#that epilogue just rubbed salt in the wound

[everythingreddeaddd]

This post is SO real. Also it deserves this long term add, because this game is so insanely well written:

so insane of john marston to say his son is "getting soft" after he's lived in a gang from the ages of birth to four years old, john flat out abandons him as a baby, returns and continues to deny he's even jack's father, then decides ok fine he is my son after he's kidnapped for ransom. then after all this and a trip to prison, john finally develops some sense and goes "i can't raise a child in a gang!" then proceeds to uproot his life every few weeks bc he can't stop doing crime. for nearly a decade.

LET THE BOY READ

[quinn-of-aebradore]

Rewatched my recording of Rowen's epilogue party today for fun and promptly got knocked out with emotion by her conversation with Gale again, so I figured I might as well inflict that on y'all :3

Their conversation opened with a hug, which is in this post, it's very cute, and then Gale talks about teaching for a bit, prompting this:

Which is wonderful and lovely! Rowen's looking at him so fondly, which makes sense given that their little magic lesson was the first time anyone had ever "properly" taught her magic! She was a scrappy little thieves guild kid who taught herself, after all. So of course she tells him he's an excellent teacher.

Of course she does, given the above. And then-

This look, coupled with that line and the fact that Rowen imagined going on a romantic walk with him during that moment? And that very soon after, he told her about Mystra and she promptly pulled away and that was that? Heartbreaking.

And he follows it up by complimenting her! He knows very well by now that Rowen in that moment had never been formally educated in magic like he was and he's telling her she was already incredible from her own efforts! This man is still so smitten. And then he redirects, back to his students before asking-

Gods, how conflicted I (and Rowen) felt about answering this. Everyone she's talked to so far, when they've asked (and the option was there), she's mentioned Astarion and how happy they are. But with Gale, after they've just danced around the "what could've been" aspect of their relationship, it would feel like rubbing salt in a wound to not only do that, but call Astarion the love of her life, wouldn't it?

So, wizard-exclusive option four it was.

Look at this man's face! Oh my god. Granted I didn't manage to get the best screenshot of it, I was fighting the video player's progress bar a bit, but I swear. He is so fucking fond. I'm unwell about it.

And then!!! He goes from So Damn Fond to "I can't stop talking about you" "I've told my students all about you. You should come teach with me." He has it so bad, my heart hurts.

This is very much Rowen's Worry Incarnate face but let me tell you. When I heard that Gale becomes a professor in his non-god ending, I immediately headcanoned that he brings Rowen in as a guest lecturer, not knowing that he actually makes that offer. Because he knows her history, he knows how much something like that would mean to her. That even though she's grown so much from her state of feeling constantly inferior to everyone when they met, that having her skill as a wizard legitimized in that way is a dream come true. So that's not a look of worry on her face, really. That's "I am holding back tears".

And then below that, there's the layer of "I've missed you, here's a way we can spend time together that I know you won't decline". Not in a manipulative way, obviously, he knows she's happy and he wouldn't begrudge her of that in a million years. Regardless of their relationship being platonic or romantic or anything in between, Rowen's his closest friend who he can truly talk about magic with and it's the same for Rowen! And in the end, even with the heartache that is there, that's what their foundation is and that's what matters.

[orionsangel86]

I’ve been thinking a LOT this morning about this comparison that keeps getting drawn between what meta writers are saying now about 15x20 and Destiel and the JohnLock Conspiracy(TM) and aside from just linking you all back to THIS POST by @winchestersingerautorepair which explains it all perfectly anyway, I do feel the need to stress some very clear and very glaringly different points that basically prove outright that this situation is Not That.

1. We already have confirmed Canon Destiel. The romantic feelings are confirmed in text. Destiel is canon. Arguably currently textually unrequited canon (yeah right) but it IS canon. It’s also Word of God canon. Basically, where we currently are is actually more canon than even Aziraphale and Crowley ever were. You can NOT say the same for JohnLock.

2. The JohnLock Conspiracy was all about how the actual final episode of the show was a “fake” bad finale, and how they would release a secret finale which would fix everything and make JohnLock canon a few weeks later. There was zero actual evidence of this anywhere. (Sorry JohnLock shippers, I feel for you I really do, but I just couldn’t ever see any evidence that the secret good finale was ever gonna happen.)

In contrast, we haven’t seen the Supernatural finale yet. It actually is next week. This is FACT. 15x20 is not a figment of Destiel shippers imaginations. We really do have one episode left which hopefully will give us everything we wish for.

3. All of this comparison has come out of meta writers saying 15x19 was written like a finale. We are calling it a finale and that’s why for some reason we are being mocked and compared to the JohnLock conspiracy... but... did those people who mock us not watch 15x19?!? (or at least get a plot summary and watch the final 10 minutes like me).

I can’t speak for my own opinion on the episode being bad, as I haven’t watched it. I have seen reactions both saying it was bad, and others saying it was good, or funny, or “so bad it’s good” but like, whatever. The point is, it WAS a finale. It was the episode that wrapped up the mytharc plot, had a callback montage to brother best moments and had them driving off into the sunset together now they are finally free. Like??? Call it whatever you want, but that was a finale.

Which is WHHHYYYY its SO WEIRD that there is still one episode left. What could POSSIBLY BE OUTSTANDING?

4. So yes. the FACTS are that UNLIKE Sherlock, Supernatural DOES have two finales. This isn’t some conspiracy. It’s a fact. We can joke that 15x19 was the “bronly” finale, but however you wanna see it, that was a finale. 15x20 can only be the long epilogue. The episode that wraps up the entire show. The episode JohnLock shippers dreamed about.

I really don’t mean to rub salt in the wound either. I don’t wanna insult anyone who believed in the conspiracy at the time, because hope is a funny thing that can have devastating effects - believe me, I know. But mocking us and trying to say the two are the same thing is just... wrong.

We don’t know how 15x20 will play out. But we do know the following FACTS:

Chuck is defeated. The big bad is gone.

There are no raised stakes anymore

the brothers are free (textually they confirmed this)

Jack as the new God, has fulfilled Castiel’s prophecy that he would bring about peace and balance to the universe. It’s done.

There is no story left concerning any of these big plot points.

BUT

Castiel is still in the Empty

Sam didn’t reunite with Eileen

Dean hasn’t said a damn thing about Castiel’s textually explicity confession of homosexual love for him

These are literally the ONLY things left to wrap up. There is NO WAY that the finale is going to be just a brothers road trip, growing old together, meeting random women, having kids and saying “Castiel Adam Jack Winchester you are named after the bravest men I know” kind of ending! It would be UNTHINKABLE for Dabb to do that.

I am seriously rubbing my temples on this whole thing because there are still so many naysayers that are pissing me off - particularly certain wannabe SPN writer BBFs who steal meta from Tumblr and pawn it off as their own “journalism” spewing crap all over Twitter about the matter because they have super secret insider knowledge from people who worked on the show that confirmed Misha isn’t back.

Oh Misha’s not back you say? Fuck you. Seriously. Fuck you. Everyone knows he went back to filming. He confirmed it himself over and over again until the CW finally panicked and told him to shut his damn mouth and change his story. These are the same people who have been feeding rumours into fandom for years to misdirect us. The same people who probably convinced KNOWN DESTIEL SHIPPER and SPN writer Meghan Fiztmartin to laugh at, deny, and mock Destiel shippers on Twitter literally only a few weeks before IT WENT CANON. They are doing everything in their power to put us off the scent. They don’t want us to know Cas is back because the ENTIRE ENDING RESTS ON CAS COMING BACK AND IF WE ALL KNEW IT WOULD BE SPOILED. DESTIEL IS THE ENDGAME THEY DON’T WANT SPOILED.

This is not anything like the JohnLock conspiracy because we have actual facts to back it up. We have all the evidence, we have all the logic, the narrative is BEGGING for the love story to be wrapped up. Dean MUST use his words and tell Castiel he loves him. Even the General Audience at this point can see that. So I beg you, stop mocking us for something you don’t know anything about.

If there is ONE THING you should trust right now. It’s the meta writers. We are the ones who have been telling you for YEARS that Destiel is a thing. That there was writer intent. Hell, we even predicted Jack would become God in the end (like seriously anyone with any understanding of literary analysis could see it was going that way). Mocking us after we have already been validated by canon confirmation of the DeanCas romance is just idiotic at this point.

[agile37]

Seriously. I’m going to be so upset if Izuku becomes quirkless again at the end of the story. Knowing Horikoshi he’ll probably make Bakugou the number one hero too in an epilogue just to rub salt in the wound.

Finally read the last chapter and this better be a "Let go of OFA because your own version of AFO is about to show up" moment.

[everysongineverykey]

I'M DONE. HERE. TAKE THESE CHAPTER 2 THOUGHTS AND RUN, BABY.

so i'll try to go in order here. uhhhh... there's a LOT i have to say. first: toriel giggling sprite my beloved

on that note, ALL THE NEW SUSIE SPRITES MY BELOVEDS

NOELLE YOU'RE SO GAY. I THINK THIS IS PROBABLY JUST BECAUSE I TOLD HER TO IN CHAPTER ONE BUT SHE GAVE SUSIE THE LUNCHBOX FULL OF CHALK!! I LOVE ITTTT

ralsei's, uh... kinda sus. the whole "recruiting" thing REALLY sketches me out. and he looks kinda... smug, all the time, like he knows what's going on.

LANCER JOINED! ROUXLS JOINED EVEN THOUGH NO ONE WANTED THAT! STARWALKER JOINED, TO EVERYONE'S JOY!

LIBRARY PORTALLLL

so before i entered the city there was that pre-city area? that looked very much like the city? except it had different music? and i thought they'd cut welcome to the city and i was SEVERELY disappointed. but then they didn't! just something i wanted to mention

NOELLE!!

throughout this game i went from despising berdly to feeling bad for him to not really liking him again, but not hating him as much as before. he'd better stay the fuck away from susie though

the queen is the best villain. she's the kind you love to hate! she's literally so funny AND her boss battle is actually tough (rip to the king but he just. wasn't a formidable enemy at all lol)

THE GANG CHARLIE BROWN DANCING TO WIN A FIGHT! SUSIE GAINING THE POWER TO ACT THROUGH SHEER FORCE OF WILL! SUSIE FORCING RALSEI TO LEARN TO ACT EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T WANT TO! THAT ENTIRE BATTLE WAS AMAZING! THE "BATTLE WON" END DANCING SEQUENCE! GOING INSANE GOING INSANE

the puzzles in this chapter were genuinely really impressive! i especially loved the word search puzzles and the ice-ee undertale word search reference💙

that being said. the mouse puzzles were SO fucking infuriating. i caused poor noelle a LOT of grief with those and i feel bad.

SPEAKING OF NOELLE!! the scene where she and kris are walking through the puzzle, the one that spells "december", and she's talking about when they were kids, how she loved sneaking out? beautiful. the cinnamon tography <3 also i guessed dess's full name was december a while ago and while i guess it was obvious, it's nice to have that confirmed!

also, i love that susie and ralsei are real friends in this chapter! he taught her a healing spell!!

ugh. fucking berdly. so smug and pretentious. i love queen's desire to be as far away from him as possible though

i also like his backstory. it gives his behavior, even if it's still annoying, at least some context. i get the feeling of feeling like if you're not smart, people will forget about you, and that's scary.

ALSO ALSO. GAMER BERDLY. LITERALLY EVERYTHING ABOUT THAT IS PERFECT. "I THOUGHT YOU WERE A GAMER!" "i only play mobile games, berdly." "NOOOOOO!" like i ADORE that

anyways. time for me to talk about the only thing that matters in this world: suselle. i mean, did the gays win in this chapter or DID THE GAYS WIN IN THIS CHAPTER?? THEY RODE A HEART-COVERED FERRIS WHEEL AND HAD A HEARTFELT, TENSION-FILLED CONVERSATION!

"did you ever wonder why the real susie never picked on you? well, maybe it's because... when you were both new to class, you lent her one of your pencils, like... maybe a dumb one with candy canes on it or something, and... even though it didn't actually taste like candy, she... remembered your smile." okay god thanks toby it's not like i needed my heart or anything

SERIOUSLY. TOBY "i'm gonna give the gays everything they want" FOX IS BACK WITH ANOTHER BANGER LADS

QUEEN'S BOSS BATTLE! ACTUALLY TOUGH, UNLIKE KING'S! AND GIGA QUEEN! I'M GOING INSANE THAT WAS SO SICK AND SO HARD

the way my heart BROKE when lancer turned to stone good god thank GOD our boy's okay

AND ROUXLS KAARD IN HIS PIRATE DUCK!! WITH HIS LITTLE HAT! DEMANDING THE QUEEN MAKE HIM BUTLER SUPREMETH! I LOVE HIM MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF

also!! kris and ralsei's little moment on the swan boat💙 i wasn't a kralsei shipper before but uh... that may be starting to change

it's hard because ralsei's still suspicious but at the same time i love him and want him to be happy. i don't know how to feel

also, if darkners outside of their dark worlds turn to stone after a while, why didn't ralsei? that's, uhhh... VERY sus. very weird. mr fox i need ANSWERS

WE FINALLY HAVE A WAY TO SAVE AFTER WE'VE FINISHED MOST OF THE EPILOGUE LADS. REJOICE!!

seriously the thing that peeved me about ch1 was that the last save point was on the battle stage and if i wanted to play the epilogue again, i had to. do that entire battle all over. BUT NOW THAT'S BEEN FIXED!!

UNDYNE AND ALPHYS HAVE MET UNDYNE AND ALPHYS HAVE MET THIS IS NOT A DRILL UNDYNE GAVE HER A BOX OF CANDIES EVERYBODY SHUT UP THEY'RE IN LOVE ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD

ALSO! NEAR THE BEGINNING! I FORGOT TO MENTION THE LITTLE WHITE DOG DOING DONUTS IN A TOY RACE CAR AND BACKING UP TRAFFIC! THANK YOU LITTLE WHITE DOG!

on that note: "looks like a car. this one has a man in it. he waves at you happily." AND THEN THE MAN'S GONE??? HEY TOBY???

ALSO. THE SEGMENT WHERE THE ANNOYING DOG HELPS US FIND THE KEY THROUGH THE POWER OF WANTON DESTRUCTION. THE BEST PLOT DEVICE!

TORIEL TEACHING SUSIE TO MAKE PIE STOP ITTTTT

and yes yes i KNOW kris slashed toriel's tires. that was extremely troubling. but THEY MADE PIE TOGETHER!!

"leave the chalk alone, kris" TORIEL!!

sans and toriel making egg puns and asgore running in and going "don't forget me, your eggs-husband!" is the FUNNIEST sitcom moment type thing ever. GOD.

on the other hand sans let me meet your brother god dammit i'll kill you

METTATONNNNNNN

RUDY... "who got you these flowers?" "is it weird for a married man to get flowers?" "so your wife did?" "oh, no! kris's dad did!" "...not even gonna try to understand this..." TOBY STOP ITTTT YOU'RE GIVING THE ASGORUDY SHIPPERS FALSE HOPE. YOU KNOW YOU'RE JUST GONNA KILL RUDY. YOU'RE JUST RUBBING SALT IN THE WOUND!

NUBERT! MY MAN!

seeing kris repeatedly they-themmed by multiple characters makes me so happy <3 poor kid... "college summer vacation when" "you opened the door with your eyes closed. you saw nothing" kris....

KRIS...

fucking. BLACK FOG STORM IN THE LIVING ROOM KRIS STOP IT. HOW'RE THEY GONNA REVEAL THIS WAS INNOCENT? THE KNIFE IN CHAPTER ONE WAS EASY BUT HOW WILL THEY EXPLAIN THIS

the staticy tv appearing in the dark and a toothy smile slowly fading into view in the center and lingering there ominously for far too long >>>>>>> every hollywood horror movie ever god. GOD

snowy and monster kid checking out the red door. implying there's something in there. something that kris knows about. knowing we won't get any more deltarune content for 5+ years does NOT fill me with determination

also. gaster's symbolic theme being mus_smile. and the final image in the game being a smile. god. gaster's COMING lads.

onionsan hears a song at night... a familiar song... memory, perhaps? or maybe a certain... four-note arpeggio that's hidden in a sound test room in undertale? who knows? guess we'll just have to wait for chapters 3/4/5.

this concludes my ramblings for now, but don't get it twisted- this is FAR from the last post i'll make about ch2. this whole chapter was absolutely amazing! brilliant! showstopping!! i'm genuinely soooo super impressed and excited for the chapter 3/4/5 bundle!!!

[athina-blaine]

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a man who wanted to save the world, and instead, nearly destroyed it.

Before he was forced to commit this great evil, the man fled— but the failed ritual inflicted him with a terrible curse, and he concealed himself inside a dark, lonesome manor. As the years passed and the solitude ate him, he never ventured to the outside world, ever again.

But that was alright. The man preferred it this way. For there remained not one person, living or dead, who was better off for having known Jonathan Sims.

-

“Aren’t you lonely, Mister Blackwood?”

THE MONSTER OF MAGNUS MANOR  

Rating: Mature

Pairing: Martin Blackwood/Jonathan “Jon” Sims | The Archivist

Chapters: 3/7

Chapter Word Count: ~9.9k

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Fairy Tale, Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Mutual Pining, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon Asexual Character, POV Martin Blackwood, Epilogue Chapter

Beta’d by the wonderful @definitelynotshouting​!

CHAPTER 3

THE EMPTY CORRIDORS

Martin could only watch as the storm raged on.

He'd been hopeful, at first, that the bad weather would pass by the end of that morning, but the wind continued to howl, buffeting the manor as if God himself were trying to smash the panelling. By mid-afternoon, his faint optimism had faded, and the storm continued roaring well into the evening without any changes.

The second day was more of the same.

As was the third.

And the fourth …

Right.

It appeared he wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon after all.

But it didn’t have to be all bad. While his more urgent problems still weighed on his mind, he was getting an awful lot of reading done– more than he's ever had the chance to. He didn't have to rise with the sun, back aching, fingers blistering from work the night before. He woke up refreshed and well-rested, even with his strange dreams.

So things could have been worse.

It was hard to enjoy that, though, when you had no one to enjoy it with.

Martin shied away from the thought. Did that sound entitled? The last thing he wanted was to impose his company on someone, especially someone clearly longing for solitude.

It all just felt so ... deliberate. Martin hadn’t seen Jon since that first morning. Surely, even considering the size of the manor, the two of them should have stumbled over each other at some point? The library, the kitchen? Somewhere? But the only reason Martin knew Jon was still in the manor at all was the tray of food that appeared like clockwork every morning, afternoon, and evening. The man himself spirited away before Martin could so much as open the door and say hello.

It was difficult not to take personally. Jon wanted him gone, Martin knew that– but it was rubbing salt in an open wound if the man was taking steps to avoid Martin entirely.

Maybe he was blowing this out of proportion. It had only been a few days at this point, and the manor was awfully large. More likely, Jon just wasn’t taking him into consideration as he went about his daily routine, and they happened to keep missing each other. 

This was how Martin tried reassuring himself as he took a seat in the foyer, dropping a bundle of books on an abandoned table. While the library’s alcove had the best view, the plush velvet of the foyer’s lounger proved a far more comfortable reading perch.

That was why he'd taken to reading in the foyer. Not because Jon would have to pass through this area to deliver the dinner tray. Not at all. Because that would be …

Martin swallowed, the collar of his shirt pressing tight against his throat.

… a little bit desperate, to be honest.

If he wanted to see you, he would, a voice said as he opened to his bookmark. You haven’t made yourself difficult to find.

He shushed it, settling deeper into the lounger. He was only reading after all; Jon’s recommendations, at that. That wasn’t wrong, was it?

No, it isn’t. How very convenient for you.

Martin sank down until the lounger threatened to swallow him, guilt dragging at him. No. He wasn’t doing anything wrong ... technically. But that was a poor excuse at the best of times.

