#the eldest sibling can hate their youngest sibling for being the joy of the parents but cannot escape the fact that they are siblings

[ntaras]

i want tomas to be corrupted by enenra so badly because he’s such a sweetheart in a lot of his dialogues

[themonotonysyndrome]

Successors to the Future

I like to get lost on Tumblr when work becomes frustrating and I was immediately inspired by the Second Wive AU from @tri3tri! 

If you’re a TW’s fan and enjoy reading yandere content, you just gotta check @tri3tri out. They’re one of the best yandere content creator for the TW fandom!

And since I’ve been playing Blazblue Centralfiction a lot lately and love badass girls, this plot bunny won’t leave me alone and so I want to add a little something to their amazing AU. 

FD/N = First daughter’s name/Renata Draconia (half-human, half dark Fae Princess. Malleus & MC’s eldest child)

SD/N = Second daughter’s name/Sherrie or Cherry Draconia (half-human, half-dark Fae Princess. Malleus & MC’s middle child)

S/S = Son’s name/Lucien Draconia (half-human, half-dark Fae Prince and the heir to the throne. Malleus & MC’s youngest child).

MC/S = MC’s surname

-

“Oh. My. God. What did you do!?”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry! I got it all under control!”

“Under control - the pasta is on fire! How the - ”

“I can fix this! ...I think?” 

“Move. You’re a human disaster, you know that? I told you to wait for me if you’re planning to cook dinner! Now the kitchen looks like an eldritch god just threw up! Mama is gonna be so sad when she gets home.” 

“I tried yelling for you, but you were too busy livestreaming Among Us to hear me! Now help me scrap the pasta off the pot while I clean the counter before Mama gets - .” 

“Sweethearts?” 

Both teenage girls yelp at the sudden voice and instantly turn around. The pot of burned pasta clattered on the dirtied floor. MC looks around her kitchen in exasperation. She was wondering why none of her children didn’t greet her as soon as she got home from work. When she heard bickering from the kitchen, she saw her daughters were frantically cleaning up the mess that was Renata attempt at cooking dinner. 

But instead of being upset over it, MC just shakes her head fondly. 

“Did you use your fire magic to cook the pasta, sweetie?” 

Renata sheepishly scratch her cheek in embarrassment. “I thought it might boil the pasta a lot faster...” 

Her younger sister gape at her admittance. MC just smiles as Sherrie proceed to lecture her older sister about using her magic to cook while Renata slowly inch closer to her so she could hide from her sister’s wrath behind their mother. 

MC will never get tired of seeing her children so comfortable and vivacious in their own home. A stark difference when they were all living at that place back then. She could still remember how Renata barely smile, barely interact with anyone that wasn’t her parents and little sister. Her Sherrie weren’t any better. Back then, she was too young to understand why the castle’s servants would whisper that the King’s daughters were imperfect because of their human halves. Why their lingering and judgemental eyes would upset her so. 

MC could bear being a pet bird living in a gilded cage, could bear Sebek’s condescending remarks, Lilia’s cruel smiles, Silver’s guilty passiveness and even Malleus’ lack of empathy. What she couldn’t bear was how her daughters were treated at the castle. They expected their Princesses to be as aloof and noble as their father, but refused to acknowledge that they were children first and foremost. Refused to accept their human side. 

And when the announcement were made public that Malleus would take a second wife to provide him a male heir at the behest of his council, MC decides that it’s time to leave. 

Especially when she saw how the news broke her eldest child. That night, she was frightened at how intense Renata hatred of her father. While she could care less about Malleus taking in another woman into the castle, MC never thought that his second marriage would be an act of betrayal to her daughter. 

At that moment, MC knew that if they were to stay in that place any longer, she would’ve lost her daughter to her own hatred. They needed to go, they needed to escape. 

And so in the dead of the night while the entire Valley of Thorns were celebrating over their king’s second marriage and superior wife, MC and her children scurried away to the only place she could think of. 

Night Raven College. 

She didn’t know when Lilia or anyone else in the castle would realise her and their princesses’ disappearance, so she begged a stunned Dire Crowley who thought she had died when no one could find her after Malleus graduated to send her home. 

The headmaster finally came through for her and her confused, distraught children. Crowley had quietly explained that he already found a way to send her back to her own world years ago. However, she disappeared before he could tell her. A quick glance at the two little girls alongside her and he couldn’t help but grimace with deep guilt.  

As atonement, Crowley hurried to grab a few books and journal that he can find about the fae court (both dark and light) and their magic. He pressed the materials into MC’s arms and explained that after she and her daughters step into the mirror, he will shatter and destroy any remaining fragments so that Malleus and his men could never find them ever again. However, MC must teach her daughters about their Fae side and how to glamour their otherworldly features from humans. 

MC tackled the headmaster in a hug with tearful eyes, grateful that he could help them. They were then ushered into the mirror and finally, finally, her nightmare was over.

Years have passed since that night. With each passing seasons and being able to explore the world without Malleus’ oppressive court, the castle servants and his retainers, her daughters flourish into amazing young girls. 

Their little brother equally so. 

As Renata try to persuade Sherrie to allow her to use her magic to clean the kitchen up, MC asks, “By the way, where’s your brother? I’ll just order some takeaway for dinner. They should arrive soon.” As she said this, she already whips out her phone to order their food. 

“He was napping in his room.” Sherrie reply her as she wipes the stove clean. Renata grumbled under her breath as she was made to mop the floor manually.  

Mc thanked her and left the kitchen to wake her son up. Her son was the unexpected gift that they were blessed with after they crossed to her world. She didn’t expect to be pregnant, but consider how feverishly Malleus made love to her as his way to console her that the other woman and his second marriage would mean nothing to him and that she would still be the only woman he truly loves, MC really should have known.  

It was so difficult to hide her joy that with the presence of a second wife, it would mean that Malleus would focus more on the other woman. Which meant Lilia would also need to make sure that she would learn all the proper court etiquette and Silver and Sebek would need to arrange the proper security for her as Malleus’ concubine. 

The arrival of her son was unexpected, but dearly welcome by her and his older sisters. Although MC was not able to give her daughters the childhood that they should have, she made sure that her son - Lucien - was raised in an environment that allowed him to be a normal child. 

Well, as normal as a half human and half fae could be. 

Shaking the lump underneath the thick duvet, she receives a tired groan. 

“Wake up, dear. Go freshen up. We’re having dinner in a little while.”  

Worming his way out of the duvet, Lucien poke his head out and smile blearily at her. “Welcome home, Mama...” 

MC pressed a quick peck on his forehead before ruffling his dishevelled hair. Her son looks so much like Malleus except he inherited her eyes and soft heart. While her oldest daughter is a carbon copy of Malleus and her second daughter looks exactly like her but with Malleus’ green eyes. 

She’s so happy that she can provide her children that life that they deserve. 

Dinner that night was as lively as usual. Renata was still riding high from her sweet sixteen birthday party that they just had last two days ago. It was quite a celebration and it ended with the revelation of her Unique Magic. Since it was a warm Summer evening, the small family enjoy their meal at the garden outside. 

“ - we should totally play Among Us together! Including you, Mama! I think you’d love it!” Sherrie gushes after she pushes her glass of water away.

Renata gasped as if affronted. “Are you trying to tear this family apart!? The moment we suspect someone is the imposter, it’s anarchy unleash!” 

Sherrie rolled her eyes at her oldest sister need for the dramatics. “Oh please, you live for the anarchy. You’re the one who started the fire when we played last time.” 

Lucien winced as he recalled their last gameplay. “It was a mess. Everyone couldn’t stop accusing one another. My classmates even swore they wouldn’t dare to play with you ever again.” 

MC smiles to herself as her children chatted with one another. It always warms her heart to see how close the siblings are to one another. From the stoic and hateful little girl, Renata had grown to be a playful and brilliant young woman. Brilliant in terms of magic. Even from a young age, Renata could control her elemental magic well. MC still remembered how wide she would smile whenever Malleus praises her during their training. After coming to this world, she continued to mastered her magic with the helps of the materials that Crowley provided them. By the age of 14 years old, MC realised that her creativity had led her to combine her elemental magic into an arsenals of powerful spells. 

They decide to celebrate her newfound skills out to dinner. 

And with the recent discovery of her Unique Magic - Observer - their family is aware that Renata has been experimenting with it almost every day. 

“Oh yeah, uh, Mama?” Renata suddenly broke MC from her train of thought. Beside her, Sherrie and Lucien are comparing their two favourite games.  

“Yes, dear?” 

“Umm... Last night I Observed myself and something came up.” Renata began to explain and she started to fidget in her seat. 

MC grows concern over her daughter’s hesitant expression. 

“What is it dear? Is something wrong with your Unique Magic?” 

“No, no, everything’s fine! It’s just that, well, so you know my Unique Magic give me the ability to observe my possibilities, right? Well, 99% of my possibilities shows that I’m going to participate in Night Raven College’s entrance ceremony soon.” Renata explains. 

“Say what?” Sherrie suddenly intervene, eyes wide in surprise. Their own conversation paused. 

MC could feel her blood froze at her daughter’s words. Suddenly, she no longer has any appetite for dinner. 

“Night Raven College?” Lucien asked, confused at the sudden tension in the air. “I remember Mama said she studied at a place call Night Raven College.” 

MC wanted to spare her son what she and her daughters had been through in Twisted Wonderland. But at the same time, she didn’t want to hide their past from him. So he told her all about Twisted Wonderland and Night Raven College. Of the good friends she made during her time at the school. About all sorts of shenanigans they got themselves into.  

About a dark fae that she could see herself falling in love with at the beginning of their friendship, but that became a distant dream when Malleus let his fear of her mortality and his selfish, draconic desire to hoard her all to himself overwhelmed him. 

No matter how much she tried to pleaded with him, reasoned with him, Malleus refused to yield. He threatened to harm her friends should she ever think of anyone other than him and gave her all the luxury in a world while locking her up in castle full with creatures who believe they’re superior to humans. 

Lucien was stricken when she told him everything. In the end, all MC could do was smile sadly and told him that while Malleus might have love her and his children, in the end, it doesn’t mean anything when he allow his own council to dictate that Renata was not suitable to become his heiress just because she’s a girl. 

In the dead of the night when Renata couldn’t sleep after they settled down in this world, she went to MC and with tearful eyes yet resolute face, her daughter informed her that she never wanted to be Malleus’ heiress. Having a taste of freedom, everything that this world has to offer to her and the loving support of her family, Renata knew she could be so, so much more than a mere Queen to a backwater country and its people. 

And so the thought of her going back to Twisted Wonderland - where Malleus would no doubt still be searching for them - scares MC. 

“Is there a way to prevent it?” MC quietly asks, though in her heart, she knows the answer to her own question. 

Renata regretfully shake her head. “I can’t make the 1% where I don’t go back to Twisted Wonderland into a reality.” 

“And why not?” Sherrie demanded. 

“Because in that possibility, I’ll die here from Overblotting.” Renata dryly reply. 

That’s the drawback of her daughter’s Unique Magic. While she could observe her every possibilities and acknowledge one and turn it into a reality, Renata can only see hers and not other people’s. Not only that, she cannot changed the many paths that had been laid in front of her. She can only observe and choose. Not altered.  

Both Sherrie and Lucien flinch. MC shove the image of her daughter dying as a monster into the back of her mind. Renata lowered her head slightly. 

“I... I don’t want to go back there.” Renata whispers. “I want to stay here. All my friends are here.” She raises her head when MC hold her hand and squeeze it comfortingly. 

She needs to be strong for her children. Being a single mother wasn’t easy. They used to live with her parents and they were pillars of endless support to MC and her children. They didn’t turned her away when she appeared out of nowhere after months of disappearance with two horned children in tow. Instead, they helped raised and care for her children when she’s out working under long corporate hours. 

The kids adore their grandparents and were heartbroken when they passed away.      

But by that time, MC was financially secure to move her family into a new house and support her little family all on her own. She understood what it meant to be strong for her children and she will continue to be just as strong. 

So with a sigh, MC narrowed her eyes and said, “If we can’t change the outcome, then we will do out best to prepare for everything that will stand in your way, Renata.” All three of her precious children jerk their heads towards her. She press on, “Each one of you posses your own strength; and I don’t mean magical capabilities. Your oldest sister’s greatest strength is her creativity when it comes to magic, Sherrie possess an intelligent mind for planning and strategising and you, my son, I’ve seen how big your heart is. You understands that compassion isn’t a weakness and that’s something the faes from the Valley of Thorns can never understand.” 

Sherrie interrupt her speech with an abashed expression. “Uh, I don’t think me playing Total War: Rome II counts as a mastermind, Mama.” She sheepishly said. 

Her attempt at the joke lessen the heavy mood a little when Lucien giggle and Renata crack a smile. It’s amazing to see how much her children have grown. 

MC playfully roll her eyes. “Be that as it may, what I’m trying to say was that we can help Renata survive in Twisted Wonderland by doing our damn best to prepare her.” 

Renata nodded eagerly while Sherrie and Lucien cheer. 

And so MC clap her hands once and her children sat straight. “Let’s turn this into a family project. Now, sweetheart, do you know when the Ebony Carriage will pick you up?” 

“Hang on, lemme check again...” Renata’s scleras suddenly tinted black and her green eyes glow brightly as she activates her Unique Magic. While she Observe all her possibilities, SD/N left the table to fetch her tablet while MC explains a bit more what being a student of Night Raven College would mean for Renata. After Sherrie sat back down at the table, Renata blink and her eyes return to normal. “I’ll be at the entrance ceremony two weeks from today. The headmaster is going to be so shocked when he sees me.” 

MC hums. “Two weeks... we can work with two weeks. We need to prepare a countermeasure when it comes to your father. Words will surely spread that someone that looks like him is attending Night Raven College.” 

“I can Observe further ahead what he will do once he realised that I’m there.” Renata said and furrowed her eyebrows, contemplating. “I need to test my magic against other people so I can see if I’m able to fight him or not.” 

“Actually, I think I might have an idea on how to handle that.” Sherrie intervene. She’s holding a stylus pen and is scribbling something furiously on her tablet. Lucien crane his neck to see what his sister is writing, only to tilt his head in confusion. 

As the family continue to brainstorm into late in the evening, MC silently swore to herself that she won’t leave her daughter all alone to defend herself in Twisted Wonderland. She doesn’t know how, but she will be there with her and still keep her children safe. 

And then, the fateful day arrives. 

-

“Next student, please come forth!” 

“State thy name.”

“Renata MC/S...” 

She said nothing when she heard Headmaster Crowley gasped beside her. “You - how!?

The Mirror of Darkness ignores him. “You were born with a different name, but live proudly under your mother’s legacy.” 

“Damn right.” Renata smirks. “I’m my mother’s daughter first and foremost. I’ll continue to live as free as her.” 

“Such conviction. You possess a deep desire to protect your loved ones which is both admirable and ambitious with the power that you were gifted with. Becaue of that, the shape of thy soul is a blazing green fire and towers of thorns that serve as your shield. You belong in Diasomnia.” The Mirror of Darkness declare. 

The headmaster mutter something about fate playing a cruel joke on his once poor prefect. 

And when the current Dorm Leader of Diasomia greeted her, he took a step back when he sees her face and horns. His eyes wide with shocked and words failed him. For every Diasomnia member had seen the tapestries of their previous Dorm Leader and especially one as great and terribly powerful as Malleus Draconia. 

“Nice to meet you, senpai. My name is Renata MC/S.” She said as politely as possible. “I’ll do my best not to cause any trouble to this dorm.” 

Renata tilt her head and pretend to look confused when her Dorm Leader continue to gape at the sight of her. Whispers of her true heritage and family began to circulate among the crowd. 

At that moment, she recalled the advice given to her by her family:

“Don’t show off your spells. Ever. Lay low as much as you can. We can’t really control the rumour mill so let it travel on its own. While you’re there, gather all the intel you can about father and the current affairs in the Valley of Thorns. Anything that can be used against them. Also, you need to watch Bungou Stray Dogs with me. You can learn a thing or two from some of the characters in that anime.” Sherrie had said while showing her tablet and a messy flowchat of her plan. She tapped her stylus pen on the ‘Phase 1’ section with great importance.  

“You need to keep your cool, big sis. You like to set the things that irritate you on fire. Like that girl’s handphone after she copied your test paper.” Lucien reminded her. Renata stucked her tongue out while Sherrie laughs. 

“You need to make good friends, sweetie. Friends that can help you from the sideline. I have a list of people that might be able to help you against your father. I think it’s safe to assumed that their kids would also be attending Night Raven College too. Though some of them need to be offered a reward or be persuaded to help you first. Don’t worry, I’ll write down on how you can win them over.” MC assured her. 

With her family supporting her even from another world, confidence in her magical abilities and a plan already in motion, Renata would not let her other so-called family trapped them ever again.   

“It’s showtime...”

-

Did I really based Renata off Nine the Phantom? Hell yeah! I love her fighting style in the game. I HC that Renata is as badass as her. 

I like to continue part 2 to this oneshot next week if my workload isn’t so crazy. I’m having so much fun writing for this wonderful AU! 

[trashcankitty12]

Brandon Headcanons:

Everyone, I’d like to introduce Brandon Shapiro.

You may know him as Princess Stella’s boyfriend, or perhaps as Prince Sky’s bodyguard.

However you may know him, you probably have a positive opinion on him, as he’s one of the best guys around.

(All headcanons are for my main verses, the Balance/New Company of Light au and the Left au.)

-Brandon, like Flora, comes from a large family. (A fairly well-to-do family in Eraklyon. Upper middle-class, if you will. Mostly thanks to Mom’s job as one of Queen Samara’s guards and Dad’s job as the head of the stables.)

-(He has so many aunts/uncles/cousins… They literally have a family group chat to keep up with everyone. Once every few years there is an attempt at a family reunion. Many show, a few don’t. But it’s always fun.)

-He has two older siblings and three younger ones. (His eldest sister and his younger twin brothers are adopted. They were some of the displaced kids after the Great War.)

-Eldest sister is part of Eraklyon’s army and is pretty powerful elemental. (Her element of choice is air, but she isn’t above using a little fire power or some powerful stone spells.)

-His older brother (who is really only a year older than him) goes to the Eraklyon Institute and has hopes of becoming a Paladin (which he does become, serving Eraklyon of course.). Brandon really looks up to him.

-The twins are about a year or two younger than Brandon, and one of them has magic. (He’s not the best at drawing his power yet, but he’s getting there.) They also decide to go to the Eraklyon Institute, but for different career paths. The magical one is studying to become a healer/doctor with his magic while his brother wants to learn how to be a beast tamer.

-And then there’s the youngest, Brandon’s younger sister. She’s about five at the beginning of the series, but is currently about to enroll at Alfea. (She wanted to, pardon the pun, spread her wings away from her family.)

-As a middle child, Brandon often played mediator to his siblings whenever their parents weren’t home. He didn’t want anyone to get into trouble for fighting. (Especially the magically charged siblings… That would have been fun to explain.)

-When he was old enough, his dad would take him to the stables with him and show him how to properly take care of the horses and dragons. (Young Brandon thought they were just the coolest things and he was so excited and always felt so grown-up.)

-Which is how he met a young Sky and ended up becoming the prince’s best friend and bodyguard.

-He loved the education opportunities he got by being allowed to follow Sky to his prep school (even if he felt a little guilty about it because of his siblings, even though they encouraged him to follow his pursuits).

-And then when they got to go to Red Fountain, it was like a dream come true. (Granted, Brandon hadn’t wanted to be a military guy, but being a personal guard for Sky had become second-nature… And the fact that a Red Fountain education could get him into other lines of protection work…)

-(Brandon has a naturally protective personality okay? It comes with being an older sibling and growing up in a very family-oriented, we protect each other, household.)

-Of course, before they could go to Red Fountain, Brandon had to attend a few manners and etiquette classes and learn a bit more about the Eraklyon Royal Family’s heritage extensively. (He was going to have to pretend to be Sky after all.)

-He absolutely hated lying to everyone about who he was and he hated trying to pretend to be his best friend. He kept fearing he was going to act like a caricature of a prince instead of actually being princely. Or worse, that someone would end up hurt because of his lies.

-(Which, lo and behold, did happen.)

-(Honestly, Brandon never really likes speaking out against King Erendor, but he feels it was pretty fucking stupid for him to have Brandon and Sky swap places, and then to show up to MASSIVELY PUBLIC EVENT and out them like that. Even if was sort of brought on because of Diapsro.)

-(Which also pisses off Brandon, because Erendor and Samara knew that Diaspro has always been extremely public about her relationship to Sky because she thinks it brings her status. Which… It does… But dammit there were death threats!)

-Anyway, he did eventually make it up to Stella and the others, which was a huge relief.

-(Yes the others were angry with him. And not just the other Winx members either. Timmy had been extremely hurt about the deception, even though he had already pieced it together before the Day of the Royals. He had felt they were friends and that they should have told him sooner so he could have helped. And Riven…? He was still with Darcy at this point and was using the whole ordeal to gloat and honestly… Brandon had almost lost his hard-won cool.)

-Now out of the drama.

-At Red Fountain, Brandon really thrived. He found others like him who just honestly wanted to try and make the Magical Dimension safer for their loved ones. He made friends with those outside of Eraklyon’s (judgmental) high society. And he was allowed to be more himself instead of just Sky’s guard.

-Brandon is straight, but he’s not afraid to admit that there are some very pretty men out there. In fact, he wishes guys would be more accepting of complimenting each other and being there emotionally for one another. Society would be sooooo much better.

-(Then again… He was raised by fairly progressive-for Eraklyon parents and his older sister had actually explained and went over toxic masculinity with him and his brothers. Granted, she did it because she had a friend who got hurt because of this mind set and she wanted her brothers to be aware that she’d kill them if she found out they ever treated a person like that, but still… The lessons stuck.)

