#the Corinthian JUST showed up and I was shook | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

thepaintedlady00 · 1 year ago

Text

Burden

Chapter 14 |

Chapter 15: Forget Me Not

TW: some awkwardness, confusing visions, Daniel makes an appearance, mentions of major character death and spoilers for the comics, a bit of Dark!Munin, The Fates, some intense memories and mentions of violence, pain, and allusions to assault, a bit of trickster god energy (I'm not super familiar with Puck and Loki from the comics, so please don't crucify me if they're not great!), threats, some cryptic shit from Destiny, a pretty big revelation, and finally, some soft fluffy goodness to give our story a happy end before the rewrite.

I really struggled with this last chapter! 😅 I think because I already know I'm going to rewrite it the words just didn't wanna cooperate with me and I'm overall not super thrilled with how it came out. I do really hope y'all still enjoy it and are looking forward to getting the rewrite whenever I have the time to get that going. Thank you all so much for your love, support and patience with this series!

Awkward felt like an inadequate word to describe the stiff silence that now consumed Hector's home. You quietly took a sip of your drink, eyes darting back and forth between the two men as they stared one another down across the living room. You’d quietly hoped that the two would use this time to let go of the strenuous circumstances they’d previously met under.

Hector finally leaned back and spoke, “Make any pregnant women cry today?”

Or not…

Dream’s face tensed slightly, but his voice was steady as he replied, “No.”

“You could’ve given us a minute to say a proper goodbye, you know,” Hector insisted with a sneer. “She had to go through so much all alone… we didn’t even get a chance to talk about baby names. I don’t… I don’t even know how they’re doing.”

This made Morpheus soften, and for a moment, you wondered if he was thinking about his own son, that had been long lost to him. “Daniel. Your son's name is Daniel, and he is doing well. I’ve had my raven check in with them on occasion.”

Your friend smiled and looked out toward the trees. “Daniel. What about Lyta?”

“She’s been more…” Morpheus chose his word carefully. “Restless as of late. A just reaction, I suppose, after learning all she has.”

“Couldn’t you help her with that?” Hector asked. “Isn’t that your job or something?”

“I could, but she does not wish for my help.”

“Sounds like her,” his smile was soft and sad but filled with a restfulness you’d not seen in him for a long while. “Lyta was always the stubborn one between us.”

Morpheus glanced at you, an invisible smirk plain to your eyes. “A struggle I understand too well, spirit.”

Your eyes narrowed. “Are you calling me stubborn?”

“I said no such thing,” he insisted with a wicked gleam in his eyes that answered the question for him.

Turning your head away, you smiled at Hector. “Apologies for bringing up such painful memories. It was not my intent, my friend.”

He shook his head and waved your concern away. “It wasn’t so bad.”

Morpheus allowed the man to show him the home he’d built, taking in details he’d missed the first time in his haste, and, you thought, the two seemed less at odds with one another by the time you departed. Your beloved remained as long as he could, spending time with you to tell the children stories while you held Sirius and got lost in the sound of his silken voice. A loud screech and a string of curses echoed from the wood, bringing you and the Dream Lord to your feet, shielding as many ears as you could reach from the vile things being shouted.

The Corinthian stumbled out of the woods with Kat hot on his heels, talons bared and clawing at him with every swoop. Her feathers were ruffled, and the noises she made were ones you’d never heard before. “Kat!”

She heeded your voice, halting her attack on the nightmare to settle on a branch beside you. The Corinthian shook his clothes off, looking at the deep tear in his suit. “Your beast owes me a new suit!”

Kat’s eyes burned. “The only thing I owe you is a slow and painful death, nightmare.”

“What is the meaning of this?” You demanded as Morpheus distracted the children.

“Is this not the nightmare that betrayed you, my lady?”

“It is,” you answered honestly. “But he has been remade now. He will not hurt me again.”

“Once is more than enough,” She bit back. “This was something you knew once.”

Your eyes narrowed, and you tilted your head at her words. “What do you mean by this?”

Kat shook out her feathers. “Nothing, my lady. If you say the nightmare means no harm, then I shall trust you.”

“Thank you, Kat,” you answered, her words still rattling around your mind, but the golden owl took to the skies before you could question her further.

The Corinthian bared his teeth at the shredded suit jacket. “Daunty, love the new realm and all, but you gotta get a tighter handle on your greeters.”

Rolling your eyes, you shook your head at him. “Relax. I’m sure your maker would happily repair your suit if you asked nicely.”

He scoffed. “I’d rather live with the tears.”

“Stubborn.”

“Always,” he replied with a grin. “So, you gonna give me the tour, or are you too busy for little nightmares now?”

Linking your arm with his, you smiled at Morpheus, who continued telling the children stories beside the fountain. “I always have time for you, dear Corinthian.”

It had been a few days since you’d spoken with Hector, but the sad look in his eyes when he’d mentioned not being able to see his son had stuck with you. You approached the young tree with a gentle touch and kind gaze upon the face carved into the trunk. Hector's son was still quite young, and his tree of memory reflected such. It was smaller than his mother's that stood beside it, but the roots were strong and ran far deeper than any mortal. Daniel, you quickly realized, was special. Different. Like you.

The face seemed to stare back at you, white leaves peeking out from beneath the lush green canopy. You approached slower, urging the roots to lift and open the young one's mind to you. His memories would be few, but there was no doubt much you could learn within them. Veins of white stood out in the darkness. Some roots, the ones that borrowed deeper, were pale and sung with power and immortality. The song of The Endless. But, the tune wasn't Dreams, or Deaths, or Desires. It was its own song, still unfinished.

You walked through the light, lush still forming along the walls of his memory, focusing on the memories he found joyful. You intended to share them with Hector, a gift to show your gratitude for his hard work and kindness. That, however, was not where the tree led you.

Stumbling into the blinking light, you found yourself kneeling in deep sand. Sand scratched your palms, sticking to you like sap, just as it had the first time. Except now that sand, once a deep void of black, was white. It sparked like tiny perfect crystals in your palms as you stood and looked out at the miles of glistening sand and bright cerulean waves.

You knew this beach better than any save its creator. You knew the placement of each stone and the feeling of the sand as it molded to your steps. This place felt different… All at once, the beach you knew and not. It was old and new and entirely confusing.

The fragile ground beneath your feet seemed to remember you as you walked toward where the Gates of Horn and Ivory should have been. The sand didn't swallow your feet or try to slow your steps. It felt as though you were walking on nothing at all. Before your eyes, the entrance stood, an entrance that was not the gates you knew at all.

Glossy white marble caught the light and cast an ethereal glow all around you. An aura of both light and color, beautiful and bright. The gates stood open, revealing a sight you'd grown to know well. "The Dreaming."

As you passed through, you admired the fine craftsmanship of the carvings in the marble gates. A story familiar and also not… Something that had not yet been told. Familiar things were more abundant here as you walked through the town and admired the dreamers. Dreams and Nightmares, old and new, greeted you like a friend and wished you good fortune as you made your way to the palace.

The regal and beautiful palace of The Dream Lord was quite similar to the one you’d known. Only some small changes in the stone and the statues caught your eyes, but as the doors opened to the throne room, a wave of unfamiliarity washed over you at the sight. The white marble of Dream’s palace was pristine in every sense of the word, reflecting the array of light and color that swirled around the room, drawing your gaze to the tiny crystals that hung in the air like drops of frozen rain. It was beautiful, marvelous, but not what you knew to be.

The stairway leading to the throne was wrong as well, far more winding and long, a path of almost transparent crystal. The stained glass windows above the throne shifted to reflect you, a perfect vision of white mist and black dogs and golden leaves. It was as if The Dreaming was trying to welcome you… trying to lull you into a feeling of peace or comfort at all that was not as it should be. And there, in the place of the throne, you knew Morpheus to have was something entirely not his. It looked far more organic, like a split geode holding an uncontainable cosmos of stars and cosmic clouds inside it. And sitting on that throne was a being that was not Dream of The Endless. Not your Dream.

The pale being lifted his head, and not a single strand of his cloudy white hair strayed. His black eyes consumed you entirely, two small slivers of starlight shining brighter as they looked upon you. The robes he wore were white, adorned with golden designs, and there, sitting proudly upon his chest, was a glowing emerald dreamstone.

“It is a great honor to meet you at last, Munin of the Emerald Wood.” His voice was silken and light, Dream’s but not his.

“You are not my Dream… are you?” You asked with tears building in your eyes.

With a soft sigh, he rose from his throne slowly, almost as if he thought doing so any faster would scare you. “No, I suppose I am not.”

You didn’t dare look away from him as you asked, “Then who are you?”

“The name you would likely know me by is Daniel. Daniel Hall.”

Lies. “Daniel Hall is little more than a child. You could not possibly be him.”

“Not as you know him to be,” he said, slowly descending the winding staircase. “But, as you’ve already noticed, none of this is as it was. A future carved in stone, written in Destiny’s book of things, a future only you can stop.”

“Future?” You questioned, looking around at The Dreaming. “You mean to tell me I’ve stumbled into the future?”

“No,” Daniel replied with a light chuckle. “More of a vision.”

You watched him carefully as he stood before you, hands clasped and a soft, childlike smile on his lips. “So this is what is to come then? You mean to steal this realm from Morpheus?”

His brows furrowed. “I’ve stolen nothing. The Dreaming and the title Dream of the Endless was given to me by he who came before.”

“Morpheus would never just give his realm or his title away,” you insisted. “Unless…”

“He did all he could to stop it, but The Kindly Ones were relentless in their attack. His sacrifice saved The Dreaming and those that remained.” Daniel could see the pain in you, and with a sigh, he added. “He did not suffer. Death greeted him and showed him the way. He was at peace in the end.”

You shook your head, tears rolling down your cheeks. “And what of me? I did nothing while he perished?”

“There were… things complicating your involvement.” He shook his head. “It matters not. You are here now.”

“You’ve been expecting me?”

He smiled, chuckling softly. “No, more… hoping you would find a way here so we could speak.”

“Speak of what?”

"If the love you bare him is even a fraction of the love that lingers in me still…" he lifted a hand to your cheek. "Love he bore for you. Then you'll save him. You’ll ensure this future never has to be.”

With narrow eyes, you asked, “You would give up his power… his title, and his kingdom?”

Daniel nodded. “All I ever wished for was a normal life with my mother. Plots larger than me… Larger than him made that impossible. But you, you could change it.”

“How?”

“Seek out Loki and Puck. The end of your Dream Lord began with their plot and… my mother’s misguided actions.”

Loki and Puck - two tricksters that you’d only met in passing. Gods that were notoriously difficult to track down. “And how do you suggest I find them? They’re not known for making such easy.”

“Visit my mother,” he urged. “And myself, I suppose…” he chuckled again. “The two should be close by.”

You paused, listening to the faint sounds of The Forest calling you home. “What happens if I fail?”

Daniel only smiled, reaching out to lift your hand to his lips. “Then I hope this is not the last time we meet, Lady Munin. And that the next is under better circumstances.”

Lyta Hall lived in a modest apartment in a bustling city. Though you’d ventured into the mortal world before, it looked vastly different from what little you could remember. She was surrounded by those she loved, Rose Walker and Ged, and many familiar faces - faces you knew from memories alone. And while the apartment wasn’t large or lavish, she appeared to be happy aside from the large bags that hung beneath her eyes, telling you she’d not found any peace in her dreams.

For a while, you simply watched them, searching for some sigh of Loki and Puck’s coming mischief, but the longer you looked in, the more you felt compelled to venture closer. You wanted to speak with her, to reassure her that her husband was safe and loved. And so you found yourself in her apartment, standing in the kitchen and admiring the little notes, photographs, and memories each held. Lost in your own examining, you barely heard the sharp gasp and the sound of wood scraping against the floor as Lyta hurriedly rose from the table at the sight of you.

Suddenly you were reminded that it was not normal for people to appear in mortal homes simply, and you bashfully bowed your head to her. “Apologies. I did not mean to startle you.”

“Who are you?” She demanded, forcing her voice to sound firm and dangerous.

“We have met before,” you answered softly. “In a dream.”

Her face softened slightly. “You… you’re the one that took Hector.”

Nodding, you answered the question she had not asked. “He is safe. He misses you,” your eyes drifted to the small child in his high chair. “Both of you.”

“What do you want?” She demanded, wiping her eyes.

“I simply wanted to apologize for my coldness that day. I was… I was not myself.” You sighed. “Were it within my power, I would have let him remain with you.”

“But it isn’t,” she answered bitterly. “It’s his power, isn’t it?”

You realized Morpheus was the he that she spoke so sourly of. “It was out of his power as well. The Dream Lord means you no harm, Lyta. This is why you’ve not slept, isn’t it?”

Lyta looked at Daniel and shook her head. “I don’t want him to come for my son… not while I’m under some spell and can’t defend him.”

“Dream of the Endless would not steal your son,” you said gently. “He means neither of you harm.”

“You don’t know that,” she replied bitterly.

“I do,” you assured her. As you watched her move to the child's side, you felt an odd power humming around her. The song of the Endless echoed from the boy, swirling around her, but beneath his song was power. A power that you knew. Lyta and Daniel froze, time halting as mist rolled in from unseen places, and their power engulfed the apartment.

"You are meddling in dangerous things, lost one." Their combined voices sent a chill up your spine, but not one of fear or anger… A feeling of familiarity.

The Mother tutted softly as she moved around the frozen figure of Lyta Hall. "Fate is not something easily changed, dear sun."

The Crone lifted her head, glaring at the babe in Lyta's arms. "And this fate is one you should not even attempt to alter."

"I won't let you do it," your voice was cold as mist rushed beneath your feet. The Forest bled into this illusion they thrust you in, dark, twisted trees casting long shadows over the three. Black engulfed your fingertips, and you could feel the darkness, the daunting power of it bending to your will. "Morpheus is mine. And none shall have him while I draw breath."

The Maiden tilted her head, eyes shining back at you in admiration. "You always were so determined."

"So headstrong and unafraid," The Mother continued, her eyes bearing a deep sorrow that surprised you.

"It is what led you to your doom the first time." Though The Crone's eyes were stiff, guarded, and unwilling to bend beneath your steady gaze, her voice trembled, lips quivering as she uttered a single word. "Mneme."

All at once the darkness vanished. You felt your power stripped away, leaving you trembling and bare before The Fates. Breathlessly you fell to your knees. Sparks of golden light and a searing, unbearable pain engulfed you until all you could do was scream.

Not a word. Flashes filled your vision, swarming like molten gold in water. A name. Fire blazed, and a burst of sickening laughter echoed in your mind. Your name.

Their hands offered you some comfort, albeit temporary. The Mother smoothed your hair back. "Do not fight it."

The Maiden stroked your cheeks. "Let it come."

The Crone looked down at you with tears in her eyes. Her palm pressed to your forehead. "Remember."

The first thing you saw once the blinking light faded from your vision was the orange hues of the sun setting over the ocean. You sat upon the edge of the cliffside, wind combing through your golden locks of hair, and a peaceful feeling settled in your chest. You were home.

"Mneme!" The Fates’ voices called out as one.

Turning your head, you smiled at them. "Not too close to the edge, I know!"

The Maiden offered you a smile back. "The fall would be terrible indeed, even for one such as you."

The Mother waved, gesturing to you to come to them. "Come down from there, sweet child!"

The Crone rolled her ancient eyes and scoffed. "She won't fall! Our Mneme is far too surefooted to do something as foolish as that."

"Accidents still happen, sister self." The Mother reminded.

You squeezed her hand. "I'll be more careful."

"More careful!" The Crone laughed. "She's been careful since the day she was born, I doubt she's capable or more."

The Maiden lovingly braided a strand of your hair. "There's no harm in having fun every now and then."

The sky above had begun to shift to the deep star-filled night, your favorite. "I have to go."

"Back to that tree of yours?" The Crone asked.

"Back to the humans?" The Mother's question was far more bitter.

You kissed all their cheeks. "I'll be home before the sun rises!"

More light flashed, more voices echoed in your mind as your body felt like it would burst apart. You saw it through the slightly golden haze. The Great Tree standing tall amidst a bustling village. Its trunk was a rich reddish brown with golden leaves glistening in the low light of the fires the humans had lit to illuminate their festivities.

In the blink of an eye, you were in the tall branches, looking down at the bodies that moved below, watching the humans with wonder. You and the tree had been linked from the moment of your birth. A tree with roots that spanned across realms and lifetimes and a little spirit born of fate and memory.

A rather simple pair when compared to the billions of other supernatural and immortal beings and creatures that existed. But, you were fine with simple. You enjoyed your time spent on Mount Helicon and watching the humans, quietly gifting them with long memories and thus making their marvelous stories last forever.

It had been centuries since you'd heard the lovely tune for the first time. The first song ever made. A simple and beautiful thing that planted a seed deep inside you. A longing for something real… Tangible… Something wholly yours. You had no idea what it would be, this thing, but some nights you could hear The Fates whispering. They must've known. There was little they did not see. So, you waited, hoping that it was something marvelous.

The memories raced by, quicker and more painful than before. You could feel the raw ache in your throat, a result of your screaming, but you could only hear the voices. It was all still fragmented, flashes of a happy life with The Fates that all shifted… The sour smell of decay stung your nose. These flashes were darker, the fragments blurry and hazed.

You felt fire cracking under your skin, nails clawing at the wrong flesh that caged you. A laugh… A wide and villainous grin letting down at you. Unfamiliar hands touching you… Defiling you… The human's bright beauty slowly diminishing before your very eyes. You could taste the salt of your tears and feel the ache in your knees as you bent to the floor and begged. "Harken to me!" Your voice sounded so broken… Desperate. "Please, I beg of you! Deliver me from this place!"

The gentle hands that touched your head bore a somber tinge that answered the question you did not even ask. "Enough, dear one."

"You should rest," The Maiden said.

"You will need it for what is to come," The Crone finished.

"Help me," you begged them, lifting your drowning eyes. "There must be something you can do… Someone to intercede on my behalf."

The Crone's eyes turned cold as she sighed. "Foolish child. You are awfully bound. There are none that can deliver you from this place."

The Mother's eyes were filled with tears. "Not now, at least…"

The Maiden braided a strand of your dull hair. "Not when so much of you has been spent."

"I am so sorry, dear one…" The Mother pressed a kiss to your head. "Your prayers were wasted."

"No!" You cried out, rising to reach for them, but they were already gone. The chain binding you to this place scratched against the stone floor. "Do not leave me…"

The pieces fragmented further. Shattering like glass when you tried to hold onto them. All you could truly recall was a knife, blood, screaming, and fire. Darkness that felt warm and safer than what you'd known for so long and then breathlessness. You could see a rippling surface, bubbles floating away from you as the air abandoned you.

As you sank deeper into an unknown abyss, you could see the golden strands of your hair fade to white, and a voice echoed in your mind as all else began to fade away. "You will never be rid of me!"

"Mneme," The Maiden's voice called out to you.

"Stop," you begged, voice raw and hardly understandable. This wasn't true… This was a trick. All of it. Their hands, cradling your head, felt too heavy. "Don't call me that."

“Mneme…” The Mother cooed softly as you shook their hands off you.

“Do not call me that! I… I cannot deal with this now. I… There’s…” You wanted nothing more than to sob, to let the information you’d just regained swallow you whole.

Morpheus needed you. The events Daniel spoke of could still be years away, but you’d not risk it. Especially not now. Forcing your body upright, you looked into the eyes of The Fates. “I am going to change what is written. Morpheus will not perish, least of all at the hands of you.”

The Maiden’s tears were like diamonds upon her cheeks. “We take no pleasure in this.”

Your sound of disbelief caused The Mother to sigh, “Not much pleasure in it.”

“You cannot change this,” The Crone said, cold as ice once again. “Try as you might, what is will be and what will be is.”

“The only one you shall harm is yourself,” The Maiden replied.

"You will spend your power," The Mother warmed. "Spread yourself thin until all you are withers."

"Lost again to Lethe," The Crone finished.

“If anything happens to him… anything at all, it is you that I shall harm. Consequences be damned.”

You didn’t give them the chance to speak again, vanishing from the apartment and from their presence with a mere thought. The world felt both heavier and lighter, and with it, you felt both more powerful and less. Forcing the memories… the past from your mind, you put your plan into motion. It was just as you’d told The Fates. None would have Morpheus.

The meadow was quiet. From what you’d seen of the human world, there were few places like this that remained. Calm and untouched, reeking of old fairy magic and buzzing with godly power. Two tricksters lurking in the shadows. The combination of their power was dizzying and stunk of mischief. A warning to any that drew too near to turn back and hope you’d not caught their eye. You, however, would not be so easily deterred.

“What have we here?” An old and giggly voice purred from the shadows.

“A little witch?” Another chimed in, smug and prideful and filled with echoing laughter.

You showed no emotion as you addressed them. “I am Munin, Queen of realms of memory.”

A figure appeared a greenish beast with scales and fur and long pointed ears. Sharp teeth gleamed back at you as the deep red eyes of the spirit Puck glowed. “Queeny, Queeny, Queeny… why are you so far from your castle?”

Bright hair and an angular face examined you closely from a safe distance away as Loki grinned back. “Come to play with the old tricksters, have you?”

“More like come to talk sense into you,” you replied calmly, urging the wood around you to slowly shift.

The two laughed loudly, clutching their guts as they looked at each other. “Sense? Oh, we’ve not had sense in ages!”

“So I’ve been told. But, kidnapping a dream-touched child is a new sort of stupidity I thought even you two would be above.”

