#the longer i look at this the less it looks like tanya sorry

[ladiesngerms]

SHE LOOKED LIKE ME!

[peakyblinders1919]

Haddie Harrington Pt 7

|part 1| |part 2| |part 3| |part 4| part 5 | part 6|

Legs shaking under the guise of the table, he hadn’t been this nervous since… well he couldn’t pinpoint a time he was ever this nervous. Or maybe it was the day the party went back into The Upsidedown to defeat Vecna, when the whole world seemed to rip in two, when his heart ripped in two.

Wanting not to dwell on that day again, the feelings associated with it coming to life in a kicking up of nausea in his stomach, heat blooming from his chest to the tips of his ears, the pink tint matching that of his cheeks, he busied himself.

His gaze was unsteady, shifting from the door every time the chime rang through the otherwise peaceful coffee shop, to the two cups of coffee on the table, steaming less as they cooled, to the watch, focusing on the gold hands ticking further and further past 7. He didn’t want to be nervous, told himself there was nothing to be nervous about, but he wasn’t used to being stood up, he was the one who used to do the standing up when someone better came along… no. That was the old Steve. King Steve. Though maybe he should try and, no. He shook his head, his thoughts getting the better of him.

The clock was nearing 7:10, Haddie’s bedtime, and he contemplated using the payphone outside to call Robin and check-in, but then he’d be leaving the table empty, your cups unattended, and what if you walked in and it looked like he did stand you up after everything.

No.

He wouldn’t walk out on you ever again. 

He wouldn’t even make it look that way.

He took a few sips, the caffeine doing nothing to prevent the nervousness he felt, only amp it up a few notches. Holding the cup, he noticed his hands were sweaty, sweatier than when there was one minute left on the clock and the ball was in his hands, at the three-point line. He was nervous for many different reasons, the biggest one not if you were going to show up, but having to finally admit the truth to you when you did.

There was a minute where everything in him shifted, hoping maybe you wouldn’t show up, leading you to reschedule, anything to buy him time, but he decided it was now or never, that he wanted it to happen sooner rather than later. At the precise moment the chime went off again and he looked up to see you strolling in through the door. 

It was your smile, the way you seemed to float through the room, the warmth of your eyes and the crinkles around them that were there only when you smiled that genuinely, that made his heart thump rapidly but worked to dissipate all the nerves running through his veins. It was the hug you greeted him with, tight and warm and familiar, that made him believe he was ready for this. The kiss on the cheek extra icing on the cake.

“I’m sorry I’m so late. Conferences ran longer than expected, and Tanya’s mom wouldn’t stop talking about the unnatural way she holds a pencil, which is true but how can someone talk about that for 15 minutes, right? And then Danny’s mom and dad wouldn’t stop talking about how their son got hit by your daughter and I tried to tell them he’s fine, there’s no real damage, quite frankly because Danny’s already been damaged beyond belief and… oh. You don’t want to hear about any of this…. I’m sorry Steve. Thanks for ordering this, could probably use something stronger,” you winked, took a sip of your coffee, slowly finding that it also did little to help you stop your rambling, leaving you breathless. Only registering now that he was fully enticed, in a trance, chin resting in the cup of his hand, eyes lingering on you. 

“Danny’s mom and dad are talking about Haddie?” He sat up straighter at that, whatever spell or curse you held over him broken by the mention of his daughter.

“No… well… listen they’re fine. They’re not mad at her, they’re more mad at me…”

The skin between his brows crinkled as he furrowed, the little intricaces of his face and gestures once memorized now harder to crack. He didn’t want anyone to be mad at you, espeically not on his behalf. 

It felt like routine again already, reaching across the table to find Steve and offer him any sort of touch in comforting, reassuring silence; this time a quick squeeze to his forearm to get those little concerned crinkles off of his face, replacing them with the ones near his eyes that only appeared when he smiled.

“I’m sorry, sometime’s it’s hard not to talk about them. You know, I’m sure, you’d talk circles around anyone who’d be willing to listen to you about Haddie, right? Imagine having-”

“25.” He finished for you, leaving you in a stunned silence, looking at him over the edge of your coffee mug. So much more was said between you too in that silence than could have been said with words. Reading your mind, finishing your sentences, always one step ahead of you…

You’d never left Hawkins, and yet you finally felt at home.

“Yeah… yeah… exactly,” You cleared your throat after starting at him. All of him. Every part of him, wondering how he did it after all these years, how he still looked like the same cocky jock from high school who wore a chain of armor to protect his heart of gold, just a better verision of him now. The silence lingered still, you wanting a one way ticket into that head of his as he took a sip without ever taking his eyes off of you.

More than that smile, he missed your voice. Hearing the twinkle in your laughter, the way he could literally hear your smile, knowing you rambled when you were excited rather than nervous, and only did so when you were comfortable, a string of words sounding so perfect, your ability to tell stories and have him sitting on the edge of his seat listening to every word, studying the movements of your lips, like he caught himself doing now.

“I don’t mind listening to it, you know.” He cleared his throat too, the buttonup suddenly feeling too tight. 

“No, no, it’s been a long night. No more talk about work. This is a date, yeah? Let’s talk about ourselves, hm… like… what you do for work. Or more importantly, what’re you doing back here in Hawkins?” You were met with a sigh that seemed too big for him to have an easy answer to your question. “Or… or… we can talk about whatever you want.” You tried with a smile. 

Tension rolled off his shoulders.

“Me, yeah, work…” he cleared his throat, undoing the top button as though it would ease the tightness in his chest. Nerves. Anxiety. There was a lot to catch up on.

It only made your eyes dip below his face, a little window into him, all skin and dark hair and warmth.

“Well… well…” he emphasized, “I’m a salesman. Cars. BMV’s specifically, only luxury cars, top of the line German models. After all those years at Scoops and Family Video, and even dealing with the kids day and night, I guess I got some pretty good experience dealing with assholes I can convince them they need the new, falshier, more expensive model. Makes more money then you’d think too, and you’ve got to know everything, I mean everything about cars. When I was figuring out where I was going to go, my transmission went in Arizona in the middle of the literal desert and I had to figure out how to get it started and at least back to the gas station-”

“Why?”

One word that held the weight of thousands. His voice was captivating as well, lulling you in until you were literally leaning closer to him. It was nice to see his eyes lit up at the mention of something he cared about, the way they look when he’s looking at Haddie, the way they looked once when he used to look at you.

And somewhere in the middle of his story you couldn’t containing it anymore, the ache in your chest that was the result of holding it in for so long, for never asking what you wanted to know most.

“Why? Why’d I have to get to the gas station? I’d be stranded otherwise…” 

“No,” you smiled lightly at his blissful ignorance, though Steve Harrington was no idiot. “I mean why,” you stressed the word. “Why’d you do it? Why’d you leave? Leave Hawkins, leave all of us wondering… leave me?”

Like a balloon, your question was the dart and he sat before you deflating. It was a long inhale, a deep sigh, a few sips of coffee, an extended silence, a few moments to work it out in his head, and a question before he explained it all.  “We definitely need something stronger.”

[thefanficmonster]

Promise

Anthony (The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope) x Reader (Female)

Warnings: Death scenes, Grief, Housefire, Angst, Swearing

Genre: Angst, Romance

Summary: Sneaked glances and pass-by smiles are often times the start of the most beautiful of love stories. Sadly, many of those stories end too quickly, too soon for the souls in love to be able to enjoy them. This is the story of Y/N and Anthony. The love story that started with a promise and ended in flames.

Requested by @niksoiio Hi dear! Thank you so much for your wonderful request! I apologize for taking so long, but here it finally is! I know how excited you were for this fic, so I hope it fulfills your expectations and doesn’t let you down! Please enjoy! Love, Vy ❤

Never is a love story as pure as one long awaited to commence. The souls patiently waiting to intertwine, the emotions dying to shine through more than just glances and secret smiles. Feelings to mix, collide and dance together, creating a symphony of a lifetime. The symphony of love that lives beyond the end of the very souls that sparked it.

This is a love story, a story of loss, and a clear example, proof that a love simply doesn’t die. It’s an everlasting flame - burning brighter than the one that attempted to destroy it.

                                                              ~~~

“You seem restless tonight.“ Anthony walks into the living room, placing a cup of hot cocoa on the coffee table in front of Y/N who’s reading the back cover of the book he has been keeping himself busy with lately. 

Y/N has been Tanya’s friend since they met in middle school. When their friendship carried over into high school, that’s when her and Tanya’s adoptive brother Anthony met. They instantly became friends, sharing their love for thrillers and murder mysteries, similar taste in music and relatively similar personalities - the quiet peacemakers. The lovers, not fighters. Well, not fighters unless necessary. They are both protectors with many people they care about and would do anything to keep them safe. The two of them are pretty similar that way. 

Very compatible, as some would say. Tanya being the first to notice the connection between two of the closest people in her life. Knowing the shyness of the two and their self-doubt, she chose not to speak up about it until spoken to, expecting them to take ages to finally see what’s been going on between them. Guess she wasn’t far from the truth.

On this night Y/N and Tanya were supposed to spend their time studying together for the last exam of the semester before Christmas break began. They have agreed to meet at the Clarke house at six PM in the afternoon which has long passed and Tanya is still yet to return from the date she went on with her boyfriend Vince. She promised Y/N she’d make it home by six, but now it’s eight and there’s no sign of her whatsoever. A snowstorm started slowly taking over the town approximately two hours ago, probably the reason behind her friend’s absence, but to Y/N’s dismay, also the reason she’d have to spend the night at the Clarke household because her parents wouldn’t be able to collect her in this weather, especially not with the run-down car they drive.

“Sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She nods in gratitude at the boy who sits down on the couch next to her as she takes the mug containing the hot beverage with as firm of a grip as she can muster with her shaky hands. 

She has indeed been restless since she arrived. Walking into the house, apart from Anthony who had let her in, the first person she saw was the youngest member of the family - Megan. The little girl has never done anything to her in particular, but there has always been something about her that has unnerved Y/N. Something in her eyes and demeanor, how empty and hollow her gaze was, almost like she was looking through people and objects instead of at them. The smile she sent her as a greeting sent chills down her spine, leaving her hands and knees shaky and her body jittery as if the house was colder than the outdoors. The thought that she’d have to sleep in this house made her stomach clench with discomfort, a sickening feeling of wrong taking over her mind and body.

“Maybe it’s the exam. You know, if Tanya doesn’t make it, I can help you. It’s not a difficult subject, after all.“ Anthony attempts to reassure her, giving her a sympathetic look as he takes a sip of his own cup.

She gives him a soft smile and another nod of appreciation for his offer, “No, it’s not that. Or at least I think it isn’t. Exams don’t make me nervous until after I’ve finished them, if that makes sense.” She giggles weakly, basking in the warmth of the porcelain cup in her ice cold hands. It doesn’t have much of an effect though - instead of warming up her skin, her hands are basically cooling the drink and she still feels as tense and endangered as ever. “But a study partner could be pretty useful, thank you.”

After finishing the rather disappointing movie they found on TV as well as their drinks, they make their way to Anthony’s room to actually get some studying done because, judging by the nearing of nine PM and the constant lack of her friend, she wouldn’t be returning on time. Anne attempts to offer them before they go, an offer which they turn down in favor of making the most of the time they have left before their brains would require rest for the day.

“You see, I get that it’s far less complicated than it seems, but I’m terrible at paying attention in classes, let alone at taking notes.“ Y/N admits while they take a short ten minute break between note-reading and revising the chapters they’ll have an exam on the following day.

Anthony’s eyebrows furrow, “Why’s that? I mean, the professor isn’t boring. Not to me, at least.“

She shakes her head, “No, no, far from it. The rare time’s I’ve managed to focus I quite enjoyed the lectures. But I tend to get too stuck inside my head to hear anything else. My brain gets overwhelmed by the future, by what’s gonna happen five minutes, five days or maybe even five years from the present moment. I sometimes get so lost in those thoughts that I end up...this is gonna sound weird, but I feel like I end up living them.” Somewhere along the lines she could no longer hold his gaze, embarrassed and afraid of how his opinion of her might change with this newly revealed information.

However, much to her surprise, when her eyes meet his again he’s looking at her with nothing but intrigue and child-like curiosity. No amusement or humor or mocking, just wondering, hoping to find out more. Little does she know, that’s how he always looks at her when she is facing the other way. “That’s so interesting. I guess the real question is: Do the things you imagine ever end up coming true?” It was said with a lighthearted smile with the intention of easing the tension in her, calming her nerves, but he had unintentionally struck a chord.

She nods her head, her eyes widening slightly, “Well that’s the weirdest part - they do. Almost all the time unless I do something to prevent it. It freaks me out every time.” An aura of fear surrounds and inhabits her as her gaze wanders away from his again, this time subconsciously, “It scares me so much, Anthony. I know something’s terribly wrong with me. I’m a freak of nature or...I don’t even know what. I just know it’s bad. And I probably shouldn’t have told you all of this cause you now won’t ever look at me the same, you will avoid me. Call me crazy behind my back. I see why but-...”

Before the petrified girl could continue rambling, Anthony takes hold of her hands, firm and comforting. The sudden, unexpected contact of their hands silences her, freezing her eyes on his as she breathes heavily in hopes to stabilize her rapid heart and far worse shakiness. With his hands holding hers, she feels protected, guarded from whatever the future may hold and from the very fact that she could probably find out if she tried. For once though, she doesn’t feel like she has to. She doesn’t need to see what will happen and prepare, she trusts it won’t be so bad as long as she has this boy holding her by the hands, looking at her with such softness in his green orbs staring back at her.

“But that’s all nonsense, Y/N. I’d never say something behind your back, especially not something meanspirited or ill-willed. You...“ he trails off, hesitating for just a moment longer, deciding against prolonging this grey area his feelings have been locked in for far too long as it is, “You are very important to me, more than you know. I could never see you as anything but amazing, mesmerizing. You’re you, Y/N. And that’s why....“ Hesitation and doubt make one final attempt at beating his courage bloody. Much like last time, they fail and Anthony carries on, “That’s the reason I’ve fallen in love with you, Y/N. Quirks, oddities, they are all beautiful cause they are yours. And I love them cause they make you who you are.“

He has somehow managed to turn the tables on her, leaving her to be the speechless one despite her having just revealed her freaky ‘abilities’ to him. What looks like a fiasco in her mind he’s made seem like a perfectly put together kaleidoscope. Like every piece of her shattered courage and bravery is back in it’s spot. Although he’s somewhat managed to put her together, she’s still a long way from being whole, which is why words have failed her now. She hasn’t felt so complete in so long, and now the final piece missing is that response that just refuses to leave her chest.

Seeing her stunned as she is, Anthony feels the need to apologize, justify his out-of-the-blue confession that startled her so much, “I know I should’ve you sooner, or at least picked a better moment but-...”

It’s her turn to cut him off though her method is much more efficient - silencing him by pressing her lips against his.   Though caught off-guard, Anthony is quick to respond to it, kissing her back with the same amount of love she’s put in on her end.

“Hey, Y/N, I’m so sor- WHOA!“ The two pull apart at the sound of the familiar female voice that has suddenly filled the room. Tanya has picked the worst of moments to be coming home, and she’s more than aware of it. Despite feeling guilty for interrupting her brother and best friend’s moment, she’s also glad she didn’t miss it. After all, she’s been watching the two suffer in silence, pining for each other since the start of their high school freshmen year and even now that they’re in college. They’ve been quiet about their feelings for more than four years and she can’t be happier to finally see the prophecy fulfilled. “You know how long I’ve been waiting for you two to finally succumb to your hearts and turn those lame brains you have off?! Oh this is a relief like no other.” The older girl laughs, pleased with the outcome of four years of looking on at two very important people in her life adoring one another and not saying a word. Needless to say, she’s proud of them.

“Do you know what knocking is, Tanya?“ Anthony is the first to recover from the initial shock of his sister’s appearance.

“Only in theory. Not in practice.“ She replies sarcastically, giving a pleased smile that speaks volumes of how her spirits have been lifted all thanks to them. “I’ll go downstairs, pretend I didn’t see what I saw, make myself a cup of tea to warm up and when I come back I want to see that you two have pulled yourselves together. Your faces are burning red.” She instructs, backing out of the room but not before fixing them a narrow-eyed warning look.

She wasn’t wrong - they are indeed blushing a deep red and all they can do is smile when they look at each other, giggling a tiny bit.

Suddenly, Y/N’s eyes widen as though she has just remembered something of great importance. “Wait.” She mutters, more to herself than to Anthony. Her hand swiftly slides the ring off the middle finger of her left hand and offers it to Anthony, “Here.” The boy takes it hesitantly, turning it between his fingers as gently and cautiously as he can as though the ring would crack if his grip became any firmer. “By taking in, you’re making a statement, a promise. A promise that you won’t change your mind about me...about us by tomorrow. Or the day after that. Or by next week.” She’s unable to look at him yet again, instead focusing on her fidgeting hands rested in her lap.

After a brief moment of contemplating, Anthony hands her back the ring, “I don’t need to make a promise, I know I won’t change my mind. You could look into the future and see for yourself too.” He tells her reassuringly, a sweet smile on his face to show the lightheartedness of what he’s said, afraid it might be offensive to her if he didn’t clarify.

She shakes her head, “For once in my life I don’t want spoilers for the future. I’ll just let it play out. I’ll see it when it happens.” She pushes the ring back to him, “But I still want you to keep this. A reminder, if not a promise. A reminder that I promise to love you for a very long time.”

A warmth spreads throughout his chest, the wholesomeness of the moment having reached to his heart and soul. He curls his fingers over the ring protectively, “Alright, I’ll take it. As a promise that I too promise to love you for even longer.”

The strings of emotion connecting them are slowly being pulled, bringing them closer once again. They both lean in, ready to feel that incredible magic of a love-filled kiss another time.

“Consider this me knocking! My hands are kinda full so just open the door if I can come in!“ Lips less then an inch apart, they’re interrupted by the shout coming from the other side of the bedroom door.

The young pair laugh, accepting that their moment will have to be postponed before Anthony goes to let his sister, who’s carrying a cup of tea and some snacks, in. All Y/N can think about is how much happiness she’s found so unexpectedly, in a place she was all but willing to stay at. Life is full of surprises and unforeseen moments, so many things one can never predict. And even though Y/N can predict them, now she’d rather not. She now understands the importance of surprises in life and she wants to cherish them properly.

