#the aconite's a bedding plant!

[elephantbitterhead]

An additional downside of this rightly-berated-by-OP approach is that the popularity of this ugly brutality means that it becomes the only thing many non-gardening people recognize as landscaping. So if, like me, you have a lush, thriving wild garden, anyone who is not themselves invested in naturalistic planting will see your garden & just say 'Man, fuck this wasteland.' They will empty every kind of bin & bucket over your plants, they will trample them to death, they will stomp past them heedlessly snapping their beautiful, arching bodies, etc. When they're not actually killing your plants, they will be flinging trash around and destroying features like rock or wood piles. It doesn't matter how many 'cues to care' you include, it doesn't even matter if you're actually standing right there telling them to stop. Nothing I have tried thus far has convinced a single workman/contractor/etc. to give my garden a break. Even if they seem to feel bad when you point out what they're doing, they're right back at it as soon as you leave the scene. Guys! I've spent 10 years trying to make a neglected mess of nettle, dock, and coal ash look like an actual landscape and YOU ARE HARMING IT. OK, well, the plants are tough so you're probably not really harming it that much in the long term but my god you are standing on things I grew from seed and you are pissing me off so severely you have no idea.

I 100% guarantee they are not doing this in some dope's mulched-up sea of garden-center bedding plants. Because THAT'S what they see as a real garden. They may not be treating those plants with tender care, but they're not stomping all over them like they're not even there or just dumping their toxic slop bucket directly into an edged bed.

Imagine if baking bread was a skill any person living independently in their own house needed to have at least a passing familiarity with, so there were endless books, blogs and websites about how to bake bread, but none of them seemed to contain the most basic facts about how bread actually works.

You would go online and find questions like "Help, I put my bread in the oven, and it GOT BIGGER!" and instead of saying anything about bread naturally rises when you put yeast in it, the results would be advertising some kind of $970 device that punches the bread while it's baking so it doesn't rise.

Even the most reliable, factually grounded sources available would have only the barest scraps of information on the particularities of ingredients, such as how different types of flour differ and produce different results, or how yeast affects the flavor profile of bread. Rice flour, barley flour, potato flour and amaranth flour would be just as common as wheat flour, but finding sources that didn't treat them as functionally identical would be near impossible. At the same time, websites and books would list specific brands of flour in bread recipes, often without specifying anything else.

An unreasonable amount of people would be hellbent on doing something like baking a full-sized loaf of bread in under 3 minutes, and would regularly bake bread to charred cinders at 700 degrees in an attempt to accomplish this, but instead of gently telling people that their goal is not realistic, books claiming to be general resources would be framed entirely around the goal of baking bread as fast as possible, with entire chapters devoted to making the charred bread taste like it isn't charred.

Anyway, this is what landscaping is like.

[ad-caelestia]

Protection & Warding ⚔️ [long post]

A guide on protecting yourself and your home. 

Personal Protection

Wear an amulet on your person - can be made from man-made or natural materials so long as its intent is to protect

Keep a protective crystal in your pocket

Craft a small protective spell jar and keep on your person

Anoint yourself with a protective oil

Place an energetic shield around yourself 

Place a glamour on yourself to go unnoticed in the presence of harmful or negative energies

Carry a piece of iron on your person

Bathe with a wash made from protective herbs

Sleep with a sachet of herbs under your pillow or hanging above your bed to prevent nightmares

Prayers and offerings to your patron deity

Hang a protective amulet from the rearview mirror in your vehicle for safe travels

Home & Hearth Protection

Hang rose stems with thorns intact above the entrance of your home

Hang an upside down horseshoe above the entrance of your home (some lore states you should hang the horseshoe right-side-up)

Hang wind chimes or bells outside of your home

Create a “Witch Bottle” and bury in your front yard, or in a potted plant on your porch

Create a “Witch’s Ladder” or “Witch Ball” and hang it either inside or outside of your home

Hang imagery of protective symbols outside or around your home

Burn protective incense in your home

Create a room spray made from protective oils and spray around your home

Create a protective wash and use it to clean your windows, door frames, and tile/wooden floors 

Use the wash mentioned above to “paint” symbols of protection on the outside of your front door, on your porch, etc. 

Place a protective crystal at each corner inside your home

Place a small glass of salt at each corner inside your home

Hammer 3 iron nails into your front door

Create a protective powder and sprinkle around the perimeter of your home - alternately, sprinkle outside of your front and back door

Create a sachet filled with protective herbs and crystals - keep inside or outside of your home, in your vehicle, etc.

Hang mirrors inside of your home

Place a crystal grid at the center of your home using protective crystals

Call upon your patron deity to protect your home and those who reside in it

Protective Symbols & Items

Pentacle

Triquetra 

Witch’s Knot

Algiz (Elhaz) rune

Vegvisir

Helm of Awe

Mjolnir

Glyph of the Moon, Mars, or Saturn

Eye of Horus

Ankh

Crossed Swords

Iron nails

Railroad spikes

Thorns

War Water

Flying Devil Oil

Third & Fifth Pentacle of Saturn; Third & Sixth Pentacle of Jupiter; Sixth Pentacle of Mars; Second, Third, & Fifth Pentacle of the Moon

Crystals

Agate

Amethyst - protection against psychic attacks and while traveling

Angel Aura Quartz - spiritual protection

Apophyllite

Aqua Aura Quartz - protection against psychic attacks

Aquamarine - protection while traveling via water

Astrophyllite

Aventurine

Beryl - protection while traveling

Blue Goldstone

Bowenite

Bronzite

Bustamite

Catlinite - spiritual protection

Carnelian - protection from negative emotions

Celestite - emotional protection

Chalcopyrite

Chrysoberyl

Citrine - protection from nightmares

Clear Quartz

Diamond

Dravite

Eudialyte

Fire Agate

Fluorite - protection against psychic attacks

Galaxite

Garnet

Indicolite

Infinite Stone

Jade

Jasper

Jet

Lapis Lazuli

Lepidolite

Malachite - protection during pregnancy and childbirth

Moonstone - protection during pregnancy, childbirth, and while traveling via water

Mother of Pearl - protection for children

Nuumite

Obsidian

Onyx

Peridot

Pyrite

Rose Quartz - protection during pregnancy and childbirth

Ruby - protection of the home and hearth

Salt

Schorl

Shungite

Smithsonite

Smoky Quartz

Snowflake Obsidian

Sugilite

Tanzanite

Tiger’s Eye

Turquoise

Vauxite - protection from nightmares

Botanicals

Acacia, Aconite, Acorn (protection from lightning), African Violet, Ague, Alder (protection for the deceased), Alfalfa (protection from hunger and poverty), Alkanet (protection from snakebites and the fear of snakes), Aloe (protection from household accidents), Amaranth (protection from bullets), Amber, Angelica, Anise Seeds, Ash (protection from drowning and while traveling), Aspen (protection against thieves), Bamboo, Barley, Basil, Bay Laurel (protection from lightning), Bay Leaf (protection for your home and family, protection against baneful magic), Belladonna, Bergamot (protection from illness), Bilberry Bark, Birch (protection from lightning and infertility), Black Cohosh (protection from accidents and sudden death), Black Haw, Black Pepper, Blackberry, Bladderwrack (protection while traveling), Blessed Thistle, Bloodroot, Blue Violet, Blueberry, Boneset, Brimstone, Buckeye (protection against arthritis), Buckwheat, Cactus, Calamus, Calendula, Carnation, Caraway, Cascara Sagrada (protection against baneful magic), Catnip (protection while sleeping), Cedar (protection from lightning), Celandine, Chia, Chives, Chrysanthemum, Cilantro (protection for gardeners), Cinnamon, Cinquefoil (protection for loved ones on a journey), Clove (protection for babies), Clover, Coconut, Comfrey (protection while traveling), Coriander, Corn, Cotton, Cramp Bark, Cranberry, Cumin, Curry, Cypress, Daisy (protection for babies), Dandelion Root (protection while sleeping), Datura, Devil’s Bit, Devil’s Claw, Dill, Dogwood, Dragon’s Blood, Ebony, Elder (protection for the deceased), Elm (protection from lightning), Eucalyptus, False Unicorn Root (protection during pregnancy and childbirth), Fennel, Fern, Feverfew (protection against accidents and cold/flu), Figwort (protection for your home), Flaxseed (protection for your home, protection against baneful magic), Fleabane, Foxglove (protection for your home and garden), Frankincense, Gardenia, Garlic, Geranium, Ginger, Ginseng, Gorse (protection against baneful magic), Hawthorn (protection from lightning), Heather (protection against violent crimes), Heliotrope, Henna (protection from illness), Hickory, High John the Conqueror, Holly, Horseradish, Hyssop (protection for property against burglars and trespassers), Irish Moss (protection while traveling), Ivy, Juniper, Kava Kava, Lady Slipper (protection against baneful magic), Larch (protection against theft), Larkspur, Laurel, Lavender, Leek, Lemon, Lemon Verbena (protection of your home, protection from lightning and storms), Lettuce, Lime, Lotus, Lucky Hand Root (protection while traveling), Mandrake, Marigold (protection while sleeping), Marjoram, Marshmallow Root, Mimosa, Mint, Mistletoe (protection from lightning and fire), Mullein (protection from nightmares and baneful magic), Nutmeg, Oak Moss, Olive Leaf, Onion, Papyrus, Parsley (protection for your home), Peat Moss, Peony, Periwinkle (protection against snakes and poison), Pimpernel, Pine, Pineapple, Plantain (protection from snake bites and jealousy), Quince, Radish, Raspberry Leaf, Red Clover (protection for pets), Rhubarb, Rice, Rowan, Rue, Sage, Sandalwood, Saw Palmetto, Sea Salt, Sheep Sorrel (protection from heart disease), Slippery Elm, Snapdragon, Solomon’s Seal, Spanish Moss, Spearmint, St. John’s Wort (protection from baneful magic, lightning, and fire), Straw Flower, Sunflower, Tangerine, Thistle, Toadflax, Tonka Bean (protection from disease), True Unicorn Root (protection from baneful magic), Valerian, Venus Fly Trap, Violet, Willow, Witch Hazel, Wood Aloe, Wood Betony, Woodruff, Wormwood (protection against dangerous roads while traveling), Yerba Santa, Yew, Yucca (protection of your home)

Metals

Chromium

Lead

Iron

Nickel

Pewter

Steel

Titanium

Zinc

Lunar Phases

Waxing - to attract protective energy and positivity

Full - generalized protection 

Waning - to banish negativity, thus protecting the caster

Planets

Moon

Mars

Saturn

Days of the Week

Monday

Tuesday

Saturday

© 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺 𝙰𝙳-𝙲𝙰𝙴𝙻𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙰

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

Hey darling hope you're doing well !! If it's ok could you do an ajax × fem!reader with the prompts 2 and 3 ? I just couldn't get those out of my head♡

‘’Do you know how beautiful you are? It’s truly distracting.” + ‘’Just so you know, I’m not wearing a bra.’’

my taglists are here + you can requests here at any time

—

‘’What are the ten most deadliest plants?’’ you read on your flashcard, sitting on your bed.

Before you, Ajax was sitting criss-crossed and in deep thinking. ‘’Deadly nightshade, aconite — also known as wolf’s bane —, thornapples, angel’s trumpets, white snakeroot…and I don't know the rest.’’

You sighed, telling him the missing answers and flipping to the next flashcard. ‘’We studied these plants all month, how can you miss half of them?’’

‘’I suck at Botany. I’m sorry.’’ He fell against your pillows and plushies, having enough of studying. ‘’Do you know how beautiful you are? It’s truly distracting.’’ He rubbed his hands over your legs, but you didn’t give him the attention he wanted.

You were flattered by his compliments, but flirting and sweet talking won’t make you drop the studying session.

‘’Can we just kiss instead? We have the dorm to ourselves.’’

Shaking your head, you didn’t lift your eyes from the flashcard. ‘’No. We have a quiz on phytotoxicology tomorrow morning. We have to study,’’ you said, emphasizing on ‘study’.

Ajax groaned, still laying against your pillows. He understood the need to study, but kissing was so much better. ‘’My lips are feeling lonely.’’

You glanced at his puppy eyes and the oh-so-cute pout on his lips. You would rather make out than study, but you pushed back the study session so much that you were running low on time and could not move it to another day.

‘’Are they?’’ You cooed and slowly leaned down.

Ajax nodded, thinking you had fallen for his shit when he was the fool. ‘’Yeah, they’re missing yours.’’

Instead of kissing him like you made him believe you would, you grabbed the pen from his side of the bed, leaving Ajax even more frustrated when he realized you were not going to kiss him.

‘’Next question. The chapter on Aconite is very long and Ms. Thornhill won't fail to quiz us on it.’’

You asked each other flashcards questions back and forth, but after a few you were starting to get bored too.

You had about ten flashcards to go through and more reading in the textbooks, so if you wanted to get through everything, you and Ajax were going to need some motivation.

‘’Let’s make a deal. If we get 90% of the questions right before the clock hit 8pm, we��ll make out until my roommate returns. Deal?’’

Ajax evaluated your deal for a moment. ‘’Just making out?’’

You nodded. Anything that involved taking clothes off would be too risky and Ajax was a shy boy in front of people he wasn’t close with. If you were to get caught doing anything sexual by your roommate, he would never be able to look at her again.

‘’Can petting be involved? Can I put my hands under your shirt?’’

You nodded for both. You’ll probably hate yourself later because you won’t be able to get yourself off after Ajax leaves, but the thought of Ajax’s hands on your tits sounded really really nice.

‘’And, in case you need some more material to make your decision… Just so you know, I’m not wearing a bra.’’