-In his squad, he mainly plays as support/rescue/or pilot.

-Besides Timmy and Helia, he really is the best at piloting ships and doesn’t even have to rely on the navigation system. (He’s been to so many realms because of functions Sky and Stella have to go, that he just memorizes the routes.)

-And it helps that he has a photographic memory. Which comes in handy given his current line of work protecting Sky. (And Stella. Radius and Luna have both made it very clear that even though Stella is capable of protecting herself, they still want Brandon do whatever is necessary to make sure she stays safe.)

-(Which he would have done anyway, but hey… Orders are orders.)

-Brandon is great with swords and shields, but his aim with bows and arrows sucks. He’s decent with blasters though.

-Also, dealing with cannons? Not his thing.

-He’s the greatest mechanic either… But he is a pretty good medic. (Thanks to Sky who always had to get into trouble as a kid. Brandon got firsthand experience with fixing injuries well-enough that no one would know the injury ever occurred.)

-Out of the squad, he is also the best at cooking, besides Riven and Helia. He loves cooking and it brings these calming memories of cooking with his dad and younger sister and it just… It’s peaceful. And seeing the looks of joy on everyone’s face after they eat his cooking, icing on the cake.

-Brandon loved off-world (out of Magix) missions/training exercises best. He loves to explore new places. Even if they are in the more dangerous places of the realm.

-Yes, he knows he has a pretty face and decent (okay, pretty attractive body). It’s good genes and a great workout/healthy eating regimen.

-(And even though he doesn’t always, he does flaunt it on occasion. Usually when he and Stella start their ‘who can get asked out more in one outing’ contests. Granted, she usually wins, but he’s had his moments.)

-Yes, he’s secure enough in his relationship with Stella that they can do those sorts of contests without truly getting angry. He knows Stella well-enough to know that if she ever really tired of him, she’d say it. (She tends to be blunt, after all.)

-He also tends to be the one, aside from Helia, to give advice to the others. It’s humbling and ego-stroking a bit to him that they think that highly of him and his advice. But sometimes, he honestly has no idea. (Just because he has Stella doesn’t mean he’s completely aware of how he’s kept Stella… Okay?)

-Brandon loves surfing. He started doing it when his older brother would take him and the other younger siblings off to the beach for a bit, and he just fell in love. He’s nowhere near as good as the Androsian or Tidese surfers, but he’s confident he’s one of the best in Eraklyon.

-(Nabu and Layla totally wipe him out when they all start to surf together. He’s pretty sure they cheat.)

-He also loves levibike racing. Nothing gets his heart pumping quite so fast. (And Stella made him a pretty awesome uniform. It hugs him well, is protective against injuries, and is in a nice blend of Eraklyon and Solarian colors. And the helmet as a little star on it, a Stella signature.)

-Brandon may have a slight addiction to this berry-tea blend that Flora came up with sophomore year. Just a slight one… Okay so maybe it’s a problem. But it just tastes so goooood.

-He loves spicy food, which is fantastic when he goes to Solaria for dinners with Stella’s parents. Solarian food tends to be super spicy.

-Yes, he’s met a few times with Radius and Luna. (The first time, at the same time. And then he’s had separate dinners/holiday things with each of them and Stella. He does his best to impress both.)

-Brandon has been extremely lucky in his life to have not broken many bones. Granted, he’s broke a few and had some serious stitches done a few times, but he’s never had too serious of injuries. (Riven on the otherhand…)

-He has a slight case of tendonitis in his legs. Its due to how much time he’s spent on his feet and the types of exercises he does/the sort of physical activity he gets in too. But he deals with it nicely and does all the PT necessary to keep the flare ups to a minimum.

-Brandon loves romance movies and sci-fi movies. He’s a very complicated man.

-He once tried to grow a bit of a moustache when he first hit puberty, but decided against it after seeing an old picture of his dad with one. (No. Just. No. They do not have the right face for that.)

-He’s able to speak several languages, but it’s mainly just the important phrases. Namely “This is Prince Sky of Eraklyon. Do not touch.”

-Honestly, he doesn’t mind all of the craziness that seems to follow him and his friend, but sometimes he wishes the Magical Dimension would just stay saved. Just for a little while. Please? He’s tired. He’s soooo tired.

-All of these adventures have also given him a bit of perspective and given him a chance to try and figure his own wants out a little better. (Particularly about Sky and Stella.)

-He’s not too sure yet, but if he and Stella ever do get engaged, (which, he has a feeling they will because he loves Stella and he knows that even with her insecurities about marriage, she’ll most likely want to marry him too) he’ll start personally vetting soldiers/guards for Sky. And then he’ll prepare to deep dive into Solaria’s history and laws.

-After all, if he does become the King of Solaria, he wants to be damn-sure he’s a good one. One worthy of Stella and the crown. (And one that his family will be proud of.)

[spaceskam]

prompt #4 - arranged marriage [ao3]

Isobel had known since she was a little girl that she would be marrying one of the Manes boys.

It was an agreement to keep the peace once it became clear that she was the only daughter from the Antarian King and Queen and Earth’s High General only had sons. It was all fun and games when her little brother fooled around with the Manes’ youngest boy, of course, but when it came to her, it meant marriage. Every time she said it was sexist, her mother would sigh and say that was just the way things had to be. Which sounded even more sexist.

The day came too soon, though, and she was suddenly 20 and being prepped for her wedding. She still hadn’t been told which boy she was being married off to. She figured it was the eldest, Clay Manes. 

Clay ran the Space Force and he was still unmarried, so it made the most sense. The problem was she’d met him when they were younger and he was an asshole. He was six years older than her and still felt the need to make fun of her for whatever he could think of. As much as her mother said that meant he liked her, it simply made her hate him. It also meant he saw her as a child.

The next probable was possibly the baby, Alex Manes. He was queer and didn’t do much to hide it and his father wasn’t a fan. She wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to marry him off to a woman. Honestly, if he and Michael were okay with it, she would gladly marry him and let them carry on their relationship so that Isobel could find her own person. 

Then there was Flint Manes, the second youngest who was, honestly, probably just as unwilling to marry her as she was. At 22, he’d been the only Manes boy to never have a rumored affair in any way, shape, or form. He was married to his work and seemed totally uninterested in marriage as a whole. It seemed likely that his father would marry him off just to avoid questions.

Lastly, there was Gregory Manes. He was charismatic and kind and had new girls fawning over him ever other week. He was handsome and she wouldn’t mind staring at his face, but there were a million other choices for him and it seemed much more likely that his father would try to get him to marry another wealthy, high ranking girl on Earth. 

Isobel sat in her bridal room, staring blankly at the elaborate wedding dress. Bridal attire on Antar was typically composed of golden robes, designed to wrap around the arms and the body in a way to accentuate the bride’s favorite features. Isobel had dreamed of having it with a high slit to show off her legs. However, her husband was from Earth, and she found herself with an all white, all floor-length gown. She wasn’t a fan and thought about taking a pair of scissors to it.

Someone knocked on her door.

“Enter,” Isobel said without asking who it was. She didn’t care. She didn’t really feel like anything mattered if she was marrying a military man who she didn’t love or know. Her life was simply a political statement.

“I’ve got something,” Michael’s voice said. She turned to him quickly, thankful to see him and not one of the women that was coming to fix her hair just yet. She had more time. 

“Hug?” she asked. He smiled, closing the door behind him.

“Two things, then,” Michael said. He put a box down on the table and came closer, easily pulling her into a tight hug. “Three if you count news.”

“News?” Isobel echoed, not moving from her spot holding him despite her curiosity.

“Yes,” he said, “I’ve seen the groom. Mother asked me explicitly not to tell you because she wants it to be a surprise, so I came right to tell you.” Isobel pulled back a little, waiting for him to tell her. She was far too on edge for all of this. “It’s Gregory.”

Isobel wasn’t quite sure how she was supposed to take that. Her stomach still dropped, but she was sure that would be the same no matter which Manes boy it was. But... Gregory?

“How?”

“I asked Alex and he said his father didn’t decide until last night, said he thought Greg was the most likely to get a lower class girl pregnant, so it would be easier if he was married,” Michael said, making a grossed out face as he tucked her hair behind her ear, “So I guess he’s giving you the promiscuous boy.”

“Lovely,” she sighed, a pout finding her lips, “Maybe we can make an agreement and he can sleep with whoever he wants as long as it isn’t me.”

Michael laughed, “Maybe.”

“Is that a present?” Isobel asked, trying to push away her gradually more dreadful feeling. Maybe whatever he had would bring her some semblance of joy.

“Oh, right,” Michael said, pulling away from her to go to the box. He very carefully reached inside and pulled out a crown with multiple metal tendrils with handcrafted leaves on them. Her lips parted as he brought it closer. “I made it for you. I figure you could ask them to weave your hair around it to wear it today. If they must put you in a dress from their home, then I say you wear something from yours.”

“Michael, it’s beautiful,” she breathed. It was all intricate, clearly done with more effort than just his telekinesis. “Thank you so much.”

“Of course. Now you have something to give you strength to handle him.”

Michael had to leave her not long after that for her to begin to get ready. She got them to work around the crown Michael had made for her and they settled on loose waves and simple braids only to hold it to her head. They helped her into her dress and boring makeup and suddenly she was supposed to walk down the aisle.

“Spare me a moment?” she requested. The women who had helped her get ready nodded and left the room. Then she was alone.

Isobel looked at herself in the mirror and thought over what would happen if she ran away. Would they bother to look for her? If they found her, would they force her to marry him still?

Again, another knock came and she was sure it was her mother this time. She didn’t expect Max to come or Michael to come again and definitely not her father. It was going to be her mother and she was going to encourage her to go. 

Except the knocking was a little too frantic to be her mother.

“Enter,” she said, her eyebrows pulled together as she took a step towards the door. It opened quickly and then was closed just as fast. And then she was standing across from Gregory who had wild, frantic eyes. 

“Hi. I know I’m not supposed to be here, but I’m really not a big fan of the whole marriage thing that’s about to happen, so I lied and said I was getting water and then ran here,” he said. Isobel swallowed.

“Do you expect me to call off the wedding? That isn’t something I can do,” she pointed out. He shook his head.

“Yeah, no, I get that. Me neither. Look, uh,” Gregory said, pausing for a second as he looked over her, “Oh, you’re pretty in person.”

“Thank you?” Isobel said slowly. He snapped his eyes up to meet hers again. 

“Right, look. Let’s go up there, do the thing, make our parents happy, and then I move to Antar,” he decided. It didn’t ease any of her confusion. “I need to get away from my dad and I... I’m sorry, I didn’t even ask. What are your opinions on this whole marriage?”

“I’m not a... what is it, you said, a fan? I’m not one of those either,” Isobel said, crossing her arms over her chest. Gregory smiled, that little mischievous one that was the only thing all four Manes boys had in common.

“Perfect,” he said, “Then I move to Antar. That way you can be involved with the politics of your planet and I can get away from my father.”

“Why are you sure I want to be involved with the politics of my planet?”

“You don’t think I did my research on you?” he asked rhetorically, “You’re the most interested out of all of your siblings in politics and I’m not about to take that away from you. But, more importantly, I want to get away from my father.”

“And you think that’s a good idea?” she clarified.

“I want to make the most of this if I have to go through with this, don’t you? We can iron out the rest, but do you think we can make this work?”

“Do you know you’re extremely unlikable when you tell me what we’re going do?” Isobel asked, the weight of her crown reminding her who held superiority in this situation. Gregory smiled even wider.

“Well, Princess, in the future, you’re going to do all the telling, I promise you that. I’m nothing if not an obedient servant,” Gregory proclaimed. Isobel scoffed and shook her head slightly. “But, seriously, if you will just take me away from my father and let me experience freedom for once in my life, I’ll do whatever you need from me.”

“And is that a promise?”

“In holy matrimony,” he swore. Isobel scoffed again, but she agreed with a nod. He let out a relieved sigh.

“Before you leave, will you tell me something?” she said, “Are you always this jumpy?”

“Only when I’m about to marry a literal princess,” Gregory said. 

“I’ll hold you to it.”

“I’ll see you at the altar,” he said, looking her over one last time, “You really look beautiful, by the way. You may not be marrying someone you love, but it is someone who thinks you’re gorgeous. I don’t know if that helps any.”

“It doesn’t,” she admitted. He grinned and nodded which did nothing to help.

“I’ll think we’ll get along just fine.”

Gregory was gone in a flash and Isobel was starting to think that maybe Michael's gift of strength might come in handy more than he'd ever know.

[fairymadnessyeah]

Family Feud

Shigadabi week day 2

Ao3 Link

Summary:  Family is complicated. Add heroes, pity and romance, and you got yourself a new type of drama.

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Ugly / Horror / Family

The hero community was a mess of gossips and rumours and drama. And the best one who left everybody reeling was the rivalry between the Todoroki and Shimura family. Or more specifically, between Kotaro and Enji.

It all started when they met at a Charity Gala. The Nana project was a not-lucrative organization made by the late Nana's Shimura son, Kotaro. By the time for the Gala, the project was rather new, but it easy got attention from the hero community as well as the press. The organization's objective was to help the families of pro-heroes. Their motto was 'if heroes are helping us, then who will help them?'. It had easily gathered a following. And as the number two hero and 'family man', Endeavor had to attend, along with his wife and sons and daughter. What he didn't know or expect was Kotaro's own hatred towards heroes.

It was weird, but the man that helped the family of heroes hated heroes more than villains did. He didn't like villains either, but it was a shock to most, especially, his hate towards All Might. Apparently, the first time he presented his idea to him, Might Tower being one of his first associates, he blackmailed the hero into donating a lot of money. Endeavour had gone with the hope of finding another ally in his hate towards the number one hero. Instead, he found a man who was more than able to see his image as a family man was fake and that the family situation was not the best.

The Gala was spent with Enji trying to prove Kotaro wrong. He gushed about his family, held baby Shouto and even booked a therapy session with one of the psychiatrists in the Gala. Rei was shocked, but strangely looking forward to this new change her husband was going through. Same as Fuyumi and Natsuo. But his eight-year-old son though, wasn't as convinced. Touya had seen the worst of his father recently. The training he put him through was painful and he didn't believe for a second his father was trying to change. Who changed to spite somebody? He was also a bored eight-year-old at a grown-up party. The moment Fuyumi and Natsuo fell asleep, he was out of people to play with. His father tried to show him off to the other guests, but when he heard Enji calling for him, he slipped away from the main hall of the Gala.

He ran through different hallways, feeling his father right behind him. In one of these hallways, he came across a door open and swiftly ran inside, closing the door behind him. He waited with his ear pressed against the door until the heavy footsteps of his dad vanished. Sighing in relief, he separated from the door and took a better look at the room he entered. There was a small couch and a table with a coffee pot. The Nana Shimura project was still new, so they didn't have a main office yet. The Gala was taking place in a 5-star hotel, so this must be a staff room. As he walked to the couch, he noticed a small head peeking from behind it. When the owner of the head noticed he was spotted, he squeaked and went back down. The person hiding was small, so Touya was sure he was a kid. He had grey-blue hair, red eyes and was wearing a weird type of fingerless-gloves except for two fingers.

"Hi, I'm Touya," he says with a small wave. "Why are you here alone?" he asks as the head starts to slowly come out of hiding.

"I- I don't like it over there..." the mophead whispered.

Once he was fully out, Touya noticed he was wearing a fancy suit and was holding something in his hands. The kid was still trying to hide, and his hair covered part of his face. It didn't work though. Touya could see his scarred and scratched lips and the little mole next to it. It was kind of cute.

"Um... what's that?" he asked, staring at the device in his red-gloved hand.

"A- a game I was playing with..." the kid says and sits in the farthest corner on the couch.

"Can I watch? It's boring upstairs..." the guy stares for a while before nodding quietly. Touya sits next to him and watches as he plays a racing game. "Hey what's your name? You already know mine," he asks after seeing him play a couple of times.

"Tenko,"

"Hi Tenko, nice to meet you," he gives him a small smile and Tenko's cheeks turn pink.

They stayed there for an hour or two until Touya's mom came into the room. His dad had tried to find him, but gave up when he noticed the boy was hiding for him. Rei came looking for him when her husband and the head of the Shimura family started debating who had the better family. It was Nao Shimura who told her about the only room that wasn't locked, where her son was.

"Mom?"

"Come on, honey, your father is getting worried," she tells him and extends her hand for him to take it.

"Likely story," he grumbles under his breath and get down from the sofa. "Bye, Tenko," he waves goodbye at the boy when he takes his mother's hand.

"Bye, Touya," the boy waves back.

Rei and Touya walked hand in hand back to the Gala. When they arrived next to Enji, not a second went by before Endeavour picked up his son and sat him on his shoulder. He had both youngest and eldest sons, each on one shoulder, and was in a staring contest with Kotaro, who had his daughter on one hand. The two were locked in a silent battle as few heroes who were in the conversation, looked around uncomfortable.

"This is my eldest, Touya. He is one of my prides and joys. And he has the quirk of a hero," Enji says buffing his chest and then turning to him. "Show them, son, like we practised," he orders him.

Touya obeys, sticking out his hands and letting off the biggest flame he could without it hurting. The pros around all gasp, awe and compliment him on his quirk and it's hero potential. It makes Touya smile, and his chest swells with pride with the comments.

Kotaro quickly turns to his wife and tell her to bring their son here before presenting his daughter. "This is Hana. She is the smartest of her class and has my mother's quirk. Show them, darling," the girl in pigtails looks around confused at first. She then shrugs and scrunches up her face in concentration. Suddenly, her feet aren't touching the floor anymore. She floated for a few seconds before she dropped to the ground again and did a little bow.

The pros complimented her too, and then Nao comes back with a boy on her arms. The same boy Touya met at the other room. He is shying away from everyone, squeezing his face against his mom's shoulder. Kotaro takes him from her and places him by his side, Hana taking his hand in comfort.

"This is Tenko, my son," Kotaro introduces him and takes a pair of goggles off a hero near him. "Tenko, why don't you show the pros your quirk," he tells him and shows him the goggles. The boy starts to hyperventilate and look around scared. His sister takes his hands, and he calms down before he takes off one of his gloves. With his gloveless hand, he takes the goggles from his father and everybody gasps as they see the object crumble into ash.

"Well, that is certainly an interesting quirk," Endeavour smirks after everybody praises the young boy. "Does anybody in your family have a quirk like that?"

"No, it's a mutation," Kotaro says back. "But, I understand why you would jump to such conclusions. I bet your wife wishes to be with somebody else instead of you..."

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"Alright, here is the battle-plan," Enji orders as he and his family get driven to the fundraiser The Nana Project was doing that night. They are all decked to the 10, with Rei, Natsuo and Fuyumi using blue formal-wear with red details and Enji, Touya and Shouto using their Hero uniforms.

"Natsuo, you remind everybody that you got a scholarship and that you will become the best hero doctor," he tells his middle son.

"Dad, I don't know if I'm going to be a hero doct-" the albino tries to tell him, but is ignored.

"Shouto, you tell everyone about your time in UA and how you won the Sports Festival," he addresses his youngest son, who only slurps on his drink.

"Rei," he re-direct to the ice woman.

"I will tell everyone what a good father and husband you are and how you are the best hero," his wife says, repeating Enji's order by heart.

"Good, and Fuyumi and Touya, you'll keep an eye on those Shimura siblings," he seethes at his oldest pair of kids. Fuyumi nods kindly, and Touya moans.

"I should have taken that extra shift with Eraser," he complains and leans over his baby brother.

They arrive at the place without a problem and get a warm welcome by the Shimura's. Rei and Nao get into a friendly conversation while Kotaro and Enji get trapped in glare-down as they shake hands. Natsuo and Shouto, once they say their hellos, go to the food trays, and Fuyumi and Touya stay with Hana and Tenko.

"Hey, Yumi-chan, goes it going?" Hana asks.

"Great, Hana-chan, I have a new student from America, his dad is a model," Fuyumi tells her.

The reality of the Shimura-Todoroki rivalry was more centred into the fathers of the families. Ever since the feud had started, Endeavour and Kotaro had pegged their eldest against one-another. With Fuyumi going against Hana and Touya against Tenko. For example, when Touya got into the hero course at UA and Fuyumi into General Education, Hana and Tenko went to the business course. It had not gone the way they wanted it to, though. Their kids, instead of seeing the other pair as the enemy or bitter rivals, got along well and only kept the pretences that they hated each other when their parents were around.

"Fuyumi, why don't you tell the Shimura's about your work as a teacher and how you are leading the next generation on a better path," suddenly Enji and Kotaro enter the conversation.

"Hana, tell Todoroki about how you graduated from law school and plan to follow on your fathers' footstep," the two women groan as their fathers get carried away.

"Hey, can I keep an eye on you over the bar?" Touya whispers to Tenko.

"I have liquor in my office, can you do it from there?" the younger man whispers back.

Touya says yes, and they both turn the way and leave. They walk through hallways and get into the elevator in peace. Once the doors shut, they collide into each other in a mess of limbs and tongues. Touya pushes Tenko to the wall as his hands find a place in his hip and hair. Tenko is trying to pull him closer by the lapels of his hero coat and pressing his knee against the others crotch. They only separate when there is a ding and the doors open again. Their clothes were ruffled, their lips were swollen and Tenko's hair, which was collected in a small pony-tail, was dishevelled.

The two continue walking and go to the door marked with the youngest's name. Unlike their sisters, who were friends and nothing more, the two boys were much more than friends. After their first meeting, the boys had instantly become friends, despite their age difference. The two especially got closer on Touya's last year at UA and Tenko's first. After that they fell for one another. But neither did anything until Tenko's graduation and 18th birthday. Touya took care of the younger male as he got wasted and ended up kissing in the car in front of the Shimura's household. They tried to keep their relationship a secret at first, not wanting to deal with any sort of lecture their fathers might have for them on 'dating the enemy'.  Or worse, using their relationship to for their own selfish gain.