                                                            *  *  *

Flames, fear, screams, shouts, cries. All painted on the backs of her eyelids. The mortifying images playing out in front of her jolt her awake.

A nightmare, it’s just a nightmare, she tells herself.

But upon opening her eyes she is met by the misty darkness of the smoke-filled room her and her best friend are currently in. 

A nightmare that she could’ve predicted and warned the others about.

“Y/N, get out of the window! I need to find Megan!“ Tanya tells her urgently, ushering her towards the windowsill, “Go! Anthony will catch you!“

Looking down at the snow*covered yard below, she sees Anthony’s figure, motioning for her to jump. She can barely hear him over the ringing and thumping in her head but she trusts him. She believes she’ll be ok if she chooses to rely on him. So, following both his and his sister’s instructions, she jumps, falling into his arms. For a few moments it’s all blank around her and in her head. She wonders if it’s just the feeling of the fall or the fact that she could’ve died so easily. Or maybe the close proximity to Anthony. Either way his whisper wakes her up from the blank trance she has fallen into.

“It’s ok, I got you.“ He steadies Y/N on her shaky feet, taking her head and leading her to the front of the house.

The next few minutes are a show of nothing but horror and pain. Her and Anthony witness it together, unable to do anything but look on as ever member of the Clarke family, one by one, has life escaping their bodies in the most brutal of ways: Tanya and Megan never made it out of the house; Mr. Clarke was caught under the fallen ceiling in the living room and Dennis was the worst, having impaled himself on the fence below the attic window.

They saw it all happen. They couldn’t do anything. Fear-ridden, powerless and helpless, frozen in their spots by the horrifying scenes playing out in front of them.  With tears brimming her eyes and blurring her vision and her knees almost completely giving out, Y/N felt a little bit of her die with each member of the family. A large chunk of her died along with them. She can only imagine how Anthony feels.

“Mom...“ The distressed boy mutters, “Mom’s still in there! Mom!“ Before she could stop him, he’s running towards what used to be the front door of the house and into the burning hallway.

Y/N’s heart drops, adrenaline and the primal instinct to save the person she loves kicking in bringing her legs to life, carrying her forward. “Anthony no!” A loud cry of desperation leaves her aching chest.

She too enters the hallway, surrounded by the overwhelming heat that feels like it’s burning her skin off. She doesn’t dwell on that though, instead she lunges forward, hands grabbing at Anthony’s arm with all her might and yanking him back with as much strength as she has left. Thankfully, it’s enough to send the boy stumbling back, falling on the snow out in the yard, falling to safety just in time.

Just when the ceiling in the hallway collapses. Directly on top of Y/N.

Like the last breath had been drawn out of Anthony’s lungs. Like his last hope had just been shredded to pieces.

Like his life ended along with her, his heart severed and plucked out of his chest, thrown into the flames.

He bows his head, uncontrollable cries leaving his body, each feeling like a punch to the gut - oh so painful and oh so dreadful. As though his very soul is draining from his body with each scream of agony. Then he spots the shimmer in the snow, the twinkle in his darkened vision.

The promise ring that had fallen out of his pocket, its smooth, gleaming surface unharmed, reflecting the raging flames in front of him. Its statement, its meaning standing stronger than ever - an everlasting love. A brightly burning flame ignited by two souls so adored by each other. And even though one of the flames that started the fire has been extinguished, the fire of love hasn’t wavered.

The ring is sending him a message:

This is far from the end of his love. Far from the end of hers either. When two souls intertwine the way theirs have, the bond cannot be broken.

                                                            *  *  *

Half a century has passed and Anthony has never missed the day - each year gracing the town of Little Hope with his presence to commemorate his late family and loved one, bringing a flower to each of their graves.

Survivor’s guilt still haunts him. That night’s events still keep him up at night and the images still seep into his dreams. However, now he has a way to cope with it. He writes. He writes in a diary but in such a way that it’s composed of letters. Letters addressed to different members of his family though the majority are love letters for Y/N. He tells her about his day, how he wishes she were by his side, how he whishes they had more time or acted on their feeling sooner.

How he loves her even more now, how they have remained connected.

“Funny how we haven’t run into each other before. Fifty years and this is the first time I’m seeing you here.“ The deep male voice startles him, “I knew we’d run into each other eventually.“

It’s Vince, Tanya’s boyfriend - the person who’s been placing the flowers Anthony find on Tanya’s grave every year. He always assumed it was him, another man forever in love with the soul that is left to linger after its body vanished. Another man chained by a memory, one he wouldn’t escape even if he could. He still loves Tanya, no doubt about it, and he wishes to never stop loving her. Him and Anthony are rather similar that way.

“Though it was you. No one else knows Tanya’s favorite flowers.“ Anthony motions to the bouquet of white flowers in Vince’s hands, “Surprised you’re still here.“ He knows it’s not the wisest thing to say to a man who’s suffering down the same road of guilt and grief - the road only lit by the everlasting love that has remained in his heart as well as Vince’s.

“Surprised you haven’t stopped coming around.“ He replies though they both know what’s insinuated - they understand why neither of them can let go. They’re bound to bodiless souls that reside here. They are both more than determined to stay as close as possible to those souls they are so hopelessly in love with.  Vince’s eyes trail down to Anthony’s hand which is holding the bouquet he was going to place on his sister’s grave. He catches the glint of a ring on his finger, “You’re married?”

The promise ring. He’s chosen to wear it in place of a wedding ring. It is not only a way to cope but it’s exactly what him and Y/N agreed on all those years ago - a reminder that they’ll love each other for a very long time. For forever.

“Yes. I’m married.“

He indeed is - to Y/N and the memory of her. To her soul that his will forever be connected to.

@artlovingbre  @sparrow-gg  @megandaisy9

[goldeneyedgirl]

mcu xover: jar of hearts 3/?

Oh yes, my MCU x Twilight crossover is still happening.

And this chapter may even reference the MCU directly. SHOCKING. 

Seriously, I’m so sorry this took so long. I’ve been writing a lot, across a lot of different fics and this one slid to the back of the queue. Also, I wrote myself into a corner and needed to get out again. 

And yes, we’re inching closer to joining up the MCU. These things take time, but it’ll happen. 

part two here

roadtrip.

They’re almost in Arizona when Charlie calls to find out where the fuck Seth Clearwater is, because apparently he’s been tangling up his story all over town - he’s told anyone on the Res who asks that he’s staying with Charlie. He’s told Charlie that he’s staying with Colin or Brady.

Alice scowls at Seth through the rearview mirror and begins to weave a tale of being told Seth had permission to join them to go see their cousins - in between lecturing Seth about setting them up for a kidnapping charge across state lines.

By the end of the conversation, Charlie’s trying not to snigger at Alice’s increasingly indignant rant at Seth, at law breaking in general, and at fucking  son-of-a-bitch moron drivers, sweet Jesus. Emmett and Seth are howling at Alice’s cussing and even Charlie is a little bit shocked at her language (later, when the boys are picking on her about it, she rolls her eyes, looks over the top of her heart-shaped sunglasses, and reminds them both - quite primly - that she married a goddamned soldier.)

Seth’s favourite part of the whole ordeal is that Alice isn’t even driving.

But Charlie clears Seth accompanying them, so that’s one less problem. Of course, it means his Jeep stinks of human food, and that they have to stop, but they still make good time up to Alaska.

It’s a hard drive to make - closer to the cities and urban, abandoned cars have been moved off the road. But in the rural areas, cars are still scattered, seemingly abandoned or crashed. Most of the bodies have been removed, thankfully. But still, only most. And it’s been weeks - months - since it happened, so those bodies aren’t in good condition.

And not all of them are adults.

They start out burying the people they find (well, Emmett and Alice do - they both insist Seth stay in the damn car), but then only the children.

Then they just stop because they are both tired of handling rotting bodies who never should have died, let alone forgotten on the side of a long, empty stretch of highway. The graves they’ve already dug haven’t got markers or anything. Just a hole on the side of the road.

It doesn’t feel like enough.

The house in Denali feels wrong before they even get out of the car. The house has always had a sense of otherness, thanks to the fact that it’s the permanent residence of immortals. But right now, it feels more forgotten, lesser in a way.

Tanya’s walking out the front door the second the car pulls up, and she looks old. Tired and strained, and she walks straight into the hug Alice offers.

Seth gapes at the house - the enormous glass-and-wood lodge, tucked carefully in the wilderness where it is mostly forgotten. It might be on a map somewhere, might be noted down in some database, but it is mostly overlooked, a sanctuary in the middle of nowhere.

There’s not really much for them to say or do in Alaska, Emmett realises; Carmen and Tanya are more than capable enough to manage on their own.

Except… Carmen looks like a ghost. She looks disorientated and disinterested, and there’s a part of Emmett that is cold and dead that is perversely fascinated with all the different ways there are to fall apart after the loss of a mate. He’s walking around like a hollowed-out old man, Alice is… not quite there, a little unbalanced.

Sometimes he wonders if Rosalie should have stayed, should have taken his place instead. He would have given it to her, without question. Rose only deserved good things, easy things.

But then he wonders. If living through it all really was easy or good. It doesn’t feel like it, most days. It’s a heavy weight in his chest and a constant feeling of leaving something behind (he’s got one of her hair ties around his wrist; it’s dumb but he always had one on him just in case - at school, when they went hunting, everywhere; he’s also got one of her shirts in his bag. It won’t smell right, being crammed in with his stuff, but he brought it anyway).

Rose wouldn’t have been happy in this world. She wouldn’t have known what to do with Alice or Seth. She would have been angry at the disruption to her life. She would have been afraid and lonely and lashed out at everyone.

No, not good and easy at all.

Then he wonders how Jasper would have faired, without Alice, and that is a grim, grizzly train of thought. Thanos would have begged for death, if Alice had been taken and Jasper left behind. He’s only ever seen a glimpse of the monster behind the man over the decades since Jasper and Alice joined the family, and it’s enough to think that perhaps nature intervened and tried to protect everyone from what Jasper would become without Alice.

They stay in Alaska for two days; Tanya and Carmen are ill-at-ease with Seth, even after they explain who he is.

“But,” Tanya had frowned, “why is he with you?”

He didn’t have an answer for that.

Because Seth was… he was Other, like the Cullens. He understood what it was like to be special and expect to be strong enough to survive and to save; to be beyond the reach of petty mortal shit. He was a fucking kid, who’d lost his family, his friends, and most of his community. Fuck, at this rate, he’d lost his childhood too. He was the natural leader of what remained of the pack, and he’d done something fairly smart - looked for adult guidance.

A shame that the only thing he could find in its place was him and Alice. If someone had ranked his family by ‘best choice to care for a teenage boy’ he, Alice, and Jasper would have been dead last. Edward would have ranked higher.

(It still feels weird to think or talk about Alice without adding ‘and Jasper’. Like he’s mispronouncing a word.)

But it is what it is, and Seth’s still clocking more hours doing online school than online games on the laptop Alice gave him, plus there’s a bunch of food in the back of the Jeep, so they aren’t failing too badly.

Seth turns red when Tanya smiles at him, and Alice banishes him to a guest room, loudly forbidding any imprinting for the next decade, and that just means Emmett has to explain imprinting to Carmen and Tanya, and Alice has to read the riot act to Tanya about not flirting with the fourteen-year-old boy upstairs and it almost feels like old times.

They go hunting whilst Seth is asleep, and it’s obvious that nothing is the same. So much of the forest surrounding the house is just… gone. Empty, as if there was never trees looming over them, underbrush to push through. There are less animals to track and hunt, no excuse to be picky.

It was probably the same around Forks, truthfully, except there was that cloud of grief and horror surrounding him and Alice when they hunted - that was where Edward stumbled and fell. That was where Jasper couldn’t run any longer.

That was where he heard Alice scream when Rosie disintegrated.

In the harsh light of day, the situation feels much bleaker, much bigger outside of the insular forests of the Olympic Peninsula.  

They don’t see a single bear.

He’s not entirely sure why they’ve come to Alaska, except he sees Carmen and Alice go off together, finds them sitting quietly together talking. On one hand, he wishes that he could sit with them; that he lost Rose just like they lost Jasper and Eleazer, but on the other hand, he doesn’t want to be a part of that particular club. Doesn’t have words left to comfort Carmen. Most of his platitudes have started sounding hollow.

Alice vanishes one morning, and leaves him to help Seth with school work, and he grimly realises they have nearly four more years of this until Seth graduates. But things will be different before then; they’ll be back in Forks and Seth can ask paid professionals to explain algebra to him.

When Alice returns, it’s time to go - she’s been off in the wilderness, trying to See around Seth, and deciding to go off on her own is, apparently, the best way.

“Call us if you need anything,” Tanya says, pulling all three of them into crushing hugs, and if Seth turns red and tries to look down Tanya’s top, Alice pretends not to notice.

“Where are you headed next?” Carmen asks, as Seth climbs in the back, clutching an energy drink they’re all going to regret.

Alice smiles. But it’s the wrong kind of smile; it’s sharp and sinister and looks wrong on her face. A Cheshire Cat smile, a Joker smile, and Emmett wonders if after all these years together, if Jasper’s reactive violence hasn’t bled into his wife a little.

“We’re going to Mexico.”

—

The trip to Mexico can be described as long.

If the Jeep wasn’t Rosalie’s last gift to him, then they probably could have run there faster, even with Seth in tow. But there won’t be anymore perfectly modified cars ever again, so he’s staying with the Jeep.

Alice gives up the passenger seat once they make it through to Alberta, apologetic that Seth’s been crammed in the backseat. But then Alice starts muttering to herself, tapping away on her phone, and seems distracted and irritated when Emmett tries to get her attention.

He can’t make out what she’s saying at all, it’s just an irregular hum, and he wonders if she’s having more of her one-sided conversations with Jasper.

The trip takes a week, winding through landlocked states. It shouldn’t take so long except everything is in chaos; they lose an entire afternoon carefully shifting some abandoned cars off the road to get the Jeep through in the middle of backwoods Montana. They spend hours waiting for gas every time they stop. And Seth might be a mystical shapeshifter, but he needs a proper bed, and hot food, and human moments; they have varying success at finding all three, but they try, and Seth is nothing if not agreeable and grateful for even the smallest attempt at making him comfortable.

They find an abandoned farm in Wyoming and they let Seth transform and run for a few hours at dusk, sitting on the front of the Jeep in silence until it’s dark enough for them to hunt, as well.

It feels like the world has ended, some days, and they are the only ones left - to him, at least. Maybe that’s why Alice is talking to herself - it’s the only sensible answer she’ll get.

Some towns are empty; no one for miles. The information that filters through the internet mentions people heading to the cities, to the larger towns, because the population is too small to keep so many different settlements functioning. There’s no money or survival if you’ve lost your entire farm, if the hospital or the school is unmanned.

And Emmett wonders if he’s been cured of human blood for good now he’s seen so much of it spilt, stale and rotting, on the backroads of the country. It feels like everything smells just a little bit like decomposition right now. He’s not sure if that’s him or if that’s everything.

And they get closer to Mexico.

—

They arrive just as the day turns to night, and he expects… he’s not sure what he expects, honestly. Maybe setting up in the motel they’ve found, that Alice has declared a safe distance from any of Maria’s plotting, and getting Seth some fresh food - he hasn’t complained, but even Emmett’s tired of the pre-packaged, long-life crap.

Instead, Alice slips from the car, clad in jeans and a leather jacket, tucking her phone in her back pocket.

“I’ll be back in a few hours,” she says, like she’s going alone.

“What?” Seth looks suspiciously at the pair of them, and it’s only later that he realises the kid is terrified of being left behind. That he’ll cling to their belt loops with his dying breath. His mom left, his sister left, his friends and pack left, and he took a chance on leaving everything else that was left to stick with them.

That makes Emmett feel guilty for no reason he can name.

“I can’t see with you around me,” Alice says gently. “It’s a simple clean-up job, it won’t take long.”

Seth frowns and looks at Emmett.

“You aren’t doing this alone, Alice. Even if we wait in the car,” he says with finality. This isn’t going to be an argument, because there’s nothing to argue about. He’s not letting Alice roam around in a city full of uncontrolled newborns, no matter how talented she is.

Alice scowls. “I know what I’m doing, Emmett,” her voice is sharp, and she never likes reminding them of how long she was alone before she found Jasper; what the family knows about those years is quite vague and patchwork - as far as Alice is concerned, nothing important happened before she met Jasper, as if she popped into being on a diner stool just in time.

Rose always suspected Alice’s real story was very lonely, very frightening, but no one asks when she so obviously doesn’t want to talk about it. He knows what it costs for her to bring it up now.

“I know. But that doesn’t mean I’m letting my only sister go newborn hunting alone,” Emmett says, and Alice sighs and nods - her visions have gone dark, obviously this is not a battle she can win.

Emmett ends up wishing that he and Seth had stayed behind.

Alice is like a laser, zeroing on her targets with a single-minded intensity. He hears that hum faintly, of her talking to herself and he wants to ask her what she’s saying, what thoughts are so important she needs to say them almost out loud but he doesn’t get a chance.

The first one of Maria’s abandoned acolytes is a girl around seventeen with matted black hair and a dress that Emmett mistakes for some kind of lace at first, except it’s the remnants of dozens of meals dried across the front of her, ripples of dried, stale blood that have solidified into a repulsive black and red mass.

She snarls at them, her face bloody, and the pale form of a man beneath her. Alice just walks up to her and backhands her with a crack that makes Seth jump; Emmett flinches but he’d never admit it.

The newborn snaps at Alice, and in one movement, the girl is pinned to the brick wall behind them, cracks spiralling up her neck from Alice’s tight grip.

“Who the hell are you?” the girl snaps in Spanish and Alice says nothing, just rips her head off by her neck, the screech sounding deafening so close. Moments later, her body is in pieces in a dumpster, along with her victim, and Alice has set the entire thing alight, her face blank.

Emmett makes a decision then, to leave Seth in a brightly lit burger place with a promise he’ll be back in one hour because this is nothing a kid should see.

And he’s so, so glad that he made that choice. Alice’s hunt is something that will be burned into his brain for the rest of his life.

The next newborn is a middle-aged male who reminds Emmett of his English lit teacher back at Forks, right down to the salt and pepper streaks in his hair and the slightly off-centre nose. He’s the worst of the night, Emmett silently decides, as he guards his hunt - a family of five that he’s only half-finished. The father is extremely, viscerally dead and there’s no putting him back together; the mother is choking and struggling for a breath that her torn throat will never give her as she bleeds out; the baby in her arms is long dead with its head taken up by a gaping wound. There are two young girls, clinging to each other in terror, and there is no way this ends well.