“Careful now,” Puck growled. “I’d surely hate to have to get blood all over that pretty white dress, Queeny.”

“It would be quite the shame,” you agreed. “Though the dress could be a trophy of sorts stained with your blood.”

Puck giggled, deranged and gleeful. “I like you!”

“Focus,” Loki insisted as he languidly stalked forward to circle you. “What’s this about a kidnapping?”

You followed him for a moment but chose to keep your eyes on Puck; he was the one you’d have to be most mindful of. “Your little plan to kidnap the boy… Daniel Hall.”

“How would you know about that?” Puck questioned.

“I have my ways.” That was the only answer you offered them. “The how is hardly the point. I’m far more interested in skipping it all together so we can focus on the bit where you both use your brains and forget about this half-baked scheme.”

Mist slowly began to seep between the trees, a low groan echoing in the air that signaled your plan had worked. Loki shook his head. “We aren’t exactly known for listening to threats from little girls.”

You smiled. “I’ve not even threatened you yet, Odinson.”

“Do not call me that!” He hissed, pointing a long elegant finger at you.

“I’ll call you whatever name you see fit after you’ve agreed to leave Daniel and his mother alone.”

Puck tutted, clawed nails digging into the branch he leaned on. “Greedy, greedy. You’re getting boring, Queeny! Perhaps we should just be done with you… After all, you look so tasty!”

Sirius dove out of the mist and snapped at the spirit. “Mind your tongue, beast. Though I shall gladly rid you of it should you insist.”

Loki pulled two daggers from their sheathes as The Corinthian appeared somewhere off to the side of you, calm and collected as he casually leaned against a tree. “Naughty puppy!”

Rolling your eyes, you lifted a finger, calling forth the tree roots to bind them. “Enough of this.” The trees wound around their limbs, squeezing hard enough that were they not immortal beings, their limbs would have snapped. Loki sneered while Puck laughed. “It’d be in your best interests to leave the child alone.”

“Best interests,” Puck laughed harder. “I care little for interests.”

“You may not care,” you began, eyes turning to the god. “But he does.”

Loki shook his head, chuckling at the notion that he cared about anything at all. “You think you know me, little wood witch?”

You shook your head and walked along the tree roots. “I do not care to know you, trickster. But, I see more than just your eyes…” Memories swirled inside them, good and bad, joyful and not. “We may not have met more than in passing, but make no mistake, Loki, I know you.”

Puck was the wildcard, the mischievous being that none could reason with or bribe unless he so sought, but Loki was a god. He was shrouded in golden pride and a deep-rooted desire to make Odin love him. Loki was the one you needed to convince. Puck would follow, or he would die, a choice you’d not have to spell out for him, especially with Sirius’ watchful eye and menacing teeth gnashing in the sprite's face.

“Why do you care so much for this runt?” Loki pondered with a wide grin. “Have a soft spot for dream-touched mortals?”

“Why does not concern you.” You sat down on a high-up branch and stared the god down. “No more questions, Loki. Will you leave Lyta and her son alone, or will you die here in my little woods?”

He attempted to shrug against the branches that held him. “It’s not me you need to worry about.”

Puck rolled his eyes. “She doesn’t need to fear me! This game has gotten boooorrrriiinnggg! One little mortal, dream-touched or not, isn’t worth this kind of fuss.”

Loki glared at the sprite, clearly displeased by his so-called partner in crime's words. “Fine then. We’ll leave the kid alone. Happy now?”

“Swear it.”

“I swear it,” he sneered back. “Now let me go.”

You waved your hand, and the roots released. Puck was gone in a blink, no promises made or extra words exchanged. Here then gone, just like you’d expected from the trickster. Loki remained, anger and some ugly, wounded pride shining in his eyes as he glared at you. Sirius growled. “Leave this place, trickster. And pray you never return.”

Suddenly all emotion drained from the god's face, and he laughed. “You know, I don’t much like being humiliated, especially not by insignificant little girls. Do you think you're suddenly untouchable just because you have some new realm and a bit of power? Well, you aren’t.”

Lunging for you, Loki found himself face to face with The Corinthian, who smiled as he brandished his blade. “I believe my lady released you. That means you leave.”

“I’m not scared of you, nightmare!” The god shouted.

“You should be. Hold him down for me, pup.” Sirius surprisingly heeded the nightmares command and pulled the god down while The Corinthian worked with his blade. The screams were drowned out by the trees cheering and laughing at the now mutilated god. You stood high above it all as The Corinthian finished his work and turned, presenting you with the eyes he’d plucked from Loki’s skull. Bowing his head, he chuckled. “Any other body parts I should take, my lady?”

You accepted the eyes and shook your head. “No. Kat has already sent word to Odin. Someone will be here to collect him shortly.”

The Corinthian glanced at you. “You alright, Daunty?”

Your mind was plagued with the past that you’d still not fully regained, a thing you now had broken and confusing fragments of. “Yes. There’s just something I need to do now.”

“Need a nightmare?”

Smiling at him, you shook your head and placed a loving hand on his cheek. “Not this time, dear Corinthian.”

Upon Mount Helicon, a secluded cabin stood overlooking the sea. The cabin was not what you’d pictured when you thought of The Fates. You’d imagined they’d live in some large palace or a winding maze, like Destiny, but there the three stood, looking out at the sea as you quietly approached. “Such a lovely sunset.”

The Mother smiled at you. “It used to be your favorite part of the day.”

The Maiden laughed softly. “You’d sit here until the yellow faded from the sky entirely.”

“One sun,” The Crone said. “Watching another.”

"Whatever the reason for this… Fondness, you bear me…" you stopped yourself, pain that you could not yet confront boiling within you like the fires in your vision. Shaking your head, you met their gaze again. "I urge you to cease these schemes against the Dream Lord."

The Maiden nodded, "Painful as this may be, you cannot run from the truth forever."

The Mother took a step closer with a sad smile. "Oh, dear one… Is this truly your wish?"

"It is."

The Crone stood before you, cold eyes slightly less so as she wiped your tears. "Very well. If it is your wish, we shall honor it. So long as Dream of The Endless does not bring harm upon you, then we shall not harm him or his Dreaming."

“Thank you… my mothers.”

The Three smiled sadly and watched you go. The Forest greeted you as it always had, offering you soft handing leaves to dry your eyes and a melodic rumbling to ease the ache in your heart. You did not know when you would be able to accept what you now knew fully, nor did you know if you’d ever be strong enough to remember the full brunt of the pain your past life had lived through, but you did know that The Fates had spoken at least one truth. You would not be able to run from it.

A dark figure emerged from the trees, breathing a sigh of relief at the sight of you. “There you are.”

“Morpheus,” you breathed, the pain easing as air filled your lungs.

His eyes narrowed as he took a step toward you. “Where have you been?” His arms wound around you, pulling you into the embrace you’d fought so hard to preserve. You buried your face into his chest and breathed in his scent. “I’ve been worried.”

With a soft noise, you smiled. “Forgive me, I did not mean to worry you. There were some things I needed to take care of.”

“Is all well?” His breath hitched at the mere thought of something being wrong.

You smoothed your hands down his chest and smiled. “All is well. I… I learned many things these past few days and have many questions that need answering.”

Morpheus nodded, soft hands caressing you. “I trust you will tell me your meaning when you are ready to?”

“Of course,” you answered. “It would be rather cruel of me to keep you in such suspense.”

“Cruel is not a word I’d use to describe you, my love.”

You wanted nothing more than to tell him of all you’d learned and everything that had happened in your time apart, but instead, you simply smiled. “Would you walk with me?”

He seemed to understand the gentle gleam of tears in your eyes and quietly offered you his arm and a kiss upon your head. “Always, my love.”

The two of you walked through the misty forest until you found the cave of crystals and the lake that you’d once danced upon. Without needing to speak any words, he stepped out onto the water and swept you away into a starlit dance. With your head laid against his chest, listening… feeling the steady beating of his heart, you finally spoke, “Do you think we will remain together in whatever existence comes after this?”

“I should think so,” he answered with a soft laugh. “We’ve found one another against impossible odds thus far.”

"Well, if it should come to an end, this immortal coil we find ourselves in..." You pulled away from his chest and gently held his face in your hands. "I should like it to end by your side, that we might turn to stardust together or be bound in the roots of the earth as one. I shall not pass to whatever existence awaits us in The Sunless Lands without you, my dearest Morpheus."

With the software of smiles, he pulled a small thing from his cloak and held it between you. A ring. The stone in the center was an ethereal array of thinking stars with a branch-like band of roots twining around it. He lifted your hand to slide the ring on your finger, kissing it and whispering a soft oath, "I vow that no matter what comes, nothing shall ever part us again. I am yours, Lady of The Forest, Distress, Discourage, Daunt… Munin. In every existence, every realm and lifetime, I am yours."

"Just as I am yours, Prince of Stories. Always."

Beneath the starry skies and amidst the groaning echoes of your realm, you and the Dream Lord shared a kiss, soft and bright and beautiful. For that one moment, the past didn’t matter. Not Daunt or Mneme… you were Munin, and you were here. You were loved. And as you stared into the eyes of your lover, you knew you always would be.

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ilovewhiteroses · 2 years ago

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Workplace Affair Part 2.

Pairing: The Corinthian x Female Librarian of The Dreaming Reader Genre: Fluff, humor, smut Warnings: Smut Rating: 18+ Notes: - I had to do some research so I can write about the throne room as accurate as possible

Morpheus had to go to the Waking World for a while, which meant that you and Corinthian could be together again, in a special place…

You were just taking a coffee break before going back to work. You have already gotten used to your life in the Dreaming and enjoyed life as a dream, especially the fact that you were able to live without things that a human couldn't do without, such as sleeping, eating, etc. Now, as usual, you were stacking books on the shelves when you remembered what happened in a similar situation not so long ago. You smiled to yourself. You wouldn't have believed that Corinthian, whom you would have liked to slap on the face any other time, gave you such mind-blowing pleasure.

The next day, Merv and Lucienne discussed the construction plans of the palace with Morpheus, while you and Matthew wrote a list of the books requested by your boss. He helped you turn the pages with his beak or he brought you a pen and paper, while you joked about what would happen if you switched bodies: Matthew would be the librarian, and you would be the raven. You realized that you wouldn't be much use to Morpheus since you'd just be flying around all day, enjoying being in the air. You looked in your drawer and there was an envelope with a message from Corinthian inside.

Who would have thought that a library could be an exciting place, right? - Corinthian

Underneath the message, he drew a winking smiley with sunglasses. You smiled and clutched the paper like a fangirl who received a reply letter from her favourite celebrity. You folded it up and put it back in your drawer. Matthew saw all this and curiously asked:

"What did you get that makes you smile so much?" You sighed and shook your head.

“Oh dear Matthew! You know, a woman has secrets she doesn't talk about." you told him kindly, hoping he would stop asking more questions. Even so, it was enough that he saw the letter, and being the gossip bird that he is, he will probably tell Lucienne, who will then tell you again about who and what you shouldn't be with.

A few days later, Morpheus summoned you, Lucienne and Merv. He announced that he will probably have to return to the Waking World for a while soon, but even he doesn't know exactly when, but he will let you know as soon as he knows for sure.

You went back to work and this time you found a letter on your desk. You looked around to see if Matthew was around and read it:

“Come at 2 o'clock to where we did it last time." - Corinthian

You told Lucienne you were taking a coffee break. You were looking for Corinthian among the shelves when suddenly someone grabbed your arm and pulled you inside. It was him.

"Are you out of your mind? I almost freaked out, it would be nice if you didn't surprise me like that anymore!" you said annoyed.

"Oh, believe me, I could still surprise you with this and that." he raised his eyebrows and grabbed your butt. "Guess what I heard from the others. Is it true that Morpheus is going back to the Waking World soon?" Damn, how did the news spread so quickly?

"Yes, for a while. He is supposed to have something to do, but he didn't say what it was." you answered

"Hmm. It must be something very important!” Corinthian said mockingly, showing air quotes with his fingers, you gave him a look of disdain. He continued.

"Well, do you know what that means?" he asked in an excited tone this time, even shaking his shoulders. You sighed and tilted your head to the side. You knew what he was going to say, but you asked anyway. "What?"

"That the throne room will be free for that time, and you and I could test how sex-proof that throne is." He said and bit his lip, it was evident that he could hardly contain himself.

He really meant it. It's true, you've secretly imagined what it would be like to have a hearty romp in the impressive throne room, although the possibility of getting caught was always in the back of your mind. You crossed your arms in front of you.

"And what do you think I should say to Lucienne? I can't say ‘I'm sorry, but I have to go and have sex with a horny nightmare’!"

"Oh, I wish I could see her face if you really said that!" he said laughing. "Think of something, she will believe you anyway."

You heard Lucienne's voice in the distance, she was looking for you. You hoped she wouldn't find you.

"I'll think of something, but let's agree that when Morpheus is gone, I'll come here and call you, okay?"

"Okay!" Corinthian kissed you and you both went back to work.

A few more days later, Morpheus finally left, and Matthew went with him. Lucienne and Merv had a meeting with the architects, so you were finally alone in the library. You went to the agreed place to call Corinthian, who came quickly.

"Hi! Well, what did you say to Lucienne?” he asked with interest. You shrugged.

"Nothing. She and Merv went to meet the architects, so luckily I was able to come without having to lie.”

"Great!" he said excitedly. He took your hand and you walked into that much talked about room.

You've only been to the throne room twice so far, which is separated from the library by a huge door. The room was a long hall, with statues on the walls on both sides, and beautiful paintings on the opposite windows, and looking up at the ceiling was the night sky with stars. A staircase led up to the throne, and the throne itself stood at the top of a smaller, four-step staircase. Behind it stood large candlesticks and a table also with some candles, an hourglass, a chalice and some books. You were surprised that all the candles were lit, although not that Morpheus had to worry about the palace burning down.

You walked up the stairs hand in hand with Corinthian. He told you that he had never been this close to the throne, as Morpheus only allows a few of his creations up here. You looked around and realized that this part of the room was minimally, but tastefully furnished. While you were admiring the paintings on the window, he was looking at the things on the table. He pushed his sunglasses up his nose and started flipping through one of the books on the table.

" Corinthian, can I ask you something?" you said and you looked at him.

"Of course, don't hold back." he replied with a smile as he flipped through the book and then looked at you as well.

"Look, I know this is a sensitive topic and you obviously don't like to talk about it, but I've always been interested in... can you really see with the teeth in place of your eyes?”

His face suddenly turned serious and he closed the book. Damn, I shouldn’t have asked that!

"Well, believe it or not, yes. I can see perfectly.” he said nonchalantly. You thought he would be angry that you were asking him that, but luckily he wasn't.

"Even in the dark sunglasses?" you kept asking because you still couldn't believe it.

"Yes." he said and put his hands in his pockets.

"And was there a time when you took them off?" you put your hair behind your ears.

"Only when no one was looking. Obviously, I'm not wearing them in human's nightmares, but I had to wear them in the Waking World, because I didn't want to scare them there. I have often wished that I had normal eyes like you or anyone else. But I didn't choose this, Morpheus made me like this and so...I have to live with it." he said and looked down, you could feel the bitterness in his voice. At first you expected him to divert the subject with some kind of joke, but you were glad that he was honest with you.

"But let's not talk about me, but rather about you." his gaze wandered back to you and he stepped closer to you. "How did you get into the Dreaming? Have you met Morpheus before?”

"Yes, once, a long time ago. Then when, you know...we met again and he told me that he remembered what my job was and that his chief librarian needed someone to help her in the library, so I had a choice: either I go towards the light or here. And I chose the latter.” you sighed.

"And don't you miss your old life? Sorry for the question.” Corinthian said a little scared because he knew this was a sensitive topic for you.

"It’s okay. Look, I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but I love being here and that's all that matters to me." you let out a small smile.

You never thought that you and him would ever talk about such topics in such a situation. Maybe the atmosphere of the room had such an effect on you, which is why you opened up to each other like this. You felt that a kind of silent bond formed between you two.

"There's something else I want to know." Corinthian said in a low voice, looking deep into your eyes. You nodded indicating that he could ask the question.

"You know, I went to the Waking World to find out what it feels like to be human. Through their eyes, even if for a little while, I was able to experience it, although I know very well that it cannot be compared to the real feeling. As a former human, could you tell me what it's like to be human?” he asked almost begging. You swallowed and tried to collect your thoughts.

"Well...only someone who was truly born as a human knows what it's like. I'd rather tell you what it means to be human." He nodded in agreement.

"Being human means when you feel the raindrops on your skin, the warmth of the sun on your face, the smell of the flowers, the soft grass between your fingers and the sand under your feet. When you put a smile on someone's face, whether you know them or not. When you're getting ready for your first date and you're overwhelmed with excitement. The joy of creation when you make something with your own two hands. The feeling of a hug, a kiss from someone that means the world to you...” you told him, surprising yourself that you were able to put it this way. Corinthian looked like it hit him right in the heart what he just heard. He took a deep breath.

"This is wonderful..." he said in a soft, quiet voice. You stood there facing each other: a nightmare who wanted to be human, but never could be, and you, who was once human, but now lived on as a dream. Other times you were both confident in front of each other, but now that you became partners in fate, you dared to show each other your more vulnerable sides.

He moved and kissed you as if he wanted to feel everything you just told him about. This kiss was not like the last time, this was much more passionate, the kind that he wanted to make you feel that he wanted you more than anything. You stopped and started to undress yourselves and each other. He unbuttoned your shirt, you took off his jacket; he took off your skirt, you unbuckled his belt... You undressed quickly and looked at each other's naked bodies and caressed them.

"God, you're so hot!" Corinthian said biting his lip and his hands slid down from your back to your butt. You told him the same thing and stroked his chest. He had the perfect body, with just the right amount of muscle you loved on a man. Your eyes wandered down and you saw his cock, which was exactly what you imagined it to be. If Corinthian is a nightmare, why did Morpheus make him so attractive? you asked yourself. Your mouth was also dry from the sight, you were so excited.

You looked at him with lustful eyes, you licked your lips, then slowly moving down you started to kiss his body starting from his neck, he moaned softly and looked at you. You knelt down in front of him and stroked his stomach, hips and thighs, then took his cock in your hands. You slowly kissed it from the base to the tip, then you started to lick it with the tip of your tongue, Corinthian whined, he liked it so much. You then took him in your mouth and started sucking him by moving your head back and forth, he tilted his head back enjoying how you satisfied him. You sucked him deeply and rhythmically and moaned while doing it.

"Oh my god…please don't stop!" he begged you softly and smoothed the hair from your face with one hand. He said that he would cum soon, and it wasn't long before you could already feel the hot, liquid results of his orgasm on your tongue and in your throat.

After you licked him clean, you wiped your mouth with your hand and stood up, Corinthian was flushed and still panting. Whispering in his ear, you asked: "How was it?"

He grunted in satisfaction, raising his eyebrows. He picked you up and carried you to the throne. He sat you down there, you bent your knees and pulled your legs up and he knelt in front of you. He leaned in to kiss you and said in a deep, lustful voice:

"I will give you the same pleasure that you just gave me.” he licked his lips, you sighed. Just the thought made you so fired up that you thought the throne would catch fire. He took his time: he kissed your neck, your knees, your thighs and finally he reached the place where you wanted him to touch you the most. When you finally felt his soft tongue on your pussy, you tilted your head back and moaned softly.

"Have I told you that I love your pussy?" Corinthian asked between licks, looking at you.

"Oh, you!" you answered him giggling.

His tongue moved up and down your folds, teasing your clit with the tip of it. You closed your eyes and ran your fingers through his hair, gripping the throne's armrest with your other hand. If someone had told you that sitting on the throne of the king of dreams, a nightmare would go down on you, you would have thought that they were crazy. He had a very good technique, which he probably owed to a hundred years of sexual experience. You opened your eyes and saw the long hall, then you looked at Corinthian who was busy pleasuring you. He was grabbing your breast with one hand and you squirmed, your lustful moans were becoming louder.

"Yes, yes…right there!" you told him between moans and sighs and soon you were cumming, your whole body shaking with pleasure. He didn't give you much time to calm down, he took your hand and pulled you up from the throne.

"I want you from behind." he said then turned you around. You leaned forward with one knee on the seat of the throne and your hands gripping the back of it as Corinthian thrusted into you from behind. The position was familiar to you from last time, but somehow this was more intimate. Not only because you were both naked, but also because you told each other your secrets so this sex was much more meaningful. He moved in and out of your pussy, grabbing your hips, you holding on as best you could to keep up with his pace, your sighs and moans were echoing through the huge room. He leaned forward, grabbing your breasts with his hands and kissing your neck, you reached back for his neck and turned your head to the side to kiss each other. Corinthian whispered in your ear:

"I want you to ride me!" and with that he pulled himself out of you. You turned around, he sat down on the throne, you sat on his lap in a riding position and placed him inside you. You held onto his shoulders, moving up and down his cock, and he tilted his head back and dug his fingers into your hips. You leaned back a little and touched yourself. Corinthian leaned forward and kissed your breasts, licked your nipples. After moving up and down and back and forth a bit, you said panting:

"Let's continue it on the floor."

You didn't have to ask him twice. He stood up holding you in his arms and laid you carefully on the floor next to the throne. He leaned over you, kissed you and thrusted into you deeply, faster and faster, panting into your neck while you wrapped your legs around him. You, while scratching Corinthian's back, looked at the starry sky at the top of the hall. It felt like you were making love under the open sky. When you felt another orgasm coming, you closed your eyes and came again, followed by him soon after.