He waited, eyes flitting between the pages of his book and the corner of the hallway. He could be honest with himself; at this point, he was getting desperate. He couldn’t take much more of these long stretches of marble hallways, nothing but his footsteps and the howling wind drilling into his ears. He couldn’t take much more of this … emptiness. How did Jon bear it?

An hour passed, then another. It was only after looking up for the hundredth time that he realised he couldn’t recall a single thing he’d read. Jon’s own recommendation and Martin wasn’t even paying attention to the bloody thing! Face hot, he flipped back several pages, trying to find the last paragraph he was sure he had processed– when Jon appeared.

Martin’s spine snapped straight, the book nearly tumbling out of his hands, but Jon didn’t notice him at all. He glided right past Martin, cloak fluttering behind him, eyes downcast on the dinner tray.

Oh. Oh no. What did Martin do now? It was one thing for Jon to notice him as he came down the hallway, and for Martin to then strike up a casual conversation; it was another to shout after him, clamouring for his attention like a child.

Jon was almost out of the foyer. Martin was running out of time.

“Jon?”

[Continue on AO3]

[Chapter 1], [Chapter3]

[piracytheorist]

A Kiss for Good Luck (15/16)

Summary: So this is the story of one born lucky, and one born unlucky. Fate will keep making them cross paths, but is it to bring them together, or to test them? Captain Swan AU.

A/N: Final chapter in the story! There’s only a short epilogue left after this one :)

Rating: T (make sure you’re okay with the warnings on AO3)

Word count for this chapter: 4k (51k in total) AO3

Read from the beginning: Tumblr | AO3

~

Chapter 15: Emma Swan and Killian Jones, June 23rd 2016 (continued)

“I think you were right,” Emma says some minutes into their walk. “About the time thing, and how big or small the luck is.” She turns to him. “Unless you spotted money and didn't tell me anything.”

Killian opens his mouth to speak, but instead a grunt comes out when a jogger bumps him on the shoulder as he passes by. Killian just rolls his eyes.

“Wait for it,” Emma whispers quickly. “Hey!”

The jogger turns around, still running on the spot. He smiles at Emma, but his face falls when he sees that she's holding Killian's hand.

“You just bump into people like that?” Emma asks, an almost comical offense showing on her face.

The jogger looks at Killian, expression turning bitter. “Apologies, mate.”

“Sure.” Killian turns at Emma after the guy has left. “You didn't have to do that.”

Emma quickly kisses him. “You knew that guy?”

“No. You didn't have to do that either.”

“We'll both have to get used to that.”

Killian, instead, raises their joined hands and leaves a brief kiss on hers. “Aye, we will.”

Still absorbing the place around her, still not fully realizing she's even left her country, Emma is surprised to suddenly feel Killian tug her towards a two-store house. She stops and stares at it.

The home he grew up in – well, not technically, but it's still a place that means a lot to him.

“What?” Killian says, letting go of her hand to fish out a set of keys from his pocket.

“It's just... your home.” As much as she likes her apartment in Boston, she'd rather look for a new one herself than pull Killian away from this place. There are still times she misses the home she had with Ingrid. She'd know the feeling.

“Aye?”

Emma just shrugs. “It's nice, that's all.”

Killian knows she means more than that; he doesn't push, however. “Welcome, then.”

He quickly sets to cooking as Emma sits down at the kitchen table and starts toying with the chess set on it.

“That's Alice's,” Killian says.

“Oh,” she says and drops the piece she was holding. “Does she play often?”

“She's a master at it. I don't think she'd mind if you played a bit yourself.”

“I don't know the first thing about chess,” she says and stands up, leaning closer to him and the food. “It smells nice. Nemo taught you to cook?”

“Hm-mm.”

Emma gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. He turns to look at her surprised. Emma shrugs playfully, saying, “What if you were about to put some salt in it and the saltshaker broke?”

He smiles, but he doesn't move for a kiss. “We've got a few potatoes.”

She raises her eyebrows. “So?”

He laughs. “Potatoes have potassium. Potassium absorbs the extra salt.”

“On today's episode of 'Cooking with Killian Jones',” she says, teasingly.

He fights the impulse to kiss her bright smile; perhaps he can hang onto the luck for a few hours more, if it means a better-tasting meal for everyone.

He turns around instead when he hears the front door open. A tired Alice appears from it, her knee looking scraped. He checks the time – she would normally be finishing school in two hours from now.

“Alice? What happened?”

“Something came up with the teacher, and they let us go earlier.”

“And you walked? They didn't let you call?”

“They did. The phone here isn't working and Nemo's phone is off. I didn't know anyone else's number.”

He checks both the cordless phone and the older phone by the kitchen door. Indeed, there's no dial tone. He looks at the girl, feeling immense guilt. That was nearly an hour-long walk, and she apparently fell and scraped her knee.

“I'm so sorry, Alice. I would've come pick you up. Does your knee hurt?”

“It's okay, I just tripped,” she says, tiredly taking her backpack off. “Can I watch some Netflix later?”

He smiles. “I think you've earned it. Come on then, I'll help you clean it.”

As he sterilizes Alice's wound, he thinks about her walking all this route. The school year is nearly over, so she didn't change schools when she moved here; the one she was at already was close to her real home, all the way across town. Though his bad luck never caused him to try and call someone to come pick him up, fail, and end up walking, he feels a deep sympathy for her.

“That woman in the kitchen,” Alice starts.

Killian smiles at her, finally placing a bandage decorated with white rabbits on her knee.

“Is she your friend?”

“You're a curious one, aren't you?”

“Curiouser and curiouser...” she looks around with innocent eyes.

“She is. A... special friend.”

Alice smiles and jumps up. “Do you love her?” she whispers.

Killian feels his face warm up. “I do. A lot,” he says softly, looking at the open door. Hopefully Emma can't hear them.

“Does she love you?”

“I think so. I hope so.”

Alice's smile widens. “You should introduce me to her.” She then walks out, mood significantly lighter.

Emma is standing next to the stove, leaning in carefully to smell the food. With the bad luck on her, she can't risk getting too close.

“Where are my manners? I haven't introduced you yet. Alice, this is Emma,” Killian says when they approach. “Emma, this is Alice.”

Emma simply raises her hand at her. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Alice sits down at the table, resetting the chess board. “Are you from around here?”

“No, actually,” Emma says and sits across from her, as Killian goes to keep stirring the food. “I'm from Boston, from America.”

“The United States?” Alice's eyes glow.

“Yeah. I made a surprise visit.”

“You'll be staying with us?”

“Uh... I think I'll be staying with Killian. But if Nemo is okay, I can come and visit.”

Alice points at the board, still smiling. “Do you play?”

“I know nothing about it.” After a short pause she adds, “Could you teach me?”

Alice giggles and starts picking up the pieces one by one, teaching Emma how they move across the board, even throwing a few tips about how to use each of them.

“You know the game awfully well,” Emma says.

Alice takes a melancholic expression that shouldn't belong on such a young face. “It's the one game I don't need any luck to win.” She then picks up the piece that looks like a horse – Emma's sure it's called a knight. “What's your country like?” Alice asks, her voice noticeably lower.

“Uh... big. Lots of places. I haven't visited many big cities, though. I went to New York City once.”

“My papa was born in Seattle. He's said a few times that we'd visit it together at some point.”

While Alice's head is slightly down, eyes stuck on the chess piece, Emma gives a quick glance towards Killian; he looks at them glumly.

Killian bites his lip, eventually saying, “I just need to leave the food to cook a little more. We can watch some Netflix until it's ready.”

Suddenly, Alice sniffles and runs to the bathroom, knight still in hand. Killian comes to stand closer to Emma, rubbing his face with his hand.

“What about her mother?” Emma asks.

“She left them after Alice was born. It's been just her and her father.”

“And now he's...”

Killian shakes his head.

“That sounds unlucky.” She looks at him meaningfully.

His eyebrow shoots up, and he looks towards the closed bathroom door.

“Are you thinking what I'm thinking?” Emma says.

“You think we could transfer our luck to her?”

She shrugs. “It doesn't transfer to others, when one of us kisses someone else. Maybe if we... kiss her on the cheeks at the same time, she can act as a... mediator?”

His face turns serious. “It's worth a try.”

They nod at each other.

“Maybe the bad luck we'll be stuck with can be diluted, if it's shared between us.” She smiles weakly.

He smiles back. He takes her hand and pulls her up from the chair. “Are you sure about this?”

She squeezes his hand in hers and nods. “I am.”

They let go at the sound of the bathroom door opening. Alice keeps her face down, and though they try not to pry, they notice the slight redness in her eyes and the slump of her shoulders.

“Okay,” Killian says. “Time for Netflix?”

That brings a small smile on Alice's face. They walk to the living room, and Alice pauses for a moment when she sees them take the end seats on the three-seat couch that's facing the TV, but eventually she settles in between them.

They watch two episodes of her favourite anime, and by the end her smile seems genuine.

“You didn't even tell me where Nemo is,” Alice says suddenly, turning to Killian.

“He was busy. John needed some help at the office.”

“You didn't sleep here last night.”

“Yeah,” he turns a little towards her, giving Emma a short but meaningful look. “You missed me, my lady?”

Emma turns towards the girl a bit as well, catching her shy smile. She knows enough to understand that what Alice is desperate for now is some stability, even if that means the people she's staying with not sleeping elsewhere out of the blue.

“I'm sure he missed you,” Emma says. “And you know what? I think I'll miss you too, when I go back home.” She probably won't stay long there, she thinks.

Alice looks at her, then back at Killian, undoubtedly catching their wide smiles.

“Why are you two looking at me like this?”

One last look between them, and then they simultaneously kiss Alice's cheeks.

Alice giggles, then runs her hands across her cheeks. “Ew,” she says teasingly.

Killian gives Emma a hopeful smile. She knows her face reflects it.

“Alright, time to eat!” he says and jumps up.

Lunch goes by smoothly, then Emma watches as Killian helplessly loses quick match after quick match. Eventually Alice starts giving him tips, and they end in a stalemate. Killian then sends Alice to go do her homework, and he settles with Emma on the couch, neither of them actually watching what's on the TV, only basking in each other's embrace.

“I feel it's a bit unfair,” Emma says. “You cooked, insisted to do the dishes, and now I'm sitting here doing nothing while Alice is doing homework?”

“We asked her many times if she wants any help with it. She always says she's doing fine, and her social worker said her progress has kept up despite what she's going through.”

After a short pause, Emma says, “How long do you think it will take? Until something good happens for her?”

“I don't know. It's all in theory, after all, did it even work? And since we kissed today, many times, will her luck be little? Or will our bad luck be big because she's been unlucky for her whole life? Has she been that unlucky her whole life?”

Emma sighs. “A lot of questions.”

He kisses the top of her head. “All we can do is hope for the best now. We did something good, maybe we can hope for some good karma.”

At the sound of Alice's footsteps on the stairs, they pull apart, only holding each other's hand.

Still from the stairs, the mock-bitter glare she gives them is sharp. “I can't wait to be a grown-up and not have to do homework everyday.”

They both make a discontented “Ehhh” sound.

“All kids say that, then we grow up and realize how silly we were for thinking that,” Emma says.

“Right, right. I'm done for today.” She raises her shoulders innocently. “Could I watch some more Netflix?”

“You know,” Killian says, “I thought I could make some pancakes. Would you-”

Alice's eyes light up and she interrupts him with an excited gasp and a “Is there any marmalade left?”

Killian stands up, laughing. “You're the main consumer of it. You should know.”

Emma stands close to Killian, ready to react if his bad luck acts up, but instead nearly gasps when he successfully flips over the first pancake. Alice contents herself with three pancakes, then she grabs a jar of orange jam and moves to the table.

Emma leans a bit towards Killian with a worried look.

“Oh, come on,” Killian says. “It's just skill.”

They eat their pancakes in silence, having just finished when Nemo comes home.

“Afternoon,” he says.

Emma quickly wipes her mouth and stands up to meet Killian's father. Both she and Killian join Nemo in the entrance, leaving Alice toying with the leftover jam on her plate.

“Nemo, this is Emma. Emma, Nemo.”

Nemo gives her his hand, and she shakes it gently. “That was quite the surprise visit,” he says. “Is that why you left in such a rush last night?” he asks Killian.

Killian's lips twitch and he scratches behind his ear. “Not exactly. I was just going back to my apartment when I saw her waiting for me outside.”

Nemo looks at the two of them, confused.

“After she figured out the luck thing, she came here to give me the luck back.”

Nemo's eyes widen, then start watering as he looks at Emma. “You really did that for him?”

Emma smiles, unable to say a word under such a grateful look.

Nemo takes a step towards her, then opens his arms. “May I?” he says.

She nods, sniffling softly as he hugs her.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“He wouldn't take it,” Emma says as they pull back. “He's too stubbornly selfless.”

“I don't expect you to just leave without at least making a plan for all of this.” He looks at Killian, then back at her. “But I'm grateful, and proud of you for what you did for him. I want you to know that you're always welcome in our home.”

Emma shrinks into herself, still too self-conscious, muttering a simple “Thank you,” when the phone rings and disrupts the moment.

Nemo moves to pick it up, and Emma quickly thinks how of course it's fixed now, but a cold shiver runs down her spine when after a few words, Nemo carefully slides into the living room, away from a clueless Alice's hearing.

Emma and Killian look at each other with a sudden expression of horror, then back at Alice.

Did they give her their bad luck?

They squeeze each other's hands, feeling the frantic heartbeat under the skin, then look at Nemo, waiting for the damn suspense to be over already.

Nemo covers his eyes, then his mouth. He whispers a few words into the phone, then he walks back to the kitchen, his eyes glassy again.

“Alice,” he says. “It's for you.”

Emma and Killian can nearly feel their hearts beat out of their chest as Alice's face turns serious. She takes the phone and brings it to her ear. She says “Hello?” and seconds feel like hours until her jaw drops and she says in a breathy voice, “Papa?”

Finally, Nemo turns to them. His eyes are still teary, but he's smiling.

“Papa,” Alice says again. “You're awake?” Without another word, she jumps from her chair and runs upstairs.

“He woke up,” Nemo says, fist over his mouth. “I spoke with the doctor first, she said he's expected for a full recovery.”

A breath heavy as lead seems to pour out of the couple's lungs, and they embrace each other tightly, Killian raising his hand to cup the back of Emma's head.

His mind is racing. They did it, it worked. They stopped this cruel game and, hopefully, it ends with luck being Alice's to keep for good. A quick thought about provoking fate enters his mind, but he's certain that fate brought Alice in such a state into his path to lead them into passing over their luck to her. And they did a good deed. Surely that must mean something.

They pull apart and look into each other's relieved faces, until they realize Nemo is looking at them confused.

“Did you two...” he points between them, then looks a bit towards the stairs.

“We may have tried something,” Killian says. “There must have been a reason you of all people were the one to foster the child of someone who helped me.”

“So it's... it's her turn? And what about you two?”

“We've had enough of this exchange,” Emma says. “Hopefully, that way, she'll get to keep the luck for herself.”

Nemo smiles in pride, then Alice is running down the stairs. Her face is, once again, red from tears, but this time her smile lights up the room.

“Papa said it's visiting hours, can we please go see him?” she says.

“Of course,” Nemo says. “Are you ready?”

Nearly jumping in enthusiasm, she follows Nemo outside and into the car.

As the sound of the vehicle fades in the distance, Emma and Killian once again relax into each other's arms.

“We did it,” Killian whispers.

“You think that's it? It's over now?”

“I hope so. Maybe fate wasn't punishing the detective for helping me, but throwing Alice on our way to give us a clue as to what we should do.” He sighs in content as Emma's arms wrap tightly around his torso.

“We did the right thing. Although,” she pulls a little back to look at him, “I now have the sudden need to check if any boys were born at the same time as Alice. How long could that list be?”

“Hm. It won't be a long list, but it would still take long to find them... but we'd probably need to look for girls, not boys.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Do you think...”

“I'm no expert, but she's given a few signs. I mentioned something to Nemo, vaguely, and he simply said that perhaps the social workers had a good reason to send her to a same-sex couple. I think he was just being discreet. You think we should let her know? About the luck thing, I mean.”

“Oof. I was around her age when things changed for the better for me. I don't know how I would've reacted if I'd learned the truth right then. I'd probably feel very guilty.”

“We are adults, who agreed to give our luck away.”

“Still. It might ruin things for her.”

“It started with us. It ends with her. Unless she kisses her father, then trips on the way back to the car, I think it's safe to assume it's hers to keep.”

“Let's hope so.” She leans her head on his shoulder.

If not for the possibility of Shakespeare coming back at any moment, Killian could stay like this forever.

The weight is lifted. The stress is gone. They can finally enjoy being together without that constant worry.

“Come on up,” he says, pulling away and taking her hand in his. “I want to show you my old bedroom.”

Killian's bedroom is in the middle of the hall, with a big window next to the bed overlooking the front porch. The wall is painted a blue color, and probably needs a repaint. The wall next to the bed, where a desk is facing, is full of sketches and drawings, most of them nautical-themed.

Always and forever that pirate boy, she thinks.

There's also a wardrobe and a separate drawer, on which a few knickknacks are set, as well as framed copies of Killian's family photos.

“It looks... you,” she says.

“I haven't changed it much. It was as if Nemo knew me already before I even came here. I was just minding my damn business in this very chair, being a moody teenager,” he says as he sits on said desk chair, “when Nemo came in to tell me that he would be adopting me.”

Emma sits down on the bed next to the desk, holding his hand in both of hers.

“I lived in my first bedroom longer than I have in this one.” He looks around, and as Emma looks too she notices there's glow-in-the-dark stars stuck on the ceiling. “But it's this room that held me.” His voice drops, both in pitch and volume. “It's here I cried, in fear and in misery and in happiness. It's here I keep finding myself.”

He looks at her, and the face he gives her is what makes her pull him to the bed. He sits next to her and they lose themselves in a kiss, deep and long and finally carefree.

They've lain next to each other, Emma leaning her head on Killian's shoulder, when the decision to not pull him away from this place finally sets in her mind.

“I think I'll stay here,” she says, raising her head above his.

“Tonight? There's a free room, but there's also an air mattress somewhere here, you'll allow me to- What?”

He's looked at her, and the definite expression in her face has shut him up.

“I mean, move here. Maybe not this house, but this town. To be with you.”

“Emma, you- you don't have to do that. It's over, we can...”

“I want it.” She smiles. Even after everything, it's hard to say the exact words. “Besides, it's closer to Norway from here. I can get to know your family, and you can meet mine.”

“What about your friends? You've known them for years, we're just...”

“They have their own lives. And we can still talk, and even meet, sometimes.”

“You'd stay?” His voice is only a whisper. “For me?”

Emma just kisses him softly.

He sighs against her lips. “It's really hard to consider that bad luck.”

“Oh, you wait and see,” she says teasingly. “I have really bad breath in the morning.”

She nearly freezes the moment the words are out; is... is moving in with him what he had in mind?

However, after a short silence, he just says, “I think I can deal with that. You'll have more to put up with.”

She leans her head back on his shoulder. True, his drinking issue is something they both have to consider from now on. But now they can finally look forward to some stability, safety, and having each other.

And still, she wouldn't have it any other way. For the first time, the thought of the pirate boy isn't one of longing for something she never had; it's a promise that things will stay as good as the two of them make them.

She raises her head to look deep into his eyes. “I love you,” she says.

He smiles that smile again, and she kisses him before it makes her burst into happy tears. They break off, and with eyes still closed, she leans her forehead on his.

She hears him take a breath to say something, but then the front door opens and Alice's excited and loud “We're back!” is heard from downstairs, along with another male voice.

Killian grunts lightheartedly, and the recognition in his face tells Emma that that belongs to his other father. She pulls back a bit, and he takes a few moments to look back at her before he finally tells her, “I love you too.”

She smiles, kisses him once more, then rolls over him to get up and offer her hand. “It is a family home,” she says. “Not much of a privacy here.”

He stands up. “Just you wait, then.”

She nearly laughs at his playful eyebrow and gives him one final kiss, before they take their way downstairs to break the news to Killian's family.

Moving countries will take some time. But they'll work it out, for it's the first time in their lives that they choose the definite path they'll take.