The newborn obviously thinks Emmett is more of a threat than petite little Alice, practically frothing at the mouth as Emmett approaches him, and grabs at one of the children. It all happens in seconds - the girls scream, there is a crunch of bone and more screaming, the rich scent of fresh blood, another crunch of bone and muscle, and then the newborn’s head is half-torn away before Alice can get better leverage and finish the job. The dead child dangles from his grip, bent the wrong way; her sister has her head half caved in, and the mother still chokes on her own blood. It all happens so fast.

He should have stayed with Seth.

He lets Alice handle the rest of them - she’s located six of Maria’s surviving nine, and after the family, she takes them down swiftly and wordlessly, just a diminutive blur and the sound of tearing metal.

The sweet smoke clings to them as they make their way back to Seth, Alice’s head down.

“I thought,” she began and just shook her head. And he reached out to squeeze her shoulder.

She thought it would be closure, would feel like an ending or an achievement. That there would be some peace in ending Maria’s life’s work. Instead, she’s just the same, but with blood on her boots and a tear in her jeans. The newborns barely got an opportunity to fight back, to give her the pound of flesh she was looking for.

Seth is waiting for them in the window of the store, a broad grin on his face when he spots them. Back to the motel for the night, now. And then tomorrow…

“So,” he says finally. “What now?”

[robbiekaysfavoritelostgirl]

The Hybrid

Pairing: Jacob Black x hybridCullen 

               Edward Cullen x hybridCullen 

               Edward Cullen x Bella Swan

Plot: You are the last witch of your kind, you were turned after you vampire father decided to get back at your mother. In a effort to throurt him your grandmother transferred the magic of the entire coven over to you, so that when you woke a vampire you would have access to your magic but had the speed, heightened senses and immortality . After a century you meet Carlisle and agree to join his family. Everyone thought that you and Edward were going to end up married until he met Bella. You were left heartbroken until you meet a certain wolf. 

Fandom: Twilight

A/n: So this is what inspired my story “The Hybrid” so I had to do it. Also the pairing only refers to the certain part. The pairings crossed out are the ones that will come in another part. This is only part one. 

        “Does this town ever change?” I moaned, my head falling against the cool window as I continued to stare blankly at the never ending sea of green that lay outside. 

   “Of course it does, there wasn’t a high school last time we were here.” Edward laughed, reaching over for my hand, lifting it so he could press a kiss against my knuckles. I sighed, rolling my eyes softly as I leaned over to press my lip against his own.  

    “Hey now! Don’t distract him, I don’t want to die because you two feel like having a makeout session while driving.” Emmett laughed, grinning widely at me as I turned to face him. 

   “Aww don’t worry Em, if were to crash I would make sure to save Rose and Edward.” 

   “Oh well that’s wonderful and all but what about me?” Emmett demanded. 

  “Oh sweet Emmett I am only but a witch, I can not save you all.”I giggled, ducking as he aimed a playful punch my way. The moment he did Edward let out a snarl, despite knowing fully well that Emmett would never actually apply enough force to harm me. He was full aware that as part human, I was much more vulnerable than the rest of our siblings. 

   “Easy Edward, I’m not going to harm her. Do you really think I want to spend the next century listening to you, Esme, Carlisle, Alice and Nik yelling at me?” Emmett sighed. “Not that I would the chance. If she gets out of this car in less than perfect condition her twin will eat me for dinner.”

    “I can defend myself you know.” I laughed, smiling wickedly as I snapped my fingers, causing a flame to appear in my hand. I turned it over, watching as the flame wrapped itself harmlessly over my skin. 

   “Will you stop that!” All three of them hissed, Edward reaching over to pull my hand, which I had unconsciously lifted up towards the window, back down. At once I let the flame die out and glanced at the three others in the car. 

   “Sorry, I forgot people may actually be able to see us.” I muttered, biting my lip as I glanced shyly at them. Rose was the first to sigh, shaking her head softly and giving me a small warm smile in return. 

    “It’s not that, no one is around us to see and if anyone did you could easily deal with that.” Rose said quickly, leaning forward so she was between Edward and I. “It’s us. Seeing you in flames, even ones that we know you can control, scare us.” 

   “I keep forgetting that. I have never seen a vampire be destroyed, so it’s so easy for me to forget. My coven never knew how to destroy us.” I sighed, kicking myself mentally forgetting that fire was a sure fire way to keep us dead. 

   “We know and we will work very hard to insure that it’s something you never have to witness.” Edward vowed, reaching over to squeeze my hand gently. 

  “Just do us all a favor and forget that spell exists.” Emmett sighed. “If it wasn’t already stopped, you would have given me a heart attack.” 

   “Right, fire spell is no longer a thing.” I promised, earning a relieved smile from all three of my vampires. 

 ~~~ 

     “You know, I have to admit. I miss this view.” I sighed, curling myself into Edward’s side. He chuckled, running his finger tips over my exposed flesh, the feeling causing me to shiver with delight. There really was nothing better than his touch. 

    “Hmm it’s a nice view. I mean nothing compared to the one I currently have, but nice enough.” He answered, smiling at me as I lifted my head from his shoulder. He was staring at me, laying naked against his side, my knee positioned over his hips, his free hand making a trail from my hip to my knee. 

   “Maybe I have the better view.” I mumbled, moving forward just enough so I that I was able to press a kiss to his lips. As he pushed me onto my back, his body sliding so he was hovering over me, I couldn’t picture how this would ever stop. How Edward and I would ever not be like this. Surely we felt like this, because we were meant for one another. 

   “I think.” I muttered sometime later. “That the reason we were both turned is so we could be together. I think this was always how it was supposed to be.” 

    “I couldn’t agree more. This, all of it, was so we could spend forever in each others arms.”

~~~~ Two Years Later~~~~

    “I’m not Edward’s mate?” I whispered, my voice barely loud enough for me hear, yet Alice was able to hear it perfectly. 

   “I am so sorry Y/n, we all truly thought that you were. I mean we have never seen anything like you and Edward, the love you have for one another.” 

   “Had.” I sighed, my voice breaking as I struggled to hold back the tears. “The love we had together. I’m nothing to him now.”

   “You know that’s not true.” Rose cried, moving so she could pull me against her. “Look at how hard he fought it, fought against the pull she has on him. He wouldn’t have done that if you meant nothing to him.”

   “It doesn’t matter now. It can’t.” I mumbled, shaking my head as I brushed the unshed tears from under my eyes. “I need to talk to Esme and Carlisle. I can’t stay here. I’ll go stay with Tanya and her family. I just, I can’t...” I shook my head, jumping up from my spot beside Rose and darting from the room. I could hear Edward down below, arguing with Jasper and Emmett, demanding that he at least gets to talk to me. I ignored it, pushing aside the part of me that wanted to run to him, to make the pain in his voice vanish and instead turned to Esme’s room. She was waiting for me, Carlisle standing silently beside her. 

   “I’m sorry.” I whispered, letting out a sob as I fell into her outstretched arms. “It’s to painful. Watching him with her.”

   “Don’t worry honey, we understand. Come home when you can.” Esme whispered, pulling me back to kiss my cheek. “And call us, you won’t have to talk to Edward but please promise you will talk to the rest of us.”

   “Of course I will mom.” I promised, leaning into kiss her cheek before stepping towards Carlisle and hugging him tightly. “I promise to call both of you every night.”

  “Good. I’ll call Tanya and tell her you and Nik are coming to stay.” Carlisle sighed. “Take care of each other. You two are the ones I worry for the most.” 

   “We will dad, we always do. I love you.” 

   “Not nearly as much as we love you.” Esme sighed, brushing a stand of my hair behind my ear. “Rose and Alice are waiting for their goodbyes and I imagine the boys will be up for theirs as well. We won’t keep you.” She kissed my forehead one last time before brushing past me, not wanting me to see just how badly my leaving hurt. Carlisle smiled softly and gave me one last kiss on the cheek before following her. I knew they were going to take Emmett and Jasper’s place so they could say goodbye. 

   “You had better call me every single day too.” Rose demanded as she pulled me into a hug. She didn’t me go until I promised and then she gave me a swift kiss on both cheeks before going to assist Esme and Carlisle with a now furious Edward. 

   “Try to forgive him, he can’t help any of this.” Alice sighed as she pulled me in for a hug. “If he had any say in this it would be you.” 

   “I’ll try.” I muttered, trying my best to mean it, after all she was right. This wasn’t something he could control. 

   “I could make it easier you know, you don’t have to go.” Jasper sighed, a small hopeful smile on his face. 

   “I do. The only way I could stay is if you were by my side every minute of the day. Eventually Alice would grow to hate me.” 

   “If meant you staying than I would live with it.” She vowed and while I knew she meant it I still couldn’t bring myself to leave. 

   “How will I know I have truly moved on if you are always there making me feel like I have? It’s for the best Jasper, I promise I will see you again though.” I hugged him tightly then, not wanting to ever let go. 

  “You had better.” He whispered, kissing my temple as I pulled away. 

  “If you decide to come back let me know, I’ll send him away myself.” Emmett whispered as I hugged him, his grip on me tightening as I let out a small sob. Leaving Emmett and Rose would be the hardest, well second hardest. The three of us have a bond like no other and the idea of leaving them both killed me, though not nearly as much as staying. 

   “Come on. Edward is getting to the point he may just throw Rose through a wall. It’s best we get going.” Niklaus sighed, smiling softly at me as he came out of the room that had once been mine and Edward’s. He had a suitcase in each hand, a pink one containing my things and a black one that held all of his. 

   “You don’t have to come with Nik. I know how much you love it here.” 

  “I promised mom, dad and nana that I would never leave your side. I am not about to risk getting murdered by pissed off spirits because you didn’t want me to leave Forks. Besides it won’t be the same without you here.” I nodded, knowing that it was useless at this point. 

   “Y/n wait! Please!” Edward cried, his voice so full of pain that it tore me apart. I let out a small cry and turned to the nearest window, jumping out onto the roof before stepping off onto the driveway. Someone, most likely Alice, had the car started already. I had just slipped into the passenger seat when Nik landed by the hood, quickly throwing the bags in the trunk before getting in the drivers seat beside me. 

   “To Denali.” He said with a grin, turning the radio on full blast in a desperate attempt to drown out Edward’s cry of my name.

    ��“It’s funny how one human can cause all this pain.” I sighed, letting my head fall against the glass. 

[missbellaswan]

Twice Bitten Half Turned - Chapter 8

AO3

tag list: @jasondeanstwin @wishing-on-angels @yeetbean @loveofmonstersandroses @ripleythedemonfcker @big-idiot-wolf-boys @edwards-sideburns @madame-forget-me-not @525600selfies @ratatouillecarliecullen (let me know if you want to be added!)

I slept restlessly that night.

There were hundreds of pairs of eyes glowing in the blackness. They shifted from red to black to gold and back again. I tried to close my eyes, to turn away, but I couldn’t feel anything, just the darkness. One by one the pairs of eyes blinked out drawing me deeper into darkness until there was only one pair left. Red. Blood red. Angry, hungry.

I went back to the Cullen’s house the next morning. Edward met me in the entryway and kissed me lightly. He had spent most of the night at my house, so it had only been a few hours since I had seen him, but I still missed him.

“How was your morning?” He asked me.

“Boring, how was yours?” I said.

“Boring, without you,” he smiled. Most of the group from last night had dissipated, so when we made our way to the living room only Carlisle, Eleazer, and Carmen were still where I had left them all the night before.

“Good morning, Bella,” Carlisle said.

“Morning,” I said.

“Did you sleep well?” Carlisle asked.

“Yes,” I lied. No one seemed to notice, or if they did, they let it slide. “Where is everyone?”

“They went for a run,” Edward said. Carlisle frowned at him. He didn’t say anything, but after a moment of prolonged eye contact Edward sighed and turned to me again, “they are running a perimeter to check for Victoria’s scent. Laurent is helping us try to identify if she is going to be a threat.”

“Oh,” I said. “Good.”

Edward watched me carefully for a reaction. I was terrified of Victoria, but I didn’t flinch. There was a room full of people here watching me, I wasn’t going to show them how scared I was.

“You don’t have to keep things from me,” I said. “You don’t have to protect me.”

“Yes, I do.” Edward said.

“No one is going to get hurt.” Carmen said. Carlisle and Eleazer nodded in agreement.

Carlisle’s phone rang through the quiet house. He sped over to a table and was already talking as I was piecing his movements together.

Edward leaned down to whisper in my ear, since I was the only person who couldn’t hear the entire conversation.

“It’s Emmett.” He said. Finally. Carlisle wandered into the hall to talk to him. I knew the others could still hear, but they pretended they weren’t listening and turned their attention back to me.

“The others should be back soon,” Carmen said.

“I can’t hear them yet,” Edward said.

“How are Rosalie and Emmett?” Carmen asked Edward. “We were sad to hear they are out of town.”

“They’re well.” He said. “They went to Europe in search of information about Bella’s condition. And for the chance to have another honeymoon.”

“Have they found anything?” Eleazer pressed. They both seemed very interested in me and my half vampire biology.

“Not yet, this is the first we’ve heard from them in a while,” Edward said.

Carlisle returned a few minutes later and sat back down on the couch.

“Any news?” Carmen asked, politely.

“Emmett and Rosalie are sorry to have missed you all, they wish they could be here.” Carlisle said, “Emmett informed me that they have not had much luck with their time in Europe, and they are anxious to get some space from the watchful eye of the Volturi as soon as possible.

“Surely the Volturi would be a great asset in learning about Bella’s condition?” Eleazer said.

“We decided it would be best not to involve the Volturi unless it is absolutely necessary. For Bella’s safety. I’m sure you understand why attracting attention to ourselves may not be in our best interest.” Carlisle said.

“A hybrid is a grey area in the eyes of the Volturi, and they only see in black and white.” Edward said. Edward had told me enough before that I knew to fear the Volturi, but he spoke with such certainty that it sent a new shiver of terror down my spine.

Eleazer nodded in understanding.

“I’m sending them to stay with our friends in Ireland. They will be safe there.” Carlisle said.

“The others are on their way back.” Edward interrupted.

Everyone waited in silence. I slipped my hand into Edward’s and he squeezed it gingerly. It felt like the walls were closing in on me, and Edward could sense it. I had to keep it together for a while longer. I wanted to hear what the others had found.

They all swept in a few minutes later. Alice and Jasper were suddenly standing right next to me. Esme was hand in hand with Carlisle. The rest of the Denalis were all standing behind the couch where Carmen and Eleazer were sitting. There were scattered murmurs of greeting.

“Did you find anything?” Carlisle asked.

“We ran the perimeter of the town, and we didn’t find any traces of Victoria,” Esme said.

“She hasn’t been to town recently,” Laurent confirmed. I let out a sigh of relief and realized I had been holding my breath since they got here. Edward pulled me tighter against his side.

“We found something else,” Esme said. “The wolves are back.”

“You’re certain?” Carlisle said.

“Wolves?” Eleazer asked. I didn’t understand what they meant either.

“Shapeshifters,” Esme said, “the protectors of the Quileute tribe. I recognized their scent along the boundary between our land and theirs.”

“Werewolves?” I whispered. Something flickered in the back of my mind as I said the word.

“For all intents and purposes, yes.” Carlisle said. “Perhaps we should warn them, about Victoria.”

“We don’t even have evidence that she’s been here yet,” Jasper said.

“Jazz is right, we should wait until we know whether or not she’s going to be a threat.” Edward said. Laurent looked like he wanted to argue the point, but he stayed quiet.  

Carlisle nodded. The group started to break off into smaller, less charged conversations. Edward pulled me away into the kitchen to give me a moment to process.  

“Werewolves?” I said again.

“We have an understanding with them, a treaty.” Edward said, “we don’t harm humans and we don’t set foot on their land. And they allow us to live here peacefully.”

“Like turn on the moon, silver bullet werewolves? Or werewolves in the same way you guys claim to be vampires,” I tried to tease him, but my tone was flat. But the myths were so wrong about vampires, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were wrong about this too.

“Not that kind of werewolf, no.” Edward said.

“Edward,” my voice was even, but it felt hollow, “it’s too much.”

“I know,” he said.

“What are we going to do?” I asked.

“I will keep you safe.”

“How?” It was the same promise he made to me yesterday. It was the same promise he made before I went to Phoenix.

“Trust me.” He said.

“I do trust you.” But Edward had no way of knowing that he could keep that promise. And the sheer number of enemies suddenly threatening me sent ripples of fear through me. The Volturi, the existence of werewolves, Laurent and Victoria, and my own body betraying me, it felt like it was enough to crush me.

“We should go back in,” Edward said. “The Denalis—” he trailed off.

We walked back to the living room and the others were all standing in a loose circle talking again.

“Are you sure?” Carlisle was saying.

“I think it would be best for all of us.” Tanya said. “You are clearly dealing with a lot right now, and we wouldn’t want to attract unwanted attention or be an unnecessary distraction.”

“You are always welcome here,” Esme said.

“As are you, in our home,” Tanya said. “But we really should be going.”

“I would like to stay.” Laurent said, suddenly. “Irina and I would like to continue helping you track Victoria.”

“Of course.” Carlisle said. “We would appreciate the help.”

“It was lovely to see you, as always,” Carmen said.

“And we are so glad to finally have met you, Bella,” Kate said.

“Yeah, you too.” I said.

There was a flurry of goodbyes and hugs. Laurent and Irina walked over to stand by us and waved to their family. We followed them to the door and waved a final goodbye before they took off running into the trees.

Just like that, they were gone.

“Thank you for agreeing to help us,” Carlisle said.

“Laurent is concerned about Victoria,” Irina said, “and he can track her better than any of us.”

“I will find her,” Laurent promised, “and if she is a threat, we will take care of it.”

So far Laurent was the only person who had any evidence that Victoria was still around. We had no choice but to trust him, but I still didn’t like it.