Corinthian rolled off of you and you were both sprawled on the floor gasping for air. He pulled you close, you snuggled up and looked at each other, you caressed his face. A nice, warm feeling ran through your body and you wished that this moment would last as long as possible.

What you didn't expect, however, was that Morpheus would return earlier, so he saw what you were doing on his precious throne...

Tags: @jessamydreams, @drowningnikki, @violentviolet88, @thecorilove86, @placeinthemiddleofnowhere, @merryandrewsworld, @constantron, @onehundredyearsofyearning, @destiny-rahl, @e-dubbc11, @amidalasruby, @atomwritez, @treasures-of-the-alleyway, @belladiaz, @foodlover123456789, @lazy-queen26, @yellowwithalisp, @icytrickster17, @makisigmelon, @kittycat-kai, @idealai, @curse-you

#the corinthian #the corinthian fanfic #the corinthian & female reader #boyd holbrook #Sandman

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evileidolons · 2 years ago

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I posted 4,556 times in 2022

That's 4,510 more posts than 2021!

43 posts created (1%)

4,513 posts reblogged (99%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@ felwinterpeak

@ enlightenedrobot

@ wiihtigo

@ newgameplus

I tagged 257 of my posts in 2022

#goncharov - 3 posts

#this post has everything - 2 posts

#fuck you - 2 posts

#i cant have it in the players inventory for fear of them accessing it and fucking something up - 2 posts

#so everytime certain progressions are made theres a character that doesnt exist and an item that doesnt exist gets put in their inventory - 2 posts

#seen this story many times now and everytime i read it all the way through - 2 posts

#yes - 2 posts

#im making a point and click and its much easier to check for inventory item than to make progress checks - 2 posts

#his name is jim - 2 posts

#my art - 2 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#although i was obsessed with the barbie princess and the pauper soundtrack but i dont know if that changed me as much as like. amplified me

My Top Posts in 2022:

Marvin was the worlds first gay homophobe

63 notes - Posted September 20, 2022

i dont keep up with shows and im bad at remembering things so when i saw a bunch of text posts of people calling the corinthian hot i thought yall were talking about the bitch from ghostbusters

didnt even think twice i just assumed he was the new sexyman

80 notes - Posted September 5, 2022

they were wild for yassifying him in the musical

91 notes - Posted October 14, 2022

mid 20s young man with no discernible skills other than talking good who can barely drive joins with a prodigy psychic and through fun wacky events solves crimes and changes various villainlike people to be good. gets canceled for a bit but ends up fine in the end. is supposed to take care of the psychic to an extent but they end up saving his ass at least once. he's gay with one of the redeemed bad guys who joins him as a colleague after his redemption. said former bad guy is Way more qualified for the job than he is.

2,552 notes - Posted September 15, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

marina heard a song that fucked so severely she shook out of the reins of a lifetime of propaganda and escaped the heavily militaristic society that she built her life as a child soldier around, and literally climbed a mountain.

and then fell in love with the first girl she saw

love wins <3

8,448 notes - Posted September 2, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #went in and removed the @s because I don't wanna bother people

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why-what-no · 2 years ago

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Fight For You

Pairing: Morpheus x Crowley’s Sibling!Reader

Notes: Not totally happy with this one - had kinda an unproductive day - but I still think it’s cute. Great concept too. And yes, I know the Good Omens universe and the Sandman universe are different, I don’t care. (Also, if there’s any inconsistencies in the Crowley stuff, I haven’t watched Good Omens yet. Yes, I know, it’s great. I just have a hard time getting into tv shows)

Summary: Morpheus thought he knew what demons were like, until he met the sibling of a famous demon named Crowley. It took a bit, but Dream eventually got close to them. And when they took on the Corinthian for his sake, he realized just how close he really felt towards them.

Requested by: @armaria

When Morpheus thought of demons, he thought of evil and lies. The creatures that followed Lucifer and couldn't be trusted by anyone other than Hell's Ruler.

Then there was (Y/N), and he didn't know what to think about them. Their sibling, Crowley, had been quite influential in hell for a while. Although Morpheus hadn't met him, he had heard about his "accomplishments".

But (Y/N) was... unexpected. They were in no means a perfect person, but they were more like a real person that any of the demons he had met. He tried not to trust them, he really did.

But he still spent time with them and allowed them into his Realm.

"This place is to much nicer that Hell." They admitted the first time he had invited them to the Dreaming. "Smells better, too."

Morpheus smiled a little as they explored. "I don't believe that Hell should be where the standard for Realms is. It is not supposed to be pleasant." His words were wry, but he was secretly pleasure that they enjoyed his work.

***

When Morpheus had gotten imprisoned, (Y/N) looked for him. After several decades of looking, they had found Burgess's home. But, the defenses around the building stopped a demon from entering. (Y/N) had found out where Morpheus was, but couldn't do anything about it.

Eventually he would free himself and reunite with his demonic friend, who he had missed more than he thought he would have. To his continued surprise, (Y/N) had gotten a lot more protective of him since then.

He didn’t mind it, knowing that (Y/N) was a fierce and talented fighter. He was just glad that they was on his side and not on Hell’s. Plus, Morpheus was just happy that they cared enough to be willing to go into battle for him.

However, sometimes the fighter in them worried him. He knew (Y/N) could look after themself, but when they went at the Corinthian…

“You didn’t need to throw yourself into a fight with the Corinthian.” He told them after he had gotten rid of the nightmare, trying not to sound like he was scolding them. “I can clean up my own messes.” He had been impressed with how they had fought, very impressed. But he couldn’t help but feel worried about them.

“I know that, Morpheus. I just…”

“Just what?” He raised his eyebrow as they stood in front of him, suddenly quiet. Their knives still tight in their hands.

They shook their head, forcing themself to relax a little. “Doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter.” Morpheus knew they were lying, and suspected what they were lying about. To test his theory, he gently took their hands in his. “I appreciate what you are willing to do for me, more that you know. But your safety matters, if not to yourself then to me.”

That took them off guard, as did the feeling of his fingers gently stroking their hands. “I… I just don’t want to lose you.”

The Ruler of the Dreaming chuckled, knowing from their tone that he had been correct in his assumption.

He stepped closer, kissing them gently. Feeling them pull him closer as they kissed back, an almost desperate feeling in their kiss. As if they had been starved of love. Which, as a demon, Morpheus was sure they had been. “I don’t want to lose you, either.” He told them honestly.

Their smile was small and cautious. “Does this mean I’m staying here?”

“That would be preferable.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” They gave a dramatic sigh of relief, making him laugh. Trust them to turn any moment into a joke when they felt like they were getting too emotional.

“I like the Dreaming so much better than hell.”

#the sandman #the sandman x reader #the sandman dream #good omens #good omens crowley #morpheus #morpheus x reader #dream of the endless #dream of the endless x reader #my fics

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aquitainequeen · 2 years ago

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The Sandman series is good? They managed to do it?

It's not a TUA situation or immortals?

For myself, and bearing in mind that I'm very easy to please: yes, I personally think they've done it!

It's a faithful adaptation, but it's not absolute. They've changed some things, not just because of the setting update but to adjust to the new medium of television and to set up story/character arcs that will span a whole season. Some small beats of the comic don't happen, some larger beats happen in a slightly different way, and the original story has even more more added to it, like Mervyn adding another wing to Dream's palace that settles itself nicely into the original architecture. It's not always perfect, and there are a few points that felt a bit off to me, but they never shook me out of my excitement and enjoyment.

Some characters have different motivations, but those motivations make sense and make the story (again to me) all the stronger. Preludes and Nocturnes was very much about Dream's journey to restore his kingdom, but while he's the main character of this show, it's made very clear to us that it's about so many more people than just him; the dreams, the nightmares and the humans playing with forces they might not understand. We get interactions, delicious conversations, mute appeals, violent clashes. So many lovely things the comics never showed us!

Everyone's performance was excellent, and these versions of the characters...arg, I can't wait for you all to see what they've done with Roderick Burgess, with Alex, with the Corinthian, with Ethel Cripps (Ethel in particular I loved), with Lucienne, with Cain and Abel, with John Dee, with the Three In One, and above all with Dream!

I had such an amazing, incredible time watching Episode 1 and 2. And then we got to see the sizzle reel of the rest of the season, and the audience was screaming!!! At the Q&A afterwards, Neil Gaiman said "Think of [the first two episodes] as the beginning of the roller coaster ride, to the top of the roller coaster. Now the ride begins. From here on, it’s just a wild ride to episode 10. And it doesn’t stop — it’s glorious, and these people and Tom [Sturridge], it’s magic."

I'm so exciting to plunge into the rest of the season, and see what other marvellous things everyone involved has dreamed up.

#the sandman #the sandman netflix #netflix the sandman #neil gaiman #dream of the endless #roderick burgess #alexander burgess #alex burgess #the corinthian #ethel cripps #lucienne the librarian #cain and able #john dee #three in one

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igotanidea · 2 years ago

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Get ready for the show : Morpheus x reader x Corinthian x Hob

Request: On the writing prompt would you be able to do: 127, 136 and 137 with Lord Morpheus and Reader please?

127: What are you listening to? 136: Give me back my phone 137: You're an asshole.

The show was about to start and I was spending the last free couple of minutes backstage getting ready. Being an acting school student come with a lot of benefits like the countless amount of imaginations and bringing your ideas to life in the most unexpected ways, but it’s all compensated with the drawbacks. However crazy it may be, no matter how many plays I’ve been in I always got stage-fright. There was just something creepy about going on the stage and having people watch you. All eyes on you, on your every move, each facial expression and body language. Surely, if I were to make a mistake in the text or any other detail most of the audience would not even notice but sill… It was all inside my head.

Each and every one of the actors developed one’s own technique of relaxation before the performance. Some of my friends were meditating, some other taking a walk and breathing deeply. Mine was music. Any kind to be honest, depending on what I needed. Some days it was rock to keep my blood flowing, some other melodic pop I was vibing to…. I did not really have a specifically created playlist, keeping my tag open. Today I was listening to something new, recently discovered and with my eyes closed and hearing focused on the tone I did not notice someone coming from behind.

“YN!” someone shook my arm to bring me back from my transe

“What? Oh, sorry, I did not hear you coming, Ally.”

“Yeah, I wonder why” my costar rolled her eyes in a funny way “there’s someone who would like to see you before the play.”

“Who?” I frowned. “I’m not expecting anyone.”

“I can just tell him to stand back and leave you alone.”

“Him?”

“Yes, my friend. It’s a man. Very handsome one if you ask me. Is there anything you would like to tell me about your life apart from the theatre?”

“Nope. I’m not gossiping. And like I said I don’t know anyone who would want to talk to me …..”

“Seems like you got yourself a secret admirer then” she laughed and her eyes glistened “but if you don’t want him I would be more than glad to…..”

“Stop it, you flirt, let him in. I’m gonna see with my own eyes.”

*** “So, you are the star of the show.” Casually dressed, blond man came backstage acting like he owned the place.

“That’s a bit of exaggeration. And what the hell are you doing here Corinthian. Isn’t it enough that you hunt my dreams? Now you are whetting the appetite to dominate my waking hours? And you scared my friend.”

“She did not look scared. Fascinated, to say the least.

“Why are you here? “ I turned towards him, still in my chair.

“Can’t I come to visit my friend and wish her good luck?”

“Sure you can. So, where is said friend?”

“YN.”

“You started it.” I shrugged. “You are a nightmare in human form, so don’t blame me for getting suspicious every time you become too friendly.”

“This is an exception from the rule” Corinthian sat down next to me pointing to my earbuds “What are you listening to?”

“You can check for yourself. Suit yourself.” I handed him the case and he was more than eager to take one earphone and enjoy some music. “Does …..?” I started forming a question but he read my mind and stopped me in the middle of the sentence.

“Don’t ruin it. We are having nice time, don’t we?”

“But….”

“Don’t.” he warned me again

“What are you two doing here?”

“Oh, great, see what you did?” Corinthian turned towards me with pretension in the voice

“Me? Low blow, Cor. If you didn’t show up uninvited there would be no problem now”

“Oh, that hurt. Right in the heart”

“I call bullshit. You don’t have heart, just a dagger there.”

“Even daggers can be useful. And I came with best intentions.”

“You mentioned that. However, it would be wise to ask your lord for permission first.”

“I don’t ask….”

“Quiet!” Morpheus chimed in, the only way he knew how. Coldly, harshly, putting on his most fearful expression which did nothing neither to me nor to Corinthian.

“Hmm, I don’t know if we can do that….” I stated looking at the Nightmare “do you?”

“Me neither. We were just having a little bit of fun and …..”

“Hold your tongues! Nightmares do not have fun. Especially with humans. You shall be punished”

“Why?” I asked tilting my head

“Excuse me?”

“Why should he be punished? It’s not like he did anything wrong. Just came for support.”

“Now you are taking my side?” Corinthian was surprised

“Will you be quiet, I’m trying to help you, you fool.” I scoffed my friend “And you know, you can join us if you like, Dream Lord. Just let me…. HEY! Give me back my phone, Morpheus!” I stood up trying to reach my devise which was now in the hands of Dream Lord, who was absolutely oblivious what it was. “You don’t know how to use it! You’ll break it and it was not cheap!” I was not jumping doing to best to retrieve it.

“What are you doing?” he asked coldly eyeing me suspiciously

“Just give me back my phone!” I repeated

“You mean this thing?”

“Yes, this thing!”

“How do you use it? I presume you were using it for entertainment?”

“Yes, we were listening to music. “ I sighed giving up on my efforts and putting hand out instead “may I please ask you to return my property to me, King Morpheus?” putting on the most noble and abject tone was my last bargaining chip and luckily it worked just enough “thank you, my Lord. Now, since you two decided to ruin my relaxing moment before performance and waste the rest of spare time I had, I must kindly ask you to get the hell out since I need to go on stage.”

“I’m not going anywhere” Cor said. “I’m pretty comfortable here. And if you’re late your friend will come looking for you, so….

“You’re an asshole, you know?” I rolled my eyes at him

“And I fit right in the Waking” he grinned a perfect smile

“Dream Lord. I believe one of your subjects may be causing a bit of a mayhem.” I smirked turning to Morpheus “shall you be disobeyed?”

“YN!”

“What?”

“How can you be so two-faced?”

“Well, I learned from the best.”

“You surely don’t mean me?”

“Of course I mean you, you fool. You are a nightmare! The most deceitful being that ……”

“QUIET!” Oh, our little cat was now jealous and craving attention. “We shall return to the Dreaming immediately.” Dream reached for his sand.

“I got a better idea…..” I tapped my chin “you two can stay.”

“I don’t understand you, YN” Cor shook his head

“That’s cause I’m a woman and you are stupid. You two can stay. WITHOUT causing drama. I think you will like the show. After all, you like stories, don’t you Dream?”

“What is it about?”

“Oh, you know, some modern variation of a Shakespeare play. Some little bird told me you were quite familiar with him back at the time.” Dream stayed silent while Corinthian was just grinning sensing where I was coming with this sentence. “And there’s one more little thing that may convince you.”

“And what may that be?”

“Hob’s coming. He would be more than happy to see you.”

“I don’t want to see him. Our next meeting is in a century.”

“Right… You know, maybe I will talk to him about what you just said. I bet he will be sad. Maybe this time he will stood you up….”

“How dare you…..?! I did not……”

“Did you ever explained it to him?”

“No.” “Then who has leverage here, Dream.”

“Use your words carefully, dreamer.” He took a step closer but I did not waver even in the slightest. We both…. I mean, the three of us, including Corinthian knew who has dealing the cards and it certainly was not Dream, even if he acted so confident.

“I shall stay. “

“I’m really glad we reached an agreement. So you just watch your nightmare and … oh, wait. I just got a text from Hob. He’s already here, so …. Dream, wait! Where are you going?!” Morpheus rushed towards the seats at the speed of light “you forgot Corinthian! Oh, shit!”

“Break a leg, my friend” Corinthian grinned following Dream Lord and leving me with an upcoming call from Hob.

"You did not tell me HE was going to be here!"

"Well, I did not know and I did not wish for it. HE is socially maladjusted, so you know....No that I invited him. Is there any problem however?"

"Not with HIM. But the other one? He's acting crazy, sit too close and won't let his eyes off me...."

"Seems like you have a type then, Hob." I sighed in desperation

"YN! Take the other one back so I can hold hands with......"

"Enjoy the show, Hob! See you later!"

Now all I was left with was foolish hope none of those men will turn my show into shit. Out of three there were at least two too many.

@somest1

@pinksirensong

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that-one-weeb-buts-its-the-main · 2 years ago

Text

Being Franks Daughter in Hawkins pt 17

Gif Caption: Top Gif: Dustin Henderson from Netflix's Stranger Things Bottom gif: Peter Parker aka Spiderman from Marvel

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Reader: female | 18-19

Characters Mentioned: Steve Harrington (ST), Dustin Henderson (ST), Robin Buckley (ST), Billy Hargrove (ST), Kate Bishop (MCU), America Chavez (MCU), Dr. Stephen Strange (MCU), Wade Wilson (MCU), Venom/Eddie Brock (MCU), Loki Layfeyson (MCU), Peter Parker (MCU), With special Guest star of The Corinthian from The Sandman!!! Ya!!

A/n: oof sorry I fucked up and posted this half ass I tried to hurry, also before you say But the Corinthian isnt MCU or Stranger things, Im using him for a reason and I just think he'll be the nightmare that helps Y/n and bs. Also your a fuck ton stronger than you think!!

Warnings: Swearing, bloody noses,

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So with Steve gone, and Superheros only in the house, you got to work.

You had probbed over the wall you had set up, with Stephen, none of it made sense.

"They all know me by City Bird." Y/n explained.

"And thats important why?" Wade asked sitting on the couches arm.

"Billy only calls me City Bird."

"Billy? Russo?" Stephen asked.

"No Harrington." Y/n explained, "Wanda called me City bird, I've never mentioned that to her. And so did Russo."

"Russo showed up at the Sanctum?" Stephen questioned.

"No. It was a dream. It lasted three days." Y/n argued, "Harrington found me outside in shorts and a tee shirt with a bad bloody nose. That sound normal?"

"Dreams are linked to diffrent Dimensions." America spoke up, "the diffrent lives you have, across a multiverse. But three day dreams...did you spend three days walking around in the dream?"

Y/n shook her head no, "No. It was more of three mintues? Maybe two."

"Its possible that you didnt even meet Billy Hargrove in that multiverse," Stephen explained.

"That doesn't make sense." America cut in.

"Why?" Stephen asked Y/n sighing looking up to see a shadow threw the roof cracks.

"She told me when he came to visit that the jacket she wears is Billy Hargrove's, she wears it in ever multiverse I've been too, you've all known each other every time I've jumped. Why wouldn't she know him?"

"Hey!" Y/n snapped holding her hand out, "wait"

"What-"

"Shh" y/n hushed, everyone going quiet, there was a creak in the wood as everyone stood up.

Y/n held out her hand to Wade, he handing over a knife. She walking towards the door carefully.

There was silence then loud knocking on the door.

"Y/n?"

"Jesus fucking-"

Y/n opened the door, Venom standing there.

"HI"

"Why are you here?" Y/n asked, watching them return to Eddie, "How did you get my address."

"You called me."

"What? No I didn't." Y/n told him.

"Yes you did, You said you're needed in Hawkins, so we can protect the world." He mocked.

"No-"

Just as Y/n spoke up a smoke grenade came crashing through the window.

"Get out the house!" Y/n shouted at every one, coughing and choking on the thick smoke as they ran out the house, "split up in the woods!"

It was quick everyone splitting up, Kate followed her, along with Loki.

"Shit!" Kate shouted, tripping over a root.

"Come on!" Y/n shouted tugging her up, and too her feet as the three ran deeper into the woods.

They ran across the creak, down uncharted pathways, stopping behind a large fallen over tree.

"You think we lost them?" Kate whispered, before Y/n could even answer an arrow stuck the tree between them.

"Look! Run deeper into the woods! I'll distract them." Y/n ordered.

"What?! No way!-"

"Do it Loki!" Y/n ordered, getting up and running the opposite direction, they watching her run off.

"Hey Arrow head!" Y/n shouted, "Come and get me!"

They watched her vanish from sight.

"Come on lets go." Loki spoke.

"But Y/n-"

"She asked us to go deeper into the woods we're listening."

You dont know how long you ran for, but you ran so far you made it too the damn Mall.

If they wanted you, it'd be hard to find you in a crowded area.

So not carring you ran in through the back door, careful to avoid any employees.

You opened a door to backroom, locking it and falling agaisnt it till you reached the ground

Cue the mini mental break down.

"Y/n?"

She looked up, Steve in his Scoops Ahoy outfit.

"The hell happened-"

She laughed, "of course! I fucking coming running into here!"

"You look horrible. What the hell keeps happening to you-"

"Hey Harrington I asked for-"

Robin stopped seeing y/n on the floor, "oh shit..."

"Hey! It's Y/n!" Dustin cheered, "wait. What the hell happened to you!"

Steve brings you to the other room, sitting you down on the chair he usually sat in.

"Look at you." He spoke, holding her face, "Jesus...you smell like smoke..."

Steve patched you up, and even gave you his change of chlothes to wear,

You thanked him quietly, and told them what happened.

Robin though new to this seems to understand more.

"You dipwads she cant fight because she won't hurt them."