—

Wednesday taglist: @sofiaadler @partyfly @hoodforcalum @thelilacmourning @ellessecretobsession @su-alteza-emia @achoo---uu @not-leaprvt @xaviersgf @peterparkerdilf @roadworkaheadisurehopeitdoes @dragon-chica @coldtacozinepanda @wrldofsage @eddiemunsonsluvrrr @capriaura @officialsaturn @babyfiva @maevaomizzolo @kelloggs-world @whosljt @ajpanda181 @belovedrey @emerycrt @elizabitchsshit @heaven-hiding @lilithlikestoread @est-liber @moonisu @dessxoxsworld @parker-nite @bellblake121890 @vesperazhier @kaldurahms-lover @beeebo234 @nephilimsss @mayuphoenix @sweetheartlizzie07 @watermelon-18 @snixx2088 @555stargirl555 @robinscardigan @chumchum19 @lilttblog @aphex2winn @heizenka @mystargirl-interlude @hwrtsiren @babygirljay20 @wildflowerlyss @strangersomeone @openfandoms @charlottelaffin @iheartmaddyperez @starless-starkov @ali-r3n  @poppet05  @ell0ra-br3kk3r  @rhaenyraswife  @teaganthemorningstar   @aphex2winn @moompie   @ifevilwhyhot @oliviah-25 @spenglerslime @wetwilliam02 @yellowcupcakes @haileyismoo @theyslayallday @wrldofsage @manofworm @rhydianissuperior @supersanelyromantic @nicangel13 @toylewestinnyc @meme-queen-1999 @rottenstyx @mxxny-lupin @idli-dosa @silenzju @ar40s @sweeterheartxamerica @renaissancewhxre @jordierama @lilppsblog @harrystylesfp  @katsuki420 @ravenssh1t @izzy-laufeyson @iluvwomenblog @kenzi-woycehoski @arunaposeidondottie @liidiaaag   @lilaconner @katsukis1wife @momoewn   @amithesimpoffandoms @chaotic-fangirl-blog @hawkegfs   @lyxrix @mommyruuetrue   @acornacreacure @lucassinclairsgf @youdontneedtoknowthisinformation

[apothecarys-cabinet]

I guess I go here now or something.

[image: Maomao curled up asleep on a bed, dreaming of medicines, holding her precious cordyceps sample from chapter 22 of the manga]

Summary:

A glimpse of the few days as Maomao studies - or tries to, at any rate - for the court lady exam.

Her heart skipped a beat. Perhaps someone had been poisoned? Maybe someone was dying, or almost dying, and they required her to determine what it was! Her toes curled in her slippers and she wriggled enthusiastically on her chair. She leaped off it and bolted the few short steps to the door with unseemly haste. Maybe it would be pufferfish! Or aconite! Perhaps it was a plant poison she was somewhat unfamiliar with—a good challenge would be just what she needed. Or cinnabar; with how often it was used decoratively here it was a miracle there weren't more cases of it…

[teecupangel]

Fic Trivia and References for Eagle of Alamut

References/Inspirations of Alamut Castle as described in the fic.

Overall look and feel:

I talked about it in this post but, in a nutshell, it's a combination of the concept art of Alamut in the Prince of Persia movie with a few modifications + the Alamut promotional art from AC Mirage.

Thermae:

Wikipedia Article

Thermae Romae Novae's first episode (yyuuupppp, Alamut got a thermae because of an anime)

Courtyard that Leads to the Harem

It's based on Masyaf's Paradise but larger in scale to show how Al Mualim tried to make Masyaf his own Alamut.

Just to be clear:

The Capitoline Triad statues in the fic are based on these three pillar-like structures in Paradise. I didn't make up the part about Desmond remembering three pillars in Masyaf for the fic. Those 3 pillars are really in AC1.

Poisonous Plants

Datura - Datura Bombs from AC Revelations (the fact that Datura is not native in Alamut is also based on the well-known Datura plants as listed in this wiki)

Aconite - It's a Ghost of Tsushima reference XD Okay, but in all seriousness, Aconite is one of the more famous poisonous plants out there and the fact that it's also called wolfsbane and Desmond getting attacked by wolves near a bed of wolfsbanes was too much to pass on. The specific 'strand' in the fic is Aconitum carmichaelii.

Khalid's Explosive Arrows

The idea that Hidden Ones used explosive arrows originated from the idea that the Hidden Ones under Hytham would have seen Eivor use explosive arrows.

Khalid's research relies on the huojian. The possibility that it can be done by the 12th century relies on historical records of the Chinese having exploding arrows by 1040 and the existence of gunpowder by the 10th century.

Desmond's encounter with the wolves

The move Desmond used at the beginning of Chapter 7 is based on the QTE that Ratonhnhaké:ton gets against a wolf attack (but, since he doesn't have a hidden blade, he had to improvise):

source of clip

Dvora's twin blades and fighting style:

They're based on Aya's fighting style and the description of Dvora's blades themselves is based on the blades Aya used in her playable mission.

Other references (in no particular order):

Khalid's unnecessarily ornate bow he stole from his asshole brother is based on AC Valhalla's Antler Bow.

The mentor's top floor being an aviary for eagles only is a reference to how Alamut means 'eagle's nest'.

Bennu's name is a reference to the ancient Egyptian deity Bennu connected to the sun, creation, and rebirth. His name is meant to be a reference to Senu and the mythological background of his name is meant to be a reference to Enkidu.

Peredur's ongoing RPF story about Desmond has his name as 'Dastan'. That's the name of the Prince in the Prince of Persia movie.

(I'll talk about the fight scenes in chapters 21 and 22 in a later date. That one will have more gif clips XD)

[laneaconite]

When we were little girls together

Connected through happenstance, on a day In which a shared isolation was realized. I scouted you alone, downcast eyes squinting at the tiled floor And I knew if I tried, we would find a fellowship everlasting, Across time.

We were girls together, flowers planted neatly in the garden bed; We grew twisted and gnarled by plight and by preference. In the dirt we concocted potions and portals, epiphanies. Our futures we dreamt up fancifully, shameless of Childhood love.

We were girls together, but through the ages we would metamorph. Persecuted as we rose, dreams picked apart and remade: Our roots escaped the garden bed, tore the wood to shreds. We grew out of so called “girlhood” which held us Tight as a fist. Tight as the spasming, anxious throat.

Only after a myriad could we unfurl, after Careful years of self-interrogation, isolation, irony In that which tore us apart, folded us back into one another: Growing up.

-Lane Aconite, August 21st, 2023

[incubabe]

Did I ever go over Riley's apartment? It's a nice, kind of small place on the third floor of a building in Washington Square West (a nice enough neighborhood, conveniently gay friendly, less conveniently mlm focused, but you can't have everything). It's where she and her mother lived for most of her adolescence, so when mom passed away, it made sense for her to take on the lease, keeping its grandfathered rate. It's a standard one-floor unit, characterized by dark colors, hardwood, a balcony, and a window-mounted air conditioning unit. Nice, but nothing incredibly expensive. The apartment door spits out into a cramped foyer with a closet to the right and chair to the left. It opens out into a reasonably spacious kitchen connecting out to a living room, with three doors leading out to her bedroom, spare bedroom / workshop, and bathroom. Art on the walls varies between remnants of her mother's design tastes and gifts from starving artist friends who didn't quite grasp that they'd already paid for Riley's generous dinners.

The place has been warded heavily, the lion's share of her magical use in general. It's an iteration on reinforcement magic -- physically carving magic into the baseboards of the house, creating a spiritual barrier that forcefully rejects the unwelcome. If you don't have the specific code phrase or enchanted key in hand when you enter the house, you'll be repelled out -- and given that her door faces a brick wall, this is generally unpleasant. (Yes, her landlord's key has been enchanted to avoid accidentally maiming her.) It's less intended to permanently maim so much as it is to stall, maybe injure, and give Riley the time to prepare for an intrusion.

Her bedroom's kept in reasonable cleanly order, given the regularity of inviting guests there. A firm bed always left three-fourths made, a small desk with plants, a dresser, a hamper...maybe a stuffed animal or two with nostalgic value. Her bedside drawer always has an unopened water bottle on top, a condom or two and a hairband within.

Riley's converted the spare bedroom into a workshop, her clean room for magical horseshit. (The rest of the place is strictly and purposefully normal-looking, with the workshop kept locked when guests are over). It's got a manufactured magic circle that she can activate from the inside with a lever built into the floor, engraving tools, a little workstation for making her 'anti-everything' water balloons. A two-tiered bookshelf, divided into definitely working tomes, and those that she's not sure of. The latter shelf is, naturally, more filled.

Even a grow light and a small plastic greenhouse that works to grow a few mildly magical plants -- ones that don't require the actual sun. The ones that do are leaning up against the glass of her balcony door, flanked by altogether less supernatural herbs. (The rosemary keeps trying to butt in on the sea holly, it's annoying.) The plants include henbane, yarrow, rue, aconite, nightshade, vervain, mugwort, absinthium, onion root... The poisonous ones, like henbane, are kept in their own mini-dividers in the greenhouse, as is something she's been told is moly but doesn't quite trust.

Finally, there's two plant buckets out on the balcony. One with completely mundane hot peppers, and the other with lady's mantle growing, shamed for its propensity to spread and choke out the other plants. Alright, fine, her balcony is primarily plants -- she doesn't feel comfortable staying out there for long. Sniper rifles.

And there's her roommates.

There's her familiar, Whiskey. Riley's not certain if this is the case for all familiars, or if it's a case of synchronicity, but as it turns out, she's not in a dissimilar food situation. If she's not helping someone make magic, she starves. Her former magician had died unexpectedly, leaving the familiar in a lousy spot. A bleeding heart, Riley couldn't let her go hungry, so they've been together (but not together (okay, they kiss a little)) for about a year. She's able to switch between feline and human forms at will, and has no particular preference for either, but usually lounges around as a cat unless she needs thumbs or a voice box. If Riley's any good at a spell, it's likely that she learned it from Whiskey.

She's also got a dog, that she met when a very bad would-be demon summoner beckoned it and then Riley. Riley reckons it must be somewhat Weird or else it wouldn't have the kind of true name fragments to be summoned, but she can't sus out the specifics. For all the world, it's just a somewhat fat, lazy pariah dog, that knows hand signals but not spoken ones. (Alright, it's fat because she spoils it.) It uses the litter box and has done so without being trained, so that's cool. It's maybe 4 or so? Didn't have a microchip or a collar. Riley calls it Spot.

[indixscamander]

where: along the forbidden forest. who: open; @noxstarters.

Indi missed her gardens at home. Sure, she had plants in the dormitory but there was something about knowing they were being sunlight and proper rain. Not to mention she could grow flowers she couldn’t in her room. Sitting on her bed, carefully watching her poisonous aconite, she decided she needed something more. It wasn’t the first time at Hogwarts she’d had this dilemma but the thought made her itch.

She got up, put on some overalls, boots, pulled her hair back and grabbed just a few supplies before heading outside to the grounds. She looked around but nothing seemed right. Finally she saw the Forbidden Forest. That was right. It needed something beautiful as the forest itself was beautiful in its own right if looked at in the correct way. She ran down and just outside the line of the forest began working her magic -- also creating a garden for the creatures who had found their home there but that piece was her little secret.

Indi hummed to herself but still noticed someone behind her. “You can sit if you want.”

[kmomof4]

small!

Thanks for playing, Kazzy!!!! I'm sorry it took me so long to answer... I kept forgetting! Now, thanks to your sprint game a couple of weeks ago, I have SIX WIPs!!!!! I've NEVER had that many at one time... I don't think... anyway, let's see how many you hit!

A Scoundrel... Or a Gentleman- CS fic coming soon, tentative drop date in early May, inspired by Francesca Bridgerton's story.

She wanted Killian to kiss her. She wanted Killian.

The knowledge was like a lightning bolt, electrifying her nerve endings and leaving her trembling in anticipation. She wasn’t supposed to want anyone. But Killian…

She waited for him to move. She could do nothing but moisten her lips and wait for him to move. Because she knew when he did, it would be perfection. 

And it was. 

He claimed her lips with his own and she melted into him. His hand found its way to the small of her back and while he didn’t pull her into him, the barest pressure was there and the distance between them slowly disappeared until she could feel the scrape of his evening clothes through the silk of her dressing gown.

The Arena- Werewolf fic for the @cssns dropping on July 3.

It was nearly a week later that he’d woken, according to his mother. She hadn’t been far behind him as he ran through the market and had seen what the shopkeeper had done. She was too late to do anything about her son’s hand, but she’d made sure the shopkeeper would never be capable of such cruelty again. A small dagger coated with aconite from the Monkshood plant leaving a scratch across his wrist was all it took to sentence the man to death before the sun set that same day.

Return to Me- Dracula inspired fic for the @cssns dropping on August 22.

“I am Killian Jones,” he said. His voice was low and rich and it wrapped around her like a warm blanket on a cold winter's night. “I am Lord of these lands, and you are my love. I’ve waited for you for 250 years.”

“What?!” she cried. His last words made her mind race back to Dr. Cassidy’s words earlier as she quickly put the pieces together. “Are you the vampire?” She couldn’t contain the horror in her voice or, she was sure, on her face. “The one Dr. Cassidy is here to kill? Oh, God! Are you here to kill me?” She pulled her legs toward her chest and scooted as close to the head of the bed as she could, trying to present as small a target as was possible.

“Never, my swan,” he assured her, gentle compassion beset on his features, his hand still outstretched, her superpower as silent as could be. “You are my bride. Returned to me. As promised.”

The Risk of Remembering- H/C fic that is at the bottom of the priority list, no matter what @snowbellewells and @jrob64 say... This is actually from the notes portion of the doc, but since the doc does have words, not just notes on it, I'll share them anyway.

Whale graduated med school, but decided to go back to school to be a vet instead. He cut Killian’s clothes off and Emma found a pair of sweatpants for him to wear but they’re a tad too small… Whale stitched him up- 10 stitches at his hairline, 3 on his cheek. He’s been unconscious for almost 24hrs.

The Rescue- fic inspired by the recent daring rescue of a female tractor trailer driver over the Ohio River when involved in an accident.

Nothing... sorry...

Killian (Indiana) Jones- a fic inspired by... three guesses and the first two don't count... Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The jungle dripped with humidity as the tall man who was undoubtedly the leader pushed through the next tangle of vines and branches on the way to a cave that held the object of his desire. 

Two men followed him- one plainly nervous, betrayed by the way his gaze darted around the jungle and the small flinches whenever the cries of animals concealed within the greenery reached them. The other was a native, and when the first man stopped for a moment, mopping his sweat covered brow, he approached with a chuckle. 

“Not used to the heat and humidity of Columbia, eh, Dr. Jones? Aren’t you glad you brought me along…” The smug smirk on his face made Dr. Killian Jones roll his eyes in response.

“I’m fine,” he deadpanned, “I can assure you. I’ve been in jungles far worse than this. You just stay close.”

Thanks again for playing!!