And it's a path they'll walk together.

[i-d-e-g-a-f]

True Beauty (kdrama) Finale Review

look i understand that it makes more sense thematically that jk and suho ended up together but that doesn’t mean i dont still prefer seojun and jk’s dynamic much more and will forever be sad that the writers never went in that direction.

however, this does NOT mean i am mad at jk for choosing suho. she chose the person who made her happy and didnt lead seojun on and for that im grateful. jk didnt do anything wrong by not having feelings for seojun.

i AM mad at suho for never contacting jk tho and i wish they had more time for jk to be angry at him and idk just like have him get some consequences?? idk i feel like she almost forgave him too quickly but its not in her nature to hold grudges so ig it makes sense.

i just feel like its rubbing salt in the wound for seojun. like why even include the timeskip and have him leave if jk was never going to catch feelings for seojun? just to prove that no matter how much he pines the girl he loves will always love his best friend? idk. the timeskip just felt pointless in the kdrama whereas in the webtoon there was an actual point to it. like honestly they couldve ended the show at episode 14 if they had nixxed the time skip drama and instead added a shorter epilogue where we get a soojin redemption and we got to see what the main cast was doing. or maybe there couldve just been an epilogue episode rather than the writer’s unnecessarily dragging out the love triangle for EVEN longer. the finale was basically just filler in my opinion tbh. 

tldr: i like the show, i like the endgame couple even though i preferred the other option, i like jk’s overall character development, i like that soojin got a redemption (!! my fav bit !!), i dislike the inclusion of the timeskip, and i dislike the writers dragging on the love triangle for so long.

7/10, solid show but i have a few gripes

[mxvladdy]

A Break- Prt. 4

Hey Hey. Here is part 4 (yay). I think this story is almost at the end. I'm thinking one more large part and an epilogue.

Hope y'all like!

To be caught so unaware was an embarrassment to his lineage. He had been trained since birth to never let his guard down. He was the eldest son, a target had been placed on his back since conception. No doubt his ancestors were laughing at him now as he bled out on the grimy floor.

His team had been hit during a lull between shifts. Such an amateur mistake. Talon struck just as he was winding down for the night. The warm buzz of alcohol and his girlfriend’s laughter promising to send him into a peaceful slumber. Hanzo’s good mood dissipated the moment his head hit the pillow and the sirens blared to life in his room. He should have never gotten this comfortable. The weeks at this compound had been boring, to say the least.

Begrudgingly, Hanzo had to admit that it had been a clever attack. The southern wall was this location’s weakest. The high winds and frozen spray from the ocean constantly wearing down the cement and weakening the steel. Sombra- the ever thorn in Winston’s side- had disabled Athena and her turrets for just enough time to sneak through and create a hole large enough for their team to infiltrate Overwatch’s halls. It had been sheer dumb luck that Reinhardt was early to his patrol spot that tonight. The first flood of talon operatives caught off guard just as much as he was. It was a quick and dirty fight. While Talon grunts had the advantage of numbers; the German giant was a seasoned fighter.

Hanzo’s room was lucky closest to the initial fight. Using Reinhardt’s boisterous fighting style to guild him down the maze-like corridors Hanzo entered the fray. Together they pushed back the seemingly endless waves of bodies being thrown at them. “Where is the rest of the team?” Wilhelm roars over his shoulder, a fresh gash from a fight with a talon assassin blinding his good eye. He swings out wildly, catching a few foot soldiers with his hammer.

“I cannot say,” Hanzo calls back, letting his arrow fly true around his german shield. “I was unable to reach them.” Damn it. He switches to melee, his quiver empty and useless on the floor. They were separated from the team and outplayed. Fine. Hanzo wipes the blood and sweat from his brow. These bastards may have divided them, but he would never let them be conquered.

“Move!” Hanzo shouts between a wild spray of bullets. Wilhelm grunts with the force of the projectiles bouncing off his shield. The sides of which begin to crack from the damage. Pulling an arrow from a fallen enemy’s chest the marksman readies himself.

Reinhardt looks back at him knowingly. He feels the hairs on his arms rise as the dragons awaken, the corridor filling with the scent of ozone. “With pleasure my friend!” He laughs, dropping his shield and jumping to the side. Hanzo’s dragons roar to life from his skin, maws wide and greedy for blood. They shoot down the hall, amplified by their master’s frustration. The psychic link he shared with them allowed him to feel the spill of his enemies' blood and splintering bone as they built momentum. It did little to soothe his pride, but it felt good all the same. Ignoring his fighting companions' shouts of victory, Hanzo cocks his head. Something about this whole encounter made him uneasy. Everything about this was too easy. The enemy fell back too easily, and for such a planned break-in. Talon would have checked which agents were here and would have planned accordingly to counter them. “Wilhelm, we must-”

Then the floor caves; a large metal hand breaking through. Unforgiving fingers wrap around his torso. Despite how loud hundreds of pounds of concrete and rebar being torn apart had to be. Hanzo heard nothing but the high pitch whine of fear and rush of wind as he was pulled down. Time froze for a moment. His gaze hyper fixated on Wilhelms' wide-eyed look of panic. One gargantuan hand reaching for the archer unsuccessfully as Hanzo plummets.

Hanzo wakes to the feeling of warmth all over. For a moment in a dazed illusion, he thought he had perhaps slipped in the shower. A hot liquid spread across the tattered remains of his sleepwear and coated his face. The coppery scent of it assaulting his nostrils and making him gag. He blinks up in a daze. The hole he fell though was all but a pinprick above him. What little light he had was dimmed by grey and deep crimson spots swimming in his vision. Kuso .

He tries to move but stops at a sharp pain shooting through his thighs and spine. He couldn’t feel his legs. Damn it, he can see the exposed wires of his crushed legs sparking dangerously in the dark. The rubble and metal debris crushing his lower half. Hanzo looks away swallowing down his growing sense of dread and presses a trembling hand to his open side resting back on to the slab of concrete, careful not to jostle himself too badly.

Hanzo gnashed his teeth together at the searing pain slowly waking up around his body. Each thump of his racing heart traveling around his body like lightning. He couldn’t reach the ruins of his legs to turn off the neurotransmitters, the phantom pains clawing at his psyche. It was like he had lost them all over again.

Breathing was utter agony. His rib cage protested against each shallow phlegmy breath. He felt so light-headed. His dragons come out slowly, their forms sluggish to take shape. It was worrisome how long it took them to manifest their bodies. They appear less opaque, the borders around them wispy and weak. He hadn’t much time left.

“Peace-” He wheezes at them. They ignore him in order to circle him. Their fear clouding his mind. Pinned. Danger. Rest when safe. They nuzzle him, muzzles and little tongues swiping at the drying blood on his face. Help. Help. What do? Their voices rise in unison. “Shh.” Hanzo tries again. He listens to them panic over his broken body. His heart sank as the list grew. Hanzo already knew his legs were bust and his spine worryingly unresponsive. But the growing tightness of his chest and limited visions raised alarms. “Akuma.” Hanzo breathes. He reaches out blindly with his free arm. The larger of his two dragons come closer, bumping his cool translucent nose against his hand. Hanzo strokes his ancient beast calmingly to regain his composure. “Find Genji-” He pauses, feeling light-headed with each word. “ quickly .” Hanzo hates how weak he sounded. He drops his hand then. The red streak left behind a stark contrast to the blue of his scales and large white mane.

The great beast rose, nodding its head once before blurring down the corridor. Hanzo looks to the slimmer dragon, her antlers scratching uselessly at the rubble around his legs. “Ibuki.” She ignores him scratching and pawing harder at a large chunk of concrete to no avail. “Ibuki,” He is softer this time, trying to reach out for her. He cries, pulling something in his side. He falls back as a coughing fit disorients him. Ibuki is there when he comes too wrapped around him gently. Her little blue tongue lapping at the grime on his purpling ribcage.

Hanzo shakes his head, even the slightest touch hurt. She stopped whimpering in distress. I’m scared . Her words are shared between them in the silence. “I know.” He murmurs back. She nuzzles at his limp arm, rubbing and licking at his open palm. Hanzo lets her, too afraid to admit that he couldn’t feel it. “Go.” Hanzo says. Ibuki starts, his hoarse command was absolute. “You are too bright my friend. It will draw attention to my position. Catch up with your brother, or better yet find Ana.” He smiles weakly, steeling his resolve. “I’ll be fine. I promise.” He lies.

It was better this way. At least they could bring the team to his body. Better than letting Talon get to him. He shudders at the thought. They no doubt would use what was left of him as a guinea pig. That scientist of theirs was the stuff of his nightmares. If she knew his thoughts she said nothing, giving him one last bump with her snout before speeding off herself. He shivers at the loss of her warmth.

Hanzo drifts alone for who knows how long; every slow blink felt like hours. He counted his breath to mark the time. Each slow pull of oxygen was like inhaling glass, the dusty air cutting his already tender throat. Yet, he focused on it. Focused on the pain of living, centering himself, feeling the myriad of wounds littering his body. The physical pain was nothing compared to the dread creeping into his head. The dark whispers of the countless bodies of his past coming to claim their due. They mocked him, laughing at the finality of his situation. He didn’t need the memories of the past to tell him the inevitable. This had always been a possibility. He knew that. He knew that it was more likely than not that he would die bleeding out in some grimy hole rather than at home or of old age. He thought he was ready for it when it came. But thinking and knowing were so different.

He regretted that it had to end this way. But, remorse was nothing new to him. It’s acrid taste was always there at the back of his throat.There was no chance of redemption now. A failure even in death. The knowledge that he was going to die down here, broken and alone, knocked what little breath he had left out of him. After all this time, he didn’t want to be alone anymore, not for this. He wanted his brother. To see him and make sure he was ok. He wanted one more chance to rebuild what he had destroyed all those years ago. He wanted to sit and meditate in the gardens with him one more time.

Hanzo choked, swearing he could smell the wild scents of Bastion’s garden. The overgrown honeysuckle bush would be blooming now. It’s pale yellow flowers climbing up the old munition house’s walls. He could almost taste the tomatoes they grew just for him; his favorite heirlooms would be a deep purple by now and ready to pick. Damn, he could taste them in his favorite dish. The salt and balsamic vinegar pungent, overpowering the taste of pennies on his tongue. Mind frantic for anything to keep him conscious latched onto the book still sitting on his nightstand. Mei had just given it to him; she was looking forward to his view on her favorite characters. Their little book circle had grown over the past few months. Lena and Ana join in, first for tea, then the company and book recommendations. How cruel . Hanzo chuckles humorlessly at the weak attempt his body put up to keep him alive. He could enjoy the irony though. Finally, for the first time in his life he had things to look forward to. People in his life wanted him for something more than his birthright. He had his family. He had true friends. He had you-

The hopeless pit in his stomach consumes him. Fresh tears streak down his face, leaving tracks in the dirt and cracking blood coating his face. The viscous liquid begging to matte in his disheveled beard. He couldn’t bear the fact that you were going to be yet another person he would hurt.

Hanzo drifts for who knows how long. Soul floating between realms. Every slow blink felt like hours. The clicking of his dry throat as he struggled for breath was his only reminder that he still lived. The dark void around him felt like a warm blanket. Would you miss him? A selfish part of him hoped so. But the other part of him hopes you will hate him. That you would wipe his face from your memory. Perhaps you would be hurt for a while, but it is for the best. Soft memories of you flint across his eyes. The hours alone in the back of your shop tasing new blend ideas and biscuits that complement them. Your soft fingers intertwined with his in bed. His rough fingers marveling at how smooth yours were. That blinding smile in the morning when you wake to see him still there, afraid he might have left in the night to go back to whence he came. How many times had you insinuated you would like him to live with you. He wished he had said yes. It would have been nice to have a proper home.

A sense of calm rolls over him thinking of you. His rattling breath becomes fainter in his ears as he slips away. At last, Hanzo succumbs with a sigh.

The first breath after death hurt like a bitch. Air barreling itself back into his lung, pushing his bruised and broken ribs to expand. Pushing the splintered bone out of the tender tissue with each staggered breath. His blood flowed sluggishly again ridding themselves of the dead cells and burning all the while. A weak pulse started up in his temple. Hanzo gasps, eyes rolling behind his lids. Who?

The bioemitter’s low light fills the cavernous space. The light bobs along with the steps of its owner. “ My how the mighty fall.” Hanzo’s lips twitch, pulling up instinctively into a sneer. That smarmy tone of superiority. It would put his late uncle to shame. “Come now. Is that any way to greet your savior?” Akande flashes the wounded man a predatory smile.

“You have saved me from nothing.” Hanzo spat still too weak to do much but glower up at the hulking fighter. “Leave.” He would rather die from the acid slowly seeping out of his stomach wound then hear anything the man had to say.

Akande ignores him, coming to crouch close to the archer. He tosses the emitter casual up in the air. “I came to see if you have thought on my offer a little bit more.” His sharp gaze looks over the fallen prince. “I believe we could- help each other.”

Hanzo scoffs, getting a sick sense of satisfaction from the flecks of blood that splatter on Akande’s pristinely smug face. “I would have thought my actions were clear enough. But, I’m glad you’re here.”

“Oh?” His smile falters for a moment before pulling tighter.

Hanzo nods weakly matching the other man's smile. “Your brazen tactics and foolhardiness on top of your lack of concern for your underlings shows me just how pathetic your organization actually is.” The strike was swift and expected. Stars erupt in his vision as his head cracked hard against the concrete behind him. His nose throbbed as it was broken again .

Akande’s grin was gone. His false mask of pleasantry was replaced with open hostility. “I see.” He looks at the healing device dwarfed in his large palm. “Very well,” He crushes it into dust with a flick of his hand. Hanzo hisses as the warm healing light was lost. “Your consent isn’t necessary. It was merely a formataly to ask.” Cold mechanical fingers latch into Hanzo’s matted hair. His cry of pain echoing as he is pulled out of the rubble. The metal of his knees catching on the beam that had pinned him. With a hearty pull, Akande separated the last few wires connecting the archer's prosthetics to his upper thighs. His legs connective sensors and wires sever with a snap. The noise of it lost as Hanzo’s screams jumped in pitch catching in the back of his throat. He grapples unsuccessfully against the hand dragging him. Akande smirks. “Rest assured Dragon. I will make you into perfection . You don’t even have to be breathing for me to do it.” He grabs at the small man’s throat with his free hand. Warm fingers as strong as iron cutting off what little air Hanzo could get.

Akande watches blankly as the archer struggles, blood spots erupting in his wide eyes. Fear cutting through his asinine attempt at bravery. Moira could fix the damage with ease. He cocks his head at the tiny pop of Hanzo’s trachea snapping under the strain. Well, tools don’t need to speak.

Preoccupied as he was with subduing his latest super-assassin Akande did not notice the streaks of blue and green barreling towards them. He was unprepared for the feel of teeth and claw ripping into his back and legs. With a roar of indignation, he threw the broken archer away, trying instead to grapple with the ancestral beasts.

Hanzo lands with a wet thud, sliding to a stop a few yards away. What little healing he had gotten from the emitter completely undone. He watches immobile, coldness seeping into his limbs. He accepts the darkness this time without a fight.

“Still nothing?” Tabby licks at the smear of icing on her thumb from her perch on your countertop. Man, it must be bad. You normally would be down her throat for putting her ass on a cooking surface. She watched you pace, your eyes never leaving the tiny screen of your phone.

“Am I overthinking this?” You ask swiping through your last few texts. Had you said something that offended? Hanzo was normally fine with telling you if something made him uncomfortable, so why would this time be different. Besides, your last couple days of messages had been completely innocent. He was helping you choose which dessert would be featured on your site for the holidays. You had it narrowed down to three before he had stopped responding. “He promised to call last night. He said he was off duty today so he could stay up late.” He sent you his schedule for the upcoming months. He was off, you had planned to stream a movie together to unwind.

Tabatha sighs loudly. “People forget BB.” She hops from the counter and wraps a strong hand around your waste. “It’s normal.” She leads you to your living room trying to console you. It didn’t help at all. People forgot sure. You forgot a lot. But Hanzo doesn’t. The man practically lived through his phone’s planner. It was one of the things you loved about him. He was predictable- reliable. “ Come on -” She takes your phone and tosses it somewhere over her shoulder to be lost in your couch cushions. “Tell ya what. You can call him tomorrow after work. Don’t act like you haven’t been blowing up the poor man’s phone.” Tabby drops down on top of where your phone landed. “Relax with me.” She flicks on Netflix, a new season of your favorite baking show had just dropped. It was the best show to get some new ideas from. Especially with the back to back holidays coming up. You had to stay fresh to keep up with the competitors.

With a sigh of defeat, you sink into your armchair, notebook in hand. He’ll get back to you when he could.  

The weeks passed in a dizzying blur. Each day you found your hand inching closer and closer to your phone. Tabatha, bless her, had been keeping you busy. Bills waited for no man and salaries had to be paid. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for you to focus on. It was better than thinking of the dead weight in your pocket. Just be patient. You trust him right? So trust him. She would say each time she caught you staring holes into your phone. You trusted him. So you waited.

“You think he ghosted?” The words were barely over a whisper. A breath from one of your younger workers to another. They meant nothing by it, you knew that. They were both sweet kids, just concerned. You couldn’t deny that your mood and work attitude have been suffering from all this. But it still stung like a slap all the same. Doubly so because you were thinking it too. It was stupid to even think about that. Hanzo was too mature for such a cheap tactic. He always carried himself with such pose and talked so much about honor and duties. Leaving you like this would be beneath him.  

Locking up after another day of silence you trudge home for the first time in a long time by yourself. You had had a revolving group of close friends that had taken it upon themselves to keep you company as you sulked. Tonight they had all planned a big blow-out bar hopping event, with you as the “guest of honor”. Sweet- but not what you needed. Besides, you couldn’t rely on them forever damn it. You were a big girl. This wasn’t your first break-up.

But this one hurt the most.

You sigh pocketing your phone as your friends blow up your phone for the third time that night. You just needed a night to yourself. Nothing some junk food and games couldn’t numb you for a bit. With the promise of pizza and your fuzzy blanket you trudge up the stairs to your home. Hmmm-perhaps some tea too, or was it a hot chocolate night?

Junk food and a steaming cup of chocolate in hand you ready yourself for a long night of adventure quests and shitty npc dialogue. Just as you were setting up your desk and booting up your pc you were distracted by the sharp percussion of knuckles on your door. “In a second!” You holler over your shoulder. You figured it was a friend coming to pester you. Expecting Tabby or her girlfriend you swing the door open ready to chastise them. You slam the door immediately, double latching it.

“Oi!”

“I’m calling security!” You shout behind you, running for your phone.

“Ah! Wait-” Not a chance in hell. You lunge for your phone. Of all the cherries on top of an already shitty situation.

“You have two seconds to leave or I’m serious!” Your voice shakes the phone pressed against your ear. The other side of your door is eerily quiet. Did he leave? Peering out to your entry hall you felt something smooth and warm plopped down onto your shoulder.

It was a wonder the entire block didn’t hear your scream. Flinging your phone away, the little green thing whizzed across the small room. It landed tangled around your phone hissing like a wet cat on your carpet. It’s little clawed feet wiggling up in the air in distress. “I told you Mizuki.” You watch dumbfounded as the omnic from months before bent down to pick up the spitting little-Was that a dragon?

“I apologize for her. She gets ahead of herself sometimes.” The omnic pays you little attention. Their slim fingers untangling their little friend from your phone. “Here,” They hand the device back to you. “Nice place you got here! I can see why my brother felt so comfortable here. We-well- he was never allowed to have nic-nacks and stuff.” They walk your place casually looking about. The little glowing snake nuzzles itself under their metal chin.

You watch befuddled as they make themselves at home. Poking and prodding at your decor. The chrome accents of their plating a stark contrast to your old world decorum. “Did he get you those?” You follow the raised finger over to your display case of trinkets. Key chains, shells, postcards, and all sorts of little items that sat innocently on your wall.

