y/n's throat. Not squeezing, but playing at the idea. "No distractions. I have to focus." He winked and forced Y/n to turn around, knocking the breath out of the dark haired boy's lungs.

Y/n had always known there was something almost intoxicating about Jerome. Addicting. His smile. The look he got in his eye- especially when he was horny, or when he was really into a joke. The way Jerome held Y/n or pushed or pulled him around. The raw charisma he had, that allowed him to grab a room and keep it completely under control. His easy attitude. His arms and hands and hair and lips. The way Jerome had demanded and kept Y/n's attention even when the boy was repressed due to trauma. Jerome was magic. He could do anything. He was good at everything. He was great at a few things too. Murder. Acting. Being true to himself. Carry out promises.

Fucking. Jerome was really good at that, too.

The boy was setting something off in Y/n and it seemed the more time passed, the less capable Y/n was of going back to the life he had, even just with Oswald. Everyone seemed so impossibly far, but suddenly Jerome was the only person that mattered. Y/n was falling and honestly, he didn't even care.

[helis97]

TFA: CyL? _ Finale

I think it’s about time that I close this unfinished project that I so unfortunately lost the will to continue. The reasons why I can no longer continue this project is listed at the end of the synopsis of how the story is supposed to end.

From personal experiences I know that being left with an incomplete comic/story is rather annoying, especially because you might want to know “What happens to the characters? What happens to the story?”

So I have collected the courage to write down HOW THE STORY WOULD HAVE GONE immediately after the appearance of Tarn!

(A little disclaimer: English is not my first language, I make a lot of typing errors and, while I did my best, I’m really not used to write complicated text in English so there’s probably plenty of errors in here. If you find them you are very welcome to notice me and I’ll be happy to add the needed corrections.)

We are left here with Tarn, Strika, Sockwave and Red Alert in the control room of Sentinel’s space ship. -> www.deviantart.com/elis97/art/…

Shockwave cleverly pretends that Red Alert is an Autobot who have defected and that is now on the Decepticon’s side. Red Alert plays along with Shockwave’s lies and Tarn puts her down.

While Shockwave is trying to find a good excuse to leave the spaceship with Red Alert, Waspinator makes his entrance with Jetfire and Jetstorm captive.

Tarn wants to kill them, but Red Alert is able to save the twins by telling the Decepticons that the two were implemented with the unique flight mode ability that only the Decepticons posses, making them very close to an actual Decepticon.

This convinces Strika to pick a side and claim the young boys also adding that it would be nice to have youngsters around again (as almost all Decepticons are now very old).

Tarn is suspicious thought, and asks Red Alert to tell him where the AllSpark is being kept on the ship, which surprises Shockwave to a whole new level.

Red Alert with a perfect poker-face tells him that she was not made aware of the presence of the AllSpark and that she was surprised as well when Sentinel, in order to scare away the Decepticons, told them that he had it and was going to use it.

Tarn gets way too close to Red and Shockwave puts himself between the two trying to calm his friend down, only to realize that, despite having known Tarn since he was Glitch, the but he now sees is a chilling monster.

In the end Waspinator convinces Tarn that it would be quicker to hunt down Sentinel rather than wasting time with them.

The scene changes to the infirmary of the spaceship with Red Alert trying to take care of the jet-twins that are now accusing her to be a traitor like Shockwave.

Shokwave asks her if the AllSpark is actually aboard the ship, Red simply tells him that while she is not sure, the Sentinel could be that stupid.

Shockwave beliving to be able to convert the doctor to his faction, turns into Longarm and thanks Red for letting him go thus giving him a chance to live further his life.

Red Alert jams a bestiary in Longarm’s aye that makes him scream and quickly turn into his real form.

Red Alert is furious, screaming at Shockwave to have some respect for her and stop mocking her.

To Shockwave’s pain, confusion and horror, Red Alert’s eyes turn purple.

A Tarn shaped shadow gets closer to the infirmary door.

Shockwave scared to ask Red Alert if the purple eyes are a result of the truth about Longarm’s identity, but she starts laughing.

Red tells Shockwave that she got the purple eyes during the war against the Decepticons, so many years ago. During a time where she believed she could make a difference, use her abilities to save as many lives as possible, she quickly realised that she was forced to put down way more bots that she was actually saving. That horrible realization, the feeling to be helpless and sacrificable (because all cogs in the big Autobots machines are replaceable like actual charges are) made her desperate, insanely desperate.

Because Cybertron doesn’t have an institution for mental help and support, she was unable to ”heal” from the stress and the trauma of the war and the purple eyes cronicised; all she could do was hitting them with medicines and, sometimes, electronic-paint.

Shockwave realises how much damaged Red Alert actually is as he starts feeling guilty. He tries to hug Red to comfort her, but she back away right into Tarn’s arms.

Shockwave stops dead in terror as he fears that Tarn might have realized the truth about the Autobot, but Tarn is thinking something completely different.

Tarn cuddles and comforts a very freaked out Red Alert, revealing to her that he as well was left scarred and insane by the Autobots and the Decepticons’ war.

He asks with sweet, but insanely purple eyes if she doesn’t have a good idea of where the Allspark might be. Shockwave tries to talk to Tarn but is struck by a kick from the giant Decepticon. Wasp quickly comes by and immobilize Shockwave on the ground. Asking for help is useless, because everyone else is away looking for Sentinel.

Red Alert asks Tarn what he intends to do once he gets to the AllSpark. A soft look from the murderous boy accompanies his words, he wants to kill every Cybertronian in the galaxy, and will use the AllSpark to do so in one single big strike.

Red Alert looks at Shockwave and tells Tarn that the Allspark is in the hangar.