Dustin things its the Russians

"You've had trouble with them before! Why not now? Mind control is a thing!" Dustin told.

He wasnt completely wrong, and even showed you something they've intercepted

"I have some of it." Robin explained, "The week is long. The silver cat feeds when blue meets yellow in the west. I dont know the last part."

"Its in Russian?" Y/n asked.

"If we let you listen-"

"Yeah yeah first rule about russian interception club is you dont talk about russian interception club."

Dustin handed you over the tape, you putting the headphones on as you listened to it.

"A trip to China sounds nice if you tread lightly." Y/n answeed taking the headphones off.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"How'd you know Russian?" Dustin asked.

"Natasha." Y/n explained, the two teens looking at her confused.

"Black Widow?" Dustin cut in.

"Oh!"

"Hydra. In Hawkins?" Y/n asked, "this small little town?"

"Why wouldnt they? It wouldnt be suspicious. In the middle of the woods?"

Y/n hummed, that seemed reasonable.

They left you to think, Dustin and Steve apparently going Russian hunting whatever the hell that ment.

"So...Avenger huh?" Robin asked, "You and Steve?"

"Im not sure what I am to myself let alone others." Y/n answered.

She hummed sitting across from Y/n.

"Must be difficult." Robin explained, "Having so much to carry."

"I just. Want things to go back to the way they use to be. Before Hawkins."

Robin looked at her with Sympathy, going back to simpilar times didnt sound too bad.

"Harrington that bad?" She joked.

"Is it bad if I say yes?"

Robin chuckled.

"He's. Not." Y/n responded, "I just..."

"Have to be the hero?"

"I don't have to be Anything."

"Yeah." She spoke, "but it helps."

After that she left you to work for another hour or so before her lunch break.

You mostly sat there with a napkin and pen trying to map things out

You had an idea, and went to go tell robin but once you walked out Robin was gone.

Though the Mall was full, it seemed empty. Y/n walked out, "Robin? Harrington? Henderson?"

Walking around some more looking for the trio she found no one, for a while too, a good hour perhaps she walked around?

"Hey there." A man spoke up, he wearing a cream colored trench coat, with dark glasses, "You look a little lost."

"Uh. No... thanks though." Y/n answered.

"Lost someone then? Your kid? Boyfriend?"

"No." Y/n spoke eyeing him, "You look like my friend."

"Do I now?" He answered, "Now I should take that as a compliment? Shouldnt I?"

"Yeah ladies love him...mostly the glasses." Y/n told him.

He laughed, "No very much into the ladies. If you know what I mean."

"You like what you like...." y/n shrugged looking around.

"You sure your not loss there?"

"Yes-"

Y/n stopped seeing Steve himself looking into the distance, about to excuse herself Nancy came running into frame, into his arms, he swinging her around, before kissing her like he longed too for so long.

"You alright there? You look pale as a ghost." He answered, "I would hate for the fun to end so soon. It's just beginning. Hate seeing someone you love kiss another girl?"

Y/n looked at him, "what?"

"Oh come on." He laughed, "I know your not. That. Stupid City Bird."

Y/n stood her ground, "If you-"

"What?" He laughed, "Touched Billy Hargrove? Hurt him?"

Y/n's glare hardened, and he smiled, it was sick, full of genuine pleasure, he watched her think about her next words.

"This is fake." Y/n responded, "i wouldnt be surpised if I was dreaming."

"Oh?" He responded, "and how you figured that?"

"Because Dustins not with Steve. And there always together." She responded, "not to mention. Im wearing Steve's change of chlothes, and he's wearing the same chlothes I am. My reflection isnt in your glasses. Even if they were dark there'd be a reflection. Not to mention. I know when a magic user is fucking with me."

The mall went silent, everyone gone, just no clipped into an unknown plane.

"What do you want and why are you here." Y/n demanded.

"Because you're fucked." He responded, "and I want to watch it fuck you over, watch your worst nightmares come true. Its the onky thing that brings me that much closer to feel free-"

"Corinthian thats enough-"

Y/n's eyes shot open, she arched over head asleep on her arms which rested on the table.

"Morin sleeping beauty." Robin spoke.

"How...long?"

"Not long. Thrity maybe."

You sat up letting your bones crack and Steve and Dustin came back

"No Russians." Dustin spoke, "not yet."

"Good. I want my break." Robin spoke, "and do a bit of my own hunting. You coming Y/n?"

Y/n was silent, she looking at Steve in a way. A way she's never looked at someone, she dazed, feeling like she was gonna cry.

"Oh my god your nose is bleeding-"

Robin was quick to grab napkins, Stevee trying to rush to help as well.

She felt.

Alone.

"Hey Dustin. Go. Russian hunting with Robin-"

"What? No way-"

"Now." Steve ordered.

"Fine." Dustin spoke, "If you need anything. Uh. Tell Steve?"

Y/n lookrd over at Dustin, "yeah..."

He gave her a toothy smile and a thumbs up, before being pulled away by Robin.

"Thats the second time you know." He responded cleaning her face.

Y/n was silent, it familiar, this had just happened this morning.

"Are you okay?" He asked bringing a chair infront of her, sitting across from her, "all the sudden. This is happening. Why?"

He just got a stare in return, her nose hadnt stopped bleeding. She just. Stared.

Stared into his soul, he felt like. Like she was searching for something.

"Look. Im sorry what I said this morning."

"Did you kiss Nancy." Was all she said, "after I left?"

"No...why would you-"

"Did you kiss Nancy before I left."

"I. I didnt kiss her no. I."

"Did she kiss you?'

He was quiet, but nodded, "Yeah right after we..."

"Right after? A day? A week?"

"....the same day..."

"Did you sleep with her too? The same day-"

"No. I would never do that to you-" he answered then sighed cleaning her fsce, "why...ask now?"

"Because I just watched Nancy Wheeler kiss you..." Y/n responded, "I. I know it sounds crazy...my dream-"

"You just made me feel guilty because of a dream?"

"No. Thats- it wasnt a regular dream."

"Sure of the hell wasnt."

Y/n got up quickly pushing Steve behind her, it took her a few seconds, "You..."

"Guilty as charged." He smiled, "Now why doesnt your friend here get us some icecream? Swirl please."

"Y/n who is this-"

"Corinthian..." y/n spoke, "I dont fucking trust you."

"Well it looks like my names out of the bag." He sighed, taking a seat, "that icecream please? Whatever the lady wants and a swirl for me."

"Go Steve-"

"Are you kidding- no-"

"Go. Now." Y/n ordered, "go."

Corinthian watched Steve walk off and back to the front.

"Dont tell me I manifested your bullshit. When I woke up." Y/n complained.

"If your refering to the bloody nose." He responded, "that is not my problem at all...city bird."

"How the fuck do you know Billy." Y/n glared.

"Oh through you of course." He responded, "You dream. Alot. Alot Alot."

"And?" Y/n argued.

"You remember half them?"

"No."

"Any of the good ones?"

"If you know I dream so much you know I dont get the good shit."

"Yep." He responded, "I've been with you for a long time. Gets harder every time. Every crack, and nessle, nook and cranny."

"You seem happy bout it."

"Bout your nightmares shall we call them?" He asked.

Steve came back with two cups of icecream.

"Thank you Steve." Corinthian smiled at him.

Steve only looked at her, she looking back, and he left.

"You see Y/n." Corinthian started, "you...me...were not so diffrent."

"I think we're plenty different."

He chuckled under his breathe, "See...but we aren't. You and me were one of a kind, strong, independent, no where to fit in: we're alone. I suppose. Instead of insulting you. Us. I should be thanking you really."

Y/n watched as he broke off his monolouge with a spoonful of icecream, "Dream fucked me over once, ruined me. Thanks for bringing me back doll. That Mystic Arts Bullshit really does pay off, doesnt it?"

Y/n glared as he stood up, grabbing his icecream, "I'll see you soon doll. Good luck with the Russians."

He turned around to her, lowering his dark glasses, showing not eyes, but teeth, "Your gonna need all the shit help you can get."

With that he pushed up his glasses and left

You were a complete mess, he obviously was seemingly against you and had the power of magic and your completely fucked completely fucked

Your nose had stopped bleeding a while ago, and was drying up.

"Hey!" Robin called running in, "I got it! I know what it means!- and your still covered in blood..."

"Yeah. Sorry." Y/n responded rushing to clean her face at the sink.

"Are you okay?" Dustin asked.

"Yeah. Yeah." Y/n responded, "stress. Is...all.."

"I would be worried too, but dont worry, everyones safe. And okay." Dustin told her, "Im sure of it."

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Tags: @raelwrites @miiikkeey @beebslebobs @ah-witch @supernaturallover2002 @pearlstiare @simonsbluee @stilllivindue2spite @lvbred @dancingqueen21 @writerdream22 @i-reblog-fics-i-like @knivqs @xxlaynaxx @3-spurr @eliskakratochvilova @sunshinepower17 @marssssaturn @howlerwolfmax @mxltifxnd0m @varientlyvisual @givemylovetoall @faithm120601 @abbiesxox @loenq @briana-mishell24 @wendds @slytherinroyalty16 @bubbabobbubbles @awritingotaku

#x reader #marvel x reader #x female reader #stranger things x marvel #marvel x stranger things #MCU x ST #st x mcu #female reader #steve harrington #Ayo Corinthian showed up?#no one reads the tags but Ima spoil it and say that Y/n is gonna get realm walking powers #dad! frank castle #stranger things x reader #Cant wait to kill off the reader tbh #hahahhah

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nightmarecountry-a · 2 years ago

Note

This night, he called Corinth to him, uncharacteristically quiet. The playfulness was forced. He wasn’t fighting the nightmare like he usually did: too squeamish to handle looking in the mirror, resisting the script to tempt Corinth into following Mieczysław’s desires. This time he was solemn and quiet, taking it. When The Corinthian seemed to stray, the dreamer shook his head.

“I need you to show me the mirror tonight.”

No-one asks for the Corinthian: he simply happens to them, whether they want him to or not, no matter how calm they make their minds before bed or which gods they pray to to never have to see the Smiling Man again. But Mieczysław has been given a gift others have not, and when he calls, the Corinthian heels.

It's unusual for Mieczysław not to fight him; not to resist the creeping dark and cold prickle of fear that seeps into every crack of the dream. The Corinthian will be slaked either way, but he has something specific in mind, something Miecz will enjoy too, and it surprises him when that isn't what Mieczysław wants. When he asks for the dark mirror, and not the blood-sweet distractions.

Cold fingertips brush just under Miecz's eye socket, considering. He could end this quickly: ricochet Miecz from one terror into another until his heart beats so fast he has to wake up. He could be brutal, a blunt weapon instead of a surgical instrument. The louder the fear the sweeter the eyes.

But the Corinthian was made to serve, and for Mieczysław to see himself truly reflected, he needs a finer hand. A slow, methodical delve into the darkest parts of himself, all the things he can't bear to look at. The nightmare knows which part is haunting him most loudly tonight: his hypocrisy, his belief that rules do not apply to him. His principles and the lines he's crossed, lines he never saw himself crossing, things that make him feel guilty and ashamed when he looks at them too long.

He taps his finger against Miecz's cheekbone, and withdraws from him. Slowly, the dreamscape shifts: the first Corinthian murder site Miecz ever investigated. The second withdraws; turns lean and hungry; sharpens his smile and his knives.

"Let's start at the beginning."

#ic.#v: the remake #zloslwy #[ screams very quietly.]

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papirouge · 3 years ago

Note

SPEAK MY FRIEND

👏🏻 just 👏🏻 because 👏🏻 we 👏🏻 disagree 👏🏻 with 👏🏻 people 👏🏻 doesn’t 👏🏻 mean 👏🏻 that 👏🏻 they 👏🏻 shouldn’t 👏🏻 be 👏🏻 treated 👏🏻 like 👏🏻 the 👏🏻 creations 👏🏻 of 👏🏻 God 👏🏻 they 👏🏻 are 👏🏻 everyone 👏🏻 deserves 👏🏻 respect 👏🏻 and 👏🏻 kindness 👏🏻

Disagreement isn’t hate

Love isn’t agreement

Jesus said to love your neighbour as yourself and he did. He loved all humanity even though we don’t deserve it. He loved the very people who nailed him to the cross. He loves all sinners, all humans and we should too, even though we disagree in reject sin, just as he did.

The Christian goal is to live like Jesus, for Jesus. He didn’t bow to those he opposed, but he showed them COMPASSION

"Love isn't agreement" That's really it!! 👏🏾💛

They really played themselves by trying to get at me trying with 1 Corinthians 6:9 as if I was endorsing sin when NOWHERE in my post did I say homosexuality wasn't a sin ; but these people are so cool with associating "acknowledging sin" with "being an ass with sinners" that they see a Christian telling to not be rude with sinners and they're like "SO YOU'RE OKAY WITH SIN???!!!" bruh.

I remember a post floating around in this scene Christian LARPer/rightoid quoting 1 Corinthians 13 (one of the most famous Bible passage talking about Love) saying "see? This is how you should love you spouse" and what stroke me is that... this chapter isn't necessary aimed at spousal Love. In this chapter, Paul talks about agape Love, which is benevolence, fraternal, affectionate Love. The Love you have for your family & friends of course, but also for anyone on this planet. But these people were so far up their conceitedness they could NOT fathom the possibility of handling this passage in a way that wasn't self-serving. Despite trying to pass like good people ("even if your marriage gets hard, you still have to love your spouse") it was still in a context that was ultimately still beneficial for them (their marriage).

1 Corinthians 13 should be read in context of every type of relationship, in which you should behave with agape Love. An interesting exercise for any Christian would be to read it thinking about someone you dislike, had an argument with, your worst enemy....and THEN you'll grasp what a Christlike Loving behavior truly is. Jesus NEVER retaliated. He wasn't provocative. He never cussed anyone. He never resorted to use weapons. He healed anyone, even His enemies (the ear of the soldier who came to arrest Him that Peter had cut off). This is something these people fail to grasp. Everyday they're bitching against their governement, liberals, gays, Blacks, etc... I wanna tell them "read 1 Corinthians 13 and think about any of these demographics. If you're having a hard time with, do it again, and again, until you finally grasp what being Christian actually is. It is not a quote in your bio, it is not a culture, it is not a political party, it is not a race, it is not a sexual orientation"

They pretend being true authentic Christians but they're actually modern day pharisees who think branding themselves as Christians and sugarcoating their behavior with Bible verse achieve something. They're not seeking to save souls or spread the Gospel. They're just being twats on the web occasionally talking about their self-serving -lowercase j- jesus and -lowercase g- god.

Watch them pull out pointless posts dissing "degenerate gays" "stupid liberals" or "violent Blacks" but the moment you come and say "you are a fake Christian😐" they are shook. They dish something they can't take. Pathetic & weak.

#i remember edging on this dangerous slope a few time after I converted #but I got my shit together real quick #it's really important to not let you influence into thinking being an ass is cool or harmless #Christian #answered

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thepaintedlady00 · 2 years ago

Text

Burden

Part 6

Part 5 | Part 7

TW: fluff, a bit of pining, Dream fucks everything up like he does, arguments, depictions of violence, the glass cage is here y'all so buckle up, ANGST, betrayal, character death? This cliffhanger is one of my worst, like honestly I apologize in advance! 😅

“Try this one,” Lucienne suggested, setting the large book down in front of you.

With a soft sigh, you looked up at her and smiled. “We’ve tried this one before, my friend. It held no words then, I do not expect it to now.”

She quietly cursed herself, taking the book back and studying the cover until the memory returned to her. “One moment! I’ll find another!”

“Lucienne,” you replied quietly, reaching out to take her hand. “I greatly appreciate your efforts, but this is hardly necessary.”

“Reading is a beautiful thing,” she insisted. “And I am determined to find a book among these endless shelves that you, my lady, can enjoy.”

“I do enjoy them,” you insisted. “Lord Morpheus has been kind enough to read many of them to me.”

Lucienne gave you a quick, fleeting glance with that knowing smile of hers. “Very true, but it is different to be read to and to read with one's own eyes.”

You shook your head, laughing at her persistence. “You’re not going to give this up, are you?”

“Of course not!” She cried out, returning to her shelves. “I am the librarian after all. It’s my duty to ensure all in this place find what they’re seeking.”

“Very well,” you relented with a smile.

It had been nearly a year since the passing of Puck, and you’d spent more time within The Dreaming than anywhere else. It was nice to have others around to fill the hole left by the loss of yet another companion. The pain would never truly fade, it never did, but at least you did not have to mourn alone. Lucienne offered you friendship and knowledge without reservation. The handyman, Mervyn, was quick to fill your free moments with laughter and projects. Jessamy showed you the best spots to sit in for a moment of peace. Cain and Abel and Gregory provided enough company to make you feel like you were part of a family, even one as dysfunctional as theirs. The Corinthian had been distant, but he always accompanied you for a walk along the beach when you’d asked… though he was far quieter now, far less open with you than he had been in the past he remained your best friend. And Dream… he did everything within his power to make you feel welcomed and at peace.

He often reminded you of the last shaping stone that you wore around your neck in a beautiful necklace that he’d crafted for you. He assured you it would be different than the others, that its life would never fade as theirs had, but you were still afraid. What if your presence corrupted even that? What if you lost this final companion just as you did the others? No. Your heart couldn’t bear such a thing, not so shortly after Puck.

You and Dream hadn’t spoken of that day. Not of the way you’d held his hand or cried in his arms, and certainly not of the way you sought his hand out every moment after. If it bothered him, he hid it well, but part of you wanted desperately to believe he craved the simple act of affection as much as you did.

Jessamy flew beside you as you made your way to Cain and Abel's garden for afternoon tea. It had become a lovely ritual between you, one that had begun with an argument over whose house was best suited for tea and which brother had better cakes. Eventually, after Cain stabbed Abel once or twice, you all came to the agreement that tea in the garden would be just fine. You crossed the bridge and sadly smiled at the brother covered in dirt, beating his clothing off beside his door. “How deep did he bury you this time?”

Abel perked up at the sound of your voice. “Oh, not that deep! It was a small argument, so he just shoved me into the hole rather than buried me.”

“I am glad you did not have to dig your way out this time,” you said, quietly helping him.

“It wouldn’t be that horrible,” the man insisted, his smile never faltering. “Gregory would have helped.”

You heard the large creature leap down behind you, seeking to startle you as he always did. You let him, of course, the look of pride Gregory had was well worth the prolonged wait. He finally made a loud roaring noise and you jumped, twisting around with your hand over your heart. “Goodness! Gregory, darling creature I didn’t hear you!”

He huffed, rubbing his snout against you and sniffing at Abel with a light sneeze. Cain slammed his door shut and set the table without a word. Abel gestured to the plant you’d helped them with. “It grew another leaf!”

Bending over slightly, you examined the still small and frail plant with a silver stem and pale leaves. “That’s wonderful progress.”

“It’ll bloom in no time, I just know it!”

“Teas ready!” Cain hollered, dragging all of you over to the table. “It won’t be awful this time because it’s my tea we used.”

You thanked him as he filled your cup. The brothers used the same tea, though you weren’t going to be the one to tell them this. That certainly was a job for their king. “It’s lovely, Cain.”

Jessamy perched on the table, carefully dipping her beak into a cup of her own. “Tastes the same to me as the last one.”

Cain gave her a cold look. “It’s hardly the same! Your bird taste buds are just weak.”

“If you say so,” she mumbled taking a small piece of cake and eating it.

After drinking tea and having a slice of cake you always remained to play with Gregory. He tossed the ball high up into the air before bouncing it off his beak toward you. You weren't as good at the game as he was, but you both seemed to enjoy the company and simple rules.

When the sun began to set over the garden you bid your friends farewell and made your way toward the palace where Dream waited for you on the bridge. You couldn’t help the way your heartbeat stuttered at the sight of him, nor the way your cheeks burned and a smile formed. His head turned and one of the corners of his mouth twitched. “How was tea?”

“Lovely, as always,” you told him as the two of you fell into step with one another.

He hummed. “And the library? Did Lucienne have any luck finding you a book?”

You shook your head. “She did not, but it was still nice getting to spend time with her.”

“Shall we?” He gestured toward the path to the pier.

It had become a regular thing of Dream to accompany you through your work, one you appreciated greatly as he seemed to genuinely enjoy himself. “If you wish.”

“I do.”

You lifted your hand to him. “Then hold on.”

Things felt lighter with Morpheus beside you. The waters and those that dwelt within it felt warmer and safer. The dreams felt clear and your purpose felt almost good. There were nights when the darkness of the dreamer's fears was heavy, but on those nights you witnessed the mighty Dream of the Endless assert his power over his dominion to ease the shadow and dark.

The two of you walked hand in hand away from the pier, the soft quiet lapping of the water against the strong wood made you feel at ease beside him. The mist grew thicker and the familiar groans of the large trees echoed around you as your realm called you home.

“You can remain here,” Morpheus said, his hand softly squeezing yours.

“I know,” you said equally as softly. “But The Forest needs me, just as your realm needs you.”

He bowed his head. “I understand. Farewell, Daunt.”

You bowed in return. “Farewell, Morpheus. Will you visit tomorrow?”

“If that is your wish.”

“It is.”

He smiled. “Then I shall.”

The mist swirled around you, but your eyes never left his, not until he disappeared from your side completely. Back in the safety and quiet of your realm, you could let yourself feel the burning yearning that grew in your heart with each passing day. Here among the moss and the small flowers and trees, you could let yourself admit that you were becoming more attached to the being you once hated. Of course, you never let yourself think about it for long. You made your way back to your small hut and quietly shut the door, encasing the space in the heat from the fire.