[mytwilightimagines13]

The little sister (Alec Volturi x Reader)

“No, you are not coming (y/n) and that is final!” Your older brother Jacob said. “Why not?! Just because I cannot turn into a wolf does not mean I cannot defend myself! I can even take on Paul whenever he is in one of his moods!” You argued. Even though you had the heightened sense, strength and speed you could not actually turn into a wolf. But you sure as hell could beat a vampire’s ass if you had too. “I said no! You are my little sister, imagine what Rachel and Rebecca would say if you were killed and they found out it was me who let you fight?” Jacob said, running his hands through his hair, getting more and more frustrated by the minute.  “At least I would have died fighting for what I believe in! And not sit at home like a coward! Renesmee is your imprint, meaning she is family. And I will protect my family!” you said growing frustrated yourself. “Fine! But you will stay in the back. And only fight if you absolutely have too.” Jacob said, throwing his hand up in frustration and defeat. You smiled, proud of yourself that you stood up to your own brother.

Every vampire and shapeshifter was in the large open field. You were standing in the back along with your pack, protected by both Leah and Seth, slightly blocking your view. You felt slightly nervous as to what might happen. It was quiet for what felt like a long time, while in reality it might have been just a mere 30 minutes. Suddenly the nomad vampire Garrett was slightly jumping up and down in excitement. “The redcoats are coming! The redcoats are coming!” You took a deep breath, filling your lungs with fresh air as you saw the Volturi making their way onto the field. The oldest vampire with dark brown hair and milky red eyes looked over the crowd in front of him. The vampires made a halt and removed their hoods, showing their angelic faces and blood red eyes. Carlisle took a few steps forward, away from Esme. “Aro, let us discuss things as we used too. In a civilized manner.” Carlisle’s voice was calm and polite. The dark haired vampire had a small smile on his face as he replied. “Fair words Carlisle. But a little out of place given the battalion you have assembled against us.” the man’s voice was soft and smooth. As if he had done confrontations like this before. “I can promise you, that was never my intent.” Carlisle replied. Aro looked at Bella and Renesmee. “No laws have been broken.” Carlisle continued. You slightly stepped aside to have a better look at your foes. “We see the child. Do not treat us as fools.” a blond vampire male said. He was standing next to Aro and he had a bitter look on his face. Like a man who was out for revenge. “She is not an immortal! These witnesses can attest to that.” Carlisle replied, raising his voice slightly so every vampire and shapeshifter on the field could hear him. “You can look. See the flush of human blood on her cheeks.” “Artifice!” the blond vampire replied, not believing a thing Carlisle was saying. You stepped away a little bit more from your pack, earning you a small growl from Leah. You were intrigued by these vampires, but disgusted at the same time. After all, they were murderers. Aro held up his hand towards the blond vampire. “I will collect every facet of the truth, from someone more central to the story. Edward. As the child clings to your newborn mate, I will ask you.” Aro said as he held out his hand. Edward slowly made his way towards Aro while every vampire watched him. The wind changed slightly and a delicious smell hit your nose. It was a vampire, you knew for sure, but normally vampires do not smell so tempting. So luring. You had to find out whom smelled so incredibly good. You let your eyes wonder down the vampires, but you didn’t dare to go any further away from your pack than you already where. Instead, you concentrated back onto Aro and Edward. Aro grabbed Edwards hand and started to read his thoughts. A creepy smile slowly formed on Aro’s lips. “I’d like to meet her.” he told Edward, looking at Renesmee. Edward looked back to his wife and daughter. Bella nodded at Renesmee assumingly and started to make their way towards Aro, Jacob the werewolf close behind them. Emmett followed too, making sure Renesmee had enough protection. “Ah. Young Bella.” Aro said, looking at Bella. “Immortality becomes you.” his smile never leaving his face. Aro suddenly laughed and pointed at Renesmee. His laugh was that of a crazy person. “I can hear her strange heart.” Aro held out his hand for Rensemee as she slowly made her way towards him. “Hello Aro.” Renesmee said politely. Renesmee gently placed her hand on Aro’s cheek and Aro seemed amazed by her talent. “Magnifico.” he said before pulling away. Bella quickly pulled Renesmee back to her arms safely. “Half mortal, half immortal. Conceived and carried by this newborn, while she was still human.” he continued, speaking mostly to the Volturi. “Impossible!” the blond vampire replied. “Do you think they fooled me brother?” Aro asked the blond vampire. “Bring out the informer.” the blond vampire said, his voice cold. You knew he was out for death. He seemed to be the one of the three to be the most merciless. A blond female vampire with gold eyes was brought towards him. The blond vampire pointed at Renesmee. “Is that the child you saw?” The female looked at Renesmee and looked down. “I-I am not sure.” she replied. “Jane.” the male said. A lot of vampires around you tensed up. You couldn’t quite understand why. Clearly you should have done more research to this coven, but then again, you couldn’t care less. “She has changed.” the female quickly continued. “This child is bigger.” “Then your accusations where false.” the male still spoke with that icy voice. “The Cullens are innocent. I take full responsibility for my mistake.” the female vampire said. She turned to look at the group. “I am sorry.” she whispered slightly. Suddenly a torch was lit and the tension rose. “Caius no!” Edward yelled at the blond vampire. The female got her arms ripped and head ripped off by two Volturi vampires while Caius set her body on fire, an evil smirk plastered on his porcelain face. Tanya and Kate let out a scream of pain and tried to get to Caius, but they were held back by the allies. “Blind them.” Edward told Zafrina. Zafrina quickly blinded them and Edward tried to reason with the sisters. The sisters calmed down quickly. Leah and Seth took a step forward, finally giving you the chance to take a good look at the Volturi. That is when it happened. Your eyes fell upon a young man, no older than 17. His burgundy eyes found your (y/e/c) eyes. A heat flooded through you, stronger than before, but it was a new kind of heat - not a burning. It was a glowing. Everything inside you came undone as you stared at the handsome porcelain face of the vampire. All the lines that held you to your life were sliced apart in swift cuts, like clipping the strings to a bunch of balloons. Everything that made you who you were - your love for your brother, your love for your father, your loyalty to your pack, the love for your other brothers, your hatred for your enemies, your home, your name, your self - disconnected from you in that second - snip, snip, snip - and floated up into space. You were not left drifting. A new string held you where you were. Not one string, but a million. Not strings, but steel cables. A million steel cables all tying you to one thing  - to the very centre of the universe. You could see that now - how the universe swirled around this one point. You had never seen the symmetry of the universe before, but now it was plain. The gravity of the earth no longer tied you to the place where you stood. It was the vampire in the dark grey cloak, hair brown and pale so white as death itself.

“Ah, Alice.” Aro suddenly said. The ally group turned around and saw Alice and Jasper make their way towards Aro. She held out her hand to Aro and he gladly took it. Clearly what he saw scared him. Your gaze never once fell from the boy, even though you had no idea what his name might be, he had captured your full and undivided attention. And you knew, you would protect him if needed too. “That is what your future holds, if you do not change your course.” Alice said, removing her hand from Aro’s. “We cannot alter our course. The child still poses a great threat.” Caius said to Aro. “And what if you can be assured that she can be concealed from the human world? Could we leave in peace?” Edward asked. “Of course, but that cannot be known.” Caius replied. “Actually it can.” Edward replied and with that a male and female vampire made their way onto the field. “I have been searching for witnesses on my own.” Alice said. “Among the Tacuna tribes of Brazil.” “We have enough witnesses-” Caius wanted to say but was cut off by Aro. “Let him speak, brother.” “I am half human, half vampire. Like the child.” the male vampire started. “A vampire seduced my mother, who died giving birth to me. My aunt Huilen raised me as her own. I made her immortal.” “How old are you?” Bella asked, interrupting his story. “150 years.” the man replied. “At what age did you reach maturity?” Aro asked intrigued. “I became full grown, seven years after my birth. I have not changed since then.” the male replied. “And your diet?" Aro asked. "Blood. Human food. I can survive on either.” “These children are much like us.” The, what you assumed, third brother spoke in amazement. “Regardless, the Cullens have been consulting with werewolves. Our natural enemies!” Caius spoke. Aro put a hand on his brother’s shoulder and turned to his coven. “Dear ones. There is no danger here. We will not fight, today.” Aro spoke. all the allies relaxed. All of them except one. You felt slightly relaxed that there would be no fight, but your imprint was too far away from you, still in line of danger in your eyes. Even though the two of you had never broken eye contact, a young blond girl who looked similar to him nudged his shoulder, forcing him to break eye contact. You frowned as he turned around and not giving you a second glance.

You sighed and made your way away from all the happy vampires. You ran through the forest and towards the cliff. You needed a moment alone, to think. A vampire was your imprint yet he just walked away like nothing happened. You felt yourself shake slightly with anger and fear. Why? Why him? Why a bloody bloodsucker. You were standing on the edge of the cliff, ready to jump when two strong arms wrapped themselves around your waist and pulled you pack against a tree. “Are you insane?!” an angelic voice spoke. You opened your eyes and looked into the burgundy red ones of your imprint. “Do you want to die or something?!” he asked again as he held you close to his cold body. “It’s a sport around here. I wasn’t planning on killing myself.” You said as you tried to straighten up a bit. The boy sighed and took a small step back, holding onto your hand. He shook his head. “I already know you are going to be the death of me, my little mate.” He whispered but your heightened hearing caught his words perfectly. “And you will be the death of me. So at least make our time on this Earth worth our while then.” You said feeling slightly bold. The vampire chuckled and took you back in his arms, his lips merely a few inches away. “Agreed, amore mio.” He whispered before sealing his promise by pressing his ice-cold lips against your own hot lips.

Requested via Wattpad

[bazwillendinflames]

Class Lockdown Fic

Read on ao3 

Uni Support GC

(5 members online)

@April_showers shared a tweet ‘that moment in AC when…’ 

ram | @RamSingh 

i thought we agreed no more irrelevant animal dressing memes 

Tan #KEspoliers | @geniuslesbian 

Rude 

I liked it April

April 🌸 | @April_showers 

It's animal crossing! 

Thanks Tan! 

Matti 🌈 | @MatteuszA 

You are being very negative 

ram | @RamSingh 

im outnumbered here 

Tan #KEspoliers | @geniuslesbian 

Even Quill plays AC 

A teacher is cooler than you 

April 🌸 | @April_showers 

Quill plays? 

ram | @RamSingh 

why do u even know that

Tan #KEspoliers | @geniuslesbian  

Quill's island is really good

She says it's out of spite of Tom Nook 

And some of us actually talk to our tutor Ram 

Charlie | @charliesmith1

I don't get it either Ram 

ram | @RamSingh 

thank u!! 

Tan #KEspoliers | @geniuslesbian  

You don't know anything 

... in a nice way

Matti 🌈 | @MatteuszA 

You played on my switch yesterday 

Charlie | @charliesmith1 

I still don't get it 

Tanya, why are you friends with my cousin? 

ram | @RamSingh 

see?? weird 

Tan #KEspoliers | @geniuslesbian 

Quill is nice to me 

Nice-ish 

I was thinking of inviting her to our quiz tomorrow 

ram | @RamSingh 

a teacher??? 

Tan #KEspoliers | @geniuslesbian 

She lives alone

It'd be nice 

Charlie | @charliesmith1 

She lives alone because she hates everyone 

Tan #KEspoliers | @geniuslesbian 

She doesn't hate everyone 

April 🌸 | @April_showers 

I'm okay with it 

You can invite her 

Tan #KEspoliers | @geniuslesbian 

Thank you April

This is why you're my favourite 

Matti 🌈 | @MatteuszA 

I'm heartbroken 

Tan #KEspoliers | @geniuslesbian  

You have Charlie 

ram | @RamSingh 

fine 

i dont want her on my team 

April 🌸 | @April_showers 

We aren't doing teams 

ram | @RamSingh 

shit 

  Connecting to call… 

  “Hey Ram!” April waved as the rest of the grainy video clips loaded. He was the last to join, typical. 

“Nice to know you're late to everything, not just my lessons.” 

Ram resisted the urge to sigh. He had hoped Tanya was joking about inviting Quill but she was already connected. It was hard to tell where she was but there was cat-patterned wallpaper behind her. 

“Finally,” Tanya said. She was wearing pajamas despite it being only four in the afternoon, a messy bedroom floor behind her. 

He shrugged. “I was only making a cup of tea.” 

“It’s okay, we’re waiting for Charlie too,” Matteusz said. 

“We’re catching up,” April said. “How are you doing?” (The thing about April was she always meant it when she asked that. Even before lockdown.) 

“Been better, to be honest. But I’ve been spending a lot of time with my Dad. He’s been helping me keep up training in the garden. At least in my house we don’t have to worry about keeping up with haircuts.” 

“A real struggle,” Quill said, dryly. Her hair was longer now, grown out of the sharp bob she usually had. Inexplicably, her fringe was in the exact same length as before. (Hadn’t Tanya said she lived alone?) 

“What about you?” 

April smiled as he asked (it made him feel all soft and gross). “The usual, music. I tried making some cakes but I hadn’t gotten any better at baking.” 

“I can give you some tips,” Matteusz offered, “I am getting very good at making bread. Charlie… not so much.” There was some off screen shouting. “I know you only burnt it once but it set off the fire alarm.” 

Quill snorted. “Why am I not surprised?” 

“Video games here,” Tanya added, “all the games. My island is thriving, my brothers still haven’t beat me at Mario Kart or Call of Duty.” 

“Humble brag much.” 

Tanya only rolled her eyes. “And I’m starting some thesis brainstorming.” 

“We’re only first years,” Ram said, suddenly a little worried. 

“You can never be too prepared. It’s all part of my plan to have a Masters degree by the time I’m twenty-one.” 

“I expect nothing less,” Quill said, “that is why you are my favourite.” 

“Teachers aren’t supposed to have favourites-” 

“Welcome to the real world Ram. And yes I know it was you who spilled red bull on my classroom floor last term.” 

Tanya laughed as he tried very hard to look innocent. 

“Sorry,” Charlie said, appearing in frame next to his boyfriend and saving Ram. He was still buttoning his shirt. 

“Charming Charles.” 

Charlie did actually sigh out loud when he saw Quill. “I really do prefer-” 

“No chance Charles,” she said. 

Matteusz kissed the top of his head, which, as usual, effectively shut him up. The two of them were sitting closer than what was probably necessary to share a screen but Ram wasn’t willing to start an argument. Everyone knew they were a package deal. 

“Okay,” April said brightly, shuffling paper, “now we’re all here, let’s begin the quiz. Round one, famous folk songs…” 

Despite the sighs, Ram knew everyone would enjoy themselves. That’s what he liked best about April’s quizzes, they were a nice reminder that despite what was happening in the world, they would keep going on and on and on and on…

[imaginesandideas]

All mine.

REQUEST: i had an idea for a smut. an angsty, fluffy smut if you will. my idea is that the reader has self image issues and never takes her shirt off during sex. roger talks to her about it and reassures her that she’s is beautiful and loves her regardless of how her body looks. i think it would be super cute but at the same time it would be hot.

(I’m so so so sorry it took me so long 😣 It turned out to be less smutty than I intended to, but I hope you’ll enjoy it nonetheless 💜)