That being said, they didn't hide it very well...

The first one to find out was Tenko's sister, Hana. When Tomura went to college, the two siblings shared an apartment. It was cheaper this way, and they were already accustomed to the other, having lived their entires lives together. The only difference was that while they were both doing a Business mayor, Tenko had an art minor and Hana a journalism minor. So, some evenings, Tenko would have the entire apartment for himself. It was in one of these occasions, one evening when a villain attack made their classes be cancelled, that she found out. She just walked into her apartment to find her baby brother and the hero Dabi kissing in the living room. Although she was shocked at first, she was happy for her brother. She knew he had feeling for the red-head and was thrilled to know, his feelings were returned.

She wasn't as happy though when her father heard rumours about the Hero Dabi being spotted near their apartment, and she got questioned about her relationship status. Which EW. But she kept the secret.

The next one was Natsuo. Touya and Tenko decided to go away for a weekend one summer to the beach, renting a hut on the coast. Natsuo, who didn't want to spend all of summer vacation with his parents, dropped by unannounced. The albino walked in the middle of a romantic dinner, and they had to explain everything to the guy. Natsuo was happy about their relationship. A little too happy maybe. Touya had to kick him out to get back on their time alone and give him money for a bus ride back home.

Which was how the next person learned about them, Touya's mom, Rei. Natsuo, in all his himbo glory, told their mom the second he saw her. Natsuo tried to explain himself, saying it was an accident, but Touya was too busy killing him to listen. Even if Natsuo was taller than him and bigger compared to his lanky frame, Touya was still the eldest and knew a lot of ways to keep his authority. His mom though, congratulated him. She told him she wanted him to be happy. They did have a lovely dinner at his place where they also told Tenko's mom. She was the fourth person to find out and the first person they actually told the secret.

The next person, or people really, who found out were Fuyumi and Hawks. It was after another fundraiser of the Nana Project taking place in a hotel in another city. Many heroes had attended, one of those being Hawks. He and Fuyumi had talked all night and decided to get to know each other better on the privacy of Hawks room. Too bad that room happened to be the one exactly next Tenko's. A room who Touya and Tenko were stepping out of in that exact moment. There was an awkward tension for a few seconds before the two siblings agreed to leave the discussion for later. Each couple went their way, and on the morning, the eldest Todoroki siblings talked about what they saw that night. It ended well though, with them swearing secrecy and her congratulating him on finding someone who made him happy.

(He also had a conversation with Hawks, he would love to reget. The chicken interrupted one of his patrols, pissing off Aizawa, who then gave him extra paperwork.

"So... About that night. You didn't... tell your dad, right?"

"Hawks, Fuyumi is an intelligent and responsible woman who can make her own decisions. If she want to have a one-night stand with you, she is free to do it without me or our old-man going ballistic about it,"

"Oh, great- Wait, what you do mean with 'One-night stand'?"

"Hawks, you're not sisters type, I don't think she'll call you anytime soon,"

"Why not!? I could be her type!"

"My sister dates nerds, you are a flying chicken nugget,")

The last one to know had been Shouto. Their parents were out of town and with Fuyumi busy with grading homework and Natsuo getting fucked by finals, Touya looked after the little candy cane. However, that didn't mean he and Tenko couldn't spend time together. If anything, this was a great opportunity. A way for him to give the middle finger to his old man and be with Tenko under his roof. Until one morning when Shouto found Tenko in their house. That morning, as he made breakfast, his brother came into the room and told him he couldn't find part of his uniform. Touya sent him away, telling him to look harder, and when he came back, he hadn't found the item yet, but he had seen Tenko. It took him a little bit, but in the end, the two brothers came to a deal beneficial enough for both parties. Shouto wouldn't say anything to their old-man and Touya, when the time came, would offer a personal internship with him. The older sibling could almost swear the kid just wanted to spend more time with him, since they didn't hang out as much since he moved to his own apartment. But he was not going to tell the kid that and waste an easy deal. Shouto was happy either way, though he did make fun of his brother by asking Tenko what he saw in him and that he could do better.

The two young men had been together for four years now and wanted to move forward in their relationship. To get straight to the point, Touya wanted Tenko to live with him. He was almost done with college, graduating at the end of this semester and even if he would still work with his dad just like Hana was, he wanted to wake up every morning to his adorable mophead. However, that meant telling their fathers. And while they had done a pretty good job of hiding from them so far, they didn't think they would be able to hide who they were living with from them.

"I do want to move in with you... But how are we going to tell them?" Tenko says as they try to look presentable again after their make-out.

"Well, we could follow Fuyu's advice," Touya says and takes his gloved hand. "We do it directly, honestly and in a public place, so they don't throw a fit," Tenko chuckle and Touya caresses his cheek gently. "It's going to be fine, we are adults, right?"

"Yeah, we are..." the younger one agrees and leans in.

The two kiss softly, and for a moment, they are filled with hope. Their fathers might take a while to come to peace with it, but they'll survive. They are together, and that was the only thing that mattered. Only them. By each other side.

Then, the door opened with a slam.

Their fathers with looks of horror in their eyes stared at their sex-messed appearance from the doorway. "Well, I guess that's one way to tell them..."

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The reason the two fathers of the family had been in Tenko's office was because Kotaro wanted to show off to Enji both his kids' new offices. They started with Hana's office and then moved on to his son's. It was a good thing they did, though. If they started with his office, they would have come into a worse sight than they did. But once the shock from the find had passed, both called a family meeting. The Todoroki's and the Shimura's ended in one of the conference rooms, with Enji and Kotaro going off about trust and betrayal, sometimes shoving jabs about one another. The couple was sitting on the other end of the conference table. The rest of the family on each side. Todoroki's on the left and Shimura's on the right. The two male adults were so lost in their banter, they didn't notice Tenko whisper something in Touya's ear before the red-head noded determined.

"Your sibling would never do something so horrendous! So traito-" Enji was saying, his face flaming hot, but got interrupted.

"Well, I wouldn't say that..." Touya intervened and pointed to one of his siblings. "Shouto doesn't want to go on an internship with you, he asked me for one," he says.

"What!?" Enji exclaims, his face angry and sad at the same time.

"Nii-san!"

Touya, as an Underground Hero, was very good at gathering information. He normally used it against organized crime syndicates or villains. But if he was going down, so were they. "And Natsuo had a pregnancy scare with his girlfriend," he moves to his other brother.

"Dude!"

"And Fuyumi slept with one of your co-workers, Hawks," he finishes and watches as his old-man falls to his chair defeated.

Kotaro lowly chuckles next to him, amused by the situation. "Endeavour, it's alright," he mocks the hero. "You're just not as a devoted father as you thought you were-"

"You're not either," Tenko interrupts this time. "Did you know Hana has a tattoo?" his father gasps.

"Tenko!"

"Or that she meets weekly with All Might and Gran Torino?" another horror gasp.

"Tenko!"

The couple had opened Pandora's Box. And with that, chaos ruled over the room as the people inside blamed the other for something. In all the commotion, they failed to notice the couple slip away from the room. They head towards the elevator.

"Uber should be here in five minutes," Tenko says as they can hear the shouting and fighting from the conference room.

"Family reunions are going to be fun from now on," Touya chuckles as he drops his arm over his boyfriend's shoulders.

[silveryfairy]

hey man if it's not too much trouble, could you give us a brief rundown of the Nocturnes? It's just, every morning I wake up and there's a new one, and I Care everyone in this establishment a lot though I don't really know them, thank you kindly have a nice day

let my preface this by saying: aayushi, i love you, and your enthusiasm and interest for the things i create never ceases to bring me joy. you are the kind of friend i think everyone should have and i say that completely genuinely outside of this bit.

i say that as an apology in advance for what i’m about to unleash upon you, because what you’re going to see is the product of my friend @himepapillon and i’s absolute BRAINROT and what comes of it when not only two people make an oc universe from scratch but what happens when we then have to explain that universe to other people

you are in no way required to retain this information as to be completely honest me and jeremie haven’t fully either and we’re the ones who MADE this shitshow. below is the shoddy family tree i lovingly crafted in ms paint

let us begin. 

for starters, i’ll specify some things:

1. not every oc on this chart is mine, as it’s a collaboration between me and jeremie - the koenig family and bishop family belong to faer but the rest is all me baby! for the sake of your soul i will only be going into my half of this Mess

2. the universe this takes place in is a pretty wacky and silly one, just, like, Slightly removed from reality. these characters are all completely batshit insane and do things that no human being probably should. it’s all portrayed critically, as the general concept of this whole thing is “the goings-on of a bunch of unhinged corrupt rich people”. we kind of flip flop on how seriously stuff is played but if i had to slap a genre on this it’d be, like, black comedy drama. i know a lot of these concepts sound kinda fucked to write but that’s just because i’m trying to describe them in a SOMEWHAT concise way without going into Super Introspective mode

the nocturnes are an incredibly influential and rich family in the uk that tends to produce very influential and rich people. they’re also all a little bit insane. the main characters of this Saga are the sons of desmond and xanthes, the family’s resident Power Couple and biggest figureheads. they suck ass but that will become apparent the second i talk about their children.

from oldest to youngest, the nocturne boys are:

ichor nocturne, 25 - the eldest, ichor was disowned from the household when he was 18 for unruly behavior, sent to live alone on a farm so he couldn’t tarnish his family’s image any further. since then, you’d think the isolation has driven him a bit mad - he’s a very prolific cotton farmer and has been doing astonishingly well for himself, running his farm on his own with only his parents’ inheritance as help. ...that, and, of course, the blood of the people he executes to keep his crops growing - or so he believes. he moonlights as an executioner in the small town over, exterminating the ‘pests’ of the city. despite his newfound violence, he still routinely checks in on his siblings, finding ways to mysteriously end up at their door to pay visits. the older brother instinct still hasn’t left

icarus nocturne, 23 - the second eldest (only by technicality, as he is a twin), icarus is the family’s golden child! but not in terms of business or anything, oh no - icarus is a famous heartthrob teen (sorta) musician! he’s been in the limelight since he was a little boy, being an actor as a small child and getting into music as he grew. his general Look(tm), accompanied by infectiously happy rave music, is a trademark cutesy mask over his face with oversized clothing - meant to express as much energy as possible as he bounces about the stage. in reality, he lives a life as forced and controlled as possible by virtue of... living the fucked up life of a child star. but his parents have someone to take the fall - so, what of his twin?

achilles nocturne, 23 - icarus’ younger twin, which wouldn’t mean much... in any family but this one. achilles has had it drilled into his head since the beginning that he was a mistake next to icarus, to the point where legally, he does not exist. following icarus beginning his career, achilles was unpersoned completely - living in the family’s basement with the height of his education being for a very specific purpose... needing to be icarus’ body double on tours and for paparazzi - after all, they can’t have icarus’ purity tainted by all those clamboring fans! it’s a godawful situation. on the bright side, though, achilles has found a hobby where he can be himself: twitch streaming! yes really. under the name of 1upanonymous, hidden under a mask just like his brother, achilles at least has a fanbase that can love him for who he is! ...uh, kind of.

tomasine “tommy” nocturne, 16 - the youngest of the bunch, and it says a lot about his siblings’ capabilities that he’s the technical heir to the nocturnes’ various businesses and fortune. tommy is just a feral 16 year old that doesn’t give two shits about any fame or fortune, he just wants to party and drink and have fun like any other kid his age! he’s rebellious, loud, and charmingly annoying (to his brothers anyway), and has no real care for the gravity of his family’s situations beyond finding it annoying that they want him to be all PRIM and PROPER and BUSINESSY EEWWWWW. he’s just a funny loud little child trying to live his best life. loves his brothers fiercely

already a mess of people. and really, all you need to know about or really keep in mind are those four: the upcoming characters are largely just side ones we came up with because we thought it’d be funny to flesh out this fucked up family more. so let’s get into the anatra branch of the family - headed by jael nocturne, xanthes’ brother and the siblings’ uncle

jael anatra-nocturne, who i am not giving an age for my own sanity trying to decipher this fucking timeline - a crude and playful uncle, jael is someone the nocturne boys either love (icarus, tommy) or hate (achilles, ichor). constantly joking, as he expresses affection with loving insults - kind of a money-driven asshole, but a lovable one - he’s a career politician and met his current husband, joaquin, on the job. or, well... no longer current, because jael’s funny life of debauchery, toxic masculinity, and making fun of his nephews, came to an abrupt end when he was assassinated on live television. yipes!

joaquin anatra-nocturne, who also does not get an age - jael’s former secretary and current widow, joaquin is the local wine uncle. im not sure if that’s a classification but it is now, because he is one. an unapologetic gold-digger, he (publicly) took jael’s death frighteningly well, and is now living his best life with a revolving door of new boyfriends. his relationship with jael was a genuine and very loving one, and joaquin IS devastated by his death, but both of them just found the bit of pretending to be this loveless gold digger/politician couple very funny, and being as suspicious as possible around his husband’s death is exactly what jael would have wanted joaquin to do

taddeo anatra-nocturne, 14 - the youngest child of these two, a shy little boy with big Child In A Horror Movie energies. makes potions in the backyard and probably decorates his clothes with animal bones n stuff when he’s older. despite this he’s pretty harmless, nice and fiercely loyal - tommy especially thinks he’s fun and likes to hang out with him at family gatherings - just so long as you look past the creepy dolls he likes to talk to and fires he likes to set. especially close with jael and wants to be a miniature version of him, buuut still being a shy tween taddeo hasn’t been able to act on that much.

dailon anatra-nocturne, 20 - the adopted second child of jael and joaquin, dailon is a moody and unstable delinquent that was snatched up by them just as he was about to age out of foster care. while he has a chill ‘cool-older-even-though-he’s-younger-cousin’ demeanor, the tension when he’s around his parents - jael specifically - can be cut with a knife. dailon hates his dad: ‘someone who expresses affection with insults and jokes and likes seeing people pissed at him’ and ‘someone who’s volatile, short-tempered, and sullen after living in a foster home most his life’ are just as bad of a combination as you’d expect. dailon gets himself into a lot of trouble, and is an overall very self-centered prick, but we’ll get more on that in a bit.

HELL FAMILY...2!!! that’s the last of the families to cover, buuuut there are still some other names on that list - mostly connected to dailon. this is REAL “just going on in the background” shit that you also do not need to know whatsoever (except for mitzi she’s pretty important she’s just down here for organization purposes) - i just like to play god and make characters get into drama.

[tw: cheating, unhealthy relationships, stalking]

mitzi “moon” altberg, 23 - achilles must feel very far away by now, but we’re back to him for a second! mitzi is his ex-girlfriend he met online, a fan-to-employee-to-lover and one of the maybe two people outside of the family achilles has shown his real face to. however, achilles growing up deeply unstable - between his parents’ abuse, having spotlights on him and adoring fans both as icarus’ body double and as a streamer, and in general not really growing up to be any kind of well developed human being - made this relationship a complete disaster. he grew obsessive and controlling - and when she tried to ignore him, he broke his one rule (to never go outside without permission) to find the hotel she was staying at in real life and show up to confront her. the incident was completely covered up, both by the nocturnes and with their connections, and so mitzi was forced to stay silent. this entire thing is based on this song! as time heals wounds, though, mitzi will end up doing pretty well for herself and putting achilles behind her - even getting a new boyfriend, jared!

reynard fiala, 20 - dailon’s (ex-)boyfriend, who he’s enraveled in his own weird soap opera subplot with. reynard is a relatively chill person, with an interest in art and taxidermy - just as morbid as dailon’s brother, but in a more. Normal way. genuinely a sweetheart who does not deserve what happens to them: getting cheated on with dailon’s best friend. yipes^2! while it's earth shattering in the moment, all reynard will really want to do come some time to process is to move on and for him and dailon both to heal in peace... far away from eachother (which is easier said than done since taddeo thinks reynard is super cool and loves having him over, the awkwardness between them and his brother be damned)

jared summers, 21 - the most normal person here. a longterm best friend of dailon’s, and yes, the very same one i just mentioned. he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer - what we in the industry would call a himbo if his dumbassery didn’t cause very real damage - who had been pining for dailon for years and him dating was no deterrent, and dailon, thinking the world revolves around him as he tends to do, accepted jared’s confession so they just kinda started dating on the side. jared has the moral backbone of a pool noodle, and even after it causes dailon’s relationship with reynard to fall apart, will need a wholeass intervention to be staged to make them both realize just how shitty they’re being. after that, though, jared will end that mess and be on his way to becoming a better person himself - with the help of a sweet girl he’s met online.

jared and mitzi dating in the future is the most contrived thing on the planet but just hear me out that it’ll be HILARIOUS for achilles to check in on his ex-girlfriend and find she’s dating his cousin’s best friend, who said cousin was apparently dating on the side. very small world, it is. 

anyway, thank you if you’ve somehow stuck around to read this entire thing - this isn’t even getting into jeremie’s half of this whole ordeal, which includes some of these fellas’ friends and partners, as well as more crazy rich people nonsense. it’s been very fun to think about and i do love it all dearly, even if putting it all together it’s SUCH a mess.

we don’t intend to make anything Legit out of this, it’s honestly just a fun way to pass the time. it’s the adult equivalent of playing dollhouse. in our minds this is like a 20 season soap opera but actually explaining it to other people it’s just like this

but thank you again for letting me babble i hope it was somewhat entertaining! and again, godspeed if you managed to read this much XD

[emhowling]

e m m a   l o u i s e   v a n i t y

basics:

name: emma louise vanity. pronunciation: eh·muh loo·ease va·nuh·tee. meaning: emma- whole & universal. louise- famous warrior. birthday: august 13th. age: twenty-two. pronouns: she & her & they. sexuality: bisexual. siblings: heather, trey, & sage vanity. the pack. parents: darrell & darlene vanity. rosalyn & fenrir greyback. other family: the greyback pack. languages: english. romani. grunts. current residence: trailer in the greyback caravan. hometown: warwickshire.

wizard fun:

hogwarts house: slytherin. year of graduation: 1977. occupation: tattoo artist & piercer at markus scarr’s. pet: beta fish named nicole. blood status: muggleborn. species: werewolf. patronus: leopardess. leopards are graceful hunters. they symbolize elegance in spite of adversity and looming danger. they are great representations of warriors and hunters. it also symbolizes stealth and strength. both traits are good to have if you’re hunting or seeking something. sensuality and passion are usually attributed to them. additionally, they are considered symbols of privacy and secrets.  boggart: emma is very, very claustrophobic. she is always terrified of being locked into a small confined space or being chain up. amortentia:   blackberries. emma doesn’t necessarily love blackberries, but she does love anything that is blackberry flavored. blackberry pies, blackberry cobblers, blackberry jams, jellies, lollipops, and even blackberry wine is her favorite thing to have. they used to grow at the treeline of the playground behind the trailer where she was born. wildflowers. no matter where or what time if emma sees wildflowers growing, she’ll stop to enjoy them. they’ve always been a secret love of hers and frankly, she finds them far more beautiful than any curated flowers. they’re never the same thing twice, but they make everywhere smell infinitely better. whiskey. it isn’t even her drink of choice. if asked, emma would much rather be let loose with tequila. there is just something about the smell of high brow whiskey that reminds her of something happy. wand type: 9 1/3″, black walnut wood wand with a dragon heartstring core, stubborn and bouncy. less common than the standard walnut wand, that of black walnut seeks a master of good instincts and powerful insight. black walnut is a very handsome wood, but not the easiest to master. it has one pronounced quirk, which is that it is abnormally attuned to inner conflict, and loses power dramatically if its possessor practices any form of self-deception. if the witch or wizard is unable or unwilling to be honest with themselves or others, the wand often fails to perform adequately and must be matched with a new owner if it is to regain its former prowess. paired with a sincere, self-aware owner, however, it becomes one of the most loyal and impressive wands of all, with a particular flair in all kinds of charmwork. as a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. while they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. the dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the dark arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental. affiliation: de affiliated, loyalty only to the greybacks.

appearance:

height: 5′. hair color: brown. eye color: brown. typical hair style: tied up into a bun on top of her hand with a scarf wrapped around it or braided in intricate patterns. fashion style: emma wears a little bit of this and a little bit of that. a lot of her clothes are acquired by just being near her and wearable. she goes through a lot of clothes given how tough she is on the fabric. there is a lot of layering, but there’s nothing emma hates more than being too hot so she had the tendency to shed them until she’d comfortable. [ fashion ] distinguishing features: emma has a lot of scars over her body, some full moon related and other not. she has a few small tattoos. her weight fluctuates somewhat wildly based on the lunar cycle, and sometimes she does look markedly pallid. notably when she smiles, she has deep set dimples.

personality:

positive traits: innovative. nimble. artistic. negative traits: combative. disorganized. tactless. theme song: hungry like the wolf by duran duran.

headcanons:

emma has been drawing for as long as she can remember. if there’s a pencil or pen or quill in sight, emma will pick it up and set to drawing something. her favorite medium is definitely charcoal since it’s the easiest to come by and use quickly.

fuck shoes. if given a choice, emma would literally go barefoot all of the time. she kicks off her shoes at any given opportunity, and especially likes to go running when she is barefooted.

emma is a small girl and perhaps an even smaller wolf. it’s easy to spot her on a full moon as she is particularly small and irritatingly fast on her feet. she’s been lovingly referred to as the runt of the litter more often than not.

biography:

Darrell and Darlene Vanity never intended to be absent parents. Truly they didn’t, but they were young, and they were poor. Four children weren’t cheap. It took a lot of extra shifts, saving, and scraping by to just afford the power and water in their little trailer at the very edge of the park where the fence didn’t quite meet ends. More often than not, they were all four left to fend for themselves. More often than not, there just wasn’t enough room in the confined little trailer. The parents slept in the large bed crammed in the small side room with the eldest two kids, but the youngest two had a kitchen table that converted down so a mattress could slide on top. Needless to say, Emma Vanity always felt a bit trapped in such mundane circumstances.