Among your trinkets and the clothes Dream had made for you was an empty bed. You touched the stone around your neck as memories played in your head. Memories of Fern and Gaia and Puck and all the others that had warmed the bed while you were away and greeted you fondly when you returned. You missed each one of them so very much, and normally that would be enough to lead you to wake the stone, but now you had others to rely on. The Dreaming and those that lived within it were all you needed for now.

The Forest greeted you as it always did, with low groans and waves of mist. However, something felt different this time as you walked along the jagged path, something that became clear as you stopped at the bridge. The black-clad Endless stood looking out at the river, their blonde hair and gaudy shoulder pieces shifting in the light breeze. “Desire.”

“Finally! I’ve been waiting for ages.” They smirked. “Did you get enough beauty sleep?”

“What do you want?” You demanded, skipping over the fake polite conversation to get straight to the point and hopefully one step closer to their departure.

"You know how this will end, don't you Mistake?" Desire cooed as they looked back at you, their eyes cosmic blue and their hair messy and dark. "You will only ever be his consort, his whore, never his equal. Others far more beautiful and important have tried and failed before you. My big brother will never change."

"You're wrong." You said, ignoring the way your stomach lurched at the way their words. "He has changed."

Desire laughed and shook their head at you. "When my brother casts you aside, and he will cast you aside little Mistake, I hope you'll remember how I tried to warn you."

Just like before Desire left without another word, but the feeling of heaviness remained in your chest and lungs. The Forest still stank with their honeyed perfume and their bitter words. It only began to fade when another came, replacing the bitterness with sweetened ethereal stardust and citrus. Your heart felt lighter as you watched the thick trees bend their roots to forge a path for him.

Dream smiled, admiring the thick dark wood and emerald leaves. “It would seem your realm has at last taken a liking to me.”

“And to think all it took was a few hundred years and some good behavior.”

He tucked a strand of your hair back into place, his eyes sparkling as he gazed down at you. “Hello, Daunt.”

You couldn’t help but smile at the sound of your name rolling off his tongue so sweetly. “Hello, Morpheus.”

He tilted his head to the side. “Is everything well?”

“It is,” you said, choosing not to tell him of his siblings' sudden appearance and manipulating words.

Like most times Morpheus visited your realm the two of you walked among the trees and you showed him things that had changed or appeared since his last visit. The two of you retired to your home where you offered him tea and he inquired about some of the trinkets you’d collected over the years. As you told your stories, his eyes remained fixed on you, shining and bright and full of something you did not want to name. His soft laughter was intoxicating and you found it harder and harder to deny the truth to yourself.

The two of you sat in your wilted garden as you looked over a pile of books Lucienne had sent with the Dream Lord to see if any held words you could see. “With the stories you hold, I doubt you’ll find a book more interesting.”

You smiled at him. “My stories are hardly more interesting than the words you inspire in your dreamers.”

“On the contrary,” he insisted, the closeness of him making it hard to ignore his strong jaw and his perfectly shaped lips. “I would rather listen to your stories than hear that of the greatest dreamers.”

“Is it my stories that interest you, or my voice?” You teased.

“Can it not be both?”

A blush rose to your cheeks as you glanced away. “I suppose it could be.”

His cold fingers stroked down your cheek and curled around your chin, carefully turning your face back towards his. Your breath caught in your throat as he watched you. Those beautiful eyes you’d come to love so much focused on every part of your face before he spoke, “You are beautiful, Daunt. More beautiful than any book or dream I could ever inspire or create.”

“You give yourself too little credit.”

“You are the one that is not given enough credit,” he replied as your faces drifted closer.

It was a featherlight touch of your lips against his, so light you couldn’t consider it a kiss. After the spark of the sudden contact faded, you found yourself being pulled in closer until Dream's lips pressed fully to yours. All the air left your lungs as you moved with him, your hands fisting in his dark cloak and sliding up to feel the softness of his skin under your fingertips. Dream released your chin, only to cup the back of your neck and angle your head up giving him the access he needed to deepen the kiss.

All around you warmth spread and the sound of petals opening echoed in your ears until you had to pull away. Breathlessly you looked around, eyes wide and nearly full of tears at the sight of your garden full of blooming flowers of every size and color. Dream chuckled, pressing his lips to your jaw for a short moment. “That was unexpected.”

You looked back at him and smiled, cupping his face in your hands. “They’re beautiful, thank you.”

“I did nothing,” he replied. “This realm is yours. It is your power they bent to, not mine.”

Deep in your chest, your heart soared. Desires words were long forgotten as you curled into the chilled arms of the Dream King and admired your garden.

Weeks passed since you shared your first kiss with Dream of the Endless. It was odd, to say the least, but changed little between the two of you. Neither of you would admit that you craved to kiss again… that you craved to do more than just kiss, and so you spent your time together awkwardly talking about anything and everything else. The two of you had begun to spend more time among company to avoid things growing awkward, but this meant that you both had to suffer the looks from Lucienne. The ones that dripped with sarcasm and a silent but still somehow audible Are the two of you serious? Every accidental touch felt like fire on your skin and left you a blushing mess.

The only moments of reprieve from this were with The Corinthian, who’d heard of your kiss and immediately dry heaved. The two of you alone were fine, but when Dream joined the picture the tension between the two put both of them in a foul mood. For a split second, you’d entertained the thought that Dream was… jealous of your closeness with his nightmare, but that had dissipated quickly. Dream of the Endless jealous? Absolutely not.

In recent days Dream was on edge. He was constantly busy with work and often had no more than a few moments to spend with you before he had to leave. Those short moments were tense in every sense and made you feel guilty for being here and bothering him. No matter how many times he assured you that it was not your doing, you still felt this weight settle in your gut. You’d known the Endless being for a very long time, and for most of that the two of you were not exactly on good terms, so you were used to his short temper and the sometimes harshness in his words, but unlike before he always apologized to you. While he was busy you spent more time with The Corinthian, hoping if you kept the nightmare busy enough he’d not be able to contribute to Dream's stress.

“Stop that,” you scolded, picking the little flower out of The Corinthian’s hands as he tore the petals off.

He sighed. “It’s a flower, Daunty, not some little pixie.”

You settled back into his side. “Flowers are living things of their own. Especially the ones that grow here. I doubt Fiddler’s Green appreciates your manhandling of the flora.”

“Well it’s a good thing Fiddler's Green is nothing more than grass and dirt then, isn’t it?”

The grass bent away from him at his words and the ground beneath him puffed out, creating uncomfortable lumps where he sat. The Corinthian groaned and stood up, stomping the ground. You laughed running your fingers through the silky blades of grass. “I don’t think Fiddler’s Green appreciates your sarcasm.”

Once the lumps evened out The Corinthian sat back down. “Fucking ridiculous.”

“Lighten up,” you said, bumping him with your shoulder. “If you’d be a little nicer then maybe you’d have more friends than just me.”

“Nice isn’t in my nature,” he insisted tilting his shades down.

You touched his cheek. “You’re nice to me.”

“You’re the exception, not the rule fair lady.” He turned his gaze away from you again and that wave of discontent washed over you.

Laying your head on his shoulder you sighed. “I adore you, Corinthian.”

He chuckled and laid his head on top of yours. “Yeah, me too Daunty.”

The two of you rested beneath the trees of Fiddler’s Green for a long while until The Corinthian had to return to his duties, or simply wished to cause trouble before night fell. This time, however, it was Dream that interrupted the two of you. His hands were clasped behind his back as he stood in front of his nightmare, eyes dark and body tense. “Corinthian, you have duties to attend to.”

“Do I?” Your friend questioned with a wide grin. “My apologies, your majesty. I shall attend them at once.”

He turned and smiled down at you, tipping his hat. “Lady Daunt.”

You pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. “Dear Corinthian. Do try to behave.”

Standing, almost toe to toe with Dream the nightmare laughed. “But of course.”

Dream did not relax, not even when the nightmare left the meadow. “You should mind him more carefully.”

“What?”

“The Corinthian is my most fearsome nightmare, not a pet for you to play with.” He hissed. “His duties and his function are more important than you know.”

You blinked, slightly shocked by his ornery behavior. “I do not need a lecture on the importance of one's functions. I’ve done nothing to disrupt his duties.”

“You’ve done more than you think,” he replied, looking away in the direction his nightmare left. With a sigh, he returned his gaze to you. “I have a meeting with an old friend. I trust you’ll be alright here while I am gone.”

Still slightly upset by his ever-darkening mood and flippant temper you merely nodded. “Of course, I will be.”

“I shall return soon.” He bowed his head and turned on his heel, leaving you behind and alone in the meadow.

As you remained the tension slowly drained from you and once again you were content to relax against the tree. It was difficult for you, seeing Dream in such a foul mood. Though you knew it was not aimed at you, per se, and was the cause of stresses he dealt with during his own duties seeing him in such a way always made you fearful. You heard the sharp sound of twigs snapping and there, across the way a tall buck stood watching you.

It was a beautiful beast, tall with ornate antlers and a deep rich coat of brown and tan. It sniffed the air of Fiddler’s Green for a moment before it bent its head down to nip at the grass below. A deep sense of wonder filled you, pulling you up from your spot and easing you forward, toward the creature. As you got closer it lifted its head up and huffed a hot breath in your face.

“Easy,” you whispered. “I won’t hurt you.”

For a minute the both of you paused, watching one another closely until you lifted your hand toward it. A beat passed before the buck lifted its snout to your open hand and a rush of joy filled your lungs. You laughed softly, stroking its snout gently as the fur began to turn white beneath your palm. As it spread, filling the coat of the creature you smiled. The buck settled onto the ground and laid its head in your lap, groaning in pleasure when you’d scratch a certain spot.

The sun had finally set and the stars filled the sky as you watched the gentle creature. “White looks lovely on you.”

Hours passed and the creature remained at your side. You were excited to show Dream that such a magnificent beast did not fear you and had relaxed at your side, but when The Dreaming quaked and the night sky clouded over with darkness and rain your excitement quickly shifted to worry. A few moments later you could see the blazing flames at his feet and the glowing eyes of Dream of the Endless fix upon you.

“What happened?” You asked, concerned that his meeting had gone poorly.

“What did you do?” Was his reply as his eyes fixed on the creature now looking up at him startled.

You stroked a comforting hand down its snout. “He came from the woods to graze and trusted me to come close.”

Shadow and flame seethed over his stiff form as his wide, watery eyes looked at his creation, now snowy white, and venom filled his voice as he stalked forward. "What have you done?"

"I did nothing," you whispered.

"Was it not your touch that did this?" He spat, gesturing to the buck, an action that caused it to rise from your lap and skirt backward.

You too recoiled slightly, before standing and reaching out toward him. “Morpheus I… I’m sorry I didn’t think-”

His hand gripped yours tightly, squeezing until you could feel the bones groan and grind together beneath the skin. “That is the problem! You didn’t think! It is your lack of thought that causes The Corinthian to act out, to challenge and defy me.”

The Corinthian? You shook your head as tears welled in your eyes. “I haven’t said anything to him about defiance. Morpheus, please let me -”

“No.” He said, voice low and rumbling like thunder. "Everything you touch spoils… Everything you speak to is corrupted by your words. All of this is your doing. Another burden upon my shoulders for me to remedy."

Your heart dropped into your stomach as you looked at him, regarding you with the same expression he had for so long before. Dream looked at you now as though you were nothing... Nothing more than a burden. You were prepared for this, weren't you? How many years had you spent by his side fearing this exact thing?

It wasn't real… And perhaps it never had been.

You bowed your head, steeling your emotions. "Fear not, Dream Lord, I'll not make such mistakes again."

His eyes softened slightly, but Dream did not relent, he could not. He kept his head held high as you turned away and when he felt you vanish from his realm he kept it there. Dream did not listen to Lucienne's quiet concerns, nor did he permit Jessamy to speak on the matter. Whether he believed it was your fault or not mattered little now. What was done was done and now there was only the way forward.

All while you walked alone to your hut you heard Desire's voice echo all around you, the forest darker than it had ever been, the restlessness within it unending as the tiny specks of sunlight vanished. "Never his equal."

The flowers that had begun to grow along the path and beyond it wilted as you passed by. "My big brother will never change."

The mist curled around you, heavy and cold. "I hope you'll remember how I tried to warn you."

Nothing felt like yours anymore, not The Forest, the paths he'd treaded beside you just days ago. Not your hut, the soft cushioned surfaces he'd sat by your side and stroked your cheek free of tears. Not your clothes, the multitude of soft clothes he'd made and gifted to you. Not your collection of trinkets, the ones you'd placed in his hands and shared your stories with him.

All of it everywhere was filled with echoes of him, his scent, his power, his lies. With a strangled noise, you tore it all apart, throwing every last trinket and piece of furniture until only the broken pieces lay around you. Your hand curled around the shaping stone, the last surviving thing that hummed with dreams.

You lifted your arm, anger and hate filling your lungs as you prepared to throw it, shatter it and free yourself from the torturous presence it held. The pulse of life in your hand stopped you. It was a piece of something young and innocent and new. A life yet unlived. And there beside that, it held a piece of him, of star-filled skies, of moonlight paths and music and dancing. The part of Dream that had made you feel seen… That made you feel beautiful and worthy. It held Morpheus the being you had foolishly fallen in love with.

With a harsh sob, you lowered your arm, cradling the stone to your chest as you fell to the ground and wept. Warmth filled your hand as the stone spurred to life. "You know how this will end, don't you Mistake?"

Dream looked at the stained glass depiction of his nightmare looming over his throne, holding his helm tightly in his hands. He’d spent months listening to The Corinthians ever increasing words of defiance and outbursts, but he never truly thought the nightmare would go so far. It was easy to pinpoint the event that resulted in such unruly behavior, the two were always close. Daunt had not returned to The Dreaming since that night in Fiddler’s Green. He’d not locked the doors or banished her from his realm, yet there was still no sight of her, not even on the beaches or the pier.

Of course, he hadn’t been looking for her. Part of him still felt so angry at Hob Gadlings' accusations of needing companionship and at Daunt’s unexpected changing of one of his creatures, however unintentional it was. But it was not his anger that barred him from seeking Daunt out, it was his shame. How long had he nurtured the trust between them? How long had he wanted for her to feel comfortable enough to reach out and touch his creations, interact with his world in full only to punish her the moment she actually did it? Shame disguised as pride was a dangerous and horrible thing.

“My Lord?” Lucienne’s tentative voice broke him away from his thoughts and brought him back to the matter at hand. The Corinthian loose in the Waking World. His grip on his helm tightened. “Could you not… perhaps call upon Lady Daunt to follow after The Corinthian? The two were friends-”

“No.” He ground his teeth together. “This does not concern her.”

“You are coming back, aren’t you?”

Jessamy cawed at his feet. “Why would I not return, Lucienne?”

“I don’t know, a presentiment. As powerful as you are here, in your realm, dreams rarely survive in the Waking World.” He donned his helm and poured the sand from his pouch into the palm of his hand, feeling it swirl at his feet as his librarian continued. “Nightmares, on the other hand, seem to thrive there.”

“Here in the Darkness.” The disembodied voices echoed through the darkness that settled over your realm as bodies of shadow, creatures of hollow dreams, and rouge nightmares roamed your woods freely. At first, you thought this to be some punishment of Dreams, but The Forest cried out louder. “Here in the darkness.”

A shadow lunged for you, caught by the vines of the trees and dragged away before it could touch you. Another followed, scratching at your feet for a short moment before a flash of white leaped down and the sharp teeth closed around its throat with a sickening crunch. The white wolf looked up at you, deep blue eyes wide with worry. “Are you harmed, my lady?”

“No,” you assured the creature with a gentle touch. “I am fine, Sirius.”

Blue eyes flared to the remained shadows that the mist held at bay. “What are these creatures?”

You shook your head, examining them from your safe place. “Old shadows, spirits that were lost to The Forest long ago… though some are Nightmares.”

“Nightmares?”

“Yes, beings belonging to The Dreaming and to the Dream Lord.”

“He dares invade our realm?”

A chill ran up your spine and the ground quaked beneath you. “Here in the darkness.”

“No,” you whispered. “I fear this is something far more sinister.”

You hadn’t planned on returning to The Dreaming, not this soon at least, but your realm cried out and writhed in pain. The only one that could be responsible was Dream and so there you were, standing before the Gates of Horn and Ivory. Something was wrong. The sky was dull and the sand felt like it was a breath away from falling into nothingness. You reached up, but before you could even touch the gates they shook and groaned, opening of their own accord to reveal the lush forests and beautiful trees dead. All green was gone, replaced by black decay and crumbling stone.

There were very few Dreams and Nightmares in the town, all of them growing void of color and joy. The bridge to the palace quaked beneath your feet as you strode through the front doors of the palace and looked upon the empty throne. “Dream Lord?”

Sirius fell into place beside you, looking at the dull blue room warily. “This is the great palace of Dreams?”

“Dream?” You called again, louder this time.

“Daunt?” Lucienne’s voice replied as she hurried around the corner and smiled sadly. “Oh, my lady!”

You caught her in a tight hug. “What’s happened?”

She shook her head, tears forming behind her glasses. “Lord Morpheus… He’s missing.”

“Missing?” Memories of Destructions unexpected departure resurfaced. “When? Where?”

“A month ago…” She bowed her head. “Everyone else has given up hope… they say he has abandoned us as Destruction did his realm.”

You shook your head, a soft gasp escaping from your lips. “No. He wouldn’t do that.”

Lucienne’s eyes widened as she clutched the book she held to her chest. “Do you suppose this has something to do with The Corinthian?”

“The Corinthian?” Pain filled every breath you took. “It is your lack of thought that causes The Corinthian to act out, to challenge and defy me.”

“Yes, Lord Morpheus went to the Waking World to retrieve him.” Lucienne grimaced. “He fled to the Waking World and began… overstepping.”

"Everything you touch spoils… Everything you speak to is corrupted by your words. All of this is your doing. Another burden upon my shoulders for me to remedy." He had been right. You had done this… Had twisted his greatest creation with your touch and words… had caused him to flee his role. Is this what happened to Destruction as well? Was this part of your curse upon the universe?

Sirius nudged you, a soothing gesture he often did when you froze. “My lady, we should return to The Forest.”

You shook your head again, fighting back tears. “No. If Dream’s disappearance has caused such a disturbance there it will not be remedied until he returns.”

“What shall we do then?”

“Where was The Corinthian last? If I can find him perhaps he will lead me to Dream.”

Lucienne nodded, quickly consulting the book in her hands. “London. Here is the address. Please, my lady Daunt…” She let loose a shaking breath. “Bring him home. I know the two of you have been… distant… but-”

You set your hand on her shoulder and smiled. “I will bring him back, I swear it.”

You’d spent weeks in the Waking World, searching the streets of London for The Corinthian or Dream, yet found nothing. Sirius had been traveling back and forth between London and The Dreaming and The Forest, as you tried desperately to keep things from falling apart. Without Dream, you could always hear the desperate voices of the dreamers crying out, pained and broken as they pleaded with any god or being that would listen. It made sleep elude you, made every waking moment a never-ending nightmare. You had to find him.

Sirius vanished into the mist, back to The Forest where more creatures tore down barrier after barrier and threatened to take over your realm entirely. Everything was twisted and mangled and reeked of Despair. Whether the Endless twins had anything to do with this you still didn’t know, but you would find out one way or another after you found Dream.

You’d traveled further out of the town than normal, and made your way to a bridge that by the look of it led to some kind of house, a manor perhaps. For a moment you stood still, resting your hand on the edge of the bridge as the water echoed through your ears. You should have felt him, his power or presence, something. But there was nothing, only the river, the bridge, and the breeze. Just as you were about to turn around you heard it, a distant caw and the desperate beating of wings.

A voice. Jessamy. “Daunt!” Another caw echoed as you lifted your eyes to the sky, hope unfurling in your chest. “Daunt!”

“Jessamy!” You cried out, taking a half-step forward.

“NO!” The bird called out, trying to fly faster.

You were about to ask her what was wrong, what had happened, and where Dream was, but a calm hand resting on your shoulder stopped you. “I was hoping you’d give up, Daunty.”

“Corinthian?” You breathed turning to face your friend, but it was not your friend you laid eyes on… only the nightmare. The sting of steel tearing through your chest was unexpected and far more painful than you thought it would be. Gasping you looked down at the blade, at the blood that now stained your white dress, and at the shaking hand that held the hilt of the knife.

"I'm sorry Daunt…" The Corinthians' lips quivered, and his blade dug deeper into your chest. "But I can't let you free him."

You cupped his cheek, tears streaming down your face as one last cold breath slid past your lips, "My dear Corinthian..."

Jessamy’s screams and desperate caws echoed in your ears as you stumbled back from the nightmare. You fell over the edge of the stone bridge and down into the cold depths below. As you sank further and further down the water turned red before your eyes and a strong current pulled at your limp body, dragging you back toward the surface. The familiar misty canopy of the great tree greeted you, but The Forest groaned and the ground shook beneath you. Your body burned as the frost-ridden mist settled lower and the water that now flooded the roots of the great tree began to rise.

A dark figure appeared in the mist, walking languidly toward you while clapping slowly. “My, my, what a sorry sight you make.”

Desire. Their golden eyes appeared first, then the wide red Cheshire smile you loathed so much. The Forest grew louder as the leaves on the trees began to shake and shift from their mystic dark emerald to poisoned, rotted scarlet. The Endless bent over and took your chin in their hand. “I did tell you this would happen, didn’t I?”