“Yeh?” You sputter dumbly. You clamber up your ottoman not taking your eyes off your- Kidnapper? Intruder? Guest? “I-wait brother?” The omnic nods giving you time to catch up with what in the world is happening.

“I admit, this wasn’t how I wanted to introduce myself. But I haven’t seen you at your store.”

“Oh! So you're stalking me now?” Your phone raises in a flash.  

“What! No- put that down!” The omnic jumps up and snatches your phone from your ear before you could blink. “Gods, can you hear me out for a second?” You gape at the audacity of their statement. Even this little dragon was glaring at them now. A fluffy green brow raised. “Oh- yea Ok. I’m out of line.” They rub at their neck mulishly. “Let’s start this over. I’m Genji.” Genji. You knew that name. Hanzo had mentioned his troublesome brother once or twice in passing. But never that they were an omnic. Was it common for Japanese families to “adopt” omnics? “

You’re lying.” Hanzo’s “brother” groans flopping back down onto your couch.

“Who would lie about being related to Hanzo? You know him.” They wave their hands up exasperatedly. “You think anyone would willingly be related to that nerd?” Well, that sounded like something a younger sibling would say. “Here,” With a hiss of an unseen clasp they fiddle with their face place. “Genji Shimada in- what remains of my flesh.” Scared lips smile up at you as he patiently lets you look over his face. The similarities were striking.

You squint. “I guess the eyebrows are a family trait.”

“Ha! We both had caterpillar brows out the womb. Keep that in mind if you ever want kids. ” He winks in mirth. Just like that the tension in your body seems to dissipate. For some reason, you believed the very odd man that had just invited himself in. But really, who else besides Tabatha knew Hanzo’s name? Still didn’t explain everything- or anything- really. The questions tumble out of you. A month worth of insecurities and inner thoughts bubble over. Genji sits and listens to you ramble. Show him your text, his promise to watch stupid movies with you.

He doesn’t say anything while you vent your frustration. He only cuts you off when you began to tear up and ask the question you had dreaded all this time. “Did Hanzo send you to break up with me?” The coward, the absolute coward. He was supposed to be better than that.

“Never.” The raw emotion in his voice made you pause. He looked at you warm brown eyes, so familiar to Hanzo’s, pleading with you to listen. Everything about his screamed honesty, and that scared you even more. Genji rose hand raised as if trying to find a way to comfort you. “I-Hanzo did not ask me to come. I’m sure if it were up to him we would have never met.” He pulls away going to look out onto the dark city streets.

“Why?” You hadn’t really brought up meeting the relatives. Hanzo had met your closest friends and family in passing when they would drop by the shop for an afternoon pick me up. You wanted to meet his side but had always been too cowardly to ask. From what little you gathered from him his parents had passed and his brother was- complicated. Guess that wasn’t a lie.

Genji shrugs. “He has always been self-deprecating to the point of cruel. Perhaps he thought he was undeserving of being in a relationship. Or perhaps being happy around me. I’m sure that is at the top of his list. But, after…” He pauses. His throat clicks dryly, moisture beginning to brim under thick lashes. He puts his faceplate back on. “After this month- It was probably to protect you.” He can’t look at you and say what he needs to. All those days spent in the ICU ward of the base watching his brother slip, only to be brought back by the sheer power of his dragons or Angies pig-headedness. He was tired. He was tired and at a loss.

It wasn’t until last night did he think of you. A sudden jolt of a memory right when he was trying to get some rest after being dragged from Hanzo’s bedside again. You didn’t know what happened, or anything for that matter. Genji knew his brother well enough that he wouldn’t want loose ends like that. Not that he was dying. He was too stubborn to go like this, damn old goat.  

Genji berated himself mentally for the mere thought of his brother just-just dying on him.  

But it was those thoughts that lead him here. He didn’t know how deep in the relationship you were with Hanzo. But after that afternoon of him gushing over every little thing about you. He was at least confident that you meant the word to his brother. “Seriously?” Genji jumps, pulled back to the moment by you scoff. “Are you-what kind of sick joke.” You can’t even finish the sentence. This was like a plot out of a damn movie. A really bad movie. “Listen Genji,” You shoot him a scathing glare. “If Hanzo doesn’t have the balls to tell me himself it’s over fine. But don’t you dare insult my intelligence by-”

“Have you heard of Overwatch?” He cuts you off mid tirade.

“Of course I have- who-what does that have to do with anything?” You feel yourself getting heated. Maybe you should call security. Genji nods fishing for his com device. Pulling up some candid and posed photos of him and his brother up for you to see. He tosses the device to you. You catch it on reflex, flipping it around to look. Gingerly you begin scrolling through the sea of smiling faces, picking up on Hanzo immediately in each shot.

Seeing him like this made you smile in turn. One picture in particular making your heart clench. His arm was thrown around Genji, bridge piercings catching in the morning light. He was laughing at something someone must have said. His head thrown back, shoulders frozen in time near his ears. Genji was laughing too, his mask off, face scrunching cutely as he snickers.

The next picture must have been out of sequence. Hanzo looked older. Despite the date on the picture being before the other one. His hair wasn’t cut and his piercings were missing. He looked tired. Deep purple bags under his eyes, a frown you only saw when he was deep in concentration harassing his beautiful features. Both arms were crossed over his broad chest in agitations as the picture was taken. He was dressed differently too. Expensive looking robes hugged his muscular form. Another was of him stretched out on a ratty couch. A young man with dreads sleeping on his shoulder. By his feet on the floor was a young woman with glasses. She was distracted but a weird floating robot vying for her attention from the multitude of tablets littered about her. Hanzo looked relaxed. His reading glass perched on his crooked nose and a paperback resting on his crossed leg. You gut twisted. You never knew this side of him. He never talked about his friends, or co-workers in depth. Were you not worth it? To be included in this part of his life?

“My brother and I, we are members of the newly reformed Overwatch. He was out on base when attacked. It was-” He pauses catching himself on the memory of his brother's crumpled form. Had that been what it felt like when Hanzo watched the light leave his eyes on that cursed night? The wet gurgle of blood filling punctured lungs. His listless eyes swollen from damage, losing the few threads of life they still held. What was worse was his dragons, the hollow of pain and shock before they exploded in a flash blue and yellow scales. Their light snuffed out with their master. Having to take his brother's remains to the status units so Angie could have some still whole cells and tissue to work with when she arrived had almost killed him too. Others had offered, but it was his duty. He needed to do this. “An enemy tried to take him captive. It didn’t end well for either party.”

Akande- the coward had fled with what remained of his crew after watching the great dragon fall. His plan backfired as more reinforcements arrived then he had anticipated. Sombra blinking them out faster than Mei could freeze them. Genji had wanted to go after him. Get him while he was down. Attack with the same savagery. But now wasn’t the time. Zenyatta convinced him to stay with only a few words and a soft touch. In that time of self-reflection by his brother’s bed, he knew fighting wouldn’t help. He needed his brother back for that. He needed you for that.

“But,” He watches struggle. His words stunning you out of your anger. He could see his truths turning in your eyes. The sudden jerks and twitches of your gaze flitting about him then to the side. Looking into your memories, bring forth any civilian knowledge you had of the defunct organization. “The Petras Act.” You whispered covering your face. It made sense. In a weird way. Hanzo’s shifty nature when bringing up his work. The sudden departures in the middle of the night. Oh, Gods. Every trinket he ever got you. The news reported strange activities in those regions. It couldn’t be.

Genji scoffs, plopping down on the floor by your feet. “The Petras Act is bullshit. I-nor my brother could sit around and watch as Talon took over.” He stretches the truth a little. If you thought Hanzo was doing it for a higher purpose it couldn’t hurt. “I’m sure he would have told you in time. He just wants you safe.” Of that he was confident. Keeping you at arm's reach from his work was a logical thing to do. A very Hanzo thing to do. He never thought of the emotional aspects of things until it was too late.

You shake your head. Eyes peeking out from between your fingers. All this was coming so fast. “Wait. You said he was attacked? Is-is he ok?” Genji shifts under your gaze trying to find the right words.

“He is… finally stable. Mercy, our medic, put him into an induced coma.” You gasp. It felt like a sucker punch to the chest. The shock of it brings tears to your eyes. “That's why I came here.” Genji scoots closer seeing this as an opportunity to grasp at your hand. He squeezes it comfortingly. “She is going to wake him up soon, and I think you should be there.”

“Why?”

“As emotionally constipated as my brother is, I know he would want to see you when he wakes up.” Genji pulls away, raising to his full height. “I want you to know, you aren’t a dirty secret to Hanzo. When I found out about you, when he finally opened up about you. I’ve never seen him so happy.”

“I realize that. But I just- do I really even know him?” You look up at him pleadingly. This was all happening so fast. A one-two punch of revelations that you could have never anticipated.

“If you come with, you can ask him yourself.” Genji’s offer floats in the dead air of your living room. A thousand and one questions rushing through you. Was he really what he said? The photos, no way they were fake. Right? What would a man like Hanzo, an actual vigilante, want with a regular business owner. Were you a cover? No, not the way this stranger in your house explained it.

Damn him. There was only one way to get to the bottom of this. “Can I text my friend where I’m going?” It was a stupid question, but if you were going to end up in a ditch at least you’d make an attempt. You can feel the man’s exasperated expression through the metal covering his face. “Right. That whole ‘underground thing’.”

“You can’t for obvious reasons but, I understand the sentiment. We are heading to Illios, I cannot divulge where but would that be enough for you?” No. But it would have to do. Grabbing your phone you text Tabatha and her girlfriend telling them you made the brash decision to take a vacation to Greece like you had been wishing to do for ages. Seconds after you hit send your phone started ringing. You glance at the man.

“Oh for heaven’s sake,” He sighs. “I’m not kidnapping you. If you don’t want to go I’ll leave.” Genji makes his way to the door, intentionally dragging his feet with each step.

“No! Wait!” You round on him and press your phone to your ear. “Hey Tab.”

“Are you drunk?”

“No- just realizing that you were right. I booked the flight already anyway. Before my nerves could get the best of me.” You lie.

“Ah huh- what hotel you staying at?” Shit. Genji flashes his phone at you showing you a hotel and room already booked and paid for. You recite the address and room number. “Ok. Call me as soon as you step into that room.” She orders. “Make sure to take some pics. Maybe find a cute date? Get your mind off things for me please?”

“Ok.” You said. “Talk to you soon.”

“You can stay at that hotel you know,” Genji said once you were off the phone. “If you feel uncomfortable at all you can leave. I’ll pay for everything.”

“I’ll take that offer until I know this isn’t some elaborate con.” You sigh pocketing your phone and wallet. “If he really is in hospital then let’s leave now. I can buy stuff when I get there.”

“Thank you,” Genji smiles holding the door open for you. With one last look around you push your fear down and follow your surprise guest out the door.

[politicalmamaduck]

Reylo Fic Recs: Historical AU

through the burning night by @thewayofthetrashcompactor

Rey takes a wrong turn on the way back from Yule celebrations and ends up somewhere she doesn't expect with a stranger. Snow falls hard around them, and she's not sure of the way home.

A soft epilogue by @pillar--of--salt

The return of the Duke of Alderaan incited all manner of gossip and speculation.

lay then the axe to the root by @sciosophia

Rey drifts her hand up to his face. Her thumb brushes the scar bisecting it.“Beautiful,” she whispers, almost to herself, and Ben realises he is lost; tumbling away to infinity with only this girl and their sins. In which Ben, the reluctant Duke of Alderaan, cannot get the clever, beautiful, opinionated governess out of his head.

sun and moon by @kylorenaissance

“You look pale.” “I always look pale,” he says without thinking, and then flushes. Rey of Jakku laughs. “Pale as the moon, my lord.” “And you are as bright as the sun.”

Violent Delights by @shmisolo

The maze isn’t for me my ass, he thinks.  He looks up, smiling beneath his bandana and his eyes are met with a horrified looking couple.  The man is standing in front of the woman, as though worried that Ben’ll attack them next. He rolls his eyes as he stands up again, cleaning the simulation blood from his knife by rubbing it against his pant leg. “Oh, don’t look at me like that,” he snarls at them.  “This is my fucking vacation.”

Heavy in Your Heart by @shmisolo

From @otpprompts: Person A, a princess/prince who decided to have one last good night before their arranged betrothal, fell in love (and possibly had sex) with a stranger at the bar. They don’t remember much except a voice. The next day, the first thing Person B (their betrothed) says is “I do” and FUCK that’s the exact same voice as last night’s stranger.

A Worthy King by @luminoustico

Recently made King after a lengthy war, and seeking an alliance with enemies still licking old wounds, Kylo Ren seeks a bride. For his choice, he decides upon Lady Rey Kenobi.

desperado (where you gonna run to) by @greyjedireylo

'It is my personal opinion that we cannot take Snoke down without you. Sorry excuse of a man that you are at the moment.' Rey's eyes skimmed him up and down as though searching for something, and coming up wanting.Kylo could not fault her for that. He’d failed at being a good man a long time ago, and a bad man more recently. He was adrift between two worlds, belonging in neither.

Edelwiess by @aionimica

Captain Kylo Ren hires Rey, a postulant from the local abbey to be a governess for his adoptive children. As time goes on, music grows in the Ren household and the Captain and Rey must choose: love or duty?

Follow Me by @transpogrrl

Welcomed into Leia Organa Solo’s Philadelphia household in the spring of 1777, Rey has just learned what it is to live among people who love her when Mrs. Solo makes an unexpected request. Her journey into the Pennsylvania wilderness reveals the truth about her past and brings her face-to-face with characters from her dreams and nightmares.

A Seasonal Peace by @transpogrrl

After the British occupy Philadelphia in September, 1777, Kylo Ren and his Knights find themselves without portfolio. In spite of attempts to avoid and then escape the city of his birth, Kylo finds himself a prisoner to the seasonal peace. What will he find to occupy himself?

Malleus Maleficarum by @monsterleadmehome

Ben Solo lives a quiet life in Hanna City, Massachusetts. Except for when he's asked to help with witch hunts. He does what he's asked, if only to keep the secret that he himself practices witchcraft aided by his familiar, a crow named Kylo.When the mysterious Rey Niima arrives on a boat from England, along with Witchfinder General Armitage Hux, they are about to shake up Ben's quiet life for good.

Per Aspera Ad Astra by @hellomelusine

Rey Niima was the newest Computer hire at 'Starkiller Base' on the Harvard Campus, she had heard the rumors, but she hadn't made it this far in her career by letting what other people had to say deter her. Of course, that in no way prepared her for coming face to face with Professor Kylo Ren. A terror of a boss, by all accounts, a monster, but Rey will not deterred.

My own historical AU fics:

you transfix me quite

It was as if a great shadow had descended upon Aldera Hall. Queer tales were told in the nearby village of strange happenings at night and bloodsoaked sheets that even the most skilled and robust laundresses could not wash out. Ghosts were said to wander the broad Yorkshire moors. These tales were once scoffed at by the hearty villagers, but they had gained currency of late. The ancient house was said to be haunted; not just by the spectres of the past, souls that had not yet gone on to rest, but by the sins of the present and wounds that could not be properly healed.

you pierce my soul

It was not common knowledge, and in fact was held only in the closest confidence by his most intimate associates, that Ben Organa-Solo’s heart had been captured by a Royal Navy captain as thoroughly as she captured and conveyed enemy vessels. However, despite his age and desire to be wed, he allowed himself to be persuaded against the match, for his dearly beloved mother was uncertain as to the young lady’s youth and her son’s proclivities for shouting matches and dueling.

Prevailed Upon to Marry

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” How Ben Solo and Rey Kenobi learned to look past their own pride and prejudice, and fall in love.

through the darkness hails the light

The Roman Empire, led by Emperor Snoke, is trying to colonize Ireland. The night before the winter solstice, there is an awakening in the old ways of magic. Rey and Kylo Ren journey to the ancient tomb at Newgrange for an unexpected discovery.

Tall Tales of the Western Wilds

They say there's three sides to every story: his side, her side, and the truth. No matter which you choose to believe, Ragin' Rey Kenobi was the greatest bounty hunter there ever was.

My other fic rec lists:

Fic Recs Under 100 Kudos | Smuggler Ben Solo | Fantasy, Fae, Magic, Fairy Tale, and Mythology | Modern AU | Dark Side Rey | Canonverse | Smut |

[bellemorte180]

Just Good Business, Chapter Six: Epilogue

Caroline Salvatore, married into one of New York's most brutal crime families.

Niklaus Mikaelson, a notorious mob boss who is hell bent on taking down the Slavatores.

It's an affair for the ages.

Warning: Graphic descriptions of violence.

One Year Later

“Are you sure you’re ready to do this Gorgeous?” Enzo asked from the front seat. His dark eyes shown concern and Caroline could not help but smile at him. He knew the affect the strain of the last few months had on her and while it was far better than the life she had prior, the fall out of their schemes were not exactly a walk in the park. “You gave birth only a few months ago. Are you sure you don’t want to be home with Kol?”

Caroline smiled lightly at the thought of her son. Kol Niklaus Mikaelson came into the world screaming and wild. Even at four months old, Kol was untamable. He was sitting, scooting and just demanding attention. Klaus liked to joke as though it was his brother re-born while Caroline countered that while their son was named after his deceased uncle, that child was all Klaus. The baby even had the curly blonde hair already and his father’s dimples.

“Do you trust Bonnie so little?” She teased and Enzo rolled her eyes. Realizing that while she loved her son, Caroline wanted more of the world than to be just a mother. She started working at Klaus’s shell company and began heavily involved in his other businesses. Caroline found that she was really good at criminal activity; especially when it came to moving illegal substances across state lines and bringing them into the country. Her organization skills were impeccable and having grown up the daughter of the police chief, she knew how the NYPD operated.

However, that meant they needed someone to be stay with Kol when they could not. Klaus refused to hire just anyone. Interview after interview and yet they found no one. When Enzo mentioned that Bonnie had a degree in early childhood development before her sickle cell anima took root, they were intrigued. Caroline loved Bonnie immediately and Klaus could not tell her no.

Bonnie was funny, genuine and knew exactly what kind of work they were involved with; she had to since she was involved with Enzo. She was also strong. After a stem cell transplant, she seemed to be on the mend, much to Enzo’s relief. Bonnie started caring for Caroline during the end stages of her pregnancy and was with Kol during the day while his parents were at work; surrounding by bodyguards. Klaus was not about to risk his son’s safety. Only the best and most trusted guards were posted with Kol and Bonnie at all times.

“She loves that kid more than she loves me but I’m more worried about you. Are you sure you want to walk in there?” Enzo asked. In truth, Caroline was ready for this fiasco to be done and over with. When she walked out of her living room, leaving Stefan’s dead body behind; she did not know exactly what was to follow. The media circus and trial that followed were rough.

Stefan’s body was found the following morning. Police and FBI descended upon the home. Elijah happily turned over all the footage they collected from the cameras planted in their home; deleting the footage of Caroline. Adding in the fact that Elena’s body washed up on the shore of the Hudson River, it was easy to get a federal warrant to arrest Damon.

Damon was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and received a life sentence without the option of parole. While Alaric Saltzman was able to get Stefan out of jail due to the lack of evidence used against him for the murders of Meredith Fell and Elizabeth Forbes, there was video evidence of Damon committing Stefan’s murder and his confession to Elena’s.

But it just wasn’t enough. Not for Elijah and certainly not for Klaus.

As for Caroline, she was painted as a hero. The media portrayed her as an abused wife who turned informant for the FBI, feeding them information on her husband for months. There were photos of the beatings Caroline sustained at the hands of Stefan. They painted the story that she tried leaving multiple times but was unable to; held prisoner by Stefan. She learned of Stefan’s affair and the moment she was able to break free, she informed Damon of his wife’s infidelity. Her own affair was conveniently left out of the papers.

She, of course, had no idea that Damon would fly off the handle in such a manner.