Red Alert and Tarn are walking tours the hangar with Shockwave and Waspinator behind them. Shockwvae tries to talk Tarn out of his madness, but he warns him to shut up or his vocal box will be removed.

Red Alert gently asks Tarn how he will deal with the other Decepticons as they discover what he’s trying to do, but Tarn is not worried, as soon as he gets the Allspark it will be over. That gives Shokwave an idea: opening a transmission between himself and the other Decepticons aboard the ship, he hopes that Tarn will say something that will make Strika and the rest of the team to realize what is going on.

Red Alert continues her conversation with Tarn who starts telling her the story of how he lost his sanity during “The battle of Kaon”, a battle against the Autobots. He explains that all the Decepticons forces were holding their ground inside the fortress of Kaon, trying to fend off the Autobots from entering inside. They were using energy cannons that were running out of steam.

Since the cannons were taking power from a main furnace Megatron ordered to throw inside every scrap of Energon in order to keep them running. Tarn tell that he and Lugnut were in charge of keeping the furnace lit, but when every last battery of Energon finished Megatron ordered the wounded Decepticons to be thrown in.

Tarn didn’t want to do it, but Megatron made it clear that if had he refused the order he was going to be thrown inside as well.

After every single screaming wounded Decepticon was tossed inside the furnace the attack was not over, and so Megatron ordered Tarn e Lugnut to get the weakest Decepticons and use them as well.

For every single soul that got devoured by the flames Tarn lost a bit of his mind, for every time Lugnut precede the death of his comrades as the greatest honor of all, Tarn had to stop himself from screaming in agony.

Shockwave listen in horror and remembers that durung that faitfull day he was at the command of one of the cannons that keept shooting away the Autobots. Deep down, he knew what had appened to those missing decepticons that day, but refused to actually believe at his own tought.

To the other corner of the transmition Strika starts sobbing incapable to believa that his Lugnut could have been part of something so heinous.

After that Tarn continuously revisited that event in his dreams. Endless nightmares of him jamming bolts into the furnace, unable to free himself from the nightmares he became addicted to that horror. Incapable to put his mind to rest, he started to feel the urge to kill.

Tarn is sure that Red Alert can understand how he feels and that’s why he will let her live after having turned her into something similar to Waspinator, as by doing so she will not be hurt by his attack.

Not receiving feedbacks from the other Decepticons aboard the ship, Shockwave is close to panic now that he’s aware of how far Tarn is willing to go, but a glance from Red Alert makes him realise that she has something in mind.

Red Alert tells Tarn that, if she was hesitant to follow his plan at the beginning, she now realises that there is no saving for her specie, that even the younger generation will be corrupted and destined to suffer, so, now that they are in the hangar, the AllSpark is in that box, near the hatch opening.

As Tarn approaches the point with blood thirsty eyes Shockwave realises the plan and with a martial art like move, takes by surprise Waspinator and makes a run for the controls of the opening of the hatches.

Tarn realizes the trick a second too late and the doors opens.

The wasp is blown away immediately as Shockwave grabs onto something to avoid the same end.

He quickly starch out an arm to Red Alert, but not before Tarn is able to catch her free arm.

As Red Alert realizes that Tarn is not going out that easily, she gives a last look at Shockwave who begs her not to do it. Before Tarn is able to get a better hold she lets go of Shockwave’s hand and jams a syringe in Tarn’s arm. They both disappear out of the hangar.

As Shockwave is slowly loosing his grip, Oil Slick has arrived just in time to shut the hatches close.

The two rush to the control room of the spaceship, meeting along the way the rest of the Decepticons that had rushed to help them.

Shockwave directs the ship towards the direction where Red Alert was blown away, saying that Red Alert probably injected the fake death zero into the Tarn and that she’s probably unhurt because the zero takes effect in seconds. Oil Slick grudgingly tells him that a second is more than enough for Tarns to kill someone.

As the headlights find the targets the horror takes shape.

Tarn is frozen and gray, with eyes glaring at the void, her head in his fist, surrounded by spilling Energon that floats around them in a macabre dance.

Shockwave falls on the ground, unable to lie to himself anymore.

The story moves forward a year and several months later, Shockwave is laying on a bed. He talks about when he and Oil Slick got inside Red Alert’s body that, while still had its colors on, the head was squished to a point that the facial features were no longer recognizable. Had he been able to warn her that the other Decepticons were coming to the rescue, maybe things would have gone differently.

His invisible interlocutor answers him that, despite everything, Red Alert still survived even if her memories and a good portion of her personality were wiped away.

He jokes about the fact that the AllSpark was never aboard the ship, but the Sentinel was arrested for violating major protocols, putting in danger his crew and causing the death of Safetrap. -> www.deviantart.com/elis97/art/…

Shockwave becomes sad again, saying that while he’s no longer hurting so much he still wishes thatsRed could remember the good times they had together. While the interactions between Autobots and Decepticons have improved, he still feels lonely and lone like when he was undercover as Longarm.

After a minute of silence the voice reminds him that he’s not lonely and that he will go for a walk with his friend that evening.

The voice reassures Shockwave that every person need his own time to cope with traumatic events and that, despite how he feels, he’s doing a good job.

The session reaches its conclusion and Shockwave says goodbye to his therapist, a tiny human with round glasses.

On his way out a guard checks Shockwave’s documents and, reading that has been authorized to leave the asylum for the evening, lets him out. Oil Slick is waiting for him and happily greets him.

As they walk in the street of Cybertron Oil Slick asks Shockwave how he’s been doing, but Shockwave is quick to change the subject and asks instead how he and his team are doing now that they are back on Cybertron.