[topguncortez]

Alternate Attraction- J. Seresin

pairing: Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x shy!wife word count: 7.5k (I apologize greatly for what im about to do) warnings: major character death, sadness, toxic parents, cursing, grieving, depression, nightmares, childbirth. synopsis: what if Jake never came home from the Uranium Plant? can be read as a stand alone in the Opposites Attract Universe. part 1, part 2, part 3

A/N: it was hurt everyone in the server hours today and i’m carrying it on. So enjoy:) and lemme tell ya this… no one is safe… (looking at you bob). Also thanks to @blue-aconite and @callsign-phoenix for beta reading:)

Y/N and Alex ate Jake’s favorite meal on the back patio. She tried to put on the best act that she could, smiling and telling Alex that Jake would be home soon. But as the sun set behind the clouds it was clear to Y/N, Jake was not coming home. Y/N gave Alex a bath and dressed him in his favorite pajamas and tucked him into bed. She held him extra tight, and read two books instead of the usual just one. 

“Momma,” Alex asked her, “Dada come home?” 

“Tomorrow baby,” Y/N sighed as she rubbed his back. He snuggled into her further, nuzzling his head in her neck. This was probably one of her favorite things about having Alex to herself. He seemed to be more glued to Jake when it came to bedtime, than her. She missed the snuggles she would get with her baby boy. 

“He still on ship?” Alex asked, his blue eyes filled with confusion. 

“Yep,” She kissed his forehead, “He’s on his way home to us. Him, and Uncle Rooster, and Aunt Phoenix and Un-” 

“Uncle Bob!?” 

“Yes,” Y/N laughed, “Even Uncle Bob. Remember what we do when Daddy comes home? We have to go to base and wait for him to come in with all the other mommies and babies.” 

Alex nodded tiredly, and yawned, “Love you, momma,”

“I love you too, come on, let’s get you tucked in.” 

Y/N tucked her son in, and gently ran her hand over his blonde hair. She lingered in the doorway a bit longer, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest, before walking down to her empty bedroom. She hated sleeping alone, ever since she was little. Y/N could remember as a child finding her way to her parents or siblings rooms, sleeping either in their beds or on the floor next to them. It got even worse when she met Jake, the first deployment was rough and she found herself sleep deprived and cranky. 

She laid on her side of the bed, on her back. She watched as the blades of the ceiling fan moved around in a circle, slowly overhead. There was too much excitement and nervousness in her body to let her mind rest. A smile crept to her face at the thought of by this time tomorrow night, she would be back in her husband’s arms. 

— — — 

“Mommy!” Alex yelled loudly from the bathroom. 

“What baby?” Y/N called back as she was busy fixing the strap on her sandals. 

“I need help,” Alex walked into her room, a pout on his face. Y/N smiled, he looked so much like his father when he did that. She kneeled in front of him and fixed the buttons of his shirt, “You look pretty.” 

“Thank you baby.” 

She had spent just a bit longer on her appearance, making sure her hair and makeup looked good, digging out the sundress that would drive Jake wild. When she finished fixing Alex’s shirt, she ruffled his hair. They brushed their teeth side by side, Y/N making funny faces at her toddler. Alex made sure that Y/N had packed his poster in the car, and that he had his toy F-18 with him. Y/N’s hands trembled as she held on to Alex’s hand as they crossed the busy parking lot with the other families. She had noticed Cyclone and Warlock’s wives, and Phoenix’s partner, and waved to them. 

“He's here?” Alex asked his mom, looking up at her with wide green eyes. 

“Soon, c’mere,” Y/N said and lifted her son onto her hip so he could see better, “He’ll walk right down that runway. He’ll be in his summer whites.” 

The nerves bubbled up even more as she watched the first couple people trickle off the boat, deck hands and mechanics. She always loved hearing the cheers and excitement as the sailors and aviators walked off the ship. Y/N shifted from side to side as the sailors walked off the boat. She knew that Jake was usually one of the first off, sprinting down the runway to get to his wife and son. But there was a pit settling in her stomach as time went on, and she didn’t see Jake, nor any of his team. Seeing Hondo, Warlock and Cyclone however, did ease her nerves a bit, but the look they gave her was unsettling. 

“Mrs. Seresin,” Cyclone said, and gave her a simple headnod. Y/N gave him a tight lipped smile and then looked back at the runway, her heart stopping in her chest. 

“Why is Uncle Mav wearing that?” Alex whispered. 

“I-I don’t know,” Y/N said, feeling her throat constrict. Maverick’s green eyes were locked on her as he, and Rooster walked side by side. They were the only two dressed in their dress blues, jacket and hat and all. Y/N tried to look away, thinking that maybe, just maybe if she didn’t look, they wouldn’t be walking straight towards her, but that proved to be wrong. 

Cyclone, Warlock and Hondo had moved to stand near her, as Bradley and Maverick stopped in front of her. Bradley didn’t say anything as he silently reached out for Alex, and Y/N handed the little boy to him. Rooster’s voice was just a buzz in her ear as he talked to Alex about going to see the inside of the ship. Her whole body trembled as she waited for Maverick to say the words. He didn’t even need to say them, she already knew them by heart having heard them said to other spouses and partners around her. But he had to say it, he had to make it real. 

“Say it,” Y/N said, tears falling down her cheeks, her gaze was down at his dress shoes. She couldn’t look him in the eye, “You have to say it, otherwise, I don’t know what you’re doing standing in front of me right now. You are taught on how to deliver the message, on what to say, how to act, how to look. So,” Y/N looked up at Maverick, her eyes wet with tears, “Say it.” 

“Mrs. Seresin, the department of defense regrets to inform you that your husband, Lieutenant Jake Seresin, was killed in action on the 24th of May,” Maverick spoke, but it fell on deaf ears. Her body shook even more, Maverick took a step forward to hold her body as her legs gave out. She let out a heartbreaking sob, one that cut deep through the four men standing there. Mav clenched his jaw as she cried. The three officers looked down at their shoes, “I’m sorry, Y/N.” 

“No! No! No!” She pounded against his chest. 

Maverick wasn’t sure how long she held her, but they became the last ones there. Maverick kept his arm around her as they walked her closer to the dock. Bradley stood there with Alex in his arms, and the little boy reached out for his mother. Y/N took him and held him close to her chest. 

“Why you sad, mommy? Dad’s home!” Alex said. 

“Yeah, I know, baby,” Y/N said and pushed a tear from her face. She could see his team; Payback, Fanboy, Coyote, Fritz, and Bob carrying out a flag covered casket. Phoenix walked behind them, her eyes looking far away. You could hear a pin drop with how silent the area was. Y/N felt the warmth of Maverick’s arm disappear as he walked over to them. She knew the drill and ceremony that came with all this, she had lived it for most of her life. 

“Present. . . arms!” Maverick yelled, and the sailors and aviators around them lifted their hand in salute, as they brought the casket out. They stopped in front of Y/N, and she turned her head, unable to look at the metal box that her husband’s body laid in. 

“Everything will be taken care of Mrs. Seresin,” Cyclone said to her, “The department of the Navy will take care of you and your son.” 

“I know,” She whispered, still looking away. Cyclone nodded to the team, and they put the casket into the awaiting hearse. 

“Where’s daddy?” Alex asked, “Why isn’t daddy here?” 

Y/N couldn’t answer, and looked at Maverick, who just nodded and took her son from her arms. Maverick had held a grieving wife and child before, he was no stranger to how this goes. Bradley walked over and hugged her tightly. Bradley had seen Y/N to be much like his own mother, and broke him in half to know that her fate had been just the same. 

— — — 

Y/N had invited the team over, not wanting to be in the house by herself. Even though she was there, sitting on the couch with them, she really wasn’t there. Her gaze was cold, and far away, her mind lost in grief. Most of the team had stayed at the house for a bit, trying to keep her mind busy, but they slowly drifted out, leaving behind Bob, Phoenix and Rooster. All three of them stood in the kitchen whispering to each other, as Y/N sat with Alex on the couch flipping through some picture book. 

“I don’t want to leave her,”  Bob said, “I’m worried about her.” 

“She’s not a child,” Rooster said, “We can’t just. . . invade her home and babysit her.” 

“She also just lost her husband, and is pregnant again and-” 

Phoenix was cut off by Rooster, “She’s pregnant? Oh my god. . . he didn’t know, did he?” 

“I don’t think so,” She looked down at her shoes, “Listen, it could’ve been anyone of us. And you know damn well if roles were reversed she would be cleaning our houses and cooking us dinners and doing our laundry. We can take some time off and stay with her.” 

“I’m going to put Alex to bed,” Y/N said, standing in the doorway with her little boy in her arms, “He wants to say goodnight though.” A course of goodnights came from the three pilots in her kitchen. Alex gave them all a tired wave before going down to the little boy’s room. 

Once she was out of earshot, Bradley turned to his friends, “We stay with her until the funeral, after that, we stay nearby. She’ll kick us away eventually. My mom did the same after my dad died. It made her more sad seeing the uniforms every day and knowing my dad wasn’t coming back.” 

Instead of laying Alex in his bed, Y/N laid him in bed next to her. Alex had asked questions all afternoon on where Jake was and if he was coming home and why his Aunt and Uncles were at his house and daddy wasn’t. Y/N did her best to explain that Jake wasn’t coming home. She had told him that something had happened while they were gone, and Daddy went to heaven with Rooster’s dad. Alex seemed to understand at that moment, but an hour later he was asking again. 

Y/N had gotten Alex to sleep next to her, which was easy. Between Coyote and Payback, they tired the little boy out so there wasn’t much of a fight for bedtime. Y/N sat up in bed and looked at the manila envelope that was laying on the desk across the room from her. It was basically mocking her, begging her to be open. She stood up carefully from the bed and walked over to the desk. She looked over her shoulder and saw Alex sleeping soundly, and picked it up. Quietly she left the room and walked down the hallway. The aviators that were spread out in her living room looked up at her. 

“I- uh. . . Jake has had this since we started dating. It’s everything I need if he ever,” Y/N let out a shaky breath, and looked at the manila envelope with her name scrawled across it. She let out a sob as she picked it up, her vision becoming blurry with tears. She held it to her chest as she sobbed out his name. Never in her years did she think she would have to open it. She never thought that she would be living in a world where Jake wasn’t by her side. He was her everything; her protector, her equal, her other half, the love of her life. She knew she would never find a love like him again. There was no way she could allow herself to kiss another man, let another man touch her, lie down next to another man, let another man raise her kids. Jake was it for her. Jake was all she would ever need. 

“It’s okay,” Rooster said, and brought her into his arms, and rubbed her back soothingly, “It’s okay. Let’s go sit down and take a look.” Y/N nodded and Rooster led her to the kitchen table, Bob and Phoenix trailing behind. 

They all sat down at the wooden table and watched as she placed the envelope on the table, running her fingers over his handwriting. Her fingers found the opening flap, and pulled it open. She closed her eyes as she grabbed the stack of papers on the inside, and set them on top of the folder. Opening her eyes, she noticed the handwritten note on the top of the stack. Her tears hit the paper as she held it up to read. 

‘To the love of my life, this is all you will need. I promised to always take care of you, and I will keep that promise. Even in death. I love you- your Jake.’ 

“No,” Y/N sobbed again, holding a shaky hand to her mouth, as she flipped through the documents. Jake had prepared everything, it was all written out in her hands. Her heart hurt too much to even read, as she set the stack back on the table. She buried her face in her hands and cried. She knew that she needed to calm herself down, that it wasn’t good to be this worked up for the baby growing inside her. 

The baby Jake will never meet. 

Y/N placed her hand on her stomach, and cried even more. All Jake ever wanted in life was to be a father, and the moment she had told him that he would be one, his eyes became so bright with love. Jake spent every moment of Y/N’s first pregnancy fighting with his inner demons on if he was going to be a good father or not, and he had told her about his fears of becoming a father and not getting to see his children grow up. The story of Goose Bradshaw was one that was somewhat known in their world, and Jake hated it. He hated the idea so much that at the drop of the word, Jake would leave his whole navy career behind to be a dad. 

Rooster took the stack of documents from her and looked them over. He had passed them between the four of them, and looked everything over. Jake was very specific in how he wanted things handled. He wanted the simplest military funeral he could have, only members from his current squadron, his old CO from the Vigils, and a select few friends there. He also wanted someone from the Navy to handle all funeral details, he didn’t want Y/N to have to deal with that on top of her grief, and his mother was a whole hassle. His mother was never a fan of Y/N, so she was not to stay at the house. All money and assets were to go straight to Y/N and Alex, including his share of the Seresin ranch down in Texas. Jake had set it up that the mortgage on the house would be covered, so Y/N didn’t have to worry about that. 

— — — 

The team did the bulk of the work when it came to Jake’s funeral. The days bled into each other, and before she knew it, Y/N was buttoning up Alex’s white button up and tying a black tie around his neck. The little boy watched his mother’s hands carefully as she tied it and tightened it. 

“You think you can do it yourself now?” She asked him and Alex shook his head with a smile, “Neither could your father.” 

“Daddy is with Uncle Rooster’s daddy?” 

“Yeah,” Y/N sighed and put a hand on Alex’s cheek. The past week it seemed to have settled onto Alex that Jake wasn’t coming home. Bradley had taken Alex to the veterans cemetery and showed him around, and explained what a place like that meant. Alex had come home that afternoon in tears, and Bradley stood in the doorway like a deer in the headlights. Y/N assured the pilot she wasn’t upset with him, that kid’s can’t handle grief in a different way adults do, “Do you know what today is?” 

“A goodbye,” Alex mumbled. 

“Yeah baby, it's goodbye,” Y/N brushed the tear from his green eyes, “We’re gonna say goodbye to his earth body today, but his heaven body we will see again.” 

“And he won’t have ouchies.” 

“No, no ouchies.” 

“Uncle Rooster says there’s no ouchies in Heaven.” 

“Nope, no ouchies,” Y/N heard the creak in the floorboards as Phoenix walked down to her room. Y/N looked up at the pilot, who was dressed in her blues, “Go with Aunt Phoenix, okay baby,” Alex nodded and Y/N kissed his forehead before he went running off with her. Y/N let out a sigh as she stood up and straightened out her black dress. She looked at herself in the mirror and turned sideways, to see the tiny bit of extra tummy that was starting to show. 

“We’re okay, we’re okay.” She whispered to herself. She grabbed her purse and stuffed an extra packet of kleenex into it before heading out to the living room. She looked at the aviators in her house; Rooster, Bob, Phoenix and Maverick, giving them a small smile, “Let’s do this.” 