The jury loved her. She was beautiful, sympathetic and heavily pregnant. It was reported that it was her testimony that caused the jury to come back with a guilty verdict in less than fifteen minutes. Damon was carted off and the Salvatore organization dismantled. Many of the criminals were on the run from Klaus’s vast network. It should have been over; but the pesky issue of Damon still being alive bothered both Elijah and Klaus. Despite the fact that Rebekah moved back to New York- they wanted anyone involved with their brother’s death stamped out.

Caroline suggested that they have him murdered in prison, but Klaus replied that it lacked finesse. They wanted to watch him die much like Caroline needed that closure when the life left Stefan’s eyes. She could not begrudge them; which was why Caroline was sitting in a black car in the middle of alleyway, in front of the same warehouse Enzo took her to meet Klaus the day she learned of her mother’s murder.

When Elijah realized that Damon was going to be transferred to a federal prison out of state, he easily arranged for that transport to be intercepted. “Yes.” Caroline took a deep breath and opened the car door. Once she was safely inside the warehouse, she looked over to see Enzo drive off. No need for him to escort her inside this time. She knew exactly what was waiting for her. She walked down the quiet vacant warehouse.

There was not much in the warehouse. Officially, Caroline learned that it was owned by the bank after a business went bankrupt. She knew, of course, that through several back channels that it belonged to Klaus and was used for some of his shadier business practices; like torture, body dismemberment and convincing a wife to betray her husband. However, Klaus currently was using the warehouse for storage of some old artifacts that were shipped in illegally from Europe. Caroline herself had overseen the shipment and was rather proud of the fact that the plan went smoothly. So, the warehouse was filled with crates, canvases and other priceless things that were to be sold on the black market. As she weaved through the mess that she was already mentally organizing, she began to hear voices.

“Tell me Damon, how does it feel to hit rock bottom?” Klaus’s voice sounded, echoing through the warehouse. Caroline rolled her eyes. While she loved Klaus and felt as though she was going to spend the rest of her mafia induced life with him, she could admit that he had the tendency to be a bit over dramatic.

“Fuck you.” Damon’s voice replied but it lacked the bravado that Caroline had come to associate with him. Damon always seemed confidant and in control; even if he seemed far too impulsive for her taste. Elena’s affair, the trail and everything that followed must have really destroyed him. Stefan was always Caroline’s monster and now that he was dead; she almost felt bad.

But she would never deny Klaus his need for revenge, especially when it came to Damon; who after all, was responsible for his brother’s murder.

“You’re not really my type.” Klaus replied in a smart tone. “That and I am happy to report that I am off the market. In a very serious relationship. Very committed.”

“Word of advice, I thought the same thing. Turns out my wife fucked my brother and look where that got me.” Damon replied and Caroline rolled her eyes again. If she was being honest, Caroline could not help but agree that in this matter. He did not ask to be cheated on. She could understand how that would rip someone’s heart out, especially when he loved Elena as much as he did. While Caroline did not see what Damon saw in Elena, she wasn’t completely heartless.

“I have no worries in that regard.” Klaus replied in a throw away tone. “Would you like to meet her? I think I hear her coming now.” Caroline looked down at her expensive high-heeled boots and cursed. The clicking the heel made as it hit the cement flooring didn’t even faze her; she had become so accustomed to the sound that she no longer heard it. “Sweetheart?”

Caroline sighed and walked around the massive amounts of crates and the pillar that was perched in the middle of the massive room. While the majority of the warehouse was pretty much dark but this particular section was slightly better lit due to the flimsy light swinging over Damon’s head. Damon was handcuffed to a metal chair and in a bright orange jumpsuit that did nothing for his complexion.

There were a few men standing behind him wearing FBI jackets that Caroline recognized as men who worked for Klaus. She had dealt with them from time to time over the last year and they seemed to be rather intimidated by her. She did not know if it was because she was with Klaus or good at her job; she liked to pretend it was the latter.

Across from Damon was Klaus, sitting in an identical chair but seemed far more relaxed. He wore a white button dress shirt and slacks; telling Caroline that he had come directly from the office. Elijah was standing over his shoulder, looking at Damon with unabashed hatred. The two brothers had been looking to this moment for well over two years. All their planning, patience and scheming was coming to fruition; Caroline did not even care that she was being used as a prop piece to rub salt into Damon’s already deep wound.

The look on Damon’s face was priceless. He seemed shocked at her appearance, his bright blue eyes widening and his jaw going slightly slacked. Caroline was sure that she was the last person he ever expected to see; let alone be with Klaus. However, his shock quickly dissipated, and Damon narrowed his eyes.

“I believe the two of you know each other well so introductions will not be necessary.” Klaus stated and Caroline held Damon’s gaze. Despite Klaus bravado, Caroline did enjoy seeing Damon’s fury. To drive the point home, Caroline walked over to Klaus, weaving her fingers through his hair and pulled his head back slightly. She leaned down and kissed Klaus on the lips. The kiss turned deep, passionate and long. When they broke apart, they both turned to look at Damon with hooded eyes. However, Damon seemed to have cooled his features.

“Don’t tell me that Klaus is going to be playing daddy to my niece or nephew.” Damon quipped and Klaus narrowed his eyes. The one things Elijah wanted to keep quiet during the trial was the fact that Caroline and Klaus were having an affair. Elijah felt that her testimony could be tainted and would be prejudice against her if discovered. Much to Klaus’s chagrin, they kept that news of their relationship quiet. The world saw a pregnant Caroline, assuming that the child she carried belonged to Stefan. Damon apparently was under the same impression; assuming she left Stefan because of the baby. “And here I was thinking of setting up a trust fund for the kid.”

“My son is none of your concern Damon.” Caroline replied in a sweet voice. “In fact, my son is not even related to you.” At first Damon appeared confused. It took a few seconds, but the truth dawned on him. His eyes flickering between the two of them with wild eyes. “There it is. I knew he would figure it out eventually.”

“No. Seriously?! Him?”

“For a good long while, actually.” Caroline replied. “All those times you and Stefan reveled your plans in front of me, I listened and went straight to Klaus. The sex was just a bonus.”

“I take it my brother did not know of this little…affair.” Damon replied. “He would have killed you the second he found out about it.”

“Remember how you beat Stefan to death?” Klaus asked and Damon froze at the mention of his crime. Caroline could see a hint of sadness in his eyes; almost as though he regretted killing his brother. Although, she would bet he regretted Elena’s death more. Even in the worst betrayal, he still loved her. “Well, Caroline and I watched it all.”

“The hidden cameras I take it?”

“Yes.” Caroline replied. She knew that Damon had a lapse of judgment the night he killed Stefan. He knew that Caroline got the footage of the numerous sex acts Stefan and Elena preformed from her home, but due to his anger; he didn’t consider the fact that the cameras would be on while he killed Stefan. He was too blinded by rage. “I watched you beat him. Then I needed him to know that it was me. That I was fucking Klaus right under his nose and that I was carrying his child. Then I sat down and watched him die.”

“Stefan must have really fucked you up Blondie if you jumped into bed with Klaus. Do you really think he will treat you any better? My advice, take the kid and run before he ruins you further.” Klaus jumped up and hit Damon across the face. The hit was hard enough that knocked a few teeth loose; blood splattering on the ground.

“Niklaus. Temper.” Elijah all but sang. However, his eyes never left Damon. Caroline learned that while Klaus ran hot, his temper flying in his extreme Machiavellian plans while Elijah was as cold as the artic. She honestly did not know which was more terrifying. Klaus reached down and gripped Damon’s chin. Klaus looked him in the eye, bending down to him.

“I may be a monster, but I would never lay a hand on Caroline in the manner your brother did. You did the entire world a favor when you took him out. I wanted to kill him myself, but Caroline wanted to watch him die slowly. You gave her that.”

“Much better than the Bundt-cake pan you and Elena picked out as our wedding gift.” Caroline teased. Klaus wasn’t laughing or finding the situation humorous. He was still staring down at Damon. Elijah called at his brother, but Klaus wasn’t budging. Caroline walked over to Klaus and touched his arm; pulling his hand from Damon’s jaw. “You can end this. Now. Put a bullet in his brain and let us go home to our son.”

“Look at you.” Damon replied, spitting more blood onto the ground. “Talking a man into murder. Never thought you were capable of it.” Damon toyed. “Then again, I never thought you were capable of anything really.” Klaus hit Damon across the face again and Caroline could see the blood trickle down his pale skin. “Always the dumb blonde who was shallow and useless.”

“Bite your tongue.”

“He is baiting you Niklaus.” Elijah chimed in. He walked around the chair. He looked down at Damon and placed his hand on Klaus’s chest. “Let me have a word with Mr. Salvatore. You said your piece. You dangled Caroline in front of him; showing him exactly how you bested him. You’re not the only one who has a matter to settle with him.”

Klaus nodded and let go Damon’s chin. Instead, he linked his hand with Caroline’s and pulled her to him. He kissed the top of her head. Caroline rested her head on Klaus’s chest while Elijah pulled the chair Klaus was sitting in closer to Damon. He sat down and looked at Damon deeply; his gaze never wavering. Caroline was seeing Elijah the agent, the man who rose high in the FBI.

“When Kol was fifteen he got a little too drunk one night. Decided to hot wire a car and drove around New York and as expected he got into a car accident. Killed a young woman. A secretary for some financial firm. He was arrested and facing being tried as an adult for vehicular manslaughter. I was a young man in the FBI then but had high connections. I got Kol out of trouble. Cleaned up his mess.”

“Is there a point to this little story?”

“Brothers do anything for one another. I would do anything for Kol as I would Niklaus or Rebekah.” Elijah drawled. “While I could never imagine the pain, you must have felt seeing Stefan and Elena together. When you love someone and they betray you, it feels unforgivable.” He cocked his head. “If Niklaus or Kol betrayed me in such a manner. I still do not think I would have the ability to do what you did to your brother.”

“Your point?”

“We are all monsters here. Kol was. I myself have committed treason, murder, espionage and all manner of sins that will condemn my soul. Niklaus runs the largest criminal organization this city has ever seen and has more blood on his hands than even you do. My little sister, who on an occasion has convinced multiple wealthy men to hand over their fortunes to her, is no innocent.” There was a smile that graced his lips when he spoke of Rebekah. “Caroline, while her hands are not as bloody as ours, she too has darkness in her. My family are filled with monsters but none of us ever betrayed each other. Stefan betrayed you but you committed the ultimate betrayal when you took his life.”

“Spare me the lecture, twiddle dumb. If you’re going to kill me, just do it because your yammering is driving me insane.” Damon bit out. Caroline cocked her head to the side. She eyed Damon; something was off with him. The way his shoulders sagged and there was no spark in his eyes. His smirk was off. His voice was off. Everything about his was wrong.

“That’s what you want, isn’t it?” Caroline asked. She moved away from Klaus and walked closer to Damon. Her eyes searched him, looking for some spark of humanity left; but she found nothing. While Stefan was a void of anything remotely good; beyond his feelings for Elena, Damon was the opposite. He put on a bravado but there were human emotions underneath it all. “You hate yourself. I should have seen it at the trial. You never spoke or defended yourself. You just sat there and let twelve people decide your fate. You didn’t even try. The Damon I knew would have blackmailed and bribed his way to freedom.”

“Get to the point Blondie.”

“You want to die.” Caroline said. “You want them to kill you.” Damon said nothing, unable to deny the truth. “You cannot live with yourself. You killed your own brother and your wife. You hate yourself for it. It’s why you did nothing to defend yourself or even try and find a way out of prison. The Damon I knew…. you’re not it.”

“You’re more perceptive than I gave you credit for.” Damon shook his head. “Kill me. You know you want to Caroline. I stood by and let Stefan beat you. How many times did he rape you? Because that is what it was, wasn’t it? You never wanted him. You laid for him because you had too. He told me that you fucked you the night he killed your mother. I laughed. I thought it was hilarious.”

Klaus attempted to lunge at him, but Elijah held him back.

“Brother, he is baiting you. I think Caroline has a point.”

“He wants us to kill him.” Klaus hissed. He thought about killing Damon since he found Kol’s body. His hate for the both of them only grew once his feelings for Caroline grew. “I say we give him what he wishes and send him to an unmarked grave to be forgotten.”

“No.” Caroline said; not tearing her eyes from him. “Let him live. Let him live everyday with the knowledge of what he did. Throw him in a cage and let him rot from the rest of his life. He does not deserve the mercy of an easy death. Kill him and he wins.”

“He knows to much Caroline. He could talk.” Elijah pointed out.

“Then cut out his tongue.” She turned to look at both Elijah and Klaus; both of whom looked at her like she lost her mind. “Cut out his tongue so he can’t speak. Mangle his hands so he cannot write. He will have nothing left beyond the memory of killing his brother and drowning his wife in the Hudson. He won’t be able to do anything else.”

Klaus stepped forward and looked at Caroline. His eyes held disbelief, wonder and lust all mixed into one. As though he couldn’t believe that she actually existed. After a moment, Klaus pulled Caroline to him and kissed her furiously. Not being able to help herself, she pressed her body into him. His hands roamed all over her body and she could feel the heat begin to pool between her legs.

“Niklaus. You’re getting distracted.” Elijah’s voice interrupted them.

“You’re a goddess.” Klaus stated as their lips broke apart, completely ignoring his brother. “I plan on rewarding you later.” That gleam and mischief were back, and Caroline could not help but giggle at seeing it. He pulled away from her and walked over to one of the crates. He picked up a crowbar that was leaning against a wooden crate. He wedged the crowbar underneath the lid of one and ripped it off. Sliding the slip end into a rusted nail, he pulled it from the wood. Turning towards the two agents, Klaus pointed at them. “Uncuff him and bring him to his knees.”

“Niklaus, what are you doing?” Elijah asked as the agents followed his brother’s command. Damon was uncuffed from his chair and fought the two agents, but they overpowered him easily. He was pushed down onto his knees.

“Following my girl’s command. What kind of lover would I be if I just ignored such a brilliant plan!” Klaus replied, an overexcited grin taking over his face. “Place his hand, palm up on the chair and hold him still.” The agents once again obeyed; forcing a Damon who was struggling to place his hand on the chair. Klaus walked up to him and placed the sharp end of the nail directly into his palm; digging in ever so slightly. He paused for a moment, raised the crowbar and brought it down onto the nail. The nail went directly into the palm of his hand; Damon screaming as he did so. Klaus repeated the action, over and over until Damon’s nailed was nailed to the chair.

“You’re probably going to give him tetanus using that nail.” Elijah stated, completely unfazed by the scene in front of him. Caroline winced slightly at every scream but didn’t look away. Damon was withering on his knees and appeared to be in extreme pain.

“Then he will have a very painful end.” Klaus replied. He slipped the split end of the crowbar into the nail again and leveraged it so it slid out of Damon’s hand. He repeated the action with another part of his hand before tossing the nail down to the ground. Klaus then brought the crowbar down onto Damon’s fingers with such force, Caroline could hear the bones cracking in his hand. “The other hand.”

Klaus repeated his actions, giving Damon’s other hand the exact same treatment. Once Klaus was done ruining Damon’s hands, Caroline knew that they would be no use to him anymore. No longer would he be able to write or hold the simplest of objects. They were completely mangled. The agents dropped him to the floor once Klaus tossed the crowbar to the side. Damon’s cries of pain turned into a whimper as he cradled his ruined hands to his chest.

“Are you done Niklaus?”

“Absolutely not. We still have the matter of his tongue to deal with.” Klaus stated, not caring that his white shirt now had blood spatters on it around the waistline. Caroline was already imaging how much bleach she would have to use to get the stains out; something he became very good at in the past few months. “Unless you would like to cut it out? I’m sure I can find some plyers in this place.”

Elijah sighed, contemplating and then took off his winter jacket. Caroline held out her hand and took the coat from him. He unbuttoned his suit jacket, slinging that over the other chair. Klaus, grinning like a maniac, pointed to one of the agents, commanding him to find him a set of plyers. Within minutes the agent returned and handed the pair of plyers to Elijah.

“Now, brother, while you take care of his tongue; I need to have word with my girl.” Klaus stated, pulling Elijah’s jacket from Caroline’s arms; tossing to lay with his suit jacket. “We will find you once you’ve completed the act. The lack of screams will be our signal.”

Klaus grabbed Caroline’s hand and pulled her away from the rest of the group. She looked over her shoulder to see Damon struggling in the agents’ arms while Elijah waited patiently for him to settle. They all fell out of sight when Klaus turned a corner and all Caroline could hear was Damon began to give a throaty scream. Klaus weaved them through crates of wooden boxes that Caroline was mentally taking inventory of; something she was going to actually be doing with in the coming weeks.

“Where are we going?”

“Through here.” Klaus pointed through a small opening in a cluster of crates and pulled her through. He turned to face her and immediately pulled her into a kiss. It was heated and passionate. Caroline pressed her body to his and she could feel his erection pressing into her stomach. She bit her lip and tried to not grin. “You are a goddess. That mind of yours, it is a wonder.”

“Well, it is my best feature.” She teased, blocking out Damon’s screams that echoed throughout the warehouse. Klaus allowed his hands to roam over her body and he gripped her behind, squeezing her buttocks; causing Caroline to squeal. “Klaus!”

“It was what made me fall in love with you.” He leaned down and kissed her again. Caroline wrapped her arms around his shoulders. His hands moved towards her winter coat and unbuttoned it. He pushed it off her shoulders and let it hit the ground. “Watching you order the mutilation of my enemy, it does things to me that I cannot explain. All I wanted to do was please you and then fuck you.”

“Then do it.” Klaus took her shoulders, turning her around and pushing her up against the wooden crates. Caroline braced herself, palms resting against the wood. He palmed her breasts through her shirt and pressed his clothed erection into her behind. He pressed his nose into her hair, inhaled before biting her ear. “Klaus.”

“You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.” Klaus whispered in her air. His hand snuck his way under her shirt as his lips descended upon her neck. His free hand gripped her blonde hair and pulled her head to the side, giving him more access to her pulse point. His tongue peeked out and dragged it up the side of her neck. “Even after the last year and a half together, having Kol and you just being by my side, is not enough for me.”

“I’m yours.” Caroline breathed out in a throaty moan. Klaus pinched Caroline’s nipple through her bra causing her to hiss; pressing her behind into his erection harder. He groaned into her ear, thrusting his hips forward. “What did you like more? When I figured out that he wanted to die or when I told you to cut out his tongue.”

“Both.” Klaus hissed. His hand snaked down her abdomen to the top of her pants. He unbuttoned them, pulled down the zipper and yanked the pants down to her ankles. Caroline spread her legs enough to give Klaus access to her center. He ran his across her center, causing her to moan in delight. “Wet for me already. Tell me love, did you enjoy bossing me around? Commanding me, bending me to your will?” Klaus twirled the bundle of nerves on her clit while biting her neck. “Answer me.”

“Yes.”

“Yes what?”

“I enjoyed it.” She whimpered. She reached behind her and palmed him through his pants. Klaus groaned at the contact, whispering her name in her ear. “I enjoyed taking control. I enjoyed seeing you in your element, hurting him. Hurting him because I told you to. I enjoyed the power I had but do you know what else I enjoy?” Caroline asked, causing Klaus to hum in her ear; his fingers still rubbing her clit. “I enjoy it when you fuck me. I enjoy it when you’re inside me and all I can feel is you, thrusting and pulsing until I fall apart.”

Not being able to take her teasing any longer, Klaus pulled at his belt buckle and pushed his pants down. He aligned himself with Caroline’s entrance, coating himself in her juices and pushed inside of her. They both cried out at the feel of them together. Slowly, Klaus withdrew before pushing back in. Over and over, Klaus thrusted into her.

Caroline’s screams echoed off the walls. Neither could hear the screaming occurring at the other end of the warehouse. They were so involved with their lovemaking that nothing else occurred to them. The sound of their skin slapping together, and their moans only caused Klaus to move faster. He grasped her hair and pulled her head back. Feeling the pull of her hair was enough to send Caroline over the edge.

Her orgasm rippled through her body; screaming Klaus’s name as she came. He continued to thrust into her while she fell over the edge. Knowing that Klaus was not near his peak yet, Caroline smirked. She pushed off the crate and Klaus, taken off guard, stumbled ever so slightly, slipping out of her as he went. Caroline turned and pushed him gently, causing his back to hit the crates on the other side of the wall.