WARNINGS: self-doubt, a lot of emotions, but mainly FLUFF and SMUTish undertones

word count: 1.5k

~~~~~

 Roger continues leaving open-mouthed kisses down your neck as you straddle him, fingers tugging at the hair on his neck.

 Having Roger home always gives you a chance to get more domestic, spend more time together and not necessarily on partying. The halls of the apartment feel no longer so cold and lonely, since everything about him radiates warmth. His energy. His spirit. His lips. His hands as he squeezes your body underneath his own.

 You’re wearing just your knickers and a plain tshirt that serves as pyjama top, while Roger wears boxers as per every other Saturday morning that you are about to spend lazying in the sheets. You are getting a lot of those recently since the boys took a break off touring.

Roger was never really a homebody, but you’ve made him change his mindset a bit. He started to love those days when you didn’t have to leave early, much too early for him to notice your morning routine.

On the weekends, or days off working, he forces you to stay in bed longer than usually, just so he has enough time to please you and make you beg for more afterwards. And then dazzle you with breakfast. Spoil you with lazy kisses all over your body, making you hungry for more.

 His hands roam hazily, his eyes still wrapped in morning slumber. He lets out a stifled moan as you yank at his hair unconsciously.

You’re feeling him everywhere. His fingers so feathery like, yet full of capacity, the effects of his actions painted on your skin with flush redness. The veins on your neck just as evident as his, hearts racing in your own, indescribable rhythm with one another.

His fingers skillfully slip underneath the hem of your shirt, tracing lines up your sides, though you are too distracted by his beguiling kissing and groping. You don’t even realize when he pulls it off you, your arms coming up ever so naturally to help get the clothing out of the way, leaving you topless.

Head thrown back in ecstasy while he’s leaving open mouthed kisses, you only then feel goosebumps on your skin, soft wind coming from open window reaching heated skin on your back.

You feel icy shudder climbing up your spine and your eyes shoot open. You tense.

“Ro-Roger, no, please.” your hands come up to his face, pulling him away from your chest, where his lips were leaving trails of kisses down the valley between your breasts. His expression represents utter confusion, lips parted in a round shape, pink and swollen. His brows formed in a frown, with eyes still a bit hooded.

 You try to push yourself up, covering your front with crossed arms, but his hands are quick to take you down by gripping your hips firmly.

“Love, what’s-“

“Please, let me get my shirt back.”

“Love.”

“Roger please!” tears are gathering up in the corners of your eyes, and  you have to force yourself not to let them fall down your face like waterfall.

You felt embarrassed already, and tears would be a literal cherry on top of it all.

 His grip loosens and you take it as a opportunity to get out of his grasp, immediately covering yourself with bedsheet before you reach to the floor for your shirt. Throwing it over your head, you let the unwarranted white cloth fall to the floor. Your lip trembles but a content exhale leaves your lips nonetheless. Closing your eyes you position yourself on his lap again, as if nothing happened. You seek to make up for abruptly stopped makeout by attaching your lips to his neck again, but he’s already going against it. You feel his fingers underneath your chin before he forces you to look him in the eyes. His whole expression is rejuvenated with tender sort of worry beaming from below his brows and tantalising lashes. You envied him those. You could only wish to have such piercing look in your eyes, the one you fell for instantly. You could only wish you were as complacent as he is, how content he always seems to be with whatever he’s up to. How he almost never lets anyone bring him down. Or how celestial he looks asleep on the bed, hair disheveled, his whole form molten in sleep, looking like ancient god of some sort, only fixed in sculpture.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of love.” his voice is so endearing you could swoon in the moment. Overlooked tears stream down your cheeks to be swiftly caught by Roger’s gentle fingers. “I love you. All of you my love.” Jaw trapped in the subtle grip of his palm as he places his lips on yours, so innocuously you practically feel your own heart stop for a brief moment. It’s all there - your doubts, months of built-up guilt and uneasiness towards him. The images of your fully exposed body taunting you like trauma you can’t let go of. It’s almost bitter when you swallow a mentally painful moan, but he’s there, coating your lips, tongue and soul with indescribable passion. He pulls back to kiss away the trails of your tears and lower to the underline of your jaw, making you giggle softly as his nose tickles your skin. You can sense him smile into to kiss.

“My girl.” Another one closer to your ear. “My terrific, excellent, gorgeous woman.” You gasp, stifling a loud moan threatening to escape your mouth when he bites just below your ear, leaving a blooming earring-like mark. His hot, sweet lips sealing it like invisible patch.

Involuntarily you close your eyes and allow yourself to melt into his touch, his praises, his gruelling kisses. Neck tilted eagerly. Eyelids heavy. You’re stripped down to his worship and soon you get rid of your shirt too.

“Glorious. Fierce. Gutsy. Fucking hot.” Every word sealed by reddish count on your neck and collarbones, while the arm wrapped around your waist keeps you in place. The other hand is holding your face carefully. Your own arms are resting on his shoulders, mind drowning in the lust haze.

 His every breath and caress is so convincing, so inviting. You feel a wave of brashness sliding down your back and your hips buckle down, hands coming down to the hem of your vast tee. Before you even attempt to lift the material he stops you, hands coming down from where they rested to your hips.

“I don’t want to push you to do anything. I lo-“ in a blink of an eye your lips crash in a carnal need.

Anchored by the love he’s feeding you with.

 Not long after you part, you manage to breathe out a “Shut up already” before he’s throwing himself at you, trapping you beneath him. His savvy fingers gently slipping under the cotton fabric, exposing your middle inch by inch. Suddenly your insecurities struck you again. Your body shudders ever so slightly, muscles tensing for a brief second before he leans down.

He knows.

He sees it in your eyes. His delicate, insatiable fingertips brushing against your skin. You’d focus on the flaws, on the tiniest defects you so expertly examine when alone in front of the bathroom mirror.

But he’s not you. He sees you in a different light. In the light of your morning lovemaking, in the light of your evening dances in the kitchen, in the light of your afternoon smiles as you talk about your day, in the light of your warm body against his at night.

His desire filled gaze is glued to yours when his mouth lowers to your abdomen.

“My love. Mine.”

 His whole attitude is filled with the yearning you could almost get used to. But the softness he’s gracing you with, makes you unable to treat it like it’s about to be just regular sex.

You reach out and pull him in for another kiss. Both your lips are swollen by now, and you let your fingers tug at his hair enough to earn a throaty groan. All the hiding, all the worrying meant nothing in comparison to what you’re feeling as his lingering touch climbs up your sides. You know those fingertips far too well. How gentle they can be, despite their coarseness, the reason being years of intense drumming sessions and touring. Those calloused hands have given you most of the love and pleasure you’ve ever experienced in your life, and you wouldn’t trade them even for the smoothest pair.

“What’s on ya mind darling?” he eyes you curiously. His hands are cupping your breasts now and you gasp at how your body temperatures differ. You reach out to move a bit damp strands of hair from his forehead. Your subtle side coming to the front as you caress his cheek.

“You.” Roger shoots you a toothy grin in an instant before responding, his whole body hovering low above your own.

“The feeling’s mutual love. Can’t bloody stop.”

~~~~~

(Comments, ideas and words of notice are always appreciated 💜)

Roger taglist: @rogersdrumkit @rogersfalsettos @erinhardytaylor @cyborgfromthesupermarket @sabbrriiinnaa @wolverinesbeer @simplyvictoria-93 @laubluered @ceruleanrainblues @shae-is-not-ok @i-am-sarah @imamazzellhoe @shishterfackisback @rockyroadthepastryarchy @tanya-is-dead @twistingrealityagain

[kanofeetpics]

Shao Kahn: Ruler of Outworld (2/5)

Mileena and Kitana handed Kano their weapons, then Kano proceeded to examined anything that could be modified with his cybernetic eye, he saw a lot of potential in their weapons, especially to modify them to fight a blood army.

“These weapons have a lot of potential.” Kano raised his eyebrows, turning to Kabal.

“In what ways?” Kabal asked.

Kano then began to explain to Kabal all the things that can be changed, modified, and buffed.

“ ‘Kay then. Follow me” Kabal said. Taking the three of them to his workshop. Erron, intrigued, joined them. To see why the hell they needed to fight off a blood army.

“There are a few things I need to know, how big is the army?” Kabal asked.

“The army was a very sizable one as far as we know, though there could be a lot more soldiers.” Kitana replied.

Kabal nodded, reaching for some of the things he needed to make this work.

“You looking to kill them? Or just rough em up a bit?” Kabal asked.

“Eliminating them is optimal.” Mileena replied.

Kabal nodded, while reaching into a bucket of blades he had.

Erron was still curious as to what their situation was, and decided to ask about it.

“Now tell me, why the hell do you both need to fight off a blood army.” Erron asked, rasing an eyebrow.

“Skarlet.... Skarlet has an entire blood cult, she took our father’s place and kidnapped him. All we are trying to do is help get him out of there.” Kitana nodded.

“Skarlet...” Erron snarled, clenching his fist. It didn’t help that Erron already had a terrible history with her, but now she has an entire army?

“Wait right here.” Erron said, walking in main room to get something he’d been hold onto ever since Skarlet and him split. When he had gotten back to Kabal’s workshop, he handed Kabal to small blades.

“The hell is this?” Kabal asked

“Razor blades.... they ain’t just any type of blades though. These ones are blood magic resistant.... I designed these specifically for Skarlet.. Sonafabitch tried to kill me.” Erron growled

“Can we put these anywhere though?” Kano asked.

“Of course you can, Kano. It’s not even bigger than my pinky. Here, lemme show you.”

“Yes, I know. But can we put it somewhere without it messing anything up?” Kano wondered.

“They are retractable, so yeah. You can” Erron nodded.

“Perfect, I’ll get started on it.” Kabal said, gathering up all he needed and moving it to another table.

“Ah, the two of you can make yourself comfortable. I have a room back there with a couch” Kano nodded.

“We’re okay, thanks. I’m interesting in seeing how you all work together.” Kitana said.

“Go right ahead then.” Kano nodded, continuing the project.

Mileena and Kitana watched as the three of them we’re busy at work. They were amazed at how well they all work together. And that’s what the two of them did until the weapons were done being modified.

After awhile, Kabal was finally done modifying weapons and brought them to the siblings.

“There we go.” Kabal nodded, handing the two of them their newly modified weapons. They took a minute to look at all the changes, and were very impressed at the end result.

“Thank you, Kabal.” Mileena said, before handing him the money she had.

“Thanks, appreciate it.” Kabal nodded

The siblings nodded back at Kabal, and before the two of them could make it out the door, Erron stopped them.

“Wait.. just a second. This whole “blood army” thing. I’m interested, I wanna help.” Erron said, bluntly.

They were all a bit taken back about how openly Erron wanted to get back at Skarlet, but Mileena and Kitana weren’t to turn down help.

“We need all the help we can get” Kitana nodded.

“Excellent... you both comin’ too?” Erron asked Kabal and Kano.

“I’m not one to turn down an adventure.” Kano shrugged.

“Neither am I, let’s do this.” Kabal said, Grabbing his hookswords.

The siblings nodded, they were very open to help so the fact that the three of them wanted to work with them made things so much easier. The siblings opened a portal to outworld, and the 5 of them progressed to outworld.

——————————————————————————

Shao began to wake up, he pushed himself up, looking around but didn’t see anybody there. He huffed, plopping back onto the ground. He was still frustrated, more or less he was worried about his daughters. He had no idea if they were okay, if Skarlet harmed them, and it bothered him.

Skarlet heard Shao’s huff, and decided that it would be a great idea to talk to Shao about him joining her clan. If he joined, amazing. If not, that was fine. He wouldn’t be the one paying for it.

Skarlet entered the room Shao was captured in, getting an unapproved sigh from Shao. Skarlet wasted no time, she cut straight to the chase.

“You are going to be one of my blood soldiers, Shao Kahn. Whether you like it or not, you are no longer the ruler of outworld. And you are in no place to disobey your empress.” Skarlet stated.

“It will not happen Skarlet... I will not work under your name. And if you harm my daughters, you will pay for it.” Shao Kahn growled.

“That’s sad, the fact that you think you can attempt to kill me and get away with it. If you try to kill me, my soldiers will show no mercy. They will kill you so fast you will forget what it’s like to stand.” Skarlet sneered, playing with a ball of blood she had in her hand.

“And you think that scares me? You think that I am afraid of death?” Shao Kahn laughed, it was seemingly a joke to him.

“You might not be, but I’m sure your daughters are.” One of Skarlet’s arrogant soldiers smiled

And it was enough to anger Shao, he shot up. Getting as close as he could to the soldier, sticking his arms out of the cell as if he was going to choke him.

“You! Stay away from my daughters, or I’ll have your neck...” Shao Kahn threatned, his eye showing murderous intent, and voice displaying nothing but rage.

“You are in no position to threaten the life of my soldiers, understand?!” Skarlet snapped

“He is lucky I am inprisioned, because things would not have ended well for him” Shao spat, angrily.

Skarlet rolled her eyes, realizing that this was going nowhere, she gave him a time limit.

“You have 3 days to decide. Now, I need one of you to watch Shao Kahn for a little bit. Make sure he doesn’t try to take his life.” Skarlet commanded.

“I will do it, nobody else does it better” A cocky soldier insisted, grinning.

“Do not disappoint me.” Skarlet commanded, handing him keys to Shao’s cell.

Skarlet and the rest of her comrades exited to room, leaving Shao Kahn alone in the room, with this soldier.

“Feel sorry for ya, but at the same time I don’t. The strong while prosper, while the weak perish” The soldier chuckled.

Shao didn’t say anything, he was only focused on the key dangling from the soldiers pants. He watched as the soldier turned his back on Shao, leaning his back against his cell.

Bad move on his part, Shao got up, approached him while his back was still turned to him. And wasted no time, he got ahold of his neck. And snapped it.

The soldier’s limp body fell to the ground, it was disturbing how much it reminded him of the time he snapped Kung Lao’s neck, and he didn’t like it.

He stuck his arm out of the cell, grabbing the key. Then taking the key and using it to unlock his cell.

“Freedom... at last” Shao Kahn whispered to himself. He looked back at the soldier he had just killed, and shrugged. He didn’t feel bad for him at all, arrogant people get what’s coming to them eventually.

Shao Kahn looked for all the possible ways to escape, he spotted a window, seeing it as his way to finally escape. He approached the window, the drop was going to be hard, but could survive.

He opened the window as quietly as he could, looking for anything he could use to climb down, but he found nothing.

Shao jumped, bracing himself for the landing he was about to experience. When he landed, it took a good minute for him to get back to his senses.

Shao looked up, not at all regretting what he had just did. Anything that allowed him to see his daughters again was a win in his book.

He then began to walk, heading for the throne room without any of Skarlet’s blood soldiers spotting him

——————————————————————————

The five of them arrived at the throne room, Kano, Kabal, and Erron all looked around the throne room. Admittedly, it was a nice looking place. Everything was in place, and organized dispite what the girls were going through.

“So what’s our plan?” Erron asked.

“I need to pay Jade a visit, I wish for her and Kotal to aide us on this mission” Kitana replied.

“I wonder if Kotal got what he ordered yet, that shipment company can be a real pain in my ass.” Kano huffed.

“Let’s just hope that he did.” Kabal shrugged

“Where’s Jade and Kotal?” Erron asked.

“I believe they are in edenia. If not, Jade is in earthrealm. Probably taking care of business” Kitana replied.

“Perhaps Tanya could help us as well.” Mileena suggested.

“Tanya would be optimal, yes.” Kitana said.

“Okay, so when are we going? Do we need anything?” Kabal asked.

“Well, we aren’t going to Kombat with them. So I suppose we can go now” Mileena said.

The three men nodded, as Kitana opened a portal to edenia. The five of them entered the portal, heading in the direction of Jade and Kotal’s Palace.

——————————————————————————

The five of them arrived in edenia, they all walk in the direction of the palace, in need of seeing Jade and Kotal

The entered the palace, seeing Kotal and Jade having a conversation. Before Jade could continue, she noticed the five of them standing at the other side of the palace, and decided to approach them.

“Kitana.” Jade smiled

“Jade.” Kitana smiled back.

The two of them greeted each other with a hug, as any pair of best friends would do after not seeing each other for awhile.

“What brings the five of you here?” Jade asked.

“Skarlet... She kidnapped our father. She apparently had a whole clan of her own.. and we only only wish that you and Kotal aide us” Mileena pleaded.

Jade couldn’t help but feel pity for the siblings, seeing as their father was stripped away from them. Though, confused as to why the other three men were with them.

She looked over at Kotal, and they both agreed. The least they could do is help them out.

“We will be more than happy to help you” Kotal nodded.

“Thank you, Kotal.” Kitana replied.

“And those three, why are they with you?” Jade asked out of curiosity.

“For the same reason as you both, we want to help” Kano responded.

“Kano...my Macana. I still have not recieved it.” Kotal informed.

“Are you..” Kano stopped himself from having a fit. The last thing he wanted to do was start cursing in anger in front of everybody.

[haphazardlyparked]

caffeine challenge #26

my flight had just landed when i saw i still had time for this! so i wrote it on my phone on the way metro home. idk where i'm going with it, but i'm to find out (eventually)!! i had a lot of fun with this, and it pushed me to write something different. thank you! 

also sorry for shitty formatting, and stuff. i'm trying to put a cut in from mobile. i absolutely blame autocorrect for all typos. :P

-------

"Is this seat taken?"

I said it as cool as I could, casual and with a smile. My sisters had always told me my smile was a gift of nature meant to either get me out of hot water, or push me in neck-deep. I hadn't know what they meant -- back then,I hadn't known about all the dangers they were well-versed in. All I knew then was that my smile tended to get me whatever I wanted, so I used it indiscriminately.

The girl, in her tan jacket with a big blue scarf wound around her neck and half her face, glanced up at me, and then around at the half-full bus. She lifted one dark, perfect eyebrow, and turned back to the window -- but she didn't say no.

So I sat next to her. I didn't know why I did it. I didn't even know why I'd said anything in the first place, but at least she didn't protest.

After riding long minutes in silence, the bus passing through the streets painted orange by the old lamps, we arrived at my stop.

"Thanks," I said. By this point, the bus was mostly full, and nobody had a free seat beside them. It made me feel less like I'd committed some grievous transgression of public spaces.

The girl's clear blue eyes flicked towards me. She nodded dismissively, and once again turned back to the window. I got off the bus and started making my way through the orange-lit night, back to my sisters' house.

But I couldn't get the image of the girl out of my head -- dark-hair contained by the blue scarf, a darker shade than her deep-set eyes. Her oval face had been covered from nose-down.

It was only when I got home to my sisters that I remembered it was still summer, and I was sweating from the overly-warm night air.

---

I saw her again a few weeks later, at reading in the park. She had shed the tan jacket for something darker, but she still had the blue scarf. It was still summer.

The vain part of me immediately began insisting it wasn't a coincidence, but I knew it couldn't be anything but. I was more aware of the strangeness this time -- it didn't feel like summer near the girl. Or it seemed like she was dressed perfectly for the weather.

"Hi," I said, taking up the empty seat on the bench before I realized what I was doing -- and crucially, before I could stop myself. "You're the girl from the bus."

The girl looked up from her reading. Her blue eyes were blank until I smiled hesitantly. I'd never been hesitant before. Recognition dawned.

"You're that boy," she said.

"Yeah," I said. "I'm Paris."

The girl stared at me, contemplative. It was a long minute before she said, "Tatiana Vasilyeva."

I started breathing again; I hadn't realized I'd stopped. "Nice to meet you. Can I call you Tanya?"

"I prefer Tatiana," she said.

That was the end of our conversation. I got up after sitting next to her in silence for a bit -- she had long since returned to her book. As I walked away, I wondered how she spoke so clearly through the scarf.

I was sweating again by the time I made it home.

----

"Are you following me, Paris?"

I opened my eyes and saw Tatiana leaning over me, blue eyes wide, still wearing that scarf. Her hair was up in a ponytail today though, above the line of her scarf and dangling down towards me.

I sat up straight, and offered her the seat next to me on the towel. She was wearing the tan jacket again, and she didn't take it off when she sat.

"It's a public park," I said. "I guess we both like this place."

"I haven't seen you here before."

"I moved in with my sisters not too long ago," I explained. "I was with some other relatives before."

Tatiana tilted her head. "They sound interesting."

"My aunt and uncle, or my sisters?"

She thought about it. "Your sisters," she decided. "You have three of them?"

"How'd you know?"

Tatiana's eyes crinkled in a smile. "Lucky guess," she said.

"Hey," I said impulsively, planting my hands in the grass behind me and ready to push myself to my feet. "D'you want to grab a snack or a drink, or something?"

I smiled at her.

Her eyes narrowed. "Another time," she said, and got to her feet. "Definitely, another time. I'll see you around, Paris."

-----

The fourth time I saw her, it was night again. I was walking back to my sisters' again, from the same bus stop, and there she was: skin yellow-orange in the old street lights, smoking something with her back against a big, dark brown door.

The blue scarf was hanging loose around her neck, the ends reaching her knees. She had black lipstick on. I realized it was the first time I'd seen her whole face.

"Hi, Paris," she said, and flicked cigarette or whatever aside. Grinding it under the heel of her tennis sneakers, Tatiana pushed herself from off against the wall. "Having a nice walk?"

"Evening, Tatiana," I replied, like this was normal. "Do you live here?"

Tatiana smiled. Her lips were full and with the black lipstick, the smile made her look unearthly. I smiled back and started towards her. It was difficult, for some reason; the muscles in my face and my feet both felt weak.

"I live wherever I want," she said.

It struck me as a dangerous thing to say.

"Oh. I've just never seen you here."

"It's a public street," she said, still smiling. "I guess we both like it."

I was sweating again. Summer was nearly over, and while the nights weren't cool yet, they were no longer swelteringly hot.

"Did you just move in with your sisters?" I asked, not quite able to make it a joke.