Y/N stuck to Jake’s wishes, much to his mother’s despise, and had a simple graveside service. His mother, Jolene, sat front and center, wearing a big black hat that Y/N knew Jake would make a joke about. Y/N rolled her eyes as she heard Jolene talking loudly about her and how she was just sick with grief. Y/N put on Jake’s aviator sunglasses to cover her eyes and linked through Rooster’s and held Alex’s hand as they walked up to the grave. Y/N sat down on the right side of Jolene, and Alex sat on her lap. 

“Y/N, good to see you in something other than sweatpants,” Jolene said. 

“Jolene, Roger,” Y/N said, greeting both of Jake’s parents. She waved at Jake’s sisters who sat on the other side of their father. Rooster stood behind Y/N and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. 

Y/N was shocked at how many people came, despite the order in Jake’s letters. She knew in the back of her mind that that was going to be ignored. She noticed people from various locations they had lived at: Lemoore, Oceana, Pensacola. Most of them greeted her and told her how sorry they were for her loss. There seemed to be a sea of endless Naval uniforms as they stood and watched as the hearse arrived. Jolene let out an obnoxious gasp as they brought the flag covered casket over to the plot. The family sat back down in the chairs, as the chaplain gave a small message. Y/N kept strong as she watched Phoenix and Bob fold the flag that was draped over Jake’s casket. Jolene gave a dissatisfied sound as Maverick walked over and kneeled in front of Alex, handing the folded flag and her husband’s dog tags to her little boy. 

“This is for you,” Maverick said to him, “From the Navy and your dad’s squadron.” 

“Thank you Uncle Mav,” Alex said and Maverick gave a nod as he stood back up. Y/N took the flag and dog tags from her son, as Bradley grabbed the little boy's hand and walked him over to the coffin. Bradley lifted him up and whispered something into his ear. Alex placed the golden pair of wings in the center of the dark wood, and with his fist, Rooster pounded them in. 

After the service was over, Y/N stood by her car, talking with the team as Jolene walked over, giving her a scowl. 

“Nice service Y/N, very plain,” Jolene spoke. 

“That’s how he wanted it,” Y/N said, rolling her eyes at Jolene. Thankfully Jake’s dark aviators still covered her bloodshot eyes. 

“Did he know he was going to be a father again?” 

“. . . No,” Y/N mumbled and looked down at her shoes. 

“Maybe if you weren’t so secretive he would still be alive! This is your fault!” Jolene yelled and Roger grabbed her arm, “He-He could be here!” 

“She had nothing to do with Jake’s death,” Phoenix said, “You can’t blame her for the career that he chose. He knew the risks that were involved. What was stopping him from going on the deployment to Korea when Alex was just born? Or when he turned three? Nothing.” 

“He would still be here,” Jolene said, and then walked away with her husband. 

“I can see why Hangman said no to letting her stay at the house,” Bob said, and Y/N let out a loud laugh. The aviators looked at her as she continued to giggle, and caught the eye of grievers walking by. Bradley gave them all a tight lipped smile as he looked over at her. 

“I didn’t think Bob was that funny,” Payback said. 

“No, it’s just. . . Jake is dead!” Y/N laughed and leaned against Coyote, “He died. He’s actually dead. Not just missing in the ocean waiting for the rescue chopper. His body's laying in that pinewood box over there. I’m twenty-seven and a widow!” Her laughter was contagious as the others around her cracked a smile. 

“It’s just like Bagman to leave us hanging like that,” Coyote said, and Y/N laughed even harder. 

— — — 

She could hardly stand in her house anymore. It didn’t even feel like her house. Y/N and Alex had gone back to Lemoore with Phoenix and Bob. The two aviators were stationed there, while Y/N was searching for an anchor to keep her from floating out to sea. Alex was happy to be back, to see his friends in their neighborhood, but Y/N hated seeing the glances of the military wives. The pity glances she had grown accustomed to seeing. The news of Jake’s death had spread all the way to Lemoore, and Y/N hated it.

It was only three months after Jake’s passing that Bob and Phoenix broke the news that they were being called back to Fightertown. Y/N had grown close to them, the two aviators had basically moved into her house, keeping her and Alex busy. It broke her to watch Alex hug them goodbye in her driveway as they were headed to the airport. It was a sense of deja vu as she watched them drive down the street and disappear around the corner. 

Y/N was used to being alone. She grew up shy and moved all around the country because of her father’s job. She married a military man who was gone for long periods of time. But this type of alone feeling was different. This time she had no one to wait for to come through the door. There was no one to call and talk to or write letters. She was truly all alone. 

She didn’t know what stage of grief she was in. Nor did she really care, but she knew that she was settling into a deep funk. Most days after dropping Alex off at preschool, she would crawl back in bed and sleep or stare at the picture of Jake and her on their wedding day. The house was a mess, even worse than it usually was. She had made it somewhat presentable, but there were things out of place or just shoved in areas. She would go long periods of time without taking a shower, or changing her clothes or eating. She would wake up in a cold sweat, chest heaving after having nightmares. No one really knew how bad it was until Alex said something during a facetime call with his uncle rooster. 

“Mommy woke me up with her crying last night,” Alex said as he sat on the couch and Y/N was getting his bath ready. 

“What? What do you mean buddy?” Rooster asked. 

“She’s sad. And she wakes me up with her crying. She usually cries after she puts me to bed but last night she woke me up,” Alex said and Rooster nodded his head. 

“Yeah your mommy is going to be sad for a while… how about Uncle Rooster coming to visit?” 

“Yay! And Aunt Phoenix and Uncle Bob?” 

“I’ll bring Uncle Mav too,” Rooster chuckled and heard Y/N call for Alex, “I’ll talk to you later buddy. Don’t tell your mommy, it’s a surprise.” 

Alex promised not to tell, which he ended up telling Y/N the next day. Y/N messaged Rooster and asked him about this so-called surprise, and Rooster explained that he’d be there in three days, and would spend the weekend. It sent Y/N into a spin, trying to pick up the house while being almost seven months pregnant, and trying to seem like all was well in her life. When Rooster arrived, Alex ran to the door, calling out his name. Y/N peaked her head around the corner of the kitchen, seeing that it was only Bradley, she frowned. 

“Where’s the rest?” She asked, wiping her hands on her apron. 

“Just me, sorry to disappoint,” Rooster smiled and kissed Alex’s cheek, “How are you doing?” 

“Good,” She smiled a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, “Made too much food like always, but, uh, come in. I’ll get you- well I actually don’t have anything other than juice boxes and water.” 

“Water’s fine,” Bradley laughed and followed her into the kitchen. He noticed the lack of photos of Jake, it had seemed like she tried to erase him completely. 

Y/N didn’t talk much, and listened to Rooster do most of the talking about his life back in North Island as the newly minted Dagger Squad. She tried to push away the heaviness that fell on her listening to the stories of the antics between the aviators, wishing so bad that Jake could be a part of it. 

“And Cyclone’s face was- oh my god, Y/N, I’m so sorry,” Bradley said, stopping his story to see her with tears rolling down her cheeks, “I didn’t realize-” 

“Mommy’s crying,” Alex said, and frowned.

“No, no I’m okay,” She shook her head and wiped her tears, “I’m just gonna go lay down. My back hurts.” 

Rooster sighed and bowed his head as Y/N got up from the table and waddled down the hallway. Rooster looked at Alex, who looked confused. 

“Mommy’s sad?” 

“Yeah,” Rooster nodded, “It’s okay, buddy.” 

Later that night, Rooster had asked Maverick for help. If there was anyone who felt the pain that Rooster was feeling, it was Maverick, having lived through this exact situation some twenty years ago. Maverick suggested the Rooster invited Y/N and Alex to move down to North Island, and to tell her that the Navy would cover everything. Rooster knew that Y/N and Jake had talked about moving back before his death. She wanted to be close to family, close to the ocean that she loved, close to the place where she met Jake. Rooster wasn’t sure if she could do it, that it might be too painful for her to go through. 

But when he heard her screaming in her sleep, he knew that he couldn’t just leave her here like this. Her loud screaming was piercing and made Rooster shoot off the couch, and run towards her room. Her eyes were closed as she clutched the pillow, but tears were running down her cheeks as sobs and gasps left her mouth. Bradley gently shook her awake, calling out her name. Her eyes snapped open, and she looked around her room frantically. 

“It’s just me, you’re okay,” Bradley said, holding onto her forearms, “You’re okay.” 

“He’s gone,” She sobbed and Bradley pulled her in for a tight hug. Bradley held her as she cried, and waited for the sobs to quiet down before he asked her anything. 

“How long have the nightmares been happening?” 

“Since he died,” Y/N mumbled, “They’ve gotten worse as the pregnancy has progressed. I used to get some weird nightmares with Alex, but these are the same ones over and over.” 

Bradley nodded and ran his hand through her hair, “I think you should come back, be closer to your family.” 

“I can’t, Alex has a life here, a routine. He needs stability more than ever.” 

“And what about you?” Bradley asked. He saw in her eye the same look that his mother once had. The look of selflessness, the look of a grieving mother and widow. He hated seeing that look on someone he loved again. 

“It’s Jake’s house, he paid for it and I-” 

“He would want you to be somewhere where you want to be. He wouldn't want you to be here alone, suffering, barely being able to get by, he’d want you somewhere comfortable, with the people he loved, that you love. Mav is working on getting it set up, come back with me.” 

“I’m pregnant Bradley,” Y/N said, placing her hands on her bump, “I just can’t move this close to my due date. I-I don’t have things set up and-” 

“We’ll take care of that. You just take care of yourself, Alex, and this little one,” Bradley said and placed his hand on her bump, “Penny and Phoenix would have my ass if I came back without you.” 

“You all really discussed it?” 

“Yep,” Bradley said, “Mav and Penny promised to fly up on Monday to take Alex, so I can help you pack.” 

And exactly like Bradley said, Maverick and Penny showed up on her doorstep Monday morning. Alex was happy, and a little confused, to see Maverick and Penny again. Bradley and Y/N did as much packing as they could, going through things to get rid of or take with. They had packed up Alex’s room, the living room, and the kitchen. What was left was Hangman’s office and her bedroom. Y/N stopped as she stood outside of his office, and Bradley put a hand on her shoulder. 

“You do it,” Y/N said, handing him the box, “I can’t. I trust you to make the choice in whatever is valuable and not.” 

Bradley nodded, knowing this was exactly how his mother was when they packed up his father’s office. Carole had asked Maverick the same thing, and Maverick prayed that he made the right choice. Bradley pushed the door open, and found a nice and tidy office space. There was a large oak wood desk in the middle of it, and an array of pictures and awards covered the walls. Most of the pictures were of Jake, Y/N and Alex. Bradley was shocked to see some other ones of Jake and Phoenix, or even one of Jake and Bradley. 

Rooster took his time taking the pictures off the wall, and wrapping them up carefully. He felt his eyes well up with tears as he came across a picture of Y/N, Alex and Jake. Alex looked no older than a couple months and Y/N had tears in her eyes as Jake kissed the little boy’s cheek. Rooster turned the picture over and read the inscription in Jake’s hand writing. 

‘Leaving for Korea. Alex, 3 months old’ 

— — — 

Rooster found himself driving the streets of San Diego at 2 in the morning. He got to her house pretty quickly, being one of the only drivers on the road at the time. He took a deep breath as he parked in the driveway, being as close to the door as he could get. He quickly ran up to the door and opened it, walking right into the house to see Phoenix holding her hand and Bob holding Alex. 

“Hey,” Y/N smiled through the pain of the contraction, “Thanks for coming.” 

“No problem, tell me what to do?” 

It had only been two months since Y/N had made the move from Lemoore back to North Island. It wasn’t ideal, but with the help of the Dagger Squad she had made it work. She was still closed off, distancing herself from them. They knew it had to be painful seeing them around, and knowing Jake wasn’t coming back. But they all listened and came around when she or Alex would ask. Alex had figured out how to get into Y/N’s phone and call Rooster, which had scared the pilot the first time he ever did that. But Bob had been the one to make this call. Y/N had called Phoenix when the first contraction hit, which prompted the female pilot to call her WSO and drive over to her house. 

“My car has the carseat in it, I just need you to get the bag from my room,” Y/N said and Rooster nodded, “Bob, are you okay with staying with Alex? I can call my parents.” 

“We’ll be fine,” Bob said, looking down at the half asleep boy in his arms. 

“Alex came quick,” Y/N said as Bradley came back into the living room, her hospital bag over his shoulder, “I assume I’ll be home by tonight.” Bradley helped her off the couch, with Phoenix assisting. Between the two of them, they helped walk Y/N to the car. “I love you, baby,” Y/N said to Alex and kissed his forehead. 

Bradley drove as carefully as he could, trying to block out the pained whimpers of his best friend’s wife as she breathed through contractions. The pain of labor was one of the first things she had felt in so long. She had grown numb to everything around her. But the pain ripping through her body reminded her that she was still alive. They got her checked in at the hospital and taken up to a room. Phoenix had helped her get dressed in the gown as Bradley went and called Maverick, letting him know what was going on. 

Time seemed to be frozen as she placed her hands on the bed, and Bradley was applying counter pressure to her back. She felt nauseated as she waited for the contraction to pass. She had already passed the time she labored with Alex. This baby was proving that she was truly a Seresin, being stubborn and taking her time. Y/N wanted this to be quick. She wanted the pain to be over with. 

“I can’t do this,” She cried out. 

“You can,” Bradley said, and wiped the sweat from her brow. 

“I can’t do this without him!” She yelled. Bradley helped her sit back on the bed as her midwife came in to check her dilation. 

“It’s time to push,” Her midwife said, and Y/N closed her eyes. 

“I’m right here,” Bradley said and Y/N shook her head. 

“Leave, please,” Y/N looked up at him, her eyes wet with tears, “Go wait with Phoenix. I can’t have you in here, please! Leave!” 

“If you need me, I’m right outside that door.” Bradley said, and respected her wishes and left the room. 

The midwife looked around at her team, and nodded as they put Y/N’s feet into the stirrups. She sat on the bed, in the room alone with just a doctor and nurse. Y/N shifted into a comfortable position as a nurse on either side of her grabbed her behind her knees. 

“Alright, and. . .push for me, push Y/N!” 