Oil Slick tells him that after the accident with Tarn, Strika was furious and wanted to hear the truth about The battle of Kaon from Lugnut and flew the Autobot ship back on Cybertron. He and the rest of the team weren’t allowed to go inside the prison, but Strika went in escorted by Optimus Prime and got her confirmation from Lugnut him. When she got out she was heartbroken and struck a truce with Optimus Prime. From then on there were lots of commotion between the Decepticons lines, some wanted to return to Cybertron and were positive about the new leadership of Optimus Prime, some others weren’t happy and riots rose in all Decepticon’s outposts.

The two get in line to enter into an amusement park, guards at the entrance are making sure that no weapons are introduced inside.

Oil Slick asks Shockwave if he feels weird about the fact that a human was put in charge of his reformation.

His friend answers that it’s called therapy, not reformation, and that since it never existed on Cybertron a system to give boys psychological support, it was only logical to call a species more expert in the field.

Suddenly a familiar voice captures Shockwave’s attention.

A peculiar femmebot is talking to the her friends about the many things that the new Magnus, Optimus Prime is putting in action: amusement parks, innovative distributions of powers, unheard institution were tiny aliens take care of bots with problems, inviting other species to visit Cybertron…

Altought she no longer looks the same, Shockwave recongises Redalert’s voice and way of talking.

He spies her talking some meters in front of them, she’s with Arcee, Ratchet and Ironhide. She looks happy, carefree, full of life.

Oil Slick seems to understand the situation and asks his friend if he wants to go to talk to her, but Shockwave refuses.

At the entrance of the amusement park the guards look at Shockwave with suspicious, asking for his documents again. Not finding anything wrong, they let him in.

Shockwave tells his friend that Red Alert got her memory wiped away and, as a result, the purple eyes disappeared an she became a happier but, he doesn’t want to be part of her new life, not yet and maybe not ever again.

Oil SLick notices that Shockwave’s eye is now purple and realises why he was housed in a mental asylum rather that in a prison. He asks him if Redalert was the reason he got purple eye.

While departing from the rest of the crowd, Shockwave reveals to his friend that after the accident with Tarn he chose to personally bring both Red Alert and Tarn to the hospital, fearing that the Autobots would have been too incompetent to help them without his lead.

As a result, he got arrested and sent to prison. The voice of him being affiliated to an Autobot and a traitor spreads truth the prison, and from that moment, every single Decepticon inside the prison started hating on him.

Oil Slick incredulous asks why Megatron didn’t take his side, considering that he was his most loyal servant.

The fact is that Strika’s intervention put in a bad light Megatron’s leadership. When Shockwave tried to explain to his leader the whole story, Megatron directed his follower’s attention away from his own horrible actions and focussed them over the fact that Shockwave wasn’t able to keep vital information away from the Autobots. So while not directly calling him a traitor he was still accused of such.

Similar to Wasp, after months of being lonely, hated, humiliated and ignored when trying to explain himself, Shockwave developed purple eye. But unlike what had happened to Wasp, Optimus ordered his displacement and had an expert take care of his condition before the purple eye becomes chronic.

Because of this Shockwave is in debt with the Autobots and believes that, leaving Red Aler alone, is a way to pay back the Autobots.

Oil Slick has a different way to see the thing, in his opinion, it’s the Autobots that are paying back Shockwave for having him tortured by Lockdown.

Shockwave doesn’t answer, instead looks back at a now very far away Red Alert.

Turning back again, he tells Oil Slick that he will never forget his gesture of friendship. Oil Slick smiles then, pointing to a stall with his finger, tells Shockwave he hadn’t had cotton-Energon since he was a sparkling. Shockwave giggles saying that he as well, hasn’t had cotton-Energon in a long time.

Red Alert turns her head around to see Shockwave and Oil Slick having cotton-Energon, she smiles tenderly, then returns her attention to her friends.

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

Now that the story was told I would like to take a moment to simply talk about why I could no longer continue the comic. There are a couple of reasons, one of them is the amount of time that would have taken to finish the bloody thing! And I swear to you that I tried my best to keep it at its bare essential exactly for the fear of it becoming too long.

Another reason is that I didn’t enjoy drawing the characters. As surprising as it might be, I started this project believing that once familiar with the design I would have been able to draw them with ease, which didn't happen. Aside from Shockwave I don’t particularly enjoy drawing TFA style and I bloody hate to color the character because I was always feeling bored and frustrated every time I forgot a particular. That created some major inconsistency in the pages. (and yes, that bothers me a lot)

I believe that the most important reason that prevented me to finish the opera as I wanted is the fact that this story kept changing every time! Aside from the first Chapter the rest kept evolving, changing direction, changing the ending and I was never happy. In the end the biggest problem was simple: I just couldn’t make a happy ending. I really wanted Red Alert and Shockwave to be together, but I simply couldn’t do it, no matter how much I kept changing the story I was never able to make it work, and I have only myself to blame.

In the end, I could never finish the story because I never knew how it was supposed to end, and I passed so much time in between that I simply grow interested in other things, other fandoms, other stories in general.

Life in general was also in the way… as always.

Anyway, while I will never be able to put this story in comic pages I’m happy to be able to tell you how I decided to end it. I am very thankful to all the people who follow the story and left a nice comment under every page and for those people I’m truly sad that I was unable to deliver the whole story in comic format.

Since I know many things were left out in this synopsis, if you have any questions or clarifications, feel free to ask me and I will do my best to answer it.

[with-love-anu]

Desiderata: The Lines of Friendship

PART: 1

PAIRING: Sirius Black x Reader

WORD COUNT: 2.1K

SUMMARY: You had been best friends with James, Remus, Sirius and Peter. Read your journey of love, friendship and jealousy through your wonderful years at Hogwarts. Enjoy!

SERIES MASTERLIST

You’d known the Marauders for as long as you could imagine. They were your best friends and were inseparable and you could die for them as they would for you. You had a special relationship with each of them.