Caroline grabbed his head and pulled him into a deep kiss; her nails trailing a small trail down his chest. Her kiss traveled from his lips to his jaw and then down his neck. She kissed his chest until he sunk down to his chest until she was on her knees. She was eye level with his penis and gave his one long lick.

“Christ Caroline.” Klaus hissed out, weaving his fingers through her hair. Caroline took Klaus into her mouth and began to bob up and down. She massaged his balls and Klaus’s fingernails dug into her scalp. His eyes rolled back into his head. It wasn’t long before Klaus found himself spilling into her throat; Caroline drinking it all. After she licked his penis one last time, Caroline stood and kissed Klaus on the lips, letting him taste their juices mixed together on her lips.

“If the two of you are done, Mr. Salvatore is being loaded up and transported to receive medical attention.” Klaus groaned in frustration. Caroline, blushing, bent down and pulled up her pants. Klaus tucked himself into his pants and picked up Caroline’s coat. He put it on her shoulders and kissed her forehead. They linked their hands together and they walked around the crates. Elijah was standing there, cleaning his hands of blood; ignoring the fact that his shirt was covered in it.

“I’m assuming that Damon Salvatore has become mute?” Klaus asked, appearing extremely pleased. She did not know if it was because he just won a war or the fact that he just got laid. Either way, Klaus was having a very good night.

“Yes. It was not exactly pleasant.”

“Oh, don’t be that way Elijah. You enjoyed it.”

“Let us leave. I have work in the morning.” Elijah replied and Caroline smiled. She was ready to go home. Tonight, put an end to a very long nightmare and Caroline felt as though they finally could get on with their lives. In that moment, all she wanted to do was go home to her son.

“Yes. Let’s go home.” Caroline smiled widely pulling on Klaus’s hand. “I want to see our son.”

[pandawritespoorly]

With Time: Chapter 39 - A General Upward Trend

Author’s Note: Ladybug finally has a talk with her former teammates, and Marinette gets around to finishing something she's been putting off.

Chapter Summary: Ladybug and Chat Noir's interactions in this chapter are very precious. Like, they're real cute. Prepare yourself. No warnings! This is a calm chapter. It's so weird to say, but there's only three left after this one, and chapter 42 is just an epilogue, so this story is well and truly wrapping up. Goodness.

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Adrien is doing better. Marinette smiles at him, happy to see him resting happily. He’s basically recovered at this point, but she’d insisted he rest a little more, and being the cat he is, he didn’t protest.

She glances out the window and sighs. It’s no longer light enough out that she can justify waiting. It’s most certainly dark enough that Ladybug could go out without issue.

“Tikki, spots on.”

As quietly as she can, she creeps past the model and heads out through the balcony.

Whizzing through the city on her yo-yo, she gets to her first destination.

The window opens when she knocks.

“L-Ladybug?” Nino looks surprised to see her.

“Hello. I’m… I’m here to apologize. Last time I visited, I dropped some very shocking news on you with no explanation. I’m willing to explain myself now, especially since I believe you’ll be more receptive to what I have to say.”

“Oh. Yeah, uh, Dudette, I definitely figured it out.” He looks away.

She forces a gentle smile. “I understand, but I feel like you still deserve to hear a proper explanation from me, and the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.”

He nods, still not meeting her eyes.

“Due to the high rate of akumas at your school, Chat and I keep tabs on it. We… became aware of a situation with Ms. Dupain-Cheng and Ms. Rossi. After a few months of you and Alya both only further bullying Ms. Dupain-Cheng, I came to the realization that if I couldn’t trust you two to treat your friends well, I couldn’t trust you to be a good member of the team. Nino, you wielded the miraculous of protection, and you not only failed to protect your friend, you went out of your way to harm her. I could not let you continue to be Carapace.”

Tears have welled up in his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you let me know so I could fix things?”

She sighs, doing her best to keep herself together. “I had already spoken directly to Adrien, and soon learned Marinette had been a witness to that conversation. Two of your close friends told you that Lila was lying, and you dismissed them. You made no effort to track me down for confirmation. You also immediately turned on me the day after I informed you of Carapace’s retirement. You refused to accept that you could have done something wrong and blamed an innocent girl so that you had someone to take it out on. You were given chances, and it shouldn’t have been up to me to let you know you were in the wrong. You ignored the signs, and that’s on you.”

He removes his glasses, wiping at his eyes with his forearm. “Y-yeah. I know. A-after what I did to M-M-Marinette…”

“Is there anything else you want to know?”

He shakes his head, returning inside.

Ladybug takes a few breaths to steady herself. That was more emotionally exhausting than she thought it would be.

One down. One to go.

It’s barely night, and it’s already a long one.

She goes to the roof, intending to get on her way to Alya’s when a dark figure catches her eye.

Chat Noir stands on the roof, arms crossed and looking at her, eyebrows raised.

“Ladybug. You did not specifically wait until I was asleep to sneak out and confront your former bullies alone again, did you?”

“Uh, well, when you phrase it like that…”

He sags, approaching her, face softening. “Bug. I told you, you don’t need to need to do this alone. You can have support.”

“I just didn’t want to bother you, and you need rest anyways, and-”

“Bug. Look at me.” He walks up to her, taking both of her hands in his. He leans down, touching his forehead to hers. He looks at her eyes for a moment. “I will say this as many times as it takes, but no matter what it is, no matter who it is - no matter what, if it is important to you, it’s important to me. If something’s bothering you, you can tell me. If you aren’t feeling well, mentally or physically, you can tell me. You matter, you’re important, and you are not alone.”

Her breath hitches, and a few tears show up in her bright blue eyes.

“Do you understand me, Mari?”

She nods, separating their hands to wrap her arms around him, burying her face in his chest, squeezing him tightly.

He holds her, kissing her hair. “I love you, Bug, I just want you to realize how important you are.”

“I love you too,” she sobs, voice cracking slightly.

She lets a few tears fall, then regains her composure.

“Alya next?” Chat asks.

She nods, and he follows her to the ex-reporter’s house. He sits on the roof, waiting for her as she goes to Alya.

“Alya?”

The girl whips around at her hero’s voice. Her eyes well up immediately. “Ladybug. I- I’m so sorry.”

“So am I. I’m here to apologize for how I broke the news to you in November-”

Alya shakes her head. “I don’t deserve an apology. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did.”

“No, Alya, it was perfectly understandable. You deserved an explanation and that’s what I’m here to give you, even if it’s a little late. You deserve to have your questions answered. Chat and I keep an eye on your school, because so many students and faculty members have been akumatized there. We became aware of the treatment of Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and the role you played in that. You and Nino needed to be heroes with and without the miraculouses, and you didn’t do that. If anything, you were villains. It wasn’t my job to point things out, especially after I’d already outed Lila to two of your close friends. As the Fox, you had the power of illusions. You should have been able to see through the very clear lies that Ms. Rossi was spewing, and as a friend, you should have stuck-” Ladybug stops. Alya is sniffling and tears are streaming down her face endlessly. Her face falls. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to rub salt in the wound-”

“N-no I-I-I d-d-de-deserve it.”

“No. No you don’t.” Ladybug puts a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You were a victim of Lila. That doesn’t excuse your actions, but you shouldn’t beat yourself up over it.”

Alya clearly isn’t having it, so Ladybug tries to change the topic. “Is there anything you want to ask me?”

After a minute or two, Alya calms enough to mumble, “W-wh-why d-didn’t y-you t-t-t-tell th-this me b-before? Wh-why w-w-wait to e-explain-n-n?”

Ladybug sighs, staring at the sky. “I… I wasn’t doing very well late last year. I’d… lost some people that were very important to me, and I was having a rough time. I didn’t want to lose Carapace and Rena Rouge too, but I knew I had to let you guys go. I put it off for a while, but I was starting to slow down from the cold and I knew I couldn’t put it off any longer. I’m sorry about how I went about that.”

“Oh,” She sobs, “and I yelled at you. I’m so so sorry!”

“I- It’s fine. I didn’t really do the best job at explaining it to you.”

“Still.” Alya hiccups a few more times, trying to get her emotions under control. “I-I think you sh-should go home. You should r-rest. You sh-shouldn’t have t-to be up l-late because of m-me.”

Ladybug smiles at her a little, then nods, wishing her a goodnight and heading to the roof. Chat is waiting for her with open arms, and she collapses against him, shaking.

“It’s okay Bugaboo, it’s okay.”

“I- I just- I th-thought I w-was o-over all- all of this.”

“It’ll take more time than this. No one is expecting you to be all healed by now.”

She doesn’t respond initially, then she whispers, “Ladybug is supposed to be strong.”

“Oh Princess. You are strong, I promise you that.” He holds her face, wiping away a tear with a thumb. “You just have a hard time appreciating yourself.”

The soft smile she gives him makes him wonder, not for the first time, why he’s the sunshine child. Everything about her is blinding in the best possible way.

“Kitty, what would I do without you?”

He scoops her up. “Well, fur one, you’d have to get home on your own.”

She kicks. “Hey! You’re sick, you shouldn’t be patrolling, let alone carrying me!”

“Paw-lease, I’m mostly recovered and we both know it. You’ve been keeping an eye on me, so it’s time for me to return the favor. Now I get to take care of you!”

“What do you call most of this school year then?”

“Being your friend. Obviously.” He rolls his eyes, as though it was ridiculous that she even had to ask.

Before she can protest further, he takes off across the rooftops. He lands on her terrace, and sets her down. He bows. “I do hope you enjoyed your cat-xi ride, mademoiselle.”

She gives him an odd look, and murmurs to herself, “...catzee…?” A look of realization dawns on her face, and she punches his arm. “That was really bad, Chaton. It’s not even a taxi ride, because I didn’t pay you.”

“Your prrr-sence is enough,” he says, kissing her hand.

She blushes, but pushes his forehead back with her index finger. “That’s enough from you.”

“Claws in. Guess it’s Adrien’s turn then.”

“No, no cheesy pick up lines from you.” She turns away, finally entering her room.

Pouting, he follows her. “But cheesy pick up lines are the best,” he whines, sitting on her chaise, across from where she sits at her desk chair.

She raises an eyebrow, then grows concerned at the cheshire grin on his face. Before she can ask what he’s up to, he starts to talk.

“I can make do without pick up lines, beautiful.”

She turns a little pink, and decides to pretend to focus on designing. He rolls around on the chaise, laying on his back but facing her.

“Hey. Hey. Marinette. Heyyyyy, Mariiiiiii! You’re really pretty, and you’re so nice, and you’re super smart, because, like, you always come up with the best plans all the time, and your eyes are absolutely stunning, and you are such a good person and-” He glances at her, and her face is about the same color as Tikki. “Maybe I should stop, I’m worried about all your blood going to your face.”

Adrien hangs off the lounge, looking at her upside-down. He waits until her face begins to cool off, then he adds, “Not that you don’t look good in red, of course.”

She squeaks, and her face goes crimson again.

---

Patisserie Princess: so um

Patisserie Princess: i think im gonna go through all my old stuff finally

Patisserie Princess: so if you guys want to come over and help then yeah

 The Mom Friend: omw

 Melodie: I’m close already, so I’ll be there quick.

 Kid Mime: im on ur roof

 Felix: I will head over.

 Patisserie Princess: thanks

Patisserie Princess: wait wat

 The Mom Friend: the roof roof or the balcony roof

The Mom Friend: coz 1 of those is v dangerous

 Kid Mime: balcony roof

 Melodie: Okay.

 Patisserie Princess: how and why????

 Hug This Boy: Because Claude.

Hug This Boy: There is no logic where there is Claude.

 The Mom Friend: yep

 Patisserie Princess: but on my roof???

 Felix: I found them clinging to the outside of my window once.

 Kid Mime: that was fun

Kid Mime: mari is it good for me to come in now

Kid Mime: ur flowers r pretty but ur prettierrrrrrrrr!!!

 Patisserie Princess: yes u can come in

 Once Marinette sends that, she hears her trapdoor open and turns to see Claude landing on her bed, smiling wide.

“You really were on my roof.”

They grin more. “That’s what I said, isn’t it?”

“Well yeah, but my roof? How did you even-”

“Mari!” Claude gasps. “You should know that a magician never reveals their secrets!”

Adrien comes up through the trapdoor, bearing a tray of cookies. “Hey Claude. Cookie?”

“Yes!”

Marinette just blinks, still trying to figure this out.

 Kid Mime: haha

Kid Mime: i got the first cookie

 Melodie: Because you were on the roof.

Melodie: For who knows what reasons.

 The Mom Friend: 4 claude reasons obviously

 Kid Mime: see? mom gets me

 Felix: No one truly understands you, if we are all being honest.

 Patisserie Princess: yea im still confused

 Melodie: Honey, by now I would have thought you’d know not to dwell on the how.

 Kid Mime: ive been told i cause headaches

 The Mom Friend: and heart attacks

 Felix: Marinette, it would be for the best if you did not spend an excessive amount of time attempting to comprehend him.

Felix: He is Claude, and that is the best explanation we will ever truly get.

 Patisserie Princess: i suppose

 Melodie: I’m here!

 Kid Mime: thats great

 Melodie: …

Melodie: Don’t let Claude finish off the cookies.

 Kid Mime: wat wood make u think id do that

 Patisserie Princess: he just stuffed three in his mouth

Patisserie Princess: u may want to hurry

---

When they’ve all arrived, Marinette retrieves the stuff from last time when they’d sorted. Marinette looks over the piles, trying to decide what to do. The others wait patiently.

“Okay, I think I’ll keep all the pictures. This is basically my entire childhood, and I’m not going to let what happened taint my past. Especially a lot of these early ones.” She looks over a few photos, finding some with especially young versions of the classmates. “I’m not going to blame four year old Nino for what present Nino did.”

“We can help you find a photo album for all these sometime then.”

She nods gratefully.

“Paper then… uh, if it’s just schoolwork, we can recycle it. Unless it’s some big project or you think I might want it, then I can look over it. Um. Designs can stay. I’ll look over cards…” She continues to list off what can happen to anything they might find in the mess. “Anything else, you can just leave to me.”

So they get started, and the pile of things getting thrown out or recycled grows and grows. It’s not nearly as tense or sad of an atmosphere as it had been last time, instead, they talk and joke as they would any normal day. Sometimes Marinette grows quiet, looking at something in her hands with an expression that doesn’t fall into any singular category.

Glee and anguish are usually considered opposites.

The mess of pining, fear, nostalgia, grief, and an unending amount of other emotions on her face is almost physically painful to see.

If she seems okay, they’ll keep talking, letting her feel in peace. Other times, she’s clearly struggling, so one of them will touch her softly, or hug her gently, pulling her from the past back to the present.

She laughs plenty too. This time around is clearly easier for her, and her progress is undeniable.

It’s good to see her good.

---

Author’s Note: I told you they were precious. I told you! How does it feel knowing that the angst in this story is basically over? You've got mostly fluff and sweetness until the end. Sure, I'll be getting those extra one-shots up eventually, so those will have salt, guilt, etc, but the next chapters? Smooth sailing, my friends.

Speaking of sailing, yes, our ships will be sailing by the time this is fully posted. No worries, we'll get a kiss, it's already written and everything.

I keep realizing I'm not really doing anything productive, and I'm like 'Oh! I'll just work on With Time!'. Nope! Can't do that anymore, so I'm finally getting around to those one-shots I've been promising. I'm sure some of you stalk the comments, do any of you remember anything I mentioned getting around to write that took place in the main story but didn't get into a chapter? If you don't that's fine. If you think of anything you want to see, regardless of if I've mentioned it before, just let me know. I'm finally starting a legitimate list. So far, I have Tikki and Plagg talking after the reveal (low priority), Alya and Nino's respective apologies to Adrien, and Gabriel and Nathalie realized they screwed up after the GoodFriends™ launched their whole thing last chapter. Anything else?

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave any thoughts, theories, constructive criticism, or anything really in my ask box, in replies or through reblogs. I love seeing what you think!

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[latetaektalk]

break up with me | osh [2]

he and you had been playing pretend for months now, but you couldn’t do it anymore.

genre: break up! au, established relationship! au, angst

word count: 5.546

a/n: so, this is the last part of break up with me!! i hope you all enjoy it and i don’t know if anyone wants one or if people even think it’s necessary, but i could write an epilogue? i already have somewhat of an idea, but if no one wants it and if nobody think it’s necessary, i won’t post one. so, basically let me know what you think of this chapter and if you want an epilogue?~

masterlist

You opened the closet Sehun and you were sharing and downed the wine as you looked at your clothes. It was obvious what belonged to Sehun and what belonged to you and you were numb to the aching in your chest. The sight hurt so much because for the longest time there was no line between Sehun’s and your clothes. You both had used to share everything. Well, Sehun had used to share everything with you, but only because he didn’t want any of your clothes.

So, it felt like somebody was pushing a knife into your heart when you saw such a clear line between Sehun’s and your clothes. You closed your eyes and listened to the piano playing before James Blunt took over.

Did I disappoint you or let you down? Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown? Cause I saw the end before we’d begun Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won

“Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt. Sure, one might say that you were dramatic and rubbing salt into the wound, into your broken heart, but you needed to feel the pain and sadness. Instead of running away from it, you embraced the pain, held it tightly to your heart, cried with it. It felt good to acknowledge it because there was no denying in it, you were hurting, bad.

So I took what’s mine by eternal right Took your soul out into the night It may be over but it won’t stop there I am here for you if you’d only care

You looked at everything Sehun owned and you lingered a little longer on your favourite pieces. The grey hoodie that you loved so much hung there between all his button-downs and your pants. Without thinking about it, you reached for it and pulled it from its hanger. You put it on and you hated how safe you felt having it on, like Sehun’s arms were wrapped around you. The smell of his detergent swamped you. You ignored the fact that Sehun had bought his own detergent, had stopped using yours. The line between Sehun’s and your clothes wasn’t as obvious as it was before and that made you smile a little.

You touched my heart, you touched my soul You changed my life and all my goals And love is blind but that I knew when My heart was blinded by yours

You sighed because that didn’t change anything, didn’t change your plans today. You turned around and walked to your nightstand. Because you couldn’t afford to spill the last couple of drops of wine anywhere, you put down your wine glass. You made your way to the other side of the bed, Sehun’s side. With a sigh, you bent down and pulled the suitcase from underneath the bed. You dragged it in front of the closet and opened it.

I’ve kissed your lips and held your hand Shared your dreams and shared your bed I know you well, I know your smell I’ve been addicted to you

You didn’t move for a moment, instead, you stared at the suitcase and you couldn’t help but tear up. You wiped away the tears with your sleeve and when you smelt Sehun’s detergent, you teared up again. It was a vicious circle so you just let the tears spill because there was no use in wiping them away. At least not when new ones would form the second you did. It was ridiculous that you could still cry because you had cried so much today already.

Goodbye my lover Goodbye my friend You have been the one You have been the one for me

First in the café, then in Joohyun’s car as she drove you home and then another time when you realised that Sehun wasn’t home again even though it was his day off. Joohyun had wanted to come up and even offered you to stay at her place. You had insisted, however, that you needed to get something done first. She had checked with you a couple of times already and you had to practically beg her to leave you alone.

Goodbye my lover Goodbye my friend You have been the one You have been the one for me

With a heavy sigh, you pulled yourself together. Before you could do something, your phone vibrated and interrupted your music for a second. You walked over and unlocked it without looking. The chat between Chanyeol and you came into view and you looked at the new messages Chanyeol had sent you.

[Chanyeol - 17: 08]: sure your cousin can totally stay with me!

[Chanyeol - 17:08]: when is he gonna arrive tmr?

[You - 17:08]: Im actually not sure, ill ttext you if i know more.

You were about to turn off your phone when you saw that Chanyeol was online. The two ticks turned blue and Chanyeol started typing. You had time and didn’t mind waiting, but maybe you should have.