Bradley gripped the chair as he waited across the hall, hearing the agonizing screams. Phoenix thought he was going to break the side of the chair, or punch a hole into the ground with how aggressive his foot was tapping. He kept his eyes trained on the door, waiting for the doctor to come out and tell them that Y/N did it, that she had a beautiful baby and everything was okay. 

But Y/N’s body began to tire as the active labor progressed. She was making little to no progress in pushing. Her body was weak, and ready to give up. She leaned back against the hospital bed as one of her nurses wiped her forehead.  

“I can’t do this,” She cried, looking up at the ceiling. 

“You have to,” The doctor said, looking up at her, “You have to. You have no choice. Your baby will go into distress and so will you.” 

For the first time in a long time, Y/N prayed. She prayed to whoever was listening, God, Jake, whomever. She closed her eyes and prayed that this was over, she prayed that this whole thing was some terrible joke, and she wasn’t alone having a baby. That her husband wasn’t dead and buried in some grave in the middle of a veterans cemetery. She prayed that Jake was right behind her, holding her hands and being her anchor as she pushed, like he had been with Alex. And someone had answered her prayers when the door to her room was pushed open, she opened her eyes to see who it was, too weak to put up a fight. She watched as he pushed over to her, the nurses moving and helping Y/N set up, so he could climb behind her.

“Bradley…” She cried, leaning her head back against him. 

“I know,” Bradley, soothed her. The nurse handed him a damp rag to wipe her sweat, “I know he would do it if roles were reversed.” 

“I need him,” She whimpered. 

“I know,” Bradley clenched his jaw, trying to push back his own tears, “I do too. But you also need to bring this healthy baby into the world. For him.” 

She nodded and gripped Rooster’s hands. She took a deep breath and listened as the doctor counted down. On one, she let out a loud scream as she pushed as hard as she could. Rooster clenched his jaw at her harsh grip, and flexed so she had something to bear against. Rooster whispered encouraging things into her ear as she used whatever strength she had buried within herself to bring the baby into the world. 

When the melodic cry broke through the room, she leaned back against Bradley, completely spent. Bradley smiled, tears down his cheek as the doctor laid the new born against her chest. She looked down at the baby that was placed on her skin, a little girl with bright blue eyes, the same ones that Y/N had fallen in love with years before. 

“We did it, Jake,” Y/N whispered and kissed her daughter’s forehead. 

— — — 

Bradley walked down the brightly lit hallways with Alex’s small hand in his. Alex clutched a teddy bear in his free hand (he insisted on bringing it to give to his sister). Bradley stopped outside of the correct room number and kneeled down in front of Alex. 

“Alright, you look good,” Bradley said and fixed the blue patterned button up he put Alex in, “Hair looks good, shoes are cleaned, brush your teeth?” 

“Yes!” Alex nodded. 

“Good shit,” Bradley smiled, “Remember what we talked about in the car?” Alex nodded, “Your mommy is going to be very tired, and really sore. You have to be quiet, okay, your sister is probably going to be sleeping a lot at first.” 

“Will she like me?” 

“Yeah,” Bradley said, “You’re going to be the best big brother ever, I know you will.” 

Alex launched himself at Bradley, hugging him tightly. Bradley grunted at the weight of the small boy hitting him, “I love you uncle Rooster.” 

“I love you too, kid,” Bradley kissed his forehead, “Now come on.” 

Bradley stood up and knocked on the door, hearing a faint invite to come in. The second that Y/N saw her little boy, both her face lit up. Alex grabbed Bradley’s hand feeling a bit nervous. Bradley gave Alex’s small hand a comforting squeez and walked towards the bed.

“Mommy!” Alex said, and Bradley picked him up, placing him on his hip. 

“Hey,” Y/N smiled, “I missed you.” 

“Missed you too,” Alex said and leaned his head on Bradley’s shoulder, “Sissy?” 

“Right here,” Y/N said and looked down at the bundle in her arms, “Hey Rooster.” 

“Hey,” Rooster said and smiled, “I’m gonna put you next to your mommy, you have to be really careful.” Alex nodded and Y/N shifted over slightly, wincing in pain as Bradley set Alex on the bed next to her. Alex’s big blue eyes were enthralled with his baby sister, and his little hand reached out to touch the swaddle she was wrapped in. 

“Can I hold her?” He whispered and Y/N nodded. 

“Remember what I said?” Rooster asked him and Alex nodded. 

“Like a football,” Alex said, and Y/N giggled as she placed her newborn in her son’s arms. 

Bradley sat down in a chair next to Y/N’s hospital bed and let Alex look at his baby sister. Alex’s green eyes were wide with fascination as he looked at her. Even compared to Alex, Ella was small. Bradley snapped all the pictures he possibly could of the three of them cuddled into bed together.��

“Wanna hold her?” Y/N asked Bradley, looking over at him. 

“Yeah,” He nodded, “I don’t really know how-” 

“Like a football,” Y/N smiled and Bradley chuckled, “Hand Ella to Uncle Rooster.” Y/N helped transfer the newborn from her son’s arms into Bradley’s. Bradley’s eyes lit up as Ella opened her’s and looked around. Y/N couldn’t help the sinking feeling in her chest. 

“How does it feel to hold your goddaughter?” She asked him. 

“My what-” 

“Alex already calls you ‘Uncle Rooster’, so we thought why not make it official,” Y/N shrugged, “Only if you-” 

“Yes!” Bradley said, cutting her off. Y/N giggled, watching Bradley hold her daughter. For once, Bradley felt like he belonged to a family. He wondered, is that what Maverick felt, all those years ago, watching Goose and Carole with Bradley? For years, Bradley had been searching for a family, finding love in the wrong places, having his heart broken repeatedly, but now he finally had it. Bradley cleared his throat, feeling tears in his eyes as he looked at his family. 

“Hey kid, I’m your uncle Rooster,” 

She was happy, yet sad at the same time. She could see the look in Bradley’s eye, the look of completion as she gently swayed with Ella in his arms. Y/N couldn’t thank Bradley enough for stepping up the past couple months, but she wished Jake could be here at this moment. Instead of Bradley, it was Jake holding his newborn. Y/N ran her hand through Alex’s soft blonde hair as he curled into her. 

“I think I understand why your mom never remarried,” Y/N spoke, and looked up from her son. Bradley looked at her confused, “I don’t know how to love someone else besides Jake, the way I should. It wouldn’t be fair to whoever else came into my life. I had one great love in my life, and I was grateful to get two more out of it,” Y/N kissed the top of Alex’s head. The little boy turned around and smiled at her, “Jake Seresin was it for me. He was my wingman, my Goose, my forever. And I’m okay with that.”

--- --- ---

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[astriiformes]

Having an extremely in-character day today going to a plant sale with friends and watching Scribe go wild picking up plants for our yard and specifically the giant plant glyph bed she wants to make out front (generally ones with magical/folkloric associations like wormwood and parsley), with my own contributions being insisting that yes, even though it is the most poisonous, we should absolutely get aconite (for werewolf reasons) and also some pretty blue and white columbines (for Coloradan reasons).

[iliveiloveiwrite]

The Mirror of Erised // Draco Malfoy

Summary: Curious professors, treasure hunts, romantic feelings.

A/N: This idea gripped me and I couldn't let it go. I haven't written for Draco in so long, I forgot how much I love this character. 

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x Female!Reader

Warnings: fluff, pining, mutual pining, kissing, treasure hunts, humour, swearing, mentions of food and drink

Word count: 4.4k

The air of the greenhouses was always humid; thick with moisture, creating the perfect environment for the magical plants of Hogwarts to thrive and grow. Tended by all students, the greenhouses saw an abundance of visitors every day.

The collection of greenhouses had been your solace as a teenager studying at the enchanting school. Too anxious from the state of wizarding society, the greenhouses became a place of calm for you. Professor Sprout had taken you under your wing after your fourth visit to the unconventional classrooms. From there, your knowledge of magical plants and their properties grew until you were the one they called when the school was destroyed, and students were injured.

It wasn’t long after the Battle of Hogwarts that McGonagall offered you a teaching position, wanting a trustworthy, welcoming soul to take over from Professor Sprout. Sprout hadn’t worried; she knew she had left her beloved greenhouses in safe hands.

Days in the greenhouses always flew by. You constantly found yourself entranced by your work; the potting and repotting of Mandrakes, the drying of nettles, the harvesting of Asphodel root – it was enough to keep you thoroughly occupied as well as a hive of information for the students that line the greenhouse work stations.

However, today you found yourself occupied not by the Aconite plant that also went by Monkshood and Wolfsbane. Instead, you were caught up in a rumour delivered to you this morning by Nearly Headless Nick. The resident ghost of Gryffindor had flitted over to you, already grinning with excitement at the information he had to share. By the time such information had been imparted onto you, your excitement rivalled his.

There was only one person, however, that you wanted to share this rumour with.

Draco Malfoy followed you into teaching a year after you began your position at Hogwarts. He hadn’t wanted the job at the ministry; his name scorned by most witches and wizards. McGonagall had seen something in him and had offered him the position of Potions Master, knowing how comfortable the Malfoy heir would been in the subject.

The friendship with the Slytherin Prince happened over many shared meals; breakfasts, lunches, dinners in the Great Hall in which you always found yourself saving a seat for the blonde in case no-one else at the table did. Draco’s allegiance in the Second Wizarding War was a well-known fact amongst staff and students.

After a while, the two seats became reserved for the both of you. An unofficial seating plan in which you would save a seat for Draco, and he would save one for you if you were running late. It was a friendship you so dearly cherished, and if you happened to have recognised the familiar stirrings of love in you as you glanced at the blonde, then that would be your secret to bare. Draco didn’t need to know how he made your heart race and sent your head into a spin; he didn’t need to know how often he featured in your dreams, waking up with your arm outstretched as if reaching for him in the deep of your sleep.

The man occupied your mind as you left the greenhouses, wandering to the Great hall where you caught sight of the shock of blonde hair amongst the rest of the staff. It’s as if he senses your presence, Draco looks up from his plate of food to meet your gaze. A slow smile spreads across his face as he waves at you, hurrying you over.

“Have you heard?” You smile, remembering your earlier conversation with Nearly Headless Nick, childish excitement written across your face as you reach out to grip Draco’s forearm.

The blonde indulges you with a wide smile of his own. “Have I heard what?”

Your grip on Draco’s arm grows tighter as your excitement peaks. “It’s back at Hogwarts – the Mirror of Erised.”

Shock pulses through his body as Draco tries and fails to keep the alarm from showing on his face. “What? Where did you find that out?”

“Nearly Headless Nick who heard it from Professor Binns who overheard Professors Flitwick and Trelawney discussing the subject matter outside of McGonagall’s office.”

Draco’s grey eyes narrow as he takes in the admittedly weak and confusing chain of gossip. “Are you certain that it is back here?” He asks; curiosity burning through him, but not wanting to risk falsities.

“There’s only one way to find out,” You tease, biting your lip as you peer up at the Potions professor through your lashes. You knew that Draco would be apprehensive about such a magical object, but even he couldn’t resist catching a glimpse into his own soul – his own heart.

Draco groans; repressing the urge to let his head fall into his arms. “Another treasure hunt?”

He didn’t remember the last one too fondly. You had heard whispers of the Necklace of the Lady of the Lake being housed in an offshoot of one of the many tunnels that lay undisturbed underneath Hogwarts. They had remained undisturbed for over a thousand years until you had chosen to find the necklace. You had no interest in wearing it; you couldn’t be bothered about being unfathomably loved, but you had simply wanted to see whether there was any stock in the legend preached by Professor Binns in History of Magic.

Unfortunately, whilst the tunnels did exist, the necklace did not, and it was left to Draco to pick up the pieces of your disappointment as well as heal numerous scratches and welts covering your limbs after an ill-timed fall.

After that, Draco had made you swear that your treasure hunts would remain above ground and somewhat safe.

“Please, Dray,” You plead, shaking the arm which you still hold in your grip. “Help me find the Mirror of Erised.”

“We were warned away from it as students,” Draco argues, desperate for you to see sense so he can protect you from further injury, “Why should we find it now?”

“Because we are no longer students,” You protest, gesturing to your seats at the teacher’s table in the Great Hall where you both currently sit.

“What do I get out of this?” He asks, already feeling his resolve crumbling as he takes in the excitement shining brightly in your eyes.

“You get to spend time with me, of course,” You laugh, anticipation curling in your gut.

“Well, if you’d led with that,” Draco begins, his voice trailing off as he watches your eyes grow wide with the realisation of what he is saying.

“You’ll help?”

“I’ll help,” He nods, unable to keep the smile of out of his voice and off of his face.

“Thank you!” You cry, releasing your hold of Draco’s arm to throw your own around his neck, pulling him in for a tight hug. “I knew I could count on you.”

Draco laughs; his arms coming to wrap around you. “I’ll come to your rooms after dinner, deal?”

“Deal,” You answer, pulling your head out of his neck long enough to reply to him. You stay wrapped up in each other for another moment; enjoying the closeness of the other until you begin to feel the gaze of colleagues and students alike – all curious to whether the two of you had gotten your act together yet.  

-----

Draco knocks on your door an hour after the end of the dinner. The many students at the school had been sent off to bed though many still roamed the halls despite the nearing toll of curfew. Draco had passed many teenagers on his way to your rooms; each either greeting him verbally or offering him a nod as he passed. He wasn’t going to remind them that they needed to head back to their dorms; he was out after hours too, and despite being an adult, he still sometimes felt like the student he was so many years ago.

At this point in this teaching career, Draco had spent countless evenings in your rooms. He could explain the layout like the back of his hand from the personalised tapestry backing the wall behind your bed to the bookshelf in your living room whose shelves are bowing from the weight of the books laid upon it.

He could picture it all in his mind’s eye as he knocks twice more upon the faded, wooden door.

“I wondered when you’d be dropping by,” You greet as you step to one side to let the potions professor enter.

Draco rolls his eyes at the mock impatience in your voice. He toes off his shoes before following you through to the small living area where he spies a mug of his favourite tea waiting for him on the coffee table. He reaches for it as he settles down on the worn couch.

“What’s the plan?”

“Find the mirror, look into it, try to achieve our desires.”

“Very thorough.”

“Piss off, Dray,” You laugh, hitting him with a couch cushion.

“In all serious, do you know where the mirror could be kept?”

“I have three ideas.”

“Enlighten me.”

Holding up your hand, you show Draco three fingers as you count off the locations in your mind. “The Room of Requirement, the Chamber of Secrets, and the place where Harry found the Philosopher’s Stone in our first year, just off the Third Floor corridor.”