You were Remus’s reading buddy. You two could spend hours analyzing your favorite books and T.V. shows. The two of you could be seen in the library either doing your respective homework’s or gathering new information on various subjects of the wizarding world.

You came to know of Remus’s secret 3 months into the 1st year. You couldn’t sleep one night and were off wandering the castle corridors when you saw Madam Promfey leading him towards the whomping willow. You furrowed your eyebrows following them. The matron left him in the tree and went into the castle. You kept yourself hidden and waited. Your head was booming with questions. Remus had told you that he was going to see his sick mother. What was he doing in the most threatening tree of Hogwarts? Was he lying to you? All your thoughts were interrupted by a long howl that reverberated throughout the grounds. Then it all clicked. Everything seemed to fall into place. The scars. The absences. You cried each time you heard another howl or shriek. You knew about lycanthropy. Your mother was a predominant healer and had told you about the painful transformations, losing of mind during the best hours of a full moon night. So you waited. You waited for your best friend thinking why hadn’t he told you, why he chose to suffer alone, sobbing quietly into the night.

At dawn, the matron came out of the castle and you saw her taking Remus's limp bloodied form back into the school. You sneaked into the hospital wing and watched her cleaning Remus's wounds. When she left, you made your way to his bed. You let out a sob seeing his pale exhausted form. You let your hand run through his hair and pushed them away from his face. You pulled a chair and sat near his bed deciding to stay until he got up. You did not know when you fell asleep.

“Y/n! Y/n! Is that you?” Remus's hesitant voice woke you. You sat up slowly remembering last night events. “Y/n, why are you here?”

You studied your friend intently. “Rem, why didn’t you tell me you were diagnosed with lycanthropy?” his mouth fell open. You continued, “Why did you suffer alone? Am I that bad a friend that you wouldn’t tell me such a crucial part of your life?”

“I understand if you do not want to be friends me anymore. I am a monster, I know. A selfish part of me just wanted to make friends here at Hogwarts and the teachers agree-“

“What do you mean you do not want to be friends anymore?”  You asked incredulously. “And what are you on about being a monster?”

“Wait; you still want us to be friends? Are you not scared of me?” Remus asked disbelief prevalent on his eyes.

“Seriously! Are you mad or what? You said sorry to a chair! A freaking chair! After stubbing your own foot! Forgive me for not screaming and running into the shadows at the sight of you” You replied frowning. You could see a hint of smile tug at the corners of his mouth. Tears ran down his cheek and and he uttered a few incoherent words every now and then.

After that your friendship with Remus changed somewhat. He told you about his every insecurity due to his condition and you always made him realize how more human he was than any other person you ever knew.

You and James had a sort of sibling type relationship. You two goofed around cracking jokes, making the other laugh. You knew his love for quidditch and often bought him trinkets of his favorite team. He loved every single one of them and gave his thanks by hugging you until you were out of your breath. You were there for each of his practices often bringing him energy drinks from the kitchen and accompanied him listening him ramble about his workout strategies and how he wanted to be one of the best quidditch players. He knew you like the back of his hand and cheered you up whenever you got a bad grade. He actually stayed until you could perfect the spell you couldn’t get. You frequently thought how he wasn’t at all a cocky, proud Gryffindor everyone thought he was but was a sweet caring friend who would always be there for you no matter what. You’d also seen him cry. The thing about James was that he was a happy boy. No one ever saw him sad or his ever bright smiles fade.

So when one morning during breakfast you saw his face transform into a grim expression you knew something was wrong. He did not smile, laugh or make any kinds of jokes during the whole day. In the evening he said he wasn’t hungry and left the great hall as soon as he came in. The others all busy complaining about the latest assignment did not notice him leave. You followed him to the Gryffindor quarters and into the boy’s chambers. You stood outside their dorm thinking what to say when you heard him sobbing. You knocked and asked him to let you in. He slowly opened the door and you could see his pain stricken face. You immediately hugged his and let him cry on your shoulder. He slowly told you about how his father was attacked during his duty and was at St.Mungos.

“I got a letter from my mother this morning. Merlin! I want to see him so badly but she told me that I wasn’t ALLOWED! That it was important that I stay in school and she would do her best to keep me updated.” James said sniffing.  You placed a hand on his shoulder both of you sitting down on the bed. You kept quiet and waited for him to continue.

“Y/n, what if my father is heavily injured? What if he di-“you cut him off by placing your hand on his mouth.

“Your father is one of the bravest men I ever knew. I KNOW he will be alright. He has been in situations like these before. He would fight. He would fight for you, I know it. They have bought them to my mother, right?” James nodded. “My mother would do everything before she lets any harm affect him. I promise.” You said earnestly. “Anyways, I am sure that if it was anything serious Dumbledore and your mother would have allowed you to at least visit him.” You added. You knew it was a cheap shot but you knew it would help him and you could already see some worry lift off his features. Next morning when his father’s letter came in telling him everything was alright and it was just a small mishap, he smiled again and you promised yourself to do everything to never let it fade.

You weren’t as close to Peter but you were always there to help him whenever he needed. You could see him sometimes struggling with small things ashamed to ask others, so you often sat down with him assisting him telling him it was okay to ask for help and there were many others like him with the similar situation. You stood up for him when people teased him way too much.

Your friendship with Sirius went deep. Even though you had instantly become friends with him, it took him a long time to actually open up to you. You had often seen his expression dull at the sight of letters from home. He joked about it and laughed it off but it could never convince you that he somehow had stopped loving his family. Your heart clenched thinking of the tortures his parents subjected to him at home. One morning during your first years, Sirius got a particularly nasty letter telling him not to come home for Christmas. He kept laughing but you couldn’t help but feel distressed. He had shrugged it off saying, “Who wants to back to that to that pathetic place anyway?” It had sounded nothing but depressing to you. You didn’t say anything, but after dinner you held his hand and sneaked off to the astronomy tower. The two of you laughed at Filch and Mrs. Norris antics and fooled around. You grazed at the stars bathing in each other’s company. You slowly said, “So, you are staying at Hogwarts during the winter break?” You could immediately feel him tense up. He hummed in response. You scooted closer to him and draped an arm around his shoulder.