I am a dreamer and when I wake You can’t break my spirit - it’s my dreams you take And as you move on, remember me Remember us and all we used to be

[Chanyeol - 17:09]: okay. but how are you feeling? sehun said youre really busy with school and work

Your thumbs hovered above the screen and you wanted to type something back, but your mind was blank. You didn’t even notice how Chanyeol typed up a new message.

I’ve seen you cry, I’ve seen you smile I’ve watched you sleeping for a while I’d be the father of your child I’d spend a lifetime with you

[Chanyeol - 17:09]: you should take some time off today. were meeting up putside yerims dorm later and going out for some drinks

[You - 17:09]: I dont think im gonna come

[Chanyeol - 17:10]: everybodys gonna be there!! even jongdae is coming, you have to too!!!!

You raised your brows because Jongdae coming was impressive. He never came to these things. However, you didn’t spend too much thinking about Jongdae and how rare it was for him to meet up with everybody. Instead, thought about how Sehun hadn’t even bothered to tell you that he was going out with the boys.

I know your fears and you know mine We’ve had our doubts but now we’re fine And I love you, I swear that’s true I cannot live without you

[Chanyeol - 17:10]: you could go home with sehun eralier if you feel tired, but we all just wanna see you again ;(

You pressed your lips together and sighed. Did you want to go out? Yes, a thousand yes, but then everybody would notice how awkward it was between Sehun and you. There was no overplaying that awkwardness if you were completely honest. If you went, everybody would just worry and you didn’t need anybody to worry about Sehun and you. You also doubted that Sehun wanted you there.

[You - 17:11]: Sorry, gtg. have fun

Goodbye my lover Goodbye my friend You have been the one You have been the one for me

You turned off your phone and threw it onto your bed before you turned around and looked at Sehun’s and your closet. As you sighed, you walked up to it and took a moment to get ready because this was going to take some time.

Goodbye my lover Goodbye my friend You have been the one You have been the one for me

You could hear the rain hammering on your windows, could hear the occasional car speeding past your flat. The clear night sky had turned sour and bitter in a matter of seconds, but barely anyone knew because it was early in the morning. 04:12 to be exact.

You leaned back into your couch and took another swig of your wine. Your eyes were trained on the empty chair in front of you, separated from you by your coffee table.

You had to admit, you had hard time keeping yourself awake. You had wanted to take a nap beforehand, but you had been too scared that you were going to miss Sehun.

When you heard keys jiggle, you downed the rest of your wine and put the glass down. You almost dropped your phone when you unlocked it and opened the chat between Joohyun and you. She knew what your message meant and knew what she had to do now.

[You - 04:12]: Hes back.

Just when you were leaning back into the couch, the door opened and Sehun stepped in. You could hear a sigh escape him and you tightened up. He didn’t know you were in the living room because you hadn’t turned on the lights.

Your heart started beating into your chest like it wanted to jump out and it hurt, it hurt so much. For a second you thought about pretending to be asleep, but there was no turning back. You had to do this even though it was going to hurt you both so fucking much. You were sure of that fact, but you were also sure of the fact that there was no other way.

Sehun walked past the living room without looking into it. You could see him take off his jacket again as he made his way to your bedroom. He was soaked and you weren’t surprised. Sehun had never been one to take an umbrella with him. You guessed the rain had taken him and the others by surprise.

Instead of grabbing a towel from the bathroom, Sehun walked into your shared bathroom. You looked at the towel next to you for a moment and you couldn’t help it but smile.

Just like a few days ago a sigh escaped Sehun as the door to your bedroom fell shut, but unlike last time he didn’t stay long. Before you knew it, a frantic Sehun stepped out of your bedroom. His eyes were blown out and he ran his hand through his hair as he snapped his head around. Your heart warmed up a little at the fact that he was so panicked to see you not in bed. So, he did still care about you. But you also guessed that seeing the closet empty added to his panic.

“Y/N?”, Sehun called out for you and looked into the bathroom, unaware of the fact that you were watching his every move. You regretted that you had downed your wine because this whole show would be better with some wine. “Y/N?”

You put your hand in front of your mouth and the smell of Sehun’s detergent wasn’t as strong as it used to be. No wonder, considering you had been wearing this hoodie all day long.

Sehun turned on the lights to the living room and for a second he didn’t see you, but when he did, he left out a long breath. His eyes travelled up and down your form, brows furrowing when he saw that you had shoes, jeans and his hoodie on.

You folded your hands in front of your stomach and just looked at Sehun, at your boyfriend. He looked so pretty today, especially pretty in your opinion. It was confusing and you had no explanation for it, but he just did. His hair was dripping onto the floor and even though strands were poking out in funny places, he looked beautiful. His white shirt was sticking to his body and a few months ago you would have gone up to him and kissed him.

“Why are you dressed?”

“You’re pretty.”, you said and reached for the towel next to you, offering it to Sehun. He stared at you in complete confusion, but he took it when he realised that you weren’t going to give up. As he took it, his gaze wandered to his right and he stared at the chair that you had put there for him. Panic took hold of Sehun again as he looked back at you.

“What’s going on?”, Sehun asked you and seemed frozen. You tilted your head at him and smiled at him, happy to be talking to Sehun for once, happy to be speaking more than five words with Sehun. You hadn’t even realised just how much you had missed hearing his voice until now.

“Y/N, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?”

You sighed and gestured for Sehun to take a seat. He did, hesitantly but he did it, sitting down right in front of you.

For a moment, you looked at the coffee table Sehun and you had picked out together. It was the first thing you had bought when you had moved in together and it was what had connected you. Now, it was only separating you two, worked as a barrier for him and you.

You guessed Sehun could feel that something was going to go down tonight, that someone was going to leave this flat after this was over. It was the way he was eyeing you, the way he was picking on his pants.

You should be the one talking, but you wanted to take a moment to appreciate this. You hadn’t looked Sehun in the eyes, hadn’t spent so much time with Sehun, hadn’t seen Sehun properly for a long time now and considering it was going to be the last time, you just had to appreciate it.

“You know you have to use the towel.”, you said and Sehun tilted his head at you, not understanding what the fuck you were talking about. You were procrastinating, buying time, but who could blame you? After everything you still loved Sehun. And, what you were about to do was going to almost kill you and definitely kill your relationship.

“What?”

“You know to dry your-”

“Cut that bullshit, Y/N. What’s happening here right now?”

Sehun’s words left you silent and he stared at you with such intensity that your smile disappeared in a second. Your gaze met Sehun’s and you pressed your lips into a line, sighing internally. You held onto yourself tighter and you hated the way your heart was hammering in your chest. It was so loud that you were certain that Sehun could heart it too.

You opened your mouth, but your tongue was tied. The knot in your throat didn’t help matters and you didn’t know why you had thought before that you would be able to do this. God, this was harder than you thought.

Sehun’s brows were furrowed together and his lips were pressed together. The towel you had given him was thrown over his shoulder and barely did anything to catch the water. Worry and confusion were written all across his face and he was quite literally sitting on the edge of his chair. You knew that it was torturing him to not know what was going on and you sighed, starting to take deep breaths as you tried to calm yourself down.

And when you felt ready, you let the words slip. The words you had repeated over and over again in your head as you prepared for this moment, for this conversation. You knew there was no turning back, no taking the words back and that was okay. It really was.

“Break up with me.”

You could see when your words slowly started to click in Sehun’s head, could see when his brain had finished processing your words, could see when the confusion settled. It was like time stood still, like someone had slowed this down for you to watch, like someone had gifted you with the ability of time for a second before taking it away from you to make the next moments worse.

“What?”

Sehun shook his head at you and he let out a laugh, a taunting laugh, one that made you cringe. You watched him lean back, watched him cross his arms, watched him open his mouth to say something, watched him laugh instead, watched him stare at you before he burst out into laughter again, watched him clap his hands together, watched him calm down, watched him jump up from his chair to walk around, watched him sit down again, watched him look at you again, watched him realise that you weren’t joking around.

“What?”

“Break up with me.”, you said again like you were telling him that you were going to the store. It hurt to say it, but you had started the conversation and you were going to finish it. Was your chest aching? Was your body twisting and wincing in agony? Was your heart shattering into pieces? Sure, yes, but you could still do it. You just knew you could.

Sehun didn’t laugh, didn’t shake his head at you, didn’t run around, not this time. He looked at you and straightened his back, gulping at your face. Nothing much happened after that, he just stared into your eyes and you just stared into his eyes. An eternity seemed to pass before you decided to say something again.

“I know that you don’t love me anymore.”, you started and Sehun tensed up at your words. You tucked a strand behind your ear and pushed your glasses back onto their place. “That’s okay. It really is. People fall out of love, happens.”

You let a beat pass, let your words sink in, let Sehun process your words before you continued again. You were aware that Sehun wasn’t done working through your words, but you also doubted that you could ever give him enough time.

“But you know what’s not okay?”, you asked and waited for a second to emphasize on your words. Sehun started to shake his head and that small shake made you smile for a second. He really didn’t know better, did he? “It’s not okay then to stay in a relationship with me. You know how much it hurts to know that the person you love so fucking much doesn’t love you back?”

Sehun rubbed the nape of his neck and avoided your gaze. You knew you had him, knew that he would let you talk and that might be for the best. There was strength in your words right now, but you weren’t sure if it would stay if Sehun started to say something.

“You should have broken up with me a long time ago, but I know you, Sehun. I know that you don’t have the balls to break up with me. I know that you continued to stay with me to force me to break up with you, to make it easier for you, but I’m not Mia. You’re going to break up with me and this is how you’re gonna do it.”, you started and Sehun looked up at you. You knew he didn’t understand what you were saying, but that was okay. You shuffled to the edge of your couch and took a deep breath.

“You’re gonna start by saying ‘I’m sorry, Y/N.’.”, you said and Sehun softly mumbled ‘No’s when he realised what you were doing right now. He shook his head in protest, but when you kept staring at him with determination and pain burning in your eyes, he gave in.

“I’m sorry, Y/N.”

“Then I’m gonna ask you ‘For what’?’.”, you swallowed and let a second pass. “For what?”

You rubbed your hands on your pants as you struggled to say the next few words. You guessed that it was always going to be hard to say this.

“‘I don’t love you anymore.’.”

Sehun hesitated as well, looking into your eyes to see if this was really what you wanted. There was no question in your mind and you could see the tears form in Sehun’s eyes. He wiped them away the second they appeared, but you had already seen them.

“I don’t-”, Sehun’s voice cracked and he shook his head like it was torturing him to say the next words. You waited, didn’t push him because you understood why he was struggling this much.

“I don’t love you anymore.”

Tears rolled down your cheeks and you let them fall, let them because there was no use in wiping them away. You were honestly surprised that you were hurting so bad because you had known that for a long time now. But you guessed that hearing it coming from Sehun for the first time was different. You hiccuped and you let out a chuckle, unable to form the next words.

“I’m sorry, Y/N.”, Sehun cried softly and you looked at him, pressing your lips into a tight smile. You nodded and new tears fell, leaving hot trails down your face. “So fucking sorry.”

“I know.”, you mumbled. “But that’s not what you’re supposed to say.”

Your small joke lightened the mood for a second, gave you the strength to push through all of this. Sehun cracked a smile and rolled his eyes at you before he had to wipe away tears again.

“Now you’re going to put your hands on our table and then I’m gonna put my hands on our table.”, you whispered and Sehun nodded at you, giving you an ‘Of course, ma’am.’ before doing what you just had told him. When you moved to put your hands on your coffee table, Sehun grabbed a hold of them and hugged them with his own.

“Hey, I didn’t tell you to do that.”

“I knew you wanted though.”

“Stop acting like some breakup master.”, you sniffed and couldn’t help but laugh. Fuck, this is what you missed, playing off of each other. “You’re learning too quickly.”

“You’re just a great teacher.”, Sehun said and smiled at you. Instead of wiping his tears away, he let them fall. There you two were, sitting in front of each other, crying your eyes out as the sun rose behind you. “You’ve always brought out the best in me.”

You tilted your head to the side before you let it hang because those words hit hard. Your chest tightened and Sehun noticed that he had gone a little too far. He put his hand on your head and pulled you closer. He pressed a long and lonely kiss on your forehead and even though tears were still streaming down your face, you smiled.

“Okay, now I’m gonna say ‘Why? Did I do something wrong?’-”

“No, God, no. Y/N, it’s not your fault.”, Sehun started and shook his head at you, your faces still centimetres away from each other. You could feel his breath on your skin and he could feel your breath on his skin. Your smile grew a little at Sehun’s insistence that it wasn’t your fault. “You did everything right, you’re like the best girlfriend-”

“And yet you don’t love me anymore.”

The words slipped out of you without you thinking about it and Sehun and you stared at each other with wide eyes. He scrunched up his face in pain and agony and silent tears rolled down his face. You started to shake your head at him and you wanted to clarify, say something, but instead, a hiccup bubbled up from your throat and spilt out.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”, you said and your eyes fell down to the floor, your whole face feeling like it had been lit on fire. Now it was Sehun shaking his head at you. His hands tightened around yours and he started drawing circles on your skin. He caught your attention again and when you looked at him, he had a tight-lipped smile painted on.

“Don’t apologise, you’re right.”, Sehun admitted and you couldn’t help yourself, but break down a little more. Your sobs filled the air between you two and you could feel Sehun’s hands shake.

“I haven’t treated you right the past months and I’m so sorry for that.”, Sehun’s voice cracked as he said the words and you could literally hear his tears in them. It was weird and impossible, but you just could. “I’ve been so selfish and I’m really so fucking sorry for that.”

You took off your glasses and threw them onto your coffee table, placing your sleeve on your eyes. It was stupid, but you wanted to hide, hide from Sehun’s gaze, hide your face. He had seen you cry so many times now, but you still felt this shame, this need to cover up.

Your crying just got worse with the second and you regretted that you had put on Sehun’s hoodie on because all you smelt was him. You were quite literally drunk on his scent and your heart broke more, your chest ached more, your tears fell quicker because you knew after this, you would never be close enough to him again to smell him.

“You deserve better than me.”, Sehun whispered and you felt like you couldn’t breathe anymore. Your lungs were tied in one painful knot and you wanted to cough it out, but all that spilt from you were sobs and sniffs. You felt a hand wrap around your wrist and pull your hand away from your face. When your eyes automatically landed on your coffee table, Sehun tilted your chin up and cupped your face. “Don’t hide, please.”

You bit on your lip to stop your sobs from breaking out and tilted your head into Sehun’s hand instead. He used his thumb to wipe any of your tears away and a small laugh bubbled up from you. Sehun joined you and you couldn’t help but think that Sehun looked angelic in the morning sun glow.

“So, what’s the next step? What should I say next?”, Sehun asked you as he dropped his hand and cupped yours instead again. You quirked a brow at him and a smile fought its way to your lips as you put on your glasses again.

“I think you’ve got it down.”, you mumbled. “You’re better at breaking up than you think.”

Sehun shook his head at you and you eyed him carefully. What he had just said was perfect, perfect at giving you the push to start moving on, perfect at breaking your heart. It was what you needed, it pained you, but you needed to hear that. It tore a wound into you but healed you in other ways at the same time.

“I don’t think so. You’re crying too much.”, Sehun whispered and you let out a chuckle. You nodded and had to admit that maybe you were crying too much. With your sleeve, you wiped away the tears and you took deep breaths in and out to collect yourself again. After you were sure that there were no traces of tears left, you put your hands back into Sehun’s.

“Okay, now I’m gonna tell you that I’m gonna stay at Joohyun’s and you’re going to say ‘No, I should go. You stay.’.”, you said and you had to try your best to stop your voice from shaking too much. “I’m gonna stay at Joohyun’s.”

“No, I should go. You stay.”, Sehun repeated your words perfectly like it was actually him saying these words and not you telling him to. His grip around your hands tightened and he squeezed yours a little to emphasis his words.

“But then I’ll say ‘No, you stay.’ and you’re going to look at me and give up. ‘Okay. I stay here.’.”, you said. “No, you stay.”

Sehun stared into your eyes for a few seconds and somehow the air around you two started to change. You couldn’t explain it and it seemed like you two grew more comfortable with each other as the sun rose behind you. And you knew that Sehun could feel it too. Maybe it was because you two started to accept that this was happening and that it wasn’t as bad as you thought it would. Maybe it was because you two saw that there was going to be a tomorrow even without the other by your side.

“Okay.”, Sehun started and his voice was quiet, low. It was like he was scared to interrupt whatever was hanging between you in the air. “I stay here.”

“Good, now I’m gonna say to you that ‘I have already packed everything and Joohyun is waiting outside for me. There are only a couple of things left, but I’m gonna get them tomorrow.’ Then you’re going to look around and see my suitcase and bags in the corner behind you.”

“I have already packed everything and Joohyun is waiting outside for me. There are only a couple of things left, but I’m gonna get them tomorrow.”

Sehun nodded and when he turned his head, he immediately spotted your suitcase and bags. When he looked at you again, a tear rolled down his cheek. You reached up and wiped it away before he could. You hated the way his whole body was shaking, hated how much pain and agony was hidden in his eyes. It hurt so much and you wished that the next time you saw Sehun that both of you would smile at each other instead.

“I’m gonna go after this and when I walk out of here, you’re going to put away the wine and the glass. After that, you’re going to our bedroom and look into our closet that is now empty. But before that you’re going to put on your hoodie and sleep in it because now it smells after me and you need my smell to sleep.”, you said and removed Sehun’s hoodie to reveal one of your T-Shirts underneath.

Sehun took his hoodie back and immediately put it on, throwing the towel behind him and inhaling deeply as he pulled his hoodie over his head. You had to cringe because he was putting on his hoodie over his wet shirt, but you didn’t say anything. Instead, you let out a small chuckle and put your hands back onto your coffee table for Sehun to grab a hold of which he did immediately.

“Tomorrow you’re going to take your time to pack all of my things into a box that I’ve put next to our bed. Then you’re going to put the box on our bed for me to grab. When you pack my things you’re going to look at every single one of them and remember all of the things that we’ve done in the past 2 years.”, you said and Sehun nodded as you talked.

Whenever a tear rolled down his or your face, the other wiped it away for the other and it warmed your heart in a way that would have made you giggle like a schoolgirl if the circumstances were different.

“And when I come to get the box, you’re not going to be home. Instead, you’re going to be at Chanyeol’s. I’ve checked with him. He’s fine with you staying at his place, but he actually thinks that you’re my cousin-”, you were about to get into Chanyeol’s and your conversation, but the way Sehun was looking at you told you that he will figure it out.

“Anyway, I’ve packed everything you need to stay at Chanyeol’s. Your suitcase is next to your nightstand.”, you said and exhaled. You thought of what else you wanted to say and when you realised that there was nothing left, you closed your mouth.

“And-”, you started for some reason and, of course, no words followed after your ‘And’. You just looked into Sehun’s eyes and he started to see what you were trying to tell him because he straightened his back a little and his mouth formed a small ‘o’.

“And-”, Sehun repeated for you and you really wanted to say something else because, fuck, it was dawning on you. This was it and now that you had reached the end, it didn’t seem that fine anymore. You weren’t accepting it anymore. Tears spilt from you and Sehun was immediately there to wipe them away, cupping your face in his hands.

“And then-”

Sehun interrupted you by pressing his forehead against yours and shaking his head. Your coffee table between Sehun and you would be ruining the moment in any other circumstances, but now it didn’t bother either of you much. You looked at him and now it was him telling you what to do, well, not to do. He didn’t have to say a single word, you knew what he meant. Your hands travelled to his and you grabbed onto them as your eyes fluttered shut.

You took a deep breath and while a part of you was cursing and screaming, the other part of you was coming to the acceptance that this was it. There was no more Sehun and you. It was fine, you told yourself.

It was going to be fine, you told yourself.

And when you opened your eyes again, when you were met with Sehun’s dark brown eyes, when you saw that small smile on his lips, you couldn’t help yourself but mirror it. While you two held onto each other like your lives depended on it, the sun behind you painted the once sour and bitter sky in a beautiful and hopeful orange.