“All difficult places to get into,” Draco notes wryly.

“Your point being?”

“You never make this easy for me.”

“I’ll repeat my words from earlier: piss off, Draco.”

“Why do you want to find it so badly?” Draco asks; finally voicing the words that have been sat on the tip of his tongue since dinner.

You shrug, messing with a loose thread on a dark red cushion. “Why not? I’d like to see what I truly desire.”

Understanding that he isn’t going to get a longer answer, Draco changes tact. “Which room do we hit first? What’s the plan?”

He���s rewarded with a smile that lights up your whole face and sets his heart pounding in his chest.

Draco does his best to listen to you; he does his best to pay attention to every word leaving your lips and every gesture of your hands, but he finds it hard when all he can see if the excitement in your eyes and the pure happiness written on you face. If he already didn’t think you beautiful, he would think so now.

As Draco watches you, he finds himself thinking back to the time he first realised his feelings for you. It had been at a quidditch match – Ravenclaw vs Hufflepuff. Draco had attended only because you had asked him to; Hufflepuff had been your house when you were student, you were an avid supporter of the team. Parents had been attending this match as well; many of them old enough to remember the first wizarding war, his parents and his side in the second wizarding war. It had awkward until one parent made one too many comments. You had defended him, embarrassing the parent until they had no choice but to leave. When Draco had asked you why you had done such a thing; you had simply reached for his hand, squeezed it and told him that that is what friends do.

Draco had fallen in love with you then and there.

“You weren’t listening to a damn thing I was saying, were you?” You ask, a wry smile curving your lips as you settle back against the many cushions on your couch, pulling Draco from whatever daydream he found himself in.

Draco bites down on his bottom lip to keep the smile from spreading across his face. He shakes his head, “I’m sorry, I got distracted.”

“Thinking about what?”

He blanches; feels all colour leave his face as he’s put on the spot. Draco isn’t ready to confess what he feels for you; he hasn’t quite figured out whether it would ruin the friendship he so dearly cherishes or whether it would create something more between you. Either way, he isn’t ready. Instead, he offers, “I was thinking about the treasure hunt we went on for King Arthur’s sword.”

You groan dramatically, pulling a cushion over your face. “I didn’t know King Arthur’s sword was going to be that sharp!”

Draco snorts, “It’s a sword! What did you think it would be?”

“How many times do I have to apologise?”

“As many times as it takes for the scar to fade,” Draco states, lifting his pant leg to show you the puckered skin of a three inch scar running up the length of his shin. You wince at the sight of it.

“Still,” You whisper, sheepish from Draco’s reminder of the danger these hunts pose, “Will you help me?”

Draco sighs, settling once more against the many cushions on your couch. He takes a sip of his tea, pretending to mull over his decision. He knew he would help; he would follow you to the ends of the earth, but he wouldn’t be a very good friend if he didn’t make you stew over it. Ultimately, Draco smiles, turning to you, he asks, “Where do we begin?”

------

The Third Floor corridor is searched later that same week; the two of you coming up empty handed as you stride through the various tasks completed by Harry Potter in his first year of schooling at Hogwarts. You cannot stop the disappointment from flooding your veins when you come up empty handed; no sign of the Mirror of Erised when you reach the end of the path.

“We’ll find it,” Draco promises, an arm wrapping around your waist in comfort, “We’ll try the Chamber of Secrets next, see what that brings up.”

The Chamber of Secrets also has you both coming up empty handed. Draco had paused momentarily as you opened both doors to the chamber; shocked at your use of parsel tongue.

However, both of you felt the keener sting of bitter disappointment when all that is left of the Chamber of Secrets is a Basilisk skeleton. Fascinating though it may be, the chamber doesn’t hold what you seek so you leave the place, hoping never to return.

------

The Room of Requirement can be located on the seventh floor corridor; its entrance appears across from a tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy, but it only ever makes itself known to those who need it. On your list of locations for the Mirror of Erised, the Room of Requirement was your last option.

“What if it isn’t here?” You worry, standing next to Draco at the supposed entrance of the room.

“The mirror or the room of requirement?”

“Both,” You cry, chewing on the inside of your cheek.

“Hey,” Draco hushes, touching a finger to your chin briefly. “It will be. I’ve entered the room of requirement plenty of times.”

“Did you ever see the mirror?”

Draco shakes his head. “I didn’t, but I wasn’t searching for it then. I am now. Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” You reply, steeling yourself with a deep breath.

Draco takes your hand in his; tangling your fingers together for extra security as you begin the walk past the rumoured entrance. Three times you both walk past, thinking only of the Mirror of Erised and not of the way Draco’s hand feels in yours.

The grinding of stone is what makes the both of you pause. Draco squeezes your hand in hope as you turn to see the appearance of an ornate, dark wooden door. A glance at the blonde has further hope blooming in your chest when you spy a glimmer of familiarity in the eyes of the Slytherin Prince.

Taking the lead, Draco guides you through the door.

The room can only be described as cavernous; stone columns hold up the large room, all circling the Mirror of Erised which sits in the centre of the room, only accessed by walking down stone steps.

Excitement settles deep within your gut as you reach out for Draco’s hand only to find that he’s reached for you first. Turning to the blonde, you find triumph and happiness written across his face. “We’ve found it,” He whispers, not wanting to speak louder in case he disturbs the peace of the mirror.

“We have,” You reply just as quietly.

In sync, you both look out towards the mirror. It stands impressively in the centre of the room; its stature demanding any and all attention. It’s hard to look away with the knowledge that it could show you what you truly desire.

“Who looks first?” You ask, keeping a tight grip on Draco’s hand.

“I’m not sure,” Draco states, wanting just as much to look into the mirror now that he’s standing in front of it. He can feel its pull; he’s desperate to answer its call.

“Rock, paper, scissors?” You suggest, offering the childish game as solution to your problems.

“Alright,” Draco replies, letting go of your hand to offer it up as a fist. “Ready when you are.”

“Rock, paper, scissors,” You both chime, voices echoing off the stone walls. Draco laughs as loud as he dares when you lose for a second time in a row; he tries to offer you another go but it is clear you’ve lost this round.

“Just go stare into the glass, you arse,” You huff, shoving at his shoulder. Draco blows you a kiss as he steps down into the pit where the mirror awaits.

“Well,” You hiss, keeping your voice low in case Filch happens to walk by, “What do you see?”

Draco stands before the grand Mirror of Erised. He had heard of its prowess; Harry had preached so often about it that its legend only grew in Draco’s mind. He had never thought for one second that he would be standing in front of it, watching the ancient glass swirl and whirl as his deepest desires are reflected for him.

“Draco?” You call, voice louder, breaking the blonde from his pre-occupation with the mirror. He turns to you, eyes beginning to focus on the room around you. “Hmm?” He asks, “What did you say?”

“What did you see?” You ask, hands settling on your hips as you fix the man in front of you with an unimpressed but desperately curious stare.

Draco glances back to the mirror; his right hand twitches by his side, needing to know that if he reached out towards the immemorial glass, he could step right through and live his true desires.

He must stare at the mirror too long for he feels your hand slip into his; he feels your fingers tangle with his and tug once, pulling him from his yearnings with an ever-growing sense of urgency. “Draco,” Your voice calls though it sounds muffled as the grey swirls of fog in the mirror begin to take shape once more. “Draco,” You call again, “Come back to me.”

The words are muffled, but the pleading note to your voice cuts through the fog surrounding him. Draco comes back to the present with a start; his whole body jolting as he registers the feel of your hand in his, the weight of your fingers tangled with his.

“Where did you go just now?” You ask, concern tightening your voice, making it hard to speak.

Draco blinks once, twice, three times before whispering, “The mirror is very powerful. You can see why witches and wizards have wasted away in front of it, their desires played out for them as if on a stage.”

“Are you okay?” You ask, bringing a hand to Draco’s cheek, registering his drop in temperature. “You’re freezing cold.”

“I feel fine,” The man murmurs, sounding very far away as his grey eyes glaze over once again.

“This was a mistake,” You spit, hating yourself for dragging him along every step of the way.

“No,” Draco states firmly, “Not a mistake at all.”

“Draco, you’re freezing cold and you’re barely present enough to have a full conversation with me. You’re not okay.” You shake your head in frustration, “We’re going back to my rooms. With any luck, we won’t come across the mirror again.”

Draco goes to argue; he goes to scream and shout, but he takes a look at the stricken expression on your face and chooses to close his mouth. It’s a look he hasn’t seen in years; a look he hasn’t seen since you took in the sight of the destroyed courtyard after the Battle of Hogwarts, registering the dead bodies lined up at the side, knowing there was nothing you could do to help them. It was a look Draco had hoped he would never see again, but as the look ages your features, any argument Draco wants to pose dies on the tip of his tongue, the bitterness seeping its way to back of his throat. Instead, he holds on tightly to your hand and lets himself be led back to your rooms where warm blankets and hot tea awaits.

--------

Having barely slept after your first encounter with the mirror, you closely resemble a ghost as you take a seat at the teacher’s table for breakfast the following morning. Draco’s seat next to you is empty as you pour yourself a hot pot of tea, needing the warmth to replace what you lost in that awful room last night.

As you reach for a piece of toast and the pot of raspberry jam, you wonder whether Draco felt well enough to come down for breakfast. It had taken numerous mugs of tea to bring his temperature back up to what it was, and he remained infuriatingly tight lipped over what he had seen in the mirror despite your deluge of questions.

You only look up from your food when you catch sight of Draco out of the corner of your eye. He settles in the chair next to you, looking as if he had barely slept a wink either. He had left your rooms looking close to a corpse, the tiniest hint of colour in his cheeks. Your concern for him had interrupted your own sleep; tossing and turning all night to try and stop yourself from kicking down his door.

“How are you?” You whisper, not wanting anyone to overhear this conversation.

“Better,” He answers after a brief sip of his hot drink. “Thank you for last night.”

“Always, Draco.”

“I want to go back,” Draco announces over his breakfast, “I need to go back.”

“Why?” You ask, aghast at his decision.

“I need to be certain of what I saw.”

“And you can’t be certain without having to go back to the mirror?”

“Look,” Draco sighs, resting his teacup back onto its saucer, “I’m going back to the Mirror of Erised. Now, you can come with me and find out what I saw the first time which I know has been killing you to find out about. Or you can stay here and worry about me and not find out what I saw. What will it be?”

You purse your lips, keeping any and all barbed retorts behind your locked lips. Draco had you in a bind and he full well knew it. Eventually, after much deliberation, you roll your eyes at the blonde. “Fine,” You huff, “I’ll come with you. When are you going?”

“Tonight. I’ll come to you after curfew.”

------

The excitement upon finding the cavernous room the first time had quickly faded upon your entering the second time. You remain two steps behind Draco, watching him intently from the back as he takes a deep breath, stepping further into the room.

The Mirror of Erised remains unmoved in the centre of the room; the stone steps leading to the ancient, powerful object have a slight sheen of frost over them. Draco pays the frost no mind as he steps down to the mirror; the heels of his oxford reverberating loudly off the stone walls of the room. You wince slightly; safe in the knowledge that Filch wouldn’t be passing this room tonight, but still not wanting to take any chances.

Had the Mirror always been this foreboding? You ask yourself as you watch the man you’ve slowly fallen in love with get closer and closer to the archaic magic trapped inside the glass.

Draco pauses long enough to flash you a smile that you suppose is meant to relieve you of some of the stress and worry you feel, but it does nothing to calm your nerves as Draco steels himself to stare into the mirror again.

You remain close by as Draco watches the fog; you watch out for any signs of Draco losing himself like he did last time. As he had said previously, the mirror had turned scores of witches and wizards into bumbling fool, obsessed with watching their desires play out in front of them but refusing to act upon them. You couldn’t help but harbour some hatred for the mirror as you watched Draco fall under the mirror’s spell once more.

It takes only a moment for it all to become too much. Taking a tentative step forward, you call out his name only to receive no reply. Worrying your bottom lip, you call his name louder.

Draco’s right hand twitches as he pulls himself from the mirror. “You called,” He smiles, a poor attempt at humour.

You glare at the blonde; your heart pounding as Draco walks back to where you wait. “How do you feel?”

“Fine,” He answers, “Nothing like last time.”

“What did you see?”

“Us,” Draco answers; the single word tumbling from his lips as a smile begins to grace his face.

“Us?” You repeat, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

“I love you,” Draco states honestly, plainly as if the very fact had been common knowledge for a long time. “I love you,” He repeats, arms slipping around your waist to hold you near.

“You love me?” You squeak, unable to comprehend such words after an evening as eventful as this one.

He nods; his nose brushing yours as his lips barely graze over your mouth. “I love you,” He repeats almost breathlessly as the need to kiss you tries to overtake his body.

“I love you too,” You murmur quietly, letting yourself fall further for the man holding you so tenderly.

Draco’s only answer to that is to kiss you.

*****

Harry Potter Taglist: @chaotic-fae-queen @harrypotter289 @kalimagik @heloisedaphnebrightmore @nebulablakemurphy @figlia--della--luna @imboredandneedalife @levylovegood @awritingtree @haphazardhufflepuff @chaoticgirl04 @accio-rogers @dreaming-about-fanfictions @lestersglitterglue @msmimimerton @obx-beach @izzytheninja @slytherinprincess03 @bbeauttyybbx @breadqueen95 @oopskashish @slytherinsunrise @remmyswritings @they-write-once-in-a-blue-moon @ria-rests-here @superbturtlemakerathlete @inglourious-imagines @ithilwen-lionheart @now-its-time-for-a-breakdown @ilovejjmaybank @theweasleysredhair @theonly1outof-a-billion @phuvioqhile @moatsnow @storyisnotover @himooonlight @potters-heart @amourtentiaa @joyfullymulti @pandaxnienke @mesmerisedangel @angelxnaa @iamninaanna

Draco Malfoy taglist: @the--queen-of-hell @obxmxybxnk @obx-beach @sycathorn-slush @dracomalfoyswifey @justmesadgirl​ @detroitobsessed​ @aspiringsloth20​ @just-a-belgian-girl​ @lahoete​ @minty-malfoy​ @fallinallinmendes​ @ravenclawbitch426​ @ochrythum​ @beiahadid​ @gryffindors-weasley​ @dracosathenaeum​ @belladaises​

Specific fic taglist: @regulusarcturusblack2008 @randomlimelightxxx​ @ranhanabi777​ @yegreatdragontamingpiratecaptain 

[xiphiathepeacefullsword]

A/n: This Is actually the third written chapter of a story I started called 'The script', which was a sort of introduction story to Algorithm And D!Bug. The previous chapters are complete cringe, and I will not be posting them. Unless I am asked to. Apologies, this particular post is very long, and it seems like I'll have to split this chapter into two parts.