“Good, cause I was worried about staying all alone here.” You said. He raised an eyebrow looking at you. “Well,” you explained. “I am a not a Christian. I follow Hinduism. And anyways my mother is always busy being a healer and my sister; well you know she’s back in India. Plus, now I have one of family members staying at Hogwarts.” He looked at you, his silver grey eyes going through a whirl of emotions.

“Family?” he said, his voice suddenly dry.

“Ya… family.” You said simply. “You do consider me your best friend right?” He nodded still unsure.

“But you’re always on about how much you miss your mother and couldn’t wait to go back.” He argued.

“Well, I changed my mind.”

Sirius looked away. “You shouldn’t stay back because of me. I don’t want your pity.” He said coldly.

“I and you both know this much that I don’t just do things because of pity. I do love you and I do love spending time with you. And yes, you are like a family to me, James, Rem and Pete. And I would love nothing more than beginning the New Year with you. So if you think for one moment that I am faking this, my love for you, then remember that you are hurting me more than you could by humiliating me in front of the entire school.” You replied dejectedly. Sirius looked at you as if he was seeing you for the first time. There was so much vulnerability in his eyes that it made your heart clench.

“I just… I never thought that I meant that much to you, that much to anyone in fact” he croaked, tears welling up in his eyes. You held him and he embraced you so tightly that it actually hurt but you didn’t care. He broke down completely. He cried violently, like he was never allowed to before. He told you how he missed them, how he wanted them to love him, that there was still a part in him that wished to please them. You stayed there listening to him, holding this boy you had come to love so much within a short span. You would be lying to yourself if you said that you loved him the way you loved your other best friends. The way your heart fluttered a bit every time he smiled at you or the butterflies that erupted in your stomach every time he called you, “my best girl”. Now seeing him cry like this did bad things to your heart. You wished terrible things for his parents, something you’d never done before.

After the night in the tower, Sirius told you everything. Of course, he shut you out sometimes when his insecurities peeped, but you always managed to make him trust you. There were times when you two didn’t have to say anything to each other to understand what the other wanted or was thinking.

So, sitting in the common room the night after the full moon with Sirius on your lap making you run your hands through his hair, James telling the group yet another joke, Remus with such a wonderful smile and Peter listening intently you couldn’t help but wonder that you had everything you needed right now. You looked back at the past three years thinking how they went by so quickly. With marauders at your side you had spent the first three years at Hogwarts carefree, pranking, learning and having fun. It wasn’t that you hadn’t befriended anyone else. You were friends with Lily and Alice and loads other students from different houses but the best times could only be spent by the bestest of friends.  You had seen James, Sirius and Peter become illegal animagus to help Remus. You too, had helped Remus but in a different way. You had researched about the condition every free time you got. You had created innumerous healing potions and stretch potions that helped him during his transformations and various potions that did not let new wounds form any kinds of scars and even helped in nulling out old ones.

Hence, when you got your Hogwarts letter for the fourth year you couldn’t wait to hop back on the very familiar Hogwarts express.

[beinfriends-a]

( I think I always meant to talk about Eoforwine’s family at some length for quite a long time; for a long time the family was quite generic and not really well-developed, but I actually really do think about them a lot-- primarily his wife, whom he currently does not recall, unfortunately.  While I doubt any of them would ever pop up here (aside from in modern verse, maybe?  But I’m still working out some kinks in the details WRT the family situation) because For is separated from them by a margin of, oh... a thousand or so years, I still think it’s worth at least discussing them a bit?  I also have always considered possibilities where For could find them and bring them here to Nowhere, but that’s irrelevant for the time being.

I finally wound up listing the names of his wife and children on For’s about just a little while ago, and so I’m certain few, if anyone have noticed it.  For’s family was as follows: his wife Saoirse, his elder daughter Eoforhilde, and his younger son Rowan.  Yes, he named his daughter after himself JKBSD.  It isn’t like he didn’t connect with both his kids, but I think he especially clicks with Hilde, always has, so he picked that name because he saw himself in her.  Saoirse picked Rowan’s name, so it evens out that they both picked a name they liked.

As to how For met Saoirse in the first place, I kind of picked out a story about a warrior who briefly appears in Beowulf who happens to have the name Eofor.  Utterly coincidental, which is funny because me reading Beowulf is what inspired me to give For his backstory and his Old English name, but I didn’t remember that Eofor was a character that appears in Beowulf till I reread it sometime later.  So the story of Eofor, whom is related to Beowulf as... his cousin’s husband I think, is essentially that he helped the king (Hygelac I think?) get revenge on the Swedish king for killing the king’s brother, who was the previous king.  And because Eofor personally personal killed the Swedish king and avenged the king’s brother, the king let Eofor marry his daughter.

So I kinda liked that.  But I just figured... For went to Cloverland / Ireland, because Saoirse is Irish and not English, and at some point is employed by Saoirse’s father to do him a big favor like that.  Though I think Saoirse and For always kinda took to each other and got along, I don’t think For would have had the chance to marry her had he not gotten her dad’s good graces.  He isn’t exactly rich or has much to offer in terms of status so he’d never have a chance in those times... so he got to have a relationship with someone he really liked and whom liked him back because he got in good with the family.