A new day was starting.

masterlist

[battleangelaelita]

24 + 56, Mousse and Ranma =P

An Awful First Impression

(Soulmate AU + Awful First Meeting)

Everything occurs exactly as in canon until Mousse’s arrival. Mousse goes through with kidnapping Akane to draw out this awful Ranma cretin that has ensnared his Shampoo’s heart.

Ranma comes to rescue Akane, jumping straight into Mousse’s circus themed traps, hoping that his nyannichuan curse will let him get the jump on Mousse. But somehow Mousse sees right through the glamor. They both get flashes of other lifetimes, and somehow this just makes them both angrier, feeling betrayed for no logical reason.

While Ranma and Mousse fight, completely forgetting about Akane and Shampoo. Somewhat miffed at the explosive confrontation leaving her stuck, Akane manages to wriggle free. This damsel crap is for the birds. Shampoo, who tagged along hoping to win brownie points with Ranma, is dumbfounded that Mousse doesn’t even seem to care that she’s almost been caught in the crossfire.

With a shrug, Akane asks if Shampoo wants to get ice cream or something and leave the two boys at it. Shampoo says what the hell, and they leave Ranma and Mousse to their knock-down, drag out fight.

Ranma comes out on top after the explosive struggle. Everytime he looks at Mousse, he feels betrayed somehow by this person he hasn’t even met. Mousse runs off to lick his wounds feeling lost. Somehow...after coming all this way for Shampoo he feels nothing...nothing but lingering pain.

The next arc is wacky school hijinks at Furinkan High, as both Shampoo and Mousse enroll to figure out what the hell is going on. Ranma and Mousse have regular fights but they’re getting less...venomous.

Shampoo begins to suspect that Mousse might be smitten with Ranma after she finds him doodling the other boy. Mousse has been keeping a dream journal, and feeling annoyed by how flighty this boy has who declared his undying love has been, she sneaks in and reads it.

She never wanted to be with Mousse, but something told her he’d always be there. But he’s not, and for some reason this hurts. She starts trying to needle Mousse and prevent him from getting closer to Ranma, especially after they bond over the Locking Ladle incident.

Akane is also feeling hurt, and Kuno is there to rub salt in the wound, offering to sweep her off her feet now that the cur Saotome has been making googly eyes with another man, SCANDALIZING their betrothal.

It all comes to a head on Valentine’s Day, when Mousse gives chocolate to Ranma, just before Akane can give hers to him. Akane can’t look away as Mousse and Ranma share an awkward first kiss. She storms off, angry at herself for letting this dumb boy worm into heart. Despondent, she screams about her chocolate probably not being any good anyway, like the rest of the food she tries, and throws it angrily into the bushes, where it beans a lurking Shampoo straight in the head.

Shampoo is out cold for a moment, and wakes up to a relieved Akane hovering over her. Absent mindedly, she decides that if she’s going to have a raging headache, she’s going to have some chocolate too. It’s bittersweet, just like she likes. Shampoo and Akane share their bitter tears.

Fastforward to a MLM/WLW solidarity epilogue. Ranma and Mousse run a martial arts themed restaurant. Shampoo and Akane are pro wrestlers who moonlight as crime fighting heroes. It ends with Ranma and Mousse getting gaymarried in Hawaii, with Akane and Shampoo as their respective best men.

[izzyovercoffee]

Prompt number: 11. “It’s not always like this.” Fandom: Fallout 3 & 4, kind of Rating: PG Warnings/Tags: thinly veiled disassociation, PTSD Summary: Livia finds herself wrestling with her nerves in the aftermath of the battle for the Institute, and finds unlikely company. Notes: icb I’m writing an epilogue / aftermath fic for a long fic I haven’t written yet and not sure if I ever will write … but here we are. I said I would follow my heart for fictober, and that means writing all manner of self-indulgent stuff. Anyway, Livia courtesy of @thelightreturns. I hope I do her justice.

##. and maybe she’ll get to appreciate the rain

  It feels like heartbreak, all over again---as if experienced for the first time, instead of reliving in the moment. She knows, she knows, she knows it’s just a bad dream. An awful memory. A haunting conjured by a lapse in the noise and the chaos and the fear. 

But it still rubs raw as salt on an open wound. 

She finds her way to the central column---an open-air atrium, with a plexiglass central column where the elevator spirals up, and down, the many levels of the Institute. 

Scorch marks and broken walls, paint damage and beaten plaster and dented metal, all keen on her careful, observant eye as she rides the elevator upwards.

The Institute sleeps---or, rather, what remains of them. 

Captured, by joint operation, and intercepted in violence. 

Which is a nice way to say the Minutemen (and women) and the agents of the Railroad came to her aid in the midst of a full-on brute-force engagement by the Brotherhood. 

The world outside shifts and changes so quickly, so rapidly, that she often feels as though she has trouble keeping up---when she’s in it. The past several weeks, or months, she’d found herself trapped within the walls of the Institute.

A guest of the Director, at the desperate request of her almost-mother---Dr. Li. 

She knows why Doctor Li kidnapped her, understands her thinking, and reasons that, maybe, she would have done the same in the same position.

But to say she chafed under the oppressive authoritarian rule of “Father” is the same as saying, on a violently stormy day, that it’s only partly cloudy. 

The occasional Minuteman (or woman) waves to her as she ascends, breaking her from her thoughts long enough for her to wave back. 

It’s been two days since they rounded up the last loyal Institute member---synths and scientists alike---and placed them into holding, with Dr. Li and one of the upper Railroad members to babysit them, until they could decide on what to do with them.

All the damage the Institute wrought. All the chaos, and the pain, and the senseless perpetuation of violence.

It makes her sick. It turns her stomach, wrings her from the inside out, and she feels the threat of her late dinner rise up in her throat. She presses a fist to her mouth, and tries to compose herself, as the elevator comes to a stop at the very top floor. 

The doors cycle open, and---

“Ma’am---are you alright?” 

She waves him away, and pushes herself off one of the walls of the elevator to stumble out onto solid ground. 

“M’fine,” she mumbles through her fist, and lowers her hand to her throat. The nausea subsides, slowly. 

“Nerves,” she adds, at his questioning stare.

In full Minuteman regalia, with his impeccable coat and perfect hat and scarf to match, he cut an impressive figure in the low-powered lighting they ran the Institute generators while repairs were underway.

An altogether different feeling burns in her throat as she holds his gaze, and she ignores it. 

“Can I help you, General Garvey?” 

That seems to startle him from his concern. 

“No, ma’am,” he says. “I came here to ask you that.” 

She frowns. Is she, really, that obviously a mess? Could she, really, be so transparent?

“Who told you I needed assistance?”

His gaze shifts past her shoulder, to the elevator, and back to her. “Red radioed ahead. Saw you wandering the premises, and advised us to keep an eye out.”

Livia closes her eyes as the irritation bubbles up inside her---but even with all the annoyance, she can’t muster it in herself to be angry. Until a handful of days ago, Livia thought Red was dead---and up until that time, Red thought the same of her. 

Roles reversed, once again, and Livia could not lie to herself. She would do the same.

“I’m sure the General of the Minutemen has something better to do than babysit a simple vault dweller,” she says, a bitterness she didn’t mean to express lacing sharp through her words like tainted jet. “And I am not always a... a mess.”

“All due respect, ma’am, after hours, I’m only a general in emergencies,” he says, gentle---too gentle for her to deserve, she thinks---as he reaches up to remove his hat and hold it to his chest, “and I can say the same about myself.”

She stares at him with a critical eye.

“Is it after hours?” she asks.

“According to the time,” he says with a small smile, and she can’t find it in herself to dismiss him.

“I’m tired,” she says, instead. “I need a place to sit, that’s safe.” 

She expects him to say, You know this place better than I do, ma’am. She expects him to remind her how long she’s been trapped down here. She expects…

She expects cruelty, and backhanded, snide, commentary that undercuts her confidence and caps her at the knees, and undermines who she knows she is so she can remain complacent and compliant in the Institute, under its choking institution.

We killed the Institute, she thinks, wildly, as the seconds pass and he considers her and she feels it more, and more, likely for him to speak his mind and tell her something cruel, and terrible.

“Would you like to go outside?” he asks.

Her heart nearly stops. 

She finds herself gripping her chest in shock, in surprise, in silence. 

Eyes, wet, suddenly, and--- “I don’t know what’s gotten into me,” she grits out between clenched teeth. 

He doesn’t seem surprised, or even concerned---or, at least, not in the way that feels like judgment, like condemnation, like she’s being tested. The concern in his eyes, in his gaze, in the way he opens his arms, speaks to a warmth altogether absent in the weeks she’s been trapped here underground, waiting and waiting to be freed. 

“I know a quiet place you can relax a while,” he says as she reaches out and finds him waiting. 

It’d been so long since someone’s hugged her. So long since anyone enveloped her in a promise of safety---even if she knows, in this life, no one can really promise it for long. 

“I didn’t think I could leave yet,” she admits, against the folded lapels of his thick long coat, and finds it surprisingly soothing, even despite its rough texture. “There’s so much here to do, still…”

“They can radio you,” he says. “If you want to, we can find Sanctuary.” 

In the back of her mind, Livia is well and fully aware that Sanctuary is an actual place---a neighborhood, a small town, now. A place out of the way, with fortified defenses and a growing community of what all the intel described as ‘good people.’

But when he puts it that way… 

She really believes it might be one.

“Okay,” she says. “Okay. Let’s go.” 

And they go.

[bladekindeyewear]

Boots Reads Homestuck Epilogue(s) Part 13 - Candy Page 23

==>

This is going well, despite all the weirdness... it might not be so bad by the time I get to the end of all this.  Maybe my stomach can stop clenching as much from the Meat poisoning.

Then again, that’s what I thought when I was up to four-fifths through Meat and thought things were going to be resolved before the end.

So.

Anyway.  Reading.

In fact, all she did was tip her head at him and blink a few times, her long eyelashes catching the light, making her eyes look like mirrors. It was disconcerting for reasons that he couldn’t put his finger on. It’s not like Roxy had ever been argumentative, exactly. He just seems to remember someone from his youth who was somewhat more contrarian in spirit than this person he’s married to now.

God damnit... hypnotized, basically dead Roxy is worst Roxy.  I need that fucking explanation soon.

If she doesn’t get upset after what he’s about to pull today, then...

John doesn’t know what he’ll do.

Gosh that’s horrible.  I wish I didn’t have to go back to Meat if I ever wanted any more Real Roxy again... please, PLEASE, if NOTHING ELSE gets fixed in this stupid fucking Candy arc, PLEASE HAVE ROXY BACK TO NORMAL BEFORE THE END

That... that would be just the fucking icing on the cake, wouldn’t it?  I was already upset about Dirk not getting his due.  I was traumatized over how Jane, Jade, and Rose were left.  But ROXY was fine.  Roxy, pretty much my favorite character next to maybe Jade, or a good number of the others.  If this timeline gives me an alternate cliffhanger to lean on that spares the others to leave HER to shit, then I’d basically be left with nothing to stand on!  It’d be fucking worthless almost.

My stomach isn’t clenching YET, but I’m starting to fill with dread.

JOHN: harry anderson, don’t tell your mother but... JOHN: we’re getting a new addition to the family today!

Pfffff

serious kidnapping

And who said John was just a blank slate with no will of his own?? Fuck you, Dirk.  You knew about this timeline and you STILL said it.

Dave and Jade materialize behind everyone, he in a pressed red suit, she in a glittering Space dress. They’re both holding gifts wrapped in spare printer paper.

Look, you two looking cute is just rubbing salt in the wound of the relationship you fucked over, Jade.  You should have waited to make sure Dave and Karkat FINALLY ACCEPTED THEIR FUCKING RELATIONSHIP before moving in and potentially pushing one of them out, WHICH HAPPENED.

Oooh, smart human babby Tavvy.  ...He isn’t going to want to leave his family situation, is he.  John’s off the mark isn’t he.

Dave ruffles Harry Anderson’s hair. It’s nice that Dave is so woke and great with kids, but that really does invite the question of why he and Jade don’t have any yet. There’s still something sad and wistful about Dave at the moment, as he pointedly avoids letting Jade take his hand while they’re led into the game room.

GAAAAHHHHH

Could we at least BE ALLOWED TO PRETEND THERE’S A POSSIBLE FUTURE WHERE THESE PEOPLE’S RELATIONSHIPS ARENT THOROUGHLY FUCKING MESSED UP?????

I KNOW THESE CHARACTERS ARE MESSED UP BUT YOU HAVE TO AT LEAST GIVE US HOPE

AND WHERE’S THE HAPPY POTENTIAL PAIRING FOR JADE??? IT SEEMS LIKE THERE’S NO POTENTIAL FOR REAL MUTUAL HAPPINESS FOR HER BESIDES JADE X COMA!!!!!!!!!!

X(

God damn it Jane can be creepy.

She gained his affection the same way she gains everyone’s affection: she fucking bought it.

UUuuuuuuggghhhhh

...pff stars vs enemies of the state

John, stop making this so stranger-danger.

JOHN: are you ACTUALLY happy about it? JOHN: about... everything going on here? TAVROS: I suppose,,, TAVROS: My mother tends to get displeased when i’m unhappy, so,,,

uuuugughghghuhh

TAVROS: It just seems like a thing that would eventually happen to me, does it not?

D:

Oh wow, callback to Dirkbro abuse.  THAT’S gonna set John off.

Oh wow, Tavros knows his situation is bad enough that he’s willing to GO for it. All he’s worried about is the security.  YEAH John!!  Do your Breathy thing and get him out of here!!!

Tavros takes in a sharp breath before spinning on his heel and stumbling toward his closet. John catches the ghost of a smile on his face before he turns and that’s all it takes to turn the pounding of his heart from terrified to thrilled.

AAaaaaAAAAAH THIS IS ADORABLE SOMEHOW

She twitches her dog-ears and raises her face. Her mouth is a neutral line, but her eyes are burning furiously.

OH NOOOOOOO

FUCK, Jade don’t stop it!!! She’s... she’s gonna put her foot down and stop this just so everything can be all candy-coated and good on the SURFACE without hurting people OPENLY even if she and Jane and all the others are DEEPLY hurting everyone else under the surface!!!! D:

JOHN: jade, i don’t know where you’ve been these past few years, but i don’t think things CAN get any worse!

Yes exactly

JOHN: but there isn’t one, because everyone’s been all... brainwashed by marriage, or whatever the hell happened over the last few years that made things be this way!

Hmmmmmm

JOHN: well, you’re nothing like the jade i used to know either!

D:

Alright, huge blowup. Let’s air out some feelings.

JANE: I let go! I was actually RELIEVED to hear he died!!! ROXY: uhh ROXY: janey wut

HAhahahaah YES let’s get all that dirty laundry OUT IN THE OPEN

......Okay that didn’t end as well as expected.  Or... well I guess I KNEW it wouldn’t end well, but I’d hoped otherwise.

==>

Wait, so Terezi and John’s conversation is “in the dream bubbles”? Is that just because he’s talking to her while she’s skirting the edge of the storm in the Void rocketways, or because John’s from a somehow doomed/irrelevant/side timeline?

(Why does Terezi always have to be dying.  She figured herself out and how awesome she is.  Stop dying.  And I don’t mean like the sad walking off in Meat, though I guess that kind of counts.)

JOHN: if she cared about you as much as you care about her, she wouldn’t have fucked off like this forever.

YES JOHN

LAY

ON

THE

TRUTH

(Ghost!Vriska is the only one who really deserves to matter anymore.  This “alpha” Vriska just sank deeper into her problems and delusions beyond being able to really redeem herself or recognize them.  That diatribe she gave her ghost self was horrible back when.)

Wait, wait hold on

JOHN: if she cared about you as much as you care about her, she wouldn’t have fucked off like this forever. JOHN: driving you crazy with doubt and uncertainty, making you chase her through infinite nothingness until you almost starve to death... JOHN: she would have at least given you the courtesy of closure!

Is... is Andrew talking about the comic here and his relationship with the readers

is this some sort of apology for not giving this closure, like, as if he were the vriska that launched himself into the sun over his own artistic ideals or

hmm

JADE: doomed is not a word i would use to describe the condition of those on this world. JADE: even if my work is unsuccessful, the stakes for everyone here have nothing to do with the issue of mortality. JADE: to frame the matter that way would be misleading. JADE: to the extent that it is my naturally endowed duty to defend the innocent from wanton acts of destruction, from degradation and dissolution, JADE: it is also my duty to tell the truth to those i protect. JADE: and the simplest statement of truth for all of you to know is this: JADE: we are the lucky ones.

Calliope lets out a long, thin sigh from between the teeth of Jade’s corpse. It’s more for effect than anything, as corpses don’t actually need to breathe.

JADE: we are the ones fortunate enough to live in a reality that is beyond the influence of the prince.

Geez, it’s like escape from Lord English’s influence all over again.

They won only for everything to just fucking start over, everything they struggled to stop?  That sucks!!!  >:(

Anyway, still reading... god damnit Terezi don’t fly off and die for no fucking reason.

JOHN: then what DID you want?! TEREZI: L3TS S4Y... TEREZI: 1 JUST W4NT3D TO G1V3 YOU TH3 COURT3SY OF CLOSUR3

Fuck.  Yeah, let’s just keep fucking over Terezi, another one of my favorite characters.  Yes she lives and goes to fuck off somewhere in Meat with the villain of the week, but FUCK, couldn’t we get a SLIGHTLY clearer picture of her potential happiness than just THAT?????

It’s like the whole purpose of these epilogues was just to remind us that these characters were too fucked up to ever be happy!!!!

Couldn’t we have at least been left to IMAGINE OTHERWISE?!?????

JADE: not until i am able to deal with the prince myself. ARADIA: and when will that be

The meteor is passing beyond the fall of night. Dead-Jade, standing half in light, half in darkness, looks up at the sky.

JADE: not soon enough.

Ahh.  I’m getting an idea of the Postscript’s circumstances, then.  That was alt!Callie in this black-hole-powered Jade body going from THIS Candy timeline to go chase after Dirk and help stop him like everyone else, giving her a more powerful card to play than just the adult Jade she was having guide the others. (Maybe she could have that adult Jade FUCKING WAKE UP AND ABLE TO HELP instead of keeping her in a coma. That would be a pretty fucking nice change of pace.  Too bad we have to just IMAGINE IT without any reassurance that she’ll be awake or okay for YEARS TO COME, HUH.)

Also that means that resistance fighting is gonna break out with artillery and stuff because Jane is apparently a dunpass in both timelines.  Fuck.

==>

Swifer, can you stop swifing?

KARKAT: HOW THE HELL DO YOU TWO TOLERATE EACH OTHER? KANAYA: Quite Thoroughly Enthusiastically And Often

Pffffff :D

...Oh my God MEENAH landed here???  All ring-of-lifeways from the other timeline?  I guess the Furthest Ring was outside the scope of those timeilnes so she could’ve fallen in any of them... huh.  Heck, maybe the same Terezi who experienced those conversations eventually met the John from the Meat side of the timeline too.  And she said John smelled younger than she thought he was, oh my GOD, it WAS that.  It was that exactly.  The Terezi we’re hearing was the same across both Epilogue-halves.  That’s actually fucking fantastic!!!

MEENAH: capisces?

Fuck that pun

(Also Meenah is talking about how they lost, but she was knocked away before she saw the conclusion of the fight, so.)

...Holy SHIT Meenah is really taking to this!!! This is adorable.  :D

==>

John’s having some canon/existential ditherthoughts, hm.

He’s been contemplating this melodramatically for maybe ten minutes when the sky rips opens above him and flashes violent waves of red and green across the landscape.

Hm.  So do the black hole wormholes have some tie to the cherubic portal device from Hiveswap?

It’s his father’s car.

Mhmm, that confirms all of it, really.  Same Terezi in both stories.

A vast cry of sorts.  :(

Heading out for a while; gonna start from Page 27 in the next post.  I feel pretty good, somehow.  The way these two timelines tied together with Terezi outside them makes it feel like it all may have ultimately meant something.