There was a big hole in the fence around the back that the kids could crawl through while no one was looking. Emma couldn’t remember the first time she snuck through that old rusted metal to the playground on the other side. If asked, she would tell you that it was the first day she learned how to toddle out the front door of the trailer. She would spend hours on the swings, the seesaw, the merry go round, and the slides. Most of the fixtures barely worked, but it was a good escape for the Vanity kids. It was where Emma made her first drawing. It was where she broke her arm for the first time. It was where she first met the Greybacks. 

Only eight years old at the time, and already far too keen to escape her surroundings. Emma skipped school more often than not, it felt like the trailer in too many ways. Small-minded and confined by the walls of a big prison where the adults yelled at you for needing to piss or drawing on your tests or running at full speed down the hall. It just wasn’t a place for someone like her, and she didn’t need to be any older to see it. There was more to her than the other snotty little kids around her. Even if no one else could see it from the trailer trash. She had been busy that day trying to repair the rusted chain of the old swing set with the little bit of that unexplained extra she possessed, which later Emma learned was the beginning of her magic slipping through, when she got caught.

From the treeline, a woman stepped forward. She was perhaps the most beautiful person that Emma had ever seen. The first thing she did was tell Emma that she was special. Well they could definitely agree on that. The woman offered her more. More than a trailer and more than a rusted playground and distant school. More than parents who forgot her and siblings who didn’t notice her. Emma took her hand and never looked back. Frankly, she never even knew if her parents put up missing posters or not. It was probably a relief to have one less mouth to feed. 

Fenrir wasted no time biting her. That first transition was the hardest thing that she had ever had to go through. The pain of shedding her skin will be seared into the very core of her memory for the rest of her life. Yet, there was never any hesitation because she was a child or even any thought that she could not keep up with the rest of the pack. It was just expected that she would, and Emma lived for that independence. The Greybacks held to every promise made to her. They were far more parents to her than the Vanity’s had ever been. They raised her.

It was harder than she wanted to admit to leave them for Hogwarts, but ‘kids go to school’. So Emma went. It was confining at first. There was too much she wasn’t allowed to do again. It wasn’t easy to keep things under wraps, Emma had never been a very good secret keeper. Her first year, she certainly spent more time in detention than she ever did in class. She would spend hours drawing the intricate architecture of the castle and her classmates in various states of distress or joy. That is when she discovered Quidditch. She was hooked. The only reason she started to do her coursework was so that her marks would be good enough to play. A proper chaser in all regards. She even managed captain in her later years. It was likely the only reason she didn’t drop out in her fifth year like her parents had. That and a handful of good friends she wasn’t quite ready to lose. Besides, apparently the accommodations for werewolves had really improved in recent years. It wasn’t unbearable to tolerate the time. 

After graduation, Emma returned to her pack. Fenrir had made a deal with the devil, and that was just fine by her. It wasn’t as if she was particularly keen on a war, but it was always fun to have something to do. It kept her close enough to her school friends too. She trusted him with her life. That included what said life entailed. If he thought it was the right call, Emma would believe him. However, there’s been a building tension about just how right that call might be. In her spare time, she picked up a relatively flexible job at the local tattoo parlor as an artist and piercer, but there is a part of her that is screaming- what’s next?

[trillian-anders]

amor de mi vida - 1939

pairing: bucky barnes x latinx!reader

warnings: slow burn, racism, prejudice, fluff, language barrier

word count: 5805

description: Bucky Barnes is a sweet young Brooklyn boy, just on the cusp of manhood, a hopeless romantic that falls in love with almost every girl he sees. when he sets his eyes on a young girl fresh off the boat from Cuba he finds out how hard love can really be.

for @cake-writes​ 1940s challenge.

Bucky loved Brooklyn, he loved everything about the borough. The Dodgers, the noise, the diner down the street from his house that made the best cherry pie he’d ever had, he even loved the way it smelled. The salty breeze from the that rolled in every morning and evening, the Statue of Liberty lighting up the bay. He was a Brooklyn boy through and through, even if his birth certificate said he was born in Shelbyville, Indiana. His parents moved here before he could even remember, Brooklyn was all he knew. 

He was on the cusp of manhood. The final years of his schooling before he was ready to take on whatever life threw his way. He didn’t have any expectations. To him it was so simple. Take up more hours in his Dad’s shop, find a beautiful dame, get married, pop out a few kids, have everything his parents ever had and everything they ever wanted for him. He felt so young, full of hope and ready. Ready for anything.

Munching on crackerjack he sat, feet swinging on the edge of pier five, his best friend sketching idly next to him. He tried to ignore the younger boy’s rattling breaths. He was fine, those breaths were normal for him, that’s all that mattered. Steve had recently had a pretty bad scare, when his Ma came down with TB and passed there had been a big concern that the sickly boy had caught it from her. There was quarantine and Bucky thought he was going to lose the best friend he’d ever had. 

Thankfully that wasn’t the case. 

The pair sat in a comfortable silence, the kind that comes with years of companionship. Just the company soothing them from their day. A test in math, the girl that just broke Bucky’s heart, another girl that wouldn’t pay Steve any mind. Bucky’s eyes drifted to his friend’s sketchpad, the Manhattan skyline taking shape slowly but steadily. 

It was warm, the beginning of summer. The switch from wearing sweater vests to short sleeve button downs, wool socks traded in for more breathable cotton. Bucky leaned back on his hands, feet swaying slightly over the edge of the dock watching the ship moving slowly in the water towards Ellis Island. 

“I wonder what it must be like,” Bucky said, “To leave your entire life behind and go somewhere completely new.” Steve’s pencil stopped on the page, looking over at his friend. 

“Must be scary,” Steve started, “Not knowing anyone I mean.” Bucky hummed in agreement. 

“Ma said she’s gonna make meatloaf tonight,” Bucky stood from the dock, helping his friend to his feet, “You’re comin’ to dinner right?” Steve nodded, stuffing his sketchbook into his bag. “Good, cause you really didn’t have a choice there pal.” Bucky’s arm swung over Steve’s shoulder, dragging the smaller boy behind him as they hopped into the junker that was Bucky’s pride and joy. 

The 11 year old Ruxton he’d found rusting away in a scrap yard last year, totaled in an accident and discarded. He’d only recently gotten it back up and running, but it was still a terrifying ride. He dared not take it farther than a few city blocks, but it was still nice to drive. They pretended like they were rich folk above it all, driving the recently painted sleek black car down the streets, wind in their hair only because the windows wouldn’t roll up. 

The next day Bucky fell in love again, and he couldn’t even remember who broke his heart yesterday. Dorothy Seeley. A beautiful blonde dame, bright green eyes, legs for days. She was in his english class. He could see a future with her, something Bucky always wanted. He could imagine loving her forever, her pretty pink mouth pressed against his in his car because he had one, and that made him special. Better than the other boys. 

He was sweet on her, doting, for days. A trip to Coney Island that left him broke, the drive-in, burgers and fries at the diner by his house. Steve in tow. Always. 

He was leant up against the side of his car, Dot pressed against his chest as they exchanged a soft kiss. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” He asked. She grinned, lips parting like petals around shiny white teeth. 

“You’re keen on me Barnes.” Holding his hand and stepping back, her skirt twirled around her legs. 

“Is that a bad thing?” He grinned, his own pearly whites showing. He could feel Steve rolling his eyes from inside the car. 

“Tomorrow then,” He pulled Dot in close to land one more cheeky kiss before she was skipping up the steps into her family’s brownstone, and out of sight. Bucky’s grinning face turned around to look at his friend, slipping into the driver’s seat. 

“I’m gonna marry that girl.” He said.

Steve rolled his eyes, “You say that about every girl.” 

“I mean it this time,” Bucky assured him, pulling the car away from the curb. 

Steve laughed, “You say that too.” 

Bucky’s family wasn’t rich, but they weren’t poor either. His Ma would always say, “We have just what we need.” And it was true. 

Bucky was the eldest of five, the only boy with four younger sisters, each spaced two years apart. The youngest being his favorite, but he’d never tell the other three. 

Rebecca Barnes was his partner in crime, the sweet girl looked most like him, at only nine years old she was a spitfire. Full of attitude and sass, almost always covered in dirt, and easily conned both him and his father into giving her penny candy on almost a daily basis. 

Susan Barnes was eleven and extremely smart, she’d often help her older siblings with their homework, studying. She almost always had a book in her hand and could recite Shakespeare off the top of her head. 

Ruth Barnes was thirteen and hated everyone and everything. It was just that age. She was experimenting with makeup, almost always on the telephone, and generally didn’t speak to anyone in the house unless she absolutely had to. Talking to her lately was just about as hard as pulling teeth. 

Lastly was Virgina Barnes, she was fifteen and much to her father and brother’s chagrin was a little boy crazy. Bucky was sure she was dating someone she wouldn’t bring around to the house, he’d often spy on her in the halls of their high school trying to catch a glimpse of who the punk was that had necked with his sister, but so far she’s been sneaky and kept out of sight. 

His parents were still very much in love. The two were always touching, kissing, slow dancing to music that wasn’t there. It was everything Bucky ever wanted. His mom, Winnie Barnes, came from money. Old money and his grandpa every rare time they saw him would be sure to make it known that he didn’t like their father. 

George Barnes had grown up pretty poor, very wrong side of the tracks. He’d fought in the War to End All Wars in the 107th, met Winnie Barnes when she was a nurse. Real classic story. One Bucky loved hearing. 

His Pops owned his own shop now, one of the only mechanics in Brooklyn which kept him pretty busy, but provided well for his family if their four bedroom brownstone was anything to say for it. Bucky parked the car outside the garage, men laughing, radio playing, he could see his Pops sitting in the back office, pencil behind his ear, looking over the books. 

“You gonna be good from here pal?” Bucky asked Steve. The smaller boy nodded, 

“Probably gonna walk around for a bit before going home.” Bucky wished Steve would take up his offer and come stay with them for a while, but the kid was too proud for that. He was currently living alone in a small apartment, selling funnies to the local paper. 

“If you need anything I’ll be here until seven probably, then I’ll be home.” Steve nodded, backing away.

“I’ll see ya tomorrow.” With a wave he was off, disappearing down the street. 

Bucky worked hard. As he was expected to. He was his father’s only son and George Barnes put a lot of pressure on his son to be a good example, not only for his sisters, but for the other guys that worked for him. He worked, and he worked hard. His hands had become calloused over the years, having worked in the shop since he was old enough to hold a wrench, he knew almost everything there was to know about fixing cars. 

His father believed that a good red blooded American man should know how to do three things. Auto work, Wood work, and wife’s work. He should be able to fix a car, fix the house, and keep his wife as happy as possible. It was ingrained into him since he could barely see over the hood, his father’s words ringing in his ears. 

“Keep your wife happy, the roof strong, and dinner on the table.” He said, “As long as you do those three things you’ll have a good life.” A life like his. Despite the hollowness of his eyes sometimes and the extra beers before bed. 

“It was the war”, his mother told him once, “Sometimes it just catches up to him.” Bucky wouldn’t understand that, not for a while. 

“Jaime.” His pops called him into the back office, a wrapped parcel on his desk. “Run this down to the post for me woulda? They sent us the wrong part, sendin’ it back for an exchange.” James nodded, 

“You need anythin’ else while I’m out?” His father’s eyes, blue like his, peeked up over the lenses of his readers, 

“Grab me a soda pop woulda?” A couple of cents placed into his hand and he was out the door, walking down the sunny streets to the post office three blocks away. There was a corner store next to it where he’d pop in and get his Dad a cola with enough change to grab himself one as well and he’d be on his way back. That was until his eyes landed on the girl peering into the store window in front of the said corner store, brows pulled tight in confusion. 

Her skin was beautifully caramel, dark hair and lips painted red. She was in a soft linen dress, buttoned front, low heels, roses stitched onto the sides. She was a sight. One that made his heart stop in his chest and his mouth drop open wide enough to collect flies. Her dark brown eyes and perfectly curled hair made his hands tremble. He rubbed his sweaty palms on his uniform pants, looking at himself in a car’s side mirror and fixing his hair before approaching. 

“Whatcha lookin’ for doll?” The young woman jumped, turning to face him, perfectly plucked brows raised in alarm. “Sorry,” He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He saw the girl take a step back, he was blowing it. “It’s just not everyday that you see such a beautiful dame such as yourself.” You worried your bottom lip. “Sorry,” He took a step back from you. “That was corny I just…”

“Lo siento,” [I’m sorry] You said, “No puedo hablar ingles.” [I can’t speak english] His face dropped slightly and he took a step back. He didn’t know what to do here, he looked at the window and back at you. 

“James.” He said, pointing to himself, then pointing a finger at you, 

“Y/N.” You replied, figuring out what he meant. He pointed to the store. 

“Store?” You looked at him confused. “Uhm…” He put his hands on his hips and looked inside, holding a hand out to you and pointed at the sign of the shop, “Store?” You looked at him skeptically, taking his hand and letting him bring you inside. He’d walked to the ice box in the back, pulling out two cola’s as he watched you pick up a loaf of bread, looking at him nervously. He tried to smile at you reassuringly but you didn’t seem to feel comfortable still. He took the change out of his pocket, counting out the coins. He had just enough for his two cola’s, not room for much else as he walked you to the counter. If he’d had enough he woulda bought the bread too. 

The shop keep seemed to glare at you, which confused Bucky. He looked between the guy at the counter and back to you behind him, placing his two colas on the counter, having the guy ring him up. “Have a good day,” the man told him, Bucky watched as the girl placed the bread loaf on the counter. The man glared at her, not moving. “No sale.” He said. 

“What do you mean?” Bucky asked, you looked between the two nervously. “Here.” Bucky took the coins from her open palm, and tried to hand them to the shop keep. He glared back at Bucky. 

“We don’t take their money here.” He said sternly, pointing to the sign behind him. Bucky had been in this shop almost five times a week and never noticed that sign before. ‘WHITES ONLY’ in big bold lettering. Bucky looked back at you and while he figured you couldn’t understand english you at least could feel that you weren’t wanted here. Suddenly your nervousness made sense. 

“It’s my money then.” Bucky said, slapping the coins on the counter. “Let her buy the damn bread.” The shop keep stood from the stool he was resting on, leaning over the counter.

“Get out.” By the time Bucky realized he was talking to you and not him you’d quickly walked out of the store and back onto the street. He’d quickly grabbed the loaf of bread, coins still discarded on the counter and followed you out. 

“Wait! Y/N!” He called, catching up to you. “Here.” You looked at him, brows pulled skeptically together before taking the bread from his hands. “I’m sorry about that guy, he’s usually so nice I-” Bucky bit his lip, he was unsure what else to say. Nothing he said made any sense to you anyway. He couldn’t say anything regardless as you gave him a funny look and slowly walked away from him, turning your eyes away as you crossed the street. 

He stared after you longingly and confused. He’d heard people speak spanish in passing. Guys that worked in the factories near the docks. He wasn’t ignorant to that. He just never really gave much thought to them. They were in a different world than him, it didn’t matter as much. But you’d struck him. The way the shopkeep had treated you struck him. He’d never seen a pretty girl treated that way. Usually guys would bend over backwards for a girl like you, but to be fair, Bucky never had a reason to think about skin color. 

It’s not that he didn’t see it, he just never cared. He’d heard whispers of people being irritated at the growing hispanic population in Sunset Park, but never really gave it much thought. It never crossed his mind. He had other things to worry about at the time, a girl to love, a friend to protect. 

The sweating colas in his hands reminded him that he had somewhere to be, and you’d long since disappeared around a corner. Gone from his sight. He was quiet that night at dinner, suspiciously so.

He didn’t see you again for three months, the end of summer drawing near, the days just beginning to get shorter. He’d been walking around Sunset Park occasionally, looking for you, under the guise of a stroll. Steve thought it was strange, his newfound obsession. 

“I’m gonna marry her Stevie.” He’d said. He knows he’s said it before, 

“I mean it this time.” He said that before too. “But you didn’t see her Stevie.” He grinned as the pair walked around the neighborhood for the first time, “She was more beautiful than Aphrodite.” Steve rolled his eyes. He wasn’t sure how many times he’s walked this neighborhood looking for you, but he told himself he’d do it every night if it meant he’d find you again. 

School had ended, he was working full time at his Dad’s shop now, little time for extracurriculars, the dance halls missed him, his favorite waitress asked Steve about him all the time, and he hadn’t seen a movie since the last time he went with Dot almost 3 months ago. All of his energy had gone into working and on his days off with Steve, looking for you. He thumbed through the spanish phrasebook he’d spent a pretty penny on, pages dogeared with things he might try to say to you when he saw you next. 

If it ever happened. 

He was beginning to lose hope, truth be told. Maybe you’d moved away. Maybe you were in the neighborhood visiting someone and didn’t even live nearby. It wasn’t until he’d taken a street down in the factory district on his day off that he saw you again. 

You were just as beautiful as he’d remembered, hair pinned under a cap, lips painted red, you were wearing another linen dress, flowers stitched around the skirt and on the lapels. You were leaving a dress factory. That’s where you must’ve worked. He watched you twirl in your dress, laughing at something another woman had said to you. The gaggle of them speaking such quick Spanish that the few phrases he studied didn’t even make sense to him anymore. 

He swore his heart stopped in his chest when your eyes met his, a firm blush spreading across your cheeks. Bucky, the hopeless romantic that he is, would tell everyone that time stood still. There you were, he would say, his future wife. Pin Curled and sweet, dark lashes and rose petal lips waiting for your first kiss. Like you’d been made for him. He would say that in that moment the stars aligned and brought you to him. 

He was a sucker like that. 

Steve had stopped a few steps ahead of him, noticing that his friend wasn’t following, the group of girls you had been walking out with also stopped, looking between the two of you and giggling at the sight. One girl pushed you forward and you turned to glare at her saying something to her that Bucky couldn’t hear. He took one step forward and then another, thumbing through the pages of the book and swallowing heavily, hands sweating. He’d never been this nervous talking to a dame before, never. He raised the book to his eyesight, glancing at you before looking back down at the page, 

“Lo siento,” [I’m sorry] He said in just about the worst pronunciation you’d ever heard, the girls behind you giggled and you shushed them with a perfectly red lacquered hand, he smiled nervously continuing, “Eres tan hermosa,” [You are so beautiful] He flipped a couple more pages not being able to find what he wanted to say next when you gently grasped his wrist, smiling at him. 

“James.” His heart almost dropped out of his ass as you said his name for the first time, “Hello.” Very heavily accented and you bit your lip with insecurity. 

“Hi.” He breathed. He looked back down at his book, finding what he wanted to say next, “Te estaba buscando.” [I was looking for you.] His pronunciation was horrible and he knew it. But the thought was still there. 

“Uhm…” You looked at him nervously, the girls were sure to gossip about this later. This white man who was holding a Spanish phrase book telling you about how you were beautiful and he was looking for you. 

“Y/N!” Came a yell, Bucky watched an older woman approach, she looked so similar it had to be your mother, “Que haces con este hombre blanco?” [What are you doing with this white man?] The older woman gripped your arm, looking at the girls behind you, “Veta a casa.” [Go home.] She spat to the other girls, glaring back at Bucky as you looked at him apologetically. He caught a few words. He knew casa meant home, he also knew blanco meant white. But he was unsure about the rest. 

Steve stood awkwardly off to his side, a silent witness to this strange situation. “That’s her I’m guessing?” The little shit grinned next to him. Bucky turned to his friend, matching his grin. 

“Yeah.” His heart was still racing, “And now I know where she works.” He looked up at the tall factory building next to them. 

He looked around the flower shop, the various blooms staring back at him. He wasn’t sure what to get, what you would like. Roses were maybe too presumptuous and a little too expensive “Can I help you?” The older woman asked him. She was wearing an apron over her plaid dress, hands brown with dirt. Bucky smiled softly, 

“I’m a little lost here,” He admitted. The older woman smiled, 

“What’s she like?” He stuffed his hands in his pockets looking over the blooms. 

“Perfect?” He offered, laughing, “But beautiful, sweet…” His eyes scanned the arrangements around him, “I don’t have a whole lot to spare, but…” The older woman nodded, understanding. 

“You could always do a single stem,” The older woman plucked a beautiful red flower from an arrangement, “If she’s as sweet as you believe, she’d be more than happy with it.” A peony. Vibrant red. Like your lipstick.  

He waited outside the factory for you. Hair slicked down, he wore a tie, his work uniform stuffed in the backseat of his car. He hoped you wouldn’t notice that he smelled a little like motor oil under his cologne. He barely made it before the door opened and his palms immediately sweat in a Pavlovian response. The anticipation of seeing you. 

Your dress was yellow this time. Stunning against you skin, yellow and white plaid. He wondered if every color was made just for you. Your eyes immediately met his this time, a shy smile spreading across your face. He timidly stepped a foot closer, 

“Hello, James.” In your beautiful broken English. 

“Hola.” Your nose crinkled when you smiled. “Oh, here.” The vibrant red peony being handed over to you, you twirled the stem between your fingers as he pulled the well worn book from his pocket. “Uhm.. Te ves hermosa hoy.” [You look beautiful today] He looked at you for your response, a red dusting on your cheeks as you held the flower up to your nose. 

“Es guapo.” [He’s handsome.] One of the girls teased you to which your eyes widened and you turned to glare at her, shooing her away. 