Saoirse is a very smart woman.  I like the contrast between a really smart, capable woman and a man who isn’t dumb but is more acquainted with practical skills than having an actual education.  For wasn’t exactly high ranking so people like him don’t really receive an education outside of what is necessary.  But he was always pretty smart, just in a different way.  I also like the contrast between a friendly, high energy person and their more low energy, colder person, and I think For and Saoirse fit that bill too.  She’s really not a friendly person or big on people at ALL, so the fact that For kinda found his way into her heart I think says a lot about his likeability and kindness.

I think Saoirse is quite the serious woman, isn’t friendly, doesn’t really like people, but she really opens up around her family and whatever friends she may have made in spite of her coldness.  I think the trope of exasperated nagging wife and the dumb husband could easily befall these two, but I think Saoirse really loves For and is usually on board with whatever he’s doing because she trusts him, and vice versa.  I also think Saoirse is a very powerful PSI user to contrast For, who has no PSI capabilities at all.  She probably kept that under wraps because I doubt most people like PSI users in those days, but For is chill with it.  He just loves his talented wife.

I also have toyed around with the idea of her being some kind of non-human but human-looking entity but that’s an aside.  It really just relates to her being a strong PSI user, basically.

So, For and Saoirse got married pretty young.  For was 18, and Saoirse was 20.  They had Hilde soon after, whom For really connected with.  Hilde is a lot like For, or was back when For was a more high energy person-- he’s very relaxed and calm now.  Hilde honestly reminds me a lot of Claus before all the trauma; impulsive, very energetic and excitable, and not afraid of basically anything.  Dealing with an impulsive child who’s willing to charge into danger stresses For and Saoirse out to the max honestly, but For adores her.  She also listens to For more than Saoirse, so he’s usually left to the task of wrangling her.

Rowan is about two years younger than Hilde.  He takes much more after Saoirse, and is very timid.  He’s not over sensitive, just very cautious more than anything else.  Very quiet, takes more to academic pursuits than anything practical (Hilde is the opposite, naturally) so Saoirse has probably put more into educating Rowan than Hilde at this point.  Rowan also took to PSI early on just like his mother, so she was really thrilled about that, since Hilde didn’t seem to have any affinity for PSI at all.  For probably did his best to try and toughen Rowan a bit, but he also isn’t very harsh about masculinity so he likely didn’t push it all too much when he realized Rowan just kinda... is who he is.

Rowan’ll look quite a bit like For by the time he’s grown up-- except with red hair, since Saoirse is a redhead too.  Hilde’s more of a strawberry blond, but yeah.  I think you would also really see For in Hilde.  Rowan does resemble Saoirse a bit more strongly, though you still see For in him.  I think he’ll also mellow out quite a bit and no longer be timid.  It’s just one of those things he has to grow out of-- and frankly, I think he’ll wind up taking up similar work to For, being some kind of warrior or mercenary type.  Aside from the farming he’d do otherwise.  I’m not sure what Hilde’ll do.  I don’t think she’d like getting married much.

So For disappeared when Hilde was 9 and Rowan was 7.  They’re 16 and 14 now, respectively.  When For disappeared, they obviously all took it pretty hard.  The family was a pretty healthy unit, so losing someone they were all close to and relied on sucks.  Saoirse could hold her own and do what she had to to keep the family safe and happy, but it is miserable being without her best friend.  And it’s sad, because For still doesn’t really remember them.  He knows he has to have had a family and that they’re out there somewhere, but he’s not quite there yet in remembering.  I don’t know how he’ll take it when he remembers.  I’m sure he’ll grieve quite a bit, if only because he doesn’t know how to reunite with them or where they are relative to the timeline.

It’s not impossible to reunite, it’s a matter of For remembering the year and the place properly, which is much more difficult.  I think if For reunited with his family, he and Saoirse probably wouldn’t get back together?  They’d still be very close friends and good co-parents, but I think both of them recognize that they’re in different places and have moved on.  Hilde would probably take right to For again as if no time passed at all, but Rowan would probably take much more time warming up.  He was younger, after all, and didn’t have all too much time with For, but they’d get along soon enough.

Rowan would be a little less timid but still very quiet.  He might be a bit resentful and angry and withdrawn, but hey, he’s a teenager, everyone goes through that.  Hilde, I think, might have turned into a bit of a bully.  I think she means well, but she’s very aggressive and can go way over the line if you let her because she doesn’t really know better or realize the consequences of that?  So she probably bullies Rowan a bit-- and any friends she’d made, she’d do that too (I’ve pictured her meeting Claus and oh fucking boy would she bully the shit out of him despite “liking” him).  So it’d take a lot for For and Saoirse to try and fix those things and set the kids on better tracks.

Also, Saoirse probably discovered that Hilde IS a PSI user, it just took time for her to learn how to use it.  Not a great combo of an impulsive, sometimes destructive girl and PK Fire, you know?  But Saoirse probably started working hard to get Hilde to learn how to control it and teach her some of what she knows.  Saoirse was likely both horrified and thrilled at Hilde being a psychic, so she did her best.  I’m sure For would be shocked to see how everyone is a PSI user in his family, but glad for them.

In the modern verse, I’ve played around with the idea of Saoirse and For being divorced by the time For is about 28-30.  I imagined Saoirse went off back home to Ireland / Cloverland to teach as a professor or... something, and For stayed wherever he stayed-- usually America / Eagleland, after immigrating from Scotland / Foggyland.  But I don’t know how custody of the kids would work, because I do want Hilde to be with For, at least.  I think For might have custody of the kids most of the time, then Saoirse has visitation, essentially-- or vice versa?  Because splitting up custody between two different countries is hard, and they wouldn’t want to split the kids up.