You drew a deep, stuttered breath, “Leave.”

“Oh, little Mistake,” they purred. “It’s not very polite to bite the hand that’s here to save you.”

Save you? Pain flared in your chest and the roots of the trees began to move, drawing you in. Desire made a face, shifting to accommodate the wood before returning their burning eyes to you. “I can heal you, take you far from this dying little realm of yours and give you all your pathetic little heart desires. All I ask in return is that when the time comes you’ll help me bring my big brother to his knees.”

Even weak, dying, you scoffed. “I… Would rather die than betray Dream.”

“He has already betrayed you, Mistake.” Their grip on your chin grew tighter. “You are nothing to him. A burden he must shoulder. I could give you a grand palace, subjects to rule and worship you, a crown of gold and rubies. Everything you desire can be yours.”

“No,” You whispered in response. No matter how grand a kingdom Desire gave you, no matter how many subjects they offered or gold or rubies it would never be what you wanted, what you craved and desired with all of your being.

Love. It was all you wanted since the beginning of your life. For so long all you’d desired was someone to love you as you loved them… though back then you didn’t know the true depth of it. Back then you couldn’t have known that it was Dream you’d wanted to love you. Desire scowled at you and gripped the knife, still lodged into your chest, twisting as they spoke. “Stupid, idiotic, pathetic thing! Who are you to refuse my generosity? You are nothing but a mistake! You are a burden!”

They pulled the dagger out of your chest and lifted it, poised and ready to deal the final blow when Sirius leaped from the mist with an angry growl, latching onto Desire's wrist and forcing them to the ground. You could hear the struggle between the wolf and the Endless being, but you were too weak to aid your companion. A loud whimper and a booming frustrated cry echoed in the air before you felt Desire’s foreboding presence vanish from your world. Sirius returned to your side, one of his bright blue eyes now marred with a deep cut.

“My lady,” he whispered, lifting himself up to press a paw to your still bleeding wound. “How can I help you… What must I do?”

Redwater sloshed beneath you as the roots of the trees continued to groan and twist around you. “Stay. Stay beside me until the end.”

Sirius curled into your side, burying his snout into the crook of your neck. “Always, my lady.”

Frost settled onto the trees and moss as snow began to fall from the darkened sky. The mist grew thicker as darkness descended on The Forest. Above the cracking of the tree roots and the rushing water and the sinister whispers the saddened, fearful whines of a loyal companion could be heard through every dream and nightmare. All would hear your quiet labored breaths and feel the cold overtake your skin. All but the man with stars in his eyes trapped behind the glass. All but Dream of the Endless.

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pengychan · 4 years ago

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[Good Omens] Winging It - 1 Corinthians 3:3

Summary: Shockingly, attempting to destroy an angel without consulting God first comes with consequences. There is more than one way to fall, and a thousand more ways to inconvenience an angel and a demon who just wanted to be left in peace. Characters: Gabriel, Crowley, Aziraphale, Beelzebub, Michael, Uriel, Sandalphon Rating: T

Prologue and all chapters are tagged as ‘winging it’ on my blog.

A/N: Well, this is where Warlock accidentally brings up something none of the two idiots who raised him ever thought about. Plus, Beelzebub gets a mug.

Art by @lunaescribe

***

“Well. I have to admit, this will speed things up quite considerably.”

Leaning on the door he’d just opened, Crowley grinned. Said door would normally lead into a backroom in Aziraphale’s bookstore, but with some imagination from his part it now opened right on the spacious loft of the very nice cottage they had only just purchased in the South Downs, with a generous and perfectly valid check.

“I can’t believe you considered putting everything in boxes and calling a moving company. How do you keep forgetting what we can do?”

Much of it, Aziraphale suspected, came from the fact Heaven seemed much better than Hell at keeping track of miracles performed and part of him still expected to receive a strongly worded letter against frivolous miracles from Gabriel if he pushed it too far. Well, maybe not from Gabriel, but from… whoever replaced him.

And besides… “Well, I’m hardly the only one who occasionally forgets,” he said.

Crowley frowned. “What do you mean by that? I never just forget I can miracle my way--”

“Why did you not use this trick to get to Tadfield last summer?”

A few rather amusing things happened on Crowley’s face, and Aziraphale watched it all unfold with keen interest. His eyebrows shot up, his mouth opened, then closed, opened again. His forehead scrunched, and finally he opened his mouth again. He stammered a little before catching himself.

“Well-- I-- ngh-- I had to make a proper entrance, no?”

“Oh?”

“Come on, the flaming Bentley - it was cool, is what I’m saying.”

Aziraphale was, in general, rather charitable. It came with being an angel, he had thought for a long time, but now he suspected it was more of a personal trait of his (a concept that was novel and somewhat exciting to him). Now, however, a slightly less charitable side of him almost quipped something on how Crowley hadn’t precisely looked like he’d planned for the flaming part when he’d fallen on his knees before the remains of the Bentley.

Almost, but no.

“It… was a rather memorable entrance,” he finally conceded, and Crowley grinned.

“Oh, I know. It may have been my very last dramatic entrance, I figured had to make it coun--”

“Hello? Is anyone in?”

The voice that suddenly reached them from the entrance of the shop, followed by the sound of the heavy door closing, caused Crowley to shut his mouth and stare at him. Aziraphale stared back, two thoughts suddenly writhing around his mind like ferrets locked in a struggle. The first was that ah, he must have forgotten to shut the door. The second was that he knew that voice.

It wasn’t one he’d expected to hear again anytime soon.

“Hey! Is someone in?” Warlock Dowling called out again, now just on the other side of a large bookcase. Crowley recoiled, seemed to realize he was still holding open a door leading to something that was very conspicuously a loft in an entirely different building, and slammed it shut before shoving his sunglasses back on his face.

And just on time, too. When Aziraphale turned, Warlock was only a few feet away.

“Hey, Brother Francis! Is that yo-- huh. The hell happened to your teeth?”

Ah, yes. Yes, the teeth. He had changed his teeth back then. “Ah, er… those… I--” Aziraphale stammered, fervently praying he would not recognize him as the magician at his birthday party, or Crowley as one of the waiters. Thank God, there seemed to be no such realization.

“Braces,” Crowley spoke quickly. “He got braces. Work miracles, don’t they, angel?”

Relieved as he was for being provided an excuse, Aziraphale knew right away Crowley had made a mistake. Warlock had heard his nanny calling the gardener angel a few times growing up - they hadn’t been terribly careful - they had managed to convince him Nanny Ashtoreth had meant to mock kindly Brother Francis when he’d asked questions, but if he remembered--

Warlock Dowling’s eyes grew wide as saucers. Oh no, Aziraphale thought. He did.

“Nanny Ashtoreth?” Warlock exclaimed, clearly stunned, and Crowley stammered a little for the second time in only a few minutes. “What is she-- what are you…?”

“Uh, that-- isn’t really--” the thought of trying to lie his way out of that crossed Crowley’s mind, sure enough, plain as day, but in the end he seemed to realize it would only make the boy all the more suspicious. “I mean, these days I don’t go by that name, but I guess-- er--”

“What-- oh!” the boy shook his head. “Ah, shit, I didn’t-- fuck.”

“Young man! Your language!” Aziraphale protested, unable to keep himself from cringing a little. Crowley didn’t mind the language at all, of course; he’d taught him most of those words. He seemed busy panicking over... everything else.

“We can explain everything--”

“I didn’t mean to, uh. Use that name,” Warlock said quickly. “So, what is it now? Sir?” he went on, uncharacteristically flustered, and it dawned on Aziraphale what one would logically assume upon seeing their old, very much human nanny presenting as a very much human male. His reaction was enough for the distress over his language to fade away into a fond sort of pride.

Maybe some of Brother Francis’ lessons had stuck, after all. With all that had been going on in the days before the Armageddon’t, after realizing they had the wrong boy from the start, thoughts of Warlock had rather slipped in the back of his mind. He now found he was very, very glad that neither him nor Crowley had been able to find it in themselves to kill the child in order to prevent the Apocalypse.

Crowley, who was putting two and two together, seemed somewhat proud himself. Whether for the quick recovery or for the foul language he’d certainly had a hand in teaching him, Aziraphale was not sure. “Anthony J Crowley,” he said. “Crowley will do.”

Warlock seemed to consider it for a moment. “It’s kind of a crap name,” he finally said.

Well, maybe not all of Brother Francis’ lessons had stuck, but then again he had been raised with a literal demon talking in his left ear.

Crowley frowned, crossing his arms. “Your name is Warlock, kid.”

“Well, I didn’t choose it,” the boy pointed out, and Crowley seemed rather cross to realize he didn’t have a good retort to that.

“What are you doing here, Warlock?” Aziraphale asked. “Not that we don’t appreciate seeing you again, dear boy, but did you not move to the Middle East?”

“It sucked. Too hot. Too much sand. Didn’t know anyone and dad is a prick.” Warlock shrugged. “I got to come back here in a boarding school. Just had to be enough of a pain in the ass to get them to want to send me away,” he added, and grinned up at Crowley, entirely ignoring the way Aziraphale cleared his throat to show his displeasure at his language.

Crowley grinned back, like… well. Like a proud nanny.

“So I figured I’d drop by,” Warlock went on, glancing around. “Thought you were taking the piss when I saw the address was that of a bookstore, though. But you’re really here. The hell?”

“Well, I-- we are in the process of moving,” Aziraphale muttered, only to be taken aback when Warlock’s face suddenly split in a wide grin.

“Ha-ah! I knew it?”

Aziraphale blinked, and turned to Crowley. He couldn’t see him blink through the glasses, but the message behind his raised brows - “No, I got nothing either” - was easy to infer.

“If I may ask you to elaborate…?”

“You fucked!” Warlock exclaimed, getting a choking noise out of Crowley and making Aziraphale wish he had not, after all, asked for him to elaborate.

“What!”

“Warlock!”

“Language!”

“What the fuck--”

“Crowley!”

“You totally fucked! I mean, sh-- he called you angel all the time, you were really obvious, and now you’re moving together--”

“My dear boy, we-- we most certainly did-- not,” Aziraphale stammered. If the heat he felt in his face was anything to go by, he was now about the color of a ripe tomato. As a matter of fact, that had never… really come up. He saw no reason why it ought to come up, neither of them was human and therefore-- therefore-- well. That was not the moment for needless speculation. “Where did you even learn…?” he began, glancing towards Crowley, who lifted his hands.

“Wasn’t me,” he said quickly. Aziraphale sighed, and decided to let the matter drop.

“You are a child, I’d really rather you don’t bring up such matters,” he finally managed.

Warlock huffed. “I’m twelve,” he said, as though informing them he had a failed marriage under his belt and a mortgage on his shoulders. Crowley huffed right back.

“Not yet, you’re not. We remember when you were born.”

“Hmph.”

Aziraphale cleared his throat, trying to collect himself. “Well-- er. Why don’t you come upstairs? I have cake, and I suppose you have been up to a lot these past months.”

“Up no no good, I should hope,” Crowley muttered, gaining himself a shrug.

“Did my best. Uh, worst.”

“So, cake!” Aziraphale spoke quickly before Crowley could be any more of a bad influence, and hurriedly ushered Warlock upstairs, turning just a moment to raise an eyebrow at Crowley.

Crowley just grinned, and followed.

***

“I ought to have incinerated that mortal on the spot.”

“I’d say it’s for the best that you didn’t.”

“He dared raise his voice at me.”

“You were about to walk out with a mug from the gift shop.”

“And…?”

“Without paying.”

“First of all it’s their own fault for calling it a gift shop. You aren’t meant to pay for gifts, are you?”

“Well-- no, I suppose not.”

“It’s dishonest advertising, that’s what it is. I would know, we invented it. And furthermore, the arrogance to demand payment from the Lord of the Flies--”

“He really didn’t know any better. I think his ignorance can be forgiven.”

A snort. “A Prince of Hell is not meant to be forgiving,” Beelzebub muttered, but decided to let the matter drop for the time being. After all, they did have the mug after a paper bill had passed from Gabriel’s hand to that of a mortal who had absolutely no idea how close he had come to a violent death that day.

“Right. Either way, now you have the mug.”

Yes, they did have the mug. Not that they needed one, to be entirely honest, but they’d decided to take it after seeing the Titanic painted on the side. A good mug, celebrating what had been a very good day in Hell. It might just replace the skull they were currently using, which honestly was there mostly for intimidation and was a very impractical thing to drink from.

And they supposed that it had been rather nice of Gabriel to pay for it, though they were not entirely sure whether it had been for them or just to avoid a mysterious case of spontaneous combustion of a gift shop employee. It was a gift, all right. Odd.

They were not used to the concept of receiving gifts. Sacrifices, a long time ago, sure. Boons. Pledges, but all of it for something in return, or as a token of respect borne of fear. Not this time, it seemed, because that fool neither asked for anything nor he feared them.

... Perhaps they were overthinking it. It was a mug, Titanic print or not. Not much of a gift either, only… definitely a first. Since the Fall, at least, and they were not sure how to react - until they remembered they had a plan, sort of, and were supposed to stick to it. “Thank you.” Beelzebub, Prince of Hell and Lord of the Flies, spoke without looking up. Giving thanks was unfamiliar and not precisely pleasant, but it came easier than the apology he’d had to utter the previous night.

“Huh?” Gabriel blinked, glancing down at them, then at the mug - and, thank Satan, he seemed to catch one without need for Beelzebub to specify. “Ah, that. You’re welcome,” he said, and looked away, clearing his throat - which turned quickly into a yawn.

Beelzebub frowned. “Am I boring you now, or…?”

“Apologies, I have been up since four in the morning. I had a very early shift.”

“Ah, I see. You do need sleep at night,” Beelzebub conceded, the hint of annoyance fading. Gabriel smiled a little, and the Lord of the Flies suddenly wasn't sure what to make of the pang somewhere in their chest. That was unfamiliar, too, and somewhat unsettling.

“You’re curiously prone to forget that, considering how often you appear at my place at night,” he said, but he didn’t sound precisely annoyed. “Well, I would appreciate being able to sleep tonight, but I will be free tomorrow. If you wish to meet--”

“Works for me,” Beelzebub replied quickly, and disappeared suddenly in a cloud of sulphur, back to Hell, the cheap gift shop mug held firmly in their hands.

***

If Dagon noticed the mug sitting where the skull cup had been for millennia, she made no mention of it. Nor did anybody else, for the matter, while Beelzebub sat on their throne, scowling at the file in their hands.

But then again, hardly anyone was foolish enough to talk unnecessarily around an obviously scowling Prince of Hell. They steered clear, which was precisely what Beelzebub wanted. Truth be told, being alone with their thoughts was the main reason behind their scowl.

Not that they didn’t have reasons to be scowling: reading through Gabriel’s file showed them they had failed to really get any sins out of him. Maybe they should think of ways to speed it up - this was getting nowhere - but on the other hand… they were supposed to play the long game. Make him grow to trust them more, and surely it was working.

Maybe they could give the current plan a little more time to start bearing fruit, after all, before they considered more direct action. It would mean having to bear more encounters with that moron but, all things considered, it was a sacrifice they were willing to make.

***

“It was nice to catch up, wasn’t it?” Aziraphale finally said once out of the train station again.

“Yeah, guess it was.”

“Maybe we should have driven him back to his school, he did like the Bentley…”

“He’ll be fine. Someone gave him a blessing to ensure an absolutely safe trip back with no one noticing his absence, no?”

“Of course I did, after giving him a good stern talk about how foolish it was to come all the way to London without telling anyone!”

“Please, you think that was stern? Kid wasn’t even listening to you. Brother Francis cannot do stern to save his life,” Crowley muttered, elbowing him a little. It gained him a huff.

“Well then, why didn’t you say something?”

“Because as far as I’m concerned, he did a great job and I'm not one to stifle talent,” he replied, entirely honest. He was pretty impressed by the deception Warlock was able to pull at only eleven. He was going places. Would probably be a better politician than Thaddeus Dowling, who had several facial tics revealing his each and every lie the moment it was uttered. Amazing he’d even made it as far up the ladder as he had, really.

Unaware of his thoughts, Aziraphale gave a sigh that faded in a sort of resigned smile as they climbed in the Bentley. “You fiend.”

“Thanks,” Crowley said, and… didn’t start the car.

“... Everything all right, dear?”

“I, uh-- yes. All good,” he replied, and did start the engine. Right, right, so they were not going to talk about the nonsense Warlock had spoken, which was all well and good, of course. It had never even crossed their minds, the mere thought of doing anything carnal. It was simply not in their nature. There were some demons who kind of made it their thing when it came to corrupting mortals, but Crowley was not one of them, and Aziraphale-- well. He was an angel, so certainly not… or so he assumed.

Not that he knew many angels well, on a personal level. But still-- not the angel sitting in the passenger seat, surely. What Warlock had said was nonsense. No reason to speak of it. No reason for it to keep lingering in his head.

“Is… anything on your mind, or…?

“No, no. Nothing at all,” Crowley said quickly, pulling out of the parking spot, and Aziraphale did not insist. Part of him was relieved and part of him disappointed, which was weird, but Crowley did a pretty good job at ignoring both.

***

“What are you doing?”

“Running.”

“I can see that, don’t get smart. Where to?”

“Around the park and then back.”

“... For what purpose?”

“It’s called jogging. A human thing.”

Moving alongside him on an electric scooter - where had they found that? - Beelzebub made a face. “Human habits are getting to you,” they said, and patted the handlebar of the electric scooter. “You should try one of these. They piss off absolutely everyone, whether you’re on the sidewalk or on the road. It’s amazing. Also, they are causing an increase in accidents.”

“None of it sounds good.”

“Exactly my point.”

The statement made Gabriel chuckle. “I believe I’ll leave it to you. I’d rather jog.”

“Why are you doing it in the first place? It looks stupid.”

“To keep fit, I suppose.” Truth be told, Gabriel was jogging mostly because he rather enjoyed it, even now that he had an actual physical form and thus his breath would get short if he pushed himself too far. And well, as he now had a human form, he supposed he may as well try and keep it in decent working order. Which would also mean drastically changing his diet into something with more greens in it, if what he’d read was to be trusted, but he was in no particular rush to experiment when he could simply stick to food he knew his new form appreciated.

“Fit for what?”

“Well, for… for…” Gabriel couldn’t think of a single thing in his current existence that required physical prowess, and therefore he was unable to really come up with an answer. “You know, in case-- the War does happen.” It was the first thing to come to his mind, even though now he had no idea if the War was actually ever meant to happen in the first place and, if it was… then Gabriel certainly wouldn’t be part of either army.

Beelzebub was aware of all that, as the brief silence that followed told him plainly. However no mockery followed, no stinging comment about his current state as a mere mortal. Just a hum, barely audible beneath the steady buzzing of the electric scooter and Gabriel’s own steps.

“Still trying to figure that one out,” Beelzebub muttered. “If the war to end all wars is meant to happen later, or-- not at all. Was it ever part of the Great Plan? What the Heaven was that about if not? Are we supposed to do something else to make it happen?”

“You were supposed to see the Antichrist delivered to Earth.”

“Which we did, as you know. But I cannot imagine how that went so wrong. He was the son of Satan, he was meant to do as his nature commanded. And then he just--”

“Rebelled?” Gabriel asked, unable to keep himself from smiling faintly at the irony, and glanced sideways. Leaning on the handlebar of the scooter, Beelzebub was frowning.

“Yes. He rebelled. I know. Hilarious.”

“I believe humans have a saying on apples not falling far from trees.”

A scoff. “You’re talking nonsense.”

“I take it his father did not appreciate the irony of it.”

“He’s no longer his Father, the brat rewrote reality,” the Lord of the Flies muttered. “He certainly did not appreciate it, but he hasn’t made his displeasure known to the rest of Hell so far.”

“Oh?”

“He keeps to himself, of course. We have our instructions - mostly - and he has ways to make his will known. We don’t need to talk to him unless he decides to personally see someone which is usually not good news.”

Gabriel thought back on the conversations over the millennia with the Voice of God, trying to remember last time God had talked to any of them personally. It had been so long, he couldn’t even quite recall. The chuckle that left him was somewhat bitter. “That sounds rather familiar.”

“What!” Beelzebub let out an outraged buzzing noise, head whipping toward him as though he had insulted them personally. “Don’t you dare compare Satan to God! The insult will not stand.”

Not too long ago, Gabriel might have considered it blasphemy and would have been aghast of hearing it himself, if for precisely the opposite reason. Now, he shrugged as he kept running. “I am not precisely-- well, the ruler keeping away, not really talking to anyone, giving instructions that are not always exactly clear or giving none. I don’t understand, why rebel to the absolute authority of God to pass absolute the absolute authority of Sat--”

“You know nothing, Archangel!” The Prince of Hell snapped, clearly forgetting in the heat of the moment that he’d long since been kicked out of the celestial host. “His plan is no mystery, and we are given precise instructions to follow it, unlike--”

“But it was God’s Great Plan you were fulfilling. The Antichrist was meant to be part of God’s design, so you were still following--”

“This insult will not stand! You take it back right no--”

Two things happened in quick succession: first, Beelzebub forgot they were standing on an electric scooter and turned to grab his sweater. Second, related to the first thing, the scooter lost thrust and caused Beelzebub to nearly fly, ironically, off it. “Agh!”