“Has estado practicando?” [Have you been practicing?] You bit your lip knowing he probably wouldn’t understand that. “How,” You started, “are you?” He grinned, he could respond to this one. Flipping back,

“Muy bien, como estas?” [Very well, how are you?] It took him a bit too long to say four words, but the smile on your face was worth it. 

“Bien,” [Good.] You replied. 

“Away!” You mother was back, standing in front of you this time, looking into Bucky’s face. His cheeks flushed. “Go away!” Your mother’s english was worse than yours, the words coming out thick and accented he almost didn’t understand. “Mantente alejado de ella.”[Stay away from her] She was scary, your mother. He looked to you for help, fingers nervously moving against the spine of the book in his hand. 

“El es una madre inofensiva.” [Mama, he’s harmless.] You explained, but your mother’s face turned red, turning fully to you she said, 

“Él te arruinárá.” [He will ruin you.] Her voice was tense and Bucky couldn’t begin to understand what she said as he watched her drag you away again. But it was fine, he was back tomorrow to try again. 

And he tried again, and again. It became a constant. He was spending $1.30 every week on flowers, considering he was only making $25 a week working for his Dad it was a good chunk of his money. He’d show up with a red peony for you every day. The girls, he knew, were making fun of him but the five minutes in between when you’d get off of work and when your mother would get off of work were the best part of his entire day. He was showing up even on his days off, rain or shine. 

Today he felt victorious, your mother hadn’t yelled at him. She simply looked at him and raised an eyebrow to you saying, “El no se rinde.” [He doesn’t give up.] With a smile and laugh. She pulled you away a little more gently that time, taking a look back at him and shaking her head. 

“You know it’s going to be hard,” Steve said to him once. 

“What do you mean?” Bucky bit into the burger Frankie, the waitress, had just put in front of him. His favorite burger at his favorite diner, he’d have to bring you here. Maybe the two of you could split a milkshake. He wondered if you’d ever had a chocolate malt. Steve looked at him incredulously,

“I can’t tell if you’re dumb or blind.” He’d slipped a picture from his sketchpad over, a picture he’d sketched of you for Bucky. His heart fluttered at the sight, tracing your jaw. 

“She’s it for me pal, nothing complicated about it.” The temperature had just begun to drop, a hot August ending. Fall was sweeping through the city, Steve was just starting art school, Bucky was pulling overtime at the shop saving up cash to move out and start his life. Hopefully with you. 

“Buck.” Steve sighed, “You know I have no problem with it, but…your parents, literally almost everyone else… it’s illegal.” Bucky paused, a few fries in his mouth. 

“It’s not technically illegal in New York.” He knows, he looked it up. “Just not…”

“Not approved of.” Steve finished for him. He sighed heavily, sitting back in his seat. “It’s gonna be difficult, pal.” Bucky shook his head, 

“Nuthin’ could be difficult when I have her,” A sip of soda, “Nuthin.”

The next day when Bucky showed up with his flower your Mother was already waiting for him when he pulled his car up. He finally got the windows working. She knocked heavily on his window before he’d even pulled the keys out. 

“Come.” She said, grabbing his arm and pulling him over to a man, a scary one by Bucky’s count, who was standing where he’d usually wait for you. “Preguntarle.” [Ask him.]

The man was hispanic, but not old enough to be your father. Your brother maybe? “She wants to know what you keep doing here.” The guy’s English was perfect, his voice gruff and accented, but perfect. 

“I’m…” Bucky started nervously, “I want to date her daughter.” The guy scoffed, making Bucky feel like an idiot standing there with his one flower. 

“Él quiere llevarla a una cita.” [He wants to take her out on a date] The older woman scoffed as well. He smiled sheepishly. She looked at Bucky, studying him for a moment, “Dile que Y/N no es un juguete.” [Tell him Y/N is not a toy.]

“She’s not a toy,” The man said, he looked at the older woman before continuing on his own, “Look, Y/N is beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but it’s never going to happen. Your kind is not allowed with our kind.” Bucky felt anger rising in his chest. The man lay a hand on his shoulder heavily, “I’m saying this honestly, if you care about Y/N in any way you’ll back off. You’ll ruin her reputation with our people if you keep showing up here. The women are already gossiping about you showing up here everyday.” 

“This is about her being Spanish?” Bucky asked. 

“She’s Cuban.” The guy explained, “You are privileged enough to pretend not to care about race, but this is only an obsession, you’ll ruin her reputation and leave her when you find someone of your own kind to be with.” The man’s grip on Bucky’s shoulder tightened, a warning. “Get back in your car and don’t come back. If you do, our conversation may not be so pleasant next time.” 

Bucky looked to the older woman with pleading eyes, pulling the Spanish phrases book from his pocket, but before he could find anything the man across from him snatched it from his fingertips. “I said go.” 

Bucky wanted to pummel him. He wanted to punch the guy right in the jaw, but he didn’t. He’d find another way to see you. He’d figure something out. The flower in his hand dropped to his passenger seat as he sat heavily behind the wheel, staring out at the doors to the factory. You walked out just in time to see him drive away. 

Nueva York. That’s what your Mother called it. A new start in America where anything could happen. Your belly had never been that full before. There were no jobs in Havana. Less and less by the day. Your nimble fingers had always been useful as a seamstress, but the less money people have, the less money they had to spend paying someone else to fix their hemlines for them. Your Mother and you moved here in the beginning of the summer, hopeful for a new life.

And you found one. 

The neighborhood of Sunset Park had a growing Hispanic community the two of you had quickly nestled yourselves in. A small one bedroom apartment became your home. The two of you not needing much space. You’d quickly found factory work through a neighbor. Not exactly a seamstress, but you did spend 12 hours a day hunched over a sewing machine. Pennies saved and eventually you’d have enough money to live comfortably. You might even have enough to get a new bolt of fabric to make you and your Mother some dresses. Maybe. 

The only thing you had to look forward to every day were the few minutes watching a handsome man trip over his words, speaking broken Spanish to you and flipping, very endearingly through a book trying to have a conversation. 

It’d gotten a little easier lately, a boy in your apartment building helping you and your Mother learn English and with James practicing his Spanish you’d been getting a little farther past ‘how are you’s in the past week or so. The growing collection of dried flowers in your closet was becoming alarming, the row of dead peonies hanging by their stems, but you didn’t have the heart to throw them away. 

That’s maybe why it hurt so much when you’d exited work today, waiting to see the blue eyed boy that made your heart flutter in your chest, and saw him driving away. Your Mother and Mateo staring at the back of it. “Qué hiciste?” [What did you do?] Neither of them answered you, sharing a look. 

Your eyes met the back of the fading car once more, longing in your chest, eyes prickling with tears. “Vamos,” [Come on] Your Mother called, beginning down the street. You sent a steely glare to Mateo, turning to follow her away, his large footsteps following. 

When you first came to America almost five months ago both you and your Mother were enamored with Mateo. She’d teased that you’d found a husband the first day you’d moved in, but the more time you spent with him the less you liked him. He worked a taxi service, one his family started. They had a good amount of money, promising, is what your Mother had said. He could provide for you. But he was pompous. He thought because he had a little bit of money he was running the whole block. His ego soured your opinion of him. If it wasn’t for the fact he was helping you learn English you would have closed your door to him a long time ago. 

Your Mother didn’t want this life for you. Truthfully she’d brought you to America so you’d marry, find a nice Cuban boy and settle down. Let him provide for you. Take care of her grandchildren God willing. It wasn’t as though you didn’t want that life. You wanted to marry, you wanted love. You loved children and always wanted to be a mother but the most important thing to you was love. 

When James approached you that first time you were confused, yes. You hadn’t understood a word he said. But he was handsome and he made you feel butterflies in your stomach. You felt as though his blue eyes could drown you, like a siren’s call, you’d lost yourself in them. But you’d found yourself embarrassed at the counter when the man was angrily talking to him. James was animatedly arguing back, in words you didn’t understand. Taking the eight cents you’d had for bread and slamming them on the counter. 

You’d been surprised when he’d actually left successfully with the bread, you had been peering for the sign the shopkeeper had pointed to before he’d actually drug you in the store, and your stomach dropped when you’d found it while inside. You should have known you weren’t welcome in that part of town. A little too far outside of your little barrio. 

You’d like to think it was fate, God ordained. You’d thought about it again when you saw him outside the factory for the first time. He was nervous, but so were you. You thought it was cute, him flipping through the phrasebook trying to figure out what to say. It warms your heart and every day since you couldn’t wait to see him. He’d even ignored your Mother and kept coming. The collection of red peonies growing by the day. 

It broke your heart to see his car driving away from you. And you knew exactly who was to blame. 

“No tenes derecho.” [You have no right] You stomped up the stairs next to Mateo. “Deberías mantener tu nariz fuera de oso.” [You should keep your nose out of it]

“Te quiero, Y/N.” [I love you Y/N] His arm gently grabbed your hand, “Please don’t do this.” Your jaw clenched, heart still aching from the sight of James driving away from you. 

“I... hate... you.” His hand let go of yours, dropping his to his side as you returned walking up the stairs and entered your apartment, slamming the door behind you. 

Germany had just invaded Poland.

.

.

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taglist //  @corneliabarnes​ @bookish-shristi​ @saturnki​ @jennmurawski13​ @geeksareunique​ @albinotigerpython​ @cake-writes​ @iheartsebastianstan​ @000bananaclip000​

[itsaidanblack]

◦ × ♛ — intro.

⌠ JACK MULHERN, 23, MALE, HE/HIM ⌡ welcome back to gallagher academy, AIDAN BLACK! according to their records, they’re a THIRD year, specializing in KNIFE FIGHTING SKILLS, SWORD TRAINING, PRECISION SHOOTING, FIREARMS & SWAT TRAINING; and they DID go to a spy prep high school. when i see them walking around in the halls, i usually see a flash of (a sarcastic smile, the glint of silver rings, a cloud of cigarette smoke, graffiti on concrete, a flash of crimson). when it’s the (scorpio)’s birthday on 10/28/1998, they always request MOZZARELLA STICKS from the school’s chefs. looks like they’re well on their way to graduation. ⌿ lily, 19, she/her, gmt ⍀   

@gallagherintro​

♛ CONNECTIONS PAGE ♛ PINTEREST ♛ ABOUT ♛ STATS ♛ BIOGRAPHY ♛ INTRO ♛

      hello hello! i’m back with another child, everyone welcome my british bastard boy aidan. he’s a legacy kid who grew up filthy rich but hates his family and his upbringing, and is just lil bit of a criminal, really! 

[ c h a r a c t e r ; ]

&. basics

full name: Aidan Dean Black

nicknames: Dan, Danny

age: 22

orientation: bisexual

relationship status: single

date of birth: october 28th, 1998

hometown: windsor, england

gender: cismale

language(s) spoken: English, French, German

accent: standard british

&. personality

mbti: ISTP

temperament: phlegmatic/choleric

star sign: scorpio

element: water

enneagram type: type 4, the individualist

five positive traits: perceptive, intuitive, determined, independent, resourceful

five negative traits: destructive, pessimistic, blunt, aggressive, temperamental

likes: adrenaline rushes, spray-painting graffiti, hot drinks, going out in the middle of the night, the smell of gasoline, the night sky, knives, london, skateboarding.

dislikes: formal events, his parents, the color yellow, mushrooms, prejudiced people, heavy perfume

bad habits: smoking, doing drugs, drinking

hobbies: graffiti, skateboarding, drinking, getting high, sketching

fears: never amounting to anything, enclosed spaces, heights, needles

[ s t o r y ; ]

background:

aidan grew up in a filthy rich family of spies/assassins as the youngest of six children

his siblings are all very skilled in their respective areas of espionage, and their parents were ruthless and cold towards them to ensure they focused on their training

aidan’s great grandfather was the chief of intelligence at mi5 in the 1950s, so his family has a name and an image already set for them - prim, proper, and excelling in their own unique field of espionage

aidan grew up feeling inadequate - he wasn’t as good as any of his siblings, and his parents were merciless when it came to reminding him of the fact

his siblings weren’t much help either, trained to be the best, they only made his inadequacy more obvious the older they all got

his childhood was filled with training, fancy dinners, being forced to smile and meet friends of the family even if he was bruised and battered from training earlier

aidan began to become insolent, not showing up for training or deliberately failing his homeschooling to piss off his family

his parents were outraged and decided enough was enough, sending him away to a boarding school in america when he was 12

aidan, sick of feeling like he’d never amount to anything, decided to lean into his role as the black sheep of the family

he started to use what he’d been taught against the school, sneaking out at night, graffitiing the walls, stealing things from stores all around london

he actually loved his boarding school when he first began -- enjoying being away from his family, not compared to his siblings, and studying normal subjects instead of things like ‘which artery to sever for the swiftest death’

he amassed a small group of friends, impressing them with his training and ability to break into anything, win fights against the older students, and lockpick

he was able to avoid punishment for a while, and expulsion wasn’t an option when his parents were huge benefactors of the school

so the school adapted, became more vicious in their punishments

started refusing him meals, locking him in cupboards to keep him from sneaking out

and when he started picking the locks of the cupboards, they installed heavy duty padlocks against the doors

this is where he developed his claustrophobia, from being stuck in the closet sometimes even overnight in the pitch black

these punishments eventually wore him down enough that he stopped misbehaving so intensely at the school

and when his parents gave him the ultimatum -- attend a prep school for spies, or stay at the school, he agreed to finally behave and follow his parent’s path for him

despite his misbehaviour, aidan is still very good at what he does - call it genetics, but every member of their family excels at being spies or assassins

when he graduated his prep school with top marks, despite his past bad behaviour, his parents sent him to blackthorne to continue his studies, hoping that by the time he completes college he’ll be good enough to show off, like the rest of his siblings

during his time at prep school, he began to realize that he is bisexual, and fell in love with another legacy boy

their parents, though, were both intensely disapproving of both their sexualities and the relationship itself, and broke them up right before blackthorne

aidan now has a complex about love, and more specifically, the fact that he is incapable and unworthy of actual love

his first year at blackthorne went fine, and aidan actually enjoyed began to enjoy his studies, but he never stopped misbehaving, bitter from his childhood and his parents’ tampering of his relationship

( and also possibly just for the simple joy of constantly having reports sent home about his bad behaviour )

now:

don’t get me wrong - aidan is very good at what he does. 

he’s quite the talented marksman and sharpshooter, and given a knife in a fight, he’ll most likely win 

even without his legacy name he would have gotten a place at gallagher

he’s a bit of a bastard, at times, and a sullen one, too -- but he doesn’t mean anyone harm

he simply likes to always be honest and says things that are probably best left unsaid

he still sneaks out at night, often, to just be alone and roam around unsupervised, a remnant of both his childhood under constant surveillance, and his time at boarding school where nights were often spent locked in a cupboard

nasty smoking habit developed while at blackthorne, as well as his habit of getting drunk and/or high whenever possible in order to let loose

( he has a very unhealthy relationship with his emotions )

he loves to graffiti, and does so often, as an outlet for his creative drive and desire to vandalize things

but, all in all, he does really like it at gallagher, and doesn’t necessarily want to get kicked out, so he makes sure he’s subtle and not too destructive

he sometimes writes with his five older siblings, although most of them are as bad as his parents - he’s the closest to oscar, his second oldest brother, and kitty, his older sister 

he wears a lot of blacks and grays, and basically dresses like an e-boy, but he may or may not stab you if you bring that up

he likes to sketch, but if you tell anyone that he’ll kill you, having had it drilled into him at a young age that art is useless and for people without real talent

he carries a gray butterfly knife around with him everywhere, as it was a gift from his eldest sister for his success at prep school

[ W A N T E D   C O N N E C T I O N S ; ]

not-so-friendly ― while aidan is a very charming asshole, he is still sometimes the worst, and i can see a few people he pissed off or insulted or something

partners in crime ― aidan’s a little vagabond, and loves to graffiti stuff and sneak into places he’s not meant to be, and i want some people to get into deep shit with him

family friends ― the black family is quite high-profile, what with his parents running an empire and all of his older siblings being talented spies/assassins themselves, so i can imagine there’s a lot of people at gallagher that he recognizes

blackthorne friends ― aidan went to blackthorne for a year before gallagher, so i want some people who did the transfer with him.

friends ― he may act like an asshole, but he’s a nice asshole

family ― there’s probably a few people related to him roaming around, so if you want a cousin or something let me know!   

please hit me up to plot ! 

[that-bookworm-guy]

I’m letting the first draft of my last WIP sit, it’s going to need a lot of work seeing as I wrote it in 12 days, so I need to rewrite with a completely clear mind. 

So I’m working on another idea from my ideas book.

The original idea involved a family of three siblings and a prophecy which involved two boys saving the world from something (honestly, I’m feeling evil spirits for some reason.) Apart from that I’ve not done much more planning.

So the middle sibling, who is the twin of the eldest is left out because they were born a girl. So the eldest and youngest are trained their whole life for this big event, which they’re not sure what it is. 

The middle sibling is just kind of dragged along to training mainly to be a punch bag, like their parents are shitty tbh. 

The youngest of the siblings really doesn’t want to be involved in saving the world, he wants a nice quiet life without any trouble. He’s shy and not really fighting material, but his parents think (hope) that he will be the brains of the duo. 

It was originally going to be about this girl who is branded a problem child because she knows she’s invisible to her parents so wants to kind of push them to see how much she can get away with ( a lot)

But something didn’t feel right. So I did something I promised I would never do, I made the middle child a trans guy. (for those that don’t know, I’m a trans guy, before I start getting hate for this)

(You can see where this is going, hold on with me)

So Damien (his chosen name and the only name he will go by in the whole story) is introduced in the story by setting fire to a science lab in his college. His twin, Kieran tries to stand up for him, but the head just knows it was Damien. I haven’t got a name for the youngest, but I’m thinking around 10-13.

The twins are 17. I wanted an age that wasn’t too much over 18, but wasn’t exactly a child. I’m considering having the twins turn 18 during the story. 

So Damien has already come out, is living as a boy, there will be no coming out. He will have a legal name and title change, but won’t be on hormones yet.I don’t want this to be a coming out story. I want this to be a character that is already socially transitioned. His parents were like ‘okay, do whatever’ pretty much because their focus is on the other two.

Now Damien isn’t a hero. He doesn’t want to be a hero tbh he is a bit of a shit. But I’ve had to decide beforehand his morals.... how far would he go? What would he do and not do?

One thing I’ve decided is that he won’t lie. Here’s a paragraph from my first draft of a chapter.

Damian didn’t say anything. He was many things, but he wasn’t a liar. He may not exactly tell the truth by freely offering up information. But he wouldn’t tell a lie. He had enough of people lying to him his whole life. If he could stay silent or twist the truth in a way so he wasn’t lying but wasn’t telling the whole truth, like Pinocchio in the third Shrek movie, then he would. But he refused to straight-up lie.

If asked straight up something, he will answer because his parents lie to him a lot and he knows how shitty it can feel. This is probably going to get tricky, because he may have to decide at some point whether to lie to someone or if to tell the truth. 

I’m also probably going to make it so he won’t bully anyone, he may be an arsehole to everyone, but he won’t be a bully. He also won’t do anything to serious injury someone (nothing other than maybe a bump and a bruise).

He is going to be a character some people love and others will hate. 

Back to the storyline, obvious the prophecy is linked to the first two boys in the family (I’m going to make it so it isn’t like the first two born males, it’s going to be worded in a way that makes Damien fit it). While the youngest is over joyed at not having to fight anything, Damien is like ‘fuck’s sake’ because he really isn’t a hero. His parents will be like ‘we fucked up.” and will try to be nice to Damien because now the twins are going to bring great pride onto the family, but Damien is like ‘fuck no’ to them. 

Maybe at the end I’ll have the twins (if they survive) leave home with their younger brother because the youngest sibling really shouldn’t be in the care of their parents, seeing as the parents just cared about the pride it will bring on the family, instead of their children’s well-being. 

I’m also thinking that maybe the younger sibling will come along to help his siblings save the world, because he’s trained for it, and even though he technically is let off of the prophecy, he wants to help his brothers. 

[dunkshotdreaming]

Masterlist || World at a Glance

➵ Na Jaemin

↳ A young wolf from the Redfur clan, very playful but very dependent. Is known for his kind heart and flirty ways. Would offer the clothes off his back to help someone in need without hesitation. Best friends with fellow wolf Jeno, as they grew up together, and very protective of their youngest member, Jisung. Acts almost like a parental figure to his subunit of younger members along with Renjun, who try their hardest to keep the troublesome bunch out of harm's way (or any accidental exposure).

➵ Lee Jeno

↳ A young wolf from the Silveridge clan, shy at first but is an absolute ball of energy. Very athletic yet very lazy; a bundle of dualities that lie beneath a beautiful smile. Best friends with fellow wolf Jaemin, both of whom never cared about territorial rivalries. Also very close to Doyoung and Jaehyun, who like to keep a close eye on this sweet and naive little werewolf. Despite his canine nature, he has a fascination for feline creatures, going so far as to adopt a few of his own to study them. The other wolves are shocked at how well the kittens take to Jeno, rather than running at his scent.

➵ Huang Renjun

↳ A curious vampire with a fascination for their otherworldly members: the aliens Winwin and Yangyang. Likes to put up a snarky front at times, but is the sweetest little biter you'll ever meet. Very close to the younger members of their group, especially the werewolves.  Is a great help to Yuta when he gets unintentionally turned after being bitten, and takes him under his wing until he's sure the fledgling can handle his own. Doesn't have to wear a pendant like Yuta's as he's a full-blood vampire, born and raised. Renjun's artistic side helps him explain himself in ways words can't... even when a good portion of his artwork looks an awful lot like a bloody Rorschach test.