That, or they’re still together, or separated. but Saoirse stays close by so they can equally parent the kids and have equal custody.  For and Saoirse will always be good friends no matter what; they just find that they don’t click romantically like they used to, and it was better this way.  It’d be a very pleasant divorce, quite unusual, I know, but good for the kids. )

[fieryfantasybooklover]

Halos And Hellfire - A Malec angst/sad fic

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Long ago, when the universe was still new, 10 incandescent stars were exiled from the sky for their kindness.

The stars are cold beings that care for nothing and nobody. They burned entire worlds to the ground and enjoyed doing it. Because the primal energy of the universe was harnessed in the stars, and they decided there was no reason they shouldn’t use it. The stars could control all the elements, shift their forms, and teleport. And they used that power. Entire species met their ends in seconds, the last things they saw being terrible waves of fire and horrible all-powerful entities descending from the sky.

These 10 stars were born and they saw the universe for what it was - beautiful and worth saving. Those stars dared to dream, to have faith, to believe. Their thoughts were occupied by dreams of a better life. One where there was something beyond this - an endless stream of death and the cold void of space. These stars tried to save lives, save worlds. Their opinions were not shared by the other stars, so these brilliant entities that only wanted peace were cast from the sky. They fell in the form of gorgeous winged beings. And after falling for a thousand years, they landed.

At first, everything went fine. The star’s DNA altered to fit the environment. The planet was named “Earth” and it was perfect in nearly every way. It was lush and green, filled with water and even a native species to interact with. Half of the angels made their home in the sky, the other half in the underground part of the planet. Everyone lived in peace for some time, an era that became known as the Golden Age. But then there was a betrayal. An underground angel (as they had started to call themselves) clashed with an air dweller over the death of an air angel general. Both sides of the world blamed the other for the death. The force of the conflict nearly brought the planet to the ground.

Everything the stars had fought against for all their lives forced its way into their lives and brought fire and chaos with it. The war raged for nearly 100 years, nearly causing the angels to go extinct. Finally, peace was brokered… if both groups of angels promised to remain in their respective domain and only interact on earth, who’s residents were blissfully unaware of their existence.

As time passed, animosity grew and made itself at home. It grew to the point that the “dark angels” of the ground hated the “light angels” of the sky. The angel children of both sides were taught to hate the “enemy angels” from the time they were born. It remained this way for so long that all hope for happy coexistence seemed lost to the clouds.

*1000 years later*

“Do you have any idea what’s happening?” Catarina asked Magnus. Catarina and Magnus were best friends and high ranked soldiers in the Light King’s army. All the soldiers had been called to the courtyard for a speech from the High General, and were milling around while they waited. “I’ve got absolutely no idea. Maybe the General is finally letting us spruce up the barracks. Of course, me being my fabulous self, has still fought this topic despite the lack of help.” Magnus snarked at Catarina. “How long are you going to be mad at me for that? Just because I chose the improvement of the armory of the improvement of the barracks outward appearance doesn’t mean-”

Magnus shushed her as the General stepped up to his plinth. A hush fell over the crowd as General Charmeine stepped up and cleared his throat. “As you know, all of the soldiers have been summoned here for a speech. I am sure that you are all wondering why. I will not mince words, for as you are about to find out we have very little time.” The general paused and it seemed that every fiber of the world held its breath. “Our sensors have detected 10 bursts of pure undiluted energy emitting from an unknown source. And they are headed straight for this planet. These pulses are scheduled to arrive around this time tomorrow.” The general paused again. “To put it clearly, we have only a day left to live. Along with every single being on this Earth. I hereby release you all from your posts. You are free to live your last day however you wish.”

With that, the General took flight from the plinth, spreading his pale gold feathered wings and soaring off into the night, leaving chaos behind. Magnus stood there shocked, unable to process the devastating axe blow that was this news. Catarina did her bets to rouse him, but Magnus was lost beyond hope. Anger, pain, hate, confusion, and despair were cascading through him, mixing and leaving little room for Magnus to breathe. Moving like a robot, he spread his pure gold wings, a rare color among angels, and took to the skies. Not being able to stand looking at his home of 25 years, he turned to Catarina and spoke. “Caty. You were the best friend I could ever hope for. I wish you all the best in these last hours.” And with that, Magnus took off, flying as fast as he could in an attempt to forget everything he knew and wished he didn’t. That would be the last time he has his best friend.

The poor angels had no idea of the source of the power pulses. In fact, those stars that had once exiled the original 10 angels had found them. And decided to have a little fun. By blowing up yet another planet. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the world a similar situation was playing out.

Alec spread his wings and took off without a second thought, not even hesitating for his best friend Jace. “How am I supposed to fucking deal with this? I’m told the world is ending and I’m released from my service? What do they want me to do? I’m sure as hell not going to stick around that’s for sure.” As Alec soared through the skies, he spotted a speck of gold on the roof of an extremely tall building in New York City. “Oh god, it’s an air dweller. Well, I have nothing left to lose anyway.” With that Alec began his descent towards the angel that would change his life, no matter how much remained of it.

Magnus stood on top of the building, surveying the skyline of the world that would soon cease to exist. It wasn’t until he heard the quiet swooshing of approaching wings that he realized another angel was approaching. Magnus turned and nearly lost his breath as the approaching angel landed. The angel was clearly dark, marked by the silver ebony runes spidering up his arms. The dark counterpart to Magnus’s silver runes. The angel was tall, dark haired… and unbearably smoking hot. He had breathtaking ebony wings that shimmered and shined with purple, gold, red, blue, and so many other colors. His skin was beautifully tanned and a pair of brooding deep blue eyes stared at Magnus with a thousand years worth of prejudice.

“Ummm… hello?” Magnus managed. “I am assuming you just got the news as well.”