“Hey! Careful!” Gabriel acted out on instinct, reaching out, and was somehow able to snatch up Beelzebub before they had a rather unpleasant meeting with the pavement. “Are you all right?”

It was a stupid question to ask the Prince of Hell, all things considered. The same Prince of Hell he was currently holding up bridal style in his arms while standing in the middle of the park. If anything was bruised, it would be their pride - in which case Gabriel expected there would be, quite literally, hell to pay. However, as he glanced down, Gabriel saw no fury and a frankly astounding amount of incredulity on Beelzebub’s face.

You didn’t, that gaze said. Their hand had grasped the front of his sweater out of instinct, they were… not letting go.

“I, uh… apologies, I--”

“Hey, get a room!”

“Gah!” Gabriel jumped back, Lord of the Flies in his arms and all, as a youth rode past on a bike, laughing. Of course, laughter was rather quick to turn into screams when the bike’s wheels erupted in flames and the vehicle veered off course, hurtling towards the pond. Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Will he survive this, or…?”

“I assume he can swim, so probably. If not, it’s his issue. If a swan gets him, that is also his issue.” Beelzebub said flatly. Gabriel glanced down at them, and found himself chuckling. It was odd, how easily he’d picked them up - how well they fit in his arms.

“Looks like I did manage to keep fit,” he tried to joke. Beelzebub looked up at him again, their expression going from satisfaction to an odd sort of surprise before quickly turning cold.

“You. Unhand me. Now.”

“Ah-- yes. Of course.” Gabriel immediately put down the Lord of the Flies, smile dying on his lips, and stepped back. He cleared his throat, ignoring the realization that he hadn’t really wanted to put them down. “You know, trying to help. I didn’t mean to grab you, but you fell and--”

“I have no need for help,” Beelzebub snapped, and in a sudden burst of flames they were gone - but not before Gabriel was able to put a name to the expression on their face. It was not anger, or annoyance, or incredulity: for a moment before they left Beelzebub, Prince of Hell and Lord of the Flies, had looked flustered.

***

"For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?" -- 1 Corinthians 3:3

***

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shipyard98 · 4 years ago

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“The Cigarette Book” - Chapter 1: Opera House (Jonathan’s Story)

Fandom: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Pairing: Jonathan Joestar x Reader

Word Count: 1948

Summary: Your good friend Jonathan Joestar's been working hard on something special just for you. Something hidden deep in the forest near your home. Are you ready to follow him into the woods?

Author’s Note: The chapters of this entire anthology will each be based on a song from the dream pop band “Cigarettes After Sex”. Some of them are easier than others. And Jonathan’s not going to be the only character featured. Every JoJo between Parts 1-4 and also 7 will have their own chapter. For quicker updates, be sure to check out my AO3 page!

(link to story)

“Jonathan, where are you taking me?” you asked.

In this moment, you found yourself being led deeper and deeper into the woods. Jonathan Joestar had a firm grip on your hand as he pulled you further through the trees.

Earlier that day, the young man suddenly appeared at your front door with sweat causing strands of his hair to stick to his forehead and a blush dusting his cheeks. He looked like he had just gotten done wrestling a bear or something along those lines, but no amount of exhaustion was going to stop the excitement lighting up his eyes and his smile.

“Please, come with me for a little bit,” he had panted softly, stretching his hand out to you. “I would like to show you something.”

You knew he wasn’t the type of person to pull tricks on you (unlike his adopted brother), so you had taken his hand. He then gently pulled you out of the house and lead you into and through the nearby woods.

The whole trip had been rather quiet, as he was so focused on leading the way.

It was only now, about twenty minutes later to be exact, that you had decided to speak up to ask him what he was doing.

Jonathan turned his face towards you and smiled.

“Fear not,” he nearly chirped. “We’re nearly there. It’s just through this shrubbery.”

You looked ahead and watched as he reached out a hand to pull back what looked like a curtain of leaves. Slowly, he drew you closer to that curtain and unveiled the surprise.

Instinctively, you blinked in surprise at the magnificent structure in front of you.

It was a rather large stone building, outfitted with Corinthian columns and other assorted stone motifs all along the outside of it. Its double doors were of a rich chestnut color, almost like they had just been installed a few nights ago. Just in the space between the door and the ground, the flicker of candlelight made itself known. Candles were carefully placed on the holders built into the outer walls of the structure, as well.

“Jonathan,” you inquired with a squeeze of his hand. “What is this beautiful building?”

“it’s an opera house,” he replied with a grin.

This definitely caught you off guard, and you were more than ready to vocalize your confusion.

“An opera house? In the middle of this jungle of a forest?”

“It confused me as well, I admit. I remember that I asked myself, ‘Why would such a building be out here of all places?’ So, I searched, and I found the reason.”

“And what was that reason?”

At that question, his eyelids drooped just enough to be noticeable and he had a smile that suggested an almost flirtatious expression.

Almost.

“Would you care to come with me to find out?”

Even though you knew Jonathan to be the most caring person you knew, it was definitely hard not to be a little suspicious of his actions and words.

What kind of secrets did this opera house keep away from the rest of the world?

“Well… alright, then,” you declared and returned his smile.

With that, Jonathan led you closer to the opera house.

Though you knew you could easily free yourself from the grasp he had on your hand, his own hand was too soft and warm for you to do a thing like that. You loved sharing little moments like that with him, but it wasn’t like you were all that ready to admit something like that. Jonathan was a very close friend, after all. What would even happen if you opened up about how you felt towards him?

You were pulled out of your thoughts when the hinges on the opera house’s left door creaked and made the whole thing open towards the two of you.

As soon as you stepped inside, you took in the appearance of the foyer.

This room was brightly lit with candles. The floors gleamed at you with the same dark oak sheen the door had given off. Even the outside of the box office appeared to have had some care put into it. However, you were quick to eye the cobwebs and the dust that had coated the insides of it. How could you not, when the rest of the room contrasted so differently to this area?

It didn’t take long for you to figure out why this was the case, but there was no time for you to bring it up; Jonathan was already taking you to the doors that led to the auditorium.

After letting go of your hand, much to your disappointment, he held the door open for you and followed after the second you were inside.

If you found the foyer to be a lovely room, then you weren’t prepared to have your breath taken away.

The auditorium was more sparsely lit by candles, but the darkness only added to its majesty. The wooden parts of the seats gleamed softly, though the upholstery looked a little rougher. Even with that, the red velvet shined and almost seemed to glitter a little bit. The wood of the stage also happened to shine just a little bit. A masterfully-made painting of a meadow decorated the background. Though it was coated in a translucent shadow, every color on the canvas was so vivid, from the blueness of the sky to the greenness of the grass. Even the little yellow flowers brought a lovely touch to the whole piece. To top it all off, the curtains that draped along both sides of the background, though it was in the same condition as the upholstery of the seats, still gave off a shimmery velvet glow in the dim light of the candles. They almost floated in the soft breeze that was drifting around the spacious room.

Jonathan stood close and allowed you a moment to take in the entire room before he finally broke the silence with a softened voice.

“What do you think, then?”

You turned to look him in the eyes, which were staring intently back at you. He had a look that told you he craved your approval, though you knew he wouldn’t push for it.

“It’s breathtaking,” you mumbled.

“I agree. It’s beautiful. So very beautiful… and charming.”

For a fleeting moment, it felt like Jonathan wasn’t talking about the auditorium.

Suddenly feeling a little guilty, you shook that thought out of your head immediately and replaced it with another.

“It makes me wonder even more why it would be located so far away from people,” you wondered.

“Oh, yes!” he stuttered a little before regaining his composure. “I mean, of course. The answer to this inquiry would happen to be right close to the stage. I’ll show it to you at once.”

He slipped his hand back into yours and he guided you towards the stage.

Now that you were a little closer, you could see a little golden plaque built into the wall of the stage’s apron. It was rusted over partially, but you could still make out the words that were engraved into it.

Your hand let go of his hand as you approached the plaque to read it.

“To my darling Ava,” you read aloud as you gingerly traced your fingers along the lettering. “May your voice ring through these halls forever. With My Whole Heart, Jacques LaNaif.”

“And to think,” Jonathan’s voice mumbled from behind you, “That a French general would come all the way out here to create such a grandiose profession of love!”

“It didn’t seem like it lasted all too long” you commented, still studying the plaque.

“Ah, well,” he suddenly found himself stuttering. If only you could see his face.

“But you did do a fantastic job of refurbishing this place,” you added on as you finally turned around to look at him.

Poor Jonathan! His cheeks matched the vibrant red of the seats nearby, and his body looked stiff as a board. If you looked closely enough, you could’ve sworn he was trembling slightly.

One hand was behind his back.

“Jonathan,” you lowered your voice. “Are you alright?”

He inhaled deeply.

“Perfectly fine, my dear,” he smiled, letting his stance relax. “Forgive me, I was caught unaware. To be truthful, I didn't expect to find myself doing any refurbishing. That is, until I found out what this place stood for.” He stepped closer to you. “And then I thought, ‘Restoring the opera house’s beauty would be rather perfect for the occasion’. So, I figured that I might as well act accordingly.”

“What’s the occasion?” you asked with a tilt of the head.

Slowly, the hand behind his back unveiled itself, and with both hands, he held towards you a boquet of wild flowers and red roses.

You stared at him, mouth agape.

“Jonathan...”

“I hid these under the front row before you arrived, but I have been waiting for so long to find the right time and place to tell you how I feel. I’d rather stare death between its eyes than to keep this a secret any longer.”

Jonathan dropped down onto one knee.

“My dear, I have a love for you I just cannot seem to escape. I feel as though I was meant to love you, and it would make me the happiest man alive if you felt the same way towards me.”

“...”

You walked towards him, making the nearby candle flames dance ever so slightly, until you were mere inches away from him. All the while, your gaze never fell away from his eyes. It was like his sapphire-colored eyes had put you in a trance of some sort.

You reached up and placed a hand against his soft cheek.

The poor man, though try as he might, was starting to let the silence get to his head a little. In his mind, he had already been rejected. Even so, he didn’t quite want to have the pain brought so slowly upon him like this.

It dug at his heart so badly, he decided to get it over with himself.

“I understand if you say no,” he begun to say. “After all, I’m not worthy to be seen standing hand in hand with y-!”

His words were interrupted by your lips suddenly crashing into his.

A few seconds of Jonathan being dumbfounded was all it took before his free hand caressed your shoulder and he reciprocated the kiss with his eyes closed. The moment engulfed the both of you before, at last, you pulled away from him and let your other hand cup the other side of his face.

“How could you call yourself unworthy?” you nearly whispered to him. “Jonathan, I’ve loved you for the longest time.”

Jonathan’s eyes shone with tears of joy.

“And I will continue to love you for as long as we shall live.”

You collapsed into his arms, making him drop the bouquet onto the floor. With the newly freed hand, he wrapped you up in both of his arms and nuzzled his face into the top of your head.

A few tears fell from his eyes.

“I love you so much,” he mumbled into your hair.

The breeze caused by the falling bouquet caused one of the nearby candles to go out. Smoke from the blown-out candle floated gently upwards, and it became a kind of wreath that surrounded the love that had blossomed in the opera house.

#JJBA #JoJo's Bizarre Adventure #jojo #jojo part one #jjba part 1 #jonathan joestar #jonathan joestar x reader #jojo x reader #jjba x reader #fluff #fanfiction #cigarettes after sex #anthology #part 1 #chapter 1 #jonathan is so cute #love is stored in the muscles #self doubt #just fluff

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knightthunderis · 4 years ago

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Knight Thunder Chronicles

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Time is a very constant thing. From the time, we are born until the time we pass from this life to the next, time is very constant. We are all given a special purpose in life, but it is revealed in God's timetable and when it is revealed, we are to keep with it until He says it is finished. Over the years, I had been a daughter, sister, wife, mother, warrior, defender, protector, and now a Guardian. And not just any Guardian, the ultimate guardian. I was Phaedra of Castle Galaxia, the protector of the Universal secrets and the various Guardian powers from long ago. This is the story of a time long ago, of myths and legends, a universe of warlords, kings and overlords who plagued the universe with suffering. Only one group dared to challenge their power. They were the Universal Galactic Knights forged and created by Jehovah to battle the forces of evil and return peace to the galaxy. They traveled the universe battling the minions of the evil Lucifer. Every generation was stronger than the one before. As time went on and the forces of evil were sealed away, my brother and the present Universal Knights settled into their roles as parents and royals. But still that lingering shadow of Keilyn's kidnapping remained. Six and a half years had passed since the imprisonment of the forces of evil we had faced, and peace had settled over our part of the galaxy, but I knew that it was not going to last. During the first few years, the Guardians, Cosmic Enforcers, and I continued the search for Princess Keilyn but sadly we were unable to find the world to which she was taken. It seemed that the search would never bear good fruit. The biggest question was: Where could she have been taken? I was startled out of my meditation by my name being called.

"Taryne, it is time for you to put your part of this search to rest for now." Jehovah said. "The Universal Guardians and the Cosmic Enforcers will continue the search for Keilyn. I have another job for you to do right now. You can resume your part in the search later."

"Father, I am sorry for my failures." I sobbed. "I feel as though I have failed you and my family. As the leader of the Guardians and the Cosmic Enforcers, I should have seen this coming, but I did not see it coming. By not preventing Keilyn's kidnapping by Borna, the prophecy of the Galactic Triad is not complete, and I have failed you in my duty as a Guardian and Cosmic Enforcer."

"No Princess, you did not fail." he replied sternly. "And you did not do anything that would warrant forgiveness. You know better than anyone that everything that happens, happens for a reason. There is a reason for everything and a time for everything as well."

"But without Keilyn, the Galactic Triad prophecy is not complete." I protested. "Borna thinks that he took the only heir. I wish to return to my family with the good news that their youngest child has been found."

"She will be found and returned to her family." Jehovah said. "But now is not the time. I have already sent her Guardians to her and she will have her destiny when the time is right but now is not it. It is time to gather the present Guardian Companions for the young ones."

I looked in the pool of images and saw Reimeiko and Aaronis now six years old playing in the Silverglade forest trying to hide from my son and daughter Reinar and Taryn. They were getting better at their tracking skills, but they were no match for Reimeiko and Aaron's synchronized thinking or their quick agility and speed.

"I swear Taryn gets more and more annoying every day." Aaron hissed to his sister through telepathy. "Training is one thing, but she has a bad case of making it an all-day thing and what is worse, she thinks she can boss us around."

"Calm down Brother." Reimeiko replied. "You are just giving her the ammunition against you. Why do you always let her tear you down? You know better than that."

"That is easy for you to say, Rei." Aaronis snapped. "She does not harass you about training to be a warrior because the kingdom needs to be protected. She does not understand that not only are we too young to be thinking about that but-"

"The parents and defenders can handle everything until we are old enough to train." Reimeiko said. "I know what you are thinking about. She will not be able to keep bossing us around forever, Uncle Keidar will put a rein on her soon enough."

I gasped as Reimeiko lost her footing then she and Prince Aaronis rolled down a steep incline and landed near a lioness who was badly injured and was guarding her lion cubs as well as two tiger cubs. I could see that she was dying but she was fiercely guarding the cubs.

"Easy momma." Reimeiko said through telepathy. "My brother and I will not harm you. I just want to help you. You have nothing to fear from me. Somehow I can heal your wounds by just touching you."

"It is too late for me, Princess." the Queen Lioness said. "The Tigers and us Priderians are being hunted to extinction. The mother of the tiger cubs has already been taken and I am afraid that I am not far behind her."

"Just rest Queen Marina." Aaronis said. "You will be alright. My sister and I will build a litter and we will carry you to Castle Reiden where you can be cared for and your wounds be healed. Please let us help you Queen Marina."

"I will not make it young Prince." Marina replied. "My request is that you care for the cubs, they would not survive on their own out here. Please Princess, you and your brother are their only chance to live."

"Very well Marina." Reimeiko said. "I promise that my brother and I will guard and care for the cubs with our lives and they will be our constant companions."

With that the Lion Queen drew her last breath and died. The lion cubs showed no fear as they approached Reimeiko, climbed into her lap and curled up seemingly crying over the loss of their mother. As she comforted the lion cubs that she named Samson and Jaira, the tiger cubs came out of their hiding places. Aaron slid down next to his sister and froze at the tiger cubs.

"Come on out you guys, it is alright." Aaron announced. "If Father will let us keep the lion and tiger cubs they will be our constant companions. I will name you two Ambrose and Jocasta. We need to talk to Father about putting a stop to these poachers. If they can keep going all of our special animals will cease to exist."

"I agree wholeheartedly with you Brother." Reimeiko replied. "But first we need to see about getting back up the hill, then we will see about talking to daddy about keeping the cubs and dealing with these poachers. Come on we have to get out of here."

Carrying the cubs in carrier packs, Aaron and Reimeiko made the climb of the incline where Taryn, Reinar, and the other young ones were waiting on them and the angry look on Taryn's face was priceless.

"As always we find you two slacking off on your training." Princess Taryn snapped. "How many times must we bail you out of trouble?" Angerly, Aaron moved to say his piece, but his sister stopped him mid-stride.

"Come on Brother, we do not have time for this." Reimeiko said. "Do not let her get to you. We still must speak to Father about stopping the poachers. Dealing with task master Taryn is the least of our headaches right now."

The group watched slack jawed as the twins walked passed them and toward Reiden Thunder. The young soon-to-be Knights broke into peals of laughter at the twins' humiliation of Taryn. Karyson Wolfe was the first to regain control of himself before he spoke up.

"Cool your jets Taryn." he replied. "Those two are not old enough to start training to protect the kingdom. It will be Thor and Kyiandra who will decide when it is time for Reimeiko and Aaron to start defense training, the same will be for the rest of them. Do not be so harsh anyway. It is not your place to be their boss or trainer."

"Well somebody has to whip those two into shape." Taryn protested. "The Parents and Defenders will not be able to protect the Universe forever. The more we youngsters learn the better we will be in the future when it becomes our turn to be defenders of the universe. Maybe we will even be chosen to be Universal Knights. But we will have to be ready if we get the call."

Karyson shook his head as he and the other youngsters followed Taryn back to Castle Reiden. Thor allowed the children to keep and care for the lion and tiger cubs and then began an investigation into the poaching. He met with his council about the whole situation.

"The Priderians are a very rare race." Thor announced. "But they are also very powerful. They are Animegis Knights; at least, members of the royal families. I have sent word to the Priderian King about the death of Queen Marina and the other Priderians. We are going to have to find out who is behind this and put a stop to this fast."

"But what can we do, Your Majesty?" Queen Armina asked. "The Priderians are a very proud race and would never be a part of any kind of Universal Alliance even though the Priderians are a part of our solar system."

"We must still try though." King Shayne of Corinthia protested. "The Priderians are very strong and if I remember correctly, they were once a part of the Universal Alliance."

"And with the Universal Alliance our people remain Corinthian King." Princess Siana announced entering the war room with King Jadus. "Although we have never needed help before with our people being killed off, it is apparent that help is now needed for us all."

"We Priderians are a very powerful race." King Jadus replied. "There is no way of knowing who it is behind the poaching, but we do know the reason behind it. Because we are a human like race and because of our variety of powers. Every time a Priderian is killed, the one who did it gains their powers, but they have always also been killed for the fur, claws, and teeth and the money gained is outrageous."

"We will find these poachers and put a stop to their endeavors very quickly." Queen Ariel replied. "You can rest assured of the promise of the Universal Defenders. These poachers will be brought to justice."

"Thank you, Queen, of Corinthia." King Jadus said. "With the combined forces of the Priderians and the Galaxian Alliance, the poachers will not stand a chance and you can guarantee the Priderians will join your alliance and be your allies for life."

Thor and Jadus shook hands and a new alliance and addition was made. The pool of images faded leaving my brothers, the Priderians, and the rest of the Universal Galactic Defenders behind in the shadows. I knew this was going to be a new beginning for everyone.

#@kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 KnightThunder UniversalGalacticKnights

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alj4890 · 5 years ago

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Crack Fic Request

(Psych! X Choices: The Royal Romance) as requested by @krsnlove 😂

A/N WARNING This is pure crack. I am combing two of my all time favorites: Psych and The Royal Romance cast of characters. If you haven't ever watched Psych about a fake psychic detective, please...do so. You have no idea the laughter that is missing from your life. If you are a fan of delicious flavor, then read on.

I have no idea who to tag other than my other fellow Psych lover, @hopelessromantic1352

Masterlist

History? What About Her Story?

"My love, have you seen the book you gave me on our wedding day?" Liam walked along the shelves of the palace library, searching each brown leather spine.

"No. I don't believe I have seen it since the reception." Riley set her book down and began to help him search. "Did you allow someone to borrow it?"

"No." He frowned and called for Bastien. A search was conducted with no results.

"It has to be somewhere in here." She muttered.

Maxwell and Drake joined them, bringing Hana and Olivia. After much discussion, Maxwell offered to call in a favor.

"I know a guy who is able to solve these type of mysteries." He pulled his phone out and scrolled through his contacts.

____________________

Santa Barbara, California

"Chief, the psychic realm is buzzing with gossip and a little ethereal bird told me to stop by." Shawn announced, bursting in on a meeting between Chief Vick, Head Detective Carlton Lassiter, and Detective Juliet O'Hara.

"Mr. Spencer, I don't know what birds are whispering in your ear but they need to remind you not to interrupt a meeting." She said in a frustrated tone.

"Sorry Chief, but when they tweet, I must answer. Usually with hashtags. Right, Gus?" Shawn turned to his best friend and partner.