Tatiana shook her head. "Brothers," she corrected.

"Let me guess," I said, echoing our earlier conversation without knowing why. It felt right. "Three of them?"

Shrugging, Tatiana pulled at the ends of her scarf and started winding it around her throat and face again.

"Something like that," she said -- and turned to open the door behind her. "See you later, Paris."

She went inside.

"You smell like dirt," my sisters complained when I got home. "What'd you do at the park? Roll around?"

I usually had a clever repartee for them, but all I could think about was whether or not the door Tatiana had gone into had been there before.

[haltandcatchfiretothemax]

Headcanon that for Memorial Day in 1995, Donna Emerson persists in her habit of trying to overcompensate for the previous year’s bummer holidays

[CN: Major spoilers for s4 of Halt and Catch Fire, major character death, also food and eating]

By May of 1995, It’s been just over a year since Gordon’s death, so much has happened and changed that it seems like it’s been much longer, and it also feels in some ways to pretty much everyone that no time has passed at all. Donna is determined to make sure everyone has fun though, so that year, she hosts a massive Memorial Day pool party and barbecue, and invites the entire former Mutiny staff, as well as her current Symphonic coworkers, and everyone she knows who was at Comet. 

Tanya Reese, her sister, and her nephew are the first to arrive, and out of habit, Tanya starts to help, and Donna has to literally shove her out the door with a “You’re not on the clock, go sit by the pool and try to RELAX!”

Everyone else begins to arrive just as Donna, who is already in her Californian ~gay divorcee~ summer uniform (big floppy sunhat, expensive sunglasses, black bathing suit, and floral pattern sarong) is bringing extra plates and cups to the table out by the pool. Before she knows what’s happening, everyone is there and munching on the hero sandwiches, chips, pretzels, and sodas she’d set out: Trip and the other partners are making awkward smalltalk with Diane, who is happily riding them about working for Donna; Bodie is encouraging his kids to cannonball into the pool; Yo-yo and his wife are chatting and laughing with Lev and his fiancee, Arki is talking with some coders from Swapmeet whose names Donna is mortified to realize she can’t remember. Haley and Vanessa are talking to Risa and her partner, and to some other people from Comet, and Bos is standing off to the side, smiling at everything, seltzer in hand. 

Cameron, of course, arrives over an hour late, as always, because she didn’t want to actually have to go to this or any party, ever. When she appears by the pool, after walking around to the back of Donna’s house, Donna is so glad to see her that she can’t resist calling out, “Look who it is, everyone, it’s our favorite prodigal coder!” Cameron is then overwhelmed with a kind of hero’s welcome. Arki, as always, hugs her for too long, Bodie nearly knocks her into the pool, Yo-yo tells her she looks great, and Lev bitchily jokes, “Does she, though? What is she even wearing? …at least she’s not wearing the overalls again, I guess.” (Cameron is actually wearing her lightest button down shirt and a pair of ripped jeans that Lev is pretty sure she’s had since her Mutiny days, and he wishes he could accessorize her, and no, he does not feel bad about it.) 

When Cameron finally makes it through the welcoming throng she grabs a sandwich from the table and immediately starts to stuff her face with it. “Help yourself!” Donna teases her. She watches Cameron anxiously eat for a minute and then says, “You don’t wanna go for a swim first?” and then cracks up when Cameron looks at her as if she just suggested that she enjoy a quick root canal. Donna smiles at her sympathetically, and Cameron responds by grabbing a second sandwich and going to find Bos

Bos and Vanessa are working the grill, and Cameron stands there awkwardly with them as they grill burgers, hot dogs, and small cuts of salmon, and watches as everyone else at the party talks and laughs and enjoys the pool. It’s a sunny, unseasonably hot day, and everyone is happy to get into the water

Donna is happy to see everyone having a good time, but it’s a long day, longer than she thought it would feel. It’s an uneventful day, a typical day of hostessing, that requires her to make regular trips back into the house to get things for her guests, and she doesn’t mind it, but she does find that when she goes back inside by herself that a weird sense of dread creeps up on her. Everything seems fine, everything is fine, as far as she knows, and the it looks like everyone else is at ease, but when she looks out at the party from inside the house, it feels like something is wrong, and she suddenly feels very far away from everything. She spends as little time inside as she can, and then finds that even though she’s glad that everyone came over, she’s relieved when everyone starts go home around ten pm.

Tanya is of course the last to leave, which she only does after Donna assures her that she doesn’t need any help with clean up

Cameron always helps after a party at Donna’s though (it’s secretly her favorite part of going to Donna’s parties), and after Donna has seen everyone out, Cameron finds her in the kitchen, busy putting away leftover potato salad and fruit. Without asking, she starts helping, and when Donna looks over at her, a few minutes later, she says, “Cameron! What the hell happened to your face?” Cameron’s cheeks and forehead (and also the small portion of her chest near her shirt’s collar that’s visible) are bright red. “It’s just a slight burn, it will look like a tan tomorrow,” Cameron insists. Donna gets the aloe vera out of the fridge and hands it to Cameron, who quietly applies it to her face and chest. She gets another lecture on the dangers of sun damage, and the importance of sun protection

After the kitchen and pool area are tidied, Donna realizes that she didn’t get into the pool all day, and she asks Cameron, “Hey, do you wanna sit outside with me for a minute?” 

They sit together at the shallow end of the pool. Cameron sits with her legs crossed, and Donna takes off her sarong and slips off her flip flops and dips her feet into the water. It’s silent for a few minutes, when Donna says, “Remember the subscriber barbecue?” Cameron smiles, which hurts slightly, and winces. “You mean at Mutiny?” Donna sighs contentedly at the memory. Cameron says, “Oh, yeah, it was totally great until Carl realized that the WestCorp had utterly screwed us.” Donna frowns, “That did become a very, very long night. It was good day, though.” 

It gets quiet again, and Cameron looks over at Donna, who is looking up at the sky. Cameron can tell that she’s tired, but Donna also looks comfortable, hands planted just behind her, reclining just slightly, torso elongated, legs loose. Cameron unself-consciously thinks about how her own legs always look too long, but Donna’s always look just right. 

Donna is comfortable, and unprompted, she says, “It’s still weird without him.” “It’s weird without both of them,” Cameron sighs, “but it’s also okay. I mean, not ‘okay,’ but like….” “I know what you meant,” Donna nods. “Not that Gordon would be here, he’d probably be camping, this weekend. I did a lot of camping with him when we were married, and I didn’t really enjoy it, but now I’m weirdly glad that I went.” Cameron sits there and thinks to herself that she’s sorry but also ultimately grateful that J*e isn’t there.

As if she can tell what Cameron is thinking, Donna says, “I’m so, so happy that you stayed. You know what’s strange though? I thought that getting to work with you again would help me miss Mutiny less. But I don’t think it’s worked out that way.” “Is that why you invited everyone from Mutiny today?” Cameron asks. Donna doesn’t respond, she just grins at how nice it feels when Cameron gets her.

Then she says, “I would really like to work with you at a place like Mutiny again some day. Or, well, there will probably never be another place like Mutiny. I hope we get to have an office full of nerds, again. And that we all get to make a place on the internet where people love to go.” Quietly, Cameron says, “Phoenix?” Donna looks over at her and smiles for real, for what feels like the first time that day. Cameron asks, “Should we talk about it? Phoenix? As in, like, right now?” Donna frowns slightly, and asks, “Would you mind?” Cameron grins in response, and winces again. Gently, Donna says, “Let’s go get you some more aloe vera first, though.”

[twilight-adamo]

Author’s Notes: Brave New World, Chapter 1: The Parting of the Ways

In April 2018, the same day I posted the epilogue to As Dreams Are Made On, I wrote the first scene of Brave New World, and most of the second. And then I got stuck, for quite a long time. I lost myself in research, tried to build out my plans, tried to focus on other things for a time, particularly These Our Actors, which posed its own challenges - but I’ll cover that in my author’s notes on Rosalie’s installment. I had a difficult year for a number of reasons. For a time I wasn’t writing at all.

I see from the revision history that I only came back to Brave New World in February of this year, spent a couple days on it, and left it alone again until June. June was when I finally realized that there was one particular thing in my life that was destroying my mental health and my ability to create, and that I was carrying on with it out of a sense of obligation, but I’d help no one - least of all myself - if I wore myself down on it. So, reluctantly, I dropped the obligation that was dominating my mental landscape, I took a step back, and I allowed myself to breathe. I’m still not working at a hundred percent, but I am getting better. And over the last few days, I’ve been able to write again.

My original plan for this chapter had been to focus on the wedding of Charlie and Kate, and I threw myself into a ton of wedding research, wanting to get everything just right. I figured Carlisle would officiate, so I researched Anglican marriage services and drew heavily on what I found. I looked at venues and considered colors and organized the wedding party and stopped just short of actually planning an entire wedding. And I got through the ceremony, which felt shorter than it should be, and I was beginning to write what came after, and I was thinking about what I had planned for the reception (notably what probably would have been an even cheesier musical moment than the rendition of “The Best Is Yet To Come” from the epilogue of As Dreams Are Made On), and I realized...none of it was working from me. It was indulgent in a story which is already going to get indulgent in parts, but worse, it was dull. My protagonist didn’t have much to do aside from stand and watch and react.

I also wanted to have a family meeting scene where we got some sense of where everyone was going over the summer, what they were doing, and I had a choice between tacking it onto the end of an overstuffed and boring first chapter or onto the beginning of the second chapter, which I’d planned to set primarily in Jacksonville. So I finally looked at the ten or so pages of wedding stuff I’d already written, considered how much more I would need to get through and how little I would enjoy it, and decided it all had to go. The first chapter would focus entirely on the family meeting, a last goodbye to Forks before I started the grand road trip that would take up the first few chapters of the book. Once I’d figured that out, I finished the first chapter in a day or two. It’s still a little more talking than I’d like and a little less action, but I think it sets up the next chunk of story nicely, at least.

As for the stuff I didn’t cut: as I said, Bella’s nightmare was the very first thing I wrote. I’ve made some minor tweaks here and there, but it’s pretty close to what I originally wrote over a year ago. I wanted to show some of the psychological effect of Bella’s decision to start a fight with the Volturi, I wanted to show that Eleazar’s panicked reaction to whatever he saw had affected her, and I wanted to start things off with a sense of menace hanging over our heroes. The Cullens and their extended network of friends and family may not be in a state of outright war, but there is still danger lurking at the edges of their lives, and unresolved mysteries hiding just below the surface of things. I wanted to spin a vision of something that could yet be, and establish that “happily ever after” is still a long way away, down a dark and twisted road.

It was also just enormous fun to write.

And it was a nice segue into a domestic scene with Alice and Bella, a glimpse of their lives a few weeks on from our last visit with them. We already got such a glimpse in the epilogue of the last volume, but seeing as that chapter was focused largely on prom, I thought they deserved a little alone time.

I spent a great deal of time trying to work out the plan for the summer - where everyone would be going, what they would be doing. I actually nearly forgot to include Eleanor in those plans, up until the last minute. I’m sorry to say that, focused as Brave New World is on Bella’s perspective, we’re not going to see much of the others’ adventures in this text, but they’re certainly fodder for future installments of These Our Actors, and Bella will get updates here and there, particularly once everyone is reunited in Forks. Bella, Alice, Rosalie and Emmett will all have quite enough on their own plates, so hopefully none of you will be bored.

There will be much more of Renée - and Phil - in the next chapter, which will cover the gang’s time in Jacksonville. I confess I’ve never been to Jacksonville (I’ve really only visited Florida for the theme parks) so I’ve got a bit of research to do. “I’ve got a bit of research to do” is likely to be my recurring mantra on this story, as I’m trying to blow out the boundaries of this world, introduce vampires we never met in the Twilight novels from places that were never really touched on, and perhaps bring in stranger things besides. But that’s a way off. For now, I’m a little ways into Chapter 2 (and have even written a bit of Chapter 3), and having great fun writing Bella’s free-spirited mother. I hope you’ll love my take on her as much as I do.

And now, as a bonus, I present the raw text cut from Chapter 1 of Brave New World. I’ve held onto it for reference, in case I decide to draw on it for flashbacks or a future installment of These Our Actors, and it’s possible the details may change, but since I don’t have any plans for it now, I thought I’d share what I came up with before I changed directions. It’s under the cut. I’m afraid not all my formatting carried over into Tumblr’s interface, but you should get the gist.

(Picking up from the end of the scene with Bella and Alice in bed at the cottage.)

I’d been pretty scarce around Forks the last few weeks, since school let out - I’d completely missed late spring giving way to high summer. Officially, I had been busy helping my dad and his new bride with wedding preparations. In actuality, I’d spent most of that time dropping into comas, recovering from them, and moving on to the next. I’d had a limited window of opportunity to turn a few select vampires human, and no time to waste. Edward had been the first to volunteer - he’d told Angela the truth, and she’d eventually decided she wanted to be with him regardless, but he still wanted to lose his bloodlust for the time being, and needed a bit of a break from everyone else’s thoughts after the past few months. I had carefully packed his powers away for safekeeping, then taken his vampirism from him. At his request, we were leaving him human until he reached his long-delayed eighteenth birthday.

Rosalie, Eleanor and Emmett had decided to turn human, too, and I had requested that they stay that way until Carlisle had finished identifying effective birth control techniques for hybrids, or at least until the summer ended. Kate hadn’t become pregnant just yet - and I really didn’t want to consider just how miraculous that was - but I didn’t want to push our luck with another extremely sexual and potentially fertile couple. Or thruple, as the case seemed to be - they had become much more open in their mutual affections toward Eleanor since she and Jessamine had moved to Forks.

Jasper and his sister - now going by Mina to avoid confusion - had decided to stay vampires for the time being, as had Carlisle, Esme, Tanya and Irina, though I had made my tweaks to the new arrivals so they and the shifters would no longer find one another offensive, assuming the vampires all stuck to non-human blood. It was just as well. With a five day coma after each de-vamping exercise and a day for recovery, I’d been cutting things awfully close to the rehearsal and the wedding itself. And no matter what dad said, I still felt a little guilty about that, even if he and Kate had plenty of help from everyone else. Especially since I was in the wedding party, if not precisely in the role I’d expected. At least I wasn’t maid of honor or best man, so to speak - those particular honors had gone to Irina and to Harry Clearwater, respectively. But I was still expected to stand at the altar.

After a luxurious spell in bed, followed by a relaxed breakfast and a shower, Alice “helped” me dress in the tuxedo she’d made for me, complete with high-collared blouse, fitted waistcoat, and a navy blue bow tie and cummerbund, all of it tailored perfectly to my frame. In all honesty, it was a blatant excuse to get her hands all over me and take me in one last time before the ceremony, but I can’t say I minded. At last, she finished, tying my hair back with a navy ribbon and kissing me softly, leaving me to finish my makeup while she hurried to meet Kate, Irina and the other bridesmaids.

Once I’d finished preparing, there wasn’t much left to do but head for the Cullens’ house, where dad and the rest of his party would be waiting until the time came to head for the venue. A mixed crowd of humans, hybrids, werewolves and most importantly vampires meant we were taking no chances with an outdoor wedding, and we were probably one of the few wedding parties this summer hoping for rain, or at least overcast skies. Fortunately, we’d gotten the latter, at least long enough to get the vampires into the hall, and by the time the reception was over with, it would be well past sunset.

It didn’t take too long to walk to the main house from the love nest Alice and I had made of Pine Cottage, and I arrived to find the others gathered around a table in the den, in the middle of a game of poker. There were two other groomsmen after Harry and myself: Emmett, and dad’s Deputy Chief, Joe Miller. From the pile of chips in front of him and the enormous frat boy grin on his face, it looked like Emmett was taking the others for all they were worth.

“Hey Bella!” he called out, waving as I came in and gesturing at the empty seat beside my father. “Want us to deal you in?”

I chuckled, taking the seat but shaking my head. “Thanks, but Alice already warned me about you. Hey, dad. Please tell me you didn’t put your honeymoon fund on the line.”

I nudged him with my shoulder, and he slung his arm around me, giving me a brief hug. “Hi, kiddo. The honeymoon fund’s safe. Kate would kill me. You girls didn’t think to warn me?”

“Well, you know, I’ve been busy. Distracted. And I figured Emmett would be too much of a gentleman to take advantage of a man on his wedding day,” I added, shooting a mock glare at the ex-vampire in question.

“Your first mistake was assuming I’m any kind of gentleman,” Emmett returned, with a broad smirk. “Besides, I respect Charlie too much to just let him win.”

Dad gave him a deadpan look. “I’m touched. Really. You can respect me a little less, though.”

“Can’t do it, sir.” Emmett drew himself up, looking impossibly earnest, save for the twinkle in his eye. “Did I ever tell you you’re my hero? You’re everything I wish I could be.”

“He’s been like this for the last hour. I’m starting to think he’s just always on,” Deputy Chief Miller remarked, glancing my way. “How’s your summer been, Bella?”

“Trust me, this is just the tip of the iceberg with him,” I replied, gesturing at Emmett, who chuckled. “Oh, you know, good. Busy with wedding stuff, getting ready to leave town, all that. Alice and I are heading to Jacksonville with mom and Phil after the wedding, we’ll be back in August.”

“Your, uh, girlfriend’s going on vacation with you?” he said, his eyebrows rising.

“Don’t worry, Rose and me will be chaperoning,” Emmett interjected cheerfully.

Dad cleared his throat. “More importantly, Renée and her husband will be providing adult supervision. And separate guest rooms.”

I bit my lip to hide my smile. I still didn’t really have memories of my mom - or, rather, the mom I had here and now - and I’d only recently gotten to spend any time with her, since she and Phil had come to town for the wedding. It had all been e-mail and phone calls before that. But from my memory of the books, and based on my interactions with her so far, I would not really call Renée Dwyer a responsible adult, and Phil was friendly and level-headed but not really a parent to me. That suited me fine - I didn’t really feel like an actual teenager, even now, and I didn’t need active parenting - but it was apparently important to dad to keep up the convenient fiction.

What he wasn’t saying, of course, was that Jacksonville was only part of our trip. That just about everyone except Edward was leaving Forks for the summer, and that in fact he had no honeymoon fund to worry about, because Alice had arranged everything.

“Huh. Well, uh...have fun down in Florida. Is Jacksonville anywhere near the theme parks?” Miller asked, clearly ready to change the subject.