Sparsely edited

°°°°°°°°°°

Blade blinks rapidly, throwing her palms to her face to shield her eyes from the surprisingly bright light above her. She squeezes them shut tightly, moving her hands to feel around in the dirt, the familiar sensation of delicate petals between her fingers bringing back fond memories of past missions.

And some not so fond ones.

Blade takes a deep breath, laying there a few moments to gather her thoughts, opening her eyes to allow them to adjust to the rest of the cave. Waking on this bed of flowers left Blade, not drained but, it was a state Blade never usually got to experience. The quiet cave and the soft petals beneath her emptied her of all her usual hyperactivity. Of her unwarranted paranoia. This small underground field filled her with a strange sense of serenity, her constant need to be moving and working in some form or fashion just melting away. For whatever reason, this small patch of flowers at the bottom of a mountain lifted her necessity to be constantly on edge. These fields the only place she found any peace, as if she belonged right with the flowers beneath her.

Perhaps she should take some home to plant in the garden. Blue would like that. Blade smiles faintly at the thought. She really couldn't wait to get back home to all her boys, despite how much she claims to despise them.

Blade rubs a petal between her fingers, and plucks it from its stem, bringing it to her eyes, expecting to see the sunshine yellow of a buttercup. Blade stares blankly at the petal, and after a moment she creases her brow, twirling the petal in her fingers. In front of her eyes wasn’t the usual shade of yellow, instead Blade held a blue-purple foliole. In Blades hand was the petal of an aconite flower. Blade bolts up and surveys her surroundings, ignoring the lumps that were her comrades sleeping bodies, her eyes quickly skimming the earth she lay on. Everywhere Blade can see, reaching even beyond where the sun's light could reach, are hundreds and hundreds of aconite flowers, bathing the cave in a menacing purple aura.

“What the hell…” Blade looks around in befuddled wonder, her mouth agape as she stares at the flowers.

"Strange innit?" Blades gaze shoots up to an upper wall of the cave. Hammer stood upside down on the ceiling, a fistfull of purple flowers pressed to her face.

"It's always buttercups." She said as she descends from the wall, swinging her unoccupied arm like a young child. "Every single timeline we've been to is always crawling with buttercups." Hammer stops in front of Blade and eyes the plants in her hands with interest.

"But look at these." Hammer giggles "a strange, purple flower that seems to glow with magic." Hammer shifts her eyes to look into Blades confused face. "What's different about this place?"

As Blade stares into Hammers face, her unease and trademark distrust come back tenfold, annihilating any sense of solace she had felt before. Blade quickly bolts up out of the flower bed, dusting herself off as she silently curses herself out for letting her guard down.

"That's," Blades glare becomes downcast, her head tilted downwards and her eyes somewhere past the flowers at her feet. She hated not knowing. Not understanding.

She shakes her head roughly, and she looks back up at Hammer. "That's not why we're here. What do the flowers have to do with the mission." Blade begins to march towards the sleeping body of Collar. "We've wasted enough time here already. Wake up Twin, we're moving out."

"Aye aye captain!" Hammer skips over to Twins bodies as Blade turns to lift an unconscious Collar off the ground, only to find her staring straight into Blade's eyes.

"Wussup." She drawls and blinks slowly, before turning over onto her stomach and stretching out in a cat like manner, the following yawn exposing a pointed fang. She places her hand on the ground to push herself off the dirt, freezing midway as she spots the flora beneath her. She stays there frozen for a worrying amount of time before pushing herself off the ground.

She throws her hands in the air to stretch once more, before turning to Blade and sticking her hands into her sweater pockets.

"What in the fuck." She aims the statement at Blade with her usual blank expression painted across her face.

"Tch hell if I know. I got here when you did."

Blade and Collar turn to the sound of a surprised scream on the other end of the cave. One of Twin stood, spinning in circles as she stared at the grown in astonishment, while the other sat and gathered up groups of aconites in her arms, marveling in their magical aura. The only flower she ever saw glow like this were the echo flowers, and those predominantly grew in waterfall.

Twin throws the flowers into the air and collapses onto her back, rolling around in the glowing petals as if it were snow, Hammer laughing hysterically and Twins childish display.

Collar chuckles, and Blade holds back a surprised laugh, disguising is with a gruff

"OI!"

Blade makes her way to the spot Twin sits, her uneasiness growing steadily the longer she stays in this mystical cave, and Twin greets Blades glare with a broad smile.

"Have you ever seen anything like this!?" She sais as she palms the glowing flowers. "I didn't know any other plant underground glowed like this!"

Blade glares down at the flowers, trying her best to ignore whatever uninviting aura was seeping from them.

"Get up. We've got shit to do."

Twins' childish grins fade, and Hammers ever present smile falters for a moment. "Y-yeah of course!" Twin stands, pocketing purple petals on her way up.

"Twin." Collar calls from across the cave. "Put 'em down."

Twin derps out, her fistful of aconites suspended above her jacket pocket. "HuH."

"Put 'em down."

Twin stares at Collar a few moments before dropping the flowers back to the ground, standing straight as they fluttered back into their place in the dirt. Twin walks past Blade, disappointed, but unquestioning of Collar's decisions. Collar never explains herself, but she always has a reason. No matter how outrageous the demand.

Blade continues to look down at the unfamiliar plant, only breaking eye contact when Hammer walks past her, placing her hand on her shoulder.

"Whatever it is you're feeling" Hammer mutters to Blade, her smile never fading and her gaze never wavering from Blade's concerned expression. "You're right. There's something…unnatural about this place. And not in the usual magical sense."

Hammer taps Blades sweater once, before skipping off to follow the others.

Blade glares at the flowers a moment longer, before following after Hammer.

Collar watches as Blade strides up to the familiar archway, where the other three stood awaiting her. She watches her fearless leader take a deep breath and crack her knuckles, trying her best to ward off the uncertainty forming in her gut.

"Ready?" She asks, earning determined looks from everyone around her.

"Born ready!"

"You know it!"

"I mean I could use another nap."

Blade rolls her shoulders and fixes her mind to focus on the task at hand, not some stupid flowers. "Then let's do this."

Blade steps through the arch, fully prepared for anything that could be thrown her way.

The girls file into the next room, a patch of grass sat at the center of the stone floor. Blade stops, and glares at the still figure seated in the grass. Twin and Hammer exchange looks, giving mutual shrugs, confirming neither knew what it was. It wasn't a temmie, which they'd be completely used to seeing, temmies taking the place of floweys in most swap timelines. But it had scales instead of fur, and orange spikes jutting from the back of its head. A striped sweater draped over it's apparently armless figure-

Oh!

"Monster kid." Collar drawls, debating whether or not to approach the child's lifeless, drooping form. She decides to, taking a step towards the back of the familiar and friendly monster.

"Eya kid-"

Twin flinches shamefully as monster kids head abruptly shoots upward, and he quickly turns it to face the girls, his face emotionless and his round eyes blank and shadowed for a moment before filling with their usual wonder and enthusiasm. He jumps up from his spot, his thick orange tail helping him off the ground as he scurries into the familiar open doorway, made from marble pillars and slabs of stone. He trips and lands on his face halfway there, to which Twin has to suppress a snicker at.

Hammer runs around Blade, chasing after the monster in excitement at the thought of capturing the seemingly frightened child.

"HEY! DAMMIT HAMMER! COME BACK HERE!" Blade calls out in angry surprise before following suit. Twin tries her best to stay on Blades heels, and Collar simply sighs and hovers after her companions.

She's just through the doorway, when she stops short behind Blade, who is staring up at the doorway atop two massive purple staircases. She watches as the small monster sprints to the threshold and looks back at the girls, his mouth moving as if he is saying something. He then runs out of sight, the head of a small bunny monster replacing him.

The bunny's eyes widen with childlike awe, and they race after their playmate.

Hammer and Twin continue their meaningless pursuit of the small monster child, Blade taking a hasty moment to dash towards the carpet of leaves between the two staircases, where a bright, shining ball of magic resided, Twinkling in almost a knowing manner, as if aware of Blades misplacement in reality, as all the salvares, as the girls called them, did. Blade scowls as she places her hands on either side of the mass of light, holding her breath as her hands close around it. The star expands for a mere second, giving off an indescribable heat, before shrinking to nothing, leaving Blade feeling cold from the inside out.

Collar watches the affair take place, her eyes steady on Blade as she turns toward her, her chest rising and falling shakily. Collar looks her in the eyes, a silent questioning of Blades condition.

“Im fine” she breathes out, before bounding up the stairs after her allies. Collar skims on the air, being sure to keep pace with her agile companion as she bolts through the halls of the ruins. Blade bounds through another opening, skidding to a sudden halt at the sight before her, her eyes wide as saucers.

The walls of the long corridor are adorned with elegant lanterns, each glistening with bright fire magic, chasing away any and all darkness from the massive hall, which Collar grimaced at, much preferring the usual shadows that hid in the cracks and corners of the ruins.

But that isn't the first thing Blade notices. Her jaw is agape at the various monsters roaming the corridors of the ruins, and not just the expected vegitoid or whimsun. Blades wide eyes processed many of the snowdin and hotland residents wandering around the halls, chatting amongst themselves, oblivious to the presence of the out of place characters they passed by.

Children ran through the hall, paying no mind to the strangers they bumped into.

Shops and stands are set up and booming with business as far as the eye can see, a festival-esque atmosphere wafting through the ruins. Blades face twitches as she spots Twin and Hammer weaving through the crowd, one of Twins bodies holding a mountain of snacks she can barely contain within her arms. Hammer holding two cones of-

Are those webs?

Candied webs?

"Uh oh." Collar mutters when she notices Blades skin begins to smoke as she makes her way towards her distracted companions, Collar taking her sweet time following behind her, willingly getting lost in the sea of festive monsters.

"Are. You. SERIOUS?!" Blade flares angrily, her hair converting to flames momentarily in her irritation. Twin turns to her rapidly, a few bags of food slipping out of her hold. Her bright smile fades instantly, as her other body pokes Hammer insistently. Hammer turns to look at the distraught Twin, following her line of sight to where Blade approached.

"Oopsie." she squeaks, her smile widening with amusement at the anger of her companion.

"We've been down here for one MINUTE and you've already strayed from the damn mission! And for what, A game of chase and some junk food? We don't have time for these distractions! I can't bel-"

Twin raises her hand abruptly, Blades clenched fist twitching in response. "What. Twin."

Twin silently reaches into her pile of snacks, pulling out a bright red bag from the depths of the hill of treats.

"We got you fireballs."

"..."

Blade glares at the offending candy, her gaze cutting up to Twin once before she snatches the bag from her grip.

"You're forgiven..BUT JUST THIS ONCE!" Blade points a finger at Twin, receiving a mischievous smile and a dutiful salute.

"Whatever you say, fearless leader!" Twin giggles out.

Blade rolls her eyes, and the bag of candy disappears in a small flash of pink lighting, the orbs pinned up in her hair glowing in correlation.

"Well since that's out of the way!" Hammer chirps sharply, her eyes nearly manic and her smile strained with anger. "Where the hell is Collar?"

Blades face contorts in confusion at Hammers inquiry. She turns to look behind her, extending her hand to grab what she assumed would be Collars head.

"What do you mean she's right her-" the color drains from her face, and she stares dumfounded at the spot her hand hovers over, positive her smaller friend had been trailing her closely the entire time.

“FUCK!” Blade screeches, ignoring the parents around her throwing her disapproving glances as they cover their children's ears. “SHE WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME I SWEAR!” Blade turns back and forth in circles as if she would appear out of thin air, which was expected from Collar, who had a tendency to sometimes pop up out of nowhere and scare the living shit out of anyone unlucky enough to be the victim of her silent arrivals.

Blade looks back up at Twin and Hammer, her concerned expression shifting into something of further unease. Hammer stood stark still, unblinking and apparently, not breathing, staring Blade straight in the eye, a menacing smile painted across her face.

“Blade dear, where the hell is our sister.” she utters quietly through her grit teeth.

“sh-she was RIGHT HERE!” Blade barks out, her volume failing to hide the slight tone of fear in her voice. Hammer's decietful smile stretched outwards, thinning as her eyes squinted accusingly at Blades flustered face.

“well obviously she’s not. there. NOW.” Hammer hisses. Her eye twitches at the sound of an obnoxious crunch to her right. She sharply turns her head to face a passive Twin, who was watching the ordeal closely as she shoved handfuls of hard candy into her mouth.

ow

pussy

laNguAgE

(pussy)

reAlLY?

“Twin.” Hammer sings sweetly, leaving Blade to exhale in relief.

“ye?” Twin answers dumbly, not regiristing the malice painted on Hammer's face.

“Do you know where Collar is?”

“...uh. no?”

Hammer seizes Twin by the Collar of her sweater, lifting her to match her impressive height.

“then stop gorging yourself on candy and HELP ME FIND OUR GODDAMNED SISTER.” Hammer pronounces each sentence sharply, her eyes piercing Twins with a smouldering intensity.

“Y-yeah, whatever you say-” Twin squeaks out nervously, her other body quickly depositing the snacks into the orbs holding up her hair. Hammer drops Twin back onto her feet and dusts off her hands, her furious smile never faltering.

“Well then girls, let’s get cracking shall we?” she chirps.

\-----------/

Collar lazily meanders through the crowded halls of the ruins, her passive expression masking the discomfort of being in another unfamiliar place. She weaves through the mass of monsters, avoiding any physical contact with any of the strangers as she tries to slow her heartbeat, attempting to focus her mind on finding somewhere more secluded to sit and wait for the others to eventually find her when they've calmed down. She continues to amble throughout the ruins, as the crowd thins slowly but surely as she loses herself to her thoughts.

Shed always liked the solitude of the ruins, though she never got to explore her own until after the barrier was broken. But in every tale timeline the ruins were quiet and peaceful, and with so few inhabitants, Collar didn’t feel overwhelmed with the presence of unidentified characters or potential threats. It was small, and everyone knew everyone.