➵ Qian Kun

↳ The new alpha of the Goldensnout clan. Always seems to have trouble handling the young pups of the pack, and often has to put his foot down to intimidate them. Fatefully ends up with fellow pack member Yukhei as bandmates in Wayv. Loves nothing more than to enjoy some good music while he dotes on the others; especially good at cooking, and uses his heightened sense of smell to his advantage.

➵ Wong Yukhei

↳ Luckily for his alpha, fellow wolf Yukhei is great at dealing with the young pups of the pack... whenever he doesn't end up playing into their antics, that is. A lively young wolf who has a nose for causing trouble, usually unintentionally, as he's naturally clumsy. Has a warm heart and soft spot for his bandmates, usually treating them as part of his own little pack. Diligently obeys Kun, and trusts him entirely. Loves to tease the resident vampire, whenever possible.

➵ Jung Jaehyun

↳ A member of the Silveridge clan. Very athletic, prides himself on being one of the strongest members of the pack. Comes off as very confident but is actually very shy; is always terrified someone will find out about his secret. Dotes on the younger and older members alike, and is a great shoulder for them to lean on in tough times. Very close to fellow wolves Taeyong and Jeno, the latter of whom gets babied quite often, despite his displeasure.

➵ Lee Taeyong

↳ Alpha of the Redfur clan, as well as the leader of the musical group all the boys belong to, known as NCT. Has a lot on his plate and often relies on Jaehyun to talk things over with. Has the exterior of a wolf with bared fangs, but the interior of a little pup ready to play. Also close to pack member Jaemin, and taught him a lot of what he knows. Taeyong's life may be incredibly busy, but his great leadership skills always shine through both of his demanding roles.

➵ Dong Sicheng

↳ Most commonly known as Winwin by his newfound earthling friends. Sicheng and Yangyang crash landed on Earth roughly six years ago, not reuniting until they both ended up being recruited for a musical group known as Wayv. Whereas Yangyang is a burst of energy, Sicheng is more calm and philosophical (and still holds himself responsible for getting stuck on Earth); very homesick for his birth planet, Scorlirsus. Gets doted on a lot by his other members; often mistaken for an elf due to his singular pointed ear.

➵ Liu Yangyang

↳ Whereas Sicheng is more often than not the rational one of the two, Yangyang is a chaotic bundle of adventure and joy. His laugh can be heard from miles away, if you listen hard enough. Misses his family and home planet, but is happy to have finally reunited with Sicheng at long last. Loves to race, and used secretly borrow the space pods to do so. Never obtained a nickname as his name was already fairly easy for the others to remember. Misses Scorlirsus, but is also really enjoying his adventures on Earth.

➵ Kim Dongyoung

↳ Most commonly referred to simply as Doyoung, this fallen angel is often the butt of his bandmates' jokes. Tries to set a great example for the younger members, and practically had a hand in raising many of them throughout their time together. Jeno is the only one who really listens though, and earns himself the title of Best Son, at least in Doyoung's eyes. An amazing singer, and isn't afraid to use the powers of his enchanting voice to entice people to do things for him. After all, why work harder when you can work harder?

➵ Ten

↳ This tricky little siren is both alluring and infuriating. Loves to challenge Doyoung at every turn, the sheer power his voice carries overturning any enchantments his bandmate tries to place on others. Lives to tease, and often gets on Kun's nerves, though they secretly enjoy each other's company greatly. Very fluid in his movements, as he's used to swimming in water; this translates to mesmerizing dance moves on land, which eventually earns him a spot in Wayv. Latches onto Hendery when he first joins the surface world as a resident, who helps him learn how to fit in, allowing him to blend almost seamlessly. Must soak in water for an absolute minimum of half an hour a day, or risk losing his breath and drying out. Legend has it he choked on a fruit once and now refuses to go anywhere near them.

➵ Moon Taeil

↳ An actual angel, quite literally. Whereas Doyoung had his fall from grace, Taeil has miraculously managed to stay in the good graces of the divine. Has a healing like quality to his voice, and anyone who listens to it becomes wrapped with its calmness, almost like a blanket. The eldest of his bandmates, but gets along pretty well with both younger and older members due to his playful nature. Exceptionally skilled when it comes to music, and can play a wide range of instruments; loves to play his harp on nights off, which always helps the others sleep.

➵ Park Jisung

↳ The youngest of all his bandmates to date, and one of the most energetic. This sneaky little shapeshifter is incredibly talented. His shifty powers translate into the ability to rap and sing, as well as dance, making him a triple threat within the group. Is ironically allergic to animals, though he can turn into them without much trouble. Loves to turn into any one of the other members and cause widespread confusion, a true mischievous spirit you can't help but love. Babied endlessly by the others, and pretends he has to deal with Jaemin's over-affectionate nature as if he hates it.

➵ Mark Lee

↳ The one, lone human of NCT. Used to have Yuta to relate to, until the poor man was bitten and turned one night. Was initially terrified at being surrounded by so many supernatural beings, but grew accustomed; loves being able to use their talents to his advantage. Constantly the butt of their superpowered jokes, but always mesmerized by what the others are capable of. Feels left out sometimes, but Johnny is always quick to reassure him of his extraordinary human talents.

➵ Johnny Seo

↳ A powerful sorcered who moved across the world in search of a precious gem with powers unheard of.. ends up joining a band to allow him to stay in the country, and instead finds a precious bond within NCT. Can often be seen building or brewing, and casts minor spells at his convenience. Casts protective spells on his clumsier and unluckier bandmates, disguising his affection for his newfound little brother Mark behind an army of jokes (that everyone can see through anyway).

➵ Lee Donghyuck

↳ Goes by the name of Haechan, but loves to refer to himself in the third person as Fullsun. As his father is Apollo, Haechan is a demigod with the blinding power of the sun (as do many of his scattered half-siblings). Very affectionate, the embodiment of warmth and light, paired with the heat of his temper and constant teasing. Nearly made an enemy out of Doyoung once with his pranks, and adores teasing poor human Mark for his priceless reactions.

➵ Nakamoto Yuta

↳ Was a human until just the other day, was turned into a vampire and is now learning to deal with his life flipped upside down. Never wanted to become part of the supernatural realm that nearly all of his bandmates are from, and yet finds himself joining anyway. Was accidentally bitten while away on tour and must now live with the consequences. Has to have his pendant on at all times when in the sun, or else he'll slowly burn and turn to ash. A rather moody bandmate as of late, but given his circumstances, no one can really blame him. Bandmate Renjun, a full-blood vampire since birth, helps teach Yuta everything from how to feed and self control to the ways of the sun and his new strengths. Was forced to take a brief break from his unit known as NCT 127 as a result, but manages to successfully rejoin once he's adapted to his new life. Yuta is often found teasing their last remaining human, Mark.

➵ Zhong Chenle

↳ Though formerly teased for his dolphin-like laugh, it's no surprise that Chenle actually grew up by the ocean. Unlike Ten, Chenle did not live in the water, but has great control over it. He can control the rain, the seas, and even people's own bodies if he so desired. Best friends with Jisung, and they love to get into all sorts of trouble together. Is also very close with Kun (though he and Yangyang are both banes in the elder's existence at times), as well as Jaehyun.

➵ Xiao Dejun

↳ Also known as Xiaojun, for short. Laughs every time Winwin gets mistaken for an elf, when in fact, he's the member of elvish nature. Conceals his ears well, but allows his magic to seep through his beautiful voice. Cautious around animals, but absolutely adores plants and nature in general. Dislikes when Chenle plays with the weather, claiming it could cause an imbalance. Gets along well with all of his Wayv bandmates, but especially with Hendery, as they grew up together.

➵ Wong Kunhang

↳ Ironically enough, Kunhang is the complete opposite of his childhood friend, Xiaojun. Hendery, as he now goes by, is the son of a demon and a human. Typically good-natured and easygoing, his temper and vengeance know no bounds if someone he cares about gets hurt. Will stop at nothing to make things "fair" as he sees fit. Powers include but are not limited to: manipulation of fire, control of air currents, and destruction of physical properties. Has a real soft spot for Yangyang, and are often seen goofing off together. This half-demon is very close to a certain mischievous siren, and taught him almost everything he knows about fitting in with the human world.

OC’s

➵ Sayuri & Kaoru

↳ Two siblings, both members of the Blackwolf clan; childhood friends of the Alpha (reader) and trusted board members of the pack. Form almost a little council when the three unite. Sayuri's mate is a Silveridge, which had caused tension in the past; though that, now the clans are allied, is no longer a problem. Sayuri’s mate just so happens to be the related to the clan’s leader, as his elder sister is the alpha.

[xmenwickedgame]

Halloween Headcanons:

Thought it might be fun to share how my muses feel about Halloween!

Prime Universe:

James Xavier - James loves holidays but Halloween is one of his favorites. He fully supports indulging in both the imagination and candy for a night. Mutant children (and new parents) deserve a break from the world. He has a lot of fond memories dressing up and playing “space captain,” although in those days the Manor’s population was much smaller. James helps kickstart the yearly Halloween party and decorations and sorts through suitable material (he’s not a fan of the gruesome side of Halloween for various reasons and you won’t see those kinds of decorations.) If some of the older students want to watch those movies that’s fine with him as long as they’re discreet. 

Vivian Lehnsherr (the Ice Queen) - Vivian doesn’t celebrate Halloween. She never did as a child and therefore never developed the habit. The only Holidays on her radar are Christmas and Hanukkah/ traditions related to her father’s heritage.  

Charles Xavier – Charles doesn’t like Halloween. It makes him nervous. There’s a lot going on and half if not most of the students dress up. While some of them are still recognizable some are not and without his powers to reaffirm who they are he ends up anxious. That and that gruesome side of Halloween scares the hell out of him; it’s for him that James keeps a tight lid on that. Charles’ only saving grace during Halloween are the occasional treats he’ll put together/bake. In the not so distant future he’ll enjoy watching his young grandchildren partake in the festivities. 

Professor X – Professor X doesn’t care for holidays either, especially any that might trigger Charles. While he hasn’t made an appearance in sometimes he will still knock on that door in the back of Charles’ mind…just to let him know he’s there if anyone or anything scares him too badly. This of course only adds to Charles’ anxiety. 

David Xavier – As a child David loves Halloween. His parents are very enthusiastic about holidays, to the point they sometimes embarrass him. As the adult Time Lord Victorious Halloween gets lost along with many of David’s human memories. He knows of holidays from an outsider’s perspective but celebrating himself doesn’t register.

Blake Summers – Blake doesn’t much like Holidays. He wants to but he’s always held back from celebrating the way he wants to. Anxiety and fear influence most of his decisions—not like Charles but enough he still keeps a safe distance. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone or burn anything by mistake. 

Doppelganger Universe:

James Darkholme – Just like his Prime Universe counterpart James loves holidays and Halloween is no different. That said he’s more embarrassed about voicing his enthusiasm for it, especially around his coworkers. James has a certain image of himself he wants to maintain and tends to get stuck in that mindset. He still sees himself as a kid who has to prove he’s serious and that can get in the way of having fun.

Vivian Lehnsherr – Vivian doesn’t hold much of an opinion about Halloween unless she’s on a mission. It’s harder to identify mutants from humans when everyone’s in costume and it’s really annoying. Like the Ice Queen this version of Vivian never celebrated smaller holidays growing up so she never developed an affinity for them.

Charles Xavier – This version of Charles hates Halloween, possibly more than his Prime Universe counterpart. Too many people out and about in costume, too many awful movies and images everywhere – it causes severe anxiety. If he’s in or nearby a shelter there may be a low-key party with low-key decorations and that’s not so bad…but any violent imagery digs deep into his brain and he’ll usually end up drinking heavily alone/at home. The candy’s not so bad though.

Blake Summers – so this version of Blake doesn’t mind Halloween. He doesn’t celebrate but it’s easier to blend in during covert missions for the Morlocks. He understands Vivian’s frustrations but why not make it work for them?

Will (Wyl) Darkholme – I’m still getting to know Wyl as a character but I think she loves Halloween as a child. Her shapeshifting powers mean her “costumes” are of the best quality. In her teenage years she loses some of that enthusiasm due to her powers (and also being a teenager): what’s the point of dressing up once a year? She can shapeshift any time she wants.

I think seeing alien costumes bother her a little too as she gets older. They were fun and silly as a kid but why don’t people consider aliens really exist??? That’s not very considerate.

Second Chances:

Charles Xavier/Lehnsherr– Halloween still makes this version of Charles nervous. That said he’s found a way to enjoy the holiday for the first time in years. It’s a lot of fun to watch his youngest child get excited about it and how his eldest encourages this enthusiasm. He regrets the childhood she didn’t have; helping her younger sister in turn helps her experience things she hasn’t before. He’ll take lots of pictures that he’ll either frame or put into photo albums.

Charles doesn’t trick-or-treat and he doesn’t answer the door; he’ll leave that to Erik and sometimes X. What he will do is throw himself into baking so by the time his children return their house smells of cinnamon, pumpkin spice and chocolate. Charles adores baking and holiday treats are especially fun.

X – X doesn’t love Halloween for similar reasons Charles’ doesn’t. His apprehensions primarily revolve around Charles actually although the gruesome and violent side make him anxious as well. He also cares less for people than Charles and Erik and after a point is barred from answering the door.

He learns to appreciate Halloween after Gwen is born. She so enjoys it and watching her light up warms his heart. She’s his baby girl and he’ll do anything for her…except trick-or-treat. He leaves that to her siblings.

Vivian Lehnsherr– Like X Vivian learns to appreciate Halloween through her youngest sister. As stated before her guarded childhood didn’t allow for certain holiday celebrations. Gwen doesn’t have such restrictions and Vivian isn’t about to share her disinterest in the holiday. In fact, she often finds herself dressing up along with Gwen, often in matching or complimentary costumes. It brings her little sister such joy, she just can’t take that away.

Plus, Vivian sees herself as a role-model and example for her other sisters: they’ve had such a hard childhood, why not take a break for a night and have fun? (She won’t admit to this but that’s besides the point.)

Guinevere Xavier/Lehnsherr – Guinevere/Gwen loves Halloween. She’s the only member of the Xavier/Lehnsherr family who hasn’t experienced childhood hardship. Like most children she looks forward to dressing up and trick-or-treating every year, especially if big sister Vivian goes with her. After a point she expects Vivian to dress up as well- it’s what they do! They’re sisters after all.

Gwen does sometimes wish her dads would trick-or-treat with them but Papa Charles always has something delicious waiting when they come back so it’s okay.

[hyenasnake]

Life in my Stomach: A Songfic

Quick author’s note beforehand; this story does deal with heavy stuff like miscarriage and other bad stuff so if you don’t want to read it just scroll past now. The song this is based off of is Life In My Stomach by BMike and I’m linking it here so you get a feel for what this story is about, but with a twist at the end. This is a TBOL/El Tigre fiction based around Sartana of the Dead and if you like some delicious angst, this story is for you. It’s also a modern mortal au so nobody is immortal in this. Here is Sartana’s lullaby but instead of mandolin it’s supposed to be guitar so here’s a guitar version without the vocals. Tristán belongs to @the-musical-cc and Etapalli belongs to me. Alazne belongs to queenxivory (account deactivated). Now, let’s get into the story

Sartana stared down at the positive pregnancy test with tears in her eyes. Her head was a mess of thoughts swarming her brain. She was nineteen, still too young for motherhood. But she was getting married to Jorge, the father of the baby now growing inside her, in just a week. But Jorge hated children, despite being eighteen and only a fledgling from childhood, he was always shouting at them on the street and throwing food at the children who played in the alleyway behind their apartment. He also hated her many siblings, at least the ones who were still children.                                                                     Sartana only had nine biological siblings but her parents ran a foster home that saw many children throughout the course of her life. Often when the foster children did leave, they’d always keep in touch with the family and some children begged Catrina and Xibalba to adopt them for good. Her youngest biological sibling was her brother, Tristán, who was six years old. Jorge could put up with him. It was really her sisters, Etapalli and Alazne, who he hated.      Before long, Sartana felt great joy at the thought of raising a child, half of her and half of Jorge. She swore she could feel the baby squirming around and growing inside her, despite only being eight weeks pregnant. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach, giving it a small caress as if to let her baby know she was there and she loved him more than anything in the world. 

“Absolutely not.” Was Jorge’s reaction when she told him. “You’re going to get rid of that baby as soon as possible. It’s only going to slow us down.”

“I’m not getting rid of my child! It’s my decision to make and not yours!” Sartana became angry. “You said we could have a big family like my parents have someday!”

“That was a long time ago, Sartana. People change. Now, I’m telling you to get rid of that thing! I want nothing to do with it!”

“It’s my body, Jorge. This baby is growing inside my body so I’m making the decision to keep them. If I wanted an abortion I would have asked for one by now.” Sartana covered her stomach protectively. Jorge sighed in defeat.

“If you decide to keep that little monster, you’re giving him up for adoption. I don’t want anything to do with him. We’ll talk about this after the wedding.”

A week passed and Sartana collapsed on her bed in tears. She couldn’t believe her fiance would dump her at the altar in front of their family and friends, citing their child, which she hadn’t told anyone else about, as a source for why he was leaving. She folded her hands over her lower belly and whispered to her child, though he couldn’t yet hear her. 

“Te siento pateando angelito                                                                            No te preocupes por el dolor,                                                                      Porque mamá estará aquí hasta que veas mañana.                                  Siento tu vida en mi estómago, prometo que la protegeré porque nadie está por encima de ella.                                                                                             Y aunque tu papá quiere quitarte la vida, debes saber que nunca lo dejaré porque se lo digo todos los días;                                                                    Ves esta vida en mi estómago, sin importar si me ayudas como padre, me va a encantar.” 

Catrina opened her eldest child’s bedroom door. She sat next to the wronged woman and held her close. “Lo siento mucho mijita.” She whispered with tears in her eyes. “Are you really... pregnant?” Her voice was laced with fear of what would become of her daughter, knowing how cruel Mexico was to single, unwed mothers. Sartana nodded in confirmation.

“He left because I didn’t want an abortion or to give Mi bebé to the system.” She wiped her eyes. Catrina hugged her daughter tightly. 

“It’s not going to be easy, but it will be okay and I support you no matter what, mi vida.” She kissed her forehead. Sartana hugged her mother back and cried into her shoulder. 

Months passed and Sartana was a month away from her due date. She now lived in a tiny studio apartment and worked three jobs to get money for herself and her unborn son. Her parents had offered to pay for stuff but she refused, except for letting them buy her diapers. Jorge was refusing to pay child support and she was taking him to court over it so to bring in a little extra money for herself and her baby. Now she sat on her bed strumming on her guitar a song she had composed for her little one. She heard a knock at the door. she pulled herself up with much effort and went to the door to open it. There stood Jorge, in the flesh.

“Are you ready to be a father and take care of your son?” She crossed her arms, murder in her eyes. 

“No. I’m here to keep you from taking me to court over that little monster.” He stared back at her with a cold glare. “I’m glad I ditched you, you lost all your looks when you decided to become a mother.” 

“Enough with the snark. I need the money to feed myself and my son and to keep us from ending up on the streets and three minimum wage jobs isn’t going to cover that.” 

“Serves you right for keeping it-”

“Him. He’s a boy. A living, breathing baby boy. Not an ‘It’ or a ‘little monster’. My son.” She interrupted him with anger. 

“Don’t talk to me that way! Listen, I’m getting married in a few months and my fiancee says she’s going to call it off if I have to be a father to that little creature. It’s not too late for a late-term abortion, Sartana. Or you could give it up for adoption.” He showed her a form. She grabbed it out of his hand and tore it in two. 

“I will never give up on my son, tu pinche pendejo!”

“¡Odio a tu hijo! ¡Ojalá te deshicieras de eso!” Jorge shouted, stepping into her apartment. Sartana pushed him into the shelf. “Oh now you’ve done it.” He shoved her to the ground and grabbed her hair. Her eyes filled with tears as she tried to fight him back, but he was straddling her and had the upper hand. pressed his decorative cane into her chest. 

“Get off me! Help!” She cried, trying to fight back. 

“Stop screaming you bitch!” He slapped her. He kneed her in the stomach and she felt a popping sensation. She cried out in pain and shock and tried to wrestle him off of her. She managed to get him off her for a minute and tried to crawl to where her cell phone was to call for help. He stood over her and grabbed her phone, throwing it to the ground and smashing it. “I’m sorry I have to do this. Adios, mijo.” He kicked her in the stomach as hard as she cried and screamed. She felt frantic kicking and confused movements from her baby and felt blood leaking from between her legs. Jorge left the apartment. Sartana rubbed her belly and whispered to her dying son “I’m so sorry mi vida. I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you. I love you.” She sobbed and crawled to her bed. 

The baby had stopped kicking long ago and she couldn’t call for help or drive to the hospital. Sartana, now in active labor delivering a dead baby, was in her bed waiting for the urge to start pushing. When it finally came, she gripped the bedsheets and the headboard and cried as she started to deliver her dead son alone in the middle of the night.

 After almost an hour of pushing, Sartana felt her son’s body leave hers and felt her own body relaxing. She reached for between her legs to pick up the baby so she could hold him before she said goodbye. She started crying uncontrollably when she saw him. If he hadn’t just left the warmth of her body, he would have been ice cold. His eyes were closed as if he was sleeping and his mouth was pouting. He had a little tuft of black hair on his head and he was covered in bruises from Jorge’s murder attempt.

 Sartana held him close to her and sobbed. “Lo siento mijo. Lo siento mucho.” She wailed. She began humming the lullaby she’d composed for him one last time as she cuddled him for the first and last time. 