“It’s not - not any of the big ones, anyway - but Carlisle and Esme are going to join us down in Orlando for a few days before we head back,” I lied - another little fiction, this one mainly for my mom’s sake, but we were all keeping to a consistent narrative. “So we’ll be going to Disney World, anyway. The Cullens have never been, and they’ve been nice enough to invite me along.”

The deputy chief’s eyebrows shot up, and he glanced at Emmett, the lone Cullen in the room. “Seriously? What with this house and all, I sort of figured you’d be going every year.”

“Oh, we don’t travel much once we put down roots. It’s mainly just camping trips,” Emmett said. “Can’t wait to ride Space Mountain, though.”

“Gentlemen, I think we have a hand to finish?” Harry interjected at last, a little smirk on his face. “And then maybe we can find something to do that doesn’t give Emmett a chance to shake us down.”

“We have a pool table,” Emmett suggested innocently.

“We are not falling for that twice, kid,” dad said firmly. “Joe, I think it was your bet.”

“God help me,” Miller said, shaking his head as he pushed in his chips.

*****

After the game came to its merciful conclusion, we had just enough time for a movie before it was time to head for the venue. Neither dad nor Kate had been especially invested in the idea of a church wedding, so they’d picked out a lodge in the nearby woods, and asked Carlisle to officiate. I’d only seen the venue in photos. Seeing it in person, nestled among the towering pines, decorated in fairy lights and banners of blue and silver and lavender, the whole scene accompanied by the sounds of the wind in the trees and the river flowing nearby...I was simply awestruck by everything that lay before me.

“Well then. Guess this is our cue to go around back and get in position,” Harry said, clapping my dad on the shoulder. “You ready for this, Charlie?”

I looked over at dad. He, too, seemed briefly stunned and frozen. But when Harry spoke, he started to break into a grin. “Yeah,” he agreed quietly. “Yeah, I think I am.”

“You’ve got this, dad.” I turned to him and gave him a loose hug. “I’ll see you soon. Love you.”

“I love you, too, Bells,” he said, hugging me back and kissing the top of my head. “Go on, then, I know you’re eager to see Alice.”

“God, you make it sound like we’re codependent,” I complained, lightly, pulling back. Not that he was entirely wrong: I could definitely feel a tingle of excitement running through me as I headed inside with Emmett and the deputy chief.

The rest of the wedding party was gathered in the lodge’s tiny lobby, preparing for their grand entrance to the great room. We didn’t have a ring bearer or a flower girl - Harry had the rings - but everyone else was prepared to play their role. I wasted no time making my way to Alice’s side, slipping my arm around her waist, while Emmett followed me at a more sedate pace, chuckling softly as he joined Rosalie.

“We were never that bad,” he remarked to Rose, looking at the two of us.

“Oh, you were worse,” she returned, smirking up at him. He made a scandalized noise in response.

“Is that how we’re going to play it, Rose? ‘Cause I seem to recall a particularly insatiable little -”

“How did the wedding prep go?” I asked Alice, tuning the two of them out as I turned to kiss her cheek. “You look gorgeous.”

“Mmm, I’d hope so, after all that. It was nice to be pampered. The makeup artist was a bit of a perfectionist, but Kate got the worst of it,” she replied, looking up at me through her lush, dark eyelashes, a smile curving her red lips. Her hair framed her face in messy waves, and of course she looked amazing in her bridesmaid’s dress - lavender, strapless, accented in silver, tailored to fit the individual figures of each woman in Kate’s wedding party. “It’s possible the poor woman suffered a static shock or two.”

“I told Kate to use her powers for good,” I joked, my eyes sweeping over the room. Eleanor and Deputy Chief Miller, who’d be escorting her up the aisle, had joined Emmett and Rose, and the deputy chief seemed a little lost and perhaps slightly scandalized by the increasingly shameless flirting among the trio. And Kate, as might be expected, was sandwiched between her maid of honor, Irina, and Tanya, who’d be giving Kate away in the place of their mother.

Kate, naturally, looked absolutely incredible. Her normally straight blonde hair had been curled and bound up in an elaborate updo, and dangling silver and sapphire earrings glittered at her earlobes. A brass pendant, formed in a sort of hammer shape and decorated with elaborate, curling lines, hung from a chain about her neck. Her wedding dress was also strapless, all white and silver, the bodice clinging tightly to her figure as it swept down to the full skirts that frothed about her legs, interrupted only by a lavender sash tied about her waist. She looked radiantly happy, her joy outshining her natural hybrid glow.

Alice and I made our way over to her, and I offered a slightly hesitant one-armed hug. “You look amazing, Kate. I just wanted to wish you and dad all the best, one more time, before we get started.”

“Thank you, Bella,” she replied, returning the hug, awkwardly at first, but we both relaxed into a genuine embrace after a moment. “I’m...well I’m glad you’ve accepted all this so easily. And that your mother has been so welcoming. I wasn’t sure…”

“Please, don’t worry about it,” I told her softly, though I could feel that slight, uneasy shift in the pit of my stomach, even now. I tried to quiet it: I’d seen how happy dad and Kate were, how good they were for each other. They were the same people they’d always been, or at least dad was, but happier. Still...the mating bond hadn’t given either of them much choice. I worried about that, as I still, sometimes, worried about Alice. As fast as I’d fallen for her, I’d still been able to do so on my own terms. That was something Alice never got to do, and a chance dad and Kate would never have.

I forced a smile nonetheless as I continued, practiced enough now to make it genuine - which it was, really, mostly, despite my doubts. “Both of us just want dad to be happy. And you make him so happy - I’ve seen it, and now mom’s seen it, and she’s already remarried. She loves my dad but...they didn’t work. You two do. You just...fit.”

Maybe Kate caught something in my body language or my tone, despite all my best efforts, because she looked at me with faintly troubled eyes. But just as she was opening her mouth to say something more, we all heard the music starting in the other room, and Irina clapped her hands.

“Positions, everyone! Bridesmaids and groomsmen, go,” she announced, loud and clear. There was no more time to chat.

Alice and I were last in the procession of groomsmen and bridesmaids, and she nudged me gently as we swept into the room, murmuring softly. “You all right? You just seem…”

“I’m fine,” I whispered, through my smile, as we walked down the aisle under Carlisle’s benevolent gaze, surrounded by our family, friends and loved ones, going to meet dad and Harry at the altar. “Just getting in my own head a little.”

“Mmmm. Stop it,” she said, squeezing my arm as our moment came to part. “We’ll talk later.”

I nodded, very slightly, and we took our positions on either side of the aisle, watching Irina walk up last of all. The music changed, shifting to a classic bridal march, and everyone’s eyes were on Kate as Tanya walked her slowly and gracefully up the aisle. She was smiling brightly enough to transform her face into something even more beautiful, and broadly enough that it seemed like her face might crack in two, and I knew without looking that dad’s gaze was locked on her, his smile just as bright. Love and passion just radiated off the two of them, a palpable force filling the room from wall to wall. The room fell to a reverent hush, and for a moment I would have sworn I could hear their two hearts beating as one.

At last, the moment was broken by Carlisle’s voice, deceptively soft and yet resonant enough to fill the room. “Cherished friends, we come together today to witness the joining of Charles Geoffrey Swan and Katrina Sashova in holy matrimony, to ask for God’s blessing upon their union, to share in their joy, and to celebrate their love. For of all the gifts bestowed upon us by our Creator, love is the most precious, the most fragile, and the most important. As it is written in First Corinthians, love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

“We are taught that marriage is a gift of love, for God is love. It is a gift of God in creation and a means of God’s grace, for through this holy mystery, two become as one. Marriage is given that each partner might help the other, living faithfully in need and in plenty, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy. It is given that with delight and with tenderness those so joined might know each other in love, and that through the joy of spiritual and of bodily union, they may strengthen the connection between their hearts and minds. Marriage is a grace visited not only upon those joined in matrimony but upon all their loved ones - not only upon any children that may arise from the union but also upon their beloved community.

“In marriage, those so joined belong to one another, and embark upon a new life within their community. It is not a gift to be taken lightly, carelessly, or selfishly, but reverently, responsibly, and after serious thought. This is the way of life that Charles and Katrina are now to begin. I have been privileged to know them, and privileged to witness their love for one another. I believe with all my heart that these two are meant to be one. And now I must ask: if anyone here knows of any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Silence followed. I wasn’t expecting anything else, but even so, it felt like the world had let out a breath it didn’t know it had been holding. Dad and Kate beamed at one another once again.

“Very well,” Carlisle said, breaking into a warm smile of his own. “Charles and Katrina, I now invite you to join hands and to deliver your vows in the presence of God and of all assembled here. May you speak honestly and without reservation, from the bottom of your hearts.”

Dad and Kate stepped forward, closer to one another, joining hands, and for a moment dad seemed at a loss for words, until his perfect hybrid memory kicked in and he found his place once more. He cleared his throat and chuckled nervously under his breath. “I, Charles Swan, take you, Katrina Sashova, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward: for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. I swear to love, cherish, and honor you each day, from now until my last day on this Earth, in God’s name and by God’s grace.”

“I, Katrina Sashova, take you, Charles Swan, to be my lawfully wedded husband,” Kate returned, her eyes shining just slightly, her face aglow with more than the usual hybrid radiance. “To have and to hold from this day forward: for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. I swear to love, cherish, and honor you each day, from now until my last day on this Earth, in God’s name and by God’s grace.”

“I believe the best man has the rings?” Carlisle said, taking them gently as Harry offered them, and cradling one in each hand. “God, by your blessing, let these rings to be to Charles and Katrina be a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and the covenant which they have made this day in your holy presence. Amen.”

With that, he handed the rings off, and I could see dad’s fingers tremble just a little, almost imperceptibly, as he slipped Kate’s ring on her finger. “With this ring, I pledge myself to you, giving you all that I am, and sharing with you all that I have.”

Kate echoed his words softly, slipping his ring onto his finger in turn, and Carlisle joined their hands together, covering them loosely with his own.

“What God has seen fit to join, let no man put asunder,” he pronounced solemnly. “And by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Charlie, you may kiss your bride.”

They were moving before he was done talking, and somehow mustered enough restraint to move slow enough for the human eye to follow, though I heard more than a little laughter at their eagerness nonetheless. Charlie swept Kate readily into his arms, tilting her back just a little as they kissed fiercely, her bouquet dropping to the ground as her hands reached up to cup his cheek.

The room broke into wild applause, with a few hoots and whistles mixed in, and my eyes caught Alice’s as we clapped. For one wild, breathless moment, I wanted to throw caution to the wind, speed to her side and take her in my arms as well, hell, maybe even tell Carlisle to marry us here and there. But just a split second later, I felt a sort of coolness rushing through me, like a cold shower inside my mind, and my gaze swept into the audience, where Jasper raised one eyebrow at me expressively and inclined his head. I gave him a sheepish grin, then looked back at Alice, who winked and blew me a kiss before turning her attention back to the matter at hand. A triumphant march played as the wedding party swept back outside for photos and drinks and all the rest while the lodge staff moved everything around again for the reception.

*****

“I’ll be honest, that was way more God than I was expecting,” Callie remarked to me, once I’d been excused from modeling duty and we had a moment alone.

I shrugged. “Dad and Kate believe in a vague something. It was enough to have a vaguely religious ceremony. Besides, Carlisle’s dad was an Anglican pastor.”

Callie downed some of her sparkling cider, her eyes narrowing at me. “Is that a ‘lingering obsession with Twilight factoid’ or an ‘I spend all my time around the Cullens’ factoid?”

“Column A, column B,” I said, with another slight shrug. “I already knew about it, but I mean, we do talk. Anyway, Carlisle’s not nearly as hardcore as his father was, but he’s religious enough and in the know, so…”

“Vaguely religious ceremony. Right. Gotta say it was probably also the shortest wedding I’ve ever been to,” Callie replied, before looking sadly at her half-full glass. “And it’s the most sober wedding I’ve been to in a while. For us, anyway.”

“Yeah, being legally underage definitely has its downside. And please, you saw that kiss - I don’t think we could’ve gotten those two to wait much longer.”

Callie snorted. “True. Hell, you and Alice probably won’t even make it past ‘dearly beloved’.”

Mom chose that moment to come up just behind Callie, her eyebrows rising at the remark, and I immediately started laughing just a little too loudly. “Ha ha! Like we’re about to get married - which we’re not - because I’m seventeen! I am still just...seventeen. And in high school. And not even thinking about getting married. Yep. Good one, Cal, mom, you remember Callie.”

Callie stared at me and shook her head slightly before turning to face my mother. “Nice to see you again, Mrs. Dwyer. Did you enjoy the ceremony?”

“I did, thank you,” mom said, granting me a brief respite as she smiled warmly at Cal. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything over here.”

I shot Callie a pleading glance, and she looked in my direction just long enough to smirk at me before shaking her head. “No, not at all. I should probably go meet up with my parents. You two should catch up. See you later.”

“Of course. We’ll see you around,” mom agreed, and Callie gave a slight wave and moved off. I glared daggers at her retreating back, just for a moment, while mom watched her leave and shook her head. “I still have no idea how you get a nickname like ‘Callie’ out of a name like ‘Tara Chen’.”

“It just suits her,” I mumbled, sighing. “Long story.”

“If you say so. Now, let me look at you.” Mom turned back to me, putting her hands on my shoulders, taking me in. “I still can’t believe how big you’ve gotten, Bella. Or how...oh, what’s the word....dashing, maybe? How dashing you look in that suit.”

[ourloveisforthelovely]

Dark 3

A/n: Dark Gabriel. No warnings for this chapter 

Link to Chapter 2

Words: 1,880

Pairings: Gabriel x Reader 

_________

You remained in the kitchen a moment or so longer before getting up and walking out. You needed to clear your head! Being in the house with all this testosterone was starting to get to you. A nice quiet walk would fix a lot of things!

A half an hour later, Gabriel walked back into the house after calming himself down. He felt slightly guilty for everything that he had said to you. You didn’t really deserve all of that shade that he had thrown your way. No matter what he was now he still didn’t need to take all of his displeasure out on the one person who loved him.

Walking into the living room Sam and Dean looked up at him with identical frowns.

“What? What do you two want?”

Gabriel asked coldly. He was more or less speaking to Sam. He had really liked the youngest Winchester until you told him about Sam leaving when you were pregnant. Although you had specifically elaborated on the fact that Sam “had no idea.” Gabriel was still madder than hell! He didn’t like knowing that the man had caused his lover pain.

In the beginning, Gabriel didn’t care that you had something with Sam. It didn’t affect him any. At the time you were just another pretty face. However, the moment that Gabriel and yourself became official and you told him the truth everything changed…dramatically! Just knowing that Sam had hurt you, made Gabriel want to go on a rampage.

Dean’s voice pulled Gabriel from his negative thoughts.

“Well we're hoping that you was Y/n but clearly you’re not.”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow.

“Were is Y/n?”

Dean shrugged.

“Went for a walk. Surprised you didn’t use your super amazing archangel powers to find her.”

Gabriel’s eyes narrowed on Dean before looking at Sam coldly. Both Sam and Dean could clearly tell that there was something off when it came to Gabriel now. The archangel was completely out of character. He wasn’t making his usual jokes instead he was looking at Sam with almost a cat like expression. His eyes seemed almost dead.

“You have some nerve coming back here, Sam.”

Gabriel said icily. Dean frowned.

“What is your problem?”

Gabriel barely looked at Dean before snapping his fingers taking Dean’s voice away. Sam looked up at Gabriel finally.

“If this is about Y/n being pregnant, I am already feeling shitty enough. I don’t need you rubbing it in with your sugary sweet pet names for her or hearing about your sex life.”

Gabriel’s honey eyes went almost demonically black.

“You are lucky that I am not smiting you right now! You hurt her you know. She was really in love with you Sam but not anymore. She loves me now and I am not going to hurt her.”

Sam stood his face twitching with anger.

“Too bad she’s scared of you. What the hell happened to you with Asmodues, Gabriel? You aren't the same.”

Gabriel’s lips twitched. What kind of bullshit was this?

“No, she isn't. Of course, I am not the same, dip shit! You can't go through what I did and come back the cheery happy version of yourself that you used to be.”

“Yes she is!”

Sam snapped standing up. He towered over Gabriel easily and seemed to forget that the archangel could end him in the blink of an eye.

“You can just look in her eyes anytime you are near her, Gabe. She is scared shirtless.”

Before Gabriel could get another insult out Bobby walked into the room freezing at the sight in front of him. Dean looked like he was trying to cough up a hairball while Gabriel and Sam looked ready to take each other out.

“Everyone stop! What the hell is going on in here anyway?”

Gabriel looked at Bobby again his eyes glittering. He knew he shouldn't be cross with the Bobby. It wasn’t like the poor guy asked to die and leave his daughter. Maybe it was Bobby’s blatant distrust of angels that Gabriel didn’t like.

“Have you told him?”

Gabriel sneered back at Sam. The youngest Winchester didn’t move. He had never more wished that the old Gabriel to be standing in front of him, not this new and unimproved version. Gabriel chuckled.

“I’ll take that as a no. Well Bobby…funny story. Sammy here knocked up Y/n and split. Gotta give the kid some credit though because he had no clue. I can clearly see that.”

Gabriel smirked sitting down on the couch putting his foot on the coffee table with a smirk on his face. Sam and Dean were afraid to look at Bobby for a moment. When they finally could the man looked a mixture of devastated, shocked, and angry! His eyes were going between Gabriel and Sam with a furious glare.

“Balls!”

Bobby yelled before turning and coming back with a shotgun pointed right at Sam then at Gabriel. Sam gasped as Bobby kept moving the gun between him and Gabriel. The archangel looked less than concerned with Bobby.

“Really, Singer? Are you going to shoot me? Well, spoiler alert I am not going to die!”

Bobby was trembling with rage as he motioned to the door.

“Out of my sight! All of you!”

Sam and Dean wasted no time in booking it out of the house while Gabriel stood up slowly. He gave Bobby a smirked before walking out of the house. He snapped the door closed behind him as he went to join the Winchester’s on the porch.

Once the door was closed Bobby turned muttering under his breath.

“Damn idjits.”

He grumbled before walking to the refrigerator for a beer. Bobby needed a drink!

Meanwhile, Gabriel leaned against the porch banister before looking at Sam and Dean. Dean angrily pointed to his throat.

“Ah sorry, caveman.”