"It's true Chief. He uses an unusual amount of hashtags." Gus added.

"Dude! You know my Twitter followers need to be in the know. I can't just offer a thought without a dozen or so carefully phrased hashtags to explain it's significance." Shawn reached over for Juliet's doughnut and was immediately batted away.

"Jules! Sharing is caring." He reminded her.

"If there are doughnuts, we need to be made aware of their location." Gus searched the room and looked out toward the main room of the police station.

"Enough!" Carlton yelled. "Spencer, you and Gusster go find a doughnut and leave."

"Come on, Lassie. Don't you want to break bread with us. Or a doughnut as the case might be while we discuss the next step in our investigation?" Shawn tried to secretly slide Juliette's doughnut his way, earning another slap.

"I would rather go to a hot yoga class with McNabb." Carlton uttered in a deadpan voice.

"Well, I for one am ready to find this Corduroy antique." Shawn said sitting down and propping his feet up on the table.

"Cordonian." Gus corrected.

"I've heard it both ways." Shawn quickly repsonded.

"Shawn you didn't even know it was a country." Gus added.

"Gus, I can't help that the psychic tweets didn't give a geography lesson with the message. There's only a limited number of characters allowed." Shawn argued.

"Gentlemen!" Chief Vick interrupted. She stared pointedly at Shawn until he took his feet off the conference table. "Due to the international attention you and Lassister and O'Hara have gained with past investigations, the King and Queen of Cordonia have asked the four of you to come help find out what happened to one of the king’s prized possessions. The mayor insists you go to show how Santa Barbara is keeping up international relations."

"The tweets never lie." Shawn said, a smile lighting up his face. "What type of clothing should we pack?"

"It's in the Mediterranean." Juliet told him.

"So, snowsuit?" Shawn asked.

"Be ready to leave first thing tomorrow morning. King Liam is sending his private plane for you." Vick flicked her hands for them to leave.

__________________

"Gus, I was meant for this lifestyle. Private planes. Servants. Ruling over a small country. Adored by my people." Shawn reclined in the Corinthian leather chair as the plane flew over the Atlantic.

"Dude, your people would overthrow you within a week." Gus muttered.

"And what a glorious week it would be." Shawn replied.

Gus glanced behind him to where Juliet and Carlton were sleeping. "What did Maxwell tell you?"

"Some brown book filled with the country’s history is missing. The queen presented it as a wedding gift. Who gives their spouse an ancient book as a gift on their wedding night? Do you think there was underwear in it? I bet--"

"Shawn." Gus attempted to reign Shawn's ramblings in.

"Anyway, they can't find it. So it is up to us to find out who took it, why they did, and where it is now."

"Great. Did Maxwell offer any leads?"

Shawn frowned. "No...but how many people actually were in a small palace of a tiny country?"

_________________

Liam and Riley walked with Maxwell down the corridor. "A psychic?" Liam asked again. "I can't believe we invited a psychic detective to assist in this."

Maxwell nodded. "Shawn isn't some run of the mill psychic. He has solved numerous thefts, murders, even stopped a notorious serial killer. I think he will have this book back in your hands by this evening."

They walked into the study and warmly greeted their guests.

"Maxwell!" Shawn walked up and fist bumped him. "How long has it been?"

"Um...I want to say a two months since I was in Canada. The whole book tour being interrupted by Pierre Despereaux's thefts was when we last met." Maxwell explained.

"Thefts?" Riley asked.

"An international art thief, your majesty." Juliet explained, dropping into an awkward curtsy.

"Please, there is no need for any of that." Riley said with a smile. "I'm still not used to it. Every time someone needs a refill on drinks, I hop up to get it."

Juliet laughed and clapped her hands. "Your story is the stuff of dreams. I love how you and King Liam met."

"O'Hara." Carlton muttered.

"Right. Sorry." Juliet straightened up beside him.

"Can you tell us if you have any new staff, possibly seen anyone suspicious around the book?" Carlton asked.

"No, most have been here for years. The ones visiting the palace are nobles and friends that have never caused a problem of this sort." Liam explained.

"Of this sort?" Gus repeated. "So there have been problems?"

Liam shared a loaded glance with Riley. "I recently created a council of both nobles and commoners to help my queen and I rule to the best of our abilities. After the terrorist attacks from the Sons of the Earth, I wanted to try and not allow a situation like that to develop again."

Shawn raised his hand to his head. "I'm sensing that there were a few who did not agree with this."

Riley nodded, eyes wide. "There were some, one in particular, Lord Neville."

"The singer of Tell It Like It Is?" Shawn asked.

"That's Aaron Neville." Gus corrected.

"Right, the quarterback for Green Bay." Shawn asked.

"That's Aaron Rogers!" Gus exclaimed

"Right. Love his neighborhood." Shawn put his hand back to his head. "I'm sensing that Lord Rogers--"

"Neville." Gus whispered.

"That Lord Neville might wish to get back at you. Mayhap even--" he turned to Gus. "Did I use mayhap right?"

"Yes." Gus answered

"Too pretentious?" Shawn furrowed his brow.

"A little bit." Gus shrugged.

"It's this setting. I mean look at this place. Velvet sitting chairs. Who has this? Really, even velvet drapes? Does Elton John visit?" Shawn walked over and lifted the red drape.

"He has..." Liam replied, trying to keep up with Shawn's thought process.

"Is he planning on visiting soon?"

"I--" Liam shrugged. "I don't think so."

"Hmm. To solve this mystery, I am going to need to become one with this palace. I am going to need to eat what you eat. Sit where you sit. Touch what you touch." Shawn winked at Riley, earning a smack to the back of the head from Carlton.

He glared at Shawn before turning to Liam. "Rest assured that O'Hara and I will do all we can to solve this for you."

"If you wouldn't mind, we need to speak to your head of security." Juliet added.

"Of course, right this way." Liam and Riley walked out with the two detectives.

Maxwell grinned. "Alright guys, show me that magic you did in Canada."

"Oh you will see the magic." Shawn promised.

"We got magic for days." Gus added.

"At least for a couple of hours." Shawn corrected. "Maybe an encore card trick or two."

Maxwell chuckled and finger gunned them on his way out. "Great. Let me know if you need anything."

"Magic for days? Really Gus?" Shawn shook his head and left the study.

"What? The man asked for it. What was I supposed to say? Shawn!" Gus ran after him.

__________________

"We start with the list Maxwell gave us of those that are normally in the palace." Shawn explained. "From there, we can easily say Neville did it and we receive some kind of royal award, like a spare chest of jewels or a quick swim in the gold vault."

"Liam is not Scrooge McDuck." Gus reminded him.

"Are you saying he doesn't have a gigantic money vault that he secretly swims in while wearing a bathing suit from the turn of the century?"

"Yes. That's what I'm saying."

"Well, that's disappointing." Shawn muttered.

The pair stopped by an office and knocked. When they opened the door they saw a petite, strikingly beautiful blonde filing some papers. "Who are you?" She asked, eyes narrowing.

"My name is Shawn Spencer and this is my partner, Sir Spinsalot. We have been asked to assist in locating the King's missing book."

Madeleine sat down behind her desk. "And?"

"We were wondering who you suspected." Gus leaned closer. "A lady of your talents of changing the minds of the people should have a few suspects in mind."

A proud smile formed. "When King Liam chose an American waitress as his Queen, there were some that were less enthused with his choice."

Shawn zeroed in on her fingers tensing, the old issues of magazines behind her desk, and the faint tan line on her ring finger. There was also a flyer partially hidden with the word rebound on it. A sticky note had a m and a f with groups of numbers listed. 1728 and 1817 were written down. "I'm sensing that these nobles preferred someone else. They wanted you to be queen."

She momentarily stilled. "Yes they did. After my upbringing as the Countess of Fydella, I was the natural choice as queen."

"I bet they were disappointed when Liam ended your engagement." Gus added.

A hard glint came into her eyes. "I suppose so. Who wouldn't wish for one trained since birth how to run a country and interact with nobles and dignitaries around the world without an entourage to constantly tell her what to do?"

"Good to see you're not bitter." Shawn stood up. "Thank you for your time."

"Do you think she did it?" Gus whispered as they walked down the hall.

"Nah. She has moved on with this new position. Plus it looks like she is getting some type of rebound counseling after being dumped. She's the kind that has to be needed." He explained.

"I think I could need her." Gus grinned, brushing his thumb across his nose.

"I say this with all the love in my heart. Something is wrong with you." Shawn stepped outside.

__________________

"He did it." Shawn nodded toward a man dressed in a demin shirt talking to Juliet.

"What? That's the King's best friend!" Gus exclaimed.

"Doesn't matter. He did it." Shawn persisted. "Only a thief would flirt to distract the investigation."

"He's not flirting. Juliet is." Gus pointed out.

"Man." Shawn shook his head and walked over.

Juliet was smiling. "....I named him Sprinkles because of his dappled coat."

Drake's smirk appeared and he looked up as Shawn and Gus approached. Juliet turned and introduced them.

"Drake, this is Shawn Spencer and Burton Gusster."

He nodded to them. "How's the investigation going? Any leads?"

"It's going." Shawn answered. "I'm not at liberty to reveal any parts."

Drake cocked an eyebrow. "You're not at liberty?"

"That's right, Jack! The psychic's relationship with the visions he is given is precious. Has to be nurtured. It's a circle of trust and it gets upset when I share its secrets with suspiciously handsome dudes that flex their muscles in a barn. Or stable. Is this a stable?" Shawn pulled the door open.

"It's a stable." Gus decided.

Juliet looked up in silent frustration. "Thank you Drake for your time. Guys, I will see you back at the palace." She walked away.

Shawn noticed Drake checking Juliet out and spoke harshly.

"So what do you do here?"

"Er...I do...things." Drake muttered.

"What type of things?" Gus asked.

"I...you couldn't really put a name on it. I do a variety of...stuff." Drake stuttered.

"Is theft of antique cornucopia history--" Shawn began.

"Cordonian." Gus corrected.

"Cordonian history rank as one of your things?" Shawn asked.

Drakes eyes narrowed. "What? Are you actually accusing me of stealing from my best friend?"

"No!" Gus said while Shawn said, "YES!" At the same time.

Drake glared at them and stormed off.

"What's his problem?" Shawn asked.

"Shawn, you just accused the man of stealing. What did you expect?"

"I don't know. Maybe point me toward the most likely suspect. Didn't he seem a little more secretive than one would normally be?" Shawn asked.

"Maybe. Why?" Gus watched Drake walk into a hidden side door.

"I think he's hiding something." Shawn motioned his head in the direction Drake disappeared. "We need to keep an eye on him."

___________________

"There has to be food somewhere in this joint." Shawn muttered.

Gus threw his arm out, stopping Shawn. He took a sniff and turned down a hallway.

"Super sniffer activated. What!" Shawn exclaimed following his friend.

"Do you smell that?" Gus asked, stopping again.

Shawn took a deep breath and let out an exaggerated moan. "It smells like heaven's bakery: one filled with cinnamon, sugar, chocolate, and our third grade teacher Ms. Ferguson wearing that sundress on field day."

Gus closed his eyes in memory. "You know that's right. Every teacher should look like her."

They stepped into the kitchen and watched a lady in a pink dress remove a tray of snickerdoodles from the oven. She brushed her long dark hair back and began to place the cookies on a cooling rack.

"I'm in love." Gus whispered.

Shawn nodded at the vision before them. He walked up to her with a look of wonder on his face. "Excuse me, but are you an angel?"

Hana looked up and giggled sweetly. "I know you! You're the private detectives Maxwell called in." She wiped her hands before holding one out. "I'm Lady Hana Lee."

"My name is Shawn Spencer and the suave gentleman stealing cookies is my partner, The Duke of Earl."

Gus quickly swallowed and gave a slow wave. "Hello."

Hana's grow furrowed. "The Duke of what?"

"Earl. But you can call me Slade." Gus replied with a seductive look.

Hana nodded and motioned toward the counter covered in sweet treats. "Please, help yourself. I tend to overdo it when I bake."

"That is impossible." Gus muttered. He took a bite of a still warm brownie and rolled his eyes in pleasure. "I'm proposing to her tonight." He whispered to Shawn.

"Tonight? I'm proposing marriage this afternoon. She can't be real." Shawn filled a plate with a variety of sweets and sat down. With a mouthful of food and a few moans of pleasure he began to question her. "Lady Hana, have you noticed anyone acting suspicious lately?"

She poured them each a glass of milk and chewed on her bottom lip. "No."

Gus slapped Shawn's hand away from his plate. "Stop playing Shawn!"

"Come on son. You grabbed the last of the macarons! The least you can do is offer one or two."

"Not my fault you took your time with the magic bars." Gus countered.

"They literally have magic in the name. They taste like what I imagine Siegfried and Roy playing with baby tigers feels like." Shawn reached over again and shook his head when slapped. "I can't believe how greedy you're being."

"I don't care." Gus replied in a high pitched voice.

Hana laughed and went over to one of the containers filled with more macarons. She offered it to Shawn and blushed when he exclaimed over her. "I don't care what you say, I can see your wings and halo."

"This is what nice people do Gus, they give." Shawn held up the cookies Hana handed him.

"Suck it Shawn."

"You suck it."

They began to talk quickly over each other and suddenly stopped. Shawn took a drink of milk and focused on Hana. "I'm sensing that you have seen someone you are close to acting odd recently."

Her lips parted in surprise. "Yes, I have. But he couldn't have taken the book! He is much too loyal to ever do something against Liam."

Shawn placed his hand to his head, closed his eyes and slapped Gus for trying to take another brownie. "I'm sensing that the one you are worried about is Drake."

Hana gasped. "Yes! Maxwell told me you were the real thing, but I couldn't believe it."

"I am merely the vessel," he slapped the back of Gus's head for trying again, "that the visions use. Now, would it be too much trouble to find something we can use to carry all of this with us?"

______________

“I don’t like this.” Gus whispered as he crept behind Shawn through the dark palace halls.

“Drake wasn’t in his room. It’s two in the morning. Where is he?” Shawn responded. “I’m telling you, he is up to no good.”

“You’re just jealous that Juliet was flirting with him instead of you.” Gus muttered.

“Please. Me? Jealous? Just because Jules basically giggled like an eighth grade girl over that ridiculously good looking man means--” He held his hand up and stopped Gus. He pointed down another hallway where he could see Drake standing in front of a door.

“What’s he doing?” Gus asked.

Shawn moved in an exaggerated manner to hide behind a suit of armor. He motioned for Gus to follow. He shook his head no. Shawn began to motion faster while Gus silently argued back. They did rock, paper, scissors three times with Gus losing. He snuck over.

Drake looked behind him before knocking in a strange pattern. After a few moments he tried the pattern again, his brow furrowing with the continued silence that followed.

Shawn went to move to another suit of armor, only to end up frozen with a sword to his throat.

“One more move and you and your little friend will be a shish kabob.”

A sultry red head moved out of the shadows and narrowed her green eyes at the pair. “What are you doing here?”

Drake turned around and glared. “It’s those psychic detectives Maxwell called in.”

Olivia kept her sword against Shawn’s throat.

“You would need at least three more.” Shawn suddenly said.

“What are you blabbering about?” Olivia demanded.

“For kabobs.” Shawn continued. “Everyone knows that you can’t just have two things. You need something to make the kebobs pop, like onions, tomatoes, something green. Most add some zucchini yet I think bell peppers add more zing--”

“SILENCE!” Olivia said over his ramblings. “Why are you following Drake?”

“Could you lower the sword?” Gus asked.

She dropped it down. “Now talk before I change my mind.”

“We are searching for the cornstarch--”

“Cordonian!” Gus corrected yet again.

“Cordonian history book.” Shawn finished.

“They think I took it.” Drake folded his muscular arms across his chest.

“Why would Drake steal the book? It is only about nobles and ancient scandals. I think one of the last entries was from 1817.” Olivia noted.

Shawn thought back as his brain flashed to that post it note with that particular year listed. He raised his hand to his temple. “I KNOW WHO STOLE THE BOOK!”

________________

Everyone gathered half asleep in Liam’s study. Shawn stood in the middle of the room. “I’m sure you all wonder why I asked you here.”

“Cut the crap Spencer.” Carlton replied. “We know you have some half cocked theory that will somehow be correct.”

Gus shrugged when Shawn turned to him.

“Really you too?” Shawn asked.

“It’s late Shawn.” Gus countered. “We flew across the country and the Atlantic ocean to get here. I haven’t slept in thirty-six hours. You know how I get without sleep.”

“Gus, don’t be that can of Coke Zero. Bring back the sweetness.” Shawn pleaded.

He turned back to the group. “This missing piece of history isn’t filled with only boring facts. No! I sense that it is filled with the dirty secrets about what goes on in the unknown, deep, dark recesses of this palace.”

“It’s actually pretty bright everywhere.” Maxwell spoke up with a yawn.

Shawn ignored that. “Even though the scandals go back thousands--”

“Hundreds.” Gus whispered.

“Hundreds of years.” Shawn repeated. “They are still ones that some will want to remain in secret.”

“Who wouldn’t want that?” Drake muttered.

“Someone wanted to erase these recorded memories. Someone who has already gone through humiliation. Someone who doesn’t want their name added to their ancestors’ naughty times. Isn’t that right...LADY MADELEINE!”

Madeleine paused yawning. Her eyes widened for a moment. “I beg your pardon!”

“I can see it all now.” Shawn stood over her. “You were already sick of seeing your name in the magazines as the jilted fiancée of the King. When Riley asked you to be her publicist, it was a slap in the face for a Countess and former Queen in training. But you took it, because your family name was on the line. You had to correct your image somehow. What better way than to appear not only fine being pushed aside, but also being magnanimous to the foreign interloper.”

Madeleine stared silently at him as he continued.

“It was going well until Riley decided to present Liam with a rare and very odd wedding gift. Seriously. Naught underwear is what all men want for gifts.” Shawn turned to Riley and Liam. “Back me up on this guys.”

“It’s true.” Drake muttered.

“Drake!” Riley exclaimed.

“No, he’s right, blossom. It is all we want.” Maxwell added.

Riley blushed and turned to Liam. “Were you disappointed?”

Liam shook his head. “Of course not. I love everything you have given me.” He frowned at Shawn, Drake, and Maxwell. “Proceed Mr. Spencer.”

“If only Riley had not found it.” Shawn continued. “You didn’t realize what it had until you flipped through it. Then you saw what your ancestors did. It wasn’t just on your mother’s side in 1728 that your people got into trouble, but also on your father’s side in 1817. After a little bit of research and the help of Olivia’s memory of your father being from England, it seems the former Duke of Karlington was involved in trying to overthrow Queen Charlotte. Couldn’t have that be discovered, could you?”

Madeleine glared at Olivia. “I should have known that a descendant from traitors would make certain to point out other decent noble’s despicable relatives.”

“You took the book and decided to have those pages removed. But how to do it in a way that Liam wouldn’t notice?” Shawn interrupted before Olivia could retaliate. “You needed to have the book taken apart by a specialist and then rebounded. Simple glue apparently wouldn’t do with the old leather. That’s why if we go to your desk we will find a brochure for a book binding place called Rebound.”

Madeleine paled. She stood up and lifted her chin. “Yes, I took it. If I refuse to recognize my ancestors that betrayed their monarchs then no one else should.”

Gus and Shawn shared a fist bump as Liam had Bastien lead Madeleine away.

Once she was gone, Shawn turned his sharp eyes on Drake and Olivia. “I see what the big secret is. I wasn’t sure which John Hughes movie you were. I thought maybe a gender switched Pretty In Pink. But now that you are all together, I see you guys are The Breakfast Club.”

“What?!” Everyone exclaimed.

“Olivia is Molly Ringwald. She’s rich and fallen for the less economically sound tough guy, Judd Nelson or Drake in this instance. Liam is Emilo Estevez. Nice. Popular. Everyone likes him. I guess that means Riley is Ally Sheedy. Hmm. Hana doesn’t really have a character. We could make you the principal but that just seems mean. Maybe the little sister to Anthony Michael Hall...but you’re too sweet for that too. Maxwell...you’re Anthony Michael Hall but way cooler.” Shawn pointed at each one. “And just like in the movie, Molly and Judd are meeting in secret to be together.”

Everyone stared at the duchess and the commoner that were both speechless at their secret being discovered.

“And my work here is done.” Shawn exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. He walked over to the door. “If you will excuse me, I’m going to catch up on that sleep everyone was mentioning earlier.”

_____________

“I am going to miss this country. After Hana refused my offer of marriage, I guess this will only be a fond memory.” Shawn said as he boarded the plane with the others.

“I’m just glad she made us going away bags.” Gus opened his and frowned. “Shawn! Where are my cookies?”

“Hmm? Seems like another mystery.” He held tight to his bag as Gus demanded he either share what he had or return what was stolen. “Man, I didn’t take your cookies.”

“You must be out of your damned mind if you think I believe that.” Gus argued. The best friends began to talk over one another, bringing up the great cupcake incident of fifth grade.

Juliet sighed as she sat down with Carlton. “It’s going to be a long flight.”

Carlton nodded. “Good thing I stole Guster’s bag of baked goods.” He offered a cookie to Juliet. She glanced at Shawn and Gus before biting into a chocolate chip cookie.

#choices the royal romance #psych!#shawn spencer #burton guster #carlton lassiter #juliet o'hara #liam x riley #trr liam #trr maxwell #trr drake #trr hana #trr olivia #crack fic

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