“Yeah. And I don’t want to talk about it. We’re enemies and we always will be. I just don’t want to spend the last day of my life alone.” Magnus, shocked at the brief flash of emotion from this angel with a “Go to hell” attitude, just nodded. Both angels silently took off, with no particular destination in mind. They just needed to fly.

The existential dread faded as the angels soared through the sky, finding it in their hearts to be able to stand each other's presence.

The pair took turns choosing destinations, not even bothering to share names. They toured the Pyramids of Giza, flew over the Great Wall of China, and visited Tikal before finally pausing to rest atop a tree in the Amazon rainforest.

As they lounged, Alec worked up his nerve to speak to the golden vision that had suddenly appeared in his life. He rationalized that it was probably normal to want to talk, to experience, to feel. After all, he was only 25 and about to lose everything he had ever known. “Hey… what’s it like. What’s it like living in the clouds?” Magnus looked over, surprised at the question. “Well… it’s beautiful. Everything is made from white, gold, and silver. The sky is stunning and you get to see the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises. I love to stargaze… the sky is panoramic to the maximum when you’re up as high as we are. When I look at the stars, at the galaxies and the lights that fill the sky, I feel hopeful… but it’s also humbling. It reminds you how small we are to the universe. How much beauty there is beyond this world.”

Alec realized just exactly how beautiful the other angel was, silhouetted against the setting sun, ringed in gold. All of a sudden all the emotions Alec had been suppressing welled up inside him and he had to fight back tears. To stop himself from crying, Alec began talking. “I love living beneath the surface of the Earth. There’s so many mysteries down there that even we don’t know. We build everything from red and black colors, and it’s always warm. We can fly around the endless caverns we build. The kids play there and the teenagers sneak out there to make out. I love the earth. It’s grounding and it’s real. It keeps me tethered to reality.”

Silence echoed between them, but it was considerably more comfortable than it was before. Without a word, the two angels took to the sky to live out the remainder of their lives. Even if it was only 9 hours.

The two angels still did not share their names, even as they explored the catacombs of France, snuck behind massive crashing crystalline waterfalls, and explored the unmapped parts of the Sahara desert. They paused again at the top of Mt. Everest, when the talk turned to romance.

“Did you ever have a girlfriend or a boyfriend?” Magnus asked Alec as they gazed at the breathtaking Himalayas. “For me, it would be a boyfriend. And no, I never had a romantic partner. Us “dark angels” only marry once and it’s for life. I haven’t met that one person yet. What about you?” Alec inquired, gazing at Magnus with a surprisingly open and earnest face. “Well… it isn’t uncommon for us to have more than one lover. We don’t limit ourselves as we believe love is essential. We don’t marry as much, it’s more common to live with somebody and share a relationship and not be married. We don’t like to bind ourselves down with things like marriage.”

With those phrases, a passing on of knowledge to outsides, the barriers between them fell more. The pair took to the sky for the last time. They had less than an hour left to live.

The two angels landed on some unnamed beach. They stood there looking at the sun slowly lowering itself to set over the ocean. There was still no sign of the energy pulses set to destroy the world. As time ticked by and the world edged closer to extinction, neither angel said anything. There was nothing left to say.. Atleast not till they were sure nobody would live to repeat their words.

With under 10 minutes left to live, both started talking, talking over each other and talking like they would never be able to again. Which they wouldn’t.

“I hate the world. It’s full of hate and pain and anger and sometimes I think it would be better off to start over. To wipe the slate clean and hope that some decent race will rise from the ashes. That’s why I bolted when we got the news… because I was scared to admit that I thought it might be better. People destroy far more than they create and there is so much more bad in the world then there is good… and I just-- I GET SICK OF IT. BUT THERE’S NOTHING I CAN DO TO CHANGE IT. And I can’t discuss it with my people - they believe that the world is unconditionally good! And I just can’t see it. Maybe I’ve just seen too much.” Alec stopped his rant, gasping for breath as if he had just run a marathon. Magnus stood there quietly, not judging, agreeing, or disagreeing. It took a minute for Alec to realize that Magnus had started talking.

“I am in a constant never ending battle with the devils in my head. One’s that have never seen the light of day because we do not let people show weakness. Shadows and darkness scream that I’m alone, that nobody is truly there for me. I never had parents - they didn’t want me and I was left on a friend’s doorstep. I was bullied growing up because I was different. It got bad… so bad. But then I pulled myself out of it. I pulled myself out of that pit, that void, just to die young.”

Both of the angels, descendants of ancestors who hated each other, looked at the other in shock. They had just exposed demons to their sworn enemy… and they didn’t even know the other’s name. Silent words flew between them, words that didn’t lie words that told the bare ugly truth. Words that said “I see you I understand you I agree with you. You don’t have to pretend here. You’re allowed to be dark because the world is dark with much to dislike about it.” Words that said “Maybe if things had been different, we could have loved each other. Maybe if there weren’t so many factors stacked against us. Maybe. But we’ll never know.”

With a roaring growing in their ears, the angels decided that there was nothing left to lose, nothing left to prove, nothing left to deny. And in that minute, with crushing finality, their lips met. It was a kiss like a thunderclap, like a lightning strike, a kiss like a sonic boom. It was pure exhilarating freedom and a wild howling wind. A kiss that sounded like thousands of years of hate falling to the ground with roaring and noise. It was a kiss of anger and pain and like-minded souls. It was a burning kiss as Magnus tangled his hands in Alec’s ebony hair and Alec wrapped his arms around Magnus to pull him closer as he ran his hands up and down the golden angel’s back. It was a kiss that silently spoke of what-ifs and maybes and if onlys. It was a final middle finger to the universe and everything that told them what they’re allowed to be. It was a kiss of passion… a kiss of halos and hellfire as the world fell to pieces around them.

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Darkness. Darkness and nothing and nothing and darkness.