Gabriel chuckled before letting Dean have his voice back. Dean all but started shouting at Gabriel.

“What are you playing at?! You could have gotten us all killed in there?!

Gabriel smirked again.

“Figured daddy should know about what has happened to his little girl.”

Sam was so angry he couldn’t even speak as he began to pace around the porch. If he spoke with would probably attack Gabriel and be hurt worse himself. Dean meanwhile, was more than happy to be going off on Gabriel.

“Gabriel, if you wasn’t an angel I would shoot you myself!”

Gabriel chuckled coldly.

“I would like to see you try big boy!”

Before Dean could respond you appeared out of the darkness with something in your arms. You frowned seeing Sam, Dean, and Gabriel standing on the porch. All three turned to face you as you stepped on to the porch.

“Ellie, where have you been and what is that?”

Gabriel questioned.

“On a walk. Someone open the door.”

You replied. Gabriel threw his hands up in an extra sassy motion as he followed you back into the house. Bobby, who had been sitting in his easy chair with a bottle of beer, looked up as you walked in with Gabriel then Sam and Dean following.

“Y/n, what is that?!”

Gabriel questioned again. His voice was raised slightly as you removed the blanket from the bundle and there sat a little girl who appeared to be around 3 or 4 years old. Gabriel stepped back with an immediate frown on his face.

“Y/n.”

Gabriel’s voice was heavy with warning. Sam and Dean meanwhile, had edged closer too. Dean walked to Y/n as Bobby hovered over her shoulder.

“Y/n, what’s going on?”

You looked up, from the sleeping toddler.

“I found her.”

Dean frowned.

“Like in a ditch?”

You nodded sadly.

“Yes.”

Gabriel hadn’t said anything for a moment as he looked the child over. She was most definitely human! There was nothing out of the ordinary about her or so he thought. The kid appeared to be just another tossed away being. Gabriel sighed as he gazed at the expression in your eyes.

“Crap.”

Gabriel muttered internally. You had that look a mother would have toward her child.

“Y/n, stop.”

You looked back to Gabriel with wide eyes. You didn’t worry about Dean or anyone else in the room.

“Gabriel, I can’t just put her back outside all alone. She’s just a child.”

Gabriel took a breath before sighing deeply.

“Y/n, you can’t just take in any poor unfortunate thing that comes your way.”

Dean laughed bitterly.

“She took your ass in.”

Gabriel snapped his fingers resulting in Dean slamming across the room and over the kitchen table. You gasped as turned to Gabriel.

“Stop! You promised me that you wouldn’t hurt them. I told you I would never bond with you if you hurt them. Regardless of what they have done to me, I do not want them hurt.”

Gabriel’s golden eyes darkened.

“You’ve already bonded with me.”

You swallowed knowing that your Gabriel was on autopilot again.

“Don’t make me regret my decision.”

You said softly before turning back to the child. Gabriel groaned before walking to your side. Growling internally he looked down at the girl reaching out and pressing two fingers to her forehead. The little girl’s blue eyes snapped open and she began to cough. Right away she started to tremble as her eyes met all the strangers in the room that she didn’t know.

You smiled kneeling down to her level keeping your face as kind as possible.

“Hello sweetie. Everything is okay. You are just fine. We aren’t going to hurt you. What’s your name?”

The little girl looked around nervously again before looking down at her lap. You kept your eyes on the child’s face for a moment before looking back to Gabriel. His eyes were studying the child hard.

“Her name is Tanya. She can’t talk. It looks like whatever has occurred in her life has taken away her voice.”

You kept your eyes on Gabriel’s face. You knew that he was seeing a lot more than he would probably ever say to you. Just by the disgusted expression on the archangel’s face, you knew this little girl had gone through some form of hell.

“Can you fix her?”

Gabriel shook his head.

“She has to figure this one out on her own. Looks like we have a kid now.”

Gabriel sat down without another word as Dean walked back into the living room. He gave Gabriel a glare before looking back to you.

“Have to say I haven’t saw my life flash before my eyes since the last time baby stalled on me but your boyfriend throws hard.”

Gabriel laughed bitterly.

“Your life flashes before your eyes when your call stalls? Sheesh, what happens when it the battery dies or something? Do angels come down and dance on the hood? You know what I have had it for today. Y/n, I’ll be upstairs. Once you get this straightened out, join me.”

He stood letting his hand trace over your shoulder before disappearing.

_______

@wontlookaway

@hankypranky

@untoldshortsofthefandoms

@fand0maniac

@emiwrites3reads

@mycocklestiel

@killtherandomness

@shadows-and-padlocked-hearts

@deanwherescas

@sprnaturallover

@fand0maniac

@fandom-trash-worth-it

@marichromatic

@authoressskr

@brokencasbutt67-writer

[xoxokiz]

How Love Dies- 1

*6 months later*

E T H A N

I looked out the window in my room, which gave me a full view of the street. The one advantage of having you room at the front of your house, is how you can see the sunsets every day. Having the golden light hit your walls.

Like every other day in the past 12 months, I've been watching the sunsets.

I hear the door creak open, then a deep voice. "Seriously dude?"

"What? I asked Grayson without turning around.

"It's been 6 months, get over her," he explained as he sat beside me. He looked out the window as well, and I could tell that even he was mesmerized.

"I am over her- I've been dating Raman ever since we broke up. I think that counts as 'getting over her'," I implied. Grayson sighed, and looked over at me.

"Really? Why are you watching the sunset, huh? Isn't that something Tanya used to do?" he interrogated.

I turned to loom at him, breaking my gaze from the sunset, and crossed my legs. I sat with my hands in my lap, slouching. "I don't know, it's a habit."

Which it was. I never really payed attention to the sunset, until I was with Tanya. I usually only watched it with her at my place, but never otherwise; now, I can't stop.

Grayson raised his eyebrow. You could sense the awkwardness between us. "Well, if you're over her, you wouldn't mind me asking her out? Or would you?"

I felt a tiny twinge in my stomach, but chose to ignore it.

"She's going to say no, Gray," I tried to explain to him, in order to get him to not do it.

"Obviously you would think so... 'cause you're not over her," he stated.

"What do I need to do to prove that I'm over her!?" I snapped.

"Nothing... I already know-"

"Know what, Grayson!?" I exclaimed.

"I already know what impact it's made... you've been different ever since then. Watching the sunsets and all," he informed, as he glanced out the window.

I couldn't argue against it.

In result of my silence, Grayson got up and left. He made sure to slam the door shut, in order to prove he was frustrated.

I groaned, and followed behind him shortly after. I ran down the stairs, and to the kitchen. Grayson leaned on the counter, as he watched mom prepare dinner.

"Mom!" I called.

"Yes?" she responded.

I leaned over the counter like Grayson," Do you think that I've changed?"

Grayson gives me a look, but I smirk when I hear my mom respond, "Not really, sweatheart."

"Thank you, now if you excuse me," I walked over to the pantry and grabbed a box of Oreo's, and stuffed one in my mouth," I'll be in my room, preparing for the retreat."

I bolted up the stairs, and closed my door. I walked over to my Bluetooth speaker, and randomly tapped on a playlist. As soon as the song came on, I realized whose it was. (Play music)

Tanya's.

T A N Y A   * the next day *

I swung open the big red doors of the school, and enter the madness of the main hallway. I passed multiple groups, who obviously looked over at me, but made it look like they weren't. I knew what they all were thinking.

Here comes the girl who dated the most popular guy in our grade, but got cheated on.

Yup, I've been getting that look ever since November.

But it's been 6 months, I couldn't care less.

Along with having no boyfriend, I'm also stuck with no friends. After my best friend turned out to be a backstabbing bitch, I never really trusted anyone again. I chose to stay alone, rather than have anyone break my heart again.

I stopped in front of my locker, and grabbed my math Textbook and notebook. I love math, but I hate having it in the morning.

I slam it shut, and make my way to Ms. Jeffries class. I looked down at my notes while I walked, trying to review for the test today.

In a blink of an eye, my stuff goes flying everywhere, and I'm left fallen on the floor. I rubbed my head, as a hand extended out towards me. I took it, and got up.

"You should really watch where you're going," I heard a familiar voice say as I looked into deep brown eyes.

"Thanks," I said coldly as I took my books back from Grayson. He smiled, but I looked away.

"Hey," he said getting my attention back.

"What?" I ask rather a bit to rudely.

"Chill, I was just wondering if you want to, um, go out some time?" he asked nervously.

"Ha, just to be betrayed by dolan number two? No thanks," I rejected, and left. He looked a little hurt, and I turned away. Soon, I'm yanked back by a pull on my arm.

"Ow," I wince as I rub my arm. Grayson stepped closer, only inches away. (or centimeters? I'm canadian smh)

He looked into my eyes a bit longer than her should have, and then looked around to see if anyone was listening.

"Listen, I'm sorry," he said softly, so only the two of us could hear. "I should have told you , and I was stupid enough to let Ethan do it, let alone tell you I-" he began to ramble. I stopped him.

"Dude, chill," I calmed him. " Thanks for apologizing and all, but I don't think we could ever be friends again."

I walked away, leaving Grayson standing there. I wanted to look over my shoulder, but I look straight ahead, keeping a brave face. It hurt me how I just left him there alone, but the pity was quickly washed away after I walk through the class doors.

E T H A N

I waited for Grayson at out regular table. Our table is in the centre, which makes it hard for us not be watched while we eat, and have fun.

Aaron, Nate, and I waited for Grayson and Alex to come. We spent the time being throwing Takis Fuego, aiming at each others mouths. Nate caught one, but then began to pant for water, exclaiming that the heat was too much.

"What are you guys doing?" I heard a familiar voice ask.

I smile as I turn around to look at Raman. She slid in between me and Aaron, and kissed me on the lips.

"I missed you," she mumbled in between kisses.

"So did I," I respond, before making out again.

"Ewww," Grayson gagged as he sat beside her. " No more PDA, guys."

The two of us broke apart, laughing a little. I shook my head for a bit, and then looked down at the pizza slice in the red tray. I pushed it away, "They expect us to think this is food?"

They agreed with me, then Raman began running her hands though my short hair. "I miss your long hair."

"Yeah," Alex said. "Why did you cut it?"

Grayson looked over at me, and gave me a look the screamed you-better-tell-them. I looked down into my lap.

"I don't know? I guess... I just wanted something different," I lied. Grayson rolled his eyes, and continued to eat the 'pizza'.

(Flashback btw)

We laid on my bed, and she rested her head on my chest. My hands lightly stroked her back, and she looked up at me. She ran her hands through my hair, paying extra attention to my streak of purple. "Long hair looks good on you, you look maybe 1 percent less ugly."

I put my hand over my chest, and opened my mouth to form an 'O'. "Excuse me?!"

"Wh-hat?" she replied even more dramatically.

"What the fuck did you just say?" I say, getting up.

She broke into a fit of giggles. "I was just saying that you looked very handsome sir."

"Good, and it should stay that way," I whispered as I crawled on top of her, and began to kiss her hungrily.

(End of flashback)

"Earth to Ethan!?" Nate exclaimed. I looked up, and realized i just zoned out in front of everyone... again.

"I gotta go," I said, rushing as far away from the cafeteria as I could. Once I was in a hallway, quiet enough that no one was there, I pull out my antidepressants from my backpack pocket, and grab a bottle of water from the second pocket.  I run over to my locker, and open it wide, so I could block my face.

I unscrew the lid of my water bottle, and hold the green pill in the palm of my hand. I look both ways, then place the pill on the tip of my tongue. I drown the pill down with water, and wipe the water off the edges of my mouth.

A voice startles me. "Why did you send Grayson to apologize? You know its not going to work."

I turn around, and come face to face with Tanya. I look at her shoulders, where her newly cut hair hovered a little above them. I was so used to her long hair, at first couldn't even recognize her. Her deep brown eyes pierced into mine.

"I didn't send him," I stated coldly, turning back to shove my water bottle and the container of pills into my locker.

"Really? And aren't you not supposed to have more than 2 pills a day?" She further questioned. I look at her blankly, at awe how she still remembers. It took me too long to reply, so she walked off after rolling her eyes.

She was wearing blue jeans that were ankle cuffed, and a red shirt that was tucked in. her hair was spiraling in majestic curls, and her black horn-rimmed glasses were slowly falling down her face. My eyes followed her as she slowly disappeared in the hallway.

She changed.

A lot.

Everything died inside of me when  we broke up.

But that's How love dies

FIRST CHAPTER! 1672 WORDS!

[cozy-possum]

Jealousy is one step removed from anguish @irl-alice-cullen

“Rosalie you really should get out and-“ “No I’m fine for now.” I shrug off Carlisle concern. “It’s not a suggestion.” I look up unimpressed from the book I have in my lap. Edward hovers nervously. “The cousin’s are coming down.” “And?” I return to my book as I hear the door open. My arm jerks as I fold it shut and place it on the table. “You really should visit more!” I hold my breath refusing to breath her scent as I make it to the door. “Rose!” Carmen smiles, I nod back my smile fading from genuine to strained to fake as a cast my vision down the group of my cousins, Kate, who stands wither arm wrapped around my pixie Alice.

“What’s the occasion?” “We just thought we should visit, with how everything has been recently and-“ I turn from Kate’s explanation and return to my book. “You’ll forgive Rosalie’s lack of manners, we’ve been hunting in shifts recently and she has hers coming up next.” I roll my eyes at the obviously lie and push all my focus into the words in front of me. Of course most of my brain seems to be rewiring, and reopening everything I had been so desperate to forget. I ignore everyone until I can hear them moving away, moving downstairs, as I count the pairs of steps, curling closer to myself and resting my head on my knees, flicking through the pages uninterestedly. I can hear laughter, music floating up from downstairs and I cringe further into myself at her laughter. I swallow the ache and screaming from my head. It should be me. I’m the only one who can make you laugh like that. It should be me. I shake it of sighing, closing the book once more and taking a tentative step to the stairs. The laughter doesn’t change; I pick up no hushed whispers about me as I step onto the staircase.

I’m downstairs the next instant, smiling at Eleazar who’s joined. “Rose, pleasure.” I smile nodding, jerking my head back as it flickers looking for her. She’s laughing, curled against another body, I catch a glimmer of blonde and wait, expecting to see my own face next to hers, this is not a mirror. I swallow stepping over as Edward turns from the piano to greet me. I can tell everyone is acting as if this is normal. We are not fighting because we are not together. We are no longer. It is I and them. I swallow trying my best to ignore my trembling hand. Edward’s face is soft, pitying and I bite down the snarl I want to scream at him. We  It is none of his business. He jerks his head turning to them, Tanya appears, carefully curling her hand on my shoulder.

“Rose. Outside?” She flicks her eyes to the porch. “Okay.” My voice sounds dull to my ears as I follow. I catch a half step forward before it silences itself. Follow me. Follow me. “Any reason you decided to visit then?” I shake my head of the thoughts. “Alice suggested we visit. She misses everyone.” I snort shaking my head. “Not everyone.” Tanya turns no doubt watching her with Kate. “She found a better spark.” I snarl, shoving my arms around myself digging my fingers into my sides gripping my splintering resolve together. “She does miss you.” Tanya places her arm around me hand patting my shoulder in an awkward hug. I can hear the crack before I register my hand locked around her wrist. “Tanya I-“ She just smiles licking the fissure carefully. “No harm done to me.” She steps back. “You should come in, we’ve travelled quiet a bit. I’m sure you’ll love the stories.” I step towards her, following like a lost child.

“-Was absolutely amazing! There was this little boutique, and everything Katie tried on looks wonderful on her! Bought the entire shop just to see the cashier’s faces!” I crash my teeth together and dig my arm further into my side as I come into half a conversation. It makes my chest ache, hearing her talk so close to our time together. Our memories. My time with her. Mine. Mine. Mine. “Rose! How have you been?” Kate looks nervous, desperate to get the attention off of whatever the story my Alice was telling everyone. Alice ignores me, curling into Kate’s side nuzzling her shoulder. “I’ve been doing good. Yourself?” I strain through my still grit teeth, hoping I don’t sound too annoyed. -Jasper says you reek of jealousy, tone it down.-  I turn, grimacing at Edward before standing up and tugging his arm. He steps into one of the spare rooms. “That was very-“ He doesn’t finish before I haul him against the wall twisting one of his arms behind him. “You said you would stay out of my head. You promised you wouldn’t go poking your nose into this and-“He shoves me back snarling to equal the growl I emit. “You are dragging this on too far. She moved on. She’s healing. She’s found someone who wants her to be happy, who wants to make her happy. That’s all I hear from Kate, she bears you no ill will.” “You think I care about Kate?” I stumble back biting a laugh.

“I couldn’t care less besides the fact it’s not me!” Edwards hand grips my shoulder. “Rose, she’s not thinking of you.”  I jerk away from him. “You think I don’t know that.” Edward sighs I can hear him shaking his head. “Rose, she’s making a choice to-” “She’s wrong! She’s wrong Edward! She shouldn’t be with her! She should be with me! She knows she should! Even if we don’t have beating hearts, she knows I’m hers, she’s all I have Edward. She’s the only person I’ve ever wanted and I messed it all up and now I’m alone and it’s what I deserve. She is my heart. I can’t just give that up. I can’t just throw away everything I’ve given to her. I can’t leave her. Please. Please don’t make me.” Edward swallows shaking his head as he steps away. “She already made that choice for you.” I claw at the back of my neck, curling my head towards my chest as I sink to the ground. I can hear footsteps and don’t look up. I jerk back when I feel her step closer. “You already saw this. I don’t need your gift to know how this ends. Please. Just leave.” “I wanted to make you jealous.” I don’t look up only huff slightly. “Rosie, I, I’m sorry.” I don’t look up. “You haven’t done anything wrong my dove.” I choke slightly at how easy I slip back into us. “I left you.” “For good reason.” I curl against my knees keeping a firm grip around myself to stop further cracks and splinters of myself. I can feel her kneeling next to me, her hand brushing against my hair and cheek; I can feel her sighing quietly. “You know where I am.” It’s not a question, or a request, just a statement. “Of course, with your new spark, I’m sure you’re in a much better place that whoever you were with before.” I can feel her recoil; I choke back every apology that’s bubbling from under my clenched lips. I stay silent as she stands and staggers back, turning away. I don’t not scream and wail, there’s no soft crying or pained shouts for her to return, for her to stay, for her to come home. Instead I crush myself into the wall and closer into my own arms instead.