After a minute or two, she saw his arm move and she felt his chest start to rise and fall. She thought she was going crazy, until she heard him start to whimper and cry. She shot up and looked at him. His body had regained heat and he was squirming around in her arms. He was alive. Her tears changed to that of relief and joy and she hugged him. 

Soon a sliver of common sense took over her and Sartana got to her feet and grabbed scissors to cut him off the umbilical cord. After the afterbirth had passed she grabbed a blanket and her flipflops. She wrapped her baby in the blanket and got into her flipflops. Her whole body ached but she knew she had to act fast or her son would surely die. The hospital was two miles away and her car had broken down a few days prior, just her luck. It was pouring rain out, thunder crashing and lightning flashing. With determination that only a mother can have, she began the trek to the hospital.

It was hell on Sartana’s already damaged body. Blood was still running down her legs and her face was bruised. She stumbled and fell a lot, due to the loss of blood and her legs giving out. A few times she almost passed out and she was ready to give up and let death take her. Sartana’s life didn’t matter to her at all. She hated herself. She would have killed herself a long time ago if she didn’t have her baby to think of. But she had to make sure her son survived. She had to make sure he was okay. 

She collapsed about two blocks from the hospital, her body gave out and exhaustion took over her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get up from the flooding sidewalk. “I’m sorry mijo. I’ve been such a horrible mother to you.” Sartana whispered as she held him close to her chest. She felt consciousness slipping from her and could almost feel herself dying. She heard two men’s voices in what seemed like the distance, it was like hearing them underwater or through earmuffs. She felt strong arms pick her up as she fell unconscious.

When Sartana woke up, she was in a hospital room hooked up to IVs and a breathing mask over her face. She felt nauseous and dizzy. She tried to sit up and regain her bearings but felt a firm hand on her shoulder pushing her back down. She couldn’t see who it was due to tunnel vision. She turned her head to look at the mystery person. It was Xibalba, her father. He looked like he’d been crying but he had a relieved smile on his face. “It’s okay mija. It’s just me. Just relax. You’re safe now.” He said softly. 

“Where is my son?” She croaked out, looking around. “Is he-”

“He’s alive, but just barely. It’s a miracle he survived. Your mother is with him in the surgery room.”

“Surgery room!?” Sartana shot up again and tried to get up but her legs felt numb. 

“Relax. I’ll explain.” Xibalba pushed her gently back into the bed. “Whatever happened to you two, his lower leg bone was crushed beyond repair. They have to amputate it but when he’s older he’ll be able to have a prosthetic.” Sartana burst into tears. Xibalba sat on the bed next to her and held her hand. “These two young men found you on the sidewalk and drove you here. You were hurt pretty bad but you’re going to stay a few days here and be okay. One of them actually stayed to see if you were doing okay. I can get him when you’re doing better.” He wiped her eyes with a tissue. “You’re exhausted, mija. Get some sleep.”

“But my son-” Sartana protested.

“I’ll wake you up when they bring him back from surgery. I promise.” Xibalba kissed her forehead. “But he needs you to rest.” Sartana didn’t argue again and fell back asleep.

The next morning, if Sartana hadn’t woken up in the hospital room and without her baby bump, she would have assumed it was all a horrible dream. But she woke up in the hospital room. She looked around the room but didn’t see her son. She assumed the worst and closed her eyes, thinking of ways to kill herself. A nurse came in. “Oh, you’re awake. Don’t worry, your son is okay. He’s in the NICU recovering from surgery. They’re keeping an eye on him in there.” She explained. Sartana breathed a sigh of relief. The nurse took the breathing mask off her. “Your mother is with him. The police are here and want to ask you some questions on what happened. Then you have visitors to see you. Do you want breakfast?”

“Si por favor.” The young mother breathed. “Send the police in, please.”

Sartana filled in the police on all she’d gone through while eating her breakfast, which was surprisingly good for hospital food. She sat in her bed with her cup of coffee when she felt a presence at her door. She looked to the door and saw a tall, strong looking young man with a guitar strapped to his back and a tote bag in one hand. He looked disheveled, like he hadn’t slept in a while. But he still had a charming smile on his face. Sartana could feel her face heating up, but she wasn’t too keen on seeing a strange man so soon after she’d been assaulted. “Can I help you?” She asked in a low voice.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay. My name’s Ernesto. Mi amigo and I were walking home from a party we were playing for and found you on the sidewalk.” He said in a smooth voice that sent Sartana’s ragged heart fluttering in her chest.

“Oh! You were the one who saved us? You stayed here this whole time?” 

“Of course. I wanted to make sure you were okay. Well, actually that’s a lie. I stepped out only bring you some things.” He walked to her bedside and placed the tote bag on her bed. She looked inside and saw some assorted food items and a baby onesie. 

“Thank you.” She whispered. “But why? Why would you do that for a stranger?”

“You needed help and you’re not going to be able to live on hospital food. I don’t know what you like so I just threw some basic stuff in there like soup and bread.” 

“Well you got the red velvet cupcake right. It’s my favorite cake but I haven’t eaten it in a long time. Didn’t want to expose him to bad dyes.” Sartana said, referring to her son. 

Ernesto looked at his watch and then back at her. “Listen, I have to head out but if it’s okay with you, I’ll come back later.” He took her hand and gently pressed a kiss to the top of it. “Adios... Oh I don’t know your name how rude.”

“Sartana. My name is Sartana.” She blushed lightly. 

“I’ll see you later Sartana.” He kissed her hand again before leaving her.

Later that day, Sartana held her son. He was sleeping peacefully now and was doing well. “I think I’ll call him Malachai.” She said. The nurse wrote something down on the birth certificate but then had a horrified look come over her face. 

“Lo siento señorita! I accidentally wrote it down as Machete! I’ll go get a new one!” The nurse was about to leave when Sartana stopped her. 

“No. Machete has a nice ring to it. I think I like it better than Malachai. I’ll keep it.” She smiled and gently rocked to him. “A machete is a weapon, and my son has a fighting spirit. It’s perfect for him. Machete Ángel-Equihua.” She gently kissed her son’s forehead.

[indescribablechoices]

Racing Ahead - Part Two of Enchanting (TRR)

Enchanting follows the story of Liam and Alicia (MC)’s daughter Lyra as she enters the social season in search of a husband. Familiar faces, sibling shenanigans and naturally; romance, all await along the way. 

Read Part One here

Tag List - @brightpinkpeppercorn @iknewyoudcome @mitalijoshi@mynameiskaylabella (just drop me a reply or a message if you would like to be tagged.

Summary - The Rys family head to the Derby and the lawn picnic where the press, doubts, and revelations await.

Rating - General; no shenanigans in this part but there will be more mature themes in later chapters.

Word count - 5002 (dialogue heavy chapter, but lots of character exploration and sibling banter)

The Cast - This link takes you to a little summary on the new characters involved in the series. This link will take you to a summary on what happened to the original gang in my canon. It will be updated as it goes on.

“Are you excited for the Derby?”

Lyra snapped out of her thoughts of the previous evening, realising that she had been staring out of the window of the limo. She turned to her head to see her sister Leona looking at her with a wide and expectant gaze.

“Yes,” Lyra nodded with a smile, “I’ve always loved the Derby.”

“But it’s different this year,” Leona pointed out, “This year it’s more than just a horse race.”

“I don’t want it to feel different,” Lyra admitted, “I just want to sit in our box and enjoy the race with my family.”

“And then swan around the after party to meet our future King,” Elias chimed in from the other seat where he’d been sat beside Drake.

Lyra shot him a look, “I do not ‘swan about’.”

“You were definitely swanning something when you snuck back into the palace last night,” he smirked.

Leona gasped playfully, “You snuck out? Dad said you were tired and went back to your room.”

“She fell in a fountain,” Drake said quietly, not even glancing up from the newspaper he was reading.

“Drake!” Lyra stared at him, “How did you find out about that?”

“I slipped out of the party myself to take a breather from the sheer amount of people. I heard Bastien calling out for you. I wanted to check you were okay so I followed the sound of voices and saw you floundering out of the fountain with Bartie,” he told her.

Elias and Leona whipped their heads around to look at their eldest sister, “Bartie Beaumont?!” they asked in unison.

Lyra put her face in her hands, letting out a groan, “I hate you all.”

“So that’s why you wanted me to create a distraction,” Elias realised, “So you could play hooky with Bartie in the garden?”

“Please stop talking.”

“Tell me everything,” Leona insisted.

“We talked, we danced, we kissed, what more do you want to know?” Lyra moved her hands to glare at her sister.

“You kissed?!” Leona squealed with excitement, “How romantic! What was it like? Was he gentle? No, he’s known you long enough to know that you aren’t a porcelain doll. I bet he was at least a little rough.”

“I really don’t want to hear this,” Drake sighed.

“And I don’t want to talk about it,” Lyra agreed, “So let’s just change the subject, please?”

A silence fell over the limo for a few moments as Lyra turned her head back to the window, happy to let the rest of the journey go by in silence.

“So did you have sex in the fountain?” Leona frowned.

“LEONA!” Lyra and Drake both barked at her in frustration.

The divider between the front and back seats slid aside and Bastien glanced through, “Everything all okay back here? I thought I heard shouting.”

“Everything is fine, Bastien, thank you,” Lyra folded her arms across her chest.

“Bastien, you were there last night,” Elias pointed out, “Settle something for us. How scandalous was the scene you stumbled upon in the fountain?”

Bastien quirked an eyebrow, “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Your Highness.” He gave a nod to Lyra who flashed him an appreciative smile, before sliding the divider shut again.

She and Bastien had always been close, ever since she was a child. She considered him one of the family, despite his professional façade, and he had doted on her as the most well behaved of the Rys children. Even Drake, for his quiet nature had a tendency to break the rules in order to get out of going to events, sneaking off to hide somewhere quieter, only to have Bastien drag him back so that he was safe. After everything that happened during their parents engagement and the kidnapping of their mother on their wedding day, security was tight around the royal family.

She would never forget how angry her father had gotten with her when she had run off and hidden from him for too long in the gardens at the palace when she was five. When she heard him calling her name, a desperate edge to his voice that she had never heard, she had come out of her hiding place and run to him. He had put his arms on her shoulders, demanding to know where she had gone, that this wasn’t a game and that she could have been in real danger. Her father had never raised his voice at her before, and the moment he saw the fear in her eyes he had pulled her into his arms and held her close against his chest, apologising a thousand times over for getting angry with her.

He took her to the centre of the maze and sat on the swing with her perched on his lap and he told her about the terrible man that had hurt her mom and took her away from her wedding day, about how scared he had been that he would lose her forever. He kissed the top of her blonde curls as he told her that he had the same fear for her and her siblings, that people could try to hurt them because of who they were. But he promised that he would never let anything happen to any of them; that he would keep them safe.

That day stuck with her every time she huffed over the security protocols that came with just leaving the palace, every time one of her siblings complained about Bastien or any of the other guards catching them busting out. She remembered the genuine fear in her father’s face and she knew why they had to do all of this. He had lost both of his parents to two separate assassination attempts, his life had been threatened more times than he could count, his best friend had been shot, he nearly lost the love of his life to Anton’s plot; it was no wonder they were constantly watched and guarded. She couldn’t bare to think what it would do to him if anything happened to any of them.

“Hey, Sleeping Beauty, we’re here,” Elias nudged her awake from where she had dozed off in her seat.

She straightened herself up, noticing the rows of people and press outside the window that had come out to see the royal family and the potential suitors. She adjusted the hat atop her head as the limo rolled to a stop and her siblings readied themselves. They always went in age order; youngest first. Perhaps that was why Elias had been such a show off from a young age. He loved being the first seen, eagerly clambering out of the car and waving to the crowds that cheered for him, posing for the cameras. He would never admit to it, but she knew he kept a scrapbook in his room with all of the news clippings in it of himself. But he was a Crown Prince of Cordonia. It was a big scrapbook.

Leona slid out next, throwing an arm around Eli, blowing a kiss to the cameras. Lyra rolled her eyes, humming with laughter. For all of her bubbly personality, Leona was the biggest renowned flirt of the Cordonian court. And unlike many others; she had never learned the art of subtlety.

Drake shot Lyra a knowing look over his glasses as he climbed out next, sharing his loving concern for their younger siblings without having to say anything. Although she loved both Leona and Eli, she was the closest with Drake. He was the quietest of the Rys children, shying away from crowds and attention, preferring to stick to his music. Ever since they were young, Drake had been somewhat of a musical genius, learning the piano and the violin, taking comfort in the creativity of composition, only sharing his work with Lyra until he was sure it was perfect enough to show the rest of his family. He gave a brief wave to the crowds, coupled with a warm smile.

She let out a soft breath then exited the limo herself, smoothing down the skirt of her dress as she did, waving gracefully to the people, just as she had been taught.

“Princess Lyra!” one of the reporters called to her, “Johnathon Storm, Cordonia Daily, how was the first night of the social season?”

“It was a wonderful event,” she smiled, “My family and I have always loved the masquerade and it is always a joy to open our home to friends; new and old.”

“Has anyone caught your eye so far? Is there a special someone you hope to see today?”

“I am looking forward to seeing all of my suitors this afternoon at the lawn picnic, I’m excited to get to know them all,” she said, “Though I cannot pick out one in particular yet as it is still early in the season, I can tell you that they are all charming young men and my decision will be a hard one.”

“Thank you,” the reported nodded, “That will make for a lovely soundbite.”

She went to turn away to follow her siblings towards their box to make way for their parents to make their entrance, but another reporter quickly stepped in the way. She was young, likely only a few years older than Lyra, her green eyes wide with determination to speak to the Princess.

“Your Highness,” she said, “Charity Jones, Slice of Cordonia.”

“I apologise, I’m not familiar with your publication,” Lyra told her.

“It’s quite new. It’s an online newsfeed dedicated to the insider news on the biggest events in Cordonia. Which of course, at the moment, is the social season.”

“That sounds wonderful, now if you’ll excuse me-”

“Rumours report that Bartie Beaumont was spotted at the palace last night, despite only his younger brother Gareth being introduced at the beginning of the ball. It all feels rather odd. Why the secrecy around his being there? Is there more to this story? Care to comment, Your Highness?”

Lyra shot her a quick look before she took a deep breath, offering her a polite smile, “Bartie Beaumont was at the ball last night, and no, he was not announced with his parents as he arrived later, having been delayed. Though you can ask him yourself later as he will be one of the suitors this year. I’m not sure what secrecy you are trying to uncover, but believe me there is none. Now, if you really will excuse me, I have a race to watch.” Charity watched her for a moment before Lyra turned on her heel slightly, “A word of advice, Miss Jones; don’t put too much stock in gossip. It doesn’t make for a good story.”

***

“Holy shit, Lyra,” Eli laughed as the four of them sat in the royal box a few minutes later, “I can’t believe you said that.”

She let out a groan, taking a sip of her champagne, “It just irks me that some upstart new reporter thinks she can hop in on the second day of the season and cause drama where there is none. She’s just trying to stir shit up.”

“She must have you riled to swear,” Drake commented, picking up the paper that contained the Derby runners.

“I am riled,” Lyra said, “She’ll probably type out some horseshit report about some Beaumont family conspiracy and start some rumour that’ll go viral.”

“Are you riled because she was rude or because she brought Bartie into it?” Leona asked.

“I…” Lyra trailed off, sticking her tongue out at her sister, “Shut up.”

“Also, speaking of horseshit, they’re bringing the horses out to the gate,” Drake nodded to the track where the horses and riders had been circling for a while now.

The tannoy system kicked in and the announcer began reading out the names of the horses and their riders, earning various cheers and calls from the crowds. Lyra’s eyes moved from the starting gate to the tent where the suitors would be watching the race. She knew Bartie would be in there.

I’ll see you at the Derby.

His final words to her echoed in her ears as her heart skipped a beat. She had been up all night going over everything he had said to her, mostly concerning his brief talk of feelings. What had he meant by that? Had Bertrand forced him to come here against his will? But if was that resistant; why did he kiss her?

“And next up to the gate we have crowd favourite Marabelle’s Legacy, trained and ridden by the Nevrakis-Walker siblings Jackson and Natalia. The pair have been taking the horse world by storm, racing to the top of every competition they have taken on. Let’s see if they can keep their winning streak up and put on a good show for the Derby.”

Elias whooped, “Yeah! Go Jack and Nat!”

“I don’t know why they introduce them as siblings,” Drake said, eyes on the racing paper, “They’re half-siblings.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t have the same ring to it,” Leona pointed out, then joined in cheering with her twin, “Kick ass you guys!”

Lyra rolled her eyes then clapped, laughing softly to herself. Jack and Natalia had been a constant part of their childhood having been the children of her godfather Drake. Her Uncle Drake and Aunt Olivia had been together for a time when she was very young. They never married, but they did have Natalia together. They tried to make it work for a while, but they separated under good terms, both raising their daughter. Drake took on a position as Chief of Security, wanting to set up a life to provide for his daughter, which is where he met his wife, and Jack’s mother, Fiona; a fellow security guard in the palace. She was killed in action when Jack was three.

Lyra raised the binoculars to her eyes, focusing in on where Jack, ever the spitting image of his dad, was leading the dark form of Marabelle’s Legacy into the starting stall, the horse’s black coat causing the Nevrakis-red colour of her tack to stand out. Natalia was already seated in the saddle, wearing matching red silks, her ginger hair tied back out of her way.

Lyra knew her Aunt Olivia would be watching her daughter from the other royal box with the King and Queen along with the rest of their friends; Drake, Maxwell, Hana, Kiara, Penelope, Bertrand and Savannah. They were all inseparable, no matter the jaunts that were thrown around. They had all been through enough together over the years that theirs was a bond that couldn’t be broken. Lyra adored their friendship, hoping that she would have a group like that that would be there no matter what.

A cheer went up in the crowd as the gates opened and the race began. For the next few minutes, Lyra and her siblings let all decorum go; screaming and shouting, cheering for Marabelle’s Legacy, all of them, even Drake, leaping out of their chairs with cries of excitement as Natalia and her horse stole the victory. They could even hear the cheers from the box next door, all laughing when they realised that they weren’t the only ones allowing some real enjoyment.

They left the box a short while later, Lyra being expected to pose for pictures with the winning horse and jockey. She approached the Winner’s Enclosure and grinned when she saw Natalia, helmet shed as she patted Legacy’s neck that was now draped in a wreath of roses.

“Your Highness,” Natalia greeted her with a warm smile before Lyra threw her arms around her in a hug.

“Congratulations on today,” Lyra told her, “You were amazing out there.”

“I only do part of the work,” Natalia said, “I couldn’t have done it without Legacy here.”

Legacy let out a gentle knicker, sniffing at Natalia’s clothes in search of a treat.

“Here,” Lyra reached into her clutch bag, pulling out a few of the mints she knew Legacy liked, “I thing you’ve earned these.” She held them in the flat of her hand and Legacy eagerly nibbled them up. The press took several photos of the warming moment between their princess and the Derby winner before the official photographs were taken.

She and Natalia parted, promising to have a proper chat at the lawn party. Lyra, along with the other Rys children soon piled back into the limo, headed for said party, Eli and Leona eagerly chatting about the range of cakes that Leona had baked and organised to serve to the guests. Drake slid into the seat beside his older sister, glancing at her.

“How are you holding up?” he asked.

“I… It still doesn’t feel quite real that this is it. These next few weeks will define my future and the future of Cordonia. Not only am I picking a husband, but I’m choosing a leader to rule beside me. It’s all quite daunting,” she admitted, slumping back into her seat.

“Of the four of us, you are the one with the best judgement to make a decision like this,” he said, “I know you, Lyra, you will find a way to balance your happiness with the needs of our country. Think about Dad. He knew from the beginning that he was making the perfect choice for him and Cordonia.”

“But what if I can’t find that?” she asked, “What if the person I care about isn’t the person that should be King at my side?”

“So you’re worried that Bartie isn’t a fitting choice for the crown?”

“This has nothing to do with Bartie,” she said quickly, but he caught the flush in her cheeks.

“You haven’t been able to stop thinking about him all day,” he pointed out, “You’ve been staring wistfully out of every window you pass, and I saw you trying to steal a glance at him at the Derby. I’ve never seen you like this about a guy before.”

She wound one of her blonde curls around her finger, “I’ve never thought about Bartie this way. He was my friend. I never considered that he would be here as a suitor.”

“Because he doesn’t seem the type to be married by his mid-twenties?” he asked.

It was no secret that Bartie Beaumont was considered a heartthrob and a heartbreaker. Any time she had seen him over the past few years, he always had a girl on his arm, some minor noble he had seduced with his winning charms. The tabloids loved him, loved showing off his supposed exploits, trying to predict who would be the next poor girl to fall for his wiles.

“He was different than what the rumours make him out to be,” she sighed, “Yes, he was charming and cheeky, but he was sweet and lovely and he was a complete gentleman.”

“He would have to be if he was trying to win the heart of the princess,” Drake said.

She shot him a look, “You think he’s getting close to me because he wants to be King?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted, “If he is still the same Bartie that we were friends with as kids, I think he might be genuine, but time changes people. And as much as this is a competition for a husband, it is also a game with your heart and hand as the prize, and no one is going to fight fair.”

She nodded slightly, “You’re right. Of course, you’re right.”

“Look, I really do hope that he is everything you want him to be,” he said, “I want you to be happy with whoever you choose. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

She offered him a smile, “Thank you.”

He wrapped an arm around her in quick hug, “It’ll work out. And whatever happens, you’ve always got me.”

She ruffled his hair, earning a groan of annoyance from her brother as he desperately tried to comb it back down with his fingers.

“You ready to eat your weight in eighteen different types of cake?” she asked, giving a subtle nod over to their younger siblings who were still rabbiting on about the food selection.

“If you need me, I’ll be edging my way away from the proceedings… with a pocketful of cake,” he flashed her a rare grin.