That’s the same reason she liked the tale snowdins so much. It was a tight knit community where everyone had each other's backs, and the town wasn't plagued with betrayal and the unbridled distrust of every person you glanced at. She was surprised the first time Blade had sent them all to the tale universe. Everyone was chatty and friendly and talkative and oh so trustworthy.

As if everything was okay.

As if they weren’t all slowly dying beneath the surface of the earth.

Sometimes Collar wonders what would have happened if she never met Blade and the others. What would her life have been like if Twin and Blade had never stepped out of that portal and tried to kill red. What would have happened if Hammer hadn’t come out of nowhere and beat the living shit out of them.

Collar laughs at the memory.

But

What would have happened if they hadn't asked Collar to come with them when they left?

What would have happened if she’d refused to go when they asked?

What would have happened if she never felt that compelling connection always dragging her toward the others?

Would they still be trapped underground?

or would Blade still be a homicidal maniac?

and would Twin still be a world hating recluse?

Would Hammer-

Well Hammer hasn’t changed much.

But whatever that was. Whatever thing kept calling her to them, whatever voice that was that told her to take Twins hand and step through that portal. That told her to leave red behind despite how much she wanted to stay, whatever it was that pulled her obstructed SOUL to follow the others and explore, no matter how much her mind and body despised the thought of ‘adventure.’

That voice was the best thing to ever happen to her.

Collar's soft smile quickly fades as she falls through a hole in the ground, gracefully landing face first in the dirt.

“Nice one.” she murmurs into the dirt before sitting up on her legs, swiveling her head around slowly, eyeing the empty room incredulously.

How far did she walk anyway, she thinks to herself as she stands, dusting the purple dirt from her white pants. She spins on her heels, approaching a doorway she spots to her left.

she emerges where she started, staring over a field of thin darkened soil. She sighs heavily. She hates mazes, while Blade and Hammer had some sort of strange fascination with the things, she never found any enjoyment in them. Why spend an hour lost between walls and other barriers when you could just go over it. She does just that, levitating over the accusing puzzle.

her feet tap softly on the dirt in the next room. striding over to the row of rocks in her path. all three are situated on pressure plates, the spikes across the room already receided underground, most likely to avoid any accidents with the visitors in the ruins. Collar continues to the other side of the room, stopping momentarily to eye the Twinkling light across from her, floating silently above a patch of cherry colored leaves.

She extends her hand out to it experimentally, her stance unsure as she holds her breath. she makes contact with the glowing ball of magic, only to deflate when her hand simply phases through it.

“I don't know what I expected.” she murmurs to herself, walking past it into the next room, oblivious to its flickering in and out of reality.

Collar approaches a more narrow hall, another patch of red leaves covering the ground.

just leaves?

nothing else?

where the heck is-

(shut up, read)

Collar stands still in the patch of fallen foliage, her blank face threatening to contort in confusion. She reminds herself that it's a different timeline, so of course, things would change. including the location of certain characters. she'll see blook eventually. you can't just erase a character out of a code. Even in w̶̮̹͛ȉ̸̬̦͈͒n̶̘͐̐͜ḡ̷̝͍̯͝ ̴͉̯͛d̷̙̺̐̕ị̸̇̃͘n̶̼̍̍g̴̝͙̎s̶͍̼͕͒̔́ case there are still traces of him scatterd here and there.

Collar turns into the doorway to her right, a small square shaped room lies behind it, covered in spider webs. Collar ignores the sign, tossing an unknown amount of gold coins into one of the smaller webs. watching in a strange enjoyment as multiple small black-purple spiders skitter down the tough threads, counting the glistening currency, working in perfect coordination. a small mass of spiders collect near Collar, three donuts stacked on eachother. Collar plucks the sweets from the spiders, smiling softly and utters a quiet thank you.

in the next room lies six patches of more unstable ground, all of them caved in already, probably from curious children or klutzy guests. Collar takes her time peering into each one, finding them all abandoned. all except the last one, which is occupied by a single large froggit, its pale back turned toward her. Collar floats down into the hole lazily, being sure not to fall on her face for a second time, she doesn't need another mouthful of dirt.

Collar stands unmoving in the small cavern, giving the froggit plenty of time to sense her presence. She kicks a pebble when the small monster doesnt turn to face her, allowing a small cough to escape her lips, attempting to catch the froggits attention. Collar's eyes dart around the room uncomfortably, genuinely wanting to avoid approaching the monster without its permission.

“Uh-” Collar whispers out, taking a tentative few steps toward him (her?) it.

“Y-yo.” Collar stands over it at this point, staring at the top of its slippery head. The froggit doesn't make any indication that it heard her, staring unblinking and unmoving at the purple wall, and as far as Collar can tell, there's nothing special about that particular row of bricks.

Collar taps her left foot shallowly, staring at the same wall the froggit faced, contemplating her next move. She takes a deep breath and forces her foot to still. She looks down at the froggit and pulls her hand from her pocket slowly, praying to god the froggit doesnt recoil from her touch or start an encounter due to the unbridled contact. Collar inches her fingers closer and closer to the monster's skin, softly placing it to the top of its head.

Only for it to go straight through its head as if it wasn't there.

Collar is the one to recoil, her eyes widening at the hand shaped hole in the froggits head, ever so steadily growing in size, the emptiness inside it eating it from the inside out. The air around the froggit pops, and a buzzing sound fills the room as the last of the monster deflates into the ground, leaving its spot empty and wanting. Despite the event that just took place, Collar stares dumbly at the wall, her eyes lidded lazily as if everything was fine.

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Tuesday 4 September 1838

4

9 ¾

so bit last night that this and the loss of my cloak prevented sleep – got up at 12 ¾, and, on examining my bed killed a louse – enough – sat up the rest of the night, slumbering when I could as I leaned back in my chair – I had luckily brought away nearly 2 whole tallow candles from Bagnères de L- this morning as a separate charge (unusual) was made for them, and one of these with the one we got here made out for the night – aroused at 4 – chocolate at 5 – determined to return the same way we came to look for my cloak – off (from Bosost [Bossòst] at 5 ½ - at the little chapel of St. Antoine in ½ hour at 6 – at the top of the Portillon at 6 35 – had looked and inquired all along in vain for my poor cloak – had thought of sending Charles to the village to Lys to seek my cloak but had hardly uttered all the way till 7 35 when I said I was determined to have it found if possible conte qu’il conte – Charles rather in a pet said qu’il ne l’avait pas enlevé..... this led to some words, and I blamed him for the careless, and was annoyed – however before we had gone ½ hour father he thought better of it and seemed so ashamed and sorry and made so very sufficient an apology (poor fellow! he was in tears – said I was very just – he had been with me so long etc. etc. never did wrong willingly......) that I promised to say and think no more of it and all was right again – for at 7 35 when I had told Charles to go to Lys, seeing that he was for leaving the mule and going on foot, I thought this would not do, and sent Jean who promised to be back as soon as possible and was sure he could get the cloak back if it had been lost thereabouts - .:. at 7 35 Jean set off by our route of yesterday and we returned by the direct road – by and by passed a douanier who asked Charles if we came from Spain – Charles came to tell me that he had said no! we had only been making a petite promenade and all was settled without another word – begged if I was asked I would give the same answer – no! said I, I shall certainly tell the truth if I am applied to – Charles said, he was very glad we had got off so well; for if he had said we had been in Spain, I should have had a fine of 60/. a horse to pay – Arrived à l’hotel du commerce B. de L- at 8 25 – comfortable enough double bedded room à rez de chaussée – very well for merely breakfasting in – breakfast at 9 – boiled milk and pears and peaches – no coffee and gateau de riz at A-‘s desire – Charles got the ‘manteau rouge publié’ cried by the drum-man – the crier goes about with a drum not a bell as in England – at 11 the botaniste guide – (Joachine Martre, Rue de la poste aux Lettres, à Bagnères de Luchon)  and we went with him home to see his collection of Pyrenees plants – the very pretty little pink flower, we saw on the Piméné (vide Tuesday 24 July) and in several other places Coumelie [Coumély]? Begonz? Saongué? (but not the little pink flower of the Piméné the whole plant not more than an inch high) turns out to be Azalea procumbens a little low plant, 5 or 6 in, high with little woody stems – very pretty – my great inquiry was for a specimen of Vératre – he did not know the plant by this name but knew it by the name of Hellébore.

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but he had to seek a long before he found a specimen of this plant – his specimen about a foot long – could not judge how much longer the whole plant might have been – he said the colour of the flower was yellow – a person not understanding the difference of the petals (h meant to say the pistils etc. classical distinction as established by Linnaeus) might mistake it for the aconite – How said I the aconite flower is blue and the leaves quite different – yes! but he meant the A. Anthora – is the flower of the A. Anthora yellow? he said the hellébore was plentiful in the Près de St. Jean (near Paillole) –

le Vératre, la plus haute plante des montagnes. Chaussenque [Chausenque] i. 196

les Vératres, l’ellébore des anciens, croissent à hauteur d’homme somewhere sur un plateau herbeux near above la butte de Sers. i. 202.

l’aconit anthora, quoiqu’ vénéneux lui-même, passe pour le contrepoison de la renoucule thora, petite plante – n’a qu’une feuille et une fleur jaune – used by les peuples de nord pour empoisonner leurs flèches. i. 198

while Matre looked for the Vératre, he gave me a letter to read from our late M.P. Mr. James Stuart Wortley from which it appeared M- had been his guide in the valle de Lys, valle d’Arran [Aran?], etc. and desiring to send some pine cones of 2 or 3 different sorts named and the plants according to order, and giving M- an order for the sum due upon W-‘s banker at Bordeaux the parcel to be sent from Bordeaux to England – M- shewed me also a letter from an Angalise Mrs. Martin who had ordered of him a collection of Pyrenees plants – he furnishes specimens at 25/. per centaine – what I paid in Switzerland – but when I said I had paid 20/. per 100 at Chamouni [Chamonix] he said he would furnish me specimens at that price I had asked him the price of guides here, he said 3/. a day per man and 3/. a day per horse and nourriture, but when a man was not mounted and had long courses, he deserved something more – He shewed me also a little work which he praised much, written by a Mr. Bentham the son (he said) of an English general who was with the d. of Wellington in the peninsular war –

Catalogue des plantes ingidènes des Pyrénées et du Bas Languedoc. Par George Bentham à Paris chez Madame Huzard imprimer-libraire Rue de l’Epéron – St. André n°7 1826. and Toulouse chez Vieusseux. and Montpellier, chez Gabon and cie. and Sévalle libraire

Martres’ specimen of Vératre too long for me to bring away – took nothing but gave him a 5/. piece and my name ‘Madame Lister’ begging him to set down the receipt towards anything I might order hereafter – Jean came here to be paid 12/. for man and horse the 2 days, and gave him 10/. with which to pay the man at Lys who had found the manteau rouge (as he said) not far from the cottage where we had fed the horses – satisfied to have my poor cloak back again – it went with me to the top of Mt. Perdu in 1830, and has been my companion too long to be unvalued tho’ now worn into holes round the bottom – Pierre too (Dalgarotte) came here to wish me goodbye and recommended himself and his son for future employment – but Martre would be the man for me another time – A- not having been much amused had probably been proportionally impatient of delay – walked back to the Inn – and off from here – off from Bagnères de Luchon at 12 10 – had we had time Jean had greatly vaunted an excursion to Montné (should it be Mouné?) from the top of which a very fine view of all the mountains around and we should have returned upon Arreau by a new line all the way – I think he said it would only have taken us 7 hours this way to Arreau – we had doubted between this and the valle d’Oo and lake of Seculejo in one road as we passed by our former route – it was now too late for the lake – but we might have done the other – However, I thought not of it at the moment, and we jogged on the old way – at St. Aventin at 1 10 good church and village – Casauz [Cazaux -Fréchet-Anéran-Camors] at 1 ½ just skirt along the top of the village, and close by and under the church – at 1 50 pass thro’ Garrey and just out of the village good view of the glacier of Mt. d’Oo on our left – at the top of the Port (de Peyresourde) at 2 50 and I alighted then and A- afterwards at 3 25 – passed thro’ Loudervielle at 2 50 – A- rather tired and sat down on a wall to rest at 4, for 5 minutes when both mounted – crossed the bridge over the gave and in the highroad in ¼ hour at 4 20 and here we came up with the 2 Spaniards and Bagnères de Luchon guide on foot carrying a largeish deal box on his back, who had passed us ¼ hour before, and they turned left to pass the port de Plan to Vielle [Vielle-Aure] (3 heures) in the valle d’Aure (on account of the Doane [douane] being there) to go tomorrow to Balbastro -  at 4 50 pass thro’ the pretty village of Avvaiyorn (as pronounced by Charles) – A- tired of riding and poorlyish – very picturesque wooded hedgy, corny, well-villaged, fine valle (valle de Louron) – A- very much tired – walked 10 minutes till 5 ½ and I from 5 20 to 5 ¾ thro’ the village of Bordères (vide Chaussenque [Chausenque] i.357) in a nice green bassin – at the hotel du commerce chez Clavière à Arreau at 6 35 – very fine day and evening – Arreau beautifully situated, neat, good, very pretty picturesque little town – delighted to be as it were, at home again with these good people – out in the court and about while A- lay down – dinner at 7 ¼ in ¾ hour – A- sick and poorly – la fille came to ask me in a whisper that the mistress takes all that is given for la fille, and gives her very little of it, and gives her 55fr. a year – begged me to give her herself ½ what I gave before and give the other ½ to the mistress without saying anything – shook and folded all my things and had a thorough wash, all which took me till 9 ¾ - A- better

[deadlydelicious]

Teen Wolf has hunters treating wolfsbane like the most rare and illicit substance possible,

and like, my dudes, you can get it in a fucking garden department. not even like a ‘you can refine cyanide from apples in the grocery store’, but like you can get monkshood as a fucking bedding plant at a garden centre. I can literally go buy a pot online right now for around £8. 

and for that matter, this show also acts like wolfsbane, while super toxic to werewolves, is completely harmless to humans, and THAT IS NOT ACCURATE. wolfsbane can fucking kill you my dudes. theres a reason it’s in the poison garden. stop having your human characters huffing wolfsbane like it’s chalk dust. half the humans in beacon hills should be dead at this point just from aconite poisoning, or at the very least every single person who drank the fucking kool-aid at lydias party. aconite is a deadly poison dudes