They arrived at the lawn picnic to less fanfare than the Derby as this was a private event. There will still photographers and reporters, and Lyra even spotted Charity Jones trying to eek her way to the front, but they managed to enter without any problems. The garden was decorated beautifully as it was every year for the picnic, countless tables laden with afternoon tea, various games set up across the lawn, including her Grandmother Regina’s favourite; croquet. She remembered her grandmother teaching her and her siblings when they were small, telling them how she had taught their father in the same way. Even though she wasn’t their biological grandmother, Regina loved them as though she was and always spoiled them all rotten as any grandmother would. She would be arriving later at the party, the elderly Former-Queen refusing to miss her favourite event of the social season, especially during so important a year.

As more and more people arrived from the Derby, the band began to play a composition that Drake had written himself for the occasion, and Lyra watched her brother keeping an eye from the sidelines, a proud smile on his face. He rarely took credit if he allowed the musicians to use his pieces, avoiding the attention as much as possible.

Just as they had the night before, suitors began to line up to greet her, and whilst she had wanted her parents there as well as it was customary for the suitors to meet the Queen officially at the picnic, she didn’t want to keep anyone waiting for the royal motorcade. One by one they stepped up to her, offered her a few words of greeting, a comment about the Derby and the fine picnic accompanied by a smile and followed by a swift but polite kiss on the hand and they would move on. The ones who knew her greeted her a little less formally and when Percy; Maxwell and Penelope’s son came up to her she gave him a quick but warm hug.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get to talk much last night,” he told her, “Mum’s recently got some new poodles and they were quite excited by the palace so I was rather distracted.”

“Well, that is the best excuse I’ve heard all day,” she beamed, “What has she named these new ones?”

“She’s run out of Knights of the Round table so now she’s naming them after iconic couples. They were nearly Liam and Alicia but that seemed in poor taste if they were to go haring off at the picnic and required calling back,” he laughed, earning a genuine laugh from the princess, “And they’re both female so we’ve called them Ellen and Portia…” he nervously ran a hand through his dark curls, “Listen, this isn’t going to be weird because we know each other, right? Suddenly competing to be the man you marry despite being friends for years?”

“It’s a little weird,” she admitted, but offered him a smile, “But I would rather have a hundred friends here than complete strangers.”

He nodded in agreement, “Quite right. I should let you get back to the rest of your guests.”

“It was good to see you, Percy,” she told him as they hugged again and he stepped away. He was quickly replaced by the tall blonde figure of Edward.

“Your Highness,” he greeted, making no move to take her hand.

“Lord Edward,” she gave him a nod, “Are you enjoying the picnic so far?”

“It is lovely,” he said with the same disingenuity as last night, “Which reminds me I must pay your sister a compliment for the bakery selection. She is quite the accomplished chef.”

“Speaking of my siblings, I require a favour of you.”

His eyebrows raised a little, “I… I will do what I can.”

“This is going to sound awfully forward of me, but could I have your number?”

His eyes widened, “Oh… I…”

“It’s not for me,” she said quickly, “Well, at least not in that sense unless you would like me to have your number. It’s… It’s a favour I owe my brother, Eli. It’s a long story that I won’t bore you with now, but I… God this sounds so stupid. Please forgive me and forget what I said, this is horribly awkward I…”

“No, it’s quite alright,” he assured her, catching her eye, “Elias, he asked for my number? Did he say why?”

“All he told me was that he thinks you’re cute.”

His hard-lined mouth curved into a genuine smile, “I didn’t realise he would be… susceptible.”

Lyra glanced across the lawn to where Elias was lounging back in one of the chairs, large fruit cocktail that he had procured from somewhere at the tea party in one hand, the other adjusting the low neckline of the floral shirt he was wearing beneath his lilac suit before opening his phone to take his daily Pictagram selfie.

“I don’t like to be stereotypical, but you have met my brother, right?” she quirked an eyebrow.

“I suppose I didn’t want to assume…” he said following her gaze to Elias before snapping back to her, “I’m so sorry, Your Highness, this isn’t appropriate.”

She offered him a smile, “It’s okay. Stop wasting your time talking to me. Go.”

“Your Highness-”

“That’s an order,” she laughed, “Get over there.”

He bobbed his head once then zipped away from her, headed over to Elias before striking up a conversation with him.

“What was all that about?”

Lyra glanced up to see Bartie in front of her, dressed neatly in a pale grey suit, hair a little messier than it had been last night but still an attempt had been made to tame it. She couldn’t control the smile on her face when she saw him, heart leaping in her chest as he took her hand and pressed a kiss to it.

“This is much nicer now that I can see your face,” she said.

“You like to look at my face?” he grinned.

“So you’re a tease even without the mask on,” she observed.

“What can I say? It’s my natural charm,” he said before his expression turned more serious, his tone lowered, “About last night…”

“Yes?”

“I… I hope it wasn’t too much. It was quite a bold way to reintroduce myself after all of this time, but I really did enjoy myself. And not just the kissing, which was amazing, but I’ve missed you, Sunshine, it meant a lot to me to spend time with you again,” he said quietly.

Her chest fluttered, “I feel the same way.”

“Do you have some time to step away?” he asked.

“I think I could for a short while before the croquet starts, our parents haven’t arrived yet,” she nodded, “Meet me by the fountain?”

He raised her hand to his mouth again, grey eyes flashing, “I’ll see you there in ten minutes.”

She raced through the remainder of the young men waiting to greet her and she flashed a quick smile of greeting at Jackson as he came up to talk to her before she began making her way across the lawn to where she had seen Bartie disappear a few minutes beforehand.

She saw Bastien approaching her, but as she opened her mouth to ask him to make a subtle excuse for her to take a break, he spoke first.

“Your Highness, there is a situation that requires your attention,” Bastien said coolly.

“Please make an excuse for me, I need to-” she began to walk away.

“It’s your father, Your Highness.”

She stopped dead and looked around at him, “What’s happened?”

“The motorcade containing your parents and the rest of their group was supposed to have arrived by now, but I received word from Drake that it’s been diverted to Valtoria.”

She frowned, “Why on earth have they gone to my mother’s estate?”

“They needed a place of security that wasn’t here. It seems on the drive here, the King’s condition took a turn for the worse. He coughed up a significant amount of blood before passing out. They’ve set him up in the medical suite your mother had installed there and a doctor has stabilised him.”

Tears filled her eyes, “But… He’s been doing so well these past few months. The doctors said he was getting better.”

“I know,” he gave a nod, “I’m sorry to bring you news like this on so lovely a day. But people are starting to notice that they haven’t arrived.”

“Right,” she wrung her hands together to try and calm herself, “I need the car called, I need to get to Valtoria. Now.”

“Your Highness, I have instructions from the Queen that you are to remain here. Someone has to calm suspicions.”

“I’m not staying here, sipping tea and eating cake whilst my father is dying,” she snapped at him, voice low, “Come up with a story. Any story; security issue, bad food, gas leak, I don’t care. I am going to Valtoria if I have to drive myself. Now are you going to help me or are we going to make a scene in front of the nobility?”

He let out a sigh, “I told the Queen this would happen. Find your brothers and sister, I’ll have the car pick you up from behind the stables so no one sees you leave. I’ll find a way to shut down the party.”

“Thank you, Bastien,” she said, reaching up and pressing a kiss to the old guard’s cheek before rushing off to find her siblings.

They had to get to Valtoria.

[gloomy-goober]

The Door in the Basement

Creativity was told to avoid the basement but he was very curious about this new world. This curiosity leads him to discover a door with no handle.

Attempts to fly had been stopped about three times in the past two hours. 

Logic had stepped in before the youngest could do anything and decided for the child that jumping off the couch and the kitchen counter was a bad idea. Heart was no better when he was caught just before he was about to jump off the edge of the tub. 

Creativity was very bored and disheartened because of this. How was he supposed to join Peter in Neverland if he could not fly? He had been out of his room for three months and all he had gotten was ‘no, that idea won’t work’ or ‘maybe we save that for another day, sweet pea’. They just did not see his genius the way he needed them to. 

He loved the other two, he really did. They were the first friends he had ever had if one did not count the imaginary ones. He knew that they loved him back; Heart made sure to tell him that every night after story time.  

After he had attempted to jump from the tub, Heart had set him down in front of the television with Cinderella. Whatever explanation on what they were both going to do had been kicked from the creative side’s mind as soon as he saw the Disney logo.

Now the movie was over and the other two were not back His mind began to wander back around to some of the less crazy ideas he wanted to attempt.

 A dramatic sigh left the child and he slowly let himself slide off the couch as if that would get their attention from where ever they disappeared to. He sent a glance over to the hallways as the top of his head gently touched the carpet covered floor. 

Learning and Heart did not appear. 

Another dramatic sigh left the youngest as the rest of his body fell to the floor. a pout appeared on his childish face as he looked away from the hall to glare at his bare feet. 

“Now what am I gonna do?” he asked the empty space of Thomas’ mind. 

He glanced over at the VHS tapes that sat next to the television. He could put in another movie; maybe watch Peter Pan and see if that would help with his flying mission. The mission was aborted when he spotted something out of the corner of his eye that made him sit up with a grin. 

The door to the basement.

Heart had told him that the basement was an okay space but if one stayed in there it would start to make him ‘feel funny’. Learning had explained in more detail that the basement was Thomas’ darker part of the mind. They did not really go down there much because it just seemed like an unnecessary thing to do.

Creativity took both these explanations to meant there was a big adventure down there. One that he was not going to skip on a chance to have. 

He pushed himself to his feet and went to grab his wooden weapon of choice from the front hall. The younger side could hear Learning and Heart talking to each other somewhere down the main hallway but they did not seem to hear him moving around in the main hub. 

The boy did not leave them a chance to notice. With ease and stealth he made his way back across the room and pulled the basement door open. 

The cold that hit him made him freeze in place at the top; his hand locked onto the door handle. The stairs were carpeted and steep; a few windows let in some natural light but it seemed like the area was pretty dark. 

Creativity glanced back at the warmth of the hub as if hoping Heart and Logic would come back and tell him to get away from the door. They did not so he pushed forward. 

He flipped the light switch that was right by the door and relaxed a little when a warm light brightened the stairway. With a deep breath the young side started down the stairs slowly.

The basement was a very large dark space until he found the light switch and turned on the light. When the light was on it was not as scary as the older two had made it out to be. 

There was a giant TV in the wall for one thing and Creativity could already see all the amazing movie nights they could have down here. And there were about five doors in the walls around them. Upon investigation two of them were closets that held a little bit of junk. The young side guessed this is where forgotten items ended up. 

Another door led to a hallway that did not have a light switch that he could easily spot. The child decided it better to just leave that hallway be. The next door just led to a green room; it did not have anything that interesting in there so he did not go poking around. 

The last one was the most interesting. It was right across from the television and did not match up with the other doors simple make up. While the other four were white this one was painted blank. While the other four’s paint was nice and seemed to be a fresh coat while this one was cracked and even chipping. 

This last door also had no handle and this was a detail Creativity honed in on very quickly. Heart had told him that a door to a new side never had a handle until the other was ready to come out. This could be the new friend he needed. 

He ran across the room to the door and knocked on it loudly. 

“Hello!?! Is anyone in there?” 

His voice echoed around the mostly empty basement space and the young side pressed his ear against the doorway. He could not hear anything on the other side of the wood and a frown briefly came across his excited face. 

Was the side in the room not answering him on purpose or...or was it because Heart said that sometimes they can’t hear through the door. How could he forget that?

“Hold on! I am going to try something!” He called to the door though it would not help. The young child left his sword down by the door and ran back up the stairs.

Cautiously he peeked his head into the main hub and felt a relieved sigh leave him when the other two were no where to be seen. 

Creativity got to work quickly. He ducked into Heart’s room and grabbed the box of crayons and spare paper. With a quick glance sent around the hub he made his way back down the stairs and plopped himself down in front of the dark doorway to get to work. 

For the next hour he shoved messages under the door. Introducing himself, explaining what this place was, talking about himself, and asking questions about the person that probably lived on the other side of the door. Like what kind of side the one was, what was their favorite color, and what Disney movie was their favorite? The normal things. 

The boy even pushed a few blank pages under the door just in case the other did not have any paper to write back. He wanted to make sure that the other had enough to answer all the questions and pictures he was sending through. 

The last sheet of paper was used to draw a picture of himself, Learning, and Heart holding hands. He wrote their names over it so the new side would know who each of them are. Then it was all left to waiting. 

Creativity sat in front of that door and waited as patiently as he could for some kind of response. He clung to the hope that soon he would get a new friend and that there would be four instead of three. Every minute that passed without anything was torture and soon the coldness of the basement started to get to him.

Doubt started to swarm his mind and made the optimistic child frown.

What if there was no one there? What if I asked too many questions and scared them off? What if they hate me now? They probably hate me now. Why do I even bother? Heart and Learning even tried to get rid of me today because I am so annoying. 

“Creativity?” 

The sudden call for his name scared the nervous side out of his inner thoughts and he snapped his head towards the stairs. 

“Kiddo, where’d you go? Me and Learning got something to show you.” 

Creativity glanced at the doorway. He did not know how long he had sat there and waited but it seemed like he was not going to get an answer back. The youngest side gave a sad sigh and grabbed his sword from where he had propped it up next to the door and started towards the stairs. 

“I’m down here, Heart!” He called up the stairs. 

“What are you doing down there?” 

“I had to beat the basement troll,” Creativity said with a shrug. It was no use to get Heart’s hopes up about a door where no one answered. “What do you got to show me?” 

Creativity closed the door to the basement when he got to the top and smiled at the eldest side. Being back up with the warmth did bring some of his joy back; the disappointment that had been the possibility for a new friend already disappearing. The memory of that encounter soon to be forgotten.

Down in the cold basement, behind a dark door sat a young boy. The windows that were high up near the ceiling were covered in purple curtains to keep out the spooky shadows. The closet was locked with a rubber band to keep the monsters out. 

A small form was huddled up against the wall of his dark room, near a night light that was shaped like a small moon. His eyes were locked onto the papers that had been slid under his door with a small bit of fight and small bit of fear.

With a deep breath he moved forward and picked them all up to read them one by one. A smile slowly growing on his pale face as he read them one by one. 

Greetings! I’m Creativity, I’m a side of Thomas just like you! 

My favorite color is red, what is yours? I’m thinking it is black because your door is black. 

Do you like Disney? I love Disney! My favorite movie right now is Peter Pan. I am trying to learn to fly but Learning Logic and Heart won’t let me. They don’t get the greatness that woudl come with being able to fly. 

Oh yeah, Heart and Logic are also sides out here. They are Thomas’ emotions and his smarts. They were out before me so I guess that makes them older? Does that make you like my little sibling or something? I am just asking this because Heart likes to try and act like a parent while also being the biggest kid ever. 

Look I drew a dog! Do you like dogs? I love dogs! 

I forgot to ask, what is your name? I think it is important to have a name so Heart can start making your Christmas sock. Also we can paint it on your door so it looks cool! 

I made you a drawing of a cat and a dog. I made the cat black because I think black cats are cool. 

I am running out of paper, I could only take so much out of Heart’s room. I gave you some of mine in case you don’t have any to use. Not sure if you have a crayon but I can’t fit them under the door. Sorry. 

Hey, are you in there? I am just asking because it has been awhile and you haven’t written anything back. No rush or anything. 

The last one did not have any writing beside labeling the drawings on the page. 

There was a boy in a sweater vest with glasses and a bow-tie that was labeled as Learning. Next to him was a kid in a bright sweater, had glasses, and was drawn with a huge smile on his face that was labeled as heart. The last one was a hid that was posed dramatically with a wooden dagger, or sword maybe, and was dressed in green without any shoes on. It was simply labeled as “ME” which the child holding it concluded it meant that it was Creativity. 

Carefully the boy traced over the crayon drawn lines. There were people out there. He was not alone. 

Shakily he got to his feet with the pictures and writing all hugged to his chest. The child grabbed the tape off the small desk in the room and hopped up onto his bed. Carefully as he could, the young side taped all the messages and pictures to the walls around his bed. 

The colors of the paper seemed to lighten up the dark room and brought some joy to the shaken little boy. He did not want to look away from them but he still had one more thing to do. 

He jumped off the bed and hurried over to the pile of blank papers that was still by the door. He snatched a pencil off his desk and started to write. 

He wrote out his name, and his favorite color, and how he was not sure what Disney movie was his favorite yet. He made sure to answer all of Creativity's questions; the side even added a few doodles of his own around the page. Some stars and moons; and even some hearts. He was not sure what Creativity would like but he hoped he would like the doodles.  

The young side hoped the other would like this note after such a long wait. Creativity did say he could take his time and he was not sure what was happening when suddenly papers started to appear on his floor. 

With a deep breath he pushed the paper under the door and got comfortable in front of it to wait. Hope began to fill his gut as he waited for the next message from his new friend that would hopefully read “Hello Anxiety, it’s great to meet you!”

[clymacs]

Juuichi and Anki (4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 20) Tardy, Theo and Paula (1, 3, 4, 11, 16, 20) In general everyone (23)

ps: dividing the answers in two posts if that’s okay ; w ; )/

Juuichi

4: How do you get into your OC’s mindset to write for them? How do you find the muse for them?

I’m a disorganized mess so my methods are not anything special really I just mishmash two or more people that I know either IRL or in a story I’ve read and see which combo would best work. With Juuichi, well, Iida and Hatsume are hyper in their own ways, so this kid would be trembling with energy so I thought  a cross between one of my college profs and Jim Carrey would do the job. He’s also a creator, so maybe, maybe, there’s a little bit of him in me too.

6: What is your OC’s family situation? Do they get along? Do they fight? Or are they alone?

Currently? Mei and Tenya are busy with their own businesses, so more often they are away from home and Juu is left alone. When they do get together, it’s lively and full of stories, hugging, and occasional explosions or bone-breaking loljk abt the explosions part it happens often

7: What does your OC look for in a friend? Do they value friendship a lot?

He looks for someone he can have fun with first off, but eventually looks for someone he can confide in with his thoughts and feelings. Enthusiasm for books, heroes and/or technology development is a plus. He values his friends a lot.

9: What is your OC like when at work? Are they diligent? Slacker? Do they get along with their co-workers?

He has moods. Sometimes he’s stellar, sometimes stubbornly lazy. He gets along with his classmates (also with future workmates) well.

10: How do they deal with strangers?

Kindly, greeting them with a smile.

13: Do they have any favorite foods? Would they eat it all the time if they had the chance? What do they hate to eat?

He likes beef, especially if it’s beef udon, but if he has to cook it he’s okay with not eating it. He doesn’t like eating sweets, but he keeps mints in his pockets to keep him cool or to give away to people when making friends.

14: Pet peeves. Tell us what would really tick them off. Do they have a Berserk Button?

rude people, people who take advantage of others, people who use their talents to help schemers. he hates hot places for a good reason.

15: Does your OC have any awful fears? Do they get paralyzed with fear or can they work through their fears?

are insecurities counted as a type of fear? coz he can work his way around it after throwing some silent tantrums.

20: What are Tropes you associate with your muse?

skewed priorities

skilled, but naive

allergic to routine

attention deficit… ooh! shiny!

cannot convey sarcasm

chronic hero syndrome

fragile flower, among others

23: Any ships for your OC?

So far, just Ankibroships!~ Juuichi and success on his dreams, Juuichi and more water, Juuichi and a box of band-aids 

Anki

4: How do you get into your OC’s mindset to write for them? How doyou find the muse for them?

With Anki, I try tocall out my inner frustrated businesswoman side. She’s also my pent-up sass androast queen incarnate. To think up of snarky comebacks she’ll drop I have reador watch a lot of clapbacks/roasting. She’s a mix of my sassy friends, Nononfron Kill la Kill, Anna from Shaman King, Kaya Satozuka of Midnight Secretary and a few parts of yah basic tsundere.

6: What is your OC’s family situation? Do they get along? Do theyfight? Or are they alone?

Her family consists of her parents and 9 othersiblings. They’re barely there financially. She gets along with her parentsalright but she fights with at least 4 of her siblings. She particularlydislikes the eldest but she adores her youngest sibling.

7: What does your OC look for in a friend? Do they valuefriendship a lot? 

She likes wit, creativity, resourcefulness,and preferably a person with an influence to a large group. She doesn’t reallyhave that much friends, the closest she has to one are Juuichi and her youngestsibling.

9: What is your OC like when at work? Are they diligent? Slacker?Do they get along with their co-workers? 

She intentionally flunks or makes her gradesbordeline passing because back in elementary, she wasaccused of cheating due to her quirk. She’s hard to get along with because shelikes doing things her own way.

10: How do they deal with strangers? 

Snobbyyyyy

13: Do they have any favorite foods? Would they eat it all thetime if they had the chance? What do they hate to eat?

She likes those pastry-meat-veggie combos likeshawarmas, burgers and burritos and I see her spending her first paycheck on(savings and) those. She’s not fond of sweets.

14: Pet peeves. Tell us what would really tick them off. Do theyhave a Berserk Button?

Juuichi being loud. Anything or anyone that’stoo loud, one of the reasons why she hates almost all of her siblings so much.

15: Does your OC have any awful fears? Do they get paralyzed withfear or can they work through their fears?

Having to end up like her parents and some ofher siblings who are content with being human test subjects for quirk research.Knowing this fear makes her work harder (?).

20: What are Tropes you associate with your muse?

spirited young lady

girly girl with a tomboy streak

tsundere

sassy secretary

sarcastic devotee

with friends like these (with juu)

flat joy and more

23: Any ships for your OC? 

Anki and stopping from being too harsh on Juuichi, Anki and financial stability, Anki and duct tape on her mouth when she’s about to make a snarky